Dubai Day Trips - Tours From Dubai

abu dhabi day trip

Dubai is great - you've decided to vacation there, after all. But there's a whole wide world out there to explore, and it isn't going to explore itself. Instead, grab the travel bull by the travel horns, ignore that terrible turn of phrase, and plan some day trips and tours out of Dubai! Whether you're in the market for some culture, fancy getting your heart pumping, or simply want to ride an exotic animal, there's something for everyone. So, let's talk about the best day trips and tours from Dubai, which you should not miss!

Including:

  • Qasr Al Watan
  • Thrill Buggy Rides in Dubai's desert
  • Abu Dhabi's Highlights Day Trip from Dubai
  • 4x4 Quad Bike Ride in Desert (Sahara Adventure)
  • Camel Trekking in Abu Dhabi
  • and more!
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Visit Qasr Al Watan

Learning might not be top of your list when it comes to fun. But learning about another culture is one of the coolest things about a vacation. So, why not gain a deeper understanding of Arabic culture and how the area contributed to the arts and science on a day trip to Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi?

On the outside, you'll be treated to a magnificent white palace housed in the Presidential Palace compound. On the inside, you'll discover buckets of information about Arab heritage and culture that shaped the history of the United Arab Emirates. By studying artifacts from the UAE's history, you'll learn how local traditions have evolved over the centuries.

Then, there's the Qasr Al Watan Library, which culture vultures will love to dive into. All in all, Qasr Al Watan makes for one of the most fascinating day trips from Dubai.

Enjoy a Thrill Buggy Ride in Dubai's desert

Switching gears now to something a bit more adrenaline-pumping. If you've never ridden over the dunes outside Dubai in a dune buggy, you've never truly lived. Change all that, and get behind the wheel on this amazing day trip out of Dubai.

After you're escorted from your hotel in a 4x4, your journey to the dunes will be full of photo ops. Cameras at the ready, boys and girls. Then, you'll arrive at base camp, board your metal hog, and take the beast for a spin.

For 30 glorious minutes, you'll be free to carve some sick sand or something. And your guide will be on hand to make sure you don't hurt yourself, or them, or their buggy.

Ever felt 800ccs of pure, unadulterated dune buggy chugging beneath you? Nothing quite compares to it.

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Dubai Day Trips to Abu Dhabi

For those who don't know, Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It may not be as well known or as beloved as its younger brother Dubai, but it's still well worth a visit. So, why not visit and experience one of the best day trips out of Dubai?

The capital is a mix of culture and modernity, offering a decidedly different atmosphere than its neighbors. Kicking off on the coast,

you'll pass by famous spots such as the vast Jebel Ali Port, the National Exhibition Centre, Etihad Towers, the Louvre Museum, and Emirates Palace. All of them are worthy of more than a few pictures, so keep your phones charged and your memory free.

The perfect answer to Dubai's extravagance, go see what all the fuss is about.

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Enjoy a 4x4 Quad Bike Tour in the desert

If dune buggies don't quite do it for you, why not try a quad bike instead? These four-wheeled wonders can make quick work of Dubai's dunes, so consider doing some sweet dune jumps on this tour of the desert.

After your ride drops you at camp, you'll hop on a freaking camel to tour the surroundings. After you've fulfilled your dream of embodying Indiana Jones, you'll reach a specially designed track nestled deep in the beautiful dunes. And then, well, it's game on.

Race to your heart's content. Race like nobody's watching. Race like your life depends on it. And then, when you're done, you'll get a lift right back to your hotel. Nice.

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Take the Desert Safari and BBQ Dinner

If you'd rather do the desert safari sans the thrillseeking, then you're in luck. Thanks to this desert safari and BBQ dinner, you can have your cake and eat it too. Well, not cake, mainly grilled meats and veg, but you see what we're saying.

You'll still get your 4x4 tour of the dunes, from hotel to sandy sea. And yes, you'll still have plenty of time to snap pics of the mesmerizing scenery. But when you reach the desert camp, you'll be treated to a traditional BBQ meal and feast on grilled meats and other Arabian specialties. Doesn't that sound just delightful?

But wait, there's more! Because on top of the grilled goodness and laid-back vibes, you'll be able to enjoy belly dancing, a traditional Egyptian dance show, some smoky shisha, sandboarding, camel riding, henna painting, and more. But if you just want to lounge the night away, go right ahead. You make the rules. You are the golden god.

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Enjoy camel trekking in Abu Dhabi

And finally, if dune buggies don't cut it, you're not interested in quad bikes, and you prefer living matter to machine, why not trek across the beautiful dunes on camelback?

Do your best 'Laurence of Arabia' impression on this fantastic natural tour of the dunes. Like before, you'll be escorted in comfort (and air conditioning) to a camp deep in the dunes. From there, you'll saddle up, and ride these curious creatures for a half-hour track into the distant sands. Then, when you're done, you'll be taken back to camp, where you can refuel, relax, and enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, dates, and more before heading back to the city. Very nice.

And those were our picks for the best day trips and tours out of Dubai! If this has inspired you to make more plans during your vacation, do yourself a favor and check out Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want.

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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How to enjoy 5 days in Dubai

One of the world’s top stopover destinations, it’s easy to add a sojourn in Dubai to a long haul trip. Breaking your journey for a few days rarely adds much to the overall price of your flight, and many nationalities are able to visit as tourists without having to worry about visas. What’s more, Dubai has attractions other destinations would cry out for. Not only does it feature the world’s tallest building, but top museums, prestigious beaches and one of the world’s largest gatherings of amusement parks. There’s easily enough to fill 5 days in Dubai to brimming. Not convinced? Take a look at the following 5 day Dubai itinerary and we think it will change your mind completely. Day 1 Start your exploration of all that glitters at Dubai Marina. Grab some brunch – an especially popular pastime with expat workers on the weekend but possible any day of the week – at one of the café-bars which line this man made harbor filled with yachts from around the world. Having absorbed some of the genteel ambience of this part of town, follow the marina promenade towards Ain Dubai, the city’s giant coastal observation wheel. Reaching a height of 250 meters above the Persian Gulf, or twice the reach of the London Eye, rides take around 40 minutes and provide a constantly changing view of many of Dubai’s top sights, including the Burj Al Arab luxury hotel and the fronds of the Palm. Time it right and you can then take advantage of the passenger craft that connect Dubai Marina with Dubai Creek further north several times a day. Skirting the Palm and sailing along Dubai’s long waterfront, it’s just one way to take in your first glimpses of the emirate as a whole and much more fun than the metro system too. If the metro has a benefit – beyond cleanliness, air conditioning and excellent service – it’s that it has its own stop at the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. The mall contains around 1200 stores and 200 places to eat and drink, as well as Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Views from its western exits take in Dubai Fountain and the Burj Khalifa, with sunset the perfect time to visit At The Top – the name given to its observation decks. Day 2 If the Burj Khalifa represents the future of the region, Old Dubai remains its gateway into the past. Roughly delineated as the area at the northern entrance of Dubai Creek, it’s here you’ll find the oldest parts of the city. Dubai Museum occupies the oldest structure in Dubai, the Al Fahidi Fort. Constructed in 1787, and used for everything from a defensive post to a prison, it became a museum in 1971. Its open courtyard and mix of old and new architecture display a collection detailing the culture and traditions of its people. Then cross the creek on an abra, a vessel that has been making the same journey since the Bur Dubai neighborhood was first settled. It will see you arrive at Deira, a district known for souks sweeping inland from wharfs where dhow trading boats continue to be unloaded with all a city could need: spices, fridges and huge sacks of rice amongst them. Despite their maze-like reputation the souks – marketplaces for gold, spices and fabrics – are relatively easy to navigate. A stop at a tea or coffee house makes people watching a cinch before ending the day amid the quiet streets and historic homes of Al Shindagha back across the creek. Day 3 If – somehow – you’re still wondering what to do in Dubai for 5 days we’d recommend adding one or two of its theme parks to your bucket list. Families with younger kids can do much worse than LEGOLAND Dubai. With more than 60 million individual bricks used in its creation, it is made up of six different lands or zones, with attractions both indoors and outdoors. You won’t want to miss the miniland of Middle Eastern landmarks, nor the 40-plus rides suitable for those aged two to 12. Recreating the razzamatazz of Indian cinema, BOLLYWOOD PARKS is the first theme park of its kind in the region. Visitors are able to go behind the scenes of the movie making process in between taking a seat on rides including the world’s tallest swing ride. But for a full-on adrenaline rush, save your afternoon for IMG Worlds of Adventure. The five worlds in question include the Jurassic setting of Lost Valley, with one of Dubai’s fastest and tallest roller coasters, The Velociraptor. Another zone is based around some of Marvel’s best loved comic book superheroes, including Thor Thunder Spin and Spider-man Doc Ock’s Revenge. Day 4 The adventures can continue on day 4 in Dubai’s desert regions. Just a short drive from downtown and Old Dubai, the desert inland is far from being the barren landscape of our imaginations. Begin the day with a sunrise flight in a hot air balloon to take in the majesty of the area. You might even witness the solitary figures of rare Arabian oryx in the dunes. For the chance of a close up encounter with these animals, join one of the handful of operators permitted to run safaris to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. It’s an area which has helped bring the species back from the brink of extinction, with no animals remaining in the wild at the creation of the United Arab Emirates in 1972. Additional ways to discover the desert aren’t hard to find. The ultimate in desert adventures is perhaps the opportunity to roar over the dunes on top of a 4x4 quad bike. Including hotel pickup, you’ll be taken to a part of the desert reserved for quad bike rides and will also have the chance to jump on the back of a camel and sandboard! Day 5 After a hectic 96 hours, use the last of your 5 days in Dubai to take things easy. Dubai’s climate means that even in the winter months when Emirati’s are wrapped up in thicker fabrics most visitors won’t need much more than a T-shirt. Opt for a few hours on one of the beaches and you won’t even need that. The closest to most accommodation is Jumeirah Public Beach. Sometimes known as Sunset Beach – for obvious westward facing reasons – it’s a broad expanse of clean sand with a full range of facilities, from showers to WiFi. The waves are gentle enough for swimmers, with floodlights allowing nighttime dips, but also suitable for those looking to get onto a surfboard for the first time. Whilst a day by the beach is relaxing enough, a treatment or two at one of Dubai’s spas is sure to bring your heart rate down even further. All the top hotels have their own inhouse spas and treatment rooms, with plenty of traditional style hammams brought to new audiences too. Making the most of 5 days in Dubai Few other destinations can offer the range of attractions as 5 days in Dubai. Make your trip with Go City and you can experience many of them whilst making significant savings on advertised admission costs. For the very latest, check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook!
Ian Packham
dubai in may
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Dubai in May

Dubai is fast becoming one of the places to visit. With its mix of larger-than-life attractions, year-round sun, and delightful beaches, it's no wonder you're considering it. But when is the best time to visit? Is Dubai in May perfect for your vacation plans? Check out our guide to Dubai, and decide for yourself if you should visit in May! Including: Dubai weather in May Dubai's beaches at night Wintery escapes from the warmth Night delights in the desert and more! Dubai in May: What to Expect For many of us, May is the perfect mix of spring freshness and summer sun. The flowers are well in bloom, temperatures are 75-80°F, and we're settling into the transition between jeans and shorts. Dubai does May different, to no one's surprise. It's when we really start to see the mercury rise, as you can expect highs of 99°F and lows of 73°F. High humidity and minimal rain only reinforce the intense heat. Unless you're built for it, you may want to pick a month outside of the May-September range. However, if May is the perfect vacation time for you logistically, you can still have a great time and see the sights while avoiding the worst of it. And if you're planning on hitting up some of Dubai's biggest attractions, you may actually have a better time of it, as tourism tends to dwindle in the summer period. That means fewer people, smaller queues, and more time for fun! So, let's explore the best way to enjoy Dubai in May. Dubai in May: What to Do Snow Escapades When the heat gets too much, where better to escape it than the snowy hills of a ski resort? But we're talking about Dubai here, a place with minimal summer rainfall and constant beating sun. Where in the world would one go to experience such alpine delights? Well, Ski Dubai, of course! Dubai's very own indoor snowy paradise just happens to be the largest of its kind in the world, and you're more than welcome to strap up and get your ski on. This all-inclusive package ensures you needn't bring anything other than your ski brain, and the center's multiple slopes ensure you have plenty of space to get powdery. Ski lingo, baby. And if skiing's not your bag, you can snowboard, sled up, or even just sit and admire the cool temperatures. Plus, there are penguins sometimes, which is the icing on the chilly cake. Sea, sand, and no sun? Hitting the beach might be low on your itinerary when the sun can literally cook you in 20 minutes, but don't dismiss Dubai's sandy shores outright. Even under the cover of darkness, you can make the most of the space, and in some cases, the sea too. That's because many of Dubai's beaches are open to loungers 24/7. And in some cases, like with Umm Suqeim Beach, you can even take a dip in the sea after sundown. Thanks to Umm Suqeim Beach's Smart Light system, the waters stay lit until midnight, so you can safely - and legally - appreciate the cooling waters after the sun runs off. Lifeguards are still on duty, so no worries about any potential mishaps. However, once the clock strikes 12, you'll need to vacate the cooling waters and stick to the sands. But so what? Heading to a sandy paradise like Dubai, the last thing you want to do is miss the beach scene entirely. At least this way, you give your skin a rest, and ensure you don't spend the rest of your vacation in painful red lobster mode. Night bites and dune gazing Speaking of nighttime, another of Dubai's biggest draws is its magnificent dunes. As soon as you leave the outskirts of this young city, you're met with the endless, flowing sands of the beyond. And, while we wouldn't recommend heading out there on your own, they absolutely deserve to be explored. So, why not take a curated approach to exploration, and check out an evening tour and BBQ experience in the heart of Dubai's desert? Kicking off with a 5-star taxi service that will comfortably transport you from your hotel to the desert, you'll arrive at the party camp. Then, sit down and treat yourself to a BBQ feast of spiced meats, veg, and other delicious Dubai delicacies. When you're full to bursting, lounge back and appreciate the evening's entertainment. Featuring belly dancing, shisha, camel riding, and henna tattoos, it's an evening packed with fun! Then, you'll be taken right back to your hotel when the night is over. You'll have the best sleep in months. Burnt by the sun, but calmed by the waters If you absolutely insist on meeting Dubai's unforgiving sun head-on, level the playing field at a water park. The H20 will help you cool off, at least. And good news, people, because Dubai has the water park game cornered thanks to some brilliant watery spaces. Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm is one of the best, with plenty of amazing rides for both kids and adults. From death-defying drops to snakey slides, they even have a kids-only area and their own beach if you need to relax. For kids, LEGOLAND® Water Park ticks all the boxes. Featuring 20 rides themed around many of their most recognizable characters, it might not be as exhilarating for adults as the other two, but there's nothing stopping you from getting on the rides and having a blast. Either way, our top tip to come out unscathed is to apply, apply, and reapply sunscreen regularly throughout your visit. Slides and sunscreen don't mix, as the former will scrape the latter right off. So, make sure to stay topped up! Light bites On hotter days, you might lose that hearty appetite. So, stay refueled with small dishes at Dubai's beach clubs. Not only will you get manageable dishes perfect for near-100° heat, but you'll have plenty of shade or air-conditioning to enjoy them in! Twiggy by La Cantine is our pick, with its Mediterranean menu complimented by plenty of refreshing drinks and a massive infinity pool to cool off in. Perfect. And that's our guide to Dubai in May! Looking for more fun ideas to experience during your vacation? Try Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want.
Dom Bewley

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