United Arab Emirates is the world famous federation of 7 Emirates located on the Arabian Peninsula’s eastern side. Of the 7 Emirates that make up the U.A.E; Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the most famous ones thanks to their modern tourism infrastructure and strong economy.
With their bold vision, both Dubai and Abu Dhabi have transformed themselves from quiet desert cities into air travel hubs, one of the most visited tourism destinations and one of the main routes of global trade. Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are home to some of the most luxurious hotels and resorts that are offering incredible wedding and honeymoon packages.
Table of Contents
- Honeymoon in Dubai at a glance
- Things to do in Dubai and Abu Dhabi on honeymoon
- Best time to visit Dubai and Abu Dhabi
- Useful information for Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Honeymoon in Dubai at a glance
As a relatively small country, United Arab Emirates doesn’t have a long list of cities or tropical islands to visit for typical a honeymoon trip. However, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which are two of the most populous cities in the U.A.E offers anything you can ask for in your honeymoon. Especially in Dubai, the entertainment and shopping paradise combined with exotic Arabian atmosphere, you will find more than luxury and extravagant lifestyle. In addition to all kinds of adventure and water sport activities, the fascinating culture and history of U.A.E is also worth exploring.
One of the main advantages of visiting the U.A.E is that, it’s one of the biggest air travel hubs in the world. Thanks to Emirates and Etihad Airways, which both are two of the best airline companies in the world; you can transfer pretty much every corner of the world with well priced fares. It’s becoming more and more popular among newlyweds to start their honeymoon with a stopover in the U.A.E.
Things to do in Dubai and Abu Dhabi on honeymoon
- Watch the panoramic views of Dubai from on top of the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa
- Shop ‘til you drop at the world’s biggest mall, the Dubai Mall
- Watch the water and light show at the Dubai Fountain while enjoying your dinner
- Go on a desert safari to watch the sunset or the sunrise
- Try various water sports and beach activities
- Hop on a dhow cruise at the Dubai Marina with buffet dinner and live show onboard
- Go for a souvenirs shopping at the Souk Madinat Jumeriah
- Visit different aqua parks and theme parks in Dubai and Abu Dhabi such as; the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Legoland, Motiongate Dubai, Bollywood Parks, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, Aquaventure and Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi
- Enjoy a day at one of Dubai’s beaches with delicious food, lot’s of sun and fun
- Try skiing in the middle of the desert at the Ski Dubai
- Visit Dubai Miracle Garden and enjoy the beautiful scenery of flowers
- Visit the glamorous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, largest mosque in the U.A.E.
- Visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum and see some of the world’s most famous masterpieces up close.
Best time to visit Dubai and Abu Dhabi
The United Arab Emirates is an all-year-round destination because there are no rainy or snowy seasons. However, during the summer the weather temperatures is too hot and humidity is high. Therefore, best period to visit Dubai or Abu Dhabi is from October to April, thanks to the pleasant weather during these months.
Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi experiences their peak tourist seasons from December to March. During the shoulder months in spring and fall seasons, beaches get quieter and prices drop down a little bit.
Useful information for Dubai and Abu Dhabi
- Official language of the U.A.E is Arabic but English is spoken almost everywhere
- Local currency is the United Arab Emirates dirham (AED). ATM machines are widely available.
- Tipping is not mandatory in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. However, certain service providers expect and appreciate tips. How much you should tip is up to you but in general 10 to 15% tip is acceptable at restaurants.
- During Ramadan, the holy month in which Muslims practice fasting between dawn and dusk, non-Muslims except pregnant women and young children are respectfully required to refrain from eating, drinking or smoking in public places during daylight hours.
- During the holy month of Ramadan, many restaurants, shops, companies and government agencies reduce their working hours. Be sure to check timings before you go out during Ramadan. Most of the stores and restaurants extend their night hours during Ramadan to provide convenience to their customers.
- Dubai and Abu Dhabi are not as conservative as rest of the Islamic world. If you are visiting touristy areas, you can wear almost whatever you want. You will see that there are many tourist and expats in Dubai and Abu Dhabi dressed comfortably. However, if you are visiting the old part of Dubai with where many locals and Muslims from other countries live or do business, it is best to dress a little bit modestly. Also, during the holy month of Ramadan, we suggest you to dress modestly and avoid wearing revealing clothes at all time to show your respect to local culture.
- When you are visiting a mosque, check the dress code before you go and dress accordingly. In some of the mosques for examples, men are also required to cover their knees and shorts are not allowed.