11 Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting The UAE 2026

The UAE is one of those destinations that surprises you in the best way. Beyond the glitzy skyline and shopping malls, there’s incredible food, culture, and natural beauty – from sprawling desert dunes to turquoise coastlines. It’s a place where old traditions and modern life mix effortlessly, and where a little local know-how can go a long way.

After spending time exploring different corners of the country, I’ve rounded up the things I wish I’d known before visiting – the small tips and insights that make travelling in the UAE smoother, easier, and even more rewarding.

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UAE at a glance:

• Easiest UAE eSIM (from just £3.50)
• The best 5* desert safari trip
• My favourite place to stay in the desert: Pura Eco Resort
• Hassle-free car hire (from just £10 per day)

1. There’s so much more to the UAE than Dubai

When you think about the UAE, it’s likely that you’re picturing Dubai. So much so I’d even argue many people either think Dubai is a country in it’s own right or wouldn’t be able to name the country Dubai is in. This glitzy city has truly captured the attention of travellers and luxury-seekers alike.

But if like me, you’re less into high end shopping and more interested in people, culture and history then you’ll be pleased to know there’s a whole lot more to the UAE than just Dubai. Don’t get me wrong, Dubai is a very fun city and there’s nowhere else like it in the world, but to visit this country and only spend your time here would be to miss out on so much more. In fact, I’ve written a whole blog about the best things to do beyond Dubai.

From the vast ’empty quarter’ as the huge swathes of desert that cover the UAE are known, to ancient fortresses, white marble mosques, wildlife-rich mangroves and mountain trails, the UAE is so much more diverse than you might realise.

So for a true picture of the country I’d recommend also spending time in the UAE’s second city Abu Dhabi, historic Al Ain and mountainous Hatta. Click below to find more itineraries and travel ideas.

But if you want the easiest hassle-free ways to explore beyond Dubai – join one of the best organised tours into the desert or across to Abu Dhabi. Here are some of my top picks…

Desert safari with camel riding, sand boarding and more

To explore the country’s sprawling sand dunes with a side of adrenaline, choose this 5* desert safari loved by literally thousands of people. It’s a firm favourite for a reason – you get to experience so much on just one tour, they prioritise safety and they aim to ensure the experience is as authentic as possible.

Book your place for an evening of dune bashing, sand boarding, camel riding and quad biking with the option to extend for traditional dancing, dinner, henna and more. Plus, did I mention this 4 hour tour is only £25 per person?!

Check availability and book your place here.

Abu Dhabi full-day sightseeing tour

For the easiest way to see the UAE’s ‘second city’, Abu Dhabi – join a full-day tour to this stunning place. Over the course of nearly 10 hours, you’ll see the shimmering white marble Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Emirates Palace, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Etihad Towers and beautiful Qasr Al Watan royal palace.

Check availability and book your place here.

Overnight safari at a traditional camp with dinner and stargazing

For even more of an escape, choose to spend a night in the desert. For me, a night under the stars was one of the most special memories from our UAE trip. I loved venturing out into the quiet of the desert where the stars are breathtaking.

This trip offers you just that – the chance to spend the night in a traditional Bedouin tent in the heart of the desert. You’ll feast on an Emirati BBQ, spot stars and planets through telescopes and enjoy dancing around the fire. By morning, take a sunrise camel ride and try classic Arabian breakfast dishes.

Check availability and book your place here.

2. Lots of sights are free to visit

One of the things that struck me in such a commercially-minded country is actually how many of the best sights are free to visit. For instance, the country’s most famous mosque, Sheikh Zayed is free for tourists to visit. So too is historic Fujairah Fort, lush Al Ain Oasis, Al Jahili Fort and many others.

So if you’re intrigued to see more of the UAE’s cultural and historical sights, you’ll actually be able to save a chunk of your travel budget too. I just couldn’t believe that some of these spots were fully staffed and offering not only free entry but free Arabic coffee too – a win-win in my book!

3. You’ll get a free SIM card when you land

On the subject of free things, to help you find your feet in the UAE when you land, every passenger is actually given a free SIM card. While it’s only 1GB, it’s plenty to help you book a taxi, use your maps and find your accommodation. So this is a really nice touch and means you don’t necessarily have to worry about having an eSIM ready to go (although I still recommend using eSIMs for the rest of your trip – find my go-to eSIMs for the UAE here).

4. Dress appropriately and skip the PDA

As the UAE is a Muslim country, it’s important to respect their views on more modest dressing. This is especially important in cities like Abu Dhabi and Al Ain where more Emirati families and local people live compared with the expat-haven of Dubai. This goes for men and women – generally speaking avoid showing your legs above the knee (so no short shorts/dresses/skirts) and keep your shoulders covered (so no vests or tank tops). Try to pack more loose fitting clothes that will keep you cool and still respect the culture. I opted for lots of light linen trousers with t-shirts and a thin sweater or linen shirt to drape over my shoulders and keep the sun off. There’s no need to cover your head if you don’t normally practice head covering (unless you’re entering a mosque).

Having respect for the culture in the UAE also means avoiding overt displays of affection in public. While holding hands is acceptable (but not widely done), kissing and cuddling is frowned upon and likely to make the local people around you very uncomfortable. So if you are travelling with a partner, bear this in mind when out and about!

5. Allow a lot more time for traffic

One of the things that really surprised me about the UAE, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is how bad the traffic is. As these are such new cities in terms of their design and layout, you’d think they wouldn’t have fallen for any of the city planning mistakes that cause older capitals to get choked with cars.

But unfortunately as the UAE has such a car orientated culture, the roads just can’t cope with the amount of people travelling on them. While there is a metro and tram system, it doesn’t seem to be as widely used as other parts of the world and so if you’re trying to get anywhere in a hire car or Uber, be prepared for even short journeys across the city to take up to an hour. We got stuck in so many of these sections of standstill traffic and definitely would learn from our mistake next time.

With that in mind, I’d recommend using public transport to move around the centre of Dubai. You’ll save a lot of time sitting in traffic and get to enjoy better views along the way!

6. There’s a strong tipping culture

When it comes to showing appreciation, the UAE does have a strong tipping culture. Generally, the service we had across the country was fantastic from hotels and restaurants to coffee shops and activities so you’ll probably find you want to show your appreciation anyway. In restaurants and cafés, you can easily add a tip onto your bill and pay it with card. If in doubt, opt for around 10% of your total bill.

But if you’re out in the desert or in a more informal setting, it’s helpful to have some small change. We found this especially when checking into hotels and being helped with our luggage or when out in the desert doing activities. For instance, when we stayed at Pura Eco Resort in the mountains surrounding Al Ain, their team escorted us in a 4×4 to dinner, lit our camp fire and ensured our baggage was stowed perfectly. The reality is, the staff undertaking these duties are unlikely to be paid a lot and so thanking them with a small tip is a good way to show your appreciation. In these instances 10 to 15 AED (around £2 – £3) is a fair tip.

7. Alcohol is very limited

Again as this is a Muslim country, alcohol isn’t as widely available. In cities like Dubai, Al Ain and Abu Dhabi there are dedicated off-licences and alcohol shops where you can buy wine and beer to drink at home but you won’t find it in the main supermarkets.

At restaurants, resorts and cafés outside of Dubai you’re less likely to find alcoholic drinks on the menu. Instead you can usually choose from non-alcoholic beers and wine or mocktails and juices. Personally, I just treated this as the chance to have a little detox! 😂

8. Opening hours and customs change during ramadan

When you plan you trip to the UAE can also have a big impact on how you experience the country. For instance, during Ramadan – the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, the country can feel completely different.

During this time, Muslims fast from dawn until dusk and so will not consume any food or water during the day. Tourists and travellers who aren’t Muslim are not expected to fast, but it is seen as disrespectful to openly eat or drink in public during fasting hours.

While many restaurants and cafés do stay open during during normal working hours throughout Ramadan, others will also adapt their schedule to suit sundown and sunrise, so make sure you check before you turn up. If you’re travelling to the UAE during Ramadan, you can also expect the cities to be a lot quieter and some things to be closed as residents spend more time at home resting to conserve their energy.

So if you want the full UAE experience, I’d recommend travelling outside of Ramadan to avoid closures and a generally much quieter atmosphere.

9. The heat is no joke!

Speaking of good times to visit… it’s no secret that the UAE is a hot country. Most of the land is covered by arid dry desert with only a little respite in the breezier coastal cities. With that in mind, it’s probably not surprising that between June to September, the temperatures can reach a dizzy 40-45°C.

Not only is that kind of heat just not fun to explore in but it can actually become dangerous. Heat stroke and extreme dehydration are very possible even earlier in the year so if you can, avoid visiting the UAE in the summer months and instead opt for cooler temperatures from November to April.

But even in those months, sun protection is still super important. Always apply SPF before you go outside for the day (it’s amazing how quickly you can burn!), wear clothes that cover more of your skin, stay hydrated, don’t forget your sunglasses and seek shade where possible.

10. Stick to bottled or filtered water

On the topic of hydration, it’s also important to understand the water situation in the UAE. As the country doesn’t have a lot of fresh water sources, most of the water that comes out of the taps is from desalination plants. While the water itself from these plants is perfectly safe to drink and excellent quality, the pipes in homes, hotels and buildings across the country can vary quite a lot.

Which means that by the time the water comes out of your tap, it could have picked up some dust, contamination or even mould that you probably don’t want to drink. For that reason, it’s recommended to either drink bottled water that’s readily available or filtered water. Most hotels will have dedicated water filters in each room so you can feel confident drinking the water from them. While most residential properties will have water cooler bottles delivered to their door to top up their machines.

11. The UAE is a very safe country

Lastly, if you’re wondering whether the UAE is a safe place for tourists to travel – whether you’re a couple, solo female or even travelling with kids my answer would be 100% yes!

The UAE has some of the lowest crime rates in the world thanks to effective policing, strong cultural respect for law and order, and heavy fines and penalties for wrongdoing. So you can travel freely without much worry about theft, harassment or danger and for solo females, there are even dedicated women and children only metro carriages and taxis.

But of course following and respecting the rules goes both ways – for a safe and enjoyable stay in the UAE, it’s key to dress appropriately and respect local laws. But as long as you do that, it’s unlikely you’ll have any issues at all. I never felt unsafe during my trip to the country and would be confident travelling alone.

To be honest, the main risk is the heat and straying into the desert without a guide!

There we have it, that’s my wrap up the things I think every traveller should know before heading to the UAE for the best trip. If you have any questions or tips of your own to add, please let me know in the comments box below. Happy travelling!

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