The United Arab Emirates consists of a total of seven emirates. These are Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras al Khaimah, Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain.
Burj Khalifa in the evening
What many tourists do not even know is that there are several emirates. As a rule, most of them only know the emirate of Dubai, which is where most of the people go on holiday. Then maybe the capital of the Emirates is Abu Dhabi. However, significantly fewer tourists spend their holidays there.
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Then there is the emirate of Ras al Khaimah where you can spend a cheap beach holiday. But these are to be made even better known in the future and numerous new hotels have been built there. Thus, these are also more interesting for tourists to vacation there.
By far the most famous emirate is of course Dubai. Many have only heard of this and think that there is only that. You certainly know the highlights of the Burj Khalifa or the Burj al Arab Hotel. Then, of course, you should visit the big shopping malls. These are of course the Dubai Mall and the Mall of the Emirates. Another highlight is of course the Atlantis The Palm Hotel. Especially in this emirate, there are many spectacular hotels that do not exist in the other emirates.
Furthermore, the large hub of Emirates Airline at Dubai International Airport certainly ensures a high number of tourists. Many stop over there for a few days and have a look at the city. We recommend staying there for at least a few days. The metropolis of Dubai now offers a lot of attractions that a week there is no longer enough.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi in the evening
Of course, you should also visit the capital of the United Arab Emirates. This is Abu Dhabi and it’s a little quieter there and the emirate isn’t quite as hectic. In the last few years, a lot has been built there and billions have been invested in the infrastructure. The highlights here are the Sheikh Zayed Mosque and the Emirates Palace Hotel. Then there is a beautiful island called Yas Island. The Formula One car race takes place there once a year.
For the children, there is also the Ferrari World theme park or the Yas Waterworld water park. You shouldn’t miss a look at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The emirate is becoming more and more interesting for tourists and you can also take a nice beach holiday on, for example, Saadiyat Island. Many beautiful luxury hotels have been built there in recent years.
Ras al Khaimah view
In the meantime, Ras al Khaimah has also become very well known among holidaymakers. Many know this from a bathing extension. That means you spend a few days in Dubai and then spend a beach holiday there. As a rule, many European and American tour operators offer this. The reason is of course that the prices in the hotels are much cheaper there. So this is one of the emirates where you can get cheap holidays. Many beautiful hotels were also built there, such as the Waldorf Astoria Ras al Khaimah.
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The emirate also has an artificially raised island called Marjan Island. Large shopping malls such as the Al Hamra Mall can also be found there. Tourists who want it a little quieter should opt for this emirate. There is also an international airport, the Ras Al Khaimah International Airport.
Beach view
The smallest emirate in the United Arab Emirates is Ajman. Furthermore, it is also the poorest as there are no oil or natural gas deposits there. The trade of goods is still very important there and tourism is emerging. The emirate is very interesting for a beach holiday and the overnight prices in the hotels are also cheaper there. Numerous beautiful hotels such as The Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah or the Fairmont Ajman were built. So you can spend a beach holiday there with the whole family. But if you want to go on holiday there, you have to land at Dubai Airport.
The emirate does not have its own airport. But there the relaxation factor is very big because you have a lot of peace there. Of course, you will also find tourists there, but not as many as in Dubai, for example. Thus, the emirate is something for vacationers who are looking for peace and quiet.
Sharjah beach view
The Emirate of Sharjah is also ideal for an inexpensive beach holiday. Furthermore, a lot of people who work in Dubai live there. Because the apartments there are significantly cheaper. Thus, the emirate also has a very high population. It is practically assembled with the neighboring emirate and you can not see exactly where it begins and ends again. But there are also some nice hotels where you can spend a beach holiday. The emirate also has an international airport.
This is Sharjah International Airport, which is mainly served by cargo airlines. There is also a hub for the low-cost airline Air Arabia. In the past, there were also direct flights from Condor. But these have since been discontinued. The emirate of Sharjah is considered to be the most conservative emirate and there is a strict alcohol ban. Tourists also do not get any alcohol in the hotels.
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Fujairah flowers
Then there is the Emirate of Fujairah which is east of the Hajar Mountains. But there are now some nice bathing hotels there too. Furthermore, tourists, there has the advantage that the prices in the hotels are a bit cheaper. The emirate is especially popular with divers and you will find beautiful diving spots there. So you don’t need to fly to the Maldives.
The coral reefs are certainly very beautiful and attract divers from all over the world. So if you are interested in a diving holiday then you are in the right place in this emirate. There is also the Fujairah International Airport, but there are no direct flights. The emirate is highly recommended for price-conscious holidaymakers and you will find some beautiful luxury hotels there that would cost more in the other emirates.
Umm Al Quwain symbol
The emirate of Umm Al Quwain is still very unknown to holidaymakers. Tourism is still being developed there and there are already some hotels where you can stay overnight. But the emirate is very interesting for tourists because there are still no modern skyscrapers like in Dubai. You can still see the original oriental architecture there. There are still many houses with wind towers and also dhow shipyards. As a tourist, you can still feel the Orient as it used to be. Traditional handicrafts are also offered. But the emirate is also becoming more and more modern and has a beautiful water park, the Dreamland Aqua Park.
