Best destinations for road trips around the UAE – bon voyage!
You haven’t experienced the best of this stunning country until you embark on a road trip. The sparkling beaches, picturesque mountains and mesmerising deserts are best enjoyed when driving around. So, pack your bags, find your favourite playlist and get ready to visit the best places for road trips in the UAE.
ROAD TRIP DESTINATIONS IN THE UAE
RAS AL KHAIMAH – A PERFECT PLACE FOR ADVENTURE SEEKERS
Ras Al Khaimah is one of the best places for a weekend road trip in the UAE. This exquisite, historic location is known for its beautiful mountains and amazing activities for adventure junkies. Located about 113 kilometres from Dubai and 300 kilometres from Abu Dhabi, the northern emirate is all about feeding your wanderlust with endless views of dunes and beautiful green spaces.
Perfect for nature lovers, this city is an idyllic retreat from the monotonous life. If you love a little adventure, you must visit RAK’s beach resorts and try the various activities, including horse riding, paragliding, fishing and golfing. You can enjoy the pure wilderness of the Arabian Desert with exclusive, authentic camps complete with sumptuous dinners.
Ras Al Khaimah has popular hiking spots in the UAE, including Jebel Jais, the tallest mountain in the country. However, the emirate’s claim to fame is the world’s longest zip line, the Jebel Jais Flight, where you can fly past the mountains in an aerial adventure unlike any other.
If you want to try some of the popular things to do in Ras Al Khaimah, plan a weekend getaway to this charming emirate with your friends! You can take a shuttle bus from Dubai Airport to visit RAK for a day from Dubai.
POPULAR ATTRACTIONS IN RAK
- Dhayah Fort
- Al Jazirah Al Hamra
- Mohammed Bin Salem Mosque
FUJAIRAH – A DIVING PARADISE
The scenic routes, spectacular views and surprise sightings of herds and wild camels make Fujairah the perfect destination to explore with your friends and family. Located on the coastline bordering the Gulf of Oman, Fujairah is all about the sea, with activities like marine clubs, beach resorts, fishing, sailing, diving and snorkelling.
Home to some of the most amazing 5-star hotels and beach resorts, Fujairah is one of the top places to embark on a weekend road trip in the UAE.
Some popular attractions here include Snoopy Island, Sandy Beach and Khor Fakkan. The resorts in Fujairah offer activity packages for guests to try, including deep-sea diving, snorkelling and more.
If a hike or trek seems more up your alley, you can explore the Wadi Waruyah in the Hajjar Mountains and see some of the most spectacular views from the ‘Grand Canyon of the UAE.’
POPULAR ATTRACTIONS IN FUJAIRAH
- Al Hayl Castle
- Fujairah Fort
- Sheikh Zayed Mosque
AL AIN – THE GARDEN CITY
Al Ain is one of the popular choices for scenic road trip destination in the UAE. The city gets its name from its abundance of natural oases, lush greenery and springs, which are complemented by a majestic mountainous backdrop.
If you decide to stay in the city for a day or two, there are several interesting places to visit in Al Ain. This charming emirate has plenty to do, from exploring historical sites to being up close with wildlife.
One of the must-do things to do in Al Ain on your UAE road trip is to check out Wadi Adventure. It is home to the world’s largest man-made white-water channels and a super-sized surf pool.
After aquatic adventures, you can make your way to the nation’s first curated UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside a 3,000-year-old irrigation system. If you are a fan of wildlife, don’t forget to include the Al Ain Zoo in your itinerary, where you can experience a safari and see everything from lions, giraffes and deer to Arabian oryx!
POPULAR ATTRACTION IN AL AIN
- The Hilton Al Ain
- Danat Al Ain Resort
- Jebel Hafeet
UMM AL QUWAIN – A TOUR TO ISLANDS
Although Umm Al Quwain is one of the smaller emirates in the UAE, the region is gifted with scenic landscapes and natural reserves. There are gorgeous islands near the Umm Al Quwain coast, with well-preserved mangrove forests.
Al Sinniyah Island is the most popular, which is totally worth the visit. Travellers can check out stunning sunsets at sandy Umm Al Quwain beaches. Kite Beach Center UAQ is another spot you should add to your list when visiting here.
The emirate is home to many historical attractions, including Umm Al Quwain National Museum, Umm Al Quwain Fort and Falaj Al Mualla Fort.
POPULAR ATTRACTION IN UMM AL QUWAIN
- UAQ Marine Club
- Emirates Motorplex
- Happy Land City
GO FOR A SANDY JOURNEY IN LIWA
Feel like driving through the desert with your favourite tunes on an endless road? The vast desert of Liwa is exactly the scenic UAE road trip you are looking for!
Known as the ‘Empty Quarter,’ Liwa is a desert settlement located 220km from the main centre of Abu Dhabi, about 100 miles to the southwest of the capital. History buffs, culture vultures and adventurous souls will love to explore the forts, heritage sites and 300-meter high dune called Tal Mireb.
One of the best times to plan a road trip to this destination in the UAE is during the Liwa Date Festival, which involves celebrating traditions and customs related to the indigenous date palm tree. Liwa Oasis is another area that you definitely won’t miss out on.
The villages appear as a series of dots along the routes, which movie-buffs will recognise as the location where Star Wars: The Force Awakens was shot. The Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort and Liwa Guesthouse are popular options for desert getaways in the area.
POPULAR ATTRACTIONS IN LIWA
- Mezairaa Town
- Liwa Forts
- Sheikh Hamad Auto Museum
EXPERIENCE AN UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURE IN HATTA
A road trip to Hatta is one of the most time-honoured ways of celebrating long weekends in the city. Striking mountains, gorgeous natural pools, kayaking trips, beautiful picnic spots, and quaint hotels and resorts add a touch of adventure to Hatta road trips.
Resting at the foothills of the Hajjar Mountains, this charming little town is known for the Hatta Dam, where you can kayak, paddle-board or swim in the sparkling turquoise waters. You can check out the Hatta Heritage Village, which dates back almost 3,000 years and is a goldmine for explorers.
Hatta is home to the Meraas development of Wadi Hub Centre, where you can try out some adventure sports. Hatta is one of the most popular UAE National Day road trip spots, with spectacular mountain views and a winding route.
Being a popular tourist spot, there are many things to do in Hatta, such as visiting the 360 Observatory, kayaking in the Hatta Dam or mountain biking.
POPULAR ATTRACTIONS IN HATTA
- Hatta Fort Hotel
- The Hatta Hill Park
- Hatta Rock Pools
SCENIC SPOTS FOR YOUR ROAD TRIP IN UAE
If you want to cover more ground over the long weekend during your road trip in the UAE, you can make a pit stop at these picturesque spots.
- Dibba: This is an incredible beachside destination towards the UAE’s east coast, with mountains on one side and the blue sea on the other. A perfect spot for diving, visitors to Dibba often take dhow cruises into Musandam.
- Jebel Akhdar: Not actually in the UAE, this awe-inspiring mountain range is definitely one of the best road trips from UAE you can go for. It is located in Omani Hajar Mountains and has been known as the Pearl of Islam for many centuries. Jebel Akhdar should find a place on your list of road trips from the UAE as it is packed with antiquated forts, exploration sites, traditional marketplaces, and a row of exquisite summits.
- Sir Bani Yas Island: Combine your road trip with a ride on the ferry to explore this beautiful island in the capital. Home to a wildlife sanctuary and some upscale hotels and resorts, including the Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara, this is an idyllic retreat away from the bustle of the city.
- Musandam Peninsula: Musandam Peninsula road trip from Dubai is a 2 to 3-hour long trip filled with spectacular views. Upon reaching this Oman enclave in the UAE, visitors can enjoy kayaking, spot dolphins while snorkelling, go fishing and trek the arduous yet, sublime mountain ranges.
- Al Wasit Wetland Nature Reserve, Sharjah: The Wasit Wetland Centre is only 15km far from the emirate of Sharjah. Spread across 86 hectares, the region has lakes, reed beds, dunes, mudflats and many plants. The presence of water bodies near the coastline invites a lot of native and migrant bird species to the Wasit Wetland Nature Reserve. It takes around 30 to 40 minutes to reach the spot from Dubai.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHERE SHOULD I STAY DURING MY ROADTRIP?
There are plenty of hotels and resorts all over the UAE where you can stay during your road trip. Most hotels have staycation offers for weekends, allowing you to save extra bucks. For instance, if you’re planning a road trip on New Year, Radisson Blu Resort and Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort offer amazing New Year staycations in Fujairah.
WHERE CAN I GO CAMPING IN THE UAE?
If you’re in Dubai, you can camp at Al Qudra or Hatta. Those of you residing or visiting the capital can head to Liwa Oasis or Shipwreck Beach for a memorable camping experience. Check out the guide to top camping spots in the UAE for more options.
ARE THERE ANY SURFING SPOTS IN THE UAE?
Khorfakkan Beach in Fujairah, Al Khan Beach in Sharjah and Sunset Beach Dubai are some of the top spots for surfing in the UAE.
And that’s all for the best UAE road trip destinations, folks!
Travel enthusiasts can plan short weekend trips from Dubai by air. Moreover, those who want to travel to top international destinations for solo holiday trips from Dubai can choose from many options, including Baku, Istanbul, Bangkok and more.