What are the Best Road Trips from Dubai?
There are so many incredible destinations on this list of the best road trips from Dubai. If you’re in Dubai and want ideas for a quick getaway over the weekend (or for longer), get a vehicle (preferably 4WD) and head out for an unforgettable trip. The Middle East offers so many exciting things to do so that you can make fantastic travel memories. Use your time well, follow these travel tips and experience some of the best road trips from Dubai.
Where is Dubai?
Dubai is the capital and principal city of the United Arab Emirates. It is home to 90% of the emirate’s population and is a popular tourist destination. It is well-known for its shopping as it has the largest shopping centre in the world. If you are looking to escape the city, one of the best things you can do is go on one of the following best road trips from Dubai.
If you are arriving from the aiport into Dubai, we recommend booking a transfer with Welcome Pickups who offer a flat, pre-paid fee, flight monitoring and 24/7 support and free cancellation.
10 Best Road Trips from Dubai
Liwa Oasis
Just a 3 hours road trip from Dubai is a peaceful Liwa Oasis, surrounded by 50 villages. If you can make your trip during the Liwa Date Festival, you’ll be able to taste the different kinds of dates that grow here. The Empty Quarter Desert is a long, long stretch of mighty dunes – including Tal Mireb, the 300-meter high dune. Check out Liwa Fort and the many other forts here and the Sheikh Hamad Auto Museum, which stores some of the oldest vehicles ever made. This is one of the best road trips from Dubai.
Hatta
Stunning scenery, great climate, and spectacular natural pools – a fantastic city resting at the foothills of the incredible Hajar Mountains– what’s not to like? If you’re the adventurous type, trek the Hajar Mountains, or go mountain biking or paragliding, kayaking and much more. The Hatta Dam is a picturesque spot where you can paddleboard and kayak. Before you leave, check out the Hatta Heritage Village, which is more than 3,000 years old. Try out some adventure sports at the Wadi Hub Center, or relax in the JA Hatta Fort Hotel and marvel at the scenery.
Al-Ain
The Al Ain Oasis, known as the “Garden City”, is the UAE’s first curated UNESCO World Heritage Site, barely 2 hours from Dubai. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the 3,000-year-old Falaj irrigation system. Al-Ain is simply the best road trip in the middle of a blazing Dubai summer, with its remarkable palm trees, lush greenery, lovely mountains and vibrant history. There are plenty of hot springs here, known for their healing properties. Kids will love Wadi Adventure, where you’ll find the world’s largest white-water channels, apart from a vast surf pool. Check out the Al Ain zoo to look at the Arabian Oryx and nearly 119 species of birds.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the UAE, is the first place you should take a road trip to. Filled with incredible attractions such as the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the Corniche, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Marina Eye, Ferrari World, Yas Marina Circuit and Yas Waterworld – the list is endless. It’s just as much fun being in Abu Dhabi as it is in Dubai. Highlights are the beautiful mangrove-surrounded islands, the Heritage Village and the Abu Dhabi City Tour, which takes you to every part of this beautiful city. Take a nice long walk on the 6-kilometre seaside boardwalk, the Corniche, to get a peek at the city’s great monuments.
Oman
Check out the ancient wedding garments and jewellery at the Bait Al Zubair Museum in Muscat. The Royal Opera House Muscat offers a treat to lovers of old-school music. The Green Mountain Jebel Akhdar provides fantastic views, trekking, local flora and fauna and charming villages. It often rains here, and the weather is relaxed and welcoming. If you haven’t been to the USA’s Grand Canyon yet – don’t worry – Oman has its version in the Omani Hajar Mountains. Jebel Akhdar is filled with wonderfully traditional marketplaces, old forts, fantastic summits, and all this just 1.5 hours from Dubai.
Ras Al Khaimah
People come to RAK to enjoy 64 kilometres of sun-kissed, sugar-white sand coasts. History buffs head to the Dhayah Fort, where local tribesmen resisted the British Army in 1819. Dhayah valley is green and fertile and makes for a lovely view from the top of a hill. Sports lovers can enjoy snorkelling, paragliding, horse riding, fishing, and of course, ziplining on the longest zipline at Jebel Jais! RAK’s lovely landscapes, historical buildings such as Ras al-Khaimah National Museum round out your trip beautifully.
Musandam
Just the drive to Musandam is mind-blowing, but its fjords are perfect for fishing, kayaking, white-water rafting and other water sports. The town of Khasab is surrounded by mountains, which you can climb and trek using the secret staircases built by goat herders from Pakistan. Dibba in Musandam is simply amazing, goat herders. Dibba has tall mountains on one side and the sea on the other. Be sure to take a dhow cruise while at Dibba to explore all the fjords, incredible islands and dive sites. The marine life here is vibrant – myriad sea creatures, coral and crystal clear turquoise waters.
Umm Al Quwain
Umm, Al Quwain is the UAE’s least populated city, but it makes up for this with its splendid natural beauty. The city’s many sandy islands are a study in nature, with their thick mangroves and many creeks. Al Sinniyah is a 35 square mile-large island – a marine and bird sanctuary, where you can spot the largest cormorants in the world. Enjoy the city’s beautiful nature reserves and scenic landscapes, stunning beach sunsets and more. If you’re into history, check out the Umm Al Quwain Fort, the Umm Al Quwain National Museum, and Falaj Al Mualla Fort. Visit Dreamland Aqua Park for some fantastic water fun – it’s one of the UAE’s largest waterparks.
Ajman
Ajman, barely 1 hour from Dubai, has a relaxed, laid-back vibe. You’ll be driving on the winding Emirates Highway, surrounded by spectacular dunes. Be sure to stay at the Kempinski Hotel Ajman, a five-star hotel situated at a promenaded coastal road, reminiscent of English seaside towns. Your next stop should be the 18th-century fort turned into Ajman Museum, where you can learn about the country’s culture and history. What’s excellent in Ajman are the views, the fantastic beaches and fantastic nightlife.
You can easily reach several places in a short time, which is why this list of the 10 best road trips from Dubai is so helpful. There’s Sharjah, Fujairah and their composite attractions and natural landscapes. If you’re ready, you could go every weekend to visit one of the UAE’s unique cities, towns and islands, and you’ll still be road-tripping for months to come.
This is a guest post written by Neha Singh from DubaiWikia. Neha is a keen wanderer and a foodie. She believes music, long nature walks, and making new friends is the best way to live life completely. Thanks to Neha for sharing her travel tips and wonderful photography with us.
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Photo Credit: Neha Singh
You’ve written an amazing road trip guide.
The UAE’s roads connect to the neighbouring countries of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Sultanate of Oman. There are several crossing points along the borders; some are exclusive to GCC citizens. Bes day trip from dubai is Musandam Oman in my view.
Often overlooked by tourists, Oman is a really amazing country and I can vouch for this based on my personal experience.