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5 Best Places To Visit In The UAE That's Not Dubai

Updated: Jan 5, 2023

Everyone often discusses traveling to Dubai when discussing the United Arab Emirates, but what about the rest of the country? There are seven Emirates in the United Arab Emirates and you need an emirates visa to explore, however, only Dubai and occasionally Abu Dhabi are frequently mentioned by tourists. To alter that, we are here.

In this guide, we'll highlight all the fantastic tourist spots in the United Arab Emirates that aren't in Dubai and are perfect for people wishing to explore the country in a unique way or who want to take day trips from Dubai. Here are the top 5 day trips from Dubai without further ado, but first, let's have a look at where these locations are located on the map below:


Hatta

For those seeking to escape the modernity and extravagance of Dubai and be surrounded by desert mountains, jagged peaks, and traditional villages, Hatta, a mountainous region east of Dubai close to the border between the UAE and Oman, is one of the most well-liked tourist destinations outside of Dubai. You can spend some time at Hatta learning about the way of life of the locals, what it was like in the past, and how they managed to survive in the absence of many modern conveniences at Hatta Heritage Village. You can take a free tour of this classic model village while learning about the past.

You also have the option of going on a short trek up the North and South Towers of Hatta, which will allow you to fully appreciate how beautiful the surrounding area is. The best part is that at dusk, you can drive up to Hatta Dam, get a kayak, and paddle around the breathtakingly blue river while being encircled by the craggy hills of Hatta. You wouldn't anticipate having such a bizarre encounter in a desert nation like the UAE. A fairly simple roadway takes around an hour and a half to get there from Dubai.


Jebel Jais & Ras Al Khaimah

Jebel Jais, the UAE's tallest mountain, is the ideal destination if you're looking to engage in adventurous activities. Even in the height of summer, Jebel Jais, at 1,934 m, is a fantastic destination to visit as a day trip from Dubai. One of the most picturesque drives in the UAE is to Jebel Jais, and once you get there, you'll be surrounded by breathtaking desert peaks and mountains you didn't realize the UAE visa was home to.

The longest zipline in the world is located at Jebel Jais, where you can fly across canyons at speeds of nearly 95 mph on a 9,284-foot (2.82 km) long zipline (150 km per hour). Nothing could be more extreme than that! Tickets for the Jebel Jais zipline can be purchased here. The greatest time to visit Jebel Jais is during the gorgeous sunset, and there is a lovely rest stop up there where you can enjoy food while doing so. Alternatively, you can embark on a climb and ascend the highest accessible point there to catch the sunset.

Make sure to stop in Ras Al Khaimah, the capital of the emirate with the same name, both on the way there and on the way back. It is absolutely worthwhile to visit places like the Dhayah Fort and the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah.


Fujairah

Another fantastic day excursion from Dubai is to Fujairah. This tranquil town, which is situated on the east coast of the Indian Ocean, is home to many undiscovered hidden gem attractions, such as a fantastic mosque that no one knows about, lovely forts, and breathtaking dams for you to revel in.


Your visit to Fujairah will undoubtedly be highlighted by a visit to the Grand Sheikh Zayed Mosque. The large mosque has four minarets on each side and a domed prayer hall, similar to the architecture of mosques you frequently see in Turkey. The mosque's interior, which features stunning patterns and a large chandelier in the middle, is just as striking as its exterior and befits its status as a grand mosque.

If you enjoy historic desert forts like those that are frequently seen in this region of the world, namely in Oman, Fujairah Fort is another fantastic location to explore. After traveling farther north, you will reach Khor Fakkan, where you may go hiking along the renowned Al Rabi Hiking Trail or see attractions like the Al Rafisah Dam. The distance between Fujairah and Khor Fakkan is easily covered in a single day, and the two best methods to get there are to rent a car in Dubai or go with a group. More tours are available here after you’ll get an online Emirates visa.


Abu Dhabi

There is no need for me to introduce Abu Dhabi. The beautiful Mosque Of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan the First, one of the largest mosques in the world, is located in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. If you are visiting the UAE, you absolutely must go there. Other fantastic tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi include Ferrari World, a sizable motor racing theme park ideal for families, and the Louvre, a museum filled with exceptional worldwide art collections similar to the one in Paris.

You need to take a full day to fully appreciate Abu Dhabi's uniqueness. Definitely not another Dubai, this place. Its severe COVID requirement, which requires visitors from outside the emirate to carry a negative PCR test that is no older than 14 days, explains why it is not as high on the list. You should be alright if you are traveling to Dubai from overseas and departing for Abu Dhabi within the allotted 14 days, but if you are already a resident of Dubai, you will always need to undergo a PCR test in order to enter Abu Dhabi.

These limitations prevented many of my local friends from visiting Abu Dhabi's tourist attractions, so bear that in mind while making travel plans as you’ll require an Emirates tourist visa. The best method to get to Abu Dhabi is to rent a car in Dubai or take a tour that is pre-planned, which will help you with the stringent PCR-test regulations that are currently in place.

Al Ain

Last but not least, Al Ain, also known as the city of gardens or the oasis of the Emirati desert, is still another location you ought to visit. The UAE's founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, spent a large portion of his life in this little city. You can go inside the Sheikh's former home at the Al Ain Palace Museum in Al Ain to get a sense of how modest life was before the discovery of oil and the influx of money.


Additionally, you may drive up to Jebel Hafeet for a breathtaking perspective of the city, visit Al Jahili Fort, and observe how camels are exchanged at the camel market. Because Al Ain is a part of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, the PCR-test regulations also apply to it. As a result, you should have the results ready before visiting Al Ain. You can take a tour of Al Ain or rent a car in Dubai to travel there.


Here they are the top 5 destinations outside of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. In the UAE, are you prepared to venture off the usual path? Please don't hesitate to ask me any questions about these locations if you have.

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