Travel
What are the best day trips from Dubai?
Within a couple of hours of Dubai you can kayak in Hatta's mountains, see the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, wander Al Ain's UNESCO oases, snorkel off Fujairah, or cruise Musandam's fjords in Oman. Save city-walking days for cooler months.
As much as I love Dubai, some of my favourite days are spent leaving it. Within a couple of hours you can be high in the mountains, at a quiet beach, ziplining over a canyon, or wandering a centuries-old oasis. Here are the day trips worth setting an alarm for, with how to do each one.
Hatta, for mountains and water
About 90 minutes away in the Hajar Mountains, Hatta is the easiest escape into nature. Kayak on the turquoise Hatta Dam, with rentals usually around 80 to 120 dirhams, explore the Heritage Village, or take on mountain biking and hiking trails. It is cooler than the city and feels a world away. A car is easiest, and you can do it comfortably in a day.
Jebel Jais, for adventure
In Ras Al Khaimah, about one and a half to two hours from Dubai, Jebel Jais is the country's highest peak and home to the world's longest zipline, a Guinness-certified flight stretching 2,830 metres at speeds up to 150 kilometres an hour. There is also the gentler Jais Sky Tour of six ziplines, the Jais Sledder, and the historic Dhayah Fort nearby. Many tours include hotel pickup, or a taxi runs roughly 300 to 400 dirhams one way.
Abu Dhabi, for culture and grandeur
The capital is an easy day out and packs in some of the country's best sights: the breathtaking Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and the lavish Qasr Al Watan palace. It is about 90 minutes by car, and best enjoyed from October to April when you can move comfortably between indoor and outdoor stops. Dress modestly for the mosque, with shoulders, arms and knees covered.
Al Ain and Fujairah
Inland, Al Ain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Garden City, known for date palm oases threaded with ancient falaj waterways, historic forts and a gentle pace. On the east coast, about an hour and three quarters away, Fujairah offers Indian Ocean beaches like Al Aqah, the historic Fujairah Fort, and some of the best snorkelling and diving in the country around Snoopy Island, with trips from around 150 dirhams.
Musandam, the Norway of Arabia
For something special, the Musandam peninsula in Oman is a few hours north, with dramatic fjords you explore by traditional wooden dhow, often with dolphins alongside the boat. Remember your passport, since this trip crosses an international border, and allow a full day.
How should you plan it, and what about summer?
A rental car gives you the most freedom, though guided tours are easy and stress-free for the further spots like Jebel Jais and Musandam. In peak summer, lean towards water-based trips like Hatta kayaking and Fujairah snorkelling, and save the city-walking days like Abu Dhabi and Al Ain for the cooler months from October to April. If you would rather stay in the city, here are things to do in Dubai in summer.
More from Aastha's travel world: explore here.
