Top 10 Trips from Dubai in the UAE | ExpatWoman.com
 

Explore the UAE and Surrounding Region With These Top 10 Trips

Discover the best places across the UAE and nearby countries with these top 10 trips that are within easy access from Dubai

Posted on

8 January 2013

Last updated on 14 January 2020
Explore the UAE With These Top 10 Trips

It's natural to get a little claustrophobic, even in a place as big as Dubai. There's no need however, when this sandpit has plenty of adventures to be had around the area.

From the mountainous region of Oman, to the beautiful beaches of Fujairah, or even hop on a plane abroad... There's to be seen and done.

So here's our list of Dubai's best and top trips that every expat has to experience while living here...

1. Desert Safari

No trip or stay in Dubai would be complete without heading out and experiencing the majesty and the thrill of the desert. There are lots of companies that offer desert safaris out there - just make sure you use a reputable one with the right insurance. They all follow a basic formula: they will pick you up from your home or hotel mid to late afternoon and drive you out to the desert dunes.

You may be sharing a car with other guests- you can have a private car but this will cost more. You meet up with all the others from that company and head out into the desert to dune bash - you will be amazed at what cars can do! It really is a thrilling experience, it's almost like being on a roller coaster. if you have kids, elderly people, pregnant or scaredy cats with you, just request a more relaxed drive!

SEE ALSO: WATCH - An Epic Super Car Takes On Fastest Falcon In KSA Desert

They usually take you to a date or camel farm out in the dunes followed by watching the sunset and a bit of sandboarding down the dunes. They will then drive you to a desert camp for food, usually a basic but very tasty barbeque with salads and drinks. Entertainment is in the form of falconry, traditional dancing, and belly dancing. There may also be camels to ride, quad bikes to ride, national dress to try on and a campfire. You can see the light of so many stars whilst out in the desert too. After all this excitement they will drive you back to where they picked you up, trips usually return between 9 and 10 PM.

Explore the UAE With These Top 10 Trips

The quintessential Arabic desert experience really is a must for all people who come to Dubai.

2. Musandam

The Musandam Peninsula is the top tip of the Northern Emirates and is an enclave of Oman. It straddles the East Coast and the West Coast and has two main tourist destinations Dibba on the East Coast and Khasab on the West Coast. They are both amazing places to visit with stunning scenery and lots to see and do.

Don't forget your passports as you will need them to cross the border into Oman (there is a full-time border control post on the way to Khasab but the Dibba one is not always open, but its best to have it with you just in case) and if you are venturing out to sea.

The Musandam Peninsula is also known as the Norway of the Middle East due to its amazing rock faced mountains which plunge straight down into crystal blue seas teeming with dolphins, rays, and other sea life.

At the village of Tawi, you can find prehistoric drawings of boats, animals, and warriors on the rock face. Khasab also has a number of modern shopping areas with imported Irani goods and locally created pottery, and a few hotels that sit on a cliff overlooking the gulf.

From both towns, you can take traditional dhow cruises for fishing, sightseeing, dolphin watching and even overnight stays either on board or on beaches that can only be reached by boat. You will see how local residents have to use boats to get round to the small villages as they are cut off by the towering cliffs of the mountains - it's a whole other way of life! There are some great locations for snorkeling and diving too.

3. Fujairah

Fujairah is famous for its diving locations and relaxed weekend breaks. The emirate is mainly mountainous and rocky and has more rainfall than Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with a series of mountains that look like Snoopy lying down. There are many hotels there from budget to luxury and everything in between. Some of the beaches have black sand, so don't be surprised when you see it!

Explore the UAE With These Top 10 Trips

4. Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah is another great mini break destination from Dubai. It's only about an hour away straight up the Emirates Road in the northerly direction. There are many fabulous staycation options for you to choose from - whether mid-range to super lux, you'll find the right pick for you. Ras Al Khaimah's climate is warm and arid with very hot summers and mild winters although snow has been reported in the past several years in the high mountains.

Things to see and do in RAK include:

  • Jebel Jais: the tallest mountain the UAE with hiking, trekking, and barbeque activities. The mountain also is home to the world's longest zip line.
  • The National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah: housed in the former palace of the ruling Al Qawasim family, it has exhibits on natural history, arts and crafts of the past centuries, and archaeology.
  • Dhayah Fort: the only surviving hilltop fort in the UAE.
  • Shamal: prehistoric tombs of Um An Nar period, Wadi Suq period and Late Bronze Age (location of tombs in Shamal).
  • Sheeba's Palace: ruins of a medieval palace.
  • Al Falayah: the former summer residence of the ruling Al Qawasim family.
  • Jazirat Al Hamra: an abandoned ‘ghost town’ showing the architecture of earlier decades.
  • The Old City and Souq: an opportunity to see both traditional and modern shops as well as artisan’s workshops
  • Dhow building station: one of the last traditional dhow building stations of UAE
Explore the UAE With These Top 10 Trips

5. Al Ain

Al Ain is great for a day trip or a weekend getaway. The top things to do in Al Ain is the drive to the top of the impressive Jabel Hafeet mountain, visit Al Ain Zoo, and have a relaxing getaway at one of their many staycation offers.

SEE ALSO: New Changes Are Coming to Dubai–Al Ain Road, Making Transit So Much Easier

Historically the area was known as Tawam, Al Buraimi oasis which means "the water spring". Al Ain has been continuously inhabited for more than four thousand years and is considered central to the cultural heritage of the country. It is the birthplace of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first president of the United Arab Emirates.

Explore the UAE With These Top 10 Trips

6. Big Red

A visit to the Big Red Dune is very easy from Dubai and can be done in a morning or an afternoon. Big Red is also known as Al Hamar Dubai and is a massive 300ft high sand dune with sides the steepness of a black ski run, its red colour comes from its high iron oxide content.

Located about 30 minutes along the Dubai Hatta Road, it has lots of little tourist shops, quad bike hires, and camel ride services. It's worth noting that it gets very busy at the weekend. If you fancy a nice lunch carry on down the road for about another half hour until you reach Hatta and pop into the Hatta Fort Hotel.

Explore the UAE With These Top 10 Trips

7. Oman

Oman is a beautiful place to visit including tourist destinations of Muscat and Salalah. You can either drive about 4 hours to Muscat from Dubai or take a flight which is less than an hour.

The sultanate is very green, mountainous and unspoiled with miles of what seem like untouched beaches. It's fantastic for a weekend getaway or longer break and has many hotels to stay in from the budget to the super luxury.

You can also take a look at our dedicated guide to Oman for all things related to traveling to Oman, popular sightseeing spots, best kept secret locations, and more.

Explore the UAE With These Top 10 Trips

8. Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the Emirates and can be visited in a day or weekend trip. The emirate is home to the UAE's own Lourve museum, the exciting Yas Island, ancient church site, and so much more.

We've got a whole guide dedicated to Abu Dhabi, so take a look for more latest news.

Explore the UAE With These Top 10 Trips

9. Liwa Oasis

About 2 hours further down the Sheikh Zayed Road from Abu Dhabi is the amazing Liwa Oasis area, home to the largest sand dunes in the world.

You'll be amazed by the shifting sands and the majesty of the Moreeb dunes as well as the abundance of farms and historical sites.

Explore the UAE With These Top 10 Trips

10. Lebanon

Just a 4-hour flight from Dubai is the wonderful city of Beirut in Lebanon. A place where you can ski in the mountains in the morning and sunbathe by the pool in the afternoon, as well as party all night. With the advent of budget airlines, a weekend trip or week's holiday to Beirut is even more affordable. There are many hotels to choose from seaside, city central or mountain resorts, and the nightlife is second to none.

Check out Mono Street and Jamayziya for lots of little bars, bistros, and karaoke joints. There are lots of designer shops in the Solidere shopping area as well as a couple of other big malls. You can take a drive up into the mountains to visit the hill resorts and see some ancient history.

Want to take a dip? Look for Wadi Shab, a secret cave with a waterful in Oman where the waters are beautifully turquoise. Highly recommended!

Explore the UAE With These Top 10 Trips
 
 

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