The UAE is a state that includes seven emirates, and each has its own laws. Dubai is more popular among tourists: golden beaches, luxurious hotels and restaurants, noisy markets, expensive cars. But what is the country really? We tell you where to get acquainted with the culture, feel history and enjoy nature.
How to get
The cost of a direct flight is from 42,000 rubles*.
Entrance conditions
Tourists traveling to Dubai should have a printed certificate with a negative result of PCR testing, made a maximum of 72 hours before departure in one of the accredited laboratories. You will also need medical insurance for the entire vacation period covering the costs of coronavirus treatment. By arrival, you will be asked to make a second free test. It is also necessary to install the COVID-19 application-DXB Smart App (iOS and Android).
Car rental
Since our travel plan is designed for constant movement, it is most convenient to rent a car. The cost of a small hatchback is from 3,000 rubles per day*. Believe me, spend more money on a taxi, and for public transport.
What to do
Flight on the ball
If you can’t surprise you with a jeep-spari on the desert and a walk on camels, then it’s time to tear yourself away a little from the ground-literally. Flying on a balloon at dawn is an ideal opportunity to evaluate the scale of the desert and admire the sunrise. The cost of flight is from 850 dirhams* per person with a transfer. And then they will feed them breakfast.
Sharjah
20 kilometers from Dubai
Sharja is the cultural capital of the country, where there are more stories than bright windows and fascinating skyscrapers.
Her heart was the area of heritage, which preserved the authenticity of the city due to the large number of historical buildings. It is here that museums of calligraphy and Islamic civilization, as well as Fort Al-Hisn with a collection of weapons. In the Museum of Sharji Heritage, you will meet local cultural and religious aspects. The entrance ticket costs 10 dirhams*. Well, you can evaluate the works of Arab artists at the Museum of Art of Sharji, the entrance is free.
Auriological museum is located away from the heritage area. In it, thanks to the found subjects of everyday life, you can trace the history of the Arabic land from the Stone Age to the appearance of Muslims in the region. Ancient jewelry, ceramic dishes, unusual clothes-I can’t even believe that it was once in everyday life. The entrance to the museum will cost 10 dirhams*.
The city also has an old car museum where about 100 restored and polished models of the last century are represented. Some were released in just a few thousand copies. The cost of the entrance is 10 dirhams*.
There are many markets in the country, but it is impossible to bypass Blue Souk: this is the largest market in the UAE. He got his name thanks to the Arab blue mosaic. In 600 stores you can find everything that can and cannot be imagined: clothes, jewelry, spices, sweets and, of course, carpets – be sure to bring your grandmother as a souvenir on the wall :). The main rule is to bargain to the last.
Those who want to return to childhood for one day and take a break from the museum program should visit Al Montazah entertaining park. It consists of three zones: attractions, water park and green area with gardens and fountains. Access to all zones will cost 120 dirhams*.
Take a walk along the AL QASBA artificial canal, and at sunset, ride an Eye of the Emirates Ferris Wheel to admire the view of the city in the rays of the setting sun. The cost of the attraction is 30 dirhams*.
Hatta
135 kilometers from Dubai
Lakes, mountains, wild nature. It is not surprising that adventure lovers flock here. Here you can do kayaking or just enjoy mountain landscapes, rolling on a boat and a funny catamaran. Prices for water entertainment start from 60 dirhams*, details on the site.
Also at your service are numerous trails for hiking, skiing on a mountain bike and horses. To take a breath between outdoor an authentic village Hatta Heritage Village. There you will plunge into the real rural life of the past depicted in the paintings by Arab artists.
And in the Wadi Hub entertainment center, in the middle of all natural beauty, you can try strength in throwing an ax, firing from onions, climbing, picture. More risky choose zorbing: from a picturesque slope you are sent down in a huge transparent ball. Look for all entertainment here, the cost of each is from 10 to 95 dirhams*. You can also put up a tent and spend the night under the starry sky.
Ras-al-Haima
120 kilometers From Dubai
Love mountains and extreme? Glove! It is in this emirate that the Jebel Jais Zipline cable car, listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest. Its length is 2830 meters. For 300 dirhams* you will be offered to cross the mountain gorge at a speed of 120 km/h. If the prospect of the appearance of gray hair does not really seduce, you can simply arrange tracking to the top of the highest UAE Mountain – Jeel Jace.
A fascinated story and ruins will like the abandoned fishing town of al-Jazira al-Hamra. In the 60s of the last century, all the locally left their homes together, setting off in search of a better life in the places of black gold mining. Looking at the buildings of coral stone, you begin to fantasize about the life of simple fishermen to oil boom. They also say that ghosts are now inhabited here. I wonder if they are also fishing?
The region is also famous for the healing hot springs of Khatt Springs. There you can improve health by soaring in natural bathrooms and steaming pools with a panoramic look. Entrance to the territory – 25 dirhams*.
El Fujaira
150 kilometers from Dubai
The smallest emirate on the shore of the Oman Bay. They come here for incomparable beaches and diving: a rich underwater world obliges this. The immersion will cost 200–250 dirhams*.
And here is the oldest mosque of the country-al-Bidia. Do not wait for rich decorations and design, everything is surprisingly modest. In the 16th century there was no means for decorating with marble gold and brocade. The historical fort nearby is also not distinguished by the design, but inside there is a museum with relics found during excavations. Entrance – 5 dirhams*.
The Sheikh Mosque is a more grandiose building. Only Muslims can go inside, the rest are invited to just admire minarets and marble building. At night, the mosque is fantastically beautifully highlighted.
