The UAE is still one of the most fun places to travel to in the world. It has a lot of new technology and old culture. The country is getting ready to show new sites, make popular ones bigger, and highlight unusual places that people often miss, since the number of tourists expected to come will rise in 2026. The UAE is a great place to visit, no matter what you want to do, whether it’s enjoying luxury, thrilling sports, nature, or art and history. For more interesting stories, visit our Top Stories page.
The UAE’s Most Important Symbols and Landmarks
When people think about visiting the UAE, they often think of famous landmarks like the Burj Khalifa, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Dubai Frame, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. In 2026, these well-known sites will still be at the top of every travel list. This is not just because of how great they look; it’s also because they now offer immersive experiences through guided walks, better exhibitions, and larger areas for visitors. When you know how many long weekends you will have during the year, planning your year becomes much easier, UAE Public Holidays 2026.
In 2026, you’ll see some amazing hidden things
Just outside the fancy, popular attractions of Dubai and Abu Dhabi is a secret world with many great places to visit that aren’t well known.
– The Al Rafisah Dam is in Sharjah. It is a calm getaway from the city, surrounded by mountains and beautiful nature. This calm getaway is great for families and photographers because they can enjoy nature walks, go kayaking, or just relax in a bar.
– Hatta Heritage Village and Wadis, which is part of Dubai, has many fun activities for people who love adventure, like camping and biking in the mountains and enjoying the beautiful Hatta Dam. Also, Hatta Heritage Village lets tourists experience traditional Emirati culture, food, hospitality, and life!
– Al Hudayriat Island in Abu Dhabi is a new, exciting place to visit in the UAE. It has many activities for both residents and visitors. You can find beach clubs, beautiful beaches, camping spots, sports zones, and bike trails. Active travellers will have a unique time at Al Hudayriat!
– Jebel Jais is in Ras Al Khaimah. It has some of the best views in the country, and the world’s longest zipline! Jebel Jais also has a lot of beautiful viewing decks, winter celebrations, and tracks for hiking in the mountains.
– Khorfakkan is in Sharjah. Its beaches are some of the cleanest and quietest in the country, and the waterfalls and views are beautiful. It’s a great place to take pictures! If you want to get away from the city and relax, Khorfakkan is the place to be.
– Dubai’s skyline will also change with the addition of new waterfront walkways, culture districts with new designs, and bigger desert experience centres.
Key Historical and Cultural Things
The UAE’s cultural rebirth is still going on. Sharjah, the cultural city, will open new museums and heritage trails in 2026. The House of Wisdom, Al Noor Island, and the Heart of Sharjah repair project are still very important places to go to.
Visitors can learn a lot about the UAE’s art, culture, and government at Qasr Al Watan and the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi.
At the same time, the Al Fahidi Historical District and Shindagha Museum in Dubai have added to their displays, making them great places for tourists who want to see both history and skyscrapers.
Nature, excitement, and trips to the desert
The UAE’s desert is still the most interesting thing to see for people who love nature. Liwa has fancy desert hotels, Dubai has private dune activities, and the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve has wildlife drives. These events are now more personalised and interesting.
More and more people are also travelling to help the Earth. Eco-tours that include kayaking through the mangroves in Abu Dhabi, going to turtle protection areas in Fujairah, and living in cabins in the mountains across the northern emirates are becoming more popular.