All you need is your car to embark on these scenic road trip through the emirates
If every hotel room is already fully booked and all tables at your favourite restaurants are taken, all you need is a car and a driving buddy (and some snacks) to experience the UAE with a fresh perspective as you drive through the emirates.
It’s road trip time!
Here’s a list of destinations within the emirate, perfect for a scenic long drive during the long weekends.
Liwa Oasis
Liwa Oasis
It’s the ultimate road trip in the UAE, leaving you feeling you’ve reached faraway lands (more like a scene for the Arabian Nights). The endless road to the northern edge of Rub Al Khali is fringed by nothing but vast stretches of dunes, that range in hues from golden to orange. If you’re feeling fancy, check into the plush Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara in the Empty Quarter, some 350 kilometres into your journey.
Al Ain
Al Ain Oasis
Abu Dhabi’s historic quarters, Al Ain is home to the capital’s UNESCO Heritage Site of Al Ain Oasis. Take a walk through the meandering pathways through this lush oasis of palm trees. The city is also home to Al Ain Zoo, Jebel Hafeet (Abu Dhabi’s highest peak), Wadi Adventure and a selection of museums. Those looking to make the most of their trip can plan an itinerary that encompasses a visit to each of these attractions, concluding with a stay at the deluxe Al Ain Rotana.
Hatta
Hatta
A scenic drive through the emirates, about two hours long, takes you the town of Hatta, which is home to everything from adventure to nature. Wadi Hub by Meraas offers an exciting range of activities from hiking to camping. Stop by the JA Hatta Fort Hotel for a sumptuous lunch before hitting the road once again.
Dibba
Snoopy Island
A scenic two-hour drive through the lofty Hajar mountains takes you to the city of Dibba in Fujairah, the UAE’s only emirate on the east coast. It borders Oman and offers some of the best beaches in the UAE. As you drive by the coast, be sure to keep an eye out for Snoopy Island, the famed rock named after the cartoon character it is shaped as. It makes for an ideal picnic spot.
Kalba
Kalba Mangroves
Drive for about two hours from Dubai to reach the humble fishing village of Kalba in Sharjah. Visitors can expect an abundance of natural gems, including lush mangroves, which are home to exotic flora and fauna. Here, you can kayak through the mangrove forest to get up close to nature in its purest form.
Sir Bani Yas Island
Sir Bani Yas Island
Long yet rewarding, the 370-kilometre road that leads southwest from Dubai to Sir Bani Yas Island instantly transports you. Reminiscent of wild African safaris, this island is home to over 13,000 free-roaming animals. Although it is now temporarily closed, the Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara offers guests a true rustic escape, in the heart of this sanctuary.