Visit UAE

The United Arab Emirates, one of the world's fastest growing tourist destinations, has all the right ingredients for an unforgettable holiday, sun, sand, sea, sports, unbeatable shopping, top-class hotels and restaurants, an intriguing traditional culture, and a safe and welcoming environment.

Weather
Straddling the Tropic of Cancer, the UAE is warm and sunny in winter and hot and humid during the summer months. Winter daytime temperatures average a very pleasant 26°C, although nights can be relatively cool, between 12–15°C on the coast, and less than 5°C in the depths of the desert or high in the mountains. Local north-westerly winds (shamal) frequently develop during the winter, bringing cooler windy conditions. Summer temperatures are in the mid-40s, but can be higher inland. Humidity in coastal areas averages between 50 and 60 per cent, touching over 90 per cent in summer and autumn. Inland it is far less humid.

Language
Arabic is the official language, although English is widely spoken and most road and shop signs and restaurant menus are in both languages. The further out of town you go, the more Arabic you will find, both written and spoken.

Religion
Islam is the official religion of the UAE, and is widely practiced. The Islamic holy day is Friday. Muslim is required to pray (facing Mecca) five times a day. The times vary according to the position of the sun, when the modern-day call-to-prayer is transmitted through loudspeakers on mosque minarets. The UAE Constitution provides for freedom of religion in accordance with established customs. Abu Dhabi is tolerant of other religions with people being free to practice their religious beliefs, so long as they do not interfere with Islam.

Ramadan
Ramadan is the holy month in which Muslims fasting and abstaining from all food, drink, smoking and unclean thoughts (or activities) between dawn and dusk. At sunset, the fast is broken with the Iftar feast, the timings of which are published in all daily newspapers. All over the city, festive Ramadan tents are filled to the brim each evening with people of all nationalities and religions enjoying traditional Arab mezze and sweets. The dates of Ramadan change each year following the Islamic lunar calendar. Non-Muslims are respectfully required to refrain from eating, drinking or smoking in public places during daylight hours. Failure to do so could upset people or lead to an official complaint. During Ramadan, the sale of alcohol is restricted to after dusk, while shops and parks usually open and close later. In addition, no live music or dancing is allowed (so nightclubs tend to close for the entire month) and cinemas limit daytime screenings. Ramadan ends with a three-day celebration and holiday called Eid Al Fitr, which is characterized by gifts being given amongst families, friends, neighbors and charities.

Other Religions
The UAE’s Constitution declares that Islam is the official religion. However, the UAE government follows a policy of tolerance toward non-Muslim religions. There are a number of Christian churches, as well as a Hindu temple complex.

Airports
The UAE has well-appointed international airports, in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Sharjah, Ra’s al-Khaimah and Fujairah. The seventh, Dubai World Central, is under construction. Extensive airports in Abu Dhabi and Dhabi not only service the ever-increasing local tourist market, they are also major hubs for flights from East to West.

Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH): www.dcaauh.gov.ae
Dubai Airport (DXB): www.dubaiairport.com
Sharjah International Airport (SHJ): www.shj-airport.gov.ae)
Ra’s al-Khaimah International Airport (RKT): www.rkt-airport.com
Fujairah International Airport: www.fujairah-airport.com

Airlines
The UAE’s national airlines:
Etihad Airways www.etihadairways.com
Emirates www.emirates.com
Fly Dubai (wwwflydubai.com)
Air Arabia (www.airarabia.com)

Hotels and Accommodation
Accommodation in the UAE is of a very high standard and most of the world’s top hotel chains run five-star hotels in the Emirates, the pièces de resistance being the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi and the Burj al-Arab in Dubai. There are also a number of excellent locally run properties suitable for both tourists and business travelers. Several of the hotels are outstanding examples of modern architecture. Swimming pools, tennis courts and fully equipped health centers are the norm. Most waterfront hotels have excellent beaches and extensive water sports facilities. If your budget does not extend to a five-star hotel, there are alternatives, most also of a high standard. Your choice of hotel will depend on the options on offer by your tour packager or the location and type of facilities that your require. For more detailed information on hotels in the UAE access the specialized websites listed in the links section at the top of the page.

Opening Hours
Shops Normal shopping hours are from 9.00 a.m.–1 p.m. and 4.00– 9.00 p.m. However, many shops, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi stay open all day. Most shopping centers open from 10 a.m to 10 p.m – frequently later. Some supermarkets are open for 24 hours. Although shops and shopping centers are fully air conditioned, the cool of the evening is a favorite time for shopping. Shopping centers and most shops are open on Friday, the Islamic day of rest, but they all close for Juma (Friday) prayers from 11.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.

Offices
Government offices open at 7.30 a.m. and close at 2.30 p.m. but you would be wise to visit in the morning. Private offices tend to keep longer hours, coming back to work in the evening after an extended mid-day break. Some private businesses open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All government offices close for the weekend on Friday and Saturday. Many private companies also recognize this two-day weekend. Some offices outside the public sector close only on Friday.

Public Holidays
Since Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of phases of the moon, the dates outlined below for Islamic religious holidays are approximate. The precise dates are not announced until a day or so before they occur. If a public holiday falls on a weekend, the holiday is usually taken at the beginning of the next working week.

Currency
The dirham (pronounced dir-ham) is the official currency of the UAE. Dirham notes are in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 denominations. The dirham is divided into 100 fils, coins include Dh1, 50, 25, 10 and 5 fils (10 and 5 fils are rarely used). The value is written in Arabic only but Arabic numerals are easy to memorize (see section on Arabic Language).

Exchange rates
There are no currency regulations and foreign currency of almost any denomination is readily exchanged in the UAE. The dirham is index linked to the dollar and the official exchange rate is US$
Dh 1.00 = SEK 2.15
Dh 3.67 = US$ 1.00
Dh 4.57 = € euro 1.00
The best exchange rates are generally available at private moneychangers found throughout the UAE, but especially in the more popular souqs and shopping centre's.

If it is a more cultural experience that you require, plays, ballets, classical music and operas are also performed by visiting groups on a regular basis. Music festivals, jazz, rock and pop are also common.

For further information access the following websites:
www.timeoutdubai.com
www.timeoutabudhabi.com
www.dubaicityguide.com
www.sharjah-welcome.com