When people talk about the UAE, they mostly talk about Dubai. But there are 7 Emirates in the UAE, not just Dubai. Sometimes people mention Abu Dhabi too, but there's more to the UAE. We want to show you that.
In this guide, we'll tell you about amazing places in the UAE that aren't Dubai. These are great for day trips if you want to explore less known spots in the UAE.
1. Hatta
Hatta is a popular place to visit for a day trip from Dubai. It is in the mountains to the east of Dubai, close to the border with Oman. People like to go there to see something different from the modern and fancy parts of Dubai. Hatta is surrounded by desert mountains, sharp peaks, and old villages.
When you're in Hatta, you can visit the Hatta Heritage Village. This place shows you how people lived there in the past and how they managed to survive in tough conditions. The entry is free.
You can also go hiking in Hatta. There are small trails to the North and South Tower of Hatta. From there, you can see how beautiful the area is.
A great thing to do is to visit the Hatta Dam at sunset. You can rent a kayak and paddle on the blue water while watching the sunset. The views with the mountains around are amazing and very unexpected in a desert country like the UAE.
The drive from Dubai to Hatta takes about an hour and a half on a simple highway. You can rent a car in Dubai or join an organized tour, especially if you are traveling alone, to save money.
2. Jebel Jais & Ras Al Khaimah
If you want to try something really exciting, you should visit Jebel Jais, the tallest mountain in the country. It's 1,934 meters high and is a great place to go for a day trip from Dubai, even during the hot summer.
The drive to Jebel Jais is very beautiful. When you reach the top, you'll see amazing views of desert mountains that you probably didn't know were in the UAE.
Jebel Jais has the world's longest zipline. You can zip across canyons for 9,284 feet (2.82 km) at speeds up to 95 mph (150 km/h). It's a thrilling experience!
At the top, there's also a nice rest stop where you can have snacks and watch the beautiful sunset, which is the best time to visit Jebel Jais. Or, you can go for a hike and climb to the top of the highest peak you can reach to see the sunset.
On your way to Jebel Jais and back, make sure to visit Ras Al Khaimah, the main city in the area. The National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah and Dhayah Fort are places you should definitely see.
3. Fujairah
Fujairah is a good place to visit for a day from Dubai. It's on the east coast by the Indian Ocean. It's a quiet town with lots of cool, not well-known things to see like a big mosque, old forts, and beautiful dams.
The Grand Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah is a must-see. It looks a bit like the mosques in Turkey with a big domed area for prayer and four towers. Inside, it's really pretty with patterns and a big light hanging in the middle. And you can go in for free, no need to book or take any tests, different from the one in Abu Dhabi.
Fujairah Fort is great to see too, especially if you like old desert forts like the ones in Oman.
If you drive north, you'll get to Khor Fakkan. There, you can visit places like Al Rafisah Dam or hike on the Al Rabi Hiking Trail.
You could spend a whole day exploring Fujairah and Khor Fakkan. The best ways to get there are either to rent a car from Dubai or join a group tour. You can find more tours online.
4. Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and is famous for its beautiful mosque, the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan the First Mosque. This mosque is very big and beautiful, and people visiting the UAE should definitely go see it. Abu Dhabi has other cool places to visit too, like the Louvre museum, which has lots of interesting art from around the world, similar to the one in Paris. There's also Ferrari World, a big theme park based on car racing that's fun for families.
You'll need a whole day to really see what's special about Abu Dhabi because it's very different from Dubai. Some people might not like Abu Dhabi as much because it has strict rules at famous places like the mosque. For example, women need to wear a hijab properly. If it slips and shows even a bit of hair, the security will warn you. So, it's important to dress correctly, especially when taking pictures in the mosque. But if you remember this, you can enjoy all that Abu Dhabi offers.
The best way to go to Abu Dhabi is by renting a car from Dubai or joining an organized tour, especially because of the strict rules about health tests right now.
5. Al Ain
Last to mention, Al Ain, known as the garden city or the oasis in the Emirati desert, is a must-visit place. It's the small city where the UAE's founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, lived for a long time.
In Al Ain, you can visit the Al Ain Palace Museum to walk around the Sheikh's old home and see what life was like before oil brought wealth.
You can also see Al Jahili Fort, check out how camels are sold at the camel market, or drive to Jebel Hafeet for a great view of the city.
Al Ain is in the Abu Dhabi emirate, so you need a PCR test result to visit. You can drive there from Dubai or join a tour to Al Ain.
Visiting the United Arab Emirates is not just about seeing Dubai's tall buildings. It's also about discovering the country's culture, history, and nature. In Sharjah, you can see amazing buildings. Fujairah has calm beaches. Ras Al Khaimah offers exciting adventures. Abu Dhabi is filled with history, and Al Ain is a quiet, green place. Each place gives you a different experience. You can find adventure, relax, or learn about the UAE's culture. Make sure to check travel tips and rules, like needing a PCR test for some areas, to have a good trip.