Country

United Arab Emirates

Dubai and Abu Dhabi: skyscrapers, mosques and golden dunes

Middle East
1 tour
from €1,390

Useful information

Best time to visit: November–March, with pleasant temperatures of 22-30 °C; June–September is very hot and humid
Climate: Desert: very hot, humid summers (above 40 °C), mild winters and very little rain; indoor spaces are air-conditioned
Currency: UAE dirham (AED)
Language: Arabic (English is widely used)
Flight from Athens: From Athens: about 4 hours 30 minutes on a direct flight to Dubai
Visas and documents: You need a valid passport, which we recommend should be valid for at least 6 months after your return. Entry requirements depend on nationality and may change: we will give you up-to-date guidance after booking and help with any e-visa.
Health and vaccinations: No vaccinations are generally mandatory. Summer heat is intense: drink plenty of water and avoid the midday hours. If you take medication, check the rules for bringing it in beforehand and ask your doctor.

Destination guide

What to expect

At night in Dubai Marina, skyscrapers full of light and yachts are reflected in the water. In the centre, the Burj Khalifa rises among glass towers, while on Dubai Creek in Old Dubai the wooden dhows and the souks selling spices and gold keep alive the city's old trading port.

In Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque spreads white domes and columns around a pool that mirrors it, and the Corniche offers a calm walk by the sea. A short way out of the cities, the desert dunes turn golden in the afternoon, and a 4x4 ride across them ends with sunset and dinner at a desert camp.

See the cities in the morning and the evening, and leave the hours of fierce heat for an air-conditioned museum or the pool. In mosques and public places, dress respectfully.

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