National Geographic created the most anticipated list of the year and revealed which are the best destinations in the United Arab Emirates to visit. National Geographic based its analysis on the experiences of explorers, photographers, and editors of the publication who were tasked with choosing which is the must-visit destination for 2025.
First on the list and the only one from this selection is Abu Dhabi, which was chosen as one of the perfect places to know, discover, and explore according to the experts who work in the publication. In addition to the capital of the United Arab Emirates, the publication distinguished Raja Ampat in Indonesia, Antigua in Guatemala, Greenland, Brașov in Romania, Barbados, Guadalajara, among others.
Why did National Geographic choose Abu Dhabi as the best destination?
Within the variety of options for Abu Dhabi, National Geographic highlights the formation of new museums and buildings that will be constructed in the future and that by 2025 promise to captivate the most demanding tourists. “The Saadiyat Cultural District in Abu Dhabi is scheduled to be completed precisely in 2025. It already houses the Louvre Abu Dhabi and soon the Zayed National Museum and the highly anticipated Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will be inaugurated,” remarks the publication that placed the capital of the United Arab Emirates at the 11th spot on the list.
The first place on the extensive list of 25 destinations is led by Antigua in Guatemala, whose publication ensures that “Volcán de Fuego” is one of the most fascinating points of interest in the world. Among the highlights mentioned is “The hike passes through coffee plantations and a cloud forest on the slope. Operators like OX Expeditions, Antigua Tours or the hotel Casa Santo Domingo offer one or two-day excursions from the colonial city of Antigua.”
Sharjah, another destination highlighted by National Geographic in the United Arab Emirates
Within the publications of National Geographic Travel, genuinely unknown and unexplored destinations in the United Arab Emirates are mentioned. One of those highlighted by the publication is Sharjah, one of the most populated in the territory that has great attractions for visitors. In this rich cultural space, one can discover museums, souks, heritage sites, and majestic mosques, which earned it the title of Cultural Capital of the Arab World by UNESCO.
Ajman is another site highlighted by the publication, located next to Sharjah, and although it is much smaller in size than its neighboring city, it has incredible features worth discovering. Those who choose to visit it can enjoy peace and contact with nature, thanks to the 16 kilometers of beach it offers. Among the most special sites to visit there are a series of mangroves, museums, and shopping centers.
Umm Al-Quwain, the least populated of the Emirates but distinguished by National Geographic
Umm Al-Qaywayn is considered one of the least populated sites in the United Arab Emirates, with just 72,000 inhabitants. This site is near Sharjah and Ajman and its name gives it a special power, due to its valuable meaning. Umm Al-Qaywayn translates to “mother of the two powers,” in reference to the activities that provide sustenance on land and water.
At this point, it is also important to mention Ras Al-Khaimah, recognized by National Geographic as “the city of the whitest and roundest pearls in the world.” Among the particularities that the publication highlights about this site is that it is the “only one with continuous human residence for 7,000 years, due to its geography: desert and mountainous areas.”
