United Arab Emirates

Regions and cities

Dubai remains the most visited emirate, split between modern Downtown (Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall) and old Dubai in the Deira and Bur Dubai districts, where the gold souk and spice souk still hold the atmosphere that predates the skyscrapers, and where crossing the Creek by abra, the traditional motorised boat, remains the most memorable way to feel that contrast. Palm Jumeirah and the Dubai Marina/JBR area offer beach time and nightlife, while the desert just outside the city invites 4x4 excursions and Bedouin-style camps. About an hour away, Abu Dhabi holds the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum, plus Yas Island with its Ferrari World theme park.

When to go

From November to March, temperatures turn genuinely pleasant, mild even in the evenings, making this the most sought-after time of year. Summer, June to September, brings very intense heat and humidity — life shifts almost entirely indoors, into malls and pool areas. April and October offer a good balance, with weather that's still manageable. During Ramadan, restaurant and café hours shift noticeably through the day.

Food

Traditional Emirati food, such as machboos (spiced rice with meat), tends to turn up in specialised restaurants rather than touristy ones, since the city functions mainly as an international culinary crossroads, with Lebanese, Indian and other Asian cuisines available everywhere. Shisha cafés hold an important social role in the evenings, while the spice souks in Deira remain a good place to see and buy saffron, cinnamon or incense. The Friday brunch, a leisurely weekend tradition at many hotel restaurants, has become something of an institution in its own right among residents and visitors alike.

Getting around

Dubai's driverless metro, clean and efficient, links the airport directly to the main tourist and business districts. Taxis are plentiful and metered fairly. Distances within the city are bigger than they look on a map, so combining metro and taxi remains the most practical approach for most visitors.

Visa and practical notes

Entry conditions for Albanian citizens change and are reviewed periodically, so we won't state a general rule here. We strongly recommend checking current visa requirements directly before booking your flight. Albanian travellers often ask whether summer is really unbearable (yes, particularly July and August) and what the dress code is for the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi — modest clothing with shoulders and legs covered, with shawls available at the entrance for visitors who need them.