8 Day Trips from Dubai for Nature, Adventure, Beaches & More
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There’s so much more to Dubai than the glitz and glam of the Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah. Take some time to explore the outskirts of the city center on one of these popular Dubai day trips and you’ll have the chance to 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 Fujairah, or check out a real-life oasis in Al Ain.
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!
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Day Trips from Dubai: 8 Incredible Options
Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
Distance from Dubai: 40-60 minutes
For a truly bucket-list-worthy day trip from Dubai, a desert safari in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is one of the very best things to do in Dubai. Not all desert safaris are created equal, which is why I recommend Platinum Heritage‘s ethical and sustainable desert safari experiences.
This is the only safari company that’s allowed to operate in the highly-protected Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve because they offer sustainable, nature-based experiences that protect this delicate ecosystem.
Things to Do
- Cruise through the desert in a picture-perfect open-top vintage Land Rover.
- Spot a range of local wildlife, like Arabian oryx and gazelles!
- See a sunset falconry display.
- Hang out in a Bedouin-style village where you can try Arabic coffee, go for a camel ride, and get a henna tattoo.
- Enjoy a multi-course Emirati dinner at a Bedouin-style table, accompanied by traditional Emirati performances, stargazing, and shisha, of course!
Abu Dhabi
Distance from Dubai: 90 minutes
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 Abu Dhabi’s top attractions.
Things to Do
- Marvel at the incredible Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque for free (pictured above).
- Get cultured at the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the new Zayed National Museum in the Saadiyat Cultural District.
- Go kayaking in Jubail Mangrove Park.
- Get up close with falcons at the Falcon Hospital.
- Have a beach day at Saadiyat Beach Club.
- Tour Qasr Al Watan (the presidential palace).
Hatta, Dubai
Distance from Dubai: 90 Minutes
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. From outdoorsy attractions to historic sites, there are tons of fun things to do in Hatta!
Things to do:
- Go kayaking in Hatta Dam.
- Take a hike on the 32.6 kilometers of hiking trails.
- Snap selfies by the Hollywood-inspired Hatta Sign.
- See what life was like for early residents at Hatta Heritage Village.
- Partake in adrenaline-pumping adventure activities at Wadi Hub.
- Go glamping in a luxury trailer at Caravan Hatta.
Umm Al Quwain
Distance from Dubai: 60 minutes
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, expansive mangrove forests, and loads of totally unique things to do.
Things to do
- Gaze out over the mangroves over drinks or a meal at Casa Mikoko.
- Spend the night in one of Luxeglamp’s overwater bungalows!
- Lounge around Umm Al Quwain Beach.
- Or set up shop for the day at Kitesurf Beach Center on Umm Al Quwain Beach.
- Go kayaking around Mangrove Beach.
Ras Al Khaimah
Distance from Dubai: 90 Minutes
Located just north of Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is another one of my favorite day trips from Dubai. I absolutely love how mellow this emirate is. And the fact that the city is home to gorgeous beaches, flamingo-filled mangroves, and Jebel Jais – the highest mountain peak in the UAE – is just icing on the cake! But there are a lot more incredible places to visit in Ras Al Khaimah, too!
Things to do
- Go kayaking and see wild flamingos in the mangroves in downtown RAK.
- Have a beach day at Flamingo Beach.
- Visit the 19th-century Dhayah Fort.
- Hike up Jebel Jais, the highest point in the UAE.
- Cool off in a swimming hole in Wadi Shawka.
- Learn about the area’s pearling history on a boat tour.
Al Ain, Abu Dhabi
Distance from Dubai: 90 Minutes
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.
Things to Do
- Enjoy the shade of date palms in Al Ain Oasis.
- See dealers bid on camels at the Camel Market.
- See archaeological excavations at Hili Gardens.
- Take in 360-degree views from the summit of Jebel Hafeet.
- Get a history lesson at Al Jahili Fort.
Fujairah
Distance from Dubai: 2 Hours by car or 70 Minutes by Train
For the ultimate snorkeling experience, a visit to the shores of Fujairah is one of the best day trips from Dubai. And the coolest part is that you can now reach Fujairah from Dubai via Etihad Rail! So you don’t need to have your own wheels if you don’t feel like driving!
Things to Do
- Go snorkeling or diving at Snoopy Island.
- Soak up the sun from Umbrella Beach.
- Go back in time at the 16th-century Fujairah Fort.
- Get a coconut ice cream and date pudding from Rumailah Farm.
- Marvel at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
- Chill at Aqah Beach.
Khor Fakkan
Distance from Dubai: 2 Hours
Khor Fakkan is located just north of Fujairah in the emirate of Sharjah, making both destinations easy to visit in one or two days. From cultural wonders to historic relics and cool manmade attractions, there’s a reason why Khor Fakkan is one of the coolest day trips from Dubai!
Things to Do
- Visit Al Bidya Mosque, the oldest known mosque in the UAE
- Take photos of the Khorfakkan Waterfall and the next-door Khorfakkan Amphitheatre.
- Get views from the Khorfakkan Terrace.
- Take a boat to Shark Island.
- Go kayaking in Al Rasisah Dam.
- Check out the 400-year-old Al Adwani Tower.
