middle-east

United Arab Emirates

City ambition, desert silence and a long coastline, in one compact country

Overview

The UAE is a study in contrast: Dubai's vertical energy, Abu Dhabi's cultural ambition, and the silent dunes of the Liwa Desert. We plan United Arab Emirates for travellers who want luxury hotels, design, desert escapes and short-haul sunshine — with the timing, the routing and the rooms decided before you leave, and someone reachable while you are away.

A typical Third Door itinerary here leans on Dubai's design hotels, restaurants and beach clubs, Abu Dhabi's Louvre and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a night in the Liwa Desert dunes. We book direct with the properties we know, hold the details that matter — the room with the view, the table that is hard to get, the driver who knows the road — and keep the plan flexible enough to change once you are in it.

Quick facts

Best months
November to March, with December to February as the sweet spot
Trip length
5–7 nights, usually Dubai or Abu Dhabi plus a desert night
Feel
Urban, luxury, desert contrast
Ideal for
Couples, families, design lovers, short-haul sun
Pace
Two to three nights per city, one in the desert
Budget
High at the top end, but a wide range of hotels and restaurants exist.
When to visit

Best times to go

Winter

November – March

Warm, sunny, dry. The perfect time for beaches, desert and outdoor dining.

Summer

April – October

Very hot and humid; hotels and malls are air-conditioned, but outdoor activities are limited.

Regions

Where to go

Dubai

The city of superlatives, but also a place of excellent restaurants, beach resorts and design hotels.

CityLuxuryBeachDesign

Abu Dhabi

Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Grand Mosque, Saadiyat Island and a more measured pace than Dubai.

CityArt & CultureBeach

Liwa Desert

The Empty Quarter dunes. A night in a luxury desert camp is the UAE's most memorable experience.

DesertAdventureRomance

Ras Al Khaimah

Mountains, beaches and a quieter emirate. Good for families and adventure.

BeachMountainsFamily
Where to stay

Hotels, lodges & villas we like

Burj Al Arab

Dubai

The sail-shaped icon; still the most recognisable hotel in the city.

CityLuxuryIconic

One&Only The Palm

Dubai

A quieter beach resort on the Palm, with Moorish architecture and good restaurants.

BeachLuxuryRomance

Qasr Al Sarab

Liwa Desert

A desert palace in the Empty Quarter dunes, reached by 4x4.

DesertLuxuryAdventure

Jumeirah Saadiyat Island

Abu Dhabi

A beach resort with the Louvre and the city close by.

BeachLuxuryFamily
Sample itinerary

A possible first trip

Phase 1

Arrive and settle — Dubai 2–3 nights

Land, unwind, and get your bearings with a private guide who sets the context rather than reading a script. The city of superlatives, but also a place of excellent restaurants, beach resorts and design hotels.

Phase 2

The heart of the trip — Abu Dhabi 3–4 nights

Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Grand Mosque, Saadiyat Island and a more measured pace than Dubai. This is where most of the trip's character lives, so we give it the most room.

Phase 3

Change of pace — Liwa Desert 2–4 nights

The Empty Quarter dunes. A night in a luxury desert camp is the UAE's most memorable experience. A deliberate shift in rhythm before you travel home.

Phase 4

Home, well handled Departure

Private transfers, late checkout where we can arrange it, and a single point of contact from the day you land to the day you leave.

Where to eat

Restaurants worth the table

Zuma

Dubai

Japanese izakaya in a buzzing setting; a Dubai classic.

Eleven Madison Park pop-ups

Dubai

Dubai's restaurant scene is constantly changing; we book the current tables worth having.

FAQ

Common questions

When is the best time to visit United Arab Emirates?

November to March, with December to February as the sweet spot is the window we recommend most often. Warm, sunny, dry. The perfect time for beaches, desert and outdoor dining. We will steer you by what you actually want from the trip rather than by peak season alone.

How long should we spend in United Arab Emirates?

5–7 nights, usually Dubai or Abu Dhabi plus a desert night. Shorter is possible and we plan it regularly, but the pace changes: fewer bases, less driving, one region done properly instead of three done quickly.

What does a trip to United Arab Emirates cost?

High at the top end, but a wide range of hotels and restaurants exist. Once we understand your dates, party and the standard of stay you have in mind, we come back with a costed proposal rather than a range.

Do you handle visas, transfers and the practical detail?

Visa-free or visa-on-arrival for most nationalities. Pet travel is possible with advance paperwork and approved hotels. We flag entry requirements early, arrange ground transport and private transfers, and keep the day-to-day logistics off your plate.

Can you travel with our dog in United Arab Emirates?

Yes. United Arab Emirates is one of the destinations where we can plan pet-first properly — pet-friendly properties we have vetted, ground transport instead of cargo where possible, and documentation checked before you book flights.

Should we stay in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?

Dubai for energy, restaurants and beach resorts; Abu Dhabi for culture, museums and a calmer pace. A trip can do both.

Plan a trip to United Arab Emirates

Tell us your dates, party and the feeling you want. We will come back with a first proposal built around this destination.