Explore the Best Day Trips from Dubai

Dubai is wonderful, but there are countless places to explore and things to do outside the city for all tastes. Read on for a list of the best Dubai day trips, whether you’re looking for culture, adventure, or a bit of both.

Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates and it takes just a little over an hour to drive there from Dubai. Many companies and hotels offer Abu Dhabi day tours from Dubai, simplifying the excursion for you and your travel mates.

One of the most popular and breathtaking sights in the entire country can be found in Abu Dhabi: the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. This mosque can accommodate over 40,000 worshipers and features an endless array of domes, columns, and one of the world’s largest carpets. Built with luxurious materials such as marble, mother-of-pearl, and Swarovski crystals, this mosque will make your jaw drop as you walk through it, room after room. The courtyard is the perfect spot for a group photo, as it features a floral design that consists of one of the largest marble mosaics in the world.

Other sights worth seeing in Abu Dhabi include a visit to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, a world-class art and civilization museum on Saadiyat Island. And, if you’re traveling with kids, you should take some time to have some fun at Ferrari World and Warner Bros. World theme parks!

There are plenty of companies offering Abu Dhabi day tours from Dubai, which are well worth doing, as they help you squeeze all the main highlights into one day.

You can’t visit Dubai without venturing into the desert for at least a day. You can do all kinds of fun things in this gorgeous desert. Seeking to relax and take in the landscapes? Go on a soothing camel ride or get a henna tattoo you can admire for days. Looking for adventure or extreme sports? Then you can opt for dune bashing on a 4x4 vehicle or sandboarding your way down the dunes on your own two legs. 

One of the most unique things you can do on a Dubai desert excursion is discover the ancient art of falconry. A falconry experience allows you to enjoy one of the country’s most treasured cultural traditions: training and flying falcons. The Bedouins of the Arabian peninsula have used falcons to help them capture prey for millennia, and now, the practice of falconry is something you can learn about and participate in yourself. In these falconry encounters, you can watch flight demonstrations, learn Bedouin traditions, and wear a glove to call a falcon to your arm. Falconry experiences are often set in traditional settings with a serene, authentic vibe. 

Whatever your desert heart desires, a Dubai desert excursion awaits.

Taking a one-day trip to Oman from Dubai is a great way to enjoy a rich blend of cultural exploration and natural beauty. Its capital city, Muscat, is on the Gulf of Oman, meaning it offers the gift of cultural sights with a fresh sea breeze you can enjoy all day. Start this Dubai day trip by stretching your legs on the Muttrah Corniche, a boardwalk that runs along the bay. Breathe in the sea air and get some sun before the peak heat of the day. 

Then, spend some time indoors visiting Muscat’s mosques. The Sultan Qaboos Mosque has a giant dome which is great to visit during the day, while the Mohammed Al Ameen Mosque is ideal to visit at night, when it’s lit up with bright colors for the public to enjoy. And at the end of the day, you can kick up your feet and relax at this luxury beach hotel in the Gulf of Oman if you’re too tired to head back to Dubai.

Oman has much to offer outside the capital city, too. Close to the border with Oman sits the tiny town of Hatta, another popular Dubai day trip. Hatta’s surrounding mountains make it a great spot for visitors who want to go hiking or mountain biking, or venture out on the Hatta dam on a kayak or boat. For culture and history lovers, the Hatta Heritage Village will give you an idea of traditional mountain life in the area. 

Taking this day trip to Oman from Dubai is a wonderful place to get a taste of nature in the United Arab Emirates.

If you’re short on time, taking a day trip to Sharjah from Dubai is your best bet. Sharjah is just a quick, 20-minute drive from the city. Sharjah’s the place to go if you’re a museum buff, as there are plenty here, including the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilizations and the Sharjah Arts Museum. But the real cultural highlight is visiting the Al Noor Mosque, which is the only mosque open to non-Muslims in the city. It soars beautifully over the skyline, and it offers tours for those interested in learning more.

Just across the bridge is Al Noor Island, sitting on the north shores of the Khalid lagoon. The island is surrounded by blue waters and a great view of Sharjah’s skyline and is also a must-stop for families traveling with kids. Why? Because you can visit the Butterfly House, which is home to over 500 exotic butterflies. 

If you’re seeking to stay in a hotel just outside Dubai, the Occidental Sharah Grand is a great choice. This beachfront hotel offers a private beach, pools, wellness and fitness center, and live music in the evenings.

If you’re visiting Dubai during a hot time of year and are looking to cool off for an entire day, then head to the Al Ain Adventure Park. This unique water park makes for a great Dubai excursion, as it isn’t a far drive away and is all water-themed – great for a hot day!

At Al Ain Adventure Park, you can enjoy all types of water sports like surfing, rafting, kayaking, and tubing. The best part is that you can do all these sports in a controlled, man-made environment, so it’s super safe.

Kids and adults alike will love the park’s Adventure Island, a floating inflatable obstacle course. Then there’s also the wave pool for some simulated ocean fun, and Oasis Island, which is great for relaxing by its two Jacuzzis, pool bar, and private cabanas.

After you hit the park, make sure you stop by the Al Anin city center. It’s home to the United Arab Emirate’s oldest museum and plenty of fortresses and palaces.

Whether you're drawn to cultural treasures, natural landscapes, or thrilling adventures, this list of the best day trips from Dubai offers something for every kind of traveler. From the stunning architecture of Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque to the adrenaline rush of desert dune bashing, each Dubai excursion reveals a different facet of the city’s surroundings.