The UAE Blog

The UAE Blog

Discover the UAE, one honest guide at a time.

Helpful tips, updates, advice and news on the UAE

Welcome

Seven emirates. One curious blog.

Practical guides to the UAE: what to do on a Friday in Dubai, where to hike in Ras Al Khaimah, how to make luqaimat at home, and how to find work or a university. Written to help, never to sell.

The seven emirates

Pick an emirate. Start exploring.

  1. 01 Dubai دبي Landmarks, beaches, food, desert trips and everyday tips for visiting or living in Dubai. 38 guides
  2. 02 Abu Dhabi أبوظبي The capital: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Corniche, souks, islands and calm day trips. 12 guides
  3. 03 Sharjah الشارقة The cultural capital: museums, festivals, universities and family-friendly neighbourhoods. 6 guides
  4. 04 Ajman عجمان The smallest emirate, with quiet beaches, mangroves and an easygoing pace. 3 guides
  5. 05 Ras Al Khaimah رأس الخيمة Mountains, Jebel Jais, beaches and history in the northern emirate. 1 guide
  6. 06 Fujairah الفجيرة The east coast: mountains, snorkelling, old forts and the Indian Ocean. 2 guides
  7. 07 Umm Al-Quwain أم القيوين Lagoons, islands and a slower side of the UAE. 1 guide

Fresh on the blog

Latest stories

All stories

December 2026

UAE Top 10 This Month

All six lists
Things to do this month 10 Things to Do in the UAE in December 2026 New restaurants and cafés New Restaurants and Cafés in the UAE: December 2026 Free things to do Free Things to Do in the UAE in December 2026 Day trips and weekend escapes Day Trips and Weekend Escapes from Dubai and Abu Dhabi: December 2026 Local shops and Made in the UAE Made in the UAE: 10 Local Shops and Gifts for December 2026 People making a difference People Making a Difference in the UAE: December 2026

Explore by topic

What are you in the mood for?

By the numbers

  • 195 guides published
  • 7 emirates covered
  • 10 topics, from food to jobs
  • 4+ years of writing, since 2022

New to the UAE?

Start here.

The basics most visitors ask about first: money, language, the best months to come and what to pack.

All travel tips
  1. 01 Free Things to Do in the UAE in December 2026
  2. 02 Ramadan in the UAE: A Guide for Visitors and Residents (2027 Dates)
  3. 03 Salik in Dubai: toll gates, prices and how to pay (2026)
  4. 04 UAE Etiquette and Dress Code: What Visitors Should Know (2026)
  5. 05 Dubai Metro guide: lines, fares, nol cards and tips (2026)
  6. 06 Ultimate Travel/Visit Guide for Dubai

Made in the UAE

Made here. Find it here.

Browse 416 UAE-made brands

Free tools

Work it out in seconds.

See all 20 free tools
Gratuity calculatorWork out your end of service benefit under the 2021 UAE labour law.Currency converterConvert dirhams to dollars, rupees, euros and 160+ other currencies.Salik calculatorWork out your weekly and monthly Salik toll costs at peak and off-peak prices.DEWA bill calculatorEstimate your Dubai electricity, water, sewerage and housing fee bill.Best time to visitMonth by month weather, sea temperature and the best months for each activity.Prayer timesFajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha for every emirate.

Food

Cook the UAE at home.

All food stories

Know a place we missed?

Write for The UAE Blog.

If you live in the UAE and know a trail, a kitchen or a neighbourhood well, send us your idea. Original writing only, no paid links.

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