Most interesting places to visit outside of Dubai

Most tourists arrive in Dubai on holiday and don't go outside of the city during their stay. This is a big loss! The United Arab Emirates is a large and beautiful country that doesn't stop at Dubai. There are so many places of interest in the Emirates that it is difficult to see them all during one holiday. Find out about the most interesting places and tourist attractions outside Dubai.

What do you find in the article?

• The best places to visit in the United Arab Emirates - list
• Day trips from Dubai
• Local attractions around Dubai
• Trips to the most interesting places outside Dubai
• Questions and answers (FAQs)

Dubai has plenty of fantastic tourist attractions. They don't all have to be expensive! During your holiday, you can visit one of the 10 tourist attractions in Dubai for under 100 Arabian dirhams.

The best places to visit in the United Arab Emirates - list

1. Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and the cultural hub of the country. This is where the largest number of Emiratis live with their families, where they go to museums and parks, where their real lives are lived. In Abu Dhabi you can visit the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Qasr Al Watan, the remarkable Presidential Palace. The city is also home to the Emirates Palace, arguably one of the most luxurious hotels in the world. You can explore all the highlights of Abu Dhabi on a full-day Abu Dhabi tour with English guide

2. Hatta

Hatta is an inland exclave of the emirate of Dubai and a unique region, located in the Al-Hajar mountains on the border of the United Arab Emirates and Oman. It is a unique place with beautiful nature, a huge lake with water attractions, restaurants and family facilities, as well as historical monuments. Traditional sites in the UAE include, for example, the Hatta Heritage Village. This is an open-air museum that takes visitors back to a time before the United Arab Emirates was founded. The village has been carefully restored and provides a glimpse into the life and culture of the region's former inhabitants.

3. Dubai desert

The sand of the Dubai desert is a symbol of the magic and beauty of the Arab world. One of the largest sandy deserts in the world offers an incredible adventure. You can drive sporty jeeps through the dunes, admire wonderful sunsets and take atmospheric photos, eat delicious BBQ in a Bedouin village and feel the true atmosphere of the desert. You can make trips to the Dubai desert a reality by purchasing a Dubai Desert Safari

4. Musandam in Oman

Musandam is a semi-island of Oman, located on the Strait of Hormuz. It is separated from the rest of the country by the territory of the United Arab Emirates. It is a unique region with spectacular fjords, turquoise waters and breathtaking views. A trip to Musandam is ideal for taking a fresh breath away from the urban jungle of Dubai. You can book a day trip to Musandam in Oman from 63 EUR.

5. Jebel Jais Mountain

Jebel Jais is a mountain located on the border of the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Its highest point is in Oman and reaches 1,925 metres above sea level, while its point at 1,910 metres above sea level is the highest point in the United Arab Emirates. The summit offers an incredible view of the Al-Hajar mountains and the UAE and Omani landscape.

6. Al Ain

Al Ain is a city in the east of the United Arab Emirates, right on the border with Oman. It is the fourth largest city in the country. It is a cultural centre and an oasis in the middle of the desert. Many well-known UAE citizens were born here, such as the first and second presidents of the UAE, Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

7. Sharjah

Sharjah is a city and emirate north of Dubai. It is the most conservative emirate in the United Arab Emirates. Very traditional, peaceful and interesting. Sharjah is still governed by Sharia law. It is still a growing region, encompassing the city of Sharjah, many smaller towns and a sizeable desert. Many workers from Dubai live in the city of Sharjah.

Day trips from Dubai

Where to go on a day trip from Dubai? The seven destinations listed above are ideal suggestions for day trips from Dubai. Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, Hatta, Dubai Desert,. Musandam in Oman - you can book one separate day for each of these attractions during your holiday.Only the ascent of Jebel Jais mountain and the tour of Ras Al-Khaimah emirate may take you longer. The optimal time to visit this place is 2-3 days.

Local attractions around Dubai

What attractions can you visit around Dubai? For a trip to the attractions around Dubai, you can head to the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Reserve. This is a unique place on the outskirts of the city where dozens of species of migratory birds and many species of fish and mammals settle. You may see birds such as white egrets, reef herons and cormorants there. If you crave peace and quiet on the beach, head to Jebel Ali beach in Dubai. It's a tranquil beach in the south of the city at the Jebel Ali Palm with majestic views, golden sand and an aura of tranquillity. If you want a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, then you can head into the desert and relax at the oasis at Al Qudra Lakes. This is the perfect place to enjoy sunsets over the desert, watch animals such as flamingos, swans and desert foxes in their natural habitat, and enjoy delicious meals at the local food trucks. This place is a few dozen kilometres from Dubai, so tourists rather rarely make it here. For the most part, those who come to the Al Quadra Lakes are locals who want to experience a moment of relaxation and tranquillity away from the city's skyscrapers.

Trips to the most interesting places outside Dubai

It's not just Dubai that has amazing tourist attractions in the UAE. The UAE is a beautiful country made up of many disparate emirates. There's something for everyone in each of these destinations: cultural experiences outside of Dubai can be found in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, great fun in the Dubai desert and Oman. Planning an unforgettable holiday of a lifetime? Not sure where to look for local attractions outside Dubai? Book the best tours outside Dubai at Two Continents.

Questions and answers (FAQs)

• What are the most interesting places to visit outside Dubai?
  
   

For the most interesting tours from Dubai, you can go to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates and the cultural centre of the country, Sharjah, which is the most traditional and conservative emirate in the UAE, and Hatta, a beautiful exclave of Dubai with wonderful nature and family attractions.
 

• What day trips from Dubai are recommended?
  
   

The best day trips from Dubai are a full-day tour of Abu Dhabi, with the Grand Mosque and the Presidential Palace, a full-day trip to Musandam in Oman to experience the great fun of water activities, and a trip to the Dubai desert, where you can jump around the dunes in sporty jeeps and have dinner in a real Bedouin camp.
 

• What to see close to Dubai?
  
   

Nearby Dubai is worth seeing neighbouring emirates such as Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, as well as the vast sandy desert of Ar-Rab al-Khali in Dubai, where you'll see endless sand dunes, wild desert life and the most beautiful sunsets in the world.
 

Go outside of Dubai and experience the beauty of the United Arab Emirates! Buy trips outside Dubai to Abu Dhabi, Hatta or Oman at Two Continents.