United Arab Emirates holidays

Exquisite beaches, bustling markets and towering skyscrapers come with an exotic twist during United Arab Emirates holidays. Most visitors to the seven emirates choose a holiday to Dubai, the sun-drenched home of the Burj Khalifa, but there is plenty more to this fascinating Middle East destination.

Find out which emirate ticks your getaway boxes and then look for great-value holidays to UAE sunspots with TravelSupermarket...

Holidays in United Arab Emirates, which is commonly referred to simply as Emirates or UAE, can be filled with high-end hotels, luxury shopping and world-class restaurants, all soaked in a large dose of heat and sunshine.

UAE holidays can be enjoyed in any one of the seven emirates, which are: Dubai; Abu Dhabi; Ajman; Fujairah; Sharjah; Ras al-Khaimah; and Umm al-Quwain. The country sits on the Persian Gulf and flights take around seven hours from the UK.

Most holidays in UAE are taken in Dubai, and direct flights run from six UK airports to the International Airport (DXB). Dripping in bling and sizzling in year-round sun, holidaymakers lap up the rays on miles of lovely beaches.

Casting shadows on the city are some of the world's most impressive developments. The Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest structure, while the luxury Burj Al Arab is an iconic shape on the coastline. The equally impressive Palm Islands are manmade islands in the shape of a huge palm tree.

Dubai attracts holidaymakers keen to explore the shopping malls after a morning on the beach, and those who want to splash the cash in the gold markets (or souks) following an adrenaline-pumping jeep safari in the desert. It's a place of contrasts, where western ideas meet eastern principles.

For a more traditional and authentic Arabian experience, give a trip to Abu Dhabi a whirl. The luxury is still set on full throttle and in Abu Dhabi you'll find the thrills of Ferrari World.

The other emirates are no less luxurious and retain a more authentic Arabian feel.

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Find out why visitors flock to the United Arab Emirates all year round...

It's hot, hot, hot in UAE. Summer highs past 40C are the norm, with little to no rainfall. Winter temperatures drop to a more comfortable average of 25C, with night-time temperatures falling another 10C.

Authentic and traditional events in the UAE sit next to high-octane modern thrills on the calendar. Find out what's on during your holiday...

Eid al-Fitr: Also known simply as “Eid”, this Muslim holiday marks the end of the fasting period of Ramadan and is a time for celebrating and feasting with friends and family. The date of Eid changes every year.

Shopping Festival; February: More than three million people make the pilgrimage to Dubai for a month of shopping heaven. Huge discounts are applied at shopping malls and fashion shows showcase the latest threads.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix; November: This is a country that loves fast cars and you don't see many faster than those zipping around the Yas Marina Circuit during the final race of the F1 season.

National Day Festival; December 2: The second day of the month sees celebrations all over the country to mark independence, which was granted in 1971. Fireworks crown cultural events in every emirate.

There's an unforgettable memory just waiting to be made in UAE destinations - what will get your motor running?

Kids and teens: Dubai is a popular choice for family visitors. There's the chance to see dolphins at play during boat trips, while the Wild Wadi Water Park on Jumeirah Beach teems with kids thundering down slides, splashing in pools, riding in the wave pool and generally having a whale of a time.

Romance: Though amorous displays are a strict no-no in conservative UAE, you can enjoy the beauty of a camel ride in the desert followed by an evening under the stars. There are many operators offering such experiences around the UAE.

Active types: The emirate of Fujairah is famed for its impressive collection of dive sites. Get active under the waves, either on pleasure dives or on a diving course, and check out the stunning rainbow of marine life.

Free and cheap: There's not much that comes for free in this ultra-rich destination but it costs just a couple of pounds per person to enter Khalifa Park in Abu Dhabi. There's plenty of outdoor fun for the whole family, with picnic areas, playgrounds and many activities on offer.

Shopping: You can't think of Dubai and not think of shopping. Whether you're hunting out bargains in the spice souk, dreaming of bling in the gold souk, or splashing out on designer wares in the Mall of the Emirates or Festival City - just remember how big your suitcase is!