The Best Weekend Getaways From Dubai

While Dubai is a dynamic and exciting city to spend time in, you’ll be missing out if you don’t explore the UAE’s other hidden gems. From the northern mountains to the southern deserts, from coastal cities to natural hot springs; there are plenty of places to go to for the weekend. Here are the best weekend getaways from Dubai in the UAE which shouldn’t be missed.

Al Ain

Located in the southern part of the country, Al Ain is a tranquil oasis in the middle of the desert, thriving on its natural hot spring waters. Relax away the weekend in the UAE’s “Garden City” as you enjoy its lush green palm groves, natural spring-water pools, and cooler weather.

Jebel Hafeet

Al Hatta

A small town located high in the Hajar Mountains to the east of the country, Al Hatta is great for those who want to experience quiet-town Arabia. Visit its old town for a look at well preserved traditional houses, or hike along its cool mountain paths for an insight into a wilder side of the UAE.

Abu Dhabi

For those who want to get away from Dubai but still stay in a city, head to the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi. While still a large city, Abu Dhabi has a more relaxed and local atmosphere to it, where you can enjoy long walks on its clean beaches or get some quiet alone time at the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Time for self-reflection at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

The Empty Quarter

To really experience the raw beauty of the Arabian Peninsula, head over to the Empty Quarter along the southern border of the UAE. The largest uninterrupted stretch of desert sand mass in the world, this rolling desert will leave you breathless with amazement at the beauty of Mother Nature.

Sharjah

For a more intimate experience of UAE culture for the weekend, head over to the city of Sharjah for a relaxing break from the noise and rush of Dubai. Acting proudly as the educational and cultural heart of the country, enjoy your weekend with Sharjah’s numerous museums, cultural centers, and its grand University City for an appreciation of the arts and sciences.

Fujairah

Balancing both pristine beaches and the tumbling Hajar Mountains, Fujairah lies on the northeastern coast of the UAE and is one of the most popular weekend getaways from Dubai. Explore its ancient forts and historic old city while you bask in the wild northern air of the country.

The Hajar Mountains are perfect for stretching your legs after too much office work in Dubai

Ras Al Khaimah

The northern most emirate in the UAE, this is about as far away (literally) as you can get from Dubai! It’s worth the drive up north, as Ras Al Khaimah boasts some of the most beautiful beaches and ancient archeological digs — and if you squint hard enough you can even see Iran across the Straits of Hormuz!

Perfect place to relax on an empty beach

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.