day tours in dubai

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 to Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque & Qasr Al Watan Palace

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

4. Abu Dhabi Private City Tour

5. Dubai Marina Yacht Tour with Breakfast or BBQ

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

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

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

9. Skip The Line : Atlantis Lost Chambers Aquarium

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. Dubai: Premium Red Dunes, Camel Ride & 5* BBQ at Al Khayma Camp

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

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. Full Day Musandam Cruise with Lunch from Dubai

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

19. Dubai Helicopter Experience with Sightseeing Options

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

21. Half Day Dubai City Sightseeing Tour with Pick up

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

23. Dinner In The Sky Dubai - Lunch or Dinner with Transfers Option

24. Dubai Luxury Canal Dinner Cruise with Optional Transfer

25. Dubai Heritage Land Rover Desert Safari with Traditional Dinner

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

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 Red Dune Safari with Quad Bike, Sandboard & Camel Ride

30. Dubai Old and Modern City Tour with Blue Mosque Visit

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

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 to Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque & Qasr Al Watan Palace

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

4. Abu Dhabi Private City Tour

5. Dubai Marina Yacht Tour with Breakfast or BBQ

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

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

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

9. Dubai Desert Dune Bashing, ATV, Camel Ride, Sandboarding, BBQ

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. Dubai: Premium Red Dunes, Camel Ride & 5* BBQ at Al Khayma Camp

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

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

16. Dubai Miracle Garden and Global Village Combo Tickets

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

18. Full Day Musandam Cruise with Lunch from Dubai

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

20. Dubai Helicopter Experience with Sightseeing Options

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

22. Half Day Dubai City Sightseeing Tour with Pick up

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

24. Dubai Luxury Canal Dinner Cruise with Optional Transfer

25. Dubai Heritage Land Rover Desert Safari with Traditional Dinner

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

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 Red Dune Safari with Quad Bike, Sandboard & Camel Ride

30. Dubai Old and Modern City Tour with Blue Mosque Visit

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

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Dubai Creek Dinner

Dubai Bus Tour

Dubai Night Safari

Burj Khalifa Tour and Dubai Dawn

Stopover Dubai 4 Hours Tour

Tour on Sale: Dubai City and Desert

Miracle Garden and Dubai Mall Tour

Dubai Shore Excursion – Half Day Tour

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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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

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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.

• UAE Tours and Trips
• Dubai 1-Day Tours And Trips

Dubai 1-Day Tours and Itineraries

We sell 49 great 1-Day Dubai trips and itineraries in 2024/2025. Our itineraries and tours in Dubai are offered by some of the best UAE tour agencies. You can look forward to providing you with an excellent Dubai 1-Day itinerary.

• UAE Travel Guide

49 Trips in Dubai with 5 Reviews

• Starts Dubai, UAE
• Ends Dubai, UAE

Burj Khalifa At the Top - Sky Ticket (Level 125 + 148)

• Trip customizable
• Best price guaranteed
• Tour Type Group Tour
• Activities Sightseeing Tours
• Accommodation No Accommodation
• Age Range 1-79 yrs
• Operated in English
• View More Jan 1, 2019 Jan 2, 2019 Jan 3, 2019

Dubai Private Sightseeing Boat Tour

• Free cancellation
• Tour Type Private Tour
• Activities Sailing, yachting and motor boating
• Age Range 2-79 yrs

Full Day Abu Dhabi Tour with Lunch

• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites
• Age Range 5-79 yrs

Dubai Desert Dune Safari with BBQ Dinner

• Activities Adventure & Desert safaris Adventure , Desert safaris & Dune Bashing 'data-more-tripid='6539'>+1 more

99 Min - Premium Sightseeing Dubai Tour + Burj Al Arab

• Age Range 5-99 yrs

Dubai Private Tour with Ticket to Burj Khalifa

• Operated in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

'At The Top' 124th Floor - Burj Khalifa Entrance Ticket

• Age Range 1-99 yrs

Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise

• Activities Cruise

Scuba Diving Experience with BBQ Lunch

• Tour Type Small Group Tour
• Activities Scuba diving
• Operated in Arabic, English

Dubai By Night with Burj Khalifa tickets

• Operated in English, French, German

Dubai city tour with burj khalifa tickets

• Activities Sightseeing Tours & City sightseeing

Dubai Desert Safari incl. Dinner

• Activities Sightseeing Tours & Desert safaris Sightseeing Tours , Desert safaris & Dune Bashing 'data-more-tripid='968'>+1 more

75 Min - The Atlantis Sightseeing Boat Tour Dubai Marina

• Activities Sailing, yachting and motor boating & Sightseeing Tours

Snorkeling trip with BBQ lunch

• Activities Snorkeling

Traveling to UAE for 1 day? Chat with a local travel specialist in UAE who can help organize your trip.

Dubai 1-Day Tour Reviews

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9 of the best day trips from Dubai: culture, wildlife, and adventure

Jan 13, 2022 • 6 min read

From cultural sites to incredible outdoor adventures, here are the best day trips from Dubai © Walter Bibikow / Getty Images

If you've already tackled the best things to do in Dubai , how about exploring some of the neighboring emirates? You’ll find everything from mosques and museums to mountain bike trails and ziplines within day-trip distance.

Here are the best places to discover from  Dubai  in a day.

It takes just 90 minutes to get to Abu Dhabi from Dubai

With its onion-shaped domes and glowing white marble, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is a must-see. Located 90 minutes from Downtown Dubai, the mosque runs free tours that take place daily, except during Friday prayers. Over on Saadiyat Island, the Louvre Abu Dhabi is an essential stop for art and architecture aficionados . Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, the building is as much of a draw as the 600 artworks on display.

How to get to Abu Dhabi from Dubai: A taxi costs around Dhs200 ($55) each way. You can also catch a public bus (route E100 or E101) for Dhs28 ($7) one way.

Mleiha is home to an important archaeological site 

Located in Sharjah's central region, Mleiha is one of the most important archaeological sites in the United Arab Emirates . The Mleiha Archaeological Centre details the history of the region from the Paleolithic era and offers guided tours of the Bronze Age tombs and pre-Islamic forts. Feeling adventurous? Explore the wild beauty of the desert during a guided trek, a 4WD tour or a fat bike tour, or paraglide from one of Mleiha’s tallest peaks.

How to get to Mleiha from Dubai: Mleiha is 47 miles (75km) east of Dubai. You can rent a car, or check with the archaeological center in advance to see if return transport is available.

Hatta is perfect for outdoor adventure

Backed by the craggy Hajar Mountains, the picturesque Dubai exclave of Hatta is made for outdoor adventure. The Hatta Mountain Bike Trail Centre has 31 miles (50km) of graded single-track trails, and you can rent bikes from Adventure HQ . For walkers, a 5.5 mile (9km) trail sets off from near the camping area, continuing past Hatta Heritage Village to the artificial Hatta Dam. Here, you can rent kayaks and pedalos to cruise the turquoise waters.

How to get to Hatta from Dubai: You can rent a car to drive to Hatta, 84 miles (135km) southeast of Dubai, or take the E16 bus.

Sharjah is a cultural hub, packed with museums and galleries

Just 18 miles (30km) from Downtown Dubai, Sharjah city is known as the cultural capital of the UAE and for good reason, with more than 20 museums and galleries. Start at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization , which displays more than 5000 artifacts from the Muslim world, and then wander down to the Sharjah Heritage Museum for an insight into Emirati culture. A 10-minute stroll away, Sharjah Art Museum is a must for fans of contemporary Arab art.

How to get to Sharjah from Dubai: A taxi costs around Dhs90 ($24.50) each way. There are several public bus routes that go in that direction too (E303, E303A, E304, E306, E307 or E107A), which costs Dhs10 ($2.75).

Visit the Unesco World Heritage-listed oasis in Al Ain

Filled with more than 147,000 date palms, the Unesco World Heritage-listed Al Ain Oasis was once a vital stop on the caravan route crisscrossing the Arabian Peninsula. You can stroll the shaded walkways, see how the ancient falaj (irrigation) network carries water to the palms and visit the hi-tech eco-center. Stop by Al Ain Palace Museum , where Sheikh Zayed once held court, and the photogenic Al Jahili Fort , built in 1891 to defend the city’s precious plantations.

How to get to Al Ain from Dubai: Al Ain is located in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, around 95 miles (150km) southeast of Dubai. Public bus E201 runs between Dubai and Al Ain's bus station and takes 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Kalba is the perfect day trip for wildlife watching

This east coast exclave of Sharjah is a great place to see some of Arabia’s elusive wildlife. Keen birdwatchers should bring their binoculars, as Khor Kalba’s mangroves are an important habitat for the beautiful white-collared kingfisher. On the outskirts of the city, Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre is home to critically endangered Arabian leopard, Arabian wolf, tahr and desert lynx. At the nearby Kalba Bird of Prey Centre , free-flying demonstrations take place twice a day in the outdoor amphitheater (except Mondays).

How to get to Kalba from Dubai: Kalba is 80 miles (130km) east of Dubai, so rent a car to get there and around.

Take a road trip to Jebel Jais, the UAE's tallest peak

The starkly beautiful Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah is the UAE’s tallest peak at 6345ft (1934m). To enjoy the area’s craggy charms, take a scenic drive up the wickedly winding mountain road. There are rest stops along the route, and the viewing deck at 4100ft promises even more phenomenal views. If you're after an adrenaline rush in RAK, you can launch from the Jebel Jais Flight Zip Line , the world's longest, which reaches speeds of up to 95mph (150km/h). You could also tackle the half-mile-long Jebel Jais Via Ferrata , a four-hour experience that includes three thrilling ziplines of its own.

How to get to Jebel Jais from Dubai: You’ll need to rent a car to get to Jebel Jais, which is 100 miles (160km) northeast of Dubai.

Go diving or snorkeling in the waters near Fujairah

Stretching along the Gulf of Oman, Fujairah has better visibility and more diverse marine life than the waters off Dubai. Roughly 350ft (100m) offshore at Al Aqah, Snoopy Island is popular with snorkelers, thanks to schools of clownfish and regular turtle sightings. Local dive centers offer shore dives and boat trips to popular sites such as Dibba Rock, Coral Gardens and various wrecks.

How to get to Fujairah from Dubai: Al Aqah is 100 miles (165km) northeast of Dubai. Rent a car or check whether the dive centers include transport from Dubai in their packages.

Cruise the inlets of Oman's Musandam Peninsula

Dubbed "the Norway of Arabia," the Omani exclave of Musandam is famous for its fjord-like inlets and aquamarine waters. Numerous companies offer cruises aboard traditional wooden dhows, with dolphin sightings all but guaranteed. Tours typically include round-trip transport and a buffet lunch, with plenty of time for swimming and snorkeling. Boats depart from Dibba on the east coast or Khasab at the northern tip of the peninsula, with the latter offering more spectacular scenery.

This day trip from Dubai requires some advance planning. If you're planning to go to Dibba, know that you cannot enter the Omani side of Dibba (Dibba Al Baya) as an independent traveler. All people entering here need to have a free permit, which is provided by any of Dibba Al Baya's tour operators when you make a booking. The process is exceedingly easy for those on UAE tourist visas. When booking your activities, email a copy of your passport photo page and UAE entry stamp page to the tour operator; they will then organize the permit and meet you at the border with it in hand.

How to get to the Musandam Peninsula from Dubai: Dibba is less than two hours' drive from Dubai, while Khasab is three hours each way. Check Oman's visa requirements before you go.

You might also like: 25 best things to do in Dubai    Best things to do with kids in Dubai    Top 7 beaches in Dubai   

This article was first published Dec 7, 2017 and updated Jan 13, 2022.

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Home » Travel Guides » United Arab Emirates » 15 Best Day Trips from Dubai

15 Best Day Trips from Dubai

Dubai is among the seven emirates that come together to form the UAE. The city is welcoming and gives tourists a chance to connect with a wide range of experiences. This independent city-state is filled with magnificent, world-class tourist destinations. Most visitors come here to shop and discover the wide array of ancient and modern sites.

The city’s energy is quite fascinating; during the day, shoppers throng the various malls, while at night, tourists are completely spoilt for choice thanks to the party spectrum that caters to all ages. However, even the most dedicated city slickers need a break from the bustling city center every once in a while. If you are looking for ideas for perfect day trips from Dubai, check out our list of 15 destinations that are worth exploring.

1. Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is UAE’s capital. It’s also the largest of the seven emirates of the UAE. This city is located along the Persian Gulf on an island that has a T-shape.

Abu Dhabi is located about 90 minutes from downtown Dubai. It is a wonderful mix of classic and modern Arab architecture.

The newly opened Louvre is a highlight for anyone visiting Abu Dhabi. This cultural spot is totally beautiful and houses impressive pieces of art. Louvre is located on Saadiyat Island.

If you have some time left, you can squeeze in a trip to the Emirates Palace and the Etihad Towers. These not only offer stunning city views but are also great photo opportunities.

Recommended tour : Abu Dhabi Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Dubai

2. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

This mosque is located about 132 kilometers from Dubai. It is the largest mosque in the country and one of the world’s most visually stunning landmarks. Built in honor of the country’s first president, it is also here that he was laid to rest. The mosque was built between 1996 and 2007 – the actual building covers an area of 12 hectares.

This mosque incorporates 82 domes and is decked out with lavish helpings of marble, ceramic-work, and gold. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has seven absolutely gorgeous crystal chandeliers and is home to the world’s largest carpet; this was woven by 1,200 carpet weavers.

The mosque’s decorations are a combination of Fatimid, Mamluk, and Ottoman styles; all these are symbols of the periods when the Arabic empires ruled.

If you’re non-Muslim, you don’t need to worry; you can also enter to admire the stunning architecture; however, women should be dressed in the right attire.

3. Musandam Peninsula

This peninsula is located 194 kilometers from Dubai. On this day trip to the “Norway of Arabia,” you should not forget your passport because this destination is in fact in a different country.

The Musandam Peninsula is the regional capital of Khasab, a small fishing village that has utterly stunning views. This peninsula provides a peaceful antidote to the city’s buzz. Musandam’s raw beauty comprises of incredibly steep mountains that plunge into the waters, resembling the Norwegian fiords.

To explore the Musandam Peninsula thoroughly, you need to take a cruise from Khasab. Expect to spot some dolphins on your ride.

Suggested tour : Musandam Dibba Full-Day Cruise with Lunch

4. Al Fujairah

Fujairah is another one of the seven emirates that make up the UAE and is located approximately 167 kilometers from Dubai. This Emirate became independent in the year 1952 and is the youngest of all the Emirates; its capital is Fujairah City.

If you’re looking for a day trip that combines nature with history lessons, the Al Fujairah is the perfect destination just for that.

Just outside the capital, there is the Fujairah Fort, which functioned as a military post in the 16th Century. Nearby, there is the reconstructed Fujairah Heritage Village, which shows how the locals lived in the past.

5. Palm Islands

The artificial Palm Islands comprise of the Jumeirah, Jebel Ali, and the Deira. Their creation started in the year 2001 at the request of UAE’s prime minister. A decade later, only Palm Jumeirah was completely created. Jumeirah Island is connected to the mainland using a monorail.

The Palm Islands resemble a palm tree that is topped by a crescent-shaped island. These man-made islands were created by the process of land reclamation and have added about 520km of beaches to the city.

These offshore islands are Dubai’s most unique and boldest megaprojects. They are often referred to as the 8th wonder of the world. All the archipelagos used up more than 53 million pounds of sand and about 12million pounds of rock.

The name “Al Ain” means “The Spring” in Arabic. This city is also known as the Garden City of the Gulf, thanks to its green landscape. Al Ain is located in Abu Dhabi, about 130 kilometers from Dubai, on the border with Oman.

If you are a culture lover and want to learn about the country’s past, Al Ain will make a great day trip from Dubai. This lush oasis is where Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan spent much of his life. This means that this city has a lot of historical roots.

Some highlights of the trip are the Al Ain Palace and the Al Ain National Museums. The palace museum was constructed in 1937 and opened to the public in 2001.

Human settlement on this oasis – which has been listed as UNESCO site – dates back to the Stone Age.

7. Ferrari World

Ferrari world was opened on 4th November 2010 and sits 112 kilometers from Dubai. The park’s foundation stone was laid on 3rd November 2007.

The enormous theme park covers 86,000 square meters.

This massive theme park comprises of Formula 1 race courses, Flying Aces, and roller coaster slides. If you long for the ultimate Ferrari driving experience, it’s about time you made a trip to this amusement park. The Formula Rosso ride is the world’s fastest roller coaster; it goes from 0 to 240km/hr and gives you the thrill of the real Formula 1 racer experience.

Available tour : From Dubai: Abu Dhabi Day Tour with Ferrari World Ticket

8. Jumeirah Archeological Site

The Jumeirah Site is a historical archeological area that is located between Jumeirah and Al-Wasl road. These ruins date back to the 9th and the 11th Century.

Back in the day, the site functioned as a stopover for the caravan of traders who traveled between Oman and Iraq. This site is now a major attraction, bringing in tourists, researchers, historians and archeologists from all walks of life.

When the site was excavated in 1969, ancient treasures such as bronze coins, plate ware, and pottery jugs were found. This collection is on display inside the Dubai Museum.

9. Umm al Qaywayn

Umm al Qaywayn is also spelled as Umm al Qaiwain. This constituent emirate of the UAE is located on the Arabian Peninsula and faces the Persian Gulf. Umm al Qaywayn is located about 57km from Dubai and about 171km from the country’s capital, Abu Dhabi.

Umm al Qaywayn is the 2nd smallest and the least populous of all the seven emirates. The emirate has a triangular shape with an extremely irregular coastline; it has multiple small inlets, offshore islets, and spits.

Unlike most of its neighbors, this emirate’s economy does not rely on oil; no deposits have been found here. Its revenue is dependent upon tourism, fishing, and pearl diving.

10. Wadi Adventure Park

This adventure park is located approximately 153 kilometers from Dubai, in the arid zone of Al Ain.

If you would like to get away from the Dubai heat, visit the Wadi Adventure Park and cool down as you relax.

Bring your whole family to the park; there are lots of activities that you can all participate in, such as surfing, kayaking, swimming, and zip lining.

Skip the line : Wild Wadi Waterpark Full-Day Skip-the-Line Ticket

11. Sharjah

Sharjah is located 20 kilometers from Dubai. Due to its proximity to Dubai and thanks to the lower cost of living, most people working in Dubai prefer to reside in Sharjah. For this reason, you might get stuck in traffic if you find yourself on the roads at rush hour.

Sharjah is the only one of the seven emirates that has a coastline on both the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf.

In this city, both the sale and the consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. One needs to have an alcohol license. The city also takes its decency laws very seriously. Both men and women should not expose their knees, backs, or bellies.

12. Ras Al Khaimah City

This city is also referred to as Julfar and is located 94 kilometers from Dubai. It is another one of the emirates making up the UAE.

“Ras Al Khaimah” directly translates to “top of the small huts.” In this area, there are many huts along the coastal region; these were the area’s indigenous settlements.

Ras Al Khaimah is located in the north of the UAE and sits between the Persian Gulf and the Hajjar Mountains.

This capital is the 5th largest city in the UAE and is located 30 kilometers from Dubai, along the Persian Gulf. If you travel by plane, it will take you approximately 20 minutes to reach Ajman on your day trip. Ajman covers an area of about 460 square kilometers and borders Sharjah to the northeastern end.

Ajman is a rapidly developing tourist destination thanks to its beaches that extend for a distance of 16 kilometers.

The Emirate officially joined the UAE on December 2, 1971.

14. Khor Fakkan

This city is located along the eastern coastline of the Gulf of Oman. Khor Fakkan is surrounded by Fujairah. Khor Fakkan literally translates to “Creek of Two Jaws” in Arabic.

The bay area faces to the north-eastern end. The jetty that serves as the terminal for container ships protects the area from the strong winds experienced in the region. This container port is the deepest in the region.

Khor Fakkan rises to an altitude of 1,023m above sea level. This city is fairly developed due to the presence of the white sandy beaches that attract tourists.

15. Jebel Ali

This port town is situated 35 kilometers away from Dubai. These two cities are connected via the UAE Exchange, Danube, and the Dubai metro energy stations.

In Arabic, “Jebel” means mountain. Some historians believe that the port town got its name from Prophet Muhammad’s cousin, Ali bin Abi Talib. The historians say that he stood on the hill overlooking the sea and supplicated.

This port is one of the most visited ports – outside the US – by ships belonging to the US Navy. This is due to its size, depth, and facilities offered.

15 Best Day Trips from Dubai:

• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
• Musandam Peninsula
• Al Fujairah
• Palm Islands
• Ferrari World
• Jumeirah Archeological Site
• Umm al Qaywayn
• Wadi Adventure Park
• Ras Al Khaimah City
• Khor Fakkan

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