Navigating Your Way Around the Emirates

We explain your tour and public transportation options below if you do not have your own car to self-explore the Emirates. For further reading, we also suggest you pop over to our guides on:

• How to hire a car and self-drive from Dubai
• Transportation routes across the United Arab Emirates

Distances are calculated from Downtown Dubai, and timing is subject to traffic and type of transportation.

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.

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.

3. Best Dubai Day Trip: Al Ain

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

Sitting southwest of Dubai, you will find the Oasis City of Al Ain. With deep historical 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, the hometown of 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 (closed indefinitely for renovations), and the Al Ain Palace Museum (the former Royal homestead – closed from Summer 2024 for renovations). 

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 a trip of its own, including the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre, which is perfect for history lovers of all ages with lots of interactive displays.

You can make the trip to the historic center of Al Ain, 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.

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, is best known as the UAE’s outdoor adventure playground. The stunning Hajar Mountains 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).

5. Best Dubai Day Trip: Fujairah

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

The Emirate of Fujairah is located on the country’s east coast, facing the Gulf of Oman. Steeped in history, it offers 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 different side of the country from Dubai. You may also enjoy visiting some Sharjah exclaves, Khorfakkan and Kalba, which sit on the east coast and are 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.

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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 four 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)
• SeaWorld Yas Island (Indoor marine park)

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

7. Best Dubai Day Trip: Hatta

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

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

This destination offers so much, especially for outdoor enthusiasts. After exploring the Heritage Village, try kayaking or mountain biking, and enjoy the adventure sports at Hatta Wadi Hub and the Hatta Jump water park.

For an unforgettable experience, extend your stay overnight to stay at the Hatta Damani Lodges or stay in an Eco Dome Tent at Hatta Wadi Hub. They are limited in number, though, so book well in advance if you’re looking at a winter weekend. They are available only in the winter season.

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 different times of the day to suit individual travellers’ needs. A “classic desert safari” will include an element of dune bashing, camel rides, sandboarding, and henna painting, followed by a traditional Bedouin feast and 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 and 57 Safari 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 expressly 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.

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For a unique and unforgettable splurge 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—they 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!

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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.

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A mini weekend getaway or just a long drive to Hatta will take you to a side of Dubai that is made up of picturesque mountain ranges, natural and man-made wadis and trekking trails.

Rich in culture and with ample opportunities for some adventure sports, Hatta truly is a welcome escape from the busy city life. A must-see that so many visitors miss off their Dubai itinerary, let’s see why you should make at least a day trip for an overnight stop in Hatta.

In This Hatta Guide, We’ll Cover:

• Hatta: Where Is It, And What’s There?
  • Navigating your way around Hatta’s highlights
• Top Things To Do In Hatta
  • Hatta for Adventure-Lovers
  • Exploring Hatta – Nature & Culture
• Where to Stay in Hatta
  • Camping in Hatta
  • Hatta Caravan Park
  • Glamping in Hatta
  • Resorts and Farmhouses in Hatta
• Where To Dine In Hatta
• How to Get to Hatta From Dubai
  • Private transport to Hatta
  • Public Transport to Hatta
• New Attractions coming to Hatta in 2026 and beyond
• More frequently asked questions about visiting Hatta, Dubai

Hatta: Where Is It, And What’s There?

There are seven emirates that form the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Hatta is part of the Dubai emirate, even though it is not located within the city’s main boundaries.

It sits close to the border of Oman, along the stunning Hajar Mountains, and is less than a two-hour drive away from Dubai. Technically, it’s an enclave as you pass through the emirate of Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and even part of Ajman to reach the township of Hatta.

Due to its location and natural landscape, the area experiences cooler temperatures than other parts of the country.

Although it may not feel any different during the hot summer months, winters are unquestionably cooler. If trekking up the mountains or camping overnight in winter, it is advisable to pack warm jackets and sweaters.

Top Things To Do In Hatta

Hatta is a bucket-list destination with so many options when it comes to activities for nature lovers. Here are a few top picks for you:

Hatta for Adventure-Lovers

1. Hatta Wadi Hub

This is the perfect escape for adventure seekers looking for a wide range of experiences to try out. Choose from downhill carting, zorbing, a human slingshot, axe throwing, archery, free-fall jumps, adventure rope courses, wall climbing, or trampoline.

New experiences continue to get added, including an inflatable obstacle course, drop in slides and a four-wheel off-road electric scooter experience.

Prices vary depending on the experience chosen, and the centre opens only from October until May 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Learn more here.

2. Hatta Kayak

This water sport is an unforgettable opportunity to explore the stunning lake formed by Hatta Dam. You can hire a kayak, pedal boat, or water bike as you enjoy a relaxed afternoon on the quiet waters, surrounded by jagged mountain creeks.

Rental prices start at AED 60, and it is advisable to check their website for up-to-date information about age restrictions and their seasonal opening timings. Learn more here.

3. Paragliding

There’s nothing more thrilling than getting strapped in and taking in the beautiful Hatta scenery from the air. The paragliding experience will have you soaring 500 feet above Hatta’s rocky mountains. The experience is available for anyone aged above 18, while under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult.

Paragliding is available between 10: 00 AM to 6:00 PM during the winter season, costs AED 650 for a 15-minute flight, and requires pre-booking. Learn more here.

4. Mountain Biking

Home to the Hatta Mountain Bike Trail Centre, it is the best spot to explore the rugged landscape on two wheels. With 50-kilometers of biking trails covering different terrains and distances, there’s a trail for every rider, catering to all levels of ability. You can bring your own bike or rent a mountain bike at the Hatta Wadi Hub.

The Hatta Trails are open all year round and free to ride. Parking for your car is available for free. Learn more here.

5. Horseback riding

Enjoy a tranquil and memorable experience with a horseback ride at Hatta Horses. Enjoy the sights of Hatta as you trail across lakes and mountain foothills or venture into the wilderness in the company of an Arabian horse. Everyone is welcome here, regardless of whether you’ve never been on a horse before or are a child.

Rides take place during the winter months, start at AED 100/hour, and need to be pre-booked. Learn more here.

6. Hatta Hiking

One of the best free activities in Dubai is hiking the trails around Hatta. There are now over 32 kilometres of defined hiking trails around Hatta. These have been broken up into various sections to help hikers choose the correct terrain for their ability level.

Grab your detailed hiking trails map for Hatta before you set out here.

Exploring Hatta – Nature & Culture

If adrenaline sports aren’t for you, or perhaps you’re travelling with young kids or elderly parents, there’s still plenty more to see and do in Hatta.

Hatta Sign

In the style of the iconic ‘Hollywood’ sign, the Hatta sign proudly sits atop the mountains of Hatta. Almost 60 meters tall, the sign is visible upon entry and also lights up at night. You can also take the trek from Hatta Wadi Hub to reach the sign and take some memorable photos.

Hatta Fort

Built in 1896 and fully restored in 1995, Hatta Fort is one of the most significant architectural monuments in the UAE. A residence and defence facility with a large internal courtyard and an 11m-high watchtower, it is made of mountain stones and mud bricks. The ceiling is constructed using palm fronds, trunks, and mud.

Hatta Hill Park

As the name suggests, this park is located over a mountain. Opened in 2004, it is popular with families getting together for picnics and barbecues. With a beautiful landscape and vibrant greenery, the park also includes a kid’s play area, running tracks, a sports field, and even a tower at the topmost point of the mountain, offering great vantage points of the surrounding scenery.

Entry is free and open between 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

Hatta Heritage Village

Take a step back in time and explore this restored traditional village that dates back 3000 years.

Imagine what life must have been like as you walk past reconstructed stone houses, overlooked by watchtowers and a fort, look through old photographs and learn about their agricultural practices and Arab culture.

Close by is a palm tree farm known as the Al Sharia site, where you can learn about the Falaj system traditionally used to irrigate farms. The falaj water system here, which dates back to the 1800s, was used to bring fresh water from the mountains and supply it to the local residents and date farms in the heart of Hatta Village.

Entry to Hatta Heritage Village is free, and operating hours are: Saturday- Thursday: 7:30 AM till 8:30 PM & Fridays: 2:30 PM till 8:30 PM

Hatta Caravan Park

This is the region’s first luxury caravan park, complete with luxurious caravans that can be rented for a short stay and comfortably accommodate a family of four. The caravan park operates only between October and April.

You have four different vans to choose from (all of which they describe as fitting a maximum of two adults and two children under 12; we’d argue they could fit more from our own experience staying there, but you’d need to make your own enquiries):

• Standard Caravan
• Deluxe Caravan
• Premium Caravan
• Elite Caravan

All offer guests an ensuite bathroom, air conditioning, cooking amenities outside their van, and access to a fire pit.

Check pricing for Hatta Caravan Park here

Damani Lodges Resort

Perched along low-lying mountain tops, these purpose-built lodges provide a cosy place to get close to nature. The simple lodges can sleep two adults (or a family of four if kids are under 12) and come with a private terrace to enjoy the amazing mountain views.

Overlooking the Hatta Wadi Hub activity park, you can order your meals directly to your lodge from any on-site dining options and use all of the onsite facilities, or tuck yourselves away in your own private retreat.

Check pricing for Hatta Damani Lodges here

JA Hatta Fort

This resort has existed since the 1980s and has undergone a modern transformation to achieve its four-star status. The views of the majestic mountains against the resort’s lush lawns look impressive as you stand on your private balcony from either your room or three-bedroom chalet.

A recent addition worth noting for families are their new Terra Cabins. these have flexible floorplans including pull out beds and bunks.

There are so many activity options here, from mini-golf, petanque, and archery to air-gun shooting, a zip line, swimming pools, and even a maze.

Relax at their spa and wellness centre, play at their indoor recreation centre, and even interact with the resident animals, which include deer, ponies, bunnies, tortoises, and exotic birds. Pet owners will be pleased to know that well-behaved dogs are also accepted here.

Check pricing for JA Hatta Fort here

Public Transport to Hatta

You can also reach Hatta using public transport. The RTA has launched a new service, the H02 Hatta Express, which starts at Dubai Mall Station and goes directly to Hatta Bus Station.

• The route is operated by deluxe coaches with bathrooms onboard, aircon and wifi.
• The route operates from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM with buses every 2 hours
• The journey costs AED 25 per person one-way

We believe this has replaced the previous E16 route, which used to operate from Al Sabkha Bus Station in Deira and make multiple stops.

• You’ll find our complete and comprehensive guide on how to get from Dubai to Hatta here.

More frequently asked questions about visiting Hatta, Dubai

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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.

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Dubai to Abu Dhabi Bus

The Intercity Bus is the only public transport between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, rather than a metro or train line.

The Intercity Bus Service now operates three routes from Dubai to Abu Dhabi.

• Route 100 – Al Ghubaiba Bus Station (connects to Dubai Green Metro) in Bur Dubai to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station [Every 20-35 minutes, approx 2.15-hour journey]
• Route 101 – Ibn Battuta Bus Station (connects to Red Line Metro) to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station [every 20-30 minutes, approx 1.5-hour journey]
• Route 102 – Al Jafilya Bus Station (connects to Max Metro station, Red Line) to Mussafah Shabiya Bus Station, via Ibn Batutta and Zayed International Airport Terminal A [every hour, approx 2-hour journey]

All these routes also run in reverse from Abu Dhabi back to Dubai and cost 25 AED one-way.

You can see our complete guide on how the public bus from Dubai to Abu Dhabi works here.

The AUH Express runs on the hour, every hour from Ibn Battuta Station 24 hours a day.

Another less-publicised option for AUH airport passengers is to take the Intercity Bus 102 from Al Jafilya Bus Station or Ibn Battuta in Dubai. It’s a slightly slower journey than the express coach but now makes a stop at the new Terminal A Zayed International Airport and only costs 25 AED.

Will there ever be a direct train line between Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

We live in hope!

Etihad Rail looks promisingly close to opening. However, current plans look like the passenger service for Abu Dhabi will terminate on the city’s outskirts, meaning you’d still need a bus or taxi to complete your journey into Abu Dhabi city or airport.

Watch this space, though. There’s sure to be some time savings offered by this new rail service in the very near future.

What about the Hyperloop? It was all the rage a few years ago, but things have gone quiet since the developments in Etihad Rail. You can learn more about the Dubai Hyperloop project here.

Learn all about how to get around in Dubai and the UAE here in our complete Dubai Transport guide

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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.

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Curious as to what animals can survive and thrive in the extreme desert conditions of Dubai? You may be surprised by just how many native species you’ll find in Dubai – from the Persian Gulf waters to the desert and mountainous regions of the United Arab Emirates.

Where to Experience Camels in Dubai

Camels are most likely the animal that first comes to mind when imagining a trip to Dubai. A domesticated rather than wild animal, these “Ships of the Desert” are much-revered creatures in the UAE; Emiratis are proud and passionate about their camels, which were introduced into the Arabian Peninsula over 2000 years ago.

An important part of traditional Bedouin life, camels have historically not only been a source of food for their milk and meat but also a form of transportation; their hair can be woven for shelter, and they are a form of currency and status. Camels found in the Arabian Peninsula are dromedaries – single-humped camels.

The easiest and most practical way to see a camel in Dubai and even opt into camel rides is to take a desert safari during your stay in Dubai (we’ll explain more below). Alternatively, you could also look to:

• Attend a camel race at Al Marmoom camel race track – wake early to catch the trackside action with robotic jockeys, and a lot of sound colour and 4×4’s too!
• Visit the Camel Farm and engage in some camel hug therapy! Longer treks and other hands-on experiences are available at this dedicated camel experience location, just outside of the city.
• Take a camel ride along the beach at JBR – yes, it’s touristy, but if time is limited, this is your best chance to catch a camel ride close to town.

You can see our complete guide on where to ride a camel in Dubai here

Outdoor Sanctuaries in Dubai & the UAE

The best way to experience wildlife in Dubai is, of course, to get out into the “wild”. You don’t have to travel as far as you may think, though, for wildlife experiences in Dubai.

Here are three of the key locations we recommend you seek out in Dubai for true wildlife spotting experiences:

1. Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve

This protected desert area to the south of Dubai covers an expanse of 225 square kilometres – about 5% of the Emirate. Only a limited number of licensed tour and hospitality companies can operate within this national park of sand dunes and gravel plains, managed by Emirates.

This includes popular premium Dubai tour company Platinum Heritage, newcomers 57 Safari, and ultra-luxurious glamping options, including Sonara Camp and Al Maha – A Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa.

Within DDCR, you can spot mammals such as the Arabian Oryx, Arabian Gazelle and Arabian Red Fox. You will also see several species of geckos and sand lizards, sand snakes and the much larger Desert Monitor and Lappet-faced Vulture.

The DDCR also has an excellent visitor centre where you can learn much more about the UAE’s native flora and fauna. You can pop into the visitor centre (accessible by taxi or any 2WD vehicle) from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily.

2. Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary

Sitting remarkably close to the city, part of the Dubai Creek estuary, the sanctuary is home to a huge number of migratory birds. Best known for its flamingoes, but up to 180 species either permanently live in the waters or pass through. Not just birds, there are numerous crustaceans, fish and reptiles that reside in this designated nature reserve.

It is free for the public to go and use the hides in Ras Al Khor for bird spotting but you must now book in advance and bring your own binoculars.

• You can learn more about Ras Al Khor sanctuary and how to book with Dubai Municipality here

3. Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve

Another large, unfenced reserve within Dubai Emirate is the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve. Covering over 10% of Dubai Emirate, this area incorporates the Al Qudra Lake system, which includes the utterly instagrammable “Love Lakes.” Whilst on the surface, it may seem gimmicky, the lakes are, in fact, an incredibly important part of the Emirate’s conservation effort.

Although the lakes themselves are man-made, they are now home to over 170 species of migratory birds and reptiles.

It’s possible to camp for free at Al Qudra Lakes, though be warned, due to the ease of accessibility to these campgrounds, they can be rather noisy and busy, especially at winter weekends. Most other times, though, you should be able to park up at the lakes and enjoy a serene experience surrounded by nature.

If you don’t have your own camping gear, we’ve found these tours that operate in Al Marmoon Desert Conservation Reserve:

The Green Planet

A tropical rainforest eco dome found adjacent to City Walk, The Green Planet brings an equatorial rainforest into the heart of the city. Spread out over four layers of the forest, the dome is dominated by a self-sustaining artificial tree. As you descend through the rainforest, meet birds, snakes, insects and the beloved sloth in this incredible educational experience.

• You can advance purchase your Green Planet tickets here

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

Found inside the very middle of Dubai Mall, the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is one of the city’s most spectacular indoor attractions. The giant suspended tank can be viewed from outside for free, or venture inside for the tunnel, boat ride and many more hands-on experiences and marine encounters.

• You can advance purchase your Dubai Aquarium tickets here – or even better value if you combine them with a Burj Khalifa “At The Top” ticket

The Lost Chambers Aquarium

An equally impressive marine display can be found at the Lost Chambers, part of the extensive complex at Atlantis, The Palm. Visitors staying at the hotel will have free access to the aquarium, or there are several cafes and restaurants with great views for drop-in visitors, even a romantic dining option and an underground suite!

• Advance purchase your Lost Chambers aquarium ticket here or you can also combine the Lost Chambers with a visit to Aquaventure water park

Best Animal Experiences Beyond Dubai

If you have time to see some more of the country some top spots we’d recommend you make time to see;

Jubail Mangrove Park and Eastern Mangroves

Also in Abu Dhabi emirate, you’ll find these two wetland reserves close to the city. Each would make an excellent addition to any Abu Dhabi day tour or city break adventure in the capital. Both Jubail Mangrove Park and the Mangrove National Park, found at Eastern Mangroves, can be accessed by watercraft such as kayaks and e-boats.

The advantage of visiting Jubail Mangrove Park is the extensive wooden boardwalk that extends over the mangroves, allowing visitors an up-close interaction with the marine life beneath. Signage throughout helps visitors understand the importance of the mangrove ecosystem.

Wild Dolphins in Musandam

You need to head up into the remote and mountainous Omani enclave of Musandam for this experience. It is well worth the drive and border crossing experience for one of the most incredible nature experiences of a lifetime.

From the regional capital of Khasab, take a small boat out to the waters of Kumzar, almost at the Strait of Hormuz and wild dolphins are almost guaranteed to pop along and join your journey.

• You can learn more about visiting the Musandam Peninsula on a day tour here

Despite the remoteness and vast desert-scape of the UAE, there’s still a huge range of animal-related activities to enjoy in Dubai.

We won’t go so far as to say all of them will be to everyone’s taste. There are some attractions we as a family simply will not go to for ethical reasons and have not mentioned here (looking at you, Dubai Dolphinarium). We have tried to provide as much information as possible so you can research these topics for yourself and choose the right experiences for you.

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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.

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Abu Dhabi From Dubai Tour Packages

One of the most convenient ways to get between the two cities is to join an organized tour group.

They will arrange your pick-ups from Dubai and transfer you in air-conditioned comfort to Abu Dhabi’s most significant tourist sites (more on these below!)

There are so many different Abu Dhabi tours to choose from, so here’s what we suggest you look out for when choosing the best tours for one day in Abu Dhabi:

• Is the tour private and personalised, a small group, or a large group?
• Will you be picked up from your hotel, or need to meet at an arranged rendezvous point in Dubai?
• Are meals included, or will you need to budget extra for a meal stop?
• Can you add any additional stops not in the itinerary?

See all Abu Dhabi tour options here

Larger group Abu Dhabi sightseeing tours may be more budget-friendly but will also give you limited flexibility in what you want to see and do in this beautiful city.

We highly recommend you book your tours through a reputable tour provider such as Get Your Guide. The reason being they have vetted all their tour providers giving you a variety of itineraries to choose from all in one spot. You can read reviews from past customers and most importantly they offer the ability to cancel up to 24 hours before for most tours, giving you flexibility in your plans.

• Half Day Grand Mosque tour transfers to and from the Sheikh Zayed Mosque only from Dubai. This is a shared tour bus leaving Dubai around 8:45 AM and only taking 5 hours; you’ll be back to Dubai by early afternoon. Perfect if you only want to see the country’s largest mosque.

• Abu Dhabi Full-Day Premium Sightseeing Tour – this is a great all-rounder tour for getting a taster of Abu Dhabi. You will, of course, see the mosque, but also a driving tour around the city’s other highlights, including the picturesque Corniche, Marina breakwater, Etihad Towers and a stop at Qasr al Watan, all with a guided tour in your chosen language. Note you’re given a lunch stop, but lunch is not included, excluded The Louvre.

• Full-Day Private Tour Dubai to Abu Dhabi is best for a small group who wants to travel with a guide. Your itinerary will see you to the Mosque, Emirates Palace and Yas Marina Circuit with a buffet lunch thrown in (but note, no Louvre or Qasr al Watan stops).

• Abu Dhabi Full-Day Trip with Louvre & Mosque – if you just want to see the Grand Mosque and the Louvre, this is the tour for you. You get two-hour stops at each stop, which will be plenty of time if these are the main highlights you are after. It can be run as a small group with other guests or as an Abu Dhabi private tour.

Unfortunately, few tours will take you on a more flexible itinerary that takes you more in-depth through the souks and older parts of the city (not that there are many left, like in Dubai!). Most Abu Dhabi city tours from Dubai stick only to the main tourist attractions.

What Are The Biggest Tourist Attractions to See in Abu Dhabi?

This will really depend on your interests, but undoubtedly the number one stop in Abu Dhabi is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – sometimes simply referred to as the Grand Mosque (not to be mistaken for Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai).

We have a complete guide here on how to visit the Grand Mosque from Dubai.

There are tours that exclusively shuttle customers back and forward to the Grand Mosque, but you really need to see more in the city! (And be warned, the day-tripping buses from Dubai all seem to arrive en masse in Abu Dhabi, making it a very crowded experience by mid-morning).

Main cultural attractions in Abu Dhabi

In addition to the Grand Mosque, the next three most important tourist destinations in Abu Dhabi are:

• The Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi – a stunning Museum on Saadiyat Island that covers the “History of Humanity” in a superb waterfront setting is one of the best places to visit in Abu Dhabi after the Mosque. Just the building itself is a Middle East masterpiece. NB Closed Mondays.

• Qasr al Watan – the Presidential Palace of the United Arab Emirates is an incredible new building to rival the beauty of the Grand Mosque. Open for daily tours, it’s situated at the end of the Abu Dhabi Corniche (about the furthermost point from Dubai!). Can occasionally be closed at short notice for diplomatic visits.

• Qasr al Hosn – a brilliant insight into the history of the United Arab Emirates and Abu Dhabi from early Bedouin days and ancient history through to the discovery of oil, federation and the modern-day city – tours, special workshops and daily events are offered, but few tours seem to include this important stop on their pre-arranged itineraries.

You can find a complete guide to Abu Dhabi’s best cultural attractions on our sister site Abu Dhabi Travel Planner.

Other sightseeing in Abu Dhabi

For general sightseeing, some popular attractions you might want to include:

• Step inside the stunning Emirates Palace Hotel. You can get some amazing snaps on the front steps or head inside to enjoy some local delicacies, from camel burgers to gold leaf tea, at one of Abu Dhabi’s most opulent buildings. A respectable dress code (knees covered) is required for men and women.

• Capture the city from above at Observation Deck at 300 – the city’s highest observation tower from Level 74 of Etihad Towers, (Conrad Etihad Towers). Not the city’s tallest building – that building does not have an observation floor – but nonetheless, Etihad Towers is a great place to get your bearings over the city and lovely for a morning or afternoon tea stop.

• Visit the Founders Memorial and walk along the Marina Breakwater for some fresh air and spectacular city views.

• Visit the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi and explore the new Al Qana Waterfront district.

• Take a trip out to the Falcon Hospital a great insight into local culture and a really worthwhile stop if you can join one of their twice-daily Falcon World Tours.

• Enjoy a unique walk through the wetlands of Abu Dhabi at Jubail Mangroves Park – it sits between Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, a superb nature stop you won’t believe is so near the city.

• Wahat al Karama – the war memorial that sits opposite the Grand Mosque. It is a poignant spot and a beautiful photo opportunity of both the memorial and the Mosque.

• Some tours may still include a stop at the Heritage Village – but in all honesty, we’d recommend Qasr al Hosn above as the better and more comprehensive stop for history buffs.

• Desert Safari’s in Abu Dhabi are just as popular as in Dubai, though you’ll get a pretty similar desert experience with camel rides, dune bashing and a traditional dinner, so just choose one of the other.

Yas Island Theme Parks & Grand Prix Circuit Abu Dhabi

For theme park fun, you really need to allow at least 4 to 6 hours to tackle even one of the mega theme parks on Yas Island – these are Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World and SeaWorld.

Technically, you could squeeze in a theme park alongside a day trip to the cultural sites, but we highly recommend you make a full day for each experience so you are not rushed. There’s really no time to fully enjoy a water park or rollercoaster day if you’re being rushed back on a bus.

You can find our complete guide to visiting the Yas Island theme parks in Abu Dhabi from Dubai here.

Yas Island is also home to the famous Yas Marina Grand Prix track. You may not get time on a day tour to do much more than snap some photos, but motorsports fans should put aside extra time on a day trip to Abu Dhabi to take part in either a behind-the-scenes guided tour of the track or, even better a circuit driving experience.

For something truly unique, on a Monday and Wednesday night from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, you can walk, run or cycle the Yas Marina Grand Prix track! Join in with local residents to enjoy this truly unique track experience – completely FREE! See the timetable and any planned track closures here.

Transfers from Dubai to Abu Dhabi

If you are seeking to self-tour in Abu Dhabi, all you will need to arrange is get yourself by public or private transport to Abu Dhabi or arrange a hire car.

By road, the journey from Dubai to Abu Dhabi takes between 1 and 2 hours, depending on your mode of transport and exact location. The cities are about 160 km apart.

This really detailed guide sets out all of your transport options getting between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Note that the 100 and 101 Intercity Buses will take you to the central bus station in Abu Dhabi, Al Wadha; all the tourist attractions we have set out here are quite spread out over the city, so you will then need to take local bus services (and get yourself a Hafilat card) or several taxis to jump between the various sightseeing destinations.

Another new option for visiting only the Louvre and Qasr al Watan is the Cultural Express. This bus service leaves from Sheraton, Mall of the Emirates, at 9:00 AM and takes passengers to these two Abu Dhabi cultural attractions before shuttling guests back to Dubai, arriving around 8:00 PM.

There’s a further detailed guide here to public transport within Abu Dhabi.

Taxi from Dubai to Abu Dhabi

If budget permits, you can simply take a standard Dubai Hala taxi from off the street in Dubai, or book one on the Careem App to your location

Depending on your pick-up and drop-off points, this should cost you around 300 AED from Downtown Dubai to Abu Dhabi Airport. 

From Dubai Airport to the Abu Dhabi Corniche area, you are looking at more like 400 AED. All taxes run on a meter and are a reliable form of transportation in the UAE.

Hiring your own car from Dubai to Abu Dhabi

Hiring your own car will grant you the most flexibility but may not be the cheapest for only 1 day.

You will also need to drive on Dubai’s freeways which can be challenging at times with the fast and heavy flow of traffic!

With the (very) high-speed limits on the E11 Freeway, it is a quick drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. Most tourist locations, other than in the city centre of Abu Dhabi, have free visitor parking (otherwise, you’ll need a few dirhams in change for meters or use a parking app).

• You can compare prices for hiring a car in Dubai here from our preferred supplier discovercars.com

Hiring a private driver for an Abu Dhabi day tour from Dubai

If you are not interested in a private tour but want someone to drive you from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, you can use ride-sharing apps such as Uber or Careem or try these driver options:

• Private driver from Dubai to Abu Dhabi – the best choice if you’re after a reliable driver service one way to Abu Dhabi (NB this is just a point-to-point driver, they won’t take you around all the tourist sites)

• Get Transfer – is a great app to plan your daily driver needs. You can ask drivers to “bid” on your journey cost and choose the driver that fits your needs best in terms of vehicle, pricing and availability.

• Welcome Pickups – a good site for sourcing reliable, English-speaking driver services to and from Dubai

Staying overnight in Abu Dhabi – Hotel Recommendations

If time permits, an overnight stay in Abu Dhabi is essential to fit everything we have mentioned here – a day tour to Abu Dhabi will barely scratch the surface

• If you are visiting the theme parks on Yas Island, then the Yas Plaza Hotels should be your top pick – there are several to choose from; our favourite for a unique experience is staying in the W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, which straddles the Yas Marina GP race track.

• Alternatively, try two newly opened hotels – The WB Abu Dhabi (Warner Bros. themed hotel) is perfectly located for accessing WB World and Yas Waterworld, whilst the Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island is the top choice for the happening new area of Yas Bay if you want to be surrounded by restaurants and nightlife.

• If your main focus is seeing the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, there are several hotels in an area known as Bab Al Bahr – just on the mainland before you cross to Abu Dhabi island. Why not try the Fairmont Bab al Bahr, or the Shangri-La Hoel Qaryat Al Beri.
• A great budget alternative (still 4-star!) is Traders Hotel Qaryat Al Beri. These are all glorious spots to watch the sunset behind the Grand Mosque to the west. There are lots of dining choices in the Souk at Qaryat Al Beri or take a traditional abra (paid) across the Grand Canal to the Venetian Village at the Ritz Carlton for a great range of restaurants and buzzing nightlife.

• If you’d like to mix in some resort sunshine with your stay, Saadiyat Island, adjacent to where you will find the Louvre Abu Dhabi, is our top pick. Here there is a string of 5 luxury resorts to choose from along Saadiyat Beach. They don’t come cheap but are simply stunning (and maybe just a few dirhams cheaper than their Dubai counterparts – worth checking!)

• On a budget? There are plenty of inner-city hotels in Abu Dhabi offered with reputable brand names attached that you can comfortably get a room for two under 300 AED per night. You can try Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana, Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche or Southern Sun Abu Dhabi.

There’s a good guide here to understanding the different areas to stay in Abu Dhabi.

More Frequently Asked Questions Abu Dhabi Day Trips from Dubai

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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.

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The Grand Mosque has re-opened post-COVID, and border crossing restrictions between the Emirates have been abolished. As of 7 November 2022, you no longer require any sort of PCR testing, nor evidence of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to enter public spaces in Abu Dhabi emirate.

Things To Know About The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Before diving into the details of how to get there, let’s look at just a few fabulous facts about the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (and why it is absolutely worth the day trip from Dubai!)

• The Grand Mosque is named after the country’s founding father, the Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan “May Allah rest his soul in peace”.
• The Mosque is an active house of worship, capable of housing 41,000 worshippers at capacity – 10,000 inside and 31,000 in the external courtyards.
• The building of the Mosque was completed in 2007 with the craftsmanship of 38 contractors and thousands of workers from around the world.
• It holds several “largest in the world” claims to fame – including the largest hand-woven carpet at 5,627 sqm and the largest marble mosaic floor in its 17,000 sqm courtyard.
• HH Sheikh Zayed is laid to rest in a mausoleum on the Mosque grounds. Two Imans read the Quran here 24 hours a day.

How To Get To The Grand Mosque From Dubai

There are limited public transport options between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as we discuss here, so our best-recommended method of getting from Dubai to Abu Dhabi to see the Grand Mosque are:

1. Take A Taxi – approximately 1.5 hours, depending on where you set out from; expect to pay around AED 300-350 one-way for a metered taxi.
2. Join A Tour Group – 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the departure point and how many pickups they make. A tour guide, meals, and multiple tourist stops are likely to be thrown in, so the price is very variable per person – more below!
3. Hire a Private Driver – taking approximately 1.5 hours; this is the best choice if you prefer door-to-door service and like the personal touch – ideal if you are a family or small group looking to split the cost. You can try a service such as GetTransfer to have private drivers bid on your journey and get a competitive price.
4. Self Drive – 1 to 1.5 hours – If you are a confident driver, pick up a hire car in Dubai and take the E11 all the way to Abu Dhabi.
5. Take a public bus – 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on your starting point; more below!

Public Transport Dubai to Abu Dhabi to see the Grand Mosque

There are two different Intercity bus routes that you can take from Dubai to central Abu Dhabi, each costing AED 25 one way.

• The first bus leaves from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station (Route 100) approx every 20-35 minutes and terminates at Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station (Al Wadha Mall)
• The second leaves from Ibn Battuta Mall (Route 101) approx every 20-35 minutes and also terminates at Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station.

From Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, you then need to catch a local Abu Dhabi bus service 94 to the Grand Mosque.

Note you can use your Nol card to get to Abu Dhabi on the InterCity bus, but from the Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station to the Grand Mosque, you need a Hafilat card to use local public transport in the capital.

You can learn more about the public bus service from Dubai to Abu Dhabi here

• Once you’re in Abu Dhabi, tourists can also avail the FREE Visit Abu Dhabi shuttle buses. They are not super frequent, but if you’re travelling on a budget, these can be a great way to get about in Abu Dhabi. Look for Route B2 (stops near Al Wadha Mall) to take you to the Grand Mosque.

Organised Tours From Dubai to Abu Dhabi

You can join a larger tour group and simply use this as a form of transportation or hire a personal guide and driver.

This can certainly take the stress out of self-driving, but do note a lot of the tour buses from Dubai arrive “en masse”. If you want crowd-free photos, self-driving, taxi or private Abu Dhabi tours are the better way to go.

More Facts And Visitor Information To Know About Visiting The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque As A Tourist

Do I need to be Muslim to visit?

Not at all. The Grand Mosque is open to everyone as long as they treat it in a respectful way (including conservative dress).

There are certain areas of active worship and Friday mornings when visits are limited to worshippers only.

Otherwise, you can attend the Grand Mosque any time during opening hours.

Learn more about other Dubai mosques that allow visitors

What should I wear to the Grand Mosque?

It is always advisable as a tourist in Abu Dhabi to dress conservatively. The Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque – and in fact, any religious or Government building in the UAE – has a much higher dress standard than, say, a Mall or public promenades.

For women, you must have arms and legs completely covered and your head. The only skin that can show is your hands, feet, and face.  If you are not adequately dressed (don’t worry, this applies to most tourists), you will be sent to purchase an abaya or Shayla in the adjoining boutiques as you enter the mosque. These are around AED 40 – 80 for something cheap.

This is all part of the experience, so embrace it! But please don’t think this means you should wear the skimpiest outfit underneath!

For men, they should be in long trousers and sleeves. If they have shorts on, they will also be asked to purchase something more suitable before entering.

Please note! since COVID the ability to hire appropriate clothing for free to enter the Grand Mosque has been suspended and doesn’t look like it will return. If you turn up with in appropriate clothing, you will be redirected by security staff to a small strip of shopping boutiques to buy the right attire. They are relatively inexpensive, but you may want to BYO from Dubai if you’re hitting the souks, consider it a souvenir of your time in the UAE!

Security stringently enforces the appropriate wearing of your outfits throughout your visit – you can find a really detailed guide to the Grand Mosque dress code here.

Note, part of the tour involves you taking off your shoes to walk through the Mosque itself; consider nice socks too, or having your toenails painted for this!! And remember where you left your shoes!!!

Do I need to pay to go into the Grand Mosque?

It’s absolutely free.  The Mosque is for the people; as such, no charge is levied on worshippers or visitors. Even cultural tours are provided for free.

However, they will issue you an entry ticket where you need to give some personal details. This can be done online in advance here to save time.

Do I need to book a tour of the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi?

If you come with a tour guide, they may include a personal tour guide within the price you paid.

Otherwise, the best alternative option to make sure you get the best out of your Grand Mosque visit is to get involved with one of the FREE mosque cultural tours.

These are held throughout the day with no need to pre-book.

Opening times for the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

• Saturday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• Friday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM & 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Tours are conducted in English and Arabic and last around 45 minutes, with an opportunity to ask further questions at the end. It is not customary to tip for this tour.

Note opening hours and tour times are adjusted during the Holy Month of Ramadan – Find the revised opening hours for Ramadan here

For more on what to expect at the Grand Mosque including photography tips, see this article.

Best Accommodation Near The Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi has plentiful accommodation choices. Our favourites close to the Grand Mosque, or with spectacular views back over the canal towards the Grand Mosque are:

• Pure Luxury: The Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi
• Indulgent but fairly priced: The Fairmont Bab al Bahr
• Budget but excellent choice: Traders Hotel Qaryat Al Beri by Shangri-La

More To See In Abu Dhabi

For a long time, the Grand Mosque was probably Abu Dhabi’s most prominent and the only drawcard getting tourists to trek the 160km journey from Dubai.

However, many more tourist highlights now warrant at least a full-day trip to Abu Dhabi, if not longer.

Look out for Abu Dhabi tours that will also include:

• The Louvre Abu Dhabi – a stunning Museum on Saadiyat Island that covers the history of humanity in a superb waterfront setting. Open Tuesday to Sunday; Closed Mondays. Paid Entry.

• Qasr al Watan – the Presidential Palace of the United Arab Emirates is a stunning new building to rival the beauty of the Grand Mosque. Open for daily tours. Paid Entry.

• Qasr al Hosn – a brilliant insight into the history of the United Arab Emirates and Abu Dhabi from early Bedouin days through to the discovery of oil, federation, and the modern-day city. Open Daily,Paid Entry.

We explain here how to get from Dubai to the Louvre and Qasr al Watan with a free shuttle service from Dubai. You can also check out our complete guide for things to do in Abu Dhabi over on our partner site www.abudhabitravelplanner.com for more of the city’s spectacular cultural sites and entertainment.

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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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As we discussed in this article, there is no Metro between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.  If you are seeking a public transport option between the UAE’s two largest cities, then you need the Intercity Bus from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. This is by far the cheapest option, although not the quickest!

You can read everything you need to know about Dubai’s public transport here

What should I expect on board the Dubai to Abu Dhabi Bus?

These public buses are pretty luxurious in the scheme of things. They are air-conditioned, have information screens, priority seating for women, children, and the disabled, and priority boarding lines.

Do be prepared to turn up early for your chosen service as queues can start forming, and once the bus is full, doors need to close, and you’ll wait for the next scheduled service.

What does the bus from Abu Dhabi to Dubai cost?

All bus fares are 25 AED one way.  Customers can use a NOL card or pay cash at the bus station in Al Wadha.

There is no pre-booking, you turn up on the day and pay as you board.

For further inquiries on how the public buses work, please contact the RTA 800 90 90.

Paid AUH Shuttle

An Abu Dhabi Airport shuttle service – AUH Express – was launched in September 2022 for passengers travelling between AUH Zayed International Airport and Dubai. Again, it’s not an airport-to-airport service but will get passengers from Ibn Battuta directly to AUH.

It costs 35 AED, one way to buy at the bus counter or from the ticket machine (Stand 11 at Ibn Battuta) – learn more about this Abu Dhabi to Dubai service here.

Check availability for the AUH Express here – NB if you miss the booked time, there’s no problem catching the next scheduled service.

NB – at the time of last updating this guide, AUH Express seems to have removed the ability to buy online in advance

Free Cultural Express

Are you seeking to visit two of the cultural highlights of Abu Dhabi, the Louvre and Qasr Al Watan (The Presidential Palace)? You may be able to take advantage of the free cultural express service that runs once a day from Dubai to Abu Dhabi.

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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.

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What to Expect at Etihad Museum

Etihad Museum is a museum focused on the contemporary history of the UAE. Packed full of documentary films, photographs and artefacts along with interactive displays which lead us from the trucial states to the United Arab Emirates as we know them today.

A Short History of the UAE

The museum sets out through interactive displays and memorabilia the historic milestones leading up to the Unification of the United Arab Emirates in 1971 and a homage to the country’s seven founding fathers.

The primary focus of the Etihad museum is the era from 1968 to 1974, during the country’s crucial years on the road to unification.

You can learn more about each of the seven Emirates of the UAE here.

The Etihad Museum – What’s Inside

Spread over 25,000 sqm, the museum is located on the same historical site as Union House, the very place where the constitution was signed in 1971.

Housed in a magnificent new building located near Port Rashid, Etihad Museum offers a series of interactive pavilions where visitors can explore the UAE’s history. The museum was inaugurated on the country’s 45th anniversary, 2 December 2016.

The museum grounds consist of a visitor’s pavilion, Union House and the Guest Palace. Much of the collection is underground, with permanent and temporary exhibits on offer, as well as a theatre, a library and educational areas.

Visitors Pavillion

Part of the splendour of the museum is the building itself. The unique curved white roof of the museum was inspired by the shape of the constitution – it resembles a folded manuscript. The building is adorned with seven gold columns, which symbolise the pens used to sign the agreement. The visitors’ Pavillion was designed by Canadian architects Moriyama and Teshima.

You first arrive in the Founding Father’s Hall, where you can learn more about each of the Sheikhs from the seven Emirates of the UAE, with family trees and artefacts. Through a series of documentary films, photos and artefacts, you are then stepped back in time to the 1950s when oil was first discovered and onwards to the withdrawal of the British in 1968.

Your journey continues through the historical milestones in the years leading up to and immediately following unification. The Trucial states are discussed in detail through news clippings and photographs, including how Bahrain and Qatar came to be (though I felt it was a little mute on why Ras Al Khaimah didn’t join the union as the 7th Emirate until 1972 – you’ll see here just six of the Founding Fathers in December 1971 – logos subsequently shown of this historic occassion depict all seven leaders).

Union House & Flag Pole

The historical significance of the location is that the museum is built on the exact site of the signing of the Unification. This incredibly humble round building is most-oft completely neglected off most tourists’ itineraries but is a hugely significant landmark building in terms of the UAE’s history.

We understand free tours are available around Union house; however, at the time of our last visit, there did not seem to be running (it might be by appointment only or only when they have a group booking or school group).

Adjacent, you will find the impressive 123-metre-tall flag pole on which the UAE flag was first raised.

Entry Costs for Etihad Museum

• Adult: 25 AED
• Group: 20 AED
• Student: 10 AED (aged 5 to 24)
• People of Determination: Free
• Child: Free (under 5)

Learn more on the Museum’s website here

The website is sadly not kept very well up to date with current events and workshops; it may be best to call or email in advance to see if there are any special events or exhibits planned to coincide with your visit (staff will speak both English & Arabic).

Phone: 800 33 222

Email: Etihad.Museum@dubaiculture.ae

What is the Best Time to Visit Etihad Museum

The Etihad Museum is open Daily 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (last entry 7:00 PM)

There is no busy time of day for the Etihad Museum; it is a quiet and less frequented Dubai attraction.  The only thing you may want to be mindful of is any formal events or VIP visits that may be happening on any given day.

They have added daily guided tours to their schedule at 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM.

Do note, during local school term time you are likely to encounter school groups from roughly opening until 2:00 pm in the afternoon. You may wish to avoid these times as independent travellers

How to Get to Etihad Museum

Etihad Musem is in the Port Rashid area of the city, on Jumeirah Road. You will find it adjacent to the end of 2 December Street, which runs all the way through to the World Trade Centre Roundabout.

Slightly off the normal tourist trail, there are no direct public transport links however a taxi should have no problem dropping you off (they may better recognise if you say Union House rather than Etihad Museum, depending on how new they are to the city!)

So is Etihad Museum worth a stop?

I’ll be honest, from a resident’s point of view, it may be visually beautiful but not the most exciting of Dubai’s museums. Being such recent history, I think the museum lacks depth and detail that goes further into the country’s past. A beautifully crafted story and journey with state-of-the-art modern displays, but I felt missing so many parts of the story that would intrigue outsiders to the region.

For a visitor who is new to the history of the Emirates, you will certainly find it an educational experience though, and the ticket price won’t break the bank. Its importance as the birthplace of the Emirates is something every Emirati and expat alike should experience at some time during their stay in the country.

Frequently Asked Questions for Visiting Etihad Museum

Where to Stay Near Etihad Museum

The Etihad Museum isn’t directly attached to a major shopping mall or hotel district of the city. However, you will find plenty of affordable places to stay nearby in Bur Dubai.

The closest place to stay is Holiday Inn Express Dubai Jumeirah. Alternatively, try Nikki Beach at Pearl Jumeirah, or head slightly further along the coast for Rove La Mer Beach and the many luxurious resort hotels of Jumeirah Beach.

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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.

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Although you can tackle RAK as a day trip from Dubai, there are so many places to visit in Ras Al Khaimah that you’ll need a few days to see it all.

Ras Al Khaimah: Where is it and why visit?

Ras Al Khaimah, or RAK for short, is one of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is located on the Persian Gulf, about an hour’s drive northeast of Dubai.

Within the emirate, rising up from the sea is the Hajar Mountain range. With sea, desert, and mountains, Ras Al Khaimah has ample natural resources to develop into a must-visit tourist spot and is fast becoming the adventure capital of the UAE.

There are many tourist spots to visit in Ras Al Khaimah including Jebel Jais, the highest peak in the UAE, and home to Jais Adventure Centre, which has not only the world’s longest zipline at 2.8 km but also the first Bear Grylls Survival Camp.

The name Ras Al Khaimah translates to “head of the tent” reportedly after a large tent was erected by an early chieftain as a navigation marker.

Due to its location further north and higher up, temperatures tend to be a few degrees cooler than in Dubai and even more so up in the mountains – making it the perfect getaway from Dubai.

How to get to RAK

The best way to get to and around RAK is by renting a car and self-driving. A 4×4 is not necessary unless you plan to go off-roading in the desert. Highways and roads are paved and well-maintained.

There are three major highways connecting Dubai to RAK: E11 (Sheikh Zayed Road), E311, and E611. Google Maps will help you navigate to your destination and back.

The best option is the E611 as it is a relatively new road with less traffic and offers plenty of camel spotting opportunities.  As you get closer to RAK, you’ll see the desert sands change colour from brown to a magnificent reddish hue and the emerging silhouette of the Hajar Mountains.

Tours and Public Transport to RAK

If you’d prefer not to drive, a taxi service from Dubai to RAK will cost 250 to 300 AED.

Al Hamra Bus also runs a service from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah and return. From Dubai, you catch the bus from Union Bus Station every 1.5 hours between 8:00 AM and 9.30 PM. It will drop you at RAK Al Hamra Station where you’ll need to connect to local bus or taxi services.

One way this journey from Dubai to RAK is 27 AED and takes one and a half hours; the same applies in reverse RAK to Dubai. See timetable here.

If you are happy to tackle Ras al Khaimah as a day trip from Dubai, there are several tour operators who can assist you with Dubai pick-ups and will do all the driving, with all your attractions included in the price – more on this below.

Getting around within RAK

Within the emirate, taxis are cheap but can be expensive if using them as transport to Jebel Jais. As of mid-April 2022, a new internal bus service has been launched, serving many of the malls and larger communities.

Ticket prices for a one-way trip are 5-10 AED depending on the distance.

Visit the RAKTA website for schedules and route maps.

Top things to do in Ras Al Khaimah

With 65 km of coastline, a large stretch of desert, and the Hajar mountain range that spans the emirate, RAK has many tourist attractions and things to do. Even more so for the outdoor enthusiast. Here are a few top picks for you:

RAK for Adventure-Lovers

1. Jais Adventure Centre

Adventure lovers are in for a treat on Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest mountain peak at 1,934 meters (6,345 feet) and one of the top-rated RAK tourist places. From adrenaline-pumping activities to family-friendly hikes, there is so much to explore on the Jebel (which means “mountain” in Arabic).

There are many activities to choose from at Jais Adventure Centre. You can soar like a bird on the world’s longest zipline at speeds of up to 160 kph, traverse the mountain the via Ferrata, test your balancing skills on the suspended ropes course, and zipline from platform to platform, or toboggan down a twisting mountain track.

Advance bookings are highly recommended, especially in the winter. For pricing, height, and age restrictions, go to visitjebeljais.com.

2. Hiking Jebel Jais

If adrenaline-pumping activities aren’t your thing, then you can opt for a day hike. There are six official hiking trails on Jebel Jais, from easy walks suitable for children to strenuous treks. You can also sign up for guided hikes through licensed outfitters. Never go hiking alone, and always carry plenty of water. Read up on mountain safety here.

You can download the hiking map from visitjebeljais.com/adrenaline/jais-hiking/ and visit visitjebeljais.com/essentials/partners/ for approved activity partners.

3. Rock Climbing

The Hajar mountain range makes Ras Al Khaimah the best place in the UAE to go outdoor rock climbing. There are climbing clubs and outdoor adventure companies that provide all the gear for you. You can do lead climbing or sports climbing where the protection is permanently bolted to the mountain.

Learn more at challengingadventure.com and adventurati-outdoor.com

4. Camping

If you have your own tent, you can pitch it for free in the desert, on Jebel Jais, and on certain public beaches.

If you prefer to have a more organized experienced, Challenging Adventure has a campsite with a hot spring. Also, it offers many activities such as hiking, archery, rock climbing, and a cultural walk up to the majlis of the local Al Hebsi tribe.

Learn more at challengingadventure.com

5. Glamping

Jebel Jais is also home to the world’s first Bear Grylls Explorer Camp. You can channel your inner Bear Grylls at the explorers’ camp and learn mountain survival skills. Their campsite has cabins resembling shipping containers with bunk beds and en-suite bathrooms. Each cabin also has a picnic table and bbq grill. You can bring your own food or order a bbq pack from 1484 Puro.

Learn more at beargryllscamp.ae.

If you prefer to Glamp on the beach, then Longbeach Campground has 300 meters of beach for you and different luxury tent options. They also have their own pool and poolside bar and offer many watersports activities.

Learn more at Longbeach Campground

For desert camping, The Dunes offers a desert camping experience with bbq dinner and entertainment, camel rides, sandboarding, and more. There are different luxury tent options to choose from, such as the dome tent, an elevated tree tent, or a platinum pod.

Admitted – it’s not AS luxurious as some of the Dubai glamping options but still promises a wonderfully authentic UAE glamping experience.

Learn more at thedunesuae.com

Exploring RAK – Nature & Culture

For those who want to explore the natural beauty and the culture of RAK, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are a few options of places to visit in Ras al Khaimah:

1. Pearl Diving Farm

Pearl farming was once a significant industry in the Gulf, and RAK was the pearl trading capital. You can learn about the rich history of pearling in the UAE by taking a boat cruise and touring the pearl farm at Suwaidi Pearls.

In 2005, the grandson of one of the last remaining pearl divers in the Middle East reintroduced Arabian Pearls to the world by opening the first Arabian pearl farm and making it accessible to the public. You can choose to do the boat tour only or add lunch to your itinerary.

Learn more at suwaidipearls.ae | Book a pearl diving tour from Dubai including transfers here

2. Kayak Through the Mangroves

Mangroves (shrubs that are tolerant to saltwater) cover much of the coastline of RAK and are teeming with fish and wildlife. Climb into a kayak and paddle through the mangroves that meander from the coastline and into parts of the inner city, mostly concentrated around the corniche.

You might spot cormorants, crabs, herons, and flamingos. Al Ras Kayak offers kayak rentals along the corniche and Challenging Adventure can arrange guided tours.

You can learn more about the mangroves of RAK at visitrasalkhaimah.com

3. Scuba Diving

There are over 20 wrecks off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah, and they are accessible by scuba diving. Al Jazeera Diving & Swimming Centre is a Padi dive centre and the only certified dive resort in Ras Al Khaimah. They offer scuba diving courses, snorkelling excursions, and fishing trips.

4. Horseback Riding

As a symbol of pride and nobility, Arabian horses have played an important role in Emirati culture. Ras Al Khaimah’s love of the Arabian horse goes back centuries with the Bedouins and their equestrian talent.

You can ride an Arabian horse into the desert at Al Wadi Equestrian Centre, located in the Ritz Carlton resort. You can take lessons or leisurely wander through the dunes or gallop over the sands. For ages 4 and up.

Learn more at ritzcarlton.com

5. Camel Racing

Camels have long been considered a source of nutrition and luxury, and camel racing is deeply embedded in nomadic Bedouin and Emirati traditions.

The races occur in the winter on Friday mornings between 6.30 and 9.30 am in the camel racetrack close to the Ras Al Khaimah airport. Be sure to get there early. Each camel is outfitted with a robot jockey. The UAE has banned human jockeys under 15 from competing in camel races.

Learn more at visitrasalkhaimah.com

6. Ras Al-Khaimah National Museum

The Ras Al-Khaimah National Museum is one of the most important places to visit in RAK if you want to soak up local history. It is located in an old fort that was once a residence of the ruling family, then a police headquarters, and then a prison before it was finally converted into the National Museum in 1987.

Touring the exhibits will give you a glimpse of the region’s traditional lifestyle such as farming, pearl diving, architecture, fishing, date growing, and weaponry. Note, it is closed on Mondays.

Learn more at rakheritage.rak.ae

7. “Ghost Village” at Jazirah Al Hamra

The abandoned “ghost village” of Al Jazirah Al Hamra has remained relatively unchanged since its inhabitants left in 1968. Almost 2000 people are believed to have lived in the village when they suddenly picked up and left.

It was populated from the 16th century and is the last surviving pearl diving and seafaring town on this side of the Gulf. Meander through the small village, and you will see that the buildings were built using coral. You might even recognize the area as a filming location for Hollywood films for actors such as Brad Pitt and Ryan Reynolds.

Al Jazirah Al Hamra has been home to the annual RAK Fine Arts Festival since 2019.

Learn more at visitrasalkhaimah.com

8. Dhayah Fort

Dhayah Fort was the last point of resistance against the British attack in 1819. The site has 2 mudbrick forts: one small fort on top of the hill and a larger crumbling one below.

The upper fort was restored in 2001, and you can reach it via a zigzagging staircase of over 200 steps. Once you reach the top of the fort, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of luscious palm gardens, sparkling blue seas, and towering mountains.

Learn more at visitrasalkhaimah.com

9. Beaches

The beach is one of the best places in Ras Al Khaimah to relax after a busy day of activities. You can chill at your hotel beach resort and swim in the inviting water of the Arabian Gulf.

If you still have energy, you can try kite surfing, wakeboarding, or flyboarding, all popular water adventure sports in RAK.

Where to Dine in Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah has lots of options ranging from hotel fine dining to casual beach shacks and food trucks.

Here are a few dining options that also come with a spectacular view:

1484 PURO

Located at the Jais Adventure Centre at 1484 meters above sea level, 1484 Puro is the highest restaurant in the UAE, modernly designed,  and the perfect place to relax and fuel up before or after your adventure-seeking activities. You can admire the breathtaking views of the Hajar Mountains while enjoying “international cuisine with a twist”.

See the menu at puro.ae/1484-by-puro

Flamingo Beach

Right across from Flamingo Beach is a two-story complex with over 10 restaurants for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The mezzanine level is al fresco and has wonderful views of the beach and the Arabian Sea. There are restaurants offering everything from local Arabic cuisine to burgers, sushi, burritos, and more.

Learn more at visitrasalkhaimah.com/discover/attractions/flamingo-beach

Al Hamra Marina & Yacht Club

Along Al Hamra Marina are several restaurants to choose from ranging from fish and chips to coffee shops, and a licensed restaurant serving international cuisine. Great place to kick back and enjoy the sunset.

Learn more at alhamrawaterfront.com/the-deck/outlets

Qawasim Corniche

To experience where many locals go, head to Qawasim Corniche. Named after Al Qawasim clan, who controlled trade throughout the region in the 18th century, the corniche really comes alive at night. It offers many restaurants and cafes and sheesha lounges. Choose from local, Middle Eastern, and international cuisines.

Learn more at visitrasalkhaimah.com/discover/attractions/al-qawasim-corniche

Ritz Carlton Al Wadi

Dine in the desert at the Ritz Carlton Al Wadi and choose from the rustic Farmhouse restaurant or the expansive and luxurious Sonara Camp (a second branch of the highly successful Sonara luxury glamping in Dubai).

The narrow and windy drive to the hotel will reward you with gazelle, oryx, and camel sightings. Dine al fresco and watch the wildlife graze on the desert shrubs around you.

New attractions coming to Ras Al Khaimah in 2022 and beyond

There are many exciting new things coming to RAK in the next few years. New resorts and new adventure offerings are all currently being developed.

Earlier in 2022, RAK announced that “gaming activities” would be allowed and are planning a project on Al Marjan Island that will mark the first by casino giant Wynn Resorts in the Middle East – watch this space!

Day Tours to Ras Al Khaimah

If you’ve not got long in your Dubai itinerary to spend in Ras Al Khaimah, we suggest booking a day tour to Ras Al Khaimah.

Using tour booking services such as Viator or Get Your Guide, you can make hassle-free online bookings with a variety of third-party suppliers. For example, why not try:

• An afternoon desert safari and evening BBQ dinner in RAK (just quietly, we think the dunes in RAK are BETTER than Dubai! Yup, we said it – why not try this over a Dubai Desert Safari). Supplied on Get Your Guide.
• This is a Desert tour with a mountain twist – taking you to Camel Rock and Fossil Rock, you’ll not only get to experience traditional dune bashing and sandboarding, but you’ll also take a 4×4 tour into the rocky mountains and stop at Wadi Shawka for a dip. Supplied on Get Your Guide.
• Eyes set just on the Jebel Jais zip line? This company can help you with transfers and timed tickets. Supplied on Viator.
• Staying in RAK and want to see more of the sites? Enjoy this local guided cultural tour of the city, taking you to key landmarks with a personalised guide. Supplied on Viator.

Where to Stay in Ras al Khaimah

Fancy making it a longer trip to Ras Al Khaimah?

If you’re staying more than a few days in Dubai, we always recommend trying to split your time with one of the other Emirates. Whilst theme parks thrills and incredible architecture can be found in Abu Dhabi, nature and adventure lovers may prefer heading north to RAK.

Abundant with beautiful 5-star resorts, many offering half-board, full-board, and all-inclusive packages; Ras Al Khaimah’s resorts are certainly keen to lure you away from the bright lights of Dubai with a more relaxing beach setting, close to the action and adventure of the mountains and desert (and usually cheaper!)

There are three main areas you can stay in Ras al Khaimah – along the coast, in the city, or in the desert.

Best places to stay along the coast in Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah emirate wraps itself along around 65 kilometres of coastline. Most luxury resorts are on the man-made archipelago of Marjan Island. Here you’ll find:

• Rixos Bab Al Bahr (Ultra all-inclusive)
• Doubletree by Hilton Resort and Spa, Marjan Island
• Radisson Resort Ras Al Khaimah Marjan Island

Al Hamra is one of the most luxurious coastal areas of the emirate. A mixed residential and hotel development, some fabulous places to stay here include:

• Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah
• The Ritz Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach

Further along the coast, you’ll come to The Cove Rotana Resort, a wonderful hidden gem behind the dunes, including private villas with pools.

Keep heading north, and you’ll come to Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort with a lovely long stretch of beach and multiple pools – it’s a family favourite!

Best places to stay in the Ras Al Khaimah Desert

You simply can’t go past luxurious The Ritz Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert for one of the best UAE desert experiences. Tented villas with their own private pool and a plethora of secret eco experiences on hand.

We’ve also mentioned above some of the overnight glamping options you can try if you’re on a tighter budget and still want to try a magical overnight experience under the stars.

Best places to stay in Ras Al Khaimah city centre

We’re going to be honest, just not as glamorous if you’ve got the choice of the beach and desert. Staying in the city, though, will likely save you some dirhams. Try:

• Doubletree by Hilton Ras Al Khaimah (not to be confused with the larger resort on Marjan Island!)
• Citymax Hotel Ras Al Khaimah

More Frequently Asked Questions about Ras al Khaimah

Ready to undertake an adventure trip to Ras Al Khaimah? Undoubtedly a different side to the UAE to be experienced and something we’d highly recommend, especially if you are a return visitor to the UAE looking for unique new experiences.

Each year the offering of exciting new attractions in Ras al Khaimah continues to grow to provide a new perspective on this incredible country.

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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There is far more to the UAE than just Dubai. In fact, Dubai might be the most populous, but it is only the second-largest Emirate, or “state” in the UAE – and even then, it only makes up 5% of the landmass of the UAE.

There are seven Emirates in the UAE. The 7 Emirates of UAE in order are (by total area):

• Abu Dhabi (67,340 km²)
• Dubai (3,885 km²)
• Sharjah (2,590 km²)
• Ras Al Khaimah – RAK (2,486 km²)
• Fujairah (1,165 km²)
• Umm al-Quwain – UAQ (777 km²)
• Ajman (259 km²)

So, as you can see, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is by far the largest in the United Arab Emirates but NOT the most populous. Dubai is firmly the largest city in the UAE in terms of population.

Map of the 7 Emirates of the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is a Middle East country facing the Persian Gulf to the north and the Gulf of Oman to the east. The UE shares a land border with Oman and Saudi Arabia.

What else do I need to know about the United Arab Emirates?

Here are just a few facts that visitors to the UAE should know about the country’s political system and recent history.

When did the UAE become united as one country?

The UAE was formed in 1971 under a Federal Constitutional Monarchy with six of today’s seven Emirates.  (Ras al Khaimah later joined the UAE in February 1972, making the seven Emirates of the UAE that we know today).

Prior to this time, the Emirates were known as the Trucial States, Sheikdoms that were allied with the UK since the 1820s but not united. In 1968, the British announced the withdrawal of their protectorate, and discussions began to form a new country.

Every year, on 2 December, the country celebrates its birthday with extravagant National Day celebrations.

Each of the individual Emirates, or Sheikhdoms as they are also known, is ruled by a Sheikh (rather than an Emir, as you may expect). These seven Sheikhs are members of the ruling Federal Supreme Council.

Who is the ruler of the UAE?

The Federal Supreme Council elects the President of the United Arab Emirates.  Since the country’s unification, this has been the ruler of Abu Dhabi Emirate, while the ruler of Dubai has held the role of the country’s Vice President and Prime Minister.

At present, the country’s President is HH Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the third son of the founding father, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al Nahyan. He is often referred to colloquially as MBZ.

He took over from his older half-brother HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, upon his passing in May 2022 (although he has been the de facto leader of the country as Crown Prince since early 2014 after Sheikh Khalifa suffered a stroke).

Who is the ruler of Dubai then?

Since the 1830s, Dubai’s ruling family has been the Al Maktoums, and since January 2006, Emir HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been the ruler of Dubai, as well as elected Vice President & Prime Minister of UAE.

The Crown Prince of Dubai is Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Where is the capital of the UAE?

The capital city of the United Arab Emirates is Abu Dhabi. Qasr al Watan in Abu Dhabi is the Presidential Palace and where the Federal Supreme Council meets, as well as the Federal Cabinet. Federal government departments are found in Abu Dhabi.

Which Emirate has the largest population in the UAE?

The Emirate of Dubai is the hands-down winner when it comes to being the most populous city and Emirate. Despite the city of Abu Dhabi being the capital, and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi having by far the largest land area and oil production, Dubai has the greater number of residents.

The current estimate (as of mid-2023) is that the population of Dubai Emirate exceeds 4.1 million people – about 43% of the UAE’s total population.  Of those, only around 10% are native Emirati; the vast majority of the population is expatriate workers from all over the world. At least 3.6 million are thought to live in Dubai city.

Where is all the oil from in the UAE?

The vast majority of oil reserves are in the Abu Dhabi Emirate. Dubai only accounts for about 4 billion barrels of oil from proven reserves; oil is not a major part of Dubai’s economy.

Although the discovery of oil is undoubtedly what helped build the current mega-city of Dubai, it reportedly only makes up about 1% of the Emirates GDP as of 2022. Real estate, construction, trade, finance and tourism are much larger sectors.

Local Governments of the seven Emirates of the UAE

Like many countries around the world, the UAE’s Federal Constitution keeps many powers within each individual Emirate, rather than at a Federal level. You can learn more about local Governance here.

Do the Emirates have different flags?

Although united under the one flag of Red, Green, White and Black, each Emirate still retains its own flag, though you rarely see these displayed.

What is there to see and do in the other Emirates?

Great question! We are just finishing putting together guides for each of the other six Emirates of the UAE that you may want to incorporate into a trip to Dubai.

In the meantime, you can see our guide to the best Dubai day trips here

What do the other Emirates of the UAE look like?

While you wait for our complete guides, here is just a taster tour through the 7 Emirates of the United Arab Emirates in pictures.

Abu Dhabi

The largest Emirate, rich in coastal vistas, a modern city skyline, and deep desert sand dunes through to Saudi Arabia and Oman, known as “the Empty Quarter.” Most of the UAE’s oil is found in Abu Dhabi and in the adjacent Arabian Gulf.

Famous buildings in Abu Dhabi include the country’s largest mosque, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Presidential Palace Qasr al Watan, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and the Yas Marina Grand Prix Circuit on Yas Island, also home to four world-class theme parks. Learn more about visiting Abu Dhabi here.

Dubai

The largest city and Emirate of the UAE, famous for buildings like the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, and Dubai Mall as well as tourist attractions such as the Palm Jumeirah, shopping malls, and an abundance of beautiful beaches. Dubai is also rich in desert landscapes and mountains – see all our Dubai attraction guides here.

Sharjah

Most of the city of Sharjah sits immediately next door to Dubai. The Emirate of Sharjah includes a coastal city, as well as rolling sand dunes and incredibly picturesque exclaves and enclaves on the country’s eastern coast including Khor Fakkan and Kalba.

Packed with heritage sites, many galleries, and museums, Sharjah is known as the cultural capital of the UAE.

Ajman

The smallest Emirate hugs a very short coastal stretch close proximity to Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain. The Emirate of Ajman also includes two tiny enclaves in the Hajar Mountains, Masfout and Manama.

Umm Al Quwain

The Emirate of Umm Al-Quwain is made up of a small wetlands coastal strip as well as a fairly flat desert landscape. It is a sparsely populated part of the country.

Ras al Khaimah

A beautiful blend of coastline and beaches, desert sand dunes, and the rugged Hajar Mountains. The emirate of Ras al-Khamaih is known as an adventure playground and also home to peral diving and many heritage sites – learn more about visiting Ras al Khaimah here.

Fujairah

The Emirate of Fujairah is the only one to sit entirely on the east coast between the Gulf of Oman and the Hajar Mountains. This gives Fujairah some of the country’s most picturesque landscapes, sandy beaches and historic sites, including the countries oldest mosque.

We hope you enjoyed learning more about Dubai’s neighbours. Got any questions? Feel free to ask us in the comments below and we’ll do our best to help.

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.

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It is also the border crossing point to the Sultanate of Oman, sitting to the south of the city – a popular border crossing point for visitors looking to do border runs, or head onwards to Nizwa & Muscat.

Al Ain houses many museums that seek to document the country’s past and are well worthy of being included on an Al Ain road trip; sites to consider include:

• Al Ain Palace Museum (currently closed for renovation)
• Qasr al Muwaiji
• Al Jahili Fort
• Al Ain National Museum (currently closed for renovations)
• Souk Al Qattara (Thu, Fri & Sat evenings October to May)
• Al Ain Camel Market
• Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre, inside Al Ain Zoo

If you are interested to learn more about the Al Ain Zoo, amusement parks and family activities on offer in Al Ain, check out this detailed family guide to Al Ain.

Tour Suggestion: Take a Guided Tour of Al Ain from Dubai

You can read more about the UNESCO World Heritage Inscription here.

Let’s look at each of the sites in more detail:

The Oasis of Al Ain

There are several Oasis in Al Ain that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site, namely:

• Al Ain Oasis
• Al Muatared Oasis
• Al Jimi Oasis
• Al Qattara Oasis
• Al Hili Oasis

The largest is Al Ain Oasis, which can be found in the city centre. Extensive restoration works took place on the site over the last decade, and it reopened to the public in 2016 and is now the city’s most popular attraction.

A tranquil forest of trees and alleyed laneways, it was nearly lost beneath the city as rapid development occurred in the 1980s and 1990s. The 3,000-acre site (1,200 hectares) contains more than 147,000 palm trees. You will also find within the grounds an old fortification and mosque.

Most visitors are intrigued by the falaj system, an ancient irrigation system that brings bore water to farms. A small Eco-Centre has been built within the Al Ain Oasis to provide more information on the falaj’s history and importance.

Just outside the oasis is the Al Ain Oasis Plaza, which offers refreshments until 9 p.m. at night.

The Oasis is open 8 am to 5 pm daily and free to enter.

Jebel Hafeet Bee Hive Tombs

Found at the foot of Abu Dhabi’s highest peak Jebel Hafeet (Jebal Hafit), the circular Bee Hive Tombs are thought to date back up to 5,000 years. The artefacts found within the tombs have helped archaeologists to substantiate claims of trade routes dating to around 3,200 to 2,700 BCE.

Since February 2020, the tombs now fall within the Jebel Hafit Desert Park. Hiking and biking are available, along with camel rides, dune buggy experiences and even overnight camping in Bedouin-style tents and eco glamping options.

Open 8 am to 6 pm or sunset, entry 5 AED activities extra.

Hili Archaeological Park

Home to the largest discovered Bronze Age settlement in the UAE, the park is a living museum of tombs, settlements, and a falaj—mostly, only foundations can be spotted today. Most significant items have been moved to the central Al Ain National Museum (which is closed for an unspecified period of time for renovations) in the centre of Al Ain, adjacent to the Al Ain Oasis.

The park is open limited hours 4 pm to 11 pm daily, entry is free.

Bidaa Bint Saud

There are several small finds near one another contributing to this archaeological site, sitting about 15kms to the north of Al Ain:

• Numerous rectangular, stone-constructed tombs from the Hafit period (3200 to 2600 BC) on top of a mountain called Gharn bint Saud
• 1,500 metres to the west is a 3,000-year-old falaj system
• A large mudbrick building with column bases was found near the falaj, thought to perhaps be a distribution point for the falaj

This site is quite isolated and not easily accessible to the public. Finds from the site are also housed in the Al Ain National Museum (which has been ‘closed for renovations’ for an extensive period of time). You can learn more about this site on abudhabiculture.ae

Open 24/7, entry is free.

Al Ain Camel Market

Situated on Zayed Bin Sultan Street, not far from the Al Bawadi Mall, the camel market provides the opportunity to see hundreds of camels, sheep and goats being bought and sold. It’s the only market of its kind in the UAE and is definitely worth a visit.

Open daily from 6.00 am until 7.00 pm. Entry is free. 

The Green Mubazzarah

The name ‘Jebel Hafeet’ means ‘Green Mountain’, and whilst there is certainly less vegetation than the name suggests, there are areas where some species of plant have flourished, such as the Green Mubazzarah, where hot springs flow from the mountain onto the plain below.

The area has become a resort on its own right with an artificial boating lake, bikes for rent, and chalets to stay in overnight. There is also a swimming pool with a charge of 5 AED and a little train that will take you around the site with 25 AED for adults and 15 AED for children. 

Weekends here are very busy, as families come from all over the UAE and even from over the border in Oman to enjoy the parklands and dip their feet in the healing waters!

Site open 24/7. Attraction times vary. 

Al Ain Zoo

Another family-friendly option whilst in Al Ain is a visit to Al Ain Zoo. Along with large enclosures featuring a range of animals from around the world, the zoo offers a safari experience and the chance to drive through the vast reserve area in the safety and comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle.

If you want to do more than observe the animals from afar, there are a number of animal experiences on offer, including giraffe feeding (an additional fee payable at the giraffe enclosure).

Children will also enjoy the range of playgrounds and interactive exhibits on site, as well as the extensive gardens and open spaces to run around in. At the height of the day, there are plenty of shady areas to escape the sun, as well as the indoor Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre.

The learning centre offers the opportunity to learn about the UAE’s unique natural environment and the animals and people that live there.

Open daily from 9.00 am until 7.00 pm (closed in July and August), entry is approximately 31 AED for adults. 

When is it best to visit Al Ain?

Like much of the country, the cooler winter months are ideal for exploring Al Ain from November through to April. In the summer months, it is still possible, and the oases do bring a refreshing reprieve from the summer heat, but be prepared. It can still be a very sweaty experience in the summer.

In the winter, Al Ain can experience quite heavy fog, which plays havoc on the highways to Al Ain from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It normally burns off before lunchtime, leaving you with glorious sunny winter afternoons and perfect sunsets from Jebel Hafeet.

 Take me back to the Dubai Travel Blog for more great day trip ideas

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.

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Check out this astounding collection of Guinness World Records in Dubai & the UAE.

The world’s tallest tower

Let’s start with the most astounding and obvious in Dubai, you can’t look past the Burj Khalifa, the largest man-made structure in the world.

Standing at an incredible 828m (2,716.5 feet), it is the world’s tallest building as well as holding the record as:

• Tallest freestanding structure in the world (to its very tip, with spire, 829.8m)
• The building with the highest number of stories in the world (163 floors)
• The highest outdoor observation deck in the world (Level 124&125 + Level 148)
• The highest restaurant in the world (At.Mosphere on level 122 – 441.3m high)
• The highest lounge in the world (Levels 152-154 – 585m)
• Tallest service elevator in the world (504m – 1,654 feet)

You can see our complete guide on how to visit the World’s Tallest Tower here.

The World’s Highest Infinity Pool

The spectacular new twin-tower Address Beach Resort sits at the end of The Beach, JBR offers an infinity pool on the 77th floor! At a towering 294m/964 feet above ground level, it’s officially the highest infinity pool in the world, not quite the longest but at 94m you’ll still fit in some decent laps in this adults-only dreamy destination in Dubai.

Love your infinity pools? A complete guide on where to find the most spectacular infinity pool offering in Dubai here.

The largest dancing fountain show in the world

A record that used to be held by the nightly Dubai fountain show on Burj Khalifa Lake in Downtown Dubai, a new record was broken on 22 October 2020 with the opening of the Palm Fountains.

Situated in the waters between Atlantis the Palm and The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, the Palm Fountain super shooter reaches a staggering 105m into the sky, and the record-breaking fountain display covered 7,327 m².

Learn more about the new Palm Fountains including nightly timings here.

The world’s deepest swimming pool

Scuba diving at 60 metres deep, indoors? Only in Dubai, of course! Opened in July 2021, Deep Dive Dubai holds 14 million litres of water and includes a sunken city for exploring. Free dive, scuba dive, snorkel, dress like a mermaid? This new indoor sensation is bound to be a hit with thrill-seeking tourists in Dubai.

See all the best indoor activities in Dubai here.

The world’s largest hand-woven carpet

Found on the floor of the main prayer hall of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE, the largest hand-woven Persian carpet in the world is a staggering 5,630 m² (60,600.81 ft²).

It took 1,200 weavers a little over a year to complete. Manufactured by the Iran Carpet Company and brought to Abu Dhabi in 9 pieces for final installation – it includes 2.2 billion hand-tied knots and weighs over 12 tonnes.

You can see our complete guide on how to visit the Shiekh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, from Dubai here.

The world’s fastest roller coaster

We could only be talking about Formula Rossa, the 240 km/hr coaster can be found at Ferrari World on Yas Island.  There are plenty of other thrill-seeking rides here, including Flying Aces – the world’s steepest and fastest cable lift (51 degrees and 30km/hr) and the world’s tallest inverted loop at 52m – but it is still the record-breaking Formula Rossa that drives the crowds!

You can check out Ferrari World ticket pricing and free Dubai shuttle options here

The world’s largest indoor climbing wall

This is another record going to Abu Dhabi’s collection of incredible theme parks on Yas Island (but wait, there’s more!). 

The CLYMB indoor climbing centre includes SUMMYT, a 141-foot mega wall that indoor rock climbing experts can scale throughout the year.

The world’s largest indoor flight chamber

If that’s not enough, CLYMB is also home to the largest indoor flight chamber measuring 9.5m wide by 26m high.

The world’s largest indoor theme park

We’re on Yas Island Abu Dhabi again for this record at Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi.  The entirely indoor theme park is perfect for visiting year-round and has 29 different rides and attractions, including the heroes and villains of DC comics through to Cartoon Junction, Looney Toon Favourites and the Flinstones.

The record was previously held by the 1.5 million square foot (139,354 m²) Dubai theme park IMG World’s of Adventure; however, at 1.65 million square feet (153,290 m²) WB World Abu Dhabi now holds the crown – but just wait, we don’t think they’ll hold it for long!!)

Find out how to get to Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi from Dubai with free transfers

The largest Mall in the world

Now this one holds a little bit more conjecture as it depends on what exactly you’re measuring – square footage, shops, gross leasable area?

Although Dubai Mall still seems to be touted as the leader here at a size of 1.1 million square metres (nearly 12 million square foot) of retail space and over 1200 outlets, there are several Malls in Asia, including New South China Mall and Golden Resources Mall in China, as well as CentralWorld in Bangkok which claim to be larger in the leasable area and total shops.

Dubai can’t officially claim this one as a world record, but we assure you it is HUGE and surprise it’s one of the city’s top 10 highlights for new visitors.

The most leaning tower in the world

Why let the leaning tower of Pisa have all the fun?  Deliberately built on an angle, Capital Gate Tower in Abu Dhabi stands at 160m tall and is built to lean 18 degrees to the west, making it the farthest manmade leaning building. They also claim to have the highest suspended swimming pool at the Andaz Hotel, but we haven’t got this one recorded as a Guinness World Record yet.

Find out what it costs to stay at the Andaz Capital Gate Abu Dhabi

The world’s tallest hotel

The Gevora Hotel in Dubai holds the crown as the tallest hotel in the world – would you believe now superseding  JW Mariott Marquis by one meter! The Gevora stands at 356 meters (1,168 feet) with 528 rooms.

There are actually taller hotel rooms to be found from floors 102 to 118 at The Ritz-Carlton in Hong Kong, but the 488m tall International Commerical Centre tower in which they sit is not a dedicated hotel, it has mixed residential and commercial floors.

You can find out how much it costs to spend a night in the Gevora here 

Most skyscrapers in the world

While we’re on the topic of exceptionally tall buildings… yep, you guessed it. Dubai has more buildings over 300m tall than anywhere else in the world. There are, as of 2019, 21 buildings in Dubai that stand at this lofty height, surpassing even Chinese megacities Shanghai and Hong Kong.

The world’s twistiest tower

Let’s keep going with the city’s towering facts. Dubai Marina is home to Cayan Tower. Each floor of the building sits at a 1.2-degree rotation to the next, resulting in the 307.3 m (1,008.2 foot) structure twisting a whopping 90 degrees from its base.

The world’s longest zipline

In the northern Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, you will find the country’s tallest peak (sadly, no world record breakers there at a mere 1,934 m in height!) but it is home to the worlds longest zipline. Opening on 31 January 2018 the largest unbroken span of the zipline is 2,831.88m (9,291 ft) in length, smashing its way into the record books.

Click here to see how you can book yourself on the world’s longest zipline

The world’s longest urban zipline

And not to be outdone, the city of Dubai also had the world’s longest urban zipline. Straddling Dubai Marina, the 1km long XDubai XLine experience takes you from a 170m high platform from Amwaj Towers to Dubai Marina Mall at an average speed of 80km/hr. [Temporarily closed]

See what it costs to take on the Dubai Marina urban zipline

The world’s highest tennis court

The Burj Al Arab helicopter pad is like something out of a James Bond movie. Federer and Agassi played a match atop the helicopter pad in 2005 to promote the ATP Dubai Duty-Free tennis (bags not playing ball boy for that one) and set the record for playing at 211 metres above ground level.

The world’s largest chandelier

Back down the road to Abu Dhabi continuing to break records here, the stunning Qasr Al Watan presidential palace opened to the Public in 2019.  You will find the chandelier in the Spirit of Collaboration Hall weighing in at 12 tonnes with 350,000 pieces of crystal and 30,000 separate lights.

You can visit Qasr al Watan as part of a day tour from Dubai including the Grand Mosque

The world’s largest flower garden

A flower garden in the desert? Seems hard to believe, Dubai Miracle Garden is very inconspicuously buried in the outer area of Dubai known as Dubailand.  It was once destined to be a grand theme park destination but has since crept into the suburbs. 

The master plan for a stunning garden lived on though.  The flower garden which is open seasonally to the public from November to May every year is said to be home to astounding 150,000 blooms. Whilst not the largest in total square metres, it’s the sheer number of flowers and impressive displays that have won it worldwide accolades.

Whilst the claim as the “largest flower garden” does not seem to be substantiated by a Guinness World Record, they DO hold the official record for:

• The largest floral arrangement – an Emirates A380 display measures in at 72.95 m x 78.34m x 21.98m
• The tallest topiary structure in the world – a giant Mickey Mouse measuring in at 18.006m was unveiled at Dubai Miracle Gardens in January 2018 in conjunction with Disney to celebrate Mickey’s 90th Birthday (over 100,000 flowers are reported to have been used!)
• The largest vertical garden in the world

You can check out ticket packages with Dubai hotel transfers here.

The longest driverless Metro system

Did you know that the Dubai Metro is actually entirely automated? Yep, that’s right, Dubai’s most popular public transport included the Dubai Metro Red Line, which runs the length of Sheikh Zayed Road through the heart of the city’s most popular attractions.  The 52.1km track, combined with Dubai Metro’s 22.5km long Green Line, makes for the longest driverless metro system in the world, surpassing Vancouver’s Skytrain.

Learn more about how to catch Dubai’s Metro here.

The world’s largest cup of hot tea

The biggest brew in the world measured in at 5,000 litres (1,320.86 gallons) at Dubai’s Global Village in January 2018.

The world’s largest incense burner

At 3m tall and weighing 1000kg (2,200 lbs), the incense burner (mabkhara) made of ashwood and brass by fragrance company Ajmal holds the Guinness World Record.  It was unveiled as part of the Dubai Shopping Festival in March 2001

The world’s largest lantern

Well we’re going through inanimate objects, right?  You will find this lantern at the entrance to the fresh food Souq Al Jubail in Sharjah. At 13.09m high and 5m wide, the lantern is made from wood and copper.

The world’s largest book

Measuring in at 5m x 8.06m, weighing 1500kg and containing 429 pages, the project to highlight the lifetime achievements of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and the positive influences of Islam was unveiled in Dubai on February 27, 2012.

The world’s largest sword

Who doesn’t need a 14.93m sword right? Found in the middle of Al Saif roundabout in Fujairah, the record was set in December 2011.

The world’s largest gold ring

Najmat Taiba (Star of Taiba), is the world’s largest gold ring on display at Rossella Jewelry at Dubai Gold Souk in Deira.

Weighing in at 64 kilograms (141 lbs), the 21-carat ring boasts over 5kg of diamonds and 615 Swarovski crystals. It was created by 55 goldsmiths and is estimated to cost $3 million USD.

The world’s longest handmade gold chain

While we’re on the topic of jewellery, the “Dubai Celebration Chain” required over 100 craftsmen over 45 days to build the 22 karats 256-kilogram creation to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Dubai Shopping Festival.  It was unveiled at the Deira Gold Souk in January 2015 – and later sold off in pieces.

The world’s largest vertical maze

Yep, that’s a thing. A permanent feature of Maze Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, your mind will boggle staring at the 3,974.22 square metre design on the side of this skyscraper tower.

The world’s largest picture frame

This architectural wonder in Zabeel Park, Dubai, might be best known as an observation deck that bridges between the old and new cities of Dubai.  It is in fact, still classified as a  frame due to its unique structure with a height of 150m (492 feet)  making it the biggest picture frame on earth!

Find out how to get tickets to the Dubai frame here

The most number of Nationalities on a plane

Celebrating the diversity of nationalities, Emirates set this record on National Day 2019 with more than 145 nationalities packing an A380 flight on 2 December 2019.

This was certainly a record-breaking fete – but at any given time, there are approximately 50 different nationalities on every Emirates flight!

The largest human image of the UAE National Flag

Yep, we said some of them are a little obscure!  The UAE takes immense pride in celebrating National Day and all the diversity that comes with it.  Students at GEMS Cambridge College in Abu Dhabi set the record at National Day 46 in 2017 with this effort!

The world’s largest Christmas ornament

Found in the Muslim country of Dubai, of course! The gigantic Christmas Ornament was displayed in the Dubai Mall in 2018 with a whopping 4.68m (15.35 foot) diameter and weighing an astounding 1,100 kgs (2425 lbs).

The world’s most expensive Christmas tree

Another Christmas record! Reportedly costing $11.4 million USD, it was constructed in the centre of Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi in December 2010.  The bejewelled tree had 181 items and stood 13.1m tall (we believe Kempinski may have topped this record in Spain in 2019 with a $15 million tree).

Every year Emirates Palace still put up one of the most impressive and luxurious Christmas tree displays in the world.

The world’s largest jigsaw

Yep, this is in Dubai too.  The jigsaw inscribed with “the Year of Zayed” in honour of the country’s founding father was unveiled at Dubai Multi Commodities Centre on July 7, 2018.  The puzzle contained 12,320 pieces.

The world’s largest umbrella

You guessed it! In the city full of sunshine, of course, you’ll find this one in UAE with a 24.5m diameter and standing at 15.22m in height, it was erected as part of an Emirates Happiness Events in the UAE Capital Abu Dhabi on 24 March 2018.

The world’s largest flag flown

This one we head to the Emirate of Sharjah just northeast of Dubai.  On 2 November 2017, to mark national day Trident Support Flagpoles and Sharjah Investment and Development Authority flew the UAE national flag at a whopping 2,488.56 square meters.

The world’s largest suspended aquarium screen

The main tank at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, found in Dubai Mall, is 32.88 m wide, 8.3 m high, and 7.5m thick, the glass panel weighs in at a whopping 245,614kg!

If you want to head inside the Aquarium, here’s what it costs.

Still to come – the world’s largest observation wheel

Set to open later in 2021, Ain Dubai on the man-made Bluewaters Island stands proudly at 250m (820ft) tall. With 48 capsules and capable of carrying 1400 passengers at capacity, it will beat its nearest competitor, the High Roller in Las Vegas, by a good 42.5m (139ft).

You can learn more fascinating facts and opening details for Ain Dubai here

Wow, what a list! The more we dug, the more records we found. In a city full of superlatives, it’s hard to know what record they will find to impress next.

Any other Dubai & UAE record-breakers you think we’ve missed? We’re sure it’s not long until we’ll be updating this list again!

Information variously sourced from Guinness World Records, Visit Dubai, the National and other online resources.  Please notify us if you believe there are any inaccuracies in our review! Recorded as of December 2020, updated June 2021. 

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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.

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The confusion can largely reign from the fact that Dubai is not only a city but an Emirate (or state) – and it’s surprisingly not a capital city!!!  So let’s take a more detailed look at exactly what is Dubai – then we’ll help you place it on a map!!

Dubai is the largest city in a country called the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is a Gulf country in the Middle East which has coasts facing both the Arabain Gulf (Persian Gulf – but don’t call it that in front of an Emirati!) and the Gulf of Oman to the east.   The UAE neighbours Saudi Arabia to the south and west and Oman to the south-east (and a tiny bit in the north – we’ll get on to that!).

Is Dubai a country?

Nope! This is the biggest misconception.  Bid bold and brassy but a city and an Emirate, NOT an entire country, just like Abu Dhabi. The country is called the United Arab Emirates.

Is Dubai the capital of the UAE?

No, often mistaken as Dubai is the largest city in the UAE, Dubai is not the capital of the United Arab Emirates.  That crown goes to Abu Dhabi which sits approximately 130kms to the west, about an hour away by road.

You can see exactly how to get between Dubai and Abu Dhabi here.

What’s an Emirate?

Emirates are sort of like states, they are ruled over by a Sheikh, also called a Sheikdom.  In 1971, the United Arab Emirates was formed with the union of 6 of these Sheikdoms. A further Emirate joined in 1972 bringing us the 7 Emirates of the UAE we know today.  The countries birthday is celebrated in a massive event ever 2 December.

You can learn more about all 7 Emirates of the UAE here.

How big is Dubai?

The whole  Emirate of Dubai, including the city and desert areas is 3,885 km²

What is the population of Dubai?

There is no census carried out in Dubai, however, reports seem to vary between 2.4 million and 3.3 million!

The biggest surprise might be that only around 11% of the city’s population are considered native Emirati’s. The vast majority of Dubai’s population is expatriate workers from nearly 200 different nations!  It is one of the most diverse city populations in the world!

Why are there so many men in Dubai?!

The male to female ratio in Dubai is believed to be 75%:25%.

This is driven by the largely male Asian workforce in the construction and services sectors, predominantly Indian who are believed to make up as much as 50% of the city’s population.

This does not mean it is an unsafe place for female tourists to visit. Quite the opposite, we will share more soon on women’s safety in Dubai.

Who rules Dubai?

Dubai is ruled by the Al Maktoum family.  The current leader of Dubai and the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates is Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

What continent is Dubai on?

The Middle East and the Arabian Peninsular sit within the continent of Asia.

What is the Dubai Flag?

Whilst there is a flag for each of the Emirates that make up the UAE, the individual flags are very infrequently displayed. You are most likely to see only the unified flag of the United Arab Emirates. This flag is red on the left and has hortizonal black, white and green stripes.

Is Dubai Expensive to visit?

It can be in you don’t watch where you are spending your money; there is certainly an emphasis on luxury experiences, but there is plenty to see and do on a budget too, you can see our guide to Dubai on a Budget here.

Do I need a Visa to visit Dubai?

Yes, all visitors require a visa, but many nationalities are entitled to a Visa on Arrival when visiting as tourist – we talk much more about Dubai Visit Visas Here

What’s the time zone in Dubai?

Dubai’s time zone is called GST – Gulf Standard Time and it sits at UTC+4.  There are no daylight savings changes implemented in the summer months.

What is the currency in Dubai?

The United Arab Emirates uses the UAE Dirham – expressed as AED or dhs.

We have a complete guide to UAE currency and Dubai money matters here.

Is Dubai Muslim?

The majority of Dubai’s native population are Sunni Muslim. Sharia Law is followed in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.

You can find out more about customs, culture and religion in Dubai here.

What language do they speak in Dubai?

Arabic is the country’s legal first language. However, English is widely spoken as a common language between all workers and locals. Signposts and any official documents will come in both Arabic and English.

As a tourist to Dubai, you would not have to learn any Arabic to enjoy visiting the city, however, a few small words such as “Shukran” (thank you) never go astray. You could well go an entire trip to the city and NOT speak to an actual Emirati.

There are literally dozens of languages spoken in Dubai at home and amongst workers, reflective of such a diverse population.

What do they wear in Dubai?

Traditional dress is worn in public by native Emiratis. Men wear white dishdashas while women wear a black Abaya and Shayla love their heads (NOT a full face Burqa).

Tourists and expatriate residents are not expected to dress in traditional clothing, but modesty in public places IS expected. The rules can get complicated though and many have differing opinions on what is acceptable or not in Dubai in the 21st Century.

We discuss what to wear in Dubai in much more detail here.

So are you thinking about visiting Dubai?

We are a Dubai-based Travel Blog dedicated to helping tourists self-plan a visit to Dubai.

As long term expatriates in the UAE, we have spent many years unearthing the city’s secrets and most incredibly spots – from those insta-perfect locations to cultural gems and family-fun attractions.

It is a constantly growing and evolving city that perfectly intertwines traditional and modern.

If this article has you interested in learning more about Dubai, we suggest you jump over to our Essential Travel Planning Information page next as your starting point to get more acquainted with the city, learn more about the best times to visit, the legal matters you’ll want to know and how exactly to plan your trip to the modern and exciting city of Dubai!

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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.

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The country is called the United Arab Emirates (UAE), of which there are 7 Emirates that form the UAE (Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Sharjah, Ras al Khaimah & Umm Al Quwain)- we explain more about each of these 7 Emirates here.

Is Dubai the capital city?

No, Dubai is not the capital city of the UAE, but it is most certainly the biggest city. The capital city of the UAE is Abu Dhabi, which sits approximately 160km away to the west. You can learn more about Abu Dhabi here.

Does Dubai have a capital city?

No, it’s a little confusing but each of the Emirates (states if you like) does not have a capital per se. The largest city in each Emirate has the same name; so Dubai is the city and the Emirate, but there are smaller towns in Dubai Emirate outside of the main city, as well as areas within Dubai city with their traditional Arabic names and English translations.

So how big is the city of Dubai?

The Emirate of Dubai is 4,114 square kilometres and the city of Dubai although with no exact size as it’s continually expanding into the desert, was estimated to have a population of 3.3 million as at 2019.

The vast majority of the population live in the city of Dubai, rather than in the desert and mountainous areas (yes, despite being in the desert, there are mountains, much further south from the city!)

The population size of Dubai constantly fluctuates due to the huge expatriate workforce, predominantly from other parts of Asia. In fact, the local population of Dubai (Emirati’s) are thought to make up only around 11% of the population.

Learn more about the cultures and traditions of Emiratis here.

Where is Dubai?

Dubai is located on the Arabian Peninsula, facing the Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf) to the north in the Middle East. It is considered part of Asia.

We share more fabulous facts about Dubai and its geographic location in this post here.

When was Dubai first settled?

The first settlements along the banks of Dubai Creek date back to 1833.

The modern city of Dubai came much later. The UAE federated in 1971, and much development occurred after this time.

You can learn more about the early settlement of Dubai in one of the many Dubai museums.

Can you visit Dubai?

Absolutely, in fact, Dubai is now home to the busiest passenger airport in the world – DXB – Dubai International Airport. In 2018, just over 89 million passengers transited through DXB, and 15.93 million visitors made a stop.

Being in such a central location in the world makes it a great transit city.

You can simply stop in Dubai for a few hours, a few days – or extend this to a few weeks if you love the warmth and sunshine!

If you are considering a stopover in Dubai or unsure what to expect as a visitor in Dubai, you’ve come to the right place. We are long-term UAE residents and have put together this Dubai Travel Blog to help you navigate your way across the city and plan the perfect trip to Dubai.

A few handy places you may want to start your planning

• How to do a stopover in Dubai – how long do you need, what can you squeeze in?
• Essential planning information for Dubai – laws to religion, language, what to wear and when it is hot, we answer all your burning questions about the city of Dubai!
• What is there to see and do in Dubai? 150+ ideas on how to fill your itinerary

Is Dubai a safe city to visit?

According to the latest Numbeo Safe Cities Index (which looks at over 400 cities worldwide), Dubai is ranked the 7th safest city in the world, with Abu Dhabi ranked number 1.

We will have our detailed guide to Dubai safety matter out soon

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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.

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Athough the country is only 48 years old, the city of Dubai has a much longer history, and civilisation in the region can be dated back some 5,000 years! Much of this history is captured in these top museums across the city.

Some are quite small and explain specific chapters of the city with a nominal entry fee. Others are fabulous modern buildings with the present era and the future in mind.

Let’s take a deeper look at each:

• Dubai Museum & Al Fahidi Fort (3 AED)
• Etihad Museum (25 AED)
• Coffee Museum
• Coin Museum
• Bayt Al Khanyar (Dagger) Museum (5 AED)
• Majilis Ghorfat Umm Al Sheif
• Salsali Private Museum – Free
• Dubai Police Museum (Naif Museum) – Free
• Saruq Al-Hadid Archaeology Museum (20 AED)
• Museum of the Poet Aqeli
• Pearl Museum – private collection of Emirates NBD
• Al Shindaga Museum – Story of the Creek and Perfume House

Unique Modern Museums in Dubai

• Museum of the Future 
• Museum of Illusions 
• OliOli interactive children’s play museum
• 3D World Selfie Museum

Other historic buildings worth a visit

Although not museums as such, the culturally curious will definitely want to include these historical buildings and tours on their Dubai attractions list:

Arabian Tea House

The original is in Bastakyia, however, there are now additional branches of the Emirati favourite.

Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Culture Understanding

Within the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, you will find the SMCCU, a not-for-profit organization housed in a restored wind tower house.

House 26 Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Al Musallah Street

Open Doors, Open Minds, all questions – no matter how sensitive – are welcome and answered.

Through SMCCU you can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch, or dinner. These include guided tours of the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood before taking a seat on Bedouin-style carpets and pillows and enjoy a selection of traditional dishes while your local host answers questions about life in the emirate.

They also offer walking tours, a mosque visit to Al Farooq Mosque and Creekside tours. Times and dates are limited so you are thoroughly recommended to book in advance. Costs vary per activity, children are discounted 50%.

You can also book these tours through external providers such as Get Your Guide to easily keep your tour and attraction bookings together:

• Historic Walking Tour (1.5 hours 10:30 AM Tuesday & Thursday)
• Cultural Lunch at SMCCU (1.5 hours, 1:00 PM Monday to Thursday)

Jumeirah Mosque

Although quite a modern building, the tours conducted at Jumeirah Mosque are among the best for understanding more about the country’s Islamic culture. You can read a complete on what to expect at Dubai’s mosques (and which ones are actually open to non-Muslims) here.

This is an example of what you can expect on a cultural tour of the Jumeirah Mosque, conducted by SMCCU.

You can combine both Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood and the Jumeirah Mosque if you take a Heritage Express tour run by SMCCU.

Other Buildings of interest in Dubai

• Al Ahmadiya School
• Majlis Ghorfat Umm Al Sheif
• Heritage House

Beyond Dubai – Museums in the UAE

We strongly suggest history-lovers make a day trip up to Sharjah, known as the country’s cultural capital. Here you will find the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation, the Calligraphy Museum, Shajrah Fort (al Hisn) to name just a few.

You can find a complete listing of Sharjah Museums here.

Another great place to visit is Al Ain, in Abu Dhabi Emirate. Birthplace of the country’s founding Father Sheikh Zayed, and home to the country’s UNESCO World Heritage Listed sites. You can see a complete guide to visiting Al Ain here.

Abu Dhabi also has several museums and cultural attractions of interest, including the breathtaking Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Hosn, the UAE Heritage Village and Qasr al Watan.

• You can find a complete guide on how to day trip to Abu Dhabi from Dubai here.
• We suggest this full-day group tour from Dubai

Each of the Northern Emirates also has its own museum:

• Ajman Museum
• National Museum of Ras al Khaimah
• Fujairah Museum
• Falaj Mualla Museum

You can learn more about the 7 Emirates of the UAE here.

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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.

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