20. The Arabian Nights Village offers a moment of calm in a tumultuous year. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority
1. Discovering Snoopy Island in Fujairah was a highlight in terms of local discovery in 2020. Courtesy Sarah Dea
2. Dog-friendly staycations in Ghantoot were a highlight of the year. Courtesy Flopster
3. The ‘ghost town’ of Al Madam in Sharjah. Courtesy Alexander McNabb
4. Never underestimate the power of a good cup of milk tea in Abu Dhabi.
5. While not exactly a hidden gem, Ski Dubai left an impression in 2020. Galen Clarke / The National
6. The past year was, for many, the year we discovered the art of staycationing. Neil Scott Corder
7. A camping trip across the UAE was another highlight in 2020. Courtesy Leen Alfaisal
8. One of the houses inside the global village at Mushrif Park in Dubai. Wikimedia
9. The vastness of the Empty Quarter. Getty
10. A staycation in Sharjah was an unexpected 2020 highlight. Courtesy GHM Hotels
11. The Eastern Mangroves Promenade in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy TDIC
12. Stargazing at Al Quaa in the Abu Dhabi desert was a popular discovery this year. This image shows the Milky Way from Al Quaa, as captured by Winn W Gomez.
13. The rugged landscape of Wadi Shawka, Ras Al Khaimah. Photo: Moadh Bukhash
14. Rediscovering the joy of walking was an unexpected discovery in 2020. Courtesy Manazel Real Estate
15. Al Yahar street is an unexpected foodie's delight. Victor Besa / The National
16. Jubail Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi is a much-needed spot to reconnect with nature. Victor Besa / The National
17. Hudayriat Island in Abu Dhabi opened with new facilities and family-friendly fun.
18. Nahwa is a UAE village within Oman and a real hidden gem. Antonie Robertson / The National
For some people, their local discovery was right on their doorstep. Courtesy Nivriti Butalia
20. The Arabian Nights Village offers a moment of calm in a tumultuous year. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority
1. Discovering Snoopy Island in Fujairah was a highlight in terms of local discovery in 2020. Courtesy Sarah Dea
2. Dog-friendly staycations in Ghantoot were a highlight of the year. Courtesy Flopster
3. The ‘ghost town’ of Al Madam in Sharjah. Courtesy Alexander McNabb
4. Never underestimate the power of a good cup of milk tea in Abu Dhabi.
5. While not exactly a hidden gem, Ski Dubai left an impression in 2020. Galen Clarke / The National
6. The past year was, for many, the year we discovered the art of staycationing. Neil Scott Corder
7. A camping trip across the UAE was another highlight in 2020. Courtesy Leen Alfaisal
8. One of the houses inside the global village at Mushrif Park in Dubai. Wikimedia
9. The vastness of the Empty Quarter. Getty
10. A staycation in Sharjah was an unexpected 2020 highlight. Courtesy GHM Hotels
11. The Eastern Mangroves Promenade in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy TDIC
12. Stargazing at Al Quaa in the Abu Dhabi desert was a popular discovery this year. This image shows the Milky Way from Al Quaa, as captured by Winn W Gomez.
13. The rugged landscape of Wadi Shawka, Ras Al Khaimah. Photo: Moadh Bukhash
14. Rediscovering the joy of walking was an unexpected discovery in 2020. Courtesy Manazel Real Estate
15. Al Yahar street is an unexpected foodie's delight. Victor Besa / The National
16. Jubail Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi is a much-needed spot to reconnect with nature. Victor Besa / The National
17. Hudayriat Island in Abu Dhabi opened with new facilities and family-friendly fun.
18. Nahwa is a UAE village within Oman and a real hidden gem. Antonie Robertson / The National
For some people, their local discovery was right on their doorstep. Courtesy Nivriti Butalia
20. The Arabian Nights Village offers a moment of calm in a tumultuous year. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority
The 20 best local UAE discoveries of 2020: from Snoopy Island to The Chedi Al Bait Sharjah
With travel halted, this year brought a new way of exploring, closer to home. 'The National' staff share their favourite places discovered during a turbulent year