Top 20 most beautiful monuments in United Arab Emirates2026 ranking

I have such great memories of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. I went there quickly during a flight layover. Abu Dhabi lets travelers leave the airport and a shuttle drops them off right at the mosque. You have to wear a black outfit that covers you up to get inside. Once inside this immaculately white mosque, admire the marble columns, the rugs, the chandeliers, and especially the decorations made of semi-precious stones.

Burj Khalifa is to Dubai what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris, a symbol, a landmark you can see from far away. After waiting in line for an hour, you can go up to the observation deck which offers a spectacular view of the city. And to think that you are nowhere near the top of the tower. What must it be like to see the view from the top floor!

You might think that because the show happens several times a day and is free, it would be cheap... well no, it is top notch! The music, the choreography of the water jets, the light effects (in the evening), and the setting, are magnificent!

The observation decks are about halfway up the tower, but that is already enough to look down on the rest of the city. Even the towers that seemed tall to you from the ground will look tiny. It feels very strange :) Also, it is a chance to see how the city keeps growing and building everywhere. The thing I liked less is the wait time to get into the elevator. Around an hour is just ridiculous.

Even though the top floors aren't accessible, you can still pay to visit observation decks located over 400m up. The view of the city, the coast, and the desert is spectacular. Just keep an eye on the line for the elevator, though. Expect a good hour wait.

In a country that tends to reach high into the sky to show off its wealth (I am talking about architecture), this mosque stands out for its horizontal spaces inside and around it, with lovely gardens and reflecting pools. It also stands out for the care put into its decor and its relative white and gold sobriety. As you get closer, you will see that there are arabesques everywhere, the marbles take on different colors inside, and the chandeliers add a panoply of hues and sparkles that contrast with the monochrome exterior. A must see

Every night, at the foot of the Burj Khalifa tower, in the middle of a large pedestrian plaza, there are sound and light shows with the Dubai Fountain. Basically, on the large pool, there are water jets and spotlights that perform a water ballet to different songs. The water jets can go pretty high, and above all, they really give the impression of dancing at times. As a bonus, there can also be light projections on the Burj Khalifa. Finally, as I was saying, the pool is surrounded by a sort of pedestrian esplanade, with cafes, restaurants, elevated terraces... touristy but very pleasant!

Seen from a distance, dressed all in white with a few golden accents, the grand mosque looks understated and clean, all while being majestic with its many domes and towers. Up close, you realize that some walls are covered in arabesques, and then inside, the white gives way to multicolored marble, flashy chandeliers, and much richer decoration. The visit is worth the trip. A few notes: dear gentlemen, avoid wearing shorts for the visit, and dear ladies, avoid showing your legs and shoulders. But do not panic, the organization lends you something to cover up with before entering if necessary, so you will not be turned away! Another surprise, the whole check-in is done underground, after walki…

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