The most beautiful places in the UAE are a showcase of the country's diverse past and its ambitious future. While for some, the country's draw may be the world's tallest building and one-of-a-kind palm-shaped island, there is so much beauty to take in for those who know where to look. From rust-hued deserts to sweeping coastlines and dense mangrove forests, here are some of the most beautiful places to see in the UAE when you want to step outside of the ordinary.
1. Al Qurm Protected Area, Sharjah
Meaning mangroves in Arabic, Al Qurm Protected Area is renowned for its 500 hectares of salt-tolerant tropical shrubs. This dense mangrove forest attracts a veritable cornucopia of natural life to its surrounding waters. Rent a kayak here, and you could see hawksbill turtles nestling on the beach and even spot the rare cobalt blue Arabian collard kingfisher, which is only found within this coastal nature reserve. For those who want to stay in the lap of such beauty, the Kingfisher Retreat by Sharjah Collection offers tented luxury on the edge of the mangroves during the winter months.
2. Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, Dubai
Designed in the image of an Islamic lectern, the visually striking Mohammed Bin Rasid Library transformed the Dubai Creek skyline when it opened in 2023. The unique structure is home to seven floors, housing over one million books in physical and digital form. Inside the huge, light-drenched building, there are study rooms, an indoor-outdoor theatre, a cafe and reading nooks – ideal for sequestering away for the day and getting lost in a good book.
3. Liwa Oasis, Rub’ Al Khali Desert, Abu Dhabi
Located on the northern edge of Rub’ Al Khail (the Empty Quarter), the world’s largest uninterrupted desert, Liwa Oasis extends 100 kilometres in an east-west arc and is home to sand dunes towering dunes, reaching some 150 metres in height, as well as Tal Moreeb, one of the world’s tallest dunes at 300 metres high. Some of the sand that forms these dunes has been dated back 141,000 years. The ancestral home of the Bani Yas tribe, Liwa Oasis is characterised by tall rust-tinged dunes and lush date palm groves, fed by the water table that sits close to the surface. Also present are a number of forts built more than a century ago, including the historic reconstructed Al Meel Fort built by the Al Bu Falah tribe during the reign of Sheikh Mohammed bin Shakhbut bin Dhiyab Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi from 1816 to 1818. If you're looking for somewhere to stay to fully immerse yourself in the desert, Anantara’s Qasr Al Sarab is a 90-minute drive, or a 50-minute helicopter ride from Abu Dhabi.
4. Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Dubai
Journey to this quaint neighbourhood of Dubai and expect to be transported back in time to the Trucial States (before the Emirates were formed in 1971). Through the labyrinth of pathways, you'll find buildings made from traditional materials, preserving a sense of the country before its association with glitz and glamour. Along the way, you can visit the art galleries and quaint cafes surrounding the area, including XVA Gallery, which has a particularly beautiful courtyard cafe.
5. Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi’s cultural enclave, home to the Louvre, Natural History Museum and upcoming Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim museum, Saadiyat Island, one of our Best Places to Go in 2026, is also one of the most picturesque locations on the coastline of the UAE. Lined with luxury hotels from the St. Regis to the Park Hyatt, the talc-white sand beaches are peppered with mangroves and lapping turquoise water, where dolphins are often spotted playing in the waves, are some of the loveliest in the region.
6. Al Qudra Lakes, Dubai
A collection of manmade lakes in the Saih Al Salam desert, Al Qudra's remote location means it attracts a large population of the country's native animal and bird life. You'll often spot desert foxes, oryx, swans, geese and flamingos, which call the lakes home during the UAE's winter months (though some remain year-round). As the area is open all day and night for keen twitchers and those looking to get lost in a quiet moment, it's best to visit at dawn, when the lakes are at their most peaceful.
7. Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
One of the eight desert islands of Al Dhafra, Sir Bani Yas Island is the largest natural island of the UAE and is located just off the shore of the western region of Abu Dhabi. Established as a wildlife reserve by Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan in 1977, it is now home to more than 17,000 free-roaming animals, including giraffes, hyenas, cheetahs, gazelles and Arabian Oryx that can be viewed on 4x4 game drives across the island. Accessible only by boat, a complimentary water taxi runs daily, but must be booked 24 hours in advance. Accommodation is available at one of three hotels by Anantara: the family-style Desert Islands Resort & Spa, Al Yamm Villa Resort on the beach and Al Sahel Villa Resort, which showcase the best of what the island has to offer. Beautiful beaches, mangroves and wildlife await.
8. Al Ain Museum, Abu Dhabi
The new-look Al Ain Museum is a wonderfully quiet spot in which to ponder not only the history of the UAE, but also the region's earliest human settlements. The first museum to open in the emirates in 1969, it now showcases deep water wells and an aflaj system cut through the rock in the Iron Age (between 1000 BCE to 300 CE); both recent archaeological finds discovered during the site's redevelopment. These have joined the museum's longstanding collection of objects from the Paleolithic period to the modern-day UAE, including woven camel saddles, rifles and colourful clothing to illustrate local customs and traditions. Step outside to take a short tour of impressive Sultan Fort or stroll to nearby Al Ain oasis with pop-up cafes selling coffee and light meals in cooler weather along the way.
9. Jubail Mangrove Park, Abu Dhabi
Mangrove ecosystems are a key part of the UAE’s natural landscapes, home to dozens of species of wildlife, many of which are endangered. While mangroves dot the coastlines of many parts of the UAE, the Jubail Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi is one of the best places to enjoy them, with boardwalks allowing visitors to walk among the mangrove forests, spot wildlife and get a deeper understanding of the biodiversity hidden above and below the surface. Expect to spot sea turtles, flamingos, grey herons and gazelles as you take the two-kilometre walk around the site, which includes several picture stops from which to take in this 5,000-hectare sanctuary.
10. Al Wathba Fossil Dunes, Abu Dhabi
Around 45 kilometres to the east of the capital is Al Wathba, a desert area home to flamingo-filled wetlands and turquoise salt lakes. But its the Al Wathba Fossil Dunes that are worth making the journey for. Within this seven-kilometre protected area, more than 1,700 fossil dunes rise from the golden sands, each unique formation the result of exposure to the desert’s harsh elements over hundreds of thousands of years. Geologists estimate some of the fossils are as old as four million years, and in 2022, they were officially opened as a tourist attraction, with more than three kilometres of lit paths and shaded seating installed.
11. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi
Construction on the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the largest in the UAE, began in 1996 and took 12 years to complete. The monument was built to honour the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed, and serves as his final resting place. The structure is built from gleaming white marble and features 82 domes and minarets, and finials decorated with gold glass mosaic. Inside, marble walls are decorated with colourful climbing poppies, jasmine and red frangipani, with semi-precious stones and mother-of-pearl embedded into columns. The mosque is big enough to accommodate 40,000 visitors inside and outside, with the main prayer hall capable of holding 7,000 worshipers.
12. Al Ain Oasis, Abu Dhabi
Areas of lush greenery are few and far between in the UAE, but the shaded pathways of Al Ain Oasis are among the best places to seek out some nature. Spread across 1,200 hectares in the “Green City” of Al Ain, about 90 minutes from the capital, the oasis is home to close to 150,000 date palm trees and 100 different varieties of vegetation. At this UNESCO Cultural Site, visitors can also discover the city’s ancient irrigation system, known as falaj.
13. Iranian Mosque, Dubai
In the colourful, bustling streets of Bur Dubai, one of the city’s oldest areas, is the Iranian Mosque Hosanna, a Shia mosque built in 1979. The architecture is Persian-inspired, as are the colourful ceramic faience tiles that cover the structure. Shades of azure blue are dotted with green, yellow, red and white, with Islamic calligraphy from the Quran inscribed within rosettes. It might not be the UAE’s grandest mosque, but it’s certainly its most colourful.
14. Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, Dubai
Just beyond Dubai’s towering skyline sits a somewhat unexpected wildlife sanctuary, where tens of thousands of birds migrate each year. These wetlands, framed by the world’s tallest building Burj Khalifa just beyond, are a breeding ground for crustaceans, mammals and fish, and home to a large flamboyance of flamingos for much of the year. The reserve was established in 1985, and officially declared as a protected area in March 1998. While the sanctuary itself is fenced off to protect the wildlife, visitors can access bird hides on the site’s perimeter.
15. Hatta Dam
The turquoise waters of Hatta Dam have long been a draw for UAE residents looking to escape the bustle of the city. Around 90 minutes from Dubai, the dam was built in the early 1990s to provide electricity and water to the village of Hatta, which today is an inland exclave of Dubai. In the years since, this mountain-encased body of water has become a popular tourist spot, with kayaks and boats available to rent on site.
16. Fossil Rock, Sharjah
Rising from the terracotta sands of Sharjah’s Mleiha desert, Fossil Rock is a popular hiking spot that hides the ancient secrets of the emirate. The formation’s crevices are dotted with marine fossils, which visitors can learn more about at the nearby Mleiha Archaeological Centre. This area is home to some of the country’s most scenic mountain trails, and at night, it’s a popular place for stargazing.
17. Mangrove Beach, Umm Al Quwain
Mangrove forests are also in abundance off the coast of Umm Al Quwain, and in 2020, a dedicated Mangrove Beach was opened in the emirate, with a view to promoting eco-tourism. At this spot at Khor Al Yeefrah, around 55 minutes from Dubai, seawater flows freely through the dense clusters of mangroves, framed by the sands of the pubic beach, where shaded parasols offer spots for picnics and wooden swings provide moments for quiet reflection (and an Instagram snap). This is also a popular area for overnight camping, with a dedicated barbecue area and plenty of open space.
18. Al Zorah Nature Reserve, Ajman
Spanning over one million square metres, Al Zorah Natural Reserve in Ajman is renowned for its rich biodiversity and lush landscape that encompasses Grey Mangroves (named due to their colour) and a tidal creek that is home to around 60 species of birds, including egrets, herons and the Greater Flamingo. Non-motorised water sports like kayaks, paddleboards and even windsurfing are on offer to explore the area, and if looking to stay that little bit longer nestled among the mangroves is the luxury Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah.
19. Snoopy Island, Fujairah
Off the coast of Fujairah, you’ll spot Jazīrat al Ghubbah, better known as Snoopy Island, thanks to its unique shape, which resembles the famous image of the cartoon dog lying on his back. Some see it, others don’t, but either way, this unique rock formation in swimming distance of the coast of this mountainous emirate is a popular destination for weekenders. It's also one of the best places to snorkel and dive in the UAE, with turtles, sharks and large schools of fish found in these waters.
20. Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah
Standing at 1,943 metres above sea level, Jebel Jais is considered the highest peak in the UAE. Part of the Hajar mountain range that extends across Ras Al Khaimah to the Musandam Peninsula on the northeastern side of Oman, the views from Jebel Jais are absolutely breathtaking and offer something completely unique in the UAE. The appeal doesn’t stop there, with the surrounding area offering an array of activities and adventures, hikes, camp sites, restaurants and viewpoints to explore - it is also home to the UAE’s longest zipline, the Jais Sledder and Bear Grylls Adventure Camp. For a restaurant with a view, 1484 by Puro (situated 1484 metres above sea level) is the perfect pit stop at which to take in the mountain vistas over a leisurely lunch.
21. Louvre Abu Dhabi
Louvre Abu Dhabi wows visitors with its vast collections and ever-changing exhibitions, but the building itself is just as much of a draw as what lies within. Designed by renowned architect Jean Nouvel, its intricate steel dome mimics the overlapping of palm tree fronds, casting misshapen pockets of light into its airy atrium. The building looks to float over the calm waters of the Arabian Gulf, while the indoor-outdoor spaces bring that tranquillity inside. Those looking to take it in from a different perspective can even kayak around the museum, learning about the building's design as they go.
22. Al Bithnah Fort
The twin-towered Al Bithnah Fort in Fujairah was once a significant site on important trade routes and played a role in Fujairah becoming an independent emirate. Thought to have been constructed sometime around 1800, the fort was restored in 2008, when work discovered a room that would have traditionally been used for date storage. Made from rock, coral and mudbrick, the fort is surrounded by date palms and set against the rocky backdrop of the Hajar Mountains.
23. Abrahamic Family House
The striking Abrahamic Family House complex features three places of worship – a church, synagogue and mosque – on one harmonious site. Designed by Ghanaian-British architect Sir David Adjaye, the houses are not only visually impressive, but are intended as a physical representation of tolerance, and are designed to encourage interfaith dialogue in a place of constant multicultural exchange. Visitors can explore all three houses, although services are held at this complex, during which they are closed to the public. Entrance is free, but tours should be booked in advance.
