The Most Popular City in the UAE, Ranked

Choose the city you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 29, 2024 06:33
In a country known for its dazzling cityscapes and rich cultural heritage, selecting the most popular city can be quite subjective, influenced by personal experiences and preferences. Whether it's the architecture, the festivals, or the fast-paced lifestyle that captivates, each city offers a unique allure. This ranking aims to capture a collective perspective, providing clarity and insight into what each city holds dear to the hearts of both residents and visitors alike. Here, your opinion counts, molding the outcome of this ongoing poll. Voting for your top choice not only contributes to a more accurate representation of general sentiment but also allows you to see how your preferences align with others. Dive into the results, see where your favorite cities stand, and perhaps even discover reasons to fall in love with new ones.

What Is the Most Popular City in the UAE?

  1. 1
    80
    votes
    Known for its iconic landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall, Dubai is the most popular city in the UAE. It is a hub for business, tourism, and entertainment.
    Dubai is a highly modern and luxurious city located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is known for its extravagant architecture, impressive skyline, and opulent lifestyle. Dubai has emerged as a global business hub and a major tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year. The city is renowned for its innovative projects, such as the world's tallest building, largest shopping mall, and man-made islands.
    • Population: Approximately 3.3 million
    • Area: 4,114 square kilometers
    • Official Language: Arabic
    • Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham (AED)
    • Time Zone: Gulf Standard Time (GMT+4)
  2. 2
    39
    votes
    The capital city of the UAE, Abu Dhabi is known for its luxurious hotels, cultural landmarks, and stunning beaches.
    Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is situated on an island in the Persian Gulf. It is renowned for its modern architecture, luxuries, and cultural attractions. Offering a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation, Abu Dhabi attracts tourists from around the world.
    • Population: around 1.48 million
    • Area: 972.1 sq. km
    • Currency: UAE dirham (AED)
    • Language: Arabic
    • Climate: Hot desert climate
  3. 3
    18
    votes
    Known as the cultural capital of the UAE, Sharjah has many museums, art galleries, and historical landmarks.
    Sharjah is the third largest and most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is located along the southern coast of the Arabian Gulf and is known for its rich cultural heritage and historical significance. Sharjah is also recognized as the cultural capital of the UAE due to its extensive arts and heritage attractions.
    • Population: Approximately 1.6 million
    • Area: 2,590 square kilometers
    • Official Language: Arabic
    • Religion: Islam (Official)
    • Ethnicity: Predominantly Arab
  4. 4
    14
    votes
    Ras Al Khaimah
    Vincent Eisfeld · CC BY-SA 4.0
    This city is known for its natural beauty, including its stunning beaches, mountains, and desert landscapes.
    Ras Al Khaimah is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is located in the northern part of the country, along the Arabian Gulf. With its rich history and diverse landscape, Ras Al Khaimah is a popular tourist destination.
    • Area: Approximately 2,486 square kilometers
    • Population: Around 345,000 people
    • Geography: Features a coastal strip, sandy desert, and the Hajar Mountains
    • Weather: Hot and arid, with summer temperatures reaching up to 45°C (113°F)
    • Historical Sites: Al Jazirah Al Hamra, Dhayah Fort, and Shimal archaeological site
  5. 5
    14
    votes
    A small but growing city, Ajman is known for its beautiful beaches and family-friendly atmosphere.
    Ajman is the capital city of the Emirate of Ajman in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is a vibrant and fast-growing city located on the Arabian Gulf coast, with a rich cultural heritage and a blend of modern development. Ajman offers a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere compared to the bustling cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
    • Area: 260 square kilometers
    • Population: approximately 540,000
    • Location: 25°24'N 55°26'E
    • Language: Arabic
    • Currency: UAE Dirham (AED)
  6. 6
    11
    votes
    This city is known for its stunning coastline, mountainous terrain, and historical landmarks.
    Fujairah is a city located on the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is one of the seven emirates that make up the UAE and is considered to be one of the most popular weekend getaway destinations for residents of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Fujairah offers a unique blend of natural beauty, rich culture, and historical significance.
    • Location: Eastern coast of the UAE
    • Population: Approximately 150,000
    • Area: 1,165 square kilometers
    • Geography: Surrounded by mountains and coastline
    • Climate: Hot desert climate with high humidity in summer
  7. 7
    4
    votes
    A laid-back city with a small-town feel, Umm Al Quwain is known for its beautiful beaches and peaceful atmosphere.
    Umm Al Quwain is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is located in the northern part of the country, on the Arabian Gulf coast. Umm Al Quwain is known for its rich history, stunning natural landscapes, and cultural heritage. The city offers a mix of traditional and modern attractions, making it a popular destination for tourists and residents alike.
    • Area: 750 square kilometers
    • Population: Around 72,000 (2020 estimate)
    • Official Language: Arabic
    • Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham (AED)
    • Government: Constitutional monarchy
  8. 8
    1
    votes
    Al Ain
    Hashem Al Hashemi · CC BY-SA 3.0
    This city is known for its natural beauty, including its many parks, gardens, and oases.
  9. 9
    0
    votes

    Dubai Silicon Oasis

    Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority
    A modern and innovative city, Dubai Silicon Oasis is known for its cutting-edge technology and business opportunities.
    Dubai Silicon Oasis is a technology park located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is a free zone dedicated to innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, providing a conducive environment for the development of leading-edge technologies and fostering an ecosystem of tech companies. The area is designed to attract international companies, startups, and entrepreneurs in various industries, particularly those related to information technology, telecommunications, and engineering.
    • Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
    • Type: Technology Park
    • Status: Free Zone
    • Focus Industries: Information Technology, Telecommunications, Engineering
    • Area: 7.2 square kilometers
  10. 10
    6
    votes
    A hub for sports enthusiasts, Dubai Sports City is known for its state-of-the-art facilities and world-class sporting events.
    Dubai Sports City is a multi-purpose sports complex located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is a self-contained city within a city, designed to host a wide range of sporting events and activities.
    • Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
    • Size: 50 million square feet
    • Facilities: World-class stadiums, academies, training facilities, residential units, commercial spaces, and retail outlets
    • Stadiums: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai Sports City Football Stadium, Spanish Soccer Schools, and more
    • Sports Academies: Golf Academy, Butch Harmon School of Golf, ICC Academy, FitRepublik Fitness & Leisure Centre, and more

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Ranking factors for popular city

  1. Population
    The number of people living in the city, as larger populations often correlate with more popularity and infrastructure.
  2. Tourism
    The number of tourists visiting the city each year, as well as its tourist attractions and activities available.
  3. Economy
    The city's economic strength, including its GDP, job opportunities, and business environment.
  4. Infrastructure
    The quality and availability of public services and facilities, such as public transportation, airports, roads, and utilities.
  5. Safety and security
    The overall safety and crime rates in the city, which affect both residents and tourists.
  6. Quality of life
    Factors such as housing, healthcare, education, leisure activities, and overall living conditions that contribute to the well-being of residents.
  7. Cultural and historical attractions
    The presence of museums, monuments, and cultural events that could draw visitors and increase the city's popularity.
  8. Climate and environment
    The city's climate, air quality, and green spaces, which contribute to its overall attractiveness.
  9. Global rankings
    The city's standings in various global rankings related to livability, tourism, and economy.
  10. International recognition and events
    The city's prominence in global events such as sports competitions, conferences, and festivals.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular city in the UAE. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or city is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2015 views
  • 187 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each city once every 24 hours. The rank of each city is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular city in the uae

The United Arab Emirates is known for its stunning architecture, luxury shopping, and bustling nightlife. With seven emirates to choose from, each with its own unique attractions, it can be challenging to decide which city to visit or call home. So, we decided to conduct a poll to find out which city is the most popular among our users. From the towering skyscrapers of Dubai to the cultural heritage of Abu Dhabi, each city has its own charm and allure. Let's find out which city ranks the highest in our poll!

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