Sports and leisure activities United Arab Emirates

Budget & Tips

Far from the clichés that circulate, it's possible to practice sport without breaking the bank: walking, trekking, beach, palm grove strolls, jogging and desert camping are just some of the free or very affordable activities on offer.

The UAE is also a golfer's paradise.

What's very local

The real national sport is motor sports, if you consider that to be a real sport. For camel racing and falconry, they are more trainers than actors, since in the first case the camels are not ridden and in the second it's the falcon that does all the work. As soon as the temperatures drop, however, a few Dhow races (locally-made wooden boats) can be seen taking place off the coast of Dubai. What you'd hardly suspect, however, is that not only are the women very coquettish, but the men also pay great attention to their physique, regularly visiting the barber for a manicure or pedicure.

Your documents please

Bring your passport with you for all motor sports activities. Photocopies are not sufficient.

Main events

Al Dhafra Nautical Festival: held in the last week of March, this festival features traditional dhow regattas, as well as kitesurfing.

Liwa International Festival: every February, Tel Moreb, the largest dune in the Emirates, hosts a motorsports championship featuring quads, motorbikes and 4X4s. Residents from all over the Gulf come to test their mettle against the great dune. It's a great way to meet young locals.

DP World Tour: in November, the European Golf Tour comes to an end in Dubai.

Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix: in December, end of the F1 season in Abu Dhabi.

Sharjah Nautical Festival: every December, over a weekend, the city of Sharjah hosts the F1 Motorboat World Championships.