The 8 Best Day Trips from Dubai for Nature, Culture & More!
There are so many bucket list things to do in Dubai that it’s honestly overwhelming. But, if you’ve got the time to do some exploring, it’s well worth going on one or two day trips from Dubai to uncover some of the many gems in the UAE.
There’s so much more to Dubai than the glitz and glam of the Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah. Take some time to delve just a little bit deeper and you can learn what traditional Bedouin life is like in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve or take in the otherworldly mountain landscapes in Hatta (yes, Dubai has mountains!).
The UAE is small, which means you can reach some of the country’s most amazing destinations from Dubai in two hours or less. Spend the day visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre in Abu Dhabi, go kayaking and birdwatching in the mangroves of Umm Al Quwain, snorkel with tropical fish and sea turtles in Fujeirah, or travel across the border to Oman and cruise through the insanely beautiful fjords off the Omani coast.
There’s so much to discover in and around Dubai. And with this list of Dubai day trips, you won’t have to go far to experience a completely different side of the UAE!
8 Incredible Day Trips from Dubai
1. Hatta, Dubai
If you’re searching for day trips from Dubai that will get you out in nature, Hatta is always a great choice. Hatta is located an easy 90 minutes from the city center, but with its setting in the rugged Hajar Mountains, you’ll feel like you’re in another country.
There are tons of outdoorsy things to do in Hatta: go kayaking in the turquoise waters of Hatta Dam, go hiking on the 32.6 kilometers of hiking trails, snap selfies by the Hollywood-inspired Hatta Sign, take in 360-degree views from 19th-century watchtowers, see what life was like for early residents at Hatta Heritage Village – the list of cool activities and attractions goes on.
2. Khasab, Oman
Crossing the Omani border to the Musandam Peninsula makes for one of the most spectacular day tours from Dubai. Tours to this region will pick you up from Dubai and take you to the gorgeous coastline of Khasab, which is dubbed “The Norway of Arabia.”
Here, you’ll board a traditional dhow (wooden boat) and embark on a cruise through the Omani fjords. The water here is turquoise, crystal clear, and pristine, and the landscape is absolutely otherworldly.
On the tour, you’ll not only get the chance to go snorkeling and swimming but you’ll very likely get to see dolphins frolicking in the water as you cruise to remote islands. It’s an absolutely incredible experience and one of the most bucket-list-worthy Dubai day trips.
3. Abu Dhabi
If you’re looking for easy day trips from Dubai, the capital city of Abu Dhabi has loads to offer. It’s just 90 minutes away, and if you’ve never been before, you’ll love touring all of the city’s top attractions.
Marvel at the incredible Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, get artsy at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, go kayaking in Jubail Mangrove Park, get up close with falcons at the Falcon Hospital, have a beach day on Saadiyat Island, tour Qasr Al Watan (the presidential palace), get thrills at Ferrari World Yas Island – the list goes on.
And the best part is it’s possible to fit a bunch of these attractions into just one day in Abu Dhabi. Just pick and choose what you’d like to see and do and you’ve got the perfect Dubai day trip!
4. Umm Al Quwain
Located an hour north of Downtown Dubai, Umm Al Quwain offers a lovely reprieve from the city. This is another one of the best day trips from Dubai if you’re in need of some nature. The emirate of Umm Al Quwain offers 24 kilometers of coastline and expansive mangrove forests.
If it’s a day on a secluded beach you’re after, then make your way to Umm Al Quwain Beach. You can either choose a spot away from everyone else or set up shop for the day at the boho-chic Kitesurf Beach Center.
If you’re feeling peckish, there’s an on-site restaurant and café serving up burgers, pizzas, salads, smoothie bowls, and excellent coffee drinks. The center also offers surfing, kitesurfing, and kayaking rentals and lessons, so it’s your one-stop shop for a beach day.
You should also check out Mangrove Beach while you’re in Umm Al Quwain. Located just 15 minutes from the beach, this is a lovely spot to catch the sunset. You’ll need to drive down a long dirt road to reach the beach (no need for a 4×4) and pay an AED 20 entrance fee.
I highly suggest grabbing drinks and dinner at Casa Mikoko (pictured above) while you’re there. This treehouse-inspired restaurant and hotel is an experience unto itself, and the setting right in the mangroves is absolutely incredible! Plus, the AED 20 entrance fee is fully redeemable on anything you order from the restaurant.
5. Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
For a truly bucket-list-worthy day trip from Dubai, take a desert safari in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. For an ethical and sustainable desert safari experience, I suggest going on a safari with Platinum Heritage.
This is the only safari company that’s allowed to operate in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve because they offer sustainable, nature-based experiences that protect this delicate ecosystem.
On this award-winning Dubai day trip, you’ll be whisked away through the desert in a picture-perfect open-top vintage Land Rover. The photo ops are going to be endless, and you’re likely to spot a range of local wildlife, like Arabian oryx and gazelles!
At sunset, you’ll have the chance to see a falconry display before heading over to a Bedouin-style village where you can try Arabic coffee, go for a camel ride, and get a henna tattoo. After that, you’ll be treated to a multi-course Emirati dinner at a Bedouin-style table, accompanied by traditional Emirati performances and shisha, of course!
6. Al Ain, Abu Dhabi
Located 90 minutes from Dubai, Al Ain is one of the most popular day trips from Dubai. Known as “Garden City,” this place is home to a literal oasis, but there are loads of other things to check out too.
You can either make the drive and go at your own pace or join one of the many day trips from Dubai to Al Ain. Either way you go, you should hit up some of the best spots in town.
Enjoy the shade of date palms in Al Ain Oasis, see dealers bid on camels at the Camel Market, see archaeologic excavations at Hili Gardens, take in 360 views from the summit of Jebel Hafeet, get a history lesson at Al Jahili Fort – there’s so much to explore in the UAE’s greenest city!
7. Fujairah
For the ultimate snorkeling experience, a visit to the shores of Fujairah is one of the best day trips from Dubai. You can get picked up right here in Dubai and embark on a trip to the western coast of the UAE.
You’ll have the chance to snorkel with sea turtles and tropical fish at Fujairah’s famous Snoopy Island and Sharm Rocks before enjoying a BBQ lunch. During the day, you’ll also have the chance to check out other cool Fujairah attractions, including the Al Bidya Mosque (the oldest known mosque in the UAE), Khorfakkan Waterfall, and Khorfakkan Amphitheatre.
8. Al Qudra Lake & Love Lake, Dubai
To explore a completely different side of Dubai, a trip to Al Qudra Lake and Love Lake is a totally unique experience. You wouldn’t know by looking at them, but these are manmade lakes built in the middle of the Dubai desert. These lakes, surrounded by Dubai’s undulating sand dunes, create a truly magical landscape that needs to be seen to be believed.
The lakes are now home to lush vegetation, attracting a variety of bird and wildlife species. Tours to Al Qudra Lake and Love Lake allow you to get a glimpse of traditional Bedouin life at the Al Marmoom Oasis camp, spot wildlife in the expansive desert, get plenty of photo ops at Love Lake, take in picture-perfect sunset views, enjoy an Emirati meal, and do some serious stargazing once night falls.
