What to do in UAE

Ramadan will bring several changes to Abu Dhabi, from working hours to city services. One key update affects transport, as Darb toll and public parking fees will follow adjusted timings during the holy month. Q Mobility has shared the revised timings, and they will apply as soon as Ramadan start date is officially confirmed. Darb toll fees during Ramadan 2026 in Abu Dhabi: Monday to Saturday: 8 AM to 10 AM (first phase) and 2 PM to 6 PM (second phase) Sundays: free all day Public parking fees (Mawaqif system) during Ramadan 2026: Monday to Saturday: 9 AM to 6...

Ras Al Khaimah’s public transport system just got a new boost. The Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) has launched the Orange Route, a new city bus line that aims to improve connectivity within the emirate as part of the broader Transport Master Plan 2030. Running a 13-kilometre route from Al Nakheel to the Main Bus Station in South Al Dhait, the Orange Route links up with all four of the city’s main transit lines, helping to create a more integrated and accessible transport network across Ras Al Khaimah. Orange Route in RAK: Stops and Timings The new route passes...

On August 2, 2027, a rare total solar eclipse will take place, visible across parts of Africa, the Middle East, and southern Europe. What sets this eclipse apart is its duration: lasting up to six minutes and 23 seconds, it will be the longest visible from land between 1991 and 2114. For reference, most solar eclipses last under three minutes. The path of totality — the area where complete darkness will be experienced — stretches across southern Spain, northern Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, central Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Somalia, before ending over the Indian Ocean near the Chagos...

Gulfood is back in Dubai from February 17 to 20, 2025, bringing together food lovers and industry experts from around the world. If you're planning to visit, make sure to sort out your transportation in advance — traffic will be heavy, and parking is limited. Here’s a helpful guide to help you reach the venue smoothly. Taxis & Ride-Hailing Services The simplest way to reach the event is by taxi. You can flag down an RTA taxi or book one through the Careem app. Keep in mind that traffic builds up fast, especially along Sheikh Zayed Road near Dubai Mall,...

Abu Dhabi has expanded its public paid parking services to include several new areas, according to an announcement from Q Mobility. As of Thursday, July 10, parking fees are now in effect in the following locations: Eastern Mangroves Dolphin Park Sectors along Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, including: Al Khaleej Al Arabi Park 1, 2, 4, and 5 Al Qurm Plaza Q Mobility is responsible for managing both Mawaqif, the capital’s public parking system, and Darb, the toll collection platform. The expansion follows the completion of infrastructure upgrades in these areas, such as curb painting, installation of directional signs, and...

Big Bad Wolf Book Sale is already in full swing in Dubai, and book lovers now have a little more time to browse the shelves. Originally scheduled to wrap up this weekend, the popular sale has been extended for one more week and will now run until March 15 in Dubai Studio City. Visitors can expect thousands of titles: thrillers, romance, history, fantasy and more, with plenty of both English titles and Arabic books available. If this is your first Big Bad Wolf Book Sale, get ready to feel like you’ve hit the jackpot. Picture this: a massive selection of...

If you’re arriving in Dubai this month, there’s a little extra waiting for you at immigration. Throughout Ramadan, visitors will receive a unique Ramadan-themed passport stamp and a free tourist SIM with 10GB of data. For the second year in a row, Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs is adding a special touch to passports. The Ramadan stamp, designed by Brand Dubai (the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office), features the Ramadan In Dubai logo. It’s available at all entry points, including Dubai International Airport, Dubai World Central, and Port Rashid Cruise Terminal. The Ramadan...

Step into a world of light, art, and tradition as Umm Al Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi hosts a special event celebrating 40 years of friendship between the UAE and China. Running until Saturday, February 1, this festival, organized in partnership with the Embassy of China and the Chinese Language Institute, is a vibrant showcase of both nations’ cultural heritage. Entry is just AED 10 per person. The festival’s main attraction is the breathtaking Zigong Lantern Exhibition. Picture yourself strolling among 20 glowing lantern installations, each crafted by expert artisans from Sichuan, China. Beyond the lanterns, visitors can dive into...

Dubai is getting a new bridge over the Creek, aiming to make travel smoother between Bur Dubai and Dubai Islands. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) shared details of the project on Sunday, April 6, as part of a larger plan to upgrade roads and traffic flow across the city. This new bridge is part of the Al Shindagha Corridor Development, one of the city’s major infrastructure projects. It will stretch about 1,425 meters long, with four lanes in each direction and the ability to handle up to 16,000 vehicles per hour.     View this post on Instagram  ...

Starting June 18, 2025, travellers in the UAE applying for Schengen visas to France or Germany will need to complete an online Visa Application Form when scheduling their appointment on VFS Global’s portal. This change was announced by VFS Global to streamline the appointment system and reduce errors. The new form requirement is mandatory and must be filled out as part of the booking process — marking a shift from the previous method, where applicants could schedule a time slot first and submit the application form later. What’s Changing for UAE-Based Applicants: The online application form is now integrated into...