Things to do in United Arab Emirates

Things to do in United Arab Emirates

Top 10 Things to do in United Arab Emirates

1

Choose your favorite local

The 10 Tastings of Dubai: Street Food

385 reviews
3 hours | food tours | Dubai
Ready to taste the best food in Dubai? Satisfy your cravings for local food and culture with highlights along the way, together with a foodie host. Enjoy 10 delicious and typical tastings that range from sweet to savory as well as drinks on a tasty food tour in Dubai.

€78.36per person
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2

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Full Coverage Dubai City Tour

828 reviews
5 hours | city highlight tours | Dubai
Ready for a jam-packed tour, full of history, culture, stories, and sights? Checkmark from your travel bucket list all your must-sees of Dubai, because if there’s a Withlocals tour that shows you all the city's ins and outs, it’s this complete and personalized tour of Dubai.

€79.05per person
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3

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Highlights & Hidden Gems of Historic Dubai

366 reviews
3 hours | city highlight tours | Dubai
Want to see the best of Dubai? We got you covered. But as you can expect from a Withlocals experience, the real excitement is its hidden gems. Join your favorite local and get a feeling of the city's real vibe on a tour that has it all, so you can say: I experienced the real Historic Dubai!

€48.46per person
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4

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Culinary Kickstart Tour: Dubai

1077 reviews
2.5 hours | food tours | Dubai
The way to a city's heart it's through its food! And on this private food tour, you'll get to know Dubai through its cuisine and the tastings favorite of the locals. A local food expert is ready to give you a taste of the real Dubai satisfying your cravings for local food and city highlights.

€59.38per person
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5

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City Kickstart Tour: Dubai

1280 reviews
1.5 hours | city highlight tours | Dubai
Welcome to Dubai! Want to know the best places to eat? Cool events in town? Which places to go to and which to avoid? Or simply get some help to navigate the city? Book this private tour with a local and get the perfect introduction to Dubai to start your city trip on the right foot.

€23.66per person
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6

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Withlocals Your Way! - Dubai City Tour

1238 reviews
3 hours | city highlight tours | Dubai
Did you know that the Dubai tour of your dreams exists? Yes, and it’s 100% personalized and created by your local host around your interests. Customize and see only the places that spark your interest. From classic landmarks to neighborhood walks - your wishes are our command!

€51.11per person
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7

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Half-Day Layover or Shore Excursion: Discover Dubai Like a Local

674 reviews
4 hours | day trips | Dubai
Discover your ideal Dubai tour with this personalized shore excursion! With pick-up directly from the cruise terminal or airport, you’ll have the flexibility to explore Dubai at your own pace. A local guide will take you around the city, letting you choose where to stop—whether it’s iconic landmarks or hidden gems. The day is yours to shape!

€79.05per person
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8

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Withlocals Your Way!: Explore Beyond Dubai Day Trip

684 reviews
8 hours | day trips | Dubai
How do you imagine the perfect day trip from Dubai? Now you can make it a reality! Hire a local guide and set off on a fully personalized journey beyond the city limits. Explore the stunning surroundings by car, and you get to decide where and when to stop. From famous landmarks to hidden treasures in the countryside, the choice is yours!

€154.41per person
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9

Choose your favorite local

A Magical Evening in Dubai: City Tour

1055 reviews
2.5 hours | city highlight tours | Dubai
As the sun sets, Dubai lights up, the heat of the day fades, and the tourist crowds start to thin out. This is the time to enjoy the city at its atmospheric best on a private tour with a local! Take in glittering highlights and the local ambiance that only the evening brings out in Dubai.

€61.14per person
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10

Choose your favorite local

Full-Day Layover or Shore Excursion: Discover Dubai Like a Local

674 reviews
8 hours | day trips | Dubai
Experience the best of Dubai with a full-day tour that starts with convenient pick-up from the cruise terminal or airport. Discover the city's top landmarks and hidden gems in the comfort of a private car with your local guide.

€154.41per person
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Cities in United Arab Emirates

48 experiences
Enjoy ourDubai
7 experiences
Enjoy ourAbu Dhabi

Experiences for every interest

United Arab Emirates for

Home Dinners • Local Delicacies • Food Markets...
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United Arab Emirates for

Treasure Hunts • Arts & Crafts • Cooking...
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United Arab Emirates for

Nightlife • Drinking Spots • Street Food...
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United Arab Emirates for

Cultural Heritage • Castles • Myths & Legends...
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United Arab Emirates for

Highlights & Must-sees • Tastings • Local...
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United Arab Emirates for

Boat Rides • Wildlife & Nature • Day Trips...
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United Arab Emirates for

Galleries • Street Art • Architecture • Art...
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United Arab Emirates for

Local Culture • Off-the-beaten-track • Markets...
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United Arab Emirates for

Running • Hiking • Bike Tours • Stadium Tours...
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All Things to do in United Arab Emirates

Enjoy Dubai with a host of your choice
The 10 Tastings of Dubai: Street Food

385 reviews • €78.36 pp • 3 hours

food tourInstantly Confirmed
Enjoy Dubai with a host of your choice
Culinary Kickstart Tour: Dubai

1077 reviews • €59.38 pp • 2.5 hours

food tourInstantly Confirmed
Enjoy Dubai with a host of your choice
Highlights & Hidden Gems of Historic Dubai

366 reviews • €48.46 pp • 3 hours

city highlight tourInstantly Confirmed
Enjoy Dubai with a host of your choice
Full Coverage Dubai City Tour

828 reviews • €79.05 pp • 5 hours

city highlight tourInstantly Confirmed
Enjoy Dubai with a host of your choice
City Kickstart Tour: Dubai

1280 reviews • €23.66 pp • 1.5 hours

city highlight tourFamily Friendly
Enjoy Dubai with a host of your choice
Withlocals Your Way!: Explore Beyond Dubai Day Trip

684 reviews • €154.41 pp • 8 hours

day tripcarInstantly Confirmed

Explore United Arab Emirates with a local of your choice

Learn about their personal stories, and find out how you can explore United Arab Emirates together

Asalam alaikum I am

Sruthy

City & Food Expert
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Asalam alaikum I am

Orlina

The People's Person
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Asalam alaikum I am

Kasim

Local History&Food Expert
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Asalam alaikum I am

Ali Abbas

The Culture Pathfinder
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Fawad

Tour guide
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Asalam alaikum I am

Gary Roope

Your Personal Concierge
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Asalam alaikum I am

Suqlain A

The Passionate Explorer
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Ikram

Tour Guide
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Mansoor Ali

The Tour Adventurer + Food Expert
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Jose Gomez & Sandy Nat

Travel / food specialists
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What other travelers love about our local experts

Natascha

About local

6 February 2025

Ali is very knowledgeable

Ali is a great guide. He came prepared and had a water bottle for each of us. He knows a lot about Dubais history and could answer all our questions. He also gave us food and sightseeing recs which was very appreciated. I would recommend him and even book him again.

Elma

About local

Great tour of Abu Dhabi & Dubai

We had a wonderful tour with Sandy! He was very accommodating to our requests. We went to see the Mosque in Abu Dhabi and some sights in Dubai including the miracle garden. He was very knowledgeable and engaging, we really enjoyed our tour and would book again!

Shanay

About local

Great food tour

We had Melwyn as our guide and it was an amazing experience. He was very knowledgeable about the city and surrounding areas so we learned a lot along with some delicious food. We’ve done food tours in many countries and this one was among one of the best .

Alison

About local

Fascinating tour with Melwyn

Kasim was not available so Melwyn showed us around. It was a really interesting and yummy tour. In addition to trying some delicious food, and telling us about the history of Dubai, we got an in depth understanding of life as an immigrant to this crazy city. He’s certainly not a newcomer, having been here for more than 20 years, but the gap between the Emiratis and all the others who make the economy and society run is very real. We ate traditional Lebanese in one of the oldest buildings in the city, chicken and shrimp by the water, and camel burgers in a family home turned restaurant. They were distinct experiences and getting from one to another was where the experience was. We had a limited time in Dubai and this was a terrific way to get a totally different experience of the city. Would highly recommend!

Things to do in UAE

The United Arab Emirates is a unique country, a blend of East and West. It possesses upscale luxury with traditional Bedouin culture, Middle Eastern cuisine with flavors from all over the region. It's composed of seven Emirates that make up the UAE, including Dubai & Abu Dhabi.

Marvel at the Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

The Emirates has beautiful mosques that shouldn’t be missed. You will be stunned and in awe at the beauty of its architecture and the calm feeling that overcomes you when standing inside a mosque. It is best to go with a local who can show you the infamous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. It is a magnificent sight, but your host will also guide you in the most respectful customs when visiting a mosque.

They will also share incredible stories about the mosque’s history and Islamic rituals. Entrance points are different for men and women, so we suggest you to go with one of our hosts to get all the insights of this unforgettable experience!
Explore the beauty of the Arabian Desert in Fujairah

No trip to the UAE is complete without a desert safari followed by a delicious Bedouin prepared meal. Although many big tourist agencies offer this experience, you can’t beat the kind of trip you will have with a local host who will provide you with an authentic Bedouin experience. You can do this in any of the Emirates, but we recommend going to Fujairah.

There you can also see the old fort, stop by the market in Massafi, buy some Persian rugs at the Carpet Souq and then take a camel ride deep into the desert. You will make new friends and experience the magical sights the desert has to offer! Those include breathtaking sand dunes and unrivaled sunsets. The suggested order would follow with a mouthwatering Bedouin prepared local meal of grilled meats and rice, various salads and delicious dessert and tea.
Enjoy the beautiful sounds of Arabic music at a local joint

Music hall in Dubai is a local joint well known for its live music and dancing. It is a true cultural experience! Go with your host and experience the best live music show of your life – you will have the opportunity to enjoy both Arabic classics and contemporary hits as well as Jazz, Rock, Latin, Pop and many other genres.

Hear the rhythmic beats of the oud and the melodic voices of the Arabic classical style. Not to mention the great food, great company and great dancing. What more can you ask for? It’s a night you won’t forget.
Go deep sea fishing in Ras al-Khaimah

Never been deep sea fishing? Well, it's time to try it! Go with one our local hosts in Ras al-Khaimah, one of the lesser known Emirates and you will have a memorable experience! Deep sea fishing is a local hobby in the UAE and one we think you shouldn’t miss.

Not only will you experience the excitement of catching rare kinds of fish, but you will also enjoy your catch in a delicious meal afterwards. How much fresher can that get? From the sea to your table. Dinner is served. Make new friends, eat great food, and discover the marvels of the sea.
Try the delicious seafood of Sharjah with a local

So you went fishing and now you want more of that incredible seafood? Have a local host give you a dining tour of the best and freshest seafood Sharjah has to offer. Or even better yet, have a local chef make you delicious wild caught fried and grilled octopus, prawns, shrimp, calamari, and a variety of delicious fish! Are you ready for a seafood feast?

Sharjah is the neighboring Emirate of Dubai and considered the cultural and historical capital of the UAE. The food there is particularly authentic and delicious. No alcohol is allowed in Sharjah as it is a much more conservative Islamic city than Dubai. But with your host you need not worry about that since they will keep you informed of everything you need to know!
Experience the fun of sandboarding

What? Boarding on sand? Sandboarding is just that, sliding down a sand dune with a sandboard that is similar to a snowboard but made for sand. It is really fun! We think you will very much enjoy it, especially with a local host who can take you to the best of sand dunes.

Once you slide down the dune you have the fun of hiking back up to the top to do it all over again! We love sandboarding. When you go with a local tour guide you will discover a new place, a new activity and make new friends! Sounds great, right?
Spend the day roaming in Al Ain (Oasis and Jebel hafeet)

The Al Ain Oasis, a historical caravan stop, is a UNESCO heritage site in Abu Dhabi and a place you should not miss seeing in your UAE trip! Spread out over 3000 acres, containing over 147,000 date palm trees with over 100 varieties, you should try the dates!

You want to see this incredible oasis with a host who can guide you through this expansive beautiful area. It includes a zoo, a camel market, a museum and an ancient pottery among other wonders. Nearby is a gorgeous hiking area in Jebel Hafeet, which you can ask your private guide to include a hike and a picnic in the personalized tour. A memorable and scenic experience!
Relax and unwind at Al Aqah Beach in Fujairah

Beaches, beaches, beaches! The UAE is blessed with several pristine, soft sand, and deep blue water beaches. There are many to visit but we are in love with the Le Meridian Al Aqah Beach Resort alongs the Fujairah coastline. You are two minutes from the beach.

On one side enjoy the panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and on the other the stunning Hajar Mountains. Spend the morning at the beach relaxing and then join one of our local hosts for a beautiful and scenic hike through the Hajar Mountains, to catch some stunning views!
Explore the rich historical museums of Sharjah

Craving some historical background on the various Emirates and on Islam? Sharjah, the heritage capital of the UAE is filled with historical and cultural museums that are best seen with a local host who will be happy to tailor your museum visits to your liking, while showing you throughout the city.

There are 16 different museums including the Museum for Islamic Civilization and the Heritage Museum about Emirati national history. There is a also a museum for science and art. Going with a local host ensures you don’t miss anything and that your museum experience is tailored to your preferences!
Lose yourself in Qasr el Hosn, the White fort

Qasr al-Hosn in Abu Dhabi was constructed in the 1760s as a coral and sea stone watchtower to defend the city’s only freshwater well. The ruling family of Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyans lived there for some time until 1966. It is also known as the White Fort. The clean white walls of the fort shine in the desert sun. It’s a beautiful sight!

The fort is a great place to discover how the UAE came into being. The history of Abu Dhabi and how the discovery of oil changed everything for this small but formidable country, allowing it to build itself from the Desert to the riches. Going to Qasr al-Hosn with a private local guide ensures you have the full story about this country! We suggest you focus on the fascinating and controversial history and not the touristy bubble version!

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