10 Totally Unique Things to Do in Hatta, Dubai
So many people think that Dubai is devoid of nature, but there are actually quite a few natural attractions in Dubai – and Hatta is home to many of them! Located an easy 90-minute drive from the heart of Dubai, Hatta feels like it’s worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the city center.
Take a weekend to explore this history and nature-filled town and you can spend your time kayaking through the turquoise waters of Hatta Dam, hiking in the rugged Hajar Mountains, taking in scenic views from 19th-century watchtowers, playing beekeeper at the Hatta Honeybee Discovery Center – the list of unique activities and attractions in Hatta goes on!
If you’re planning a trip and don’t quite know where to start, here are my 10 favorite things to do in Hatta to help you get excited for your trip away from the city and into this one-of-a-kind mountain town.
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The Best 10 Things to Do in Hatta
1. Hike to the Hatta Sign
If you’re looking for outdoorsy things to do in Hatta, lace up your hiking boots and hit the area’s 32.6 kilometers of hiking trails, which range from easy to advanced.
One of the best beginner/moderate hikes in the area is the Hatta Sign Hike. This 7-kilometer out-and-back trail will lead you along the base of the rugged Hajar Mountains up to the Hollywood-inspired Hatta Sign at an elevation gain of 650 feet.
While the hike is relatively easy, there are steep and gravelly areas and very little shade. Like most hikes in the UAE, it’s best to tackle the Hatta Sign Hike in the cooler months, from October to March, because the summer is dangerously hot in Dubai!
You’ll find the trailhead at Wadi Hub (there is free parking in the Wadi Hub parking lot). The trail is well-marked but there are a couple of ways to reach the Hatta Sign. The easiest option is to follow the Green Trail to the Blue Trail.
Once you reach the top, you’ll have the chance to take endless photos with the giant letters of the Hatta Sign before heading back down the same route you took to reach the sign!
2. Kayak in Hatta Dam
Going kayaking in Hatta Dam is easily one of the most popular Hatta activities. Seeing the impossibly turquoise water juxtaposed with the rocky Hajar Mountains is absolutely otherworldly when experienced from a kayak.
You can rent kayaks at Hatta Dam from Hatta Kayak. Single kayaks cost AED 60 and doubles cost AED 120. The best part is you’ll have as much time as you’d like to glide through the dam’s placid waters.
If you’re not into kayaking, Hatta Kayak also rents out a variety of watercraft, including water bikes and small boats. You can paddle around Hatta Dam every day from 7am to 9pm.
3. Glimpse the Founding Fathers Mural
On the drive up or down the hill from Hatta Dam, keep your eyes peeled for the massive Founding Fathers Mural. This 80×30-meter mural covers the concrete spillway of Hatta Dam and features Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and it’s one of the most spectacular attractions in Hatta!
4. Meander Around Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls
At the Founding Fathers Mural and its base is where you’ll find Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls, one of the newest Hatta attractions. The sustainable waterfall cascades down the Founding Fathers Mural, plunging into a pool below before being recycled and pumped back into the dam.
At the base of the fall, though, you’ll now find a lush oasis with palm trees and a winding river. While this attraction is newly opened, it will soon be home to plenty of cafes, restaurants, and other family-friendly facilities.
5. Get Views from the Top of Hatta Watchtower
Hatta Watchtower is one of the most well-known attractions in Hatta. This 1880s watchtower was erected so that villagers could see if enemies from neighboring emirates were approaching.
Today, this historic attraction is totally free to visit and one of the best things to do in Hatta. It’s easily reachable via a short walk up the hill via a concrete stairwell. You can even go to the top of the 2.5-meter-tall watchtower to take in the 360-degree views of Hatta below and the Hajar Mountains in the distance.
This is also one of the best Hatta activities if you’re looking for photo ops!
6. Tour the Hatta Honeybee Discovery Center
If you’re looking for unique things to do in Hatta, schedule a visit to the Hatta Honeybee Discovery Center. This bee sanctuary is home to 300 beehives and hundreds of native and exotic trees, and touring this place is one of the most fun, family-friendly activities in Hatta.
Pay a visit to this unique attraction and you’ll have the chance to learn all about the history of beekeeping in the region, the role bees play in the ecosystem, the importance of bee preservation, and the ins and outs of sustainable beekeeping, all while donning a beekeeper’s uniform!
After you’re done touring the bee sanctuary, you can peruse all manner of Hatta Honey products from the on-site shop and even pick up a few sweet treats to bring back home if you’d like.
Hatta Honey Bee Discovery Centre: Mon-Sun 9am-5pm (last entry at 4pm); AED 50 per person.
7. Go Back in Time in Hatta Heritage Village
When it comes to the top attractions in Hatta, the 3,000-year-old Hatta Heritage Village is a must-visit. This living museum offers a unique insight into what life was like for villagers in times past.
Hatta Heritage Village is dotted with beautifully restored houses, forts, and watchtowers, and you’ll get to see unique arts and crafts, traditional shops and kitchens, and the innovative Hatta Falaj (irrigation) system, which were all a part of everyday life for the villagers back in the day.
8. Get Refreshed at Under the Shade Coffee
If you need a break while you’re visiting Hatta Heritage Village, pop into the intimate Under the Shade Coffee shop. With plenty of palm trees and chirping birds in the outdoor seating area, this is a true oasis in the heart of Hatta Heritage Village.
It’s a great spot to relax with a specialty coffee beverage, a scoop of matcha ice cream, or some tiramisu while you soak in the old-world vibes of the area. If it’s hot outside, I highly suggest one of their refreshing iced coffee drinks!
9. Picnic in Hatta Hill Park
For things to do in Hatta for family fun, Hatta Hill Park is a lovely area that offers children’s play areas, BBQ stations, shaded picnic areas, running tracks, and more outdoor activities.
But the number one attraction is found at the top of the hill for which the park gets its name. Here, you’ll find a watchtower offering 360-degree views of the village below. This is an especially lovely spot if you can time your visit with sunset!
10. Get Thrills at Wadi Hub
If you’re looking for adventurous activities in Hatta, you’re going to want to spend some time at Hatta Wadi Hub. This is one of the coolest attractions in Hatta for adrenaline junkies. You and your crew could easily spend an entire day ticking off all of the action-packed things to do here!
Go ziplining, try your hand at archery or axe-throwing, go zorbing, get thrills on the 12-meter-tall waterslide, test your limits at the Aerial Adventure Park – you get the idea.
How to Get to Hatta from Dubai
By Car
You can easily rent a car or drive your own to reach Hatta from Dubai. The journey will take you roughly 90 minutes.
By Public Transport
If you don’t have a car, don’t worry. It’s now super simple to reach Hatta from Dubai via public transport. You’ll want to track down the RTA Hatta Express Bus (H02) at Dubai Mall’s main entrance. This bus runs every two hours from 7am to 7pm and will drop you at the Hatta Main Bus Station in about 90 minutes. The fee is just AED 25 and you can pay with your nol card.
From the bus station, it’s possible to hop on the “Hop On and Off” RTA bus (H204), which stops off at four of the major Hatta attractions: Wadi Hub, Hatta Dam, Hatta Hill Park, and Hatta Heritage Village. The cost per stop is just AED 2.
By Tour
There are a variety of affordable tours that will whisk you to and from Hatta and allow you to partake in all of the best things to do in Hatta without having to deal with driving yourself or doing a ton of research.
Whether you want to paddle around Hatta Dam, do some beekeeping at the Hatta Honeybee Discovery Center, or go hiking in the Hajar Mountains, you’re sure to find the right tour for you.
Where to stay in Hatta
If you want to spend a day or two in Hatta, there aren’t a ton of accommodation options to choose from in Hatta proper. But here are the best places that will put you right near all of the main attractions in Hatta!
Hatta Resorts
Hatta Resorts is the perfect pick if you’re dreaming of an elevated glamping-style experience. The accommodation options at Hatta Resorts are totally unique. You can stargaze at night from a luxury dome with a private pool, camp out with family or friends in a revamped Airstream trailer, or wake up to unreal mountain views from a rustic cabin in the hills.
JA Hatta Fort Hotel
If you’d prefer a more resort-style stay, then JA Hatta Fort Hotel is your best bet. This place offers all the creature comforts of home while being a stone’s throw from major Hatta attractions like Wadi Hub, Hatta Heritage Village, and Hatta Dam.
The accommodations here range from high-end glamping experiences at the Terra Cabins to the rustic-chic Deluxe Mountain View Rooms to the luxurious Three Bedroom Deluxe Villa. No matter what, you’ll find something that works for you and your group, including access to all sorts of unexpected resort amenities!
Hatta Guest House
Hatta Guest House is a budget-friendly option that has everything you need for a comfortable stay. The 32 cheery rooms here all boast comfy beds, minibars, kettles, private balconies, and Wi-Fi.
Plus, you’ll have three family-friendly restaurants and a coffee shop right on-site, as well as a bunch of shops in the attached shopping center.
