If you’re visiting Dubai for a week or more, why not explore a bit more of the UAE? Away from the glitz and glamour of Dubai’s razzmatazz, the other emirates of the UAE have so much to offer visitors to this profoundly diverse country. From natural wonders to a unique cultural heritage, keep reading to find out what you shouldn’t miss in your Dubai itinerary.
Understanding the 7 Emirates of the UAE
Although Dubai might be the most internationally well-known city in the UAE and indeed the largest, the capital city of Abu Dhabi should not be left off your agenda.
Abu Dhabi is both a city and an emirate. It is by far the largest and most wealthy of all the Emirates, as this is where the majority of the country’s oil reserves lie. Home to the Grand Mosque, the country’s Presidential Palace, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and now a string of internationally acclaimed theme parks and tourist attractions, it really is an unmissable stop on your Dubai itinerary.
Many will factor in a day trip to Abu Dhabi, but we really think your itinerary should be split between the two emirates, especially if you want to get deeper beneath the skin of the country and include a visit to the regional city of Al Ain, in Abu Dhabi Emirate, bordering Oman.
We explain more about each of the 7 Emirates of the UAE here.
Transport in the UAE
Getting around the Emirates is primarily best done by road. Although rail infrastructure is currently being built, there are presently no passenger rail services, so you will find you need to hire a car, take a tour/private transfer, or take public transportation.
The country has several international airports, though by far the largest is DXB (Dubai International Airport), home to Emirates and many international airlines. AUH in Abu Dhabi (Zayed International Airport) is the second largest by passenger numbers, home to Etihad, the country’s national carrier, many international airlines and budget airlines such as WizzAir and AirArabia.
Whichever city you start in, you can rearrange our suggested itinerary to fit the days you have. We assume you are flying in and out of Dubai with a side trip to Abu Dhabi.
Hiring a Car and Driving From Dubai
If you want to explore the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, we recommend hiring a car for only the days you need it. When you are in Dubai, you can get around largely without a car and rely on Dubai’s extensive public transport network.
Be aware that when hiring a rental car, there are both Salik toll charges in Dubai and DARB road tolls in Abu Dhabi (peak hours only). Your rental car company will take care of your tolls, but they will charge these onto you with an additional administrative fee.
UAE roads, for the most part, are good, multi-lane freeways, but traffic moves FAST. And other drivers may not display the manners and skills you expect. You need to be a confident driver to take to the roads in the UAE. Fuel is relatively cheap compared to elsewhere in the world, making it an economical way to get around.
You can find our complete guide to driving rules and etiquette in the UAE over here.
Public Transport
The intercity bus is the main form of transport from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. It leaves from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Dubai and Ibn Battuta (both interchange with the Metro) and terminates at Al Wadha Station in central Abu Dhabi. Once in Abu Dhabi, there are quite a few choices, from local bus services to taxis and Careem – learn more about these Intercity services here.
It still doesn’t appear well-advertised that Abu Dhabi has quite a comprehensive network of FREE shuttle buses run by Visit Abu Dhabi. Unlike local buses, they specifically cater to tourists and take guests from many major hotels in the city to popular attractions. Read more about the free Visit Abu Dhabi buses here and see if the timetables will fit your plans.
If you are only day tripping to Abu Dhabi from Dubai, then there are a couple of shuttles to be aware of, too. Namely, the Yas Express for the theme parks and the Cultural Express for visitors to the Louvre and Qasr Al Watan.
A 10 Day UAE Itinerary (Dubai & Abu Dhabi)
It would be best to look at this itinerary alongside our Dubai 7-Day itinerary. Not every day plan we have set out may appeal, so pick and choose which days you’d like to spend in Dubai before starting your road trip into the Abu Dhabi Emirate. We suggest you add 3-4 days in Abu Dhabi and the remainder of your time in Dubai.
7-day plan for Dubai & Abu Dhabi
- Day 1: Dubai
- Day 2: Dubai
- Day 3: Al Ain
- Day 4: Abu Dhabi
- Day 5: Abu Dhabi
- Day 6: Dubai
- Day 7: Departing Dubai
Here’s how we’d adjust this 7-day itinerary if we had 10 days (more more!)
- Day 1: Dubai
- Day 2: Dubai
- Day 3: Dubai
- Day 4: Al Ain
- Day 5: Abu Dhabi
- Day 6: Abu Dhabi
- Day 7: Abu Dhabi
- Day 8: Dubai
- Day 9: Dubai
- Day 10: Departing Dubai
A Complete UAE Itinerary
With two weeks available, you could include a visit to all seven Emirates of the UAE. Abu Dhabi is by far the largest Emirate, and Dubai is the most populous, but don’t forget there are another five Emirates, often collectively referred to as the ‘Northern Emirates’, sitting northeast of Dubai.
There’s lots of information about the UAE’s other emirates on our affiliate website, Family Travel in the Middle East, which we’ve linked in below. So here’s how we’d split up our time for a two-week sightseeing tour of the UAE:
- Day 1 – 7: as above
- Day 8: Drive to Fujairah – If you drive via the mountain village of Masafi, don’t forget to check out the local market. Once in Fujairah, visit the Fujairah Fort and Heritage Village before checking in at your hotel (we recommend a stay on Al Aqah Beach for anyone looking for a seaside stay). Hit the beach or organise a snorkelling tour for the afternoon and then head for sundowners back at the beach.
- Day 9: Fujairah – After breakfast visit the Bidyah Mosque, the oldest mosque in the UAE, or if the weather allows, organise a hike in the craggy Hajar mountains, or visit the coastal town of Dibba. For more information about what to do in Fujairah click here.
- Day 10: Ras al Khaimah – Visit the Al Suwaidi Pearl Farm, old souk, and the Ras Al Khaimah National Museum.
- Day 11: Ras Al Khaimah – Explore the wadis of Ras Al Khaimah, or climb the UAE’s highest mountain Jebel Jais where you will also find the longest zip-wire in the world. To find out more click here. You could also take the afternoon to visit Ajman and Umm Al Quwain, the smallest emirates in the UAE
- Day 12: Sharjah- Visit the Museum of Islamic Civilisation, the Sharjah Art Museum and the Al Hosn Fort Museum, take a tour of the beautiful Al-Noor Mosque, or the grand Sharjah Mosque. There’s no shortage of other museums and cultural attractions in Sharjah, so make sure you check out our full list of cultural attractions in Sharjah before planning your trip. To find out more, click here.
- Day 13: Dubai – Return to Dubai for some last minute shopping and R&R.
- Day 14: Departing Dubai
Feel free to play around with these ideas as much as you like, fitting them to your time and interests. We think the above itineraries will give you a broad spectrum of what the UAE is all about.
- With kids, consider adding an extra day or two to visit water parks or theme parks.
- If you have a stronger cultural interest, you might want to include a few more museums.
- If it all feels too fast-paced, add an extra beach day!
Whether you’re staying in the UAE for 2 weeks or three nights, we’d highly recommend that you plan a desert safari as part of your holiday experience. You can book desert safaris from both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
You can find out more about Desert Safari’s departing from Dubai here, and safaris departing from Abu Dhabi here. Alternatively, you could opt to spend a night at a desert resort, such as Bab Al Shams (Dubai), or Qasr Al Sarab (Liwa, Abu Dhabi).
What to See and Do in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Following the itinerary above, let’s take a closer look at the above attractions and what to expect in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Jump down below for tips on saving on attraction tickets.
Places to Visit in Dubai
We have Dubai’s top attractions pretty well covered elsewhere on our website, so to summarise (with links to each of these if you need more detail), we’d include the following day plans
Old Dubai: Take a ride on an abra across Dubai Creek, visit the old souk and delve into the Al Fahidi neighbourhood, where you’ll find traditional houses, art galleries, muesums and quaint cafes. Spend the evening, strolling around the alleyways, or if you’d like to end the day with a sharp contrast, head to the Museum of the Future.
Modern Dubai and Downtown: A day is easily passed at the enormous Dubai Mall. Known as the world’s largest shopping centre, Dubai Mall is home to a a range of high street and designer brands. It’s also where you’ll find access to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, and the mesmerising Dubai Fountains. We recommend booking a table at one of the fountain-side restaurants to really make the most of the show.
Flights of Fancy: Explore some of Dubai’s more unique landmarks like the inventive Miracle Garden and the adjacent Butterly Garden. Spend time visiting one of Dubai’s many theme parks, such as Legoland or the IMG World of adventure, and as the light dims, head to Dubai’s famous Glow Garden.
R&R Dubai Style: Head to the JBR, or one of Dubai’s exclusive beach clubs, for a full on day of R&R. Take lunch al fresco as you soak up the chilled out atmosphere. Finish the day with drinks at the Aura Skypool, or another rooftop bar.
Splash and Relax: Head to one of Dubai’s world class water parks for a day of fun. If you choose to visit Atlantis, don’t forget to check out The Lost Chambers Aquarium. You can find out more about Dubai’s water parks here.
Where to stay in Dubai this is going to be highly variable depending on your travel group. We have more detailed guide here for:
Places to Visit in Abu Dhabi City
We invite you to explore our partner site, Abu Dhabi Travel Planner, to make the most of your time in the UAE’s capital city. In summary, we’d suggest the following 3-day itinerary for Abu Dhabi:
The Grand Tour: Start at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, lunch at the Ritz Carlton before heading to Qasr Al Hosn & and the House of Artisans, perhaps stop for coffee at the Observation Deck at Etihad Towers, or head to the Emirates Palace Hotel for a gold dusted Cappucino, then make your way to Qasr Al Watan for a tour of the presidential palace, and perhaps even a light show.
Nature & Culture: Begin the day by exploring the Jubail Mangroves in the morning, then head to the Saadiyat Cultural District. Here you can visit the Abu Dhabi branch with its impressive collection of international art and historical artifacts, or discover the Abrahamic Family House, a unique multi-faith development which aims to foster interfaith understanding a co-operation.
After a busy afternoon of culture, take a stroll through the beachside Mamsha District, where you’ll find lots of nice cafes and restaurants, or take a dip in the sea at the adjacent Soul Beach.
Fun & Frolics: Dedicate Day 3 to Yas Island and visit the theme parks; you’ve no chance of doing them all in one day, but two in a day is perfectly possible. WB World generally opens at 11.00 am, so start your day with one of the parks that open at 10.00 am.
If you’d like to visit Yas Waterworld, we recommend that you do this towards the end of the day when it’s a bit cooler. Finish your day by exploring the Yas Bay Waterfront and nearby Yas Marina (note some venues have a dress code, so make sure that you’re prepared). To find at more about visiting Yas Island, click here.
If theme parks aren’t your thing, consider replacing day 3 with a visit to the Falcon Hospital in Al Shewian in the morning, followed by lunch at Yas Bay and some shopping at Yas Mall. Or, if you’re a keen golfer, you’ll find some of the most amazing golf courses here.
Where to stay in Abu Dhabi
This is again going to be highly variable depending on interest. If you are focused on the theme parks and Yas Island, it’s best to stay on one of the Yas hotels, where you can also pick up deals inclusive of theme park tickets.
Beach lovers, we recommend you head to Saadiyay. It’s the perfect place if you’re seeking a little downtime and want to be close to the up-and-coming Cultural District.
Looking for somewhere central to make everything easy to reach? Then staying in the Grand Canal/ Bab Al Bahr area near the mosque might fit the bill.
For more accommodation ideas, check out our complete guide to the best places to stay in Abu Dhabi.
Top Attractions and Places to Visit In Al Ain
Often missed out of UAE itineraries, not enough is written in tourist guides about the wonders of Al Ain, also referred to as the Garden or Oasis City. Sitting fairly equidistant between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, on the border with Oman, Al Ain has a remarkably diverse geography and a special place in the history of the UAE.
Al Ain is dominated by the 1,249 metre tall Jebel Hafeet, below which you’ll find lush springs and the city’s famous oases. The Al Ain oasis is known for its intricate falaj irrigation system and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The palm plantation is punctuated by palaces, forts, and small mosques and is a highlight of many people’s visit to the UAE.
The city is also the birthplace of the founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and many of the city’s grander buildings have close links with the royal family.
The top attractions in Al Ain include:
- The Al Ain Oasis (and several other smaller oases – all part of the UNESCO sites of Al Ain). Hire a bike or quadracycle to explore the oasis’s twisting pathways and the impressive falaj irrigation system.
- Jebel Hafeet Desert Park – to see the Bronze Age Beehive tombs and drive to the mountain summit for amazing views of Al Ain and the local topography.
- Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum – the Al Ain home of the UAE’s first president, Sheikh Zayed (Closed from 1 July 2024 for renovations)
- Qasr Al Muwaiji – Birthplace of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed, the country’s second President
- Al Jahili Fort – Featuring an exhibition detailing the travels of Wilfred Thesiger
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Mosque – Open to non-Muslims for guided tours
- Al Ain Zoo & Safari Park – we’d argue the best in the country, very spread out, so you’d need to dedicate the best part of a day to exploring.
To do the city justice, you need at least 2 full days, but we’d suggest, with time available in a 10-day itinerary, you give it an overnight stop.
- You can find our complete guide to exploring the UNESCO sites here
- Travelling with kids? We recommend you check out this guide to top Al Ain activities
Getting to Al Ain is honestly easiest to self-drive; you can get day tours from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which we’ll mention here, but the ability to travel at your own pace is exacerbated here as everything is so spread out.
Saving on Attraction Tickets in the UAE
Covering both of the Emirates, you’ll find the best value attraction pass is Go City.
There is the Dubai Pass as well; their system is a little more convoluted with pools and is pretty concentrated on just Dubai.
We have a complete guide to multi-attraction passes in the UAE here (coming soon)
If you’ve made it this far, well done! It’s a huge post, but we think many underestimate just how huge the country is, too. Although it may look tiny on the map, there’s plenty to squeeze in a country full of contradictions, and you may just be surprised.
Do bookmark this page in your browser or stick it on your Pinterest travel inspiration boards to come back to later. Best of luck with travel planning for the UAE!
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 itineraries home page
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