Day trips from Dubai: 5 directions
Where to go from Dubai for a day: the capital Abu Dhabi, cultural Sharjah, Fujairah's east coast, the Ras Al Khaimah mountains and the Hatta enclave. What to choose for your interest and how to plan it.
How to use this list
The UAE is compact, and almost everything worth seeing beyond Dubai fits into a day trip. Sharjah is closest, half an hour away, while the east coast is furthest at about two hours. Each direction below is a click through to a detail page with prices, timing and tips.
You can travel by rental car or on an organised tour with transfer. If you drive, carry an International Driving Permit and budget for Salik and camera fines. If you would rather not drive, we arrange a trip with a driver and a guide.
Abu Dhabi: the capital and culture
An hour and a half from Dubai. In a day you can see the mosque, the palace and the museum, or give the day to a Yas Island theme park.
- 01Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
A snow-white mosque for 40,000, free entry, a strict dress code, best in the morning.
- 02Qasr Al Watan
A working presidential palace with halls, a library and an evening light show.
- 03Louvre Abu Dhabi
The Louvre under its famous rain-of-light dome, closed on Mondays.
- 04Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
Formula Rossa, the world's fastest roller coaster, a full day on Yas Island.
- 05Abu Dhabi — day tour from Dubai
A ready tour from Dubai with transfer and a guide if you would rather not drive.
The east coast: Fujairah
About two hours through the mountains to the Gulf of Oman. Calm beaches, the UAE's best snorkelling and the oldest mosque.
- 01Snoopy Island
Snorkelling and diving straight off the beach, coral, turtles and fish.
- 02Al Aqah Beach
Calm sea and the east-coast resorts, cooler than the west.
- 03Al Bidya Mosque
The UAE's oldest mosque, around 1446, small and atmospheric.
- 04Khorfakkan Beach
An amphitheatre beach with a waterfall and a gulf view.
The mountains: Ras Al Khaimah and Hatta
The cool of the Hajar Mountains an hour or two from Dubai. The world's longest zipline, kayaks and mountain trails.
- 01Jebel Jais
The UAE's highest peak with ziplines and viewing decks.
- 02Khatt Springs
Thermal springs at the foot of the RAK mountains, to unwind after the trails.
- 03Jebel Jais Zipline — day from Dubai
A tour to the world's longest zipline, around 2.83 km.
- 04Hatta — mountains, kayak and heritage
Dubai's enclave with a turquoise dam, kayaks and the Wadi Hub.
- 05Northern Emirates day: Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah
A combined tour of the northern emirates in one day.
Practical: how to plan
The best season for day trips is October to April, especially for the mountains and the desert, where summer is hot. Take one direction per day, trying to combine culture and a park, or two coasts, turns into a day on the road.
If you drive, carry an International Driving Permit and a sat-nav, and remember Salik and the cameras. Bring ID even for the inner emirates. If you want no worries about parking, the deposit or fines, we arrange a trip with a driver and a guide for your plan, for a day or with an overnight stay.