The United Arab Emirates is the travel trend; there’s no doubt about that. From Instagram influencers with their cameras out on the JBR beach to tourists heading for the luxury of Abu Dhabi and a taste of the capital of the UAE, tourism in the region is beyond booming.
Out of all 7 Emirates – Abu Dhabi (capital), Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, Dubai is arguably the most popular and recently broke its record number of visitors for the third year, with 19.59 million visitors in 2025 heading to see one of the most impressive skylines in the world and experience the divine luxury of the UAE (Connecting Travel).
The region is made for modern tourists, and if you read on, we’ll discuss what you can expect in 2026.
Everyone has to visit Dubai in their lifetime, but there are 6 other Emirates that travel experts are raving about, and it seems modern tourists are starting to do the same. According to Connecting Travel research, 49% of UAE travelers now want to explore lesser-visited areas such as:
And we can see why. Dubai is by no means overrated, but it is slightly more expensive and full of tourists.
The other areas of the UAE have everything Dubai does (maybe not the skyline), but in a quiet, luxury approach. The culture still seeps through, the dining experiences are exquisite, and there’s plenty to do when you’re there.
The only thing we will say is that Wi-Fi won’t be available at every corner in some of the other Emirates (Dubai is fine). We’d recommend getting a Holafly eSIM for your travels. At least then you’re connected without the worry of roaming fees.
It doesn’t matter where you are in the UAE; it’s a luxury taken to another level, and we know they’ll be stepping up their game in 2026. From the newly recommended Michelin Bib Gourmand award, Sasani in Saudi Arabia, to the entire UAE positioning itself as a global luxury retail powerhouse with world-class retail ecosystems, you experience a slice of luxury on every corner.
Everyone looks incredible, every meal tastes spectacular, and the welcoming culture that goes above and beyond for tourists is outstanding.
It’s not too expensive to stay in a 5* hotel in the UAE, and if you’re in one, they take luxury hotels to another level. We recommend Atlantis, The Palm, in Dubai (expensive), and the Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as a less expensive option.
The rest of the UAE has something incredible to offer for all tourists, but Dubai is where it’s at. And for tourists heading there in 2026, there are some new attractions to look out for that should steal the show. We recommend checking out:
They’re all excellent options for families or couples who want to have fun.
Are you ready to book your ticket for 2026? The UAE really is one of the best regions in the world for travel. You’ve got the weather, luxury, incredible attractions, and stunning hotels all rolled into one area. It’s slightly more expensive when you’re there, but the flights and hotel aren’t (depending on the time of the year).
