The country of sheikhs - the United Arab Emirates - is located in the southwest of the Arabian Peninsula. The shores are washed by the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean (Gulf of Oman).
Why go to the UAE
The UAE is a fabulous country where, among the sands of the endless desert, skyscrapers made of glass and metal soar into the sky; a place where ancient customs combine with the latest technology. If you love excellent hotel service, shopping from morning to evening, swimming in the eternally warm sea and are picky about the choice of entertainment - this is the place for you. The Emirates is home to the world's largest aquarium, a ski resort in the desert, an amazingly beautiful mosque and, of course, many shopping centers with thousands of shops.
UAE visa
A visa is not required to travel to the UAE. Upon arrival in the UAE, a tourist’s passport is stamped free of charge indicating their arrival in the country. The visa is valid for 30 days. In case of several entries/exits from the country, you need to obtain visas each time.
The country unites 7 emirates. The largest emirate is , the smallest is . All emirates, except , have areas on the coast of the Persian Gulf. located on the shores of the Gulf of Oman.
When choosing tours to the UAE, tourists give preference to the emirates and.
Weather in UAE
The season in the UAE lasts all year round - it is warm and there is practically no rain. The best time to visit the Emirates is considered to be from late October to April, when it is not very hot. The sea water off the coast of the UAE is always warm: the temperature does not drop below 18°C. In winter, the water in UAE hotel pools is heated, its temperature is 25-27 °C. In summer, air temperatures can reach 50 °C and sea temperatures can reach 35 °C.
Round trip flights to the UAE
Prices for tickets per person departing from Berlin are shown.
Sights of the UAE
The Emirates cannot boast many historical attractions like cities in Europe or Asia. The country's rapid development began only half a century ago. However, the lack of ancient ruins and ancient houses of the UAE city is more than compensated by ultra-modern skyscrapers, luxurious amusement parks, beautiful embankments and, of course, oriental bazaars in air-conditioned shopping centers.
The best in the Emirates
If you definitely want to touch history and culture, then you should pay attention to the beautiful mosques - for example, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in - or the Bastakiya area, where clay houses, a fort building and the atmosphere of an Arab village have been preserved.
Picturesque oases are scattered throughout the emirates, and there are healing mineral springs in the emirates. For wildlife lovers, we recommend visiting the unique mangrove reserve, zoo and Sheikh's Palace in Al Ain in Abu Dhabi.
On an excursion to the UAE, you can go into the desert on jeeps and ATVs, travel around all the emirates and even visit the neighboring Sultanate of Oman, sail on a yacht on man-made islands or simply in the Persian Gulf, even fly in a helicopter near the Burj Khalifa skyscraper or in a hot air balloon over surroundings.
Shopping
People come to the UAE for quality shopping - there are many multi-storey shopping centers and markets. The most famous of them are The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Souk Madinat Jumeirah next to Palm Jumeirah, Gold Souk in Dubai's Deira district, Abu Dhabi Mall.
Souvenirs
The most popular souvenirs that tourists bring from the UAE are chocolate and candies based on camel milk, amazing dates with and without filling, soft toys, seven sands - a bottle of multi-colored sand from different emirates, small carpets, hookahs, jewelry and jewelry.
Transport
Compared to Russia, public transport in the UAE is very poorly developed. This is explained by the fact that almost every resident has his own car. Buses and metro are mainly used by migrant workers and tourists. Regular city bus service is only available in and Abu Dhabi. A bus ticket is inexpensive - about 1.5 dirhams.
Most often, tourists travel by taxi. Each machine is equipped with a meter. If you are traveling from one emirate to another, be prepared for the fact that a certain amount will be added for crossing the “border” (each emirate has its own, but no more than 5 dollars). You will also have to pay extra for travel on toll roads.
The metro is popular with both locals and tourists. It is fully automatic, there are no drivers. The Dubai Metro has 2 lines in total; they are connected to each other and to the tram line. There are 3 categories of tickets for payment - “golden” (with a panoramic view and a guarantee of a seat in the head/tail car, they cost 2 times more than regular ones), women’s and children’s tickets (tickets to a certain section of the car) and regular ones. Ticket prices range from 1.8 to 11 dirhams.
There is a tram line in the Dubai Marina area, and on the Palm Jumeirah there is a monorail, which tourists love to ride on. One trip on the monorail costs 15 dirhams.
To rent a car in the UAE, you will need an international driver's license and a credit card. All personalized cards issued in the Russian Federation are considered credit cards. In some cases, you can rent a car using a Russian ID and without presenting a credit card. However, if you are stopped by the police, you will have to pay a huge fine. When renting, the amount on the bank card is “frozen” (750-2000 dirhams), it is important that it is available.
Alcohol
The UAE is a Muslim country where there is a ban on alcohol consumption. Each emirate sets its own law on alcohol - for example, it doesn’t even smell like it: you can’t not only drink it, but even transport it and store it. Surrounded by , there are a couple of liquor stores. You can find alcoholic cocktails on the menu, but be prepared that they will be expensive. Alcohol can be brought into your hotel room in some emirates. You can buy wine, beer and other drinks in duty-free shops upon arrival, but only a little. The quantity is monitored - lovers of strong drinks can easily be deprived of their favorite drink.
Customs and traditions
Religion in the UAE is Islam. Believers perform namaz 5 times a day. The call to prayer is heard through mosque loudspeakers, as well as on radio and television.
Holy month Ramadan- a special period for Muslims, a time of fasting, humility and prayer. Its beginning is determined by the lunar calendar, each year a new date. In 2018, Ramadan lasts from May 15 to June 14, in 2019 - from May 5 to June 3.
During Ramadan, Muslims are prohibited from eating and drinking before sunset, so many cafes and restaurants are closed during the day. Tourists are not recommended to eat or drink on the street, and when going on excursions, they should take food rations with them. Many hotels are being renovated just in time for Ramadan. However, there are also advantages from visiting the UAE at this time, and considerable ones - there are almost no traffic jams in cities and on highways, there are no queues to attractions (many increase opening hours until late at night), there are fewer crowds in shops, and in hotels and on the beaches there are much calmer and more spacious.
Women are strictly prohibited from appearing on the street in open or translucent clothing. Firstly, it is indecent, and secondly, the locals will immediately call the police and the “half-naked” tourist, according to the Arabs, will be fined a hefty sum (the morality police are especially fierce). We recommend dressing in such a way that your clothes cover your knees, elbows and décolleté. You cannot hug or kiss on the street in public places.
Kitchen
The UAE is located on the shores of the Persian Gulf, so there will be plenty of seafood on the hotel menu: there are grilled lobsters, various fish, and shellfish. Many tourists like to try kebabs, hearty chickpea-based snacks, exotic fruits, and dates. In the emirates they sell ice cream made from camel milk and milk itself.
Useful to know about the UAE
- The plane is flying from Moscow to about 5 o'clock. Transfer to hotels is about 1.5 hours, to Abu Dhabi hotels - about 2 hours.
- Time in UAE ahead of Moscow by 1 hour.
- In three emirates - , and - is charged tourist tax for accommodation. The tax is paid upon check-in at the hotel (in dirhams, foreign currency or a bank card). The amount of tax in and is from 2 to 6 dollars per night depending on the star rating of the hotel. In Abu Dhabi, tourists pay $5 per night, regardless of hotel category.
- In most hotels in the UAE upon check-in a deposit is taken. Depending on the hotel, the range can be very large: from $10 to $400 per night or from $50 to $600 per period. Sometimes the deposit is calculated based on the room rate (usually 50% of the nightly rate). The amount is refunded upon departure from the hotel. In some hotels, you can agree not to pay a deposit if you empty the minibar and turn off the phone.
- It is not recommended to drink tap water in the UAE; it is desalinated or purified sea water. Bottled water is produced from oasis springs. Average water bottle price(0.5 liters) - 1.2 dirhams.
- Religion in the UAE - Islam Sunni persuasion.
- Language in the UAE - Arab. The majority of the population knows English, and signboards, road signs, and signs are duplicated in it.
- It is strictly not recommended to photograph local residents without permission, especially women. Also refrain from taking photos near government agencies.
- In the UAE, many objects do not have a permanent address - residents are guided by signs and nearby buildings.
- If you get sick, contact the insurance service by phone specified in the insurance policy that you received when purchasing the tour. If you just call an ambulance, you can get a hefty bill.
- The UAE is very strict about cleanliness. Fine for a discarded wrapper or cigarette butt on the street or beach is from 200 dirhams (3,200 rubles).
- Friday and Saturday in the UAE - weekend, Thursday - shortened working day. Banks, post office and government agencies close early- the working day begins at 8 am and ends at 15 o'clock, sometimes at 13 o'clock.
- Mosquitoes and mosquitoes not in the UAE, so you can do without a fumigator. Most shopping centers and public places are equipped with powerful air conditioners. To stay warm, bring clothes with sleeves.
- Snorkeling and diving in the UAE there is only in, in the rest of the emirates there is no vibrant underwater life. Those who come here on an excursion are given free fins and a mask.
- Surprisingly, in the UAE cannot be imported nothing that was produced in Israel and even things with the Israeli logo will be taken away at customs and may be denied entry. If you have a favorite keychain with mogendovid or you are bringing Dead Sea cosmetics to someone, it is better to leave them at home or use the postal service. The list of items prohibited for export is standard: no weapons, antiquities or cultural heritage. From the unusual - from the Emirates palm trees cannot be removed Weather by month
Arabian night, luxurious beaches, unearthly shopping and untouchable oriental beauties - these are just some of the points that make traveling to the United Arab Emirates attractive to tourists from all over the world.
But, despite the magical atmosphere of these places, there are some peculiarities here.
In this article we will tell you what you need to know before traveling to the UAE, so that you will want to return again to the country of oil tycoons and blooming oases.
UAE visa
First of all, when planning a tour, you should take care of the documents. Do Russians who travel there solely for the purpose of recreation need a visa to the UAE? Yes, I need it. If the duration of the trip does not exceed a month, there is no need to go anywhere specially - Russian citizens are issued a 30-day visa for free right at the airport. Then this visa can be extended for another 30 days without leaving the Emirates.
If you plan to stay in the UAE for no longer than 3 months, you can apply for a single or multiple visa. A tourist visa can be obtained through the hotel and requires a confirmed reservation.
Please note that if you do not check into your room, your visa will be canceled and this will be against the law. You can also apply for a visa by invitation from a relative. To obtain it, you will have to leave a deposit of 5,000 dirhams.
To travel to the UAE with a child, you need to get him a separate passport. It is not possible to fly to the Emirates with a baby using an entry in the parents’ passport. If a child is flying with only one parent or guardian, a notarized and translated into Arabic departure authorization from the remaining guardians will be required.
Important: it will be difficult for a single woman under 30 years old, especially with a child, to obtain a visa. She may be mistaken for a fugitive who plans to find a rich husband in the UAE and stay in the Emirates forever. Therefore, to avoid any difficulties with a visa, it is better for girls to fly with a male companion.
The local currency is the DHS dirham, the smaller currency is the FLS fils. There are 100 fils in one dirham. If you are going to buy small souvenirs or other inexpensive goods at the market, it is worth carrying dirhams with you: this will allow you to save more on your purchase than if you pay the seller in dollars.
If you plan to pay for purchases by bank transfer, withdraw money in dirhams. You should not take a credit card with you, otherwise you will spend much more than you planned.
Weather and water temperature
In the summer months, the weather in the UAE is hot: the air temperature is above +40 degrees, the water temperature is about +32 degrees. The maximum water temperature in the UAE remains in September. If you want to spend the Indian summer in the UAE, feel free to pack your bags.
The weather is the same in all Emirates, with the exception of Fujairah. Thanks to the proximity of the Indian Ocean, it is slightly cooler there in June, July and August. The average summer temperature is about +37 degrees. Therefore, for those who cannot stand extreme heat, we recommend spending the summer in Fujairah.
A huge advantage of holidaying in the UAE is that it is warm even in winter, much like in summer in central Russia. In January, the outdoor thermometer shows +23 degrees during the day, so it’s better to celebrate Christmas under the palm trees of Dubai.
Transport within the Emirates
Almost all local residents have their own cars, so public transport in Dubai is poorly developed. You won’t see the trams and trolleybuses familiar to Russian people here. Usually each hotel has its own free transport to transport tourists from the airport to the hotel and to the beaches.
Dubai has a metro, but don't rely on it too much. Most of the stations are still under construction, although more than 9 years have passed since the opening of the metro. The Dubai Metro serves as a tourist attraction.
For the convenience of tourists, Dubai has a network of minibuses, the schedule of which can be seen at each stop. This is an inexpensive and convenient form of transport that follows the route without delay. You can pay in the minibus directly with the driver in dirhams.
The easiest way to solve the problem of transport is to rent a car. In the Emirates it is inexpensive, the minimum rental period is 24 hours. Do not rent a car directly at the airport: you risk overpaying.
Any person over 21 years of age who has an international driver’s license and money on a card or in cash can rent a car. You can rent a car with or without a driver. Important: do not exceed the speed limit, and this can not only get you deported, but also put you behind bars.
Another type of transport in the Emirates is boats, on which you can get to the bulk island of Palm Jumeirah and simply ride along the smooth surface of the Arabian waters. Be sure to try it - it's romantic and interesting!
Dizzying shopping
Thanks to the low VAT tax (from January 1, 2018 it is 5% for imported goods), prices for many goods in the UAE are lower than in importing countries. However, the Arabs do not set quotas on the added value of the goods they sell. This means that owners can set any markup in a store, shopping center or market, even 500%.
Some tourists say that shopping in the UAE is expensive, others say that it is cheap. To spend your money wisely, you should know some tricks. You CAN go on an excursion to large malls, but for bargain shopping, go to MEDIUM shopping centers. Also, in bazaars in tourist areas and near hotels, prices are often inflated several times.
Products of European brands are cheaper in the Emirates, because in the EU countries VAT is 22%, and in the UAE it is 5%. That is, for every $100 of product cost, you save $17 if you buy an item not in Paris, but in Dubai. However, some brands charge fixed prices. Then you won't be able to save money.
If you are planning shopping in Dubai, come to the sales festival. This blessed time begins at the end of December and lasts for a whole month. The second period when Dubai has discounts on “everything” is summer sales during the holy month of Ramadan.
Avoid shopping at the beginning and end of the month. On these dates, local residents receive salaries, so markets and shopping centers are more crowded. If you want to buy perfume, luxurious clothes and furs in the middle of the night, seven days a week and without breaks for lunch and sleep, the Dubai Duty Free center operates in Dubai.
Cuisine in the Emirates
If this is your first time trying the national cuisine of the UAE, we recommend that you try the following dishes:
- Lamb stuffed with nuts and rice (guzi)
- Arabic shawarma
- Meat with spices and rice side dish “makbus”
- Steamed chicken
- Chicken casserole
- Oriental quail meat
- Stuffed zucchini "kurzhet"
- Vegetable salad with Arabic bread
There is no pork in Arabic cuisine, but there is a huge selection of meat and vegetable dishes for every taste. Therefore, gourmets in the Emirates will definitely find a lot of new and incredibly tasty things.
Reminder for tourists
Even if you do not profess Islam, you should follow generally accepted rules of conduct in a Muslim country:
- Don't look at Muslims praying and don't try to film them with your phone.
- Don't appear in public places wearing too revealing outfits
- Come to the mosque in closed clothes and strictly during the hours when tourists are allowed to enter
- In public places, men and women are not supposed to kiss, hug, or otherwise express excessive intimacy. Such behavior in public is only acceptable in a bar or discotheque
- Each Emirate has its own rules regarding the consumption and transportation of alcohol. Familiarize yourself with them in advance to avoid getting into an awkward situation.
The UAE is one of the most attractive countries in the world for tourists. We recommend that you see this for yourself one day and get a taste of heavenly life!
If during your holiday in the United Arab Emirates you are only interested in pleasant idleness on the beach, then you better turn your attention to resorts such as Sharjah, Fujairah and Ajman. By the way, Sharjah is also very popular for its wide shopping opportunities and its attractions. In addition to them, many tourists also love to visit Abu Dhabi and Dubai, where in addition to beach holidays they are also attracted by a varied excursion program.
The high season in the Emirates is considered to be the period from October to April; in winter, between various holidays, prices for all tours usually fall slightly. The four best beach months in the Emirates are October and November in the fall, and March and April in the spring.
The completely low season here is usually in the summer from June to August, in order to relax comfortably it becomes too hot here, but if this does not bother you, then you can safely go - during this period the prices for tours are significantly reduced. In principle, you can swim in the UAE even in winter, but you must take into account that the water at this time is still much colder. Well, the period of sales in the Emirates and the best shopping usually occurs in winter from January to February and in summer in July-August.
What else is important to know before traveling to the Emirates? Well, firstly, you don’t actually need to get any vaccinations, and secondly, you must not forget that this is, after all, a Muslim country and you should not take too revealing clothes with you. And if you suddenly go there on vacation during the holy month of Ramadan for all Muslims (mid-late summer), then you will have to behave especially restrained there. Well, you also definitely need to take sunglasses and all sorts of different creams to protect from the scorching sun.
The UAE has recently become a very popular country among tourists, so at all the resorts here you can find hotels in a wide range of price categories. Well, the cost of living itself greatly depends on the season, on the hotel and on how close to the beach it is located. Please remember that alcoholic drinks can usually only be purchased on site, especially during the month of Ramadan. And on hotel grounds, morals are usually much freer and simpler than in the resort towns themselves. The exception is the emirate of Sharjah - alcohol is not sold anywhere there and morals are strict absolutely everywhere. It is also worth knowing that in the UAE you can also rent a room and a villa, which will cost you a little less than a hotel room. 
Mostly, of course, tourists go to the Emirates for a beach holiday, because almost the entire coast of this country is one large, well-maintained and civilized beach. It is divided only into city ones and those belonging to specific hotels. The latter are usually cleaner and less noisy. 
Water sports are well developed in the UAE - yachting, fishing, surfing and so on. Diving is also quite common in the Emirates, but it is still very expensive here. Such a common form of recreation as water skiing is also present here. In addition to water sports, the Emirates also offers horse riding and other coastal activities. Children will really enjoy the well-equipped water parks here.
The UAE's leaders in shopping are emirates such as Sharjah and Dubai. You can also do some good shopping in Abu Dhabi. In other emirates you can also buy something interesting for yourself, but still you shouldn’t go there specifically for shopping. If you wish, you can go bargain at the market or in a small shop, or make civilized purchases in huge malls. It’s just who you like. But still know that at Dubai Airport there is perhaps the largest duty-free shopping center in the world. There you can buy very high quality goods at absolutely ridiculous prices.
The United Arab Emirates (Imarat al-Arabiya al-Muttahida) is a state in Western Asia. It is located in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula on the coast of the Oman and Persian Gulfs. The UAE borders the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman and Qatar. This state was founded as a result of the unification of six principalities: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain on December 2, 1971 and a year later Ras Al Khaimah. The capital of the country is Abu Dhabi. The population is approximately 3.48 million.
It is important to remember that the United Arab Emirates is a Muslim country and for proper relations with the population it is necessary to honor the customs, traditions and morals of this people. Islam is the second most important world religion. Religious holidays are celebrated according to the lunar calendar adopted in Islam. The Koran defines the basic norms of behavior and customs of Muslims from the moment of birth to death - Sharia ("the path to follow"). The legislation of most Arab countries (including the UAE) is based on Sharia principles. Muslims are required to pray five times a day. It is not recommended to film them with a video or camera during prayer. It is also not a good idea to enter a mosque wearing provocative clothing.
When greeting and saying goodbye, shake hands - this is a sign of special friendliness. Take off your shoes before entering your home. The presence of women at the same table with men is not accepted in Arab homes. During the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, smoking, eating, drinking and chewing gum is prohibited in public places before sunset. Do this in your hotels.
Attention! During Ramadan, any disrespect for traditions may result in imprisonment or fines.
Particular attention should be paid to clothing. Beachwear is only allowed near hotel pools and on the seashore. Gambling is prohibited in the country. Take and offer food, money, and any other goods only with your right hand. Avoid subjects such as police stations or Arab women in your camera lens. You should not be the first to start a conversation with a woman, look at her closely or for a long time, and also shake her hand.
The UAE has a subtropical, dry climate; The weather is clear and cloudless almost all year round. Rain usually occurs in winter, with temperatures ranging from 13.5 to 45 degrees Celsius. It rains more often on the east coast of the UAE in the emirate of Fujairah. The water temperature of the Persian Gulf ranges from +19 in winter to +35 in summer.
The traditional clothing of the local male population is a wide, long white shirt - kondura (or dizhdasha). The head cover is called gutra and is held in place with two black strands of wool - agal. Black bedspreads for women completely hide the female figure from head to toe. Arabs are one of the most hospitable nations in the world. Whenever you appear on the threshold of an Arab home, you will certainly be treated to dates and coffee with cardamom (qahwa).
Most government agencies are open from 08.00 to 13.30, closed on Thursday and Friday. Banks are open from 08.00 to 13.00 from Saturday to Wednesday, on Thursday from 08.00 to 12.00, closed on Friday. The majority of stores are open from 09.00 to 13.00 and from 16.30 to 22.00, practically seven days a week (only half a day on Friday). Private firms operate according to their own schedule. Restaurants close at one in the morning. Nightclubs are open until three o'clock in the morning. All establishments are equipped with air conditioning.
Restaurants in the UAE are a foodie's paradise, but if you prefer food and alcohol, then you're better off choosing a hotel restaurant. But it is better to prefer the services of a municipal taxi, which has a meter, to hotel transport. Official language of the UAE. is Arabic. English, as well as Hindi and Urdu, are widely spoken among the population, so it is possible to communicate if desired.
Dubai is a free trade zone with very low import duties, often imported goods are cheaper than their original in the country of origin. Credit cards are accepted by all large stores and most small ones, but paying in cash gives you the opportunity to bargain, which is acceptable. The currency of the UAE is the Dirham (1 Dhs = 100 Fills), the exchange rate of which against the US dollar is 3.67 dirhams per 1 USD. Most banks have their offices in the UAE, so transfers and other banking transactions are easily accessible. There are no restrictions on the import and export of foreign and national currency.
Telephone
If you are calling from a hotel to Russia: you need to dial the number "9", then, after waiting for the dial tone, - the Russian code (007), then - the city code (for Moscow - 495). An international call using a pay phone is 4-5 times cheaper than the hotel price. To avoid getting lost while walking, it is better to have a hotel business card or phone number with you to clarify the address, although taxi drivers usually know most of the places of interest to tourists.
Visa
To enter the country you must obtain a visa guaranteed by the sponsor, i.e. organization, company or individual eligible to apply for an entry visa. Tourists coming on holiday to the UAE receive a visa certified by the guarantee of a travel company. An exception is for citizens of the AGCC (Gulf Commonwealth: Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia), for whom a visa is not required. UK citizens can also enter the country for up to 30 days without a visa. Two types of visas are valid: transit - for 14 days and regular entry - for 30 days. A visa or other marks of the State of Israel in the passport may serve as a reason for refusal of entry. There have been cases where authorities have denied entry rights upon arrival at the UAE airport. The UAE authorities reserve the right not to explain the reason for visa refusal. The Emirates is a visa country (the so-called simplified visa regime, when to open a visa we need a tourist’s passport, an application form, a copy of its first page, the official required validity period of the OPP is 3 months from the start of the trip). The visa is issued at the Dubai Immigration Service. The cost of a visa is 40 dollars. Penalties imposed on a company whose tourist did not leave the UAE on time - $1,500 + $30 for each day of stay beyond the visa validity period.
