1Bur Dubai The old heart of Dubai, with souks, mosques and traditional wind-towered houses lined up alongside the breezy Creek.

2Deira An endless sprawl of souks piled high with everything from gold, spices and perfumes to laptops, tablets and mobile phones.

3The inner suburbs Contrasting suburbs and sights ring the old city centre, ranging from downmarket Karama to the chic modern developments of Oud Metha.

4Sheikh Zayed Road and Downtown Dubai Dubai in the sky: from the towering high-rises of Sheikh Zayed Road to the soaring Burj Khalifa.

5Jumeirah One of Dubai’s most exclusive suburbs, with a few low-key sights dotted among a sprawling expanse of upmarket villas.

6The Burj al Arab and around Rising above the waters in the coastal suburb of Umm Suqeim is Dubai’s most iconic building, the majestic Burj al Arab.

7The Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina The massed skyscrapers of the futuristic Marina and the vast Palm Jumeirah artificial island dominate the southern city.

8Sharjah Just down the coast from Dubai, conservative Sharjah is home to the country’s most rewarding cluster of museums.

9Al Ain The UAE’s largest inland city, dotted with lush oases and old mud-brick forts beneath the craggy summit of Jebel Hafeet.

10Abu Dhabi Capital of the UAE and home to a string of attractions ranging from the futuristic Corniche to the opulent Sheikh Zayed Mosque.