The 15 Best Day Trips From Dubai, UAE, in 2024

A complete list of all the best day trips from Dubai, UAE.

(Updated 2024)

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Dubai is so much more than award-winning skyscrapers and fancy cocktail bars. Discover all the best day trips from Dubai in this thorough guide.

Time needed: 5 days for a thorough taster, 2 weeks to see Dubai in full, 4 weeks to do it all.

When to go: September-April for sunny weather but to avoid the scorching temperatures

Weather: Averages of 14°C-23°C in the Winter and 38°C-42°C in the Summer

Language: Arabic

Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham

The best day trips from Dubai

The most popular day trip from Dubai and the complete opposite of a luxurious city full of skyscrapers, the desert is a great way to get out of town and see rural UAE. There are many ways to experience the desert and a variety of action-packed tours on offer.

1) Desert Safari

Dubai’s only Ecotourism Desert Safari Company, Platinum Heritage offers morning and evening Land Rover safaris, camel desert safaris and luxury safaris. Their experiences include falcon shows, authentic Bedouin camps and traditional entertainment. With a focus on sustainability, this company has been awarded “Best Desert Safari” in the Middle East by the World Travel Awards and have received TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence for over 5 years. Choose between a variety of packages ranging from AED 595-2200.

2) Quad Bike ATV Safari

Experience the thrill of driving through Dubai’s shifting sand dunes on an adventure safari perfect for the outdoor enthusiast and nature lover. Red Dunes tours last about an hour and include pick up from your hotel and the 30 minute drive to the desert. Water and soft drinks are included in the package, as well as a photo opportunity with falcons, the UAE’s national bird. The Minimum age for driving is 14 years old and you’ll receive a safety briefing and helmet and goggles are provided.

3) Dune Buggy

Arabian Expedition offer loads of different tours, but by far the most exciting offer is the chance to dune buggy across the desert. Combine your tour with an overnight stay, or get up early and watch the sun rise over the rolling red dunes.

4) Camel Ride

Immerse in UAE’s ancient heritage on a 45-minute journey through the vast sandy landscapes, following in the tracks of Arab Bedouin travellers. You will ride in the traditional camel train, known as a caravan. Camels naturally endure extreme weather conditions such as hot climates, very high temperatures and strong winds. Get up close to these humble giants on a tour with Dubai Adventure.

Please note, we don’t support or condone any activity that makes money at the expense of an animal’s health or wellbeing. Read more about Ethical Wildlife Tourism here.

5) Dinner Barbeque

Probably the most popular desert experience, dine on a sumptuous BBQ dinner in the Dubai desert as you’re entertained by traditional tanoura and belly dancers. There are a variety of companies to choose from but arranging through your hotel reception can be easiest. Beware that some desert tours don’t run in Summer as it’s too hot.

6) Camp in the desert

Nara Desert Escape

A 40-minute drive from the city in and located in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, this opulent desert-camping experience is like no other. Dine on a specially created menu by chef Franck Sanna, which could include anything from Japanese fusion to an Arabian barbecue, or try your hand at yoga, enjoy a fire show or simply gaze at the stars with an astronomer. Alongside all this, there are also plenty of games for children to enjoy. Choose between two types of nomadic-style tents for up to 4 guests.

Price: £££-££££

Hatta Dome Park and Sedr Trailers Resort

Hatta Dome features 15 glamorous tents with brown curtains and wooden flooring, for a traditional desert glamping experience. These luxury domes provide a tranquil setting within nature and come equipped with private BBQ and fire pits and a large terrace space. If camping’s not really your thing, don’t worry, choose a chrome Airstream trailer on the banks of the Hatta Dam, all of which feature mod-cons like air-conditioning, a TV, Wi-Fi, a bathroom and a spacious terrace with comfy seating.

Price: ££££-£££££

The Starlight Camp

This pop-up desert camp boasts domed-shaped tents that allow guests to fall asleep with views of the starlit open skies. Featuring a queen-sized bed, a wooden camp-style shower and toilet, as well as child-friendly camp mattresses and a telescope for late-night desert sky-gazing sessions, this is the perfect desert destination.

Only 45-minutes from the city, enjoy nature walks, treasure hunts and sundowners atop the dunes. At nightfall a bonfire is lit, allowing you to snuggle up with soft blankets and enjoy little extras like al day tent a small fridge, board games, a Bluetooth speaker as well as a barbecue and all its accoutrements. There are even dog beds and a special day tent to provide your four-legged friend his or her own spot of shade.

Price: £££££

It is against the law to share the same hotel room with someone of the opposite sex to whom you aren’t married or closely related. Homosexuality is illegal and same-sex marriages are not recognised. Make sure you read Part 4: How to Get Around Dubai, Getting Here, and What You Need to Know Before You Go! and consult your country’s travel guidance before booking.

7) Abu Dhabi

The capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi sits off the mainland on an island in the Persian (Arabian) Gulf. It is actually the richest city in the world, containing 10% of world’s oil, which explains the skyline’s modern towers and huge shopping centres.

Abu Dhabi is 86 miles (132km) from Dubai and is easily accessible by bus or taxi. A taxi takes around 2 hours and cost between AED 200-300, whereas a bus (route E100 or E101) takes 2 1/2 hours and costs AED 25.

Soak up the culture on a visit to the Louvre, the first universal museum in the Arab World, translating and fostering the spirit of openness between cultures. This art-lovers’ dream displays works of historical, cultural and sociological significance, from ancient times to the contemporary era. Or enjoy a fun day out at Ferrari World! A mostly indoors theme park, it is the first Ferrari branded theme park in the world!

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the world’s largest mosques and the only one that captures the unique interactions between Islam and other world cultures. The mosque’s architects were British, Italian and Emirati, with design ideas borrowed from parts of Turkey, Morocco, Pakistan and Egypt, among other Islamic countries. It’s a sight to behold.

8) Hatta

Hatta is an exclave of Dubai, situated high in the Hajar Mountains. The restored, centuries-old Hatta Heritage Village features a defensive tower, stone houses with palm-frond roofs, and falaj, the traditional water system. However, Hatta Dam is the main attraction. The Hatta Reservoir Visitor Point overlooks pools of striking green water, perfect for swimming or kayaking. The craggy Mountains provide a stunning backdrop for biking or hiking too. Hire a bike from Adventure HQ and cycle to Hatta Mountain Bike Trail – 31 miles (50km) of graded single-track trails. Or simply enjoy a picturesque hike on the a 5.5 mile (9km) trail, which winds past Hatta Heritage Village to the artificial Hatta Dam. To get here, you can rent a car to drive to Hatta, 84 miles (135km) southeast of Dubai, or take the E16 bus.

9) Mleiha

Mleiha, also Mileiha or Malaihah, is a town in Sharjah’s central region. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in the whole of the United Arab Emirates. The Mleiha Archaeological Centre details the history of the region from the Paleolithic era and offers guided tours of the Bronze Age tombs and pre-Islamic forts. Adrenaline junkies can take a guided trek, a 4WD tour or a fat bike tour and super-adrenaline junkies can even paraglide from one of Mleiha’s tallest peaks. Mleiha is 47 miles (75km) east of Dubai and you have to rent a car, unless you use the return transport offered by the archaeological centre, which is AED 110 per van.

10) Jebel Jais

Jebel Jais is a mountain of the North-Western Hajar range in the Musandam Governorate of Oman and also in Ras Al Khaimah. Enjoy a scenic drive up the winding mountain road, making sure to stop to take in the sights! The viewing deck at 1250m promises phenomenal views.

With a summit of 1,934 metres (6345ft), it is perfect for climbers and hikers alike. If you like something faster paced, you can whiz down from the Jebel Jais Flight Zip Line, the world’s longest zipline, which reaches speeds of up to 95mph (150kmh)! A car is necessary to get to Jebel Jais, which is 100 miles (160km) northeast of Dubai.

11) Al Ain

An inland oasis city on the eastern border with Oman, Al Ain is filled with more than 147,000 date palms! A Unesco World Heritage-listed site, Al Ain Oasis was once a vital stop on the caravan route criss-crossing the Arabian Peninsula. Stroll the shaded walkways and see how the ancient falaj (irrigation) network carries water to the palms. For a better understanding of the history of Al Ain, visit Al Ain Palace Museum or Al Jahili Fort. Bronze Age remains can still be found, including tombs on the towering Jebel Hafeet, a mountain to the south, and in Al Hili Archaeological Park, to the north. The central Al Ain National Museum displays artefacts from these sites. Take the E201 bus around 95 miles (150km) southeast of Dubai, or drive yourself.

12) Sharjah

Just 18 miles (30km) from Downtown Dubai, Sharjah is known as the cultural capital of the UAE. With more than 20 museums and galleries, there’s plenty to do and see. Visit the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, which displays more than 5000 artefacts from the Muslim world or the Sharjah Heritage Museum for an insight into Emirati culture. Don’t miss the Sharjah Art Museum, Sharjah Archaeology Museum or Sharjah Science Museum! A taxi from Dubai costs around AED 90 each way and the bus (routes E303, E303A, E304, E306, E307 or E107A) costs AED 10.

13) Khor Kalba

Wildlife lovers listen up! Khor Kalba is an important nature reserve and mangrove swamp and contains a host of birdlife. Keen birdwatchers should bring their binoculars for a chance to spot the white-collared kingfisher. On the outskirts of the city, Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre is home to critically endangered Arabian leopard, Arabian wolf, tahr and desert lynx. Visit Kalba Bird of Prey Centre to witness free-flying demonstrations, which take place twice a day in the outdoor amphitheatre (except Mondays). Khor Kalba is 80 miles (130km) east of Dubai, so renting a car is ideal.

14) Fujairah

Stretching along the Gulf of Oman, Fujairah is known for its beaches and the solitude and relaxation they present. With better visibility and more diverse marine life than the waters off Dubai, this is the place to go if you enjoy diving or snorkelling. Snoopy Island, roughly 100m (350ft) off Al Aqah, offers plenty of clownfish and regular turtle sightings.

Local dive centres offer shore dives and boat trips to other popular sites, such as Dibba Rock, Coral Gardens and various wrecks.

Al Aqah is 100 miles (165km) northeast of Dubai. Rent a car or check whether the dive centres include transport from Dubai in their packages.

15) Musandam Peninsula, Oman

Dubbed the Norway of Arabia, the Omani exclave of Musandam, locally known as Ruus Al Jibal, is famous for its fjord-like inlets and turquoise waters. Choose from a variety of boat companies who offer cruises aboard traditional wooden dhows and spot dolphins! Tours typically include a buffet lunch, with plenty of time for swimming and snorkelling.

Boats depart from Dibba on the east coast or from Khasab at the northern tip of the peninsula, which means this day trip from Dubai requires some advanced planning.

Bear in mind: You cannot enter the Omani side of Dibba (Dibba Al Baya) as an independent traveller. You need to have a free permit, which is provided by any of Dibba Al Baya’s tour operators when you make a booking. It’s quite easy, just email a copy of your passport photo page and UAE entry stamp page to the tour operator, who will then organise the permit and meet you at the border with it in hand.