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FACT
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- FACT
11 unforgettable ways to embrace the spirit of Ramadan in the UAE
Ramadan has officially begun, which means a month-long celebration of gratitude and soaking in all those community feels. In the UAE, this time also translates to markets adorned with colourful decorations, the aroma of local delicacies wafting through the air, and the melodious call to prayer echoing through the streets. So let FACT be your guide to unlocking the wonders of Ramadan 2025 in the UAE. Hai Ramadan at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City Dubai, invites you to immerse yourself in the essence of Ramadan. The lively souq, reminiscent of traditional Emirati neighbourhoods, offers an array of delights, from handicrafts to aromatic spices. Expect traditional crafts and storytelling sessions at Al Wasl Plaza and an arcade avenue. Running unitl 27 March, families can also gather for iftar and suhoor or watch the Iftar Cannon signalling the start of iftar each day. General admission tickets start from AED 20. GO: Visit for tickets and more information. At the Ramadan District, you can immerse yourself in Emirati culture. From 8 to 23 March, this terrace will transform into a vibrant market showcasing the best of the region so you can step into a world of culinary delights, homeware treasures, and artisanal crafts. Wander through the market, where the aroma of spices mingles with the sounds of live entertainment. Engage in workshops and activities, from cooking classes to arts and crafts sessions. With free entrance, it's the place to be this Ramadan. GO: Follow @ on Instagram for more information. For a more intimate experience of Ramadan, consider joining the Dubai Souks Iftar Tour. This four-hour guided tour with Frying Pan Adventures offers a glimpse into the rich history and traditions of Dubai's historic souks. Begin your journey in the back alleys of Deira, where communal pavement iftars bring together locals and visitors alike. Explore the Spice Souk, filled with exotic flavours and vibrant colours, before crossing the creek on an abra. Learn about the traditions and stories behind each dish, connecting with the local community on a deeper level. Starting at AED 472.50, book your slots now. GO Visit for reservations and more information. Step into the wind-tower houses and immerse yourself in Emirati hospitality and traditions at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. Start by breaking the fast with light appetisers shared with the Emirati hosts. Then, head to the Diwan Mosque for a short session before returning to savour a delightful assortment of Emirati dishes, desserts, and tea at the SMCCU house. You can also enjoy activities such as calligraphy. The program runs daily throughout Ramadan from 6pm to 8pm, and tickets start at AED 180. GO: Visit for more information. Join the Jameel Arts Centre for fun-filled Ramadan Nights from 14 to 16 March and experience a range of activities for the whole family. Explore wellness and mindfulness through workshops, storytelling, and meditation or engage in crafting activities and bonding with friends and family over shared traditions. Indulge in traditional delicacies and late-night delights at the farm-to-fork restaurant, Teible. Experience the age-old tradition of the Ramadan Cannon Firing across Dubai's iconic landmarks. As the sun sets and mosques call for prayer, cannons reverberate across the emirate, marking the end of the fast for the day. You can watch it live from various locations such as Burj Khalifa, Damac Hills, Dubai Festival City, Vida Creek Harbour and Wasl Avenue at Expo City Dubai. It's one must-see if spending Ramadan in the UAE. GO: Visit for more information. Head over to City Walk from 5 to 9 March and immerse yourself in the lively ambience of Ramadan. Indulge in a variety of delicious iftar and suhoor options while exploring the plethora of shops or watch nightly performances at 9pm and 10pm, all amidst gorgeous Ramadan-themed decorations. GO: Visit for more information. Step into a world of timeless tradition and effortless style with the Keshta experience this Ramadan. Embrace the charm of Bedouin hospitality as you gather with loved ones for a cosy iftar in the desert or a serene suhoor under the starlit sky led by 365 Adventures. Prices vary for different Keshta experiences, but with the winter season still running across the UAE, it's the perfect time to book now. GO: Visit for reservations and more information. Discover the wonders of Ramadan in the UAE at Global Village, where delicious food, cultural entertainment, and festive vibes await. Experience the charm of a traditional Emirati market showcasing Ramadan-themed samples from pavilions across the destination. Plus, with opening hours changing from 6pm until 2am, you're in for a fun night out. GO: Visit for reservations and more information. Indulge in a sumptuous iftar experience at Topgolf Dubai, nestled within the Emirates Golf Club. Please your palate with a selection of dishes, ranging from Korean BBQ ribs and buffalo wings to traditional favourites like bill laham and baklava. Take your pick between the Western or Arabic package, each promising two hours of gameplay accompanied by delectable food and beverages, ideal for up to six guests. GO: Visit for reservations and more information. A must-see during Ramadan in the UAE is the spectacular iftar at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. While free iftar meals are common across the UAE, the scale and ambiance of this iftar are unparalleled. Whether you choose to break your fast at sunset here or simply join others for iftar, you'll sense the profound spirit of togetherness amidst the grandeur of this iconic setting. GO: Visit for reservations and more information.
Telegraph
19-02-2025
- Telegraph
Beyond souks and desert safaris: How to do the Arabian Gulf differently
Don't be fooled by the stereotypes: there's far more to the Arabian Gulf than first meets the eye. Dubai's glitzy malls, Abu Dhabi's five-star hotels, Doha's forest of skyscrapers… they're dazzling, yes, but they're not the whole story – not even close. This is a region of sea-sized deserts and thriving wildlife sanctuaries; of pristine reefs where you can snorkel with wild turtles, of beaches that rival those of the Maldives, and of mighty mountains criss-crossed with hiking trails. 'It has no culture' is the sceptics' go-to refrain – but say that again when you're lost in Jeddah's exquisite old Hijazi houses, swapping stories with an Emirati pearl-diver, or gazing from the ramparts of Bahrain's Unesco-listed fortress. The UAE is the Gulf's most-visited nation, the tourism star of the Arabian Peninsula – though Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are hot on its heels. In January, Qatar announced its highest-ever number of stopover visitors (up 165 per cent from April 2024 to Jan 2025), while Saudi is witnessing incredible growth: in 2024, it welcomed almost 30 million overseas travellers. Pretty impressive for a country that only started issuing tourist visas five years previously. To maintain this momentum the region knows that it has to cherish its roots, enabling visitors to engage with its authentic heritage. 'For the longest time, people wouldn't travel to the Gulf for its culture – there wasn't enough awareness of the millennia of history under its sands,' says Arva Ahmed, the co-founder of Frying Pan Adventures, whose excellent walking tours reveal Dubai's little-known Emirati and Middle Eastern street-food scene. 'But now, travellers are seeking deeper experiences: they aren't wowed by another skyscraper, they're looking for something more meaningful.' And there's a wealth of options to choose from. Whether for a day of discovery on a fly-and-flop break or a whole fortnight of desert adventures, the following recommendations offer a tantalising glimpse of the Gulf's cultural and natural gems. Because even in this land of unimaginable prosperity, those are its purest, most memorable riches. Here are unexpected things to do in… United Arab Emirates Ask those burning questions The UAE is the kind of place that sparks countless questions, many of which feel rather awkward to ask. Why do Emirati men wear white and women wear black? What's with the gold obsession? Refreshingly, no topic is off-limits at Dubai's SMCCU (Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding), which holds frank talks and Q&As over home-made Emirati meals. Its biriyani-style machboos and syrup-drenched luqaimat dumplings are just as tasty as the conversation. From £28.40; Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. Hike the Hajar peaks Ras Al Khaimah's mountains dwarf Dubai's tallest skyscraper – a landscape of saw-toothed summits, plunging gorges and giant slabs of limestone and magma. Its highest peak, Jebel Jais, features hiking routes for all abilities, a network of zip lines (including the world's longest), a hair-raising via ferrata and more. It's a 2.5-hour drive from Dubai, and around 10C cooler in the mountains year-round. Hiking is free, ziplines from £71; Visit Jebel Jais. Go looking for pearls The son of generations of pearl divers, Abdulla Rashed Al Suwaidi is keeping this fascinating old Arabian profession alive in the tiny fishing village of Al Rams, Ras Al Khaimah. On a wooden-built dhow, you'll head through the mangroves to his underwater pearl 'farm' to learn how daredevil divers harvested oysters for centuries. After witnessing the techniques and tools of their trade, it's time for your own treasure hunt: a chance to shuck your own oyster, and keep (or eat) whatever's inside. From £55; Suwaidi Pearls. Delve into Emirati culture From prehistoric rock art to the Sheikh's classic car collection, it's no exaggeration to say there's something for everyone in Sharjah's museums. Art, architecture, archaeology: its cultural institutions explore UAE heritage from every angle, and chart its rise from impoverished land to global superpower in detail. Highlights include the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, Sharjah Classic Car Museum and Bait Al Naboodah Museum; entry for each is AED10pp (£2.17). Sharjah Museums. Feast on street food Forget Abu Dhabi's highfalutin' restaurants for a night, and devour its street bites instead. Withlocals' 2.5-hour 'Culinary Kickstart Tour' showcases the capital's extraordinary global diaspora through its street food, in the company of local guides. Syrian pastries sweetened with pomegranate molasses, Lebanese flatbreads oozing piping-hot cheese, plump madjool dates from Saudi – it's all here, in hidden-gem cafés and market stalls you'd never find solo. From £47pp; With Locals. Qatar See flamingos in the desert On Qatar's southernmost tip, blisteringly white dunes tumble into the ink-blue waters of Khor Al Adaid – the 'Inland Sea'. It's an eerie, otherworldly terrain: one hour's drive from Doha, leaving the highway to bounce over the ever-shifting sands (a 4x4 and skilled driver are essential). From November to February, thousands of flamingos flock to plunder the shallows, while other wildlife sightings include ospreys, gazelles and Arabian oryx. Discover Qatar runs private half-day trips from £191; Discover Qatar. Cruise West Bay's wonders Traditional dhow boats have bobbed on Doha's waterfront for centuries, but only in recent decades have West Bay's epic skyscrapers popped up in the background. Stroll along the Corniche to witness this mishmash of old and new: a vision of a nation reaching for the future while cherishing its past. Better yet, take an evening dhow cruise along West Bay, in the style of a homeward-bound seafarer of old. Expedia offers 90-minute tours from £36pp; Expedia. Step into 'old Arabia' One of Doha's oldest neighbourhoods, Msheireb, has been transformed into a picturesque jumble of restored old houses and tiny heritage-focused museums, dotted with trendy cafés. Company House tells Qatar's rags-to-riches story, while Radwani House recreates a traditional Doha home, adorned with hand-carved wooden doors and curvaceous archways (free; Msheireb Museums). After dark, Msheireb bustles with Qatari families, a sociable scene best enjoyed over single-origin cortados at % Arabica. View this post on Instagram A post shared by % ΔRΔBICΔ Qatar (@ Discover art in the dunes Qatar is obsessed with art – so much so, it spills from the galleries into the streets. Beyond the exquisite miniatures of the Museum of Islamic Art (a vision in itself, designed by IM Pei; £11, Museum of Islamic Art), sculptures by the likes of Damien Hirst and Louise Bourgeois are dotted throughout the city. Most striking, though, is Richard Serra's East-West/West-East: four gigantic steel slabs out in the desert, an hour's drive from Doha. Humbling, bonkers – and well worth the trip. Free; Qatar Museums. Bahrain Spot dugongs and dolphins Praised by Unesco for their pristine coral, Bahrain's Hawar Islands are home to sea turtles, sooty falcons and the world's second-biggest population of dugongs – not to mention beautiful white-sand beaches. You can explore the archipelago on boat tours, or slip beneath the waves on snorkelling and scuba diving excursions. Regency Holidays' six-day 'Mesmerizing Bahrain Tour' includes a day in the islands, from £750pp including flights; Regency Holidays. Walk the Pearling Path Pearl-diving in Bahrain can be traced back to 2000BC: it was its primary income before the discovery of oil, especially in the 19th century when pearls were more prized than diamonds. You'll learn all about it on Muharraq's Pearling Path, a Unesco World Heritage Site whose two-mile walking trail encompasses old pearling beds, museums and restored merchants' villas – an enlightening stroll through Bahrain's humble history. Free entry; Pearling Path. Explore an ancient fort The mighty stronghold of Qal'at Al-Bahrain has witnessed 5,000 years of civilisation, during which it's been fought over by the Greeks, Portuguese, Persians and more – a bloody history laid bare in the fort's museum. Its rugged ramparts still bear its battle scars: this is Bahrain's most significant ancient landmark, inscribed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2005. Free entry; Oman Snooze in the mountains Jebel Akhdar is the Gulf's answer to the Grand Canyon: a wild, gorge-gouged landscape that's catnip for hikers. Its plateaus fall to riverbeds awash with fruit trees and date palms, and its walking trails are studded with marine fossils – a reminder that this entire landscape was once under the sea. Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar is the place to stay, with an infinity pool overlooking one of the most spectacular canyons. From £422 per night, including breakfast; Anantara. Plan a wild road trip Oman is a road-tripper's paradise, blending the practical essentials (smooth asphalt, cheap fuel, doable distances) with a heady dose of adventure. Head south from Muscat's souk and beaches, popping into Ras Al Jinz to spy turtles nesting on the shore, before slicing through the dunes of Wahiba Sands and up into the Hajar mountains. Audley's nine-day 'Oman Self-Drive Tour' costs from £3,895pp, including flights, car hire and accommodation; Audley Travel. Dive with whale sharks On Oman's north-east coast, the Daymaniyat Islands lure in-the-know divers with their abundance of sea turtles, rays, dolphins, morays and reef sharks. April to October offers the best visibility, with the chance of whale shark encounters from September to October. Day trips are available, but Dive Worldwide runs a nine-day liveaboard from £2,195pp, including flights and full-board accommodation; Dive Worldwide. Saudi Arabia Teeter on the world's edge One moment you're driving through the desert, and the next – well, nothing. The rocky, sand-blasted terrain simply drops away, placing you at the top of a precipice hundreds of metres high, with nothing but a sea of ochre dunes between you and the horizon. Welcome to the 'Edge of the World', aka Jebel Fihrayn, a two-hour trip from Riyadh. For an extra buzz you can scramble up one of the adjacent rock stacks: spectacular at all times of day, but sunset and sunrise set the rocks ablaze. From SAR256pp (£55); Get lost in old Jeddah The seaside city of Jeddah is regarded as Saudi's most cosmopolitan, but its old quarter – Al-Balad – is straight out of the history books. Here, 19th-century townhouses with exquisitely carved rawashin shutters tower over its tangle of streets, while the call to prayer spills over the coffee shops, family-run bakeries and spice stalls. A stay at Beit Jokhdar puts you in the heart of this Unesco-listed quarter, in a beautifully preserved traditional house. From SAR2,200 (£470) per night, including breakfast; Albalad Hospitality. Marvel at the Red Sea No, you're not dreaming: Saudi's Red Sea archipelago is the stuff of desert island fantasies. The region's glorious beaches and sapphire waters only opened to tourism in 2024, so you'll be among the first to discover them. Reached by speedboat or seaplane, The St Regis Red Sea is replete with five-star perks, but its superb scuba diving and Saudi dining steal the show. Best At Travel has a five-night package from £5,999pp, including flights and B&B accommodation; Best at Travel. Snoop inside Saudi's first city As you walk around Diriyah, you can almost hear the clip-clop of camel hooves on the cobbles, and the hubbub of its old souks and palaces. Dating back to the 15th century, this mud-built stronghold was the Kingdom's first capital, and is now the focus of a major restoration drive. You can wander its labyrinth of sikkas (alleyways), and explore tiny museums behind its hand-painted doors – each picking out a different heritage theme. Free; Diriyah. What's New Go big, then go home. These are the region's most hotly-anticipated new openings – from cultural encounters and heritage treasures, to a heady dose of Gulf glamour and glitz. Arts and culture Abu Dhabi's futuristic, Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim is finally set to open at the end of this year, part of the emirate's $10 billion (£8 billion) cultural investments. Almost two decades in the making, it will join Louvre Abu Dhabi and the new UAE-focused Zayed National Museum (also set to open this year) on Saadiyat Island, further strengthening the capital's cultural clout. In Dubai, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood – which was saved from demolition by a young King Charles III in the 1980s – will reopen its eponymous fort, which dates back to 1787. Expected pre-summer, it will also be home to the Dubai Museum – with new exhibitions delving into the emirate's pearl-diving and seafaring history. The Lady Nara, a traditional-style wooden dhow, has just launched new sightseeing cruises on Dubai Canal, with sunset cocktail sailings priced from £85. Meanwhile in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh's historic quarter of Diriyah opened its first hotel in December: Bab Samhan, A Luxury Collection Hotel. Mirroring the old Najdi style, its hand-crafted décor and traditional Saudi cuisine have already garnered rave reviews. From £328 per night, including breakfast. Outdoors and nature Whether you're spying Socotra cormorants from your balcony or spotting rare dugongs grazing on seagrass, a stay at Bahrain's Hawar Resort by Mantis – which opened in January – puts the Hawar Islands' wildlife in the spotlight. In the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah's Hajar mountains are a hive of activity: you'll soon be able to soar over the peaks on new paragliding flights, while Saij, A Mantis Collection Mountain Lodge, will open 70 luxurious eco-cabins in the peaks. Expect guided hikes, outdoor yoga and creative retreats; it's anticipated to open pre-summer. Tour operator Regent Holidays launched five new Oman tours last year, including a tailormade 11-day ' Oman Family Holiday ' that includes visits to a turtle-nesting sanctuary, a dolphin cruise and camel rides in the desert; from £3,080pp. And if you're feeling flush, Dubai's Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve premiered new ultra-luxurious geodesic Al Marmoom Domes in January: packages include oryx-watching safaris, horse riding, henna tattooing and stargazing. It's steep at AED5,900 (£1,284) per night, but includes all meals, a private pool and a swathe of desert activities. Food and drink The Michelin Guide published its inaugural Qatar edition in January, awarding a whopping 33 nods and gongs to the nation's restaurants. Two scooped coveted stars: IDAM by Alain Ducasse – renowned for its liberal sprinklings of edible gold – and Jamavar Doha, the first overseas outpost of Mayfair's celebrated Indian restaurant. Meanwhile, Dubai's Orfali Bros Bistro has just been crowned winner of the Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants for the third consecutive year, and is set to open its second bistro this year: Three Bros, which will further celebrate its founders' Aleppian roots with a tapas-style take on Syrian cuisine. New York legend Carbone, described as 'the most celebrity-studded restaurant on Earth' by Vanity Fair, will launch at Atlantis The Royal on Dubai's Palm this spring; expect tuxedo-clad waiters and vintage NYC flair. For a more regional supper, Gerbou 's home-style Emirati dishes are made from ingredients sourced solely within the UAE. It opened in February, with a 'farm-to-table' menu highlighting the UAE's surprising bounty of locally-grown fare. Beach and relaxation Good news for bargain hunters: the UAE's leading budget hotel brand, Rove, is set to open on Ras Al Khaimah's beachfront this spring. Rove Al Marjan Island Hotel will feature Rove's signature bright décor, a swimming pool and market-style dining; room rates have yet to be announced, but its Dubai properties offer tremendous value, from £50-100 per night. It joins the emirate's other coastal newbies, including Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah, Anantara Mina Al Arab and Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort – all of which opened last year. Muscat has also seen a flurry of new seaside resorts, with the Mandarin Oriental, Muscat and The St Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort opening last summer; the latter features a golf course, Guerlain spa and direct access to the golden sands of Al Mouj beach. Meanwhile, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab will open in Dubai on March 14, the latest addition to Jumeirah's neighbourhood of five-star beach resorts. It will feature four swimming pools and a superyacht marina; Destination2 has seven-night trips from £2,079pp, including flights and B&B accommodation.
Listly
29-01-2025
- Listly
How to Make the Most of Your 2 Days in Dubai? - A Guide to the Exotic Gulf City
Step back in time at the old-world Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. With quaint narrow lanes and traditional wind-tower houses, the Dubai of centuries past is still alive in the historical quarter. The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding is one of the highlights, where people go for fascinating cultural exhibitions. For a truly authentic Arabian experience, take an abra ride, Dubai's traditional water taxis, across Dubai Creek to Deira, where you can explore the atmospheric Gold Souk, Spice Souk, and Perfume Souk. While the ritzy shopping megacentres may characterise modern-day Dubai, these old-world marketplaces are what fueled the city before it rose to international popularity.
