The Best Things to See and Do in Hatta, UAE

The first and most important thing to do in Hatta is to take in all the sights. There are so many beautiful things to see in every direction, it’s a magnificent place to see mountains and take some epic pictures. Other than the rocky mountains, visitors to Hatta can see blue skies and of course, the stunning Hatta pools. The one-hour drive from Dubai in itself is worth the trip.

Hatta has its own mountain bike trail and is certainly one of the best places to go cycling in the whole country. Here, visitors can bring their own bikes or even rent them when they get to the trail at Wolfi’s Dubai. The trails are free for anyone and have several different levels, from beginners to advanced, giving everyone the chance to cycle through the beautiful wadis.

With the extremely hot weather in Dubai for several months, visitors are constantly looking for an excuse to get wet. The Hatta Dam is probably the best spot in Dubai to do so. The natural body of turquoise water allows visitors to kayak and standup paddle, enjoying the gorgeous view of the mountains which surround the dam. This is the perfect thing to do all year round.

Although Dubai is best known for luxury travel, there’s plenty of opportunity for active tourism in the city. Perhaps one of the most underrated activities to do in Dubai is hiking, and Hatta is one of the most scenic spots to do it. Here, people can hike through the wadis and mountains, but it’s important to come prepared and bring plenty of water in order to combat the heat.

Although enjoying the dam and sights may be the first thing that comes to mind when people think of Hatta, the spot is also rich in history. Home to one of the most important historical sights, the Hatta Heritage Village, which dates back to around 3,000 years. The spot welcomes people to see what life was like thousands of years ago, with original artifacts, documents and more, making for one of the most epic museums in the region.

The JA Hatta Fort Hotel is the perfect spot for people to stay the night for a mountain escape. The hotel is populated by chalet-style rooms and gives a contrast from the massive resorts found in the rest of Dubai. This is ideal for those who want to turn a trip to Hatta into a weekend getaway and have an opportunity to look up and see the stars at night, a sight rare in Dubai due to all the light from its skyscrapers.