UAE with Kids

Important facts and information to know when visiting the UAE

Arguably the most well-known of all the Middle East countries due in no small part to the enormous push by the emirates, Dubai in particular, to promote themselves as an international tourism destination.

A safe, peaceful, and action-packed place to visit with kids, there are plenty of adventures across all seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates making it the perfect family holiday destination.

Visiting the UAE Important Facts

Official Name	United Arab Emirates
Capital	Abu Dhabi
Currency	Dirham (AED) 1AED=3.67USD fixed
Language	Arabic but English is widely spoken as well as Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog and many others
Religion	Islam (majority Sunni) with a large expat population of Christians, Hindu, Buddhist
Leadership	Absolute Monarchy ruled by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nayhan
Important Dates	2 Dec National Day, 1 Dec Commemoration Day & Islamic Holidays
Climate	Arid desert
Electrics	220V most plugs Type G (British) some Type D
Visas	Free visa on arrival for many countries
Safety	Exercise normal precautions

Click here to read our full Dubai fact-file!

Map of where is Dubai in the Middle East

United Arab Emirates visa information

Passport holders of most countries can obtain either a 30-day tourist visa on arrival into the UAE or a 90-day visa, at no cost.
Exempt countries are listed here; passport holders from these countries must obtain a tourist visa in advance of arrival.
Tourist visas have a 10-day grace period on expiry; if you overstay this, you will be fined 100AED a day on exiting the country (they have supposedly revoked this rule but as at mid-2023 people are still using it)

Click here to find out more about UAE Visas

Points for family visitors to be aware of in the UAE

Ladies are not required to fully cover their heads or bodies, but conservative clothing is expected in public places. Different standards apply at beach resorts, water parks, and in private settings
Children are fine to dress as they please but from puberty onwards should look to dress to adult standards
Baby supplies are plentiful in all supermarkets and large shopping malls. You should have no problem getting hold of a wide range of specialist baby items
Car safety: The law now states that young children need an infant seat to a minimum of 4 years of age, however, this law does not seem to be actively enforced. You will not need one by law in a taxi, but given road conditions, it is strongly recommended
Generally, traveling around town with a good compact travel stroller is straightforward. You can use a combination of taxis and public transport in the big cities. If you are going further afield on day trips, you may want to look at hiring a private driver or renting your own car.
Children are well catered for pretty much everywhere you go. The Emirati’s themselves have large families and family is considered central to life in the UAE, you will be made to feel well at home.

General travel tips for visiting UAE

Penalties for breaking local laws are severe. These include public intoxication, defamation, using insulting language, and overt displays of public affection
Generally, petty crime in the UAE is very low due to strict laws and punishment for offenders
Certain medicines that might be fine in your home country are not permitted in the UAE, including Codeine, Prozac, and Temazepam
Do not photograph people – local women especially – without permission.
We have more general UAE travel tips for beginners here.

See our guide to Middle East Family Safety

When is it best to visit the UAE?

The UAE is in a hot, arid desert. Summer temperatures can reach as high as 50°C/122°F making life outdoors unbearable so most visitors choose to avoid the peak months from late May through to early October.

The best time to visit the UAE is winter. From late October through to April blue skies are almost guaranteed. Winter days remain mild, though some may find the beach water too cold from December to February.

You can see our complete guide on the best time to visit the UAE here.

Important note on the Holy Month of Ramadan

Although more liberal than many of its neighbouring Gulf states, the Holy Month of Ramadan is strictly observed in the UAE. Dates on the Gregorian change annually by around 10 days – you can find out when Ramadan exactly it will fall here.

The most important thing that visitors to the UAE will need to note during Ramadan is that Muslims are fasting during daylight hours. Whilst rules have changed considerably in recent years and food venues are now permitted to open during the day for non-Muslims, you should still be respectful of those around you and only eat and drink in designated areas. Same with smoking and chewing gum.

You can read more about how Ramadan is observed and expected tourist behaviour here.

Most popular attractions in the UAE

There’s a really stark contrast between the modern city and desert attractions, make sure you take in both to get a real feel for the country. So many will simply touch down in Dubai for a few days and accuse the place of being just a concrete jungle. This list could go on and on, but here are a few favourites:

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – One of the country’s most recognised landmarks, the Grand Mosque is open to the public daily for visiting and free guided tours are available
Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi – The newly opened Louvre is a modern wonder both inside and out. Housing works by some of the world’s most famous artists in a journey through humanity, it’s quickly become of Abu Dhabi’s most loved attractions
Qasr al Watan – The country’s Presidential Palace includes an open tour of the country’s governing home and arguably grandest building
Burj Khalifa – the tallest building in the world! The views from the observation decks and restaurants on the 124/125th and 148th floors are a must
Dubai Creek – Get in touch with traditional Dubai by taking a dhow between Bur Dubai and Deira, still thriving marketplaces
Desert Safari – Take your pick what sort of desert safari suits you; A sedate traditional landrover through eco-conservation areas or take on 4wd dune bashing, camel rides, and traditional Bedouin entertainment?
The theme parks – Striving ahead with their goal to become the theme park capital of the world, discover some of the world’s best-loved names including Legoland, Motiongate (think Dreamworks characters, Hunger Games, Smurfs), Bollywood, IMG Worlds of Adventure (Marvel Comics, Cartoon Network), Ferrari World and soon to open Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi
The water parks – Some of the best in class to be found across the Emirates including Yas Waterworld (Abu Dhabi), Aquaventure and Wild Wadi (Dubai), not forgetting Dreamland (Umm al Quwain)
The beaches – With its stunning Gulf shoreline there are plenty of beaches to choose from – the most famous being Jumeirah beach in Dubai but don’t discount the many others across the Emirates, including Fujairah on the east coast
Al Ain – The Oasis City with its historic fort and museums, as well as many UNESCO listed sites of significance and beautiful oases