day tour of dubai

THE 10 BEST Dubai Tours & Excursions

Tours in dubai.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Dubai Red Dunes ATV, Camels, Stargazing & 5* BBQ Al Khayma Camp

2. Dubai Desert Safari Dune Bashing, 60min ATV Quad, Camel Ride, BBQ

3. Dubai to Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque & Qasr Al Watan Palace

4. Abu Dhabi Private City Tour

5. Dubai Full Day Tour with Entry Ticket to Burj Khalifa at the Top

6. Dubai Marina Yacht Tour with Breakfast or BBQ

7. Private Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner & Sand Boarding

8. Dubai Harbour Super Yacht Experience with Live station & Drinks

9. Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari, Camels, Sandboarding & BBQ Options

10. Dubai Frame and Skip the Line Miracle Garden Tickets

11. Dubai Aladdin Tour: Souks, Creek, Old Dubai and Tastings

12. The Burj Khalifa At The Top Observation Deck Admission Ticket

13. Private Morning Desert Safari Dubai with Dune Bashing & Sandboard

14. Dubai Premium Dunes Safari, Stargazing, 5* BBQ at Al Khayma Camp

15. Skip the Line Burj Khalifa Ticket - At the Top Sky 124, 125 & 148

16. Private Abu Dhabi City Tour with Pick up from Dubai or Abu Dhabi

17. Dubai Arabian Desert Adventure, BBQ Dinner & Optional ATV

18. Atlantis Aquaventure Ticket (with options for Aquarium), Dubai

19. Abu Dhabi Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Dubai with Mosque Visit

20. Dubai Helicopter Experience with Sightseeing Options

21. Dubai Luxury Canal Dinner Cruise with Optional Transfer

22. Full Day Musandam Cruise with Lunch from Dubai

23. Dubai Heritage Land Rover Desert Safari with Traditional Dinner

24. Lost Chamber Tickets with Sharing Transfers

25. Dubai Jetski: Burj Al Arab, Atlantis the Royal, Atlantis & Palm

26. Half Day Dubai City Sightseeing Tour with Pick up

27. Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner, Quad Bike & Camel Ride from Dubai

28. 90 Minutes Speedboat Tour, Marina, Atlantis, Palm & Burj Al Arab

29. Dubai Overnight Desert Safari, BBQ & Stargazing at Al Khayma Camp

30. Dubai Red Dune Safari with Quad Bike, Sandboard & Camel Ride

What travellers are saying.

• Dubai Red Dunes ATV, Sandsurf, Stargazing & 5* BBQ Al Khayma Camp
• Dubai Dune Bashing, Self-Ride 60min ATV Quad, Camel Ride & Dinner
• Dubai Aladdin Tour: Souks, Creek, Old Dubai and Tastings
• Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandboarding & BBQ Options
• Dubai to Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque & Qasr Al Watan Palace
• Dolphin Bay
• Grand Adventure Tourism Dubai, AE
• Global Tours Dubai
• Legends of Desert
• Extreme Dunes Adventures
• Sahara Adventure Tours & Safari
• Desert Delight Travel & Tourism
• Dubai Desert Dunes
• Dubai journey Tourism
• Navita tours
• Explore Dubai with Gomez & Sandy (private tours only)
• DESERT CRUISER TOURISM LLC
• OceanAir Travels
• Dubai Leisure Holidays LLC
• Dream Nights Tours
• Raptor Tours And Safari
• Seawings Seaplane Tours
• Arabian Expedition
• Big Red Adventure Tours
• Platinum Heritage
• ADT Desert Club Tourism
• Cooper Tourism
• Desert Team Tourism

Top Tours in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai tours.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Dubai Red Dunes ATV, Camels, Stargazing & 5* BBQ Al Khayma Camp

2. Dubai Desert Safari Dune Bashing, 60min ATV Quad, Camel Ride, BBQ

3. Dubai to Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque & Qasr Al Watan Palace

4. Abu Dhabi Private City Tour

5. Dubai Full Day Tour with Entry Ticket to Burj Khalifa at the Top

6. Dubai Marina Yacht Tour with Breakfast or BBQ

7. Private Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner & Sand Boarding

8. Sharjah City Cultural and Historical Half Day Tour

9. Dubai Harbour Super Yacht Experience with Live station & Drinks

10. Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari, Camels, Sandboarding & BBQ Options

11. Dubai Aladdin Tour: Souks, Creek, Old Dubai and Tastings

12. The Burj Khalifa At The Top Observation Deck Admission Ticket

13. Private Morning Desert Safari Dubai with Dune Bashing & Sandboard

14. Dubai Premium Dunes Safari, Stargazing, 5* BBQ at Al Khayma Camp

15. Skip the Line Burj Khalifa Ticket - At the Top Sky 124, 125 & 148

16. Private Abu Dhabi City Tour with Pick up from Dubai or Abu Dhabi

17. Dubai Arabian Desert Adventure, BBQ Dinner & Optional ATV

18. Atlantis Aquaventure Ticket (with options for Aquarium), Dubai

19. Abu Dhabi Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Dubai with Mosque Visit

20. Dubai Helicopter Experience with Sightseeing Options

21. Dubai Luxury Canal Dinner Cruise with Optional Transfer

22. Full Day Musandam Cruise with Lunch from Dubai

23. Dubai Private City Tour

24. Dubai Heritage Land Rover Desert Safari with Traditional Dinner

25. Dubai Jetski: Burj Al Arab, Atlantis the Royal, Atlantis & Palm

26. Half Day Dubai City Sightseeing Tour with Pick up

27. Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner, Quad Bike & Camel Ride from Dubai

28. 90 Minutes Speedboat Tour, Marina, Atlantis, Palm & Burj Al Arab

29. Dubai Overnight Desert Safari, BBQ & Stargazing at Al Khayma Camp

30. Dubai Red Dune Safari with Quad Bike, Sandboard & Camel Ride

What travellers are saying.

• Dubai Red Dunes ATV, Sandsurf, Stargazing & 5* BBQ Al Khayma Camp
• Dubai Dune Bashing, Self-Ride 60min ATV Quad, Camel Ride & Dinner
• Dubai Aladdin Tour: Souks, Creek, Old Dubai and Tastings
• Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandboarding & BBQ Options
• Dubai to Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque & Qasr Al Watan Palace
• Dolphin Bay
• Grand Adventure Tourism Dubai, AE
• Global Tours Dubai
• Legends of Desert
• Extreme Dunes Adventures
• Sahara Adventure Tours & Safari
• Desert Delight Travel & Tourism
• Dubai Desert Dunes
• Dubai journey Tourism
• Navita tours
• Explore Dubai with Gomez & Sandy (private tours only)
• DESERT CRUISER TOURISM LLC
• OceanAir Travels
• Dubai Leisure Holidays LLC
• Dream Nights Tours
• Raptor Tours And Safari
• Seawings Seaplane Tours
• Arabian Expedition
• Big Red Adventure Tours
• Platinum Heritage
• ADT Desert Club Tourism
• Cooper Tourism
• Desert Team Tourism

Top Tours in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai tours.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Dubai Red Dunes ATV, Camels, Stargazing & 5* BBQ Al Khayma Camp

2. Dubai Desert Safari Dune Bashing, 60min ATV Quad, Camel Ride, BBQ

3. Dubai to Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque & Qasr Al Watan Palace

4. Abu Dhabi Private City Tour

5. Dubai Full Day Tour with Entry Ticket to Burj Khalifa at the Top

6. Dubai Marina Yacht Tour with Breakfast or BBQ

7. Private Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner & Sand Boarding

8. Dubai Harbour Super Yacht Experience with Live station & Drinks

9. Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari, Camels, Sandboarding & BBQ Options

10. East Coast Tour from Dubai: Private Khor Fakkan and Fujairah Tour

11. Dubai Aladdin Tour: Souks, Creek, Old Dubai and Tastings

12. The Burj Khalifa At The Top Observation Deck Admission Ticket

13. Private Morning Desert Safari Dubai with Dune Bashing & Sandboard

14. Dubai Premium Dunes Safari, Stargazing, 5* BBQ at Al Khayma Camp

15. Skip the Line Burj Khalifa Ticket - At the Top Sky 124, 125 & 148

16. Private Abu Dhabi City Tour with Pick up from Dubai or Abu Dhabi

17. Dubai Arabian Desert Adventure, BBQ Dinner & Optional ATV

18. Atlantis Aquaventure Ticket (with options for Aquarium), Dubai

19. Souk Madinat Jumeirah Arabian Bazaar Tour with Abra Boat Ride

20. Abu Dhabi Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Dubai with Mosque Visit

21. Dubai Helicopter Experience with Sightseeing Options

22. Dubai Luxury Canal Dinner Cruise with Optional Transfer

23. Full Day Musandam Cruise with Lunch from Dubai

24. Dubai Heritage Land Rover Desert Safari with Traditional Dinner

25. Dubai Jetski: Burj Al Arab, Atlantis the Royal, Atlantis & Palm

26. Half Day Dubai City Sightseeing Tour with Pick up

27. Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner, Quad Bike & Camel Ride from Dubai

28. 90 Minutes Speedboat Tour, Marina, Atlantis, Palm & Burj Al Arab

29. Dubai Overnight Desert Safari, BBQ & Stargazing at Al Khayma Camp

30. Dubai Red Dune Safari with Quad Bike, Sandboard & Camel Ride

What travellers are saying.

• Dubai Red Dunes ATV, Sandsurf, Stargazing & 5* BBQ Al Khayma Camp
• Dubai Dune Bashing, Self-Ride 60min ATV Quad, Camel Ride & Dinner
• Dubai Aladdin Tour: Souks, Creek, Old Dubai and Tastings
• Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandboarding & BBQ Options
• Dubai to Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque & Qasr Al Watan Palace
• Dolphin Bay
• Grand Adventure Tourism Dubai, AE
• Global Tours Dubai
• Legends of Desert
• Extreme Dunes Adventures
• Sahara Adventure Tours & Safari
• Desert Delight Travel & Tourism
• Dubai Desert Dunes
• Dubai journey Tourism
• Navita tours
• Explore Dubai with Gomez & Sandy (private tours only)
• DESERT CRUISER TOURISM LLC
• OceanAir Travels
• Dubai Leisure Holidays LLC
• Dream Nights Tours
• Raptor Tours And Safari
• Seawings Seaplane Tours
• Arabian Expedition
• Big Red Adventure Tours
• Platinum Heritage
• ADT Desert Club Tourism
• Cooper Tourism
• Desert Team Tourism

• Dubai Day Tours
• Dubai Desert Safari Tours
• Dubai Shore Excursions
• Abu Dhabi Sightseeing

Discover Things to Do in Dubai ...

Night Desert Safari with Dune Drive, Camel Ride and BBQ Dinner ..

From Dubai Port, Enjoy Our Full Day Shore Excursion ..

Royal Dinning ?! Try Dubai Marina By Night ...

Top Activities in Dubai

Miracle Garden and Dubai Mall Tour

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Additional Note

Burj Khalifa Tour and Dubai Dawn

Tour on Sale: Dubai City and Desert

Dubai Shore Excursion – Half Day Tour

Dubai Private Tour – Full Day Tour

Dubai Bus Tour

Stopover Dubai 4 Hours Tour

Dubai Night Safari

Dubai Creek Dinner

Welcome to Dubai Day Tours your easy online portal to book the best Dubai tours and travel packages! Dubai Day Tours was founded in 2011 as one of the leading and fastest growing tour operators in Dubai to provide easy travel solutions for Dubai travelers and visitors online. Our online store represents one of the leading MENA destinations management companies, and our team is consisted of local experts to ease your booking process and advises you the best ways ever to enjoy your time at our city!

Our services include a wide collection of the most variety Dubai tours including day tours, stopover packages, desert safari adventures, daily shore excursions besides tour and accommodation packages.

The Dubai tours we do provide cover the most highlighted tourist attractions of Dubai including: Burj Khalifa, Dubai mall, amusement theme parks, desert safari tours, Palm Jumierah, Dubai marina and more decent attraction thorough out private day tours and shared group tours as well.

Our listed Dubai tours offer the best value to money concept by providing a distinct service for very reasonable rates by a team of very experienced travel consultants, customer services agents, skillful drivers and professional tour guides.

Check our listed packages now and find your next adventure in Dubai or contact us online and let our travel consultants team help you to arrange the best tailor made tour packages at your requirements and matching budget. Desert safari tours operates around the day to cover the desert all the time from dawn times to the very late and even camping experience. our Dubai shore excursions collections operates from Dubai port to cover both urban and desert for individuals and for large groups as well. and even for those who have so limited time as airport transit, our Dubai stopovers are designed to meet their needs based on different periods of transit they may have. and in Abu Dhabi, you could check our portal Abu Dhabi Sightseeing for large touring collection in our capital city. Briefly we get pleasure close enough!

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APRIL SALE:   Book now and get   up to 60% off!

Dubai Tours & Trips

Find the right tour for you through Dubai. We've got 225 adventures going to Dubai, starting from just one day in length, and the longest tour is 59 days. The most popular month to go is September, which has the largest number of tour departures.

225 Dubai tour packages with 237 reviews

• Christmas & New Year

Dubai & Abu Dhabi Beach / City Package in 5 Stars Hotels

· LIMOUSINE SERVICES • Hotel Transfers • Airport Transfers • Corporate Transportation & Events • Sporting Events • Wedding services and conferences • Parties • City tours • Inter City Transfers • Round trips all over UAE • Hourly, daily, weekly, monthly & yearly We are operating 24/7 [ Call/WhatsApp +971543687275 ] We strive to provide outstanding quality of limousine services at a reasonable price with high quality.

The UAE Complete - Escorted Tour in 4* Hotels – Full Board Plan

I wish I could give more stars greater than 5. It was a wonderful, exhilarating, amazing experience. It exceeded up and beyond my expectations. Everything was great, the accommodation, food, transportation, varied activities, the knowledgeable tour guide(Ayaz Ahmed), PCR, pick up to and from the airport, and more. I have recommended this tour to my friends who saw our pictures on Facebook. Keep up the good work. Thank you very much. Myrna Amadora Feb. 20-26, 2022

Experience UAE - Escorted Tour in 4 or 5* Hotels

Really good experience, the service from the tour guide, the drivers and online support was great! Totally recommended if you have just a few days to enjoy the country :)

The UAE Essentials - Escorted Tour in 4 Stars Hotels – Full Board Plan

My UAE trip with Grayline UAE was simply amazing. Great tour! The tour guide of Grayline was very knowledgeable and amusing! Driver was equally nice. The visit to the Sheik Zayed mosque, palaces, art gallery and date market were great! The buffet meal provided during the tour was reasonably priced and tasty. I would definitely go on this tour again. Take cash and stick to a budget if you plan to buy anything at the art galleries - they are very persuasive and would make you buy all the stuff in them! And you'll end up buying more than you intend! Great experience! Awesome time spent with Dubai Private Tour!

Discover Dubai and Abu Dhabi

• In-depth Cultural
• Sightseeing

Dazzling Dubai

Tour Guides and Drivers are fine.

Picturesque Dubai And Abu Dhabi Solo Tour

Dubai Luxury Holidays Package 6 Night 7 Days

At the beginning we had some issues with the hotel, after traveling 10h+ from Berlin to Dubai we were tired and arriving to a hotel who cancelled your reservation was a unexpected, however I manage to contact the responsable of the company and after the first complicated night they knew exactly what were they doing, they compensate in so many ways the mistake and at the end we ended up being the happies with this trip, the hotel cold be better, but for the price is totally worth it.

Best of Dubai Tour - 7 Days Luxury Tour

My partner and I recently had the pleasure of booking the "Best of Dubai Tour" with Luxury Holidays Nepal, and it was an incredible experience from start to finish. This 7-day package allowed us to explore the magnificent city of Dubai and its iconic landmarks, all while enjoying top-notch service and seamless organization. From the moment we landed at Dubai International Airport, we were warmly greeted by the company's representative who guided us through a smooth check-in process and provided us with all the necessary information for our trip. The pre-trip meeting was informative, and we felt well-prepared for the adventures that awaited us. Our second day kicked off with a guided Dubai city tour, where we got to witness the city's impressive architecture, vibrant culture, and rich history. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the visit to the Dubai Frame, which offered breathtaking panoramic views of the city. The guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and ensured that we didn't miss any of the city's must-see attractions. On day three, we embarked on an adventure-filled day exploring Dubai Mall, the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Aquarium, and the Underwater Zoo. It was a surreal experience to witness the grandeur of the world's tallest building and get up close and personal with marine life at the aquarium. The company's attention to detail and seamless coordination made this day truly unforgettable. The fourth day was dedicated to the exhilarating Desert Safari, and it exceeded our expectations. Luxury Holidays Nepal provided a comfortable and well-maintained vehicle for the journey, and the dune bashing experience was an absolute thrill. The evening continued with a delightful BBQ dinner under the stars, accompanied by traditional performances that added to the magical ambiance. Our visit to the Dubai Miracle Garden on day five was a feast for the senses. The colorful floral displays were a visual spectacle, and we enjoyed strolling through the beautifully landscaped gardens. The Dhow Cruise Dinner in the evening provided a romantic and enchanting experience, complete with delicious food, live entertainment, and stunning views of the city skyline. Day six was our free and exploration day, allowing us to personalize our experience and visit any attractions we had missed or wished to revisit. The company provided helpful suggestions and recommendations, ensuring we made the most of our time in Dubai. On the final day, Luxury Holidays Nepal facilitated a seamless departure process, arranging for our airport transfer and ensuring our journey back home was as comfortable as possible. Overall, we cannot speak highly enough of our experience with Luxury Holidays Nepal and their "Best of Dubai Tour." The itinerary was well-designed, allowing us to experience the diverse facets of Dubai, from its modern wonders to its cultural heritage. The guides were knowledgeable, professional, and went the extra mile to make our trip memorable. If you're planning a trip to Dubai and want a hassle-free and unforgettable experience, we wholeheartedly recommend booking with Luxury Holidays Nepal. They exceeded our expectations in every aspect, and we look forward to exploring more destinations with them in the future. Thank you, Luxury Holidays Nepal, for an incredible journey that will remain etched in our memories forever!

Dubai and Burj Khalifa - 5 days

This tour was well-run, as described, friendly and efficient. I was lucky in that all the various other people I met on these excursions were really nice, but equally so were the various guides. I happily recommend this company.

Dubai Economy Holidays Package - 06 Nights 07 Days

09-Day Dubai Family Explorer tour

Dubai Honeymoon Escapes - 5 Nights 6 Days

It is a great package to discover Dubai. The tour is well planed and organized, and the guid reply quickly to the questions.

Tailor-Made Private Dubai with Desert Resort & Abu Dhabi, Daily Departure

• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

DUBAI – Skyscrapers Desert Abu Dhabi with Oman Highlights

What people love about dubai tours.

· LIMOUSINE SERVICES • Hotel Transfers • Airport Transfers • Corporate Transportation & Events • Sporting Events • Wedding services and conferences • Parties • City tours • Inter City Transfers • Round trips all over UAE • Hourly, daily, weekly, monthly & yearly We are operating 24/7 [ Call/WhatsApp +971543687275 ] We strive to provide outstanding quality of limousine services at a reasonable price with high quality.

Tour bus audio system wasn't working properly so couldn't hear what tour guide was talking about.

Tours starting from Dubai

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9 Absolute Best Dubai Tours & Excursions (2024)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: March 6, 2024

When we first visited Dubai, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. It turned out to be a beautiful trip with plenty of variation to keep the whole family happy and entertained for 10 days.

Dubai has so much to offer for all types of tourists that it might be overwhelming to know what to see and do first, and especially if you are short on time. So in this post, we are highlighting the very best Dubai tours and guided day trips to help you get the most out of your stay in Dubai.

No matter if you are visiting Dubai for a week or just making a short stopover in Dubai , consider booking at least a few of these tours. It’s the best way to see multiple facets of this extremely diverse city.

This is just a small hand-picked selection of the most popular Dubai tours and activities based on our personal experience, customer reviews, and price/quality ratio. Out of thousands of available tours in Dubai, we chose the very best ones. It should help you to save time and research and get the most out of your time in this fascinating city. Take a look!

Best tours in Dubai:

• Burj Khalifa
• Dubai desert tours
• Water parks
• Dubai city tours
• Dubai Marina dinner cruises
• Sightseeing boat tours
• Camel rides
• Abu-Dhabi day trip from Dubai
• Other more unique activities in Dubai

Good to know: We recommend GetYourGuide for booking all your guided tours in Dubai because they have excellent customer service and the best cancelation policy on the market (better than anything you get if booking through other websites or directly).

In addition, I noticed on our recent trip that by booking via GetYourGuide and choosing to pay in our currency, we saved a lot of money on exchange rates.

These are the best tours in Dubai:

1. Burj Khalifa

If you visit just one place in Dubai, make it Burj Khalifa . This huge tower rising high in the middle of the desert symbolizes all that Dubai has become in such a short time. There are several options for Burj Khalifa tickets, but it’s a very popular attraction so make sure to book in advance.

• Burj Khalifa Tickets: Level 124 & 125 This is the most popular option when it comes to visiting Burj Khalifa – the entrance tickets to the 124th and 125th floors. Prices vary depending on the time of the day you visit (the hour around sunset is the most expensive as it allows you to see Dubai from above in daylight as well as in the dark). We opted for the later tour and night views and loved this experience!
• Burj Khalifa Tickets and Tour: Level 124, 125, and 148 . What makes this tour different from the first one is that you get to skip the lines, avoid the crowds and visit the 148th floor of the Burj Khalifa which includes access to the outdoor terrace of the world’s highest observation deck.

In addition, you also have all kinds of combination tickets that can save you some money and time. Here are some of the best-rated Burj Khalifa combo tours :

• Dubai City Tour with Burj Khalifa Experience .
• Night City Tour with Burj Khalifa Tickets .
• Burj Khalifa Ticket with 1-Way Transfer from Your Hotel . The one-way transfer gives you the flexibility to stay and explore the Dubai Mall area longer after visiting Burj Khalifa. Afterward, you can easily take a metro or a taxi to get back – here you can read more about Dubai public transport .

TIP: Just next to Burj Khalifa are the famous dancing fountains of Dubai . A popular way to see the music and light fountain show is from the water, by taking a traditional boat tour on the lake . We did this on a recent trip to Dubai and the whole family really enjoyed it.

2. Dubai Desert Tours

No visit to Dubai would be complete without a visit to the desert. Dune bashing in a 4WD is one of the most fun experiences you can have in Dubai, but there are so many ways to experience the desert…

From luxury private experiences to more touristy trips including camel rides, BBQ dinner under the stars, or a traditional dance performance… desert tours are a good way to experience a different side of Dubai.

Here are some of the most popular and best-rated Dubai desert tours, including the best Dubai desert safari deals:

• Dubai Red Dunes Premium Safari . This is by far the most popular of Dubai desert safari tours. It’s really catered for mass tourism, but when in Dubai, you have to experience all of this… We all loved the thrilling 4WD drive and the kids truly enjoyed the short camel ride, sandboarding, BBQ dinner, traditional Tanoura and belly dance shows, and all the other activities that came with this tour. There are many companies organizing a very similar tour in Dubai. The tour linked above has the very best customer reviews on all the major websites.
• Desert Adventure Safari, Quad Bike, Camel Ride & more . This is a more adventurous Dubai tour that includes all kinds of fun outdoor activities in the desert.
• Dubai Morning Safari: Red Dunes, Sandboarding & Camel Ride or Quad . This is a shorter version of the above tour (and organized by the same highly-rated tour company). It gives you the best experience of the desert (driving in the dunes) without all the other more tourist-oriented activities that you get in the evening. So if your main interest is to experience the Dubai desert, this might be a great option.
• Dubai Sunrise Balloon Flight with Breakfast & Falcon Photo . This tour offers a more luxurious and truly unique way to experience the Dubai desert. If your budget allows it, I wouldn’t hesitate!

3. Dubai Water Parks

Dubai has two major water parks – the Aquaventure at Atlantis The Palm and Wild Wadi near Burj Al Arab and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel.

The price of the two parks is about the same and I really cannot say which one is better. We visited Aquaventure and loved it. If our kids had been taller, we would have definitely tried both parks (many water slides have 120 cm (a bit less than 4ft) height limit, but there are still really nice water play areas for the younger kids too).

Whatever you decide, make sure to book your tickets in advance as they are much cheaper online than at the entrance of the park.

• Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark .
• Wild Wadi Waterpark .

TIP: It’s worth noting that the entrance to Aquaventure is included for all hotel guests of Atlantis The Palm. If your family really likes waterparks it might be worthwhile looking into booking this hotel. In a less busy season and for families with up to 2 kids this might be a great option. Unfortunately, recently, they really hiked up the prices of the hotel. In any case, it’s worth checking the availability and prices for Atlantis The Palm if you haven’t booked a hotel yet.

TIP: Consider checking the prices for a family stay at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel as well. Guests of this hotel enjoy complimentary access to Wild Wadi Waterpark. The same is true for the guests of Burj Al Arab Hotel , however, this luxury hotel is in a totally different price category…

READ ALSO: Tips & Tricks for Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark

4. Dubai City Sightseeing Tours

While you can see most of Dubai’s attractions individually, taking a city tour is a nice way to see all the main sights in a short time. We did a city tour one day at the beginning of our trip and it gave us a good overview of the city and the places that were potentially worth going back and exploring more.

There are several options for Dubai city tours, ranging from hop-on hop-off busses, guided city tours, and private tours… Some tours focus on the modern city, while some others bring you to the old town, or offer a combination of both…

Old Dubai is so very different than the modern parts most of the tourists visit. If you want to get a taste of more traditional Dubai, the way it was just a few decennia ago, don’t miss it!

Here are some of the best Dubai city tours:

• Old Dubai Culture, History, Souks & Street Food Walking Tour . This is one of the best tours of the historic Dubai. We recently did it and I can say that their itinerary and food choices were great.
• Half-Day Blue Mosque, Creeks & Souks Tour . This tour offers the quickest way to see some of the highlights you’d probably miss otherwise.
• Magical Dubai 8-Hour Tour with Burj Khalifa Experience. Similar tour to the previous one, but it’s longer and also includes tickets to Burj Khalifa and Dubai Aquarium.
• Dubai: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour (1 to 7 Days) . This is a good way to see Dubai at your own pace.

5. Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise

Dubai Marina area is one of our favorites in the city. There are several ways to explore it: on foot, by bicycle, by water bus, or by boat.

The most popular option is the Dubai Marina cruise with dinner .

There are many companies running these tours. And yes, they are oriented toward tourists, but it’s a really nice experience. If you choose well, it may not cost that much more than just a regular dinner at the restaurant (check this post for more information about how much everything costs in Dubai ).

Here are some of the best-rated Dubai Marina tours:

• Dubai Marina Sightseeing Cruise – the most popular option for sightseeing.
• Luxury Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise – the most popular option for dinner.
• Alexandra Dhow Cruise in Dubai Marina is one of the best options we found when looking for a more local experience when we visited. The boat is a traditional Arabic wooden dhow and you get to see a live traditional Tanura dance performance as well. Once again, it’s tailored for tourists, but so is everything in Dubai.

We took this dinner cruise and really enjoyed it. There are many companies offering dhow dinner cruises, but most have really poor ratings. We chose this dinner cruise because of the good reviews and excellent price/quality ratio. It’s also one of the best options for families – kids under 6 travel free, and kids under 12 get a discount.

You can find similar dinner cruises on Dubai Creek as well. But we found that the Dubai Marina area is a much nicer and more spectacular place to be in the evening.

6. Dubai Sightseeing Boat Tours

Many sights of Dubai are best admired from the water. The best way to see the iconic sights like the Burj Al Arab, Atlantis Hotel, and the Palm Jumeirah, is by taking a boat.

Here are some of the best sightseeing boat tours in Dubai:

• Speedboat Tour: Marina, Atlantis, Palm & Burj Al Arab . This is the best-rated speedboat tours in Dubai. It’s a great way to see many landmarks in a short time.
• Dubai Private Sightseeing Tour by Luxury Boat . A highly-rated private luxury boat tour. Depending on the number of people in your group, this luxury option may not be much more expensive than a regular boat tour. Worth taking a look!
• Self-Drive Boat Trip . If you rather combine the thrills of riding your own speedboat and sightseeing, this is a great option for you. And don’t worry about not knowing where to go or how to steer the boat, a guide escorts you all the way.

7. Camel Ride Tours

The above desert tours only include a very short ride on the camel. If you are looking for a longer camel ride in Dubai desert, consider one of these highly-rated options.

However, be sure to check what’s included because longer camel tours are getting replaced by shorter rides.

• Desert Safari with Camel Ride .
• Sunset Camel Trek in the Desert . We opted for this tour on our most recent trip to Dubai and it was great and very well organized. The camel ride itself was long enough to enjoy it without getting too repetitive.

8. Abu-Dhabi Day Trip from Dubai

With a driving distance of just an hour and a half, Abu-Dhabi is a very popular day trip from Dubai. Here are the best-rated and the most popular options:

• Abu Dhabi Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Dubai . This is the most popular/best-rated day tour to Abu-Dhabi.
• Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Mosque Half-Day Tour from Dubai . Great for those who want to see the main landmarks in just a few hours.
• Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi & Grand Mosque Day Trip from Dubai . If you want to visit the Abu-Dhabi Louvre Museum, this tour is the best option.
• Abu-Dhabi Highlights & Ferrari World . Combine a visit to the city with the Ferrari World theme park.

READ ALSO: Abu Dhabi Tour from Dubai (best tours + review of the tour we chose)

9. Other Great Activities in Dubai

Dubai is a truly unique place with so much going on in the city. The tours I listed above are very popular and really worth doing in order to see the best of Dubai. But if you have more time (and money) and are looking for something more extraordinary and unique , then take a look at some of these great activities in Dubai.

• Scenic Helicopter Flight .
• Hot Air Balloon Rides .
• Zip Line across the Marina .
• Parasailing .

So, these are the most popular types of tours and excursions that you can do in Dubai.

It’s really difficult to say which activity was our favorite as they are all so different. As a minimum, I recommend visiting the Burj Khalifa, taking a city tour that brings you to Old Dubai, taking a day trip to the Dubai desert, and at least one water park.

Have you been to Dubai? What were your favorite tours?

READ ALSO: Dubai Travel Tips

More tips for your trip to Dubai:

• Costs: How Expensive is Dubai
• Clothing: What to Wear in Dubai
• How to plan a trip: Dubai Itinerary for up to 1 Week
• Fun facts: Interesting Facts About Dubai
• Getting around: Dubai Public Transport
• Things to do: Free & Cheap Things to Do in Dubai
• With kids: Things to Do in Dubai for the Whole Family
• Where we stayed: Review of DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Beach Hotel

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

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Mike Sagalovich

Monday 22nd of January 2024

Thank you for the great information! We are staying 3 days in Dubai and 3 days in Abu Dhabi. Do you have specific recommendation for Abu Dhabi? Thank you!

Hi Mike, in Abu Dhabi, a few things are must-see: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Royal Palace, and Louvre Abu Dhabi. If visiting with kids, don't miss Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld (there are other parks as well - see Yas Island ticket options). Just like in Dubai, there are also lots of great tours that visit several of the main highlights in a day, plus desert tours, etc. You can find the best selection here. Hope this helps. Have a great trip!

Kathye Jinks

Tuesday 28th of February 2023

Thanks very much for the most informative information. I'm so excited and can't wait to visit Dubai. You have given me so many choices.

Wednesday 1st of March 2023

Glad to help, Kathye. Have a great time in Dubai!

Friday 4th of March 2022

WOW Thank you so much for the information Really interested in all these tours, How do I go about it on getting a guide to make our reservations?

Monday 7th of March 2022

The links to the tours are literally in the post, Gladys. It's really easy and simple to make your own reservations.

Monday 9th of December 2019

Hi!! Im going to Dubai next February 2020 just for five days? Do you recommend to buy tours in advance or can get them in Dubai cheaper?

Thank you for you advice

Tuesday 10th of December 2019

Hi Monica, my experience is that booking tours in advance you always get a better deal. First - you can compare reviews and prices and also tour itineraries and pick one that's best for you. Whereas in the hotel, they often will try to sell you tours where they get the highest commission, not necessarily the best ones. Even once you're at a destination, you can still always book online, and - in most cases - you'll find better deals. Enjoy your trip!

Wednesday 15th of May 2019

I'd like to book a short (4 hour) city tour for my wife and I during a flight layover on 7/12/19

Hi Tom, we are just a travel blog and don't run any tours ourselves. Here is a Dubai layover tour that I think would fit your requirements, just make sure that you indeed have 4-5 hours + time for leaving the airport and getting back. I think that a total layover time of 7-8 hours is about the minimum you need. Hope this helps.

Sea & Water

Desert safari.

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8 Utterly Unmissable Day Trips From Dubai to Try in 2024

Whilst we love Dubai – obviously! – we also love to get beyond the highrises and shopping malls and highly recommend you add a few day trips – even overnight trips to your Dubai itinerary.

Dubai is very central in the United Arab Emirates in terms of its geographic position. Immediately to the west of Dubai, you have the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the largest of the 7 Emirates of the UAE with so much going on, we even have another site just about Abu Dhabi!

Then to the northeast and beyond, you have the other five Emirates, often referred to as the “ northern Emirates “, to explore.  It’s also possible to visit parts of Oman on a day trip – more on that below!

On this page, we share with you our favourite locations that can be easily reached within a day from Dubai but trust us, when you see how much there is to do, you will want to stay a bit a lot longer!

[ Distances are calculated from Downtown Dubai, and timing is subject to traffic ]

Please note: All COVID-19 rules in the UAE, including mask wearing in public, domestic border crossing points and the need to present the Al Hosn pass in certain emirates has now been abolished – more here.

1. Best Dubai Day Trip: Abu Dhabi

Dubai to Abu Dhabi distance: approximately 160km / 1 hour 15 mins

Dubai is often mistaken as the UAE’s capital , but, in fact, it is neighbouring Abu Dhabi that holds this crown. Home to the country’s Federal Supreme Council and President of the UAE, HH Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed al Nahyan, it’s also home to some of the country’s most magnificent architecture and cultural sites.

So many stops that it is challenging to see them all on a Dubai day trip, but here are a few that we recommend you should try to fit into a single-day trip from Dubai:

• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: one of the most stunning buildings in the world, we have a detailed guide on exactly how to visit the Grand Mosque on a day trip from Dubai here . Entry is free for all, but be respectful of prayer times; closed on Fridays until 3:00 PM.
• Qasr al Watan: The Presidential Palace: Home of the Federal Supreme Council and UAE Cabinet meetings, where foreign dignitaries are greeted and offices of the President, Vice President & Prime Minister, and the Crown Prince – a detailed guide here on what to expect inside.
• Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi : Take on the Journey Through Humanity permanent display and many seasonal exhibits in one of the city’s finest modern buildings (closed Mondays) – a detailed visitors guide can be found here .

Top Tip : the Grand Mosque can be pretty packed from mid-morning as this is when most coach tours arrive from Dubai on day trips. If you want the Mosque to yourself, aiming for first thing in the morning (9:00 AM opening but you can arrive earlier) or mid-afternoon may prove much less crowded, this is the huge benefit of taking a private tour from Dubai to Abu Dhabi.

Recommended Day Tours to Abu Dhabi from Dubai

• This best-selling day tour option from Dubai includes a full day trip to the Grand Mosque and the Presidential Palace, as well as the famed Etihad Towers observation deck as part of a shared coach group.
• Short of time? This half-day Grand Mosque-only tour from Dubai includes just your shared coach transfers to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque with plenty of time to look around.
• If you’d prefer to include the Louvre in your itinerary, we’d recommend this Abu Dhabi day tour from Dubai which includes the Grand Mosque and Louvre with English speaking guide.
• For the best Abu Dhabi tour experience, we recommend taking a Private small group tour to Abu Dhabi from Dubai so your itinerary can be as flexible as possible.
• Want to go it alone and save some cash? Check out this neat new service, the Cultural Express, that will take you to the door of the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al Watan for FREE! The schedule lacks flexibility but it can be a great cost-saving (note, it doesn’t include a stop at the Grand Mosque).

If you are seeking to make your own way from Dubai to Abu Dhabi we suggest you read this detailed guide on all your transport options along with this detailed guide to the best Abu Dhabi attractions to plan out your own day trip or overnight trip to the capital.

2. Best Dubai Day Trip: Musandam Peninsula, Oman

Dubai to Khasab distance: 196km / approx 2.5 hours

Transporting you to a whole different country but within reasonable driving distance from Dubai, the “Norway of Arabia” awaits in the Omani exclave of Musandam . Sitting to the northeast of the northern Emirate Ras Al Khaimah, the regional capital of Khasab, Musandam can be easily reached by road – an incredibly picturesque and often breathtaking coastal drive.

From Khasab, there is a small harbour with a plentiful choice of traditional dhow boats and more modern cruising vessels. Sail out to the stunning rocky fjords where the Hajar Mountains that run through the length of Oman and the UAE dramatically end at the Strait of Hormuz.

Dolphin spotting is a favourite activity and in the warmer shoulder season, snorkelling and scuba diving are popular, albeit the better diving is on the eastern coast of the peninsula.

You will want an early start to fit in a full day of fun, and taking an organised day tour, they will help you with the Omani visas and border crossing process. It is possible to hire a car and do it all alone, but first-timers will no doubt appreciate a guide to take you through the Al Darah border crossing point and the formalities involved.

Recommended Day Tours from Dubai to Musandam

• Try this full-day tour from Dubai to Musandam if you’d like assistance all the way with your journey with meet and greet border crossing, dolphin cruise, lunch & snorkelling gear all included.
• If you want to make your own way to Khasab then join this half-day Dolphin Watching Dhow Cruise which includes just your boat tour, snorkeling kits, and snacks with an English-speaking guide.

Your drive to Musandam will also take you on a scenic tour through five of the seven Emirates ! You can see the changing landscapes as you exit the big cities and many interesting stops along the way, such as Al Rams and Dhayah Fort on the way through Ras al Khaimah (more on RAK below!)

Recommended Day Tours from Dubai to Dibba

If you do not want the formality of crossing the border, it’s also possible to take a dhow cruise to a different part of the Musandam coast, coming via Fujairah and the east coast of the UAE to an area known as Dibba.

Your boats here do not need to make a formal land crossing into Oman so no border crossing is required, but you will still be richly rewarded with dramatic coastal views.

• Check out this full-day dhow cruise option from Dibba which includes transfers to Dubai and a full day out on the water with snorkelling and dolphin-spotting opportunities.

Musandam’s raw beauty and isolation are simply breathtaking and make this one of our top picks for nature lovers visiting Dubai.

Top Tip: You get a lot more visitors to Musandam over the local weekend which starts Friday afternoon through to Sunday night. If possible, time your trip for Monday through Thursday for fewer lines at the border.

3. Best Dubai Day Trip: Al Ain

Dubai to Al Ain distance: approximately 130km / 1 hour 30 mins

Sitting to the southwest of Dubai, you will find the Oasis City of Al Ain. With deep historic roots believed to date back to the neolithic period, this is our top-pick day trip for history lovers. You will find the UAE’s only UNESCO World Heritage sites scattered in several locations across the city – a full guide to these sites can be found here .

Much of the country’s more recent history also stems from the township of Al Ain, home town to the country’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al Nahyan , and the birthplace of the second ruler of Abu Dhabi and the UAE, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed al Nahyan .

Well-worth visiting spots include Al Jahili Fort, Qasr al Mawaji, Al Ain National Museum (as of 2019, closed indefinitely for renovations), and the Al Ain Palace Museum (the former Royal homestead).  You may also be fascinated by the supposedly healing hot springs of Al Mubazzarah, at the foot of Abu Dhabi Emirate’s tallest peak Jebel Hafeet.

Those travelling with kids will definitely want to try and squeeze in a trip to the Al Ain Zoo too. The best in the country, the zoo is set on large grounds with many new installations worth of a trip in themselves, including the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre, perfect for history lovers of all ages with lots of interactive displays.

Getting to Al Ain is straightforward by car [though note you are in Abu Dhabi emirate so prevailing domestic border rules will apply ].

You can make the trip to the historic centre in approximately 1.5 hours from Dubai. However, if you plan a trip up the winding road to the top of Jebel Hafeet, add another 40 minutes. You will be rewarded with spectacular views over Al Ain and neighbouring Oman.

Recommended day tours from Dubai to Al Ain

If you are unfamiliar with the UAE roads, joining an organised group to get between the highlights is recommended as the city is well spread out.

• Try this full-day tour option taking in the city’s museums and nature highlights leaving from Dubai.
• If you’d prefer the intimacy of a small private group with more local experiences thrown in, try this private tour to Al Ain with all transfers included and a flexible itinerary.

Al Ain also makes a great stopover point if you are undertaking a Visa Border Run to Oman. Plenty to fill a day but you could fit a lot more into two days as many of the city’s highlights are well spread out.

We have a detailed post here on how to plan your own trip to Al Ain here

4. Best Dubai Day Trip: Ras Al Khaimah

Dubai to Ras al Khaimah distance: approximately 110kms / 1 hour 15 minutes

Ras al Khaimah – affectionately referred to as RAK locally is best known as the UAE’s outdoor adventure playground. The stunning Hajar Mountain range runs through the Emirate and is home to the country’s tallest peak Jebel Jais.

Jebel Jais is an adrenaline junkie’s dream, with plenty of new attractions being added every year. The world’s longest zipline allows you to speed up to 150km/hr 1680m above sea level for nearly 3kms. You can also experience Via Ferrata and the newest additions, the Jebel Jais Sky Tour – 7 different courses over 5kms through the mountains (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays).

Recommended Day tours from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah

• You can try this tour which will pick you up from Dubai and arranges everything for your ziplining experience.
• Experience one of the UAE’s most incredible nature spots Wadi Shawka with a desert tour thrown in including Camel Rock and Fossil Rock.
• If you are seeking something a little more sedate, try this 5-hour private cultural highlights tour around the city of Ras Al Khaimah, including the Museum, Heritage Village, Fish Market, and ghost town (departs from locations in RAK).
• Another favourite for a truly unique cultural experience is heading to the tiny village of Al Rams and taking a tour of the active pearl farm Al Suwaidi Pearls – learn about this treasured part of local culture and see a live pearl diving demonstration.

We do recommend for those on a one week+ Dubai itinerary spare a few nights of their trip for staying up in Ras Al Khaimah. There are plenty of luxury resorts that line the shores of RAK and man-made Marjan Island – see some top accommodation choices in RAK here.

5. Best Dubai Day Trip: Fujairah

Dubai to Fujairah Distance : approx 120kms / 1 hour 15 minutes to Fujairah city

Taking you all the way to the country’s east coast, facing the Gulf of Oman, you will find the Emirate of Fujairah. Steeped in history, it is where you will find some of the country’s most interesting landscapes, from the azure waters and soft sands of Al Aqah to the historic forts and the country’s oldest mosque.

Many like to visit the country’s east coast for its scuba diving and snorkelling opportunities or simply experience a completely contrasting side of the country to Dubai. You may also enjoy visiting some Sharjah exclaves Khorfakkan and Kalba, which also sit on the east coast, surrounded by the Emirate of Fujairah.

Recommended Day Tours to Fujairah from Dubai

• Check out this diving tour to see the Dibba side of Fujairah from the water. All transportation, snorkelling gear and meals/drinks are included for a big day out on the east coast.
• History and beaches in this Dubai to Fujairah day trip which includes a journey through the mountains, Fujairah Heritage Village, Fujairah Fort and the UAE’s oldest mosque.
• Those interested in testing out their scuba diving skills in the UAE will love this day tour from Dubai to Fujairah which includes transfers, a certified instructor along with all your equipment and meals on board.

6. Best Dubai Day Trip: Yas Island Theme Parks

Dubai to Yas Island distance : approximately 115km / 1 hour

Arguably, the UAE’s best theme parks can be found on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, only around 45 minutes from Dubai Marina or an hour from Downtown Dubai down the E11 Freeway, you can easily spend a whole day – or ideally two if you are going to enjoy everything on offer.

The three big theme parks on Yas Island are:

• Yas Waterworld (outdoor water park)
• Ferrari World (indoor adrenaline and Italian-themed park)
• Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi (indoor theme park based on DC Comic characters and Looney Toon favourites)

Stay tuned Yas as will soon also be welcoming a S ea World to this theme park trio.

Each is a top-rated attraction with plenty of thrill rides and entertainment and for large parts of the year, limited lines.

Recommended Day Tours from Dubai to Yas Island

• See shared transfer options from Dubai to Yas Island
• Buy Yas Waterworld Tickets online in advance here (no transfers included) – or if you are staying in Abu Dhabi, you can combine your hotel transfer and Yas Waterworld ticket .
• When you purchase this day tour to Yas Island your Ferrari World Tickets are included, along with your transfers (this can work out cheaper than paying separately for your transfers and tickets).
• Want some culture along with your thrills? Try this Abu Dhabi day tour which includes the Grand Mosque, a drive by Abu Dhabi’s many highlights then finish your day at Ferrari World, Yas Island.
• If you love your motorsports, then perhaps a tour around the Yas Marina Circuit will be your thing, or even better the opportunity to drag your own Chevrolet Camaro around the track is your preferred experience.
• CLYMB Abu Dhabi is also well worth checking out. It has the world’s largest indoor climbing wall, and the largest indoor skydiving centre. It can be found inside Yas Mall, immediately adjacent to Ferrari World.

Top Tip: Yas Island has a small Plaza of hotels and restaurants, as well as the lively Yas Marina area at night and the newly opened Yas Bay entertainment district. It is well worth an overnight trip at least to this adventure-filled island to experience everything on offer.

There’s a good guide here on how to make use of the Yas Island Theme Parks shuttle bus service from Dubai.

7. Best Dubai Day Trip: Hatta

Dubai to Hatta distance: approximately 105km / 1 hour 20 minutes

One of the most exciting newly-developed destinations in the Dubai emirate is the area of Hatta and Hatta Dam . Sitting to the south of Dubai near the Omani border, a large amount of tourism development has been poured into this rugged area of the Dubai Emirate to create a brand new nature playground.

There is so much on offer at this destination, especially for your outdoor enthusiasts; after exploring the heritage village, take on kayaking to mountain biking, and enjoy the adventure sports at Hatta Wadi Hub and the Hatta Jump water park.

For an unforgettable experience extend your stay to be overnight so you can experience one of the Hatta Sedr Trailers Resort . They are limited though so book well in advance, winter season only.

Recommended Day Tours from Dubai to Hatta

• See this full-day tour from Dubai, which takes you through all the major highlights of Hatta with transfers included from your Dubai hotel.
• This Hatta safari day tour provides not just a desert tour away from the city crowds but you’ll also stop at Hatta Dam and one of the more unique local attractions, the Hatta Honey Bee Garden

Top Tip: It gets much busier on the local weekend which is now Friday afternoon through Sunday. Visit mid-week and out of school holidays, it’s beautifully secluded (though do check attraction opening times mid week).

Find all your transport options between Dubai and Hatta here.

8. Best Dubai Day Trip: Dubai Desert

This is a classic suggestion for a Dubai day trip, we couldn’t leave it off a day tours round-up, even if you’re still in the Dubai emirate.

There are all sorts of desert day trips at all different times of the day to suit individual traveller needs. A “ classic desert safari ” will include an element of dune bashing, camel rides, sandboarding and henna painting, followed by a traditional Bedouin feast along with musical and dancing entertainment ( except Ramadan ).

If your focus is on camel riding, we suggest you check out this article on how to get your fill of camel experiences in Dubai – there are plenty of them!

Alternatively, if you’d like a more immersive experience, check out this guide to overnight desert camping experiences.

Recommended Day Tours to the Desert from Dubai

With so many desert safaris available these days, it can be hard to choose between them.

Some of them such as Platinum Heritage are premium tour providers. Their focus is on the desert itself and connecting with the environment. You will enjoy vintage Landrovers taking you sedately through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve , falconry displays and traditional food, both day and evening tours are available.

Alternatively, some camps and day tours are set up very specifically with the needs of adrenaline junkies in mind. Your local driver will know his dunes back to front and find the most thrilling path into the camp, followed by options at your camp to hire dune buggies, fat bikes and sandboards to explore the dunes differently.

These are our top picks for Dubai desert day tours to try:

• This Al Khayma Premium Red Dunes and Camel Safari tour is one of the most booked in Dubai for a reason – enjoy dune bashing, sandboarding, camel riding and camel feeding, with falconry and a traditional dinner. Always highly rated and deliver on customer service.
• Early starter? This Morning desert safari with Camel Riding & Sandboarding (plus optional quad biking ) might be the best choice for you.
• On a budget, one of the best value evening desert safari and BBQ options includes your pickups and dune bashing, with add-on activities possible.
• See our complete guide here to tours focused on Dune Buggy and adrenaline experiences in the Dubai desert .

For an absolutely unique and unforgettable Dubai experience, we recommend you try hot air ballooning at dawn above the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve:

• Try this sunrise balloon ride with breakfast and falconry show – including your transfers to and from central Dubai.
• Or combine hot air ballooning with a camel trek & quad biking adventure an Arabic breakfast is included before transfers back to your Dubai hotel after an action-packed start to the day!

Whenever you are headed into the desert, we always recommend trainers are a more practical option than sandals or flip flops – they will, of course, fill with sand too but you’ll find it easier to walk about. Don’t forget sunscreen and a hat any time of year visiting Dubai – you can see our full Dubai desert checklist here!

W e always recommend visitors to Dubai to leave plenty of time to take in the highlights in the other Emirates as well.  Much of the natural beauty and culture of the country and region lies far beyond the city. 

If you’d prefer to make your own way around the Emirates to experience some of these highlights, we recommend you head over to our guide to driving in Dubai . Understand more about driving conditions, car rental options and whether self-drive is the better option for you.

If you’re interested in hiring a driver for a set number of hours, try a service such as GetTransfer . Drivers can bid on your journey making it highly competitive and at a fixed price for all-day convenience, which you may not find with a group tour.

Before you go… More important things you should know when planning a trip to Dubai

• Pop into our essential planning information page, it includes everything you need to know about getting around Dubai , a handy guide on what to pack , and top tips for first-timers on the do’s and don’ts, laws, and customs to be aware of.
• Check out this incredible list of 150+ places you should visit when you’re in Dubai .
• Pick up a Dubai Pass from iVenture or a Go City Dubai Pass to save up to 50% on top Dubai attractions.
• Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance !!!
• Discover the best areas to stay in Dubai , or bag a bargain on your accommodation here:

Take me back to the Dubai Travel Blog

Please note we are not a travel agency. This site is a travel blog to help newcomers to the UAE and transit passengers self plan their trip, we cannot book your flights, hotels, visas or connections for you. We may make a small commission if you click on any of our recommendation links . Dubai Travel Planner

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Hot Oceans Worsened Dubai’s Dramatic Flooding, Scientists Say

An international team of researchers found that heavy rains had intensified in the region, though they couldn’t say for sure how much climate change was responsible.

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By Raymond Zhong

Scenes of flood-ravaged neighborhoods in one of the planet’s driest regions stunned the world this month. Heavy rains in the United Arab Emirates and Oman submerged cars, clogged highways and killed at least 21 people. Flights out of Dubai’s airport, a major global hub, were severely disrupted.

The downpours weren’t a total surprise — forecasters had anticipated the storms several days earlier and issued warnings. But they were certainly unusual.

Here’s what to know.

Heavy rain there is rare, but not unheard-of.

On average, the Arabian Peninsula receives a scant few inches of rain a year, although scientists have found that a sizable chunk of that precipitation falls in infrequent but severe bursts, not as periodic showers. These rains often come during El Niño conditions like the ones the world is experiencing now.

U.A.E. officials said the 24-hour rain total on April 16 was the country’s largest since records there began in 1949 . And parts of the nation had already experienced an earlier round of thunderstorms in March.

Oman, with its coastline on the Arabian Sea, is also vulnerable to tropical cyclones. Past storms there have brought torrential rain, powerful winds and mudslides, causing extensive damage.

Global warming is projected to intensify downpours.

Stronger storms are a key consequence of human-caused global warming. As the atmosphere gets hotter, it can hold more moisture, which can eventually make its way down to the earth as rain or snow.

But that doesn’t mean rainfall patterns are changing in precisely the same way across every part of the globe.

In their latest assessment of climate research , scientists convened by the United Nations found there wasn’t enough data to have firm conclusions about rainfall trends in the Arabian Peninsula and how climate change was affecting them. The researchers said, however, that if global warming were to be allowed to continue worsening in the coming decades, extreme downpours in the region would quite likely become more intense and more frequent.

Hot oceans are a big factor.

An international team of scientists has made a first attempt at estimating the extent to which climate change may have contributed to April’s storms. The researchers didn’t manage to pin down the connection precisely, though in their analysis, they did highlight one known driver of heavy rain in the region: above-normal ocean temperatures.

Large parts of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans have been hotter than usual recently, in part because of El Niño and other natural weather cycles, and in part because of human-induced warming .

When looking only at El Niño years, the scientists estimated that storm events as infrequent as this month’s delivered 10 percent to 40 percent more rain to the region than they would in a world that hadn’t been warmed by human activities. They cautioned, however, that these estimates were highly uncertain.

“Rainfall, in general, is getting more extreme,” said Mansour Almazroui, a climate scientist at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and one of the researchers who contributed to the analysis.

The analysis was conducted by scientists affiliated with World Weather Attribution, a research collaboration that studies extreme weather events shortly after they occur. Their findings about this month’s rains haven’t yet been peer reviewed, but are based on standardized methods .

The role of cloud seeding isn’t clear.

The U.A.E. has for decades worked to increase rainfall and boost water supplies by seeding clouds. Essentially, this involves shooting particles into clouds to encourage the moisture to gather into larger, heavier droplets, ones that are more likely to fall as rain or snow.

Cloud seeding and other rain-enhancement methods have been tried around the world, including in Australia, China, India, Israel, South Africa and the United States. Studies have found that these operations can, at best, affect precipitation modestly — enough to turn a downpour into a bigger downpour, but probably not a drizzle into a deluge.

Still, experts said pinning down how much seeding might have contributed to this month’s storms would require detailed study.

“In general, it is quite a challenge to assess the impact of seeding,” said Luca Delle Monache, a climate scientist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, Calif. Dr. Delle Monache has been leading efforts to use artificial intelligence to improve the U.A.E.’s rain-enhancement program.

An official with the U.A.E.’s National Center of Meteorology, Omar Al Yazeedi, told news outlets that the agency didn’t conduct any seeding during the latest storms. His statements didn’t make clear, however, whether that was also true in the hours or days before.

Mr. Al Yazeedi didn’t respond to emailed questions from The New York Times, and Adel Kamal, a spokesman for the center, didn’t have further comment.

Cities in dry places just aren’t designed for floods.

Wherever it happens, flooding isn’t just a matter of how much rain comes down. It’s also about what happens to all that water once it’s on the ground — most critically, in the places people live.

Cities in arid regions often aren’t designed to drain very effectively. In these areas, paved surfaces block rain from seeping into the earth below, forcing it into drainage systems that can easily become overwhelmed.

One recent study of Sharjah , the capital of the third-largest emirate in the U.A.E., found that the city’s rapid growth over the past half-century had made it vulnerable to flooding at far lower levels of rain than before.

Omnia Al Desoukie contributed reporting.

Raymond Zhong reports on climate and environmental issues for The Times. More about Raymond Zhong