If you want to experience Islamic architecture and design in all its breath-taking glory, a trip to the world’s biggest mosque is a must. UAE founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had it built in Abu Dhabi as a cultural haven. It was completed in 2007 and cost an eye-watering £465m to build.

Go from modern to ancient by visiting Al Bidya Mosque in the smaller sheikdom of Fujairah, just over an hour’s drive east of Dubai. It was built in the 1400s.

UAE is a relatively young country, but you can also find centuries-old Arabic culture that’s more about the ancient spice, perfume and textile trades. Try the Camel Souk in Al Ain or the Naif Souk in Dubai – and haggle hard! 

UAE is a magnet for fans of major sporting fixtures: NBA Games in Abu Dhabi in October, the Abu Dhabi Marathon and Grand Prix in November; Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi in December, for example. Sharjah, too, has hosted many high-profile cricket fixtures whilst some of the biggest boxing bouts in history have been held in the UAE.

A short drive out of the main city of Dubai and you’ll get to the desert destination of Al Marmoom and its camel racetrack. Camel racing is a centuries-old tradition and is serious business in UAE. Hugely popular among locals, expatriates and visitors are always made to feel welcome. 

We know Emiratis don’t do things by halves, so enjoying an evening meal in the middle of a shark-infested aquarium shouldn’t raise too many eyebrows, even at around £300 a head before drinks. 

Whilst alcohol is permitted in certain licenced venues in the UAE, local drinks such as apricot nectar, carob juice, refreshing yoghurt-based beverages or karak chai teat are more common. Emiratis also love to hang out at Bur Dubai and Meena Bazaar where they can relax in shisha joints or indulge in delicious street food like shawarma and za’atar wraps. Look out for al machboos and khuzi, the meat- and rice-based national dishes.

Skydiving over Palm Jumeirah? Wakeboarding in Abu Dhabi? Careering down the world’s longest zipline at Jebel Jais? If heart-stopping, adrenalin-pumping activities are the order of the day, UAE is the place to be.

If a break from the vertiginous skyscrapers and luxe vibes is in order, a trip to the lush greenery and crystal-clear waters of the Eastern Mangroves of Abu Dhabi provides the perfect antidote. In a nation filled with manufactured wonders, it can be joyous to experience some of the natural beauty of UAE. 

UAE has invested heavily in its IT infrastructure, so it’s no surprise the country is at the forefront of digital design. A trip to the Theatre of Digital Art at Souk Madinat in Jumeirah, is a must for those interested in the Middle East’s contribution to this burgeoning art form. 

For something completely ‘otherworldly’, Dubai’s MetaTerrace is a lounge and nightlife spot that aims to merge digital and physical worlds by having its own VR room where guests can access ‘alternative worlds, meet like-minded individuals, have drinks, and engage in NFT and cryptocurrency discussions’.