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A Visit To All The 7 Emirates In The United Arab Emirates

When you tell your friends that you are going to the United Arab Emirates, they will automatically presume that you are going to Dubai.

No wonder, Dubai is definitely the most famous AND liberal one, but it´s neither the capital of the Emirates nor the richest, and it doesn’t even have the best beaches (according to me).

There are six other Emirates that make of the Federation of the U.A.E, and they have something to offer that Dubai doesn’t.
Abu Dhabi mosque

The seven Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, also known as the U.A.E are:

Emirate of Abu Dhabi is by far the largest of the 7 Emirates and the capital of the federation.
Emirate of Ajman is the smallest of the Emirates.
Emirate of Dubai is arguably the most famous one.
Emirate of Fujairah is the easternmost and the only Emirate that does not have a coastline along the Persian Gulf.
Emirate of Ra’s al Khaymah is the northernmost Emirate.
Emirate of Sharjah the only one that has Persian Gulf Coast and the Gulf of Oman.
Emirate of Umm al-Quwain is the least populous of the Emirates.

The most important thing I learned after visiting all the Emirates is that the U.A.E has a lot more to offer than the shopping malls and fancy hotels in Dubai. But that distances are HUGE in the U.A.E, and it´s easy to get stuck in a traffic jam.

Most of the U.A.E is Desert and easy to visit

Most of the U.A.E is Desert.

You will need a private vehicle since public transportation is very limited.

I had ambitious plans about visiting all seven Emirates in just one day together with two friends, but we gave up that plan as we did not want to rush our journey and experience.

Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the largest mosque in the UAE. a must visit

Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the largest Mosque in the UAE.

Famous for? Formula 1 and Sheikh Zayed Mosque

Distance from Dubai? Abu Dhabi, which is the capital of the UAE, is located 130-km from Dubai and can be reached in about 90min on the great eight-lane highway that connects the two Emirates. 

Reason to Visit? The main reason tourist comes to Abu Dhabi, except for when the Formula 1 race is held, is to visit the Great Sheikh Zayed Mosque.
It is the largest Mosque in the United Arab Emirates and currently the eighth largest Mosque in the world.

The Mosque is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder and the first President of the United Arab Emirates, who is also buried there.
Click here to read the best things to do in Abu Dhabi tour.

 

Ajman.

Traditional Fishing boats infront the the modern skyline in Ajman travel guide

Traditional Fishing boats in front of the modern skyline in Ajman

Famous for? Being the smallest of all the Emirates, Yes that´s all it´s famous for.

Distance from Dubai? It is only 10 Km away from Dubai and located on the northern border to Sharjah. It shouldn’t take more than 20minutes on the highway to reach Ajman from Dubai if the traffic is good.

Reason to Visit? The one and only reason tourists come here is if you’re set to complete your visits to all the seven Emirates.

Dubai.

Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai with the famous Burj Al Arab hotel in the background travel guide

Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai with the famous Burj Al Arab hotel in the background

Famous for? Fancy Shopping malls and hotels, swanky nightlife, food, the world tallest building, artificial islands and a lot more.

Reason to Visit? To visit one of the most modern city´s in the world and see for yourself what the hype is all about.
Head to The Palm or visit the world´s tallest building, or try to count all the sports car´s you see in a day.

If you are wondering where to stay in Dubai? click here for the best guide to where to stay in Dubai.

If you are planning to bring your kids to Dubai, be sure to read this post for the Ultimate List of Cool Kids Activities in Dubai.

 

Fujairah.

Fujairah Fort in UAE

Fujairah Fort

Famous for? Clear waters, the best beaches and diving, Fujairah Fort and the oldest Mosque in the Emirate. It also the farthest and the most remote from all the Emirates.

Distance from Dubai? 170Km, roughly at 2-hour scenic drive if you are lucky with the traffic leaving Dubai.

Reason to Visit? Fujairah is a popular weekend getaway for the expats living in Dubai that want to enjoy the best beaches in the Emirates. Unfortunately, the best beaches are owned by the big resorts, and you will have to pay to use them.

Ra’s al Khaymah.

Emirates HAJAR MOUNTAINS

The Road to The Hajar Mountains.

Famous for? The Hajar Mountains and Hiking.

Distance from Dubai? 155 KM, around 2hours drive.

Reason to Visit? If you are tired of being on the beach or in the big city’s´, head to the mountains for some hiking and to relax away from the hustle and bustle. It is famously known as Jebel Jais.

hajar mountains in UAE

Close up with the clouds in The Hajar Mountains.

Sharjah.

Sharjah skyline

There´s always space for a Mosque.

Famous for? The strictest of the Emirates which follows the sharia laws stricter than any of the other Emirates. There is no alcohol sold in this state, not even in resorts, and you are technically not even allowed to transport alcohol through this Emirate. It´s also called the cultural Emirate, and it´s the best Emirate to visit if you want to get a glimpse of the authentic Arab life.

Distance from Dubai? 40 Minutes. Sharjah has almost grown together with Dubai, So if you are driving, you wouldn’t know if you were in Sharjah or Dubai if not for the signs. Sharjah is more or less a suburb for Dubai these days.

Reason to Visit? Some of the best Museums in the U.A.E are located in Sharjah. Sharjah is also a lot cheaper than Dubai when it comes to living cost. So if you are on a tight budget,  Sharjah will be a better option for you than Dubai.

Umm al-Quwain.

beaches in UAE

The beach just outside of the Old Town in Umm al Quwain

Famous for? Birdwatching and recently being the last Emirate to get big resorts.

Distance from Dubai? 80km about an hour drive if the traffic is light.

Reason to Visit? Umm al-Quwain is kind of the “anti-Dubai.” Walking around the old city will remind you of being more about being in southern India, with small rusty streets with potholes.

Umm al Quwain would be what Dubai was 30 years ago. But a big surprise was that the best beach I came across my trip to the Emirates is located here.

If you have some spare time while in UEA. And want to visit another country in the Middle East, you can head to neighbouring Oman or Saudi Arabia

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When you tell your friends that you are going to the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East, they will automatically presume that you are going to Dubai, but you got 6 more Emirats that makes up U.A.E, and they are, Abu Dhabi. Ajman, Fujairah.Ra's al Khaymah.Sharjah. and Umm al-Quwain. Here's the ultimate travel guide to all the Emirates.

Richard Weil

Friday 17th of April 2020

Ajman has a nice little fort/museum that is worth visiting. Was there in February '20, absolutely nobody around. Things were well marked and nicely laid out to show the local history. Anyway did all 7 also. Flew into Dubai, stayed in Sharjah, wanted to take buses around but you are right they are very limited. So the hotel set me up with a car and driver and we saw the fine Islamic museum nearby, then the fort I just mentioned, and the small city of Umm (I liked that whole place, deserts and a town that felt like a real working urban area of normal size). Went on to the mall just inside Ras, had a bite and headed back to Dubai where I got on a cruise ship. The next day was in Abu--that's some hotel and mosque--and then we finished up with a good tour of Fujariah. That was interesting--dozens of oil tankers waiting to be filled from the storage area at the pipeline terminal, the neat fort in the picture above, and magnificent mountains behind everything. Well worth a visit, as indeed are all the Emirates.

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Dawn

Tuesday 30th of May 2017

I just learned so many new things. Thank you for the education. :)

Delphine

Tuesday 30th of May 2017

I love your photos, thank you for sharing!