What to do in UAE

Planning a trip or staycation in the UAE capital? Here's a great deal to get more out of it without spending extra. Hotel guests in Abu Dhabi can now visit three museums for free, thanks to a new offer running until April 5. Here’s how it works. If you book at least two nights at any of the participating hotels, you’ll get complimentary access to three major cultural spots in the Saadiyat Cultural District. The three museums included in the offer: Louvre Abu Dhabi Zayed National Museum Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi Some of the participating hotels include Sofitel Abu...

Starting January 1, 2026, there will be some important changes to the UAE's VAT regulations that businesses and taxpayers need to know about. The Ministry of Finance has introduced these changes through Federal Decree-Law No. (16) of 2025, aiming to make the tax process simpler and more efficient. 1. No More Self-Invoices for Reverse Charge Mechanism One of the key updates is that businesses will no longer need to issue self-invoices when using the reverse charge mechanism. Instead, they’ll only need to keep supporting documents related to transactions. This will simplify the process, cut down on paperwork, and make it...

Calling all anime lovers, comic fanatics, and cosplay queens and kings, Dubai is about to get a pop-culture glow-up! On October 4-5, the brand-new event FNDM lands at The Concourse Convention Center, Dubai Outlet Mall, bringing everything you’ve been dreaming of under one roof. What’s Waiting for You at FNDM? Here’s what you can dive into during the festival: Pro cosplayers on the Cosplay Catwalk Shows and entertainment on the FNDM Stage Artist Alley showcasing talented creatives 80+ vendors with collectibles, merch, and exclusive drops And of course, no pop-culture festival is complete without celebrity meet-and-greets, and FNDM’s lineup is...

If you’re craving French food with a Mediterranean twist, Bar Du Port is the place to be. The French Riviera-inspired venue is making its way to Abu Dhabi, opening its doors at Yas Marina. This will be the brand’s sixth location in the region. Fans of coastal cuisine can now enjoy the same great food and atmosphere across multiple cities. The brand has recently opened a new location in Doha, and the UAE capital is next with the opening planned for Q4 of 2025.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Bar Du Port (@barduportdubai)...

If you use your UAE-issued credit or debit card abroad, take note — international transaction fees are going up. Starting September 22, 2025, several local banks will apply a 3.14% surcharge on the total value of purchases made outside the country. That’s a notable increase from the current 2.09%, and it applies each time your card is used internationally. These fee changes are not uncommon, and they typically fluctuate depending on the bank’s internal strategies and market conditions. This isn’t the only update affecting local cardholders. Just last week, it announced that one-time passwords (OTPs) will no longer be sent...

If you're driving in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, or Al Dhafra, there’s a good reason to check your traffic fines sooner rather than later. A new initiative from the Abu Dhabi Police — launched at Adnoc petrol stations — is reminding drivers to take advantage of a discount system. The campaign, titled “Act Now and Benefit,” encourage drivers to pay off their fines as soon as possible and save up to one third of the fine amount: Payments within 60 days of receiving a fine will give a driver 35% off Payments made within one year will give a 25%...

If you’ve been thinking about getting more active, here’s something that might give you that extra push. Ramadan Games 2026 in Dubai is bringing the community together for weeks of sport, movement and friendly competition. Organised by Dubai Police, the event will take place from February 20 to March 11 across six different locations in the emirate. There’s more than AED 700,000 in prize money, and the programme includes 25 competitions in total, with 12 sports open to public participation. This isn’t limited to professional athletes or sports clubs. A big part of the initiative is encouraging residents to stay...

A new luxury landmark is on the horizon for the UAE capital. A Bvlgari Resort & Mansions is officially coming to Abu Dhabi, bringing Italian sophistication and Arabian elegance together on a private, horseshoe-shaped island. The resort is expected to welcome guests in 2030. This upcoming megaproject will include 60 rooms and suites, such as two Bvlgari Suites and one Bvlgari Penthouse, as well as 30 villas — each with its own private pool and stunning sea or skyline views. The development will also feature 90 unique mansions in various sizes, designed to reflect a fusion of architectural styles. The...

Popular Italian restaurant Fi’lia is branching out from Dubai to open two exciting new locations — Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast. Known for its comforting Italian-Mediterranean dishes, Fi’lia is all set to bring its blend of tradition and modernity to more diners in the region. In Abu Dhabi, Fi’lia will open at the upcoming Mondrian Abu Dhabi, a luxury hotel with 300 rooms that’s expected to launch later this year. This chic venue will serve as the perfect spot to enjoy Fi’lia’s handmade pastas, fresh ingredients, and warm ambiance.   Over in Saudi Arabia, Fi’lia will debut...

The House of Wisdom in Sharjah is bringing back its popular summer camps for 2025, offering a new lineup of activities across July and August. Designed for children and teens, the three themed camps aim to mix storytelling, technology, arts, and life skills in a structured, engaging way. Al Jazari FabLab Al Jazari FabLab is open from July 7 to 31 for kids between 6 and 15. It introduces children and teens to the world of technology through storytelling. Participants will explore AI tools, 3D printing, Arduino coding, and design thinking.     View this post on Instagram   A...