The 6 Best Day Trips From Dubai

Getting away from the big city is regularly necessary and very easy when it comes to Dubai. Luckily, the city is surrounded by great day escapes making them easy and accessible for a visit even when you’re only here on a visit. Check out this list of places to visit if the city tours have got you overwhelmed and the weather is perfect for a road trip!

Jabal Al Jais

Part of the Al Hajar Mountains, Jabal Al Jais is the tallest mountain in the UAE standing at 1,910m in Ras al-Khaimah near the UAE-Oman border. A great getaway for the day with plenty of space to camp at overnight, the peak offers a great drive and break that makes for an amazing sunrise watch over the surrounding peaks.

Hatta Dam

Located on the southeastern border of the UAE and Oman, just a few hour drive away from the city center, the town offers a peaceful escape from the city. The scenic drive through the sandy desert and into the mountains gives visitors an idea of the varying landscapes in the UAE. With a town resort and hotels, a meal is always available after a day of exploring the mountains or admiring the scenery.

Wadi Adventure

Anyone with an adventure spirit will love a day at Wadi Adventure – one of UAE’s best water parks, not for the slides but the water activities, anything from kayaking to rock climbing to surfing goes! Day passes are sold at the door for every day of the week, this is an ideal place for the whole family!

Tim’s Reef

Located in Fujairah, on UAE’s east coast looking out into the Indian Ocean, it’s the only swell that breaks on the reef and therefore has become one of the best surf spots in the Emirates. Regardless of the swell, Fujairah’s beaches are a gorgeous setting for an overnight camping spot and a great place to wake up to and watch the sunrise.

Yas Island

Home of Yas Waterworld, Yas Marina Circuit and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Island has something for everyone. Located just an hour drive from Downtown Dubai, off the coast of Abu Dhabi, the island is great location to enjoy a hot day at the water park, hop on the fastest roller coaster in the world or watch the Formula 1 races when they’re in town. You will enjoy it so much, a day trip might turn into two!

Sir Bani Yas Island

Located on the western coast of Abu Dhabi, the island is a source of over 40 archaeological sites, some dating back to 600 AD. Today, under the patronage of the late UAE President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the island serves as a wildlife sanctuary. Book a room in advance and sit back on the beach or explore the island on guided tours, horseback riding or mountain biking.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.