Short trips from Dubai for the weekend

If you reside in Dubai, there are several fantastic destinations nearby where you can retreat to over the weekend. You can spend a couple of days away from the emirate in some amazing locations that are a short flight, or even a drive away. Here are the best destinations for short trips from Dubai for the weekend. 

SHORT TRIPS FROM DUBAI: TOP DESTINATIONS AND THINGS TO DO

While most European countries are over 4 hours away from Dubai, there are plenty of destinations in the Middle East which are ideal for a short trip. If you are keen on visa-free destinations which require longer travel time, take a look at the places with visa-free travel for UAE residents. 

LOCATIONS FOR SHORT TRIPS FROM DUBAI OUTSIDE THE UAE

OMAN AND SALALAH

The neighbouring country of Oman is just a short flight or even a drive away. Now, Dubai residents can even get a Dubai to Oman bus. So you can enjoy the perfect short vacation without costing a fortune. This is especially true if you head to Salalah, which is among the top destinations to visit in Oman.

On a short vacation from Dubai in Salalah, tourists can engage in a host of activities while also appreciating the beautiful landscape. Examples include boating, mountain trekking and beach lounging. You can also take cruises from Juweira harbour. There are dozens of species of whales, dolphins and other marine life in the waters around Salalah.   

July to September is a good time to take short trips from Dubai to Salalah as the climate is cooler. You can see the lush greenery all over during the monsoon months and the sandy white beaches are filled with banana, papaya and coconut plantations. After September, temperatures can reach even the mid-twenties, especially in December. 

Day trips from Dubai to Oman take 4.5 hours by car, around 6 hours by bus and two hours by plane. 

JORDAN AND AMMAN

Among the best short trips from Dubai, you can also take a 3-hour Dubai to Jordan flight to explore the magical country of Jordan. This place offers you unique experiences, liking swimming in the Dead Sea or taking a mud bath. And let’s not forget the ancient city of Petra. From the ancient town of Madaba to the coast region of Aqaba, Jordan has something for everyone. 

The capital of Jordan is a great place for a short vacation from Dubai. Apart from the Dead Sea, Amman offers plenty of activities for tourists. You can head to Rainbow Street to find great places to eat, drink and socialise. History buffs can visit the ruins of Al Qala’a, while Jabal Al Weibdeh offers much in the way of contemporary art. Amman is also home to the Dana Biosphere, Jordan’s largest natural reserve. 

BAHRAIN

Bahrain may not be poles apart from the UAE, but it offers a change of scenery a few hours away from Dubai. You can easily cover a major chunk of the small kingdom over the weekend. Places to visit include Bahrain Fort, Manama Souq or the innovative city of Muharraq.

If you love the waters, you can take a boat trip to the small island of Jarada, or even have a fun day at Al Dar Islands. While there, make it a point to visit the Tree of Life, a tree that remains green all-year-round despite the hot desert climate and no (visible) water source. The tree is located at the highest point of Bahrain, which makes for an exciting trip. 

Al HAJAR MOUNTAIN REGION

The Hajar mountain range spreads over a large part of the UAE and crosses over into Oman. 

The western Hajar Mountain region is one of the most dramatic mountain regions in the region. You can go hiking in the mountains or enjoy a weekend stay at the Alila Jabal Akhdar five-star resort on top of Hajar mountains. The resort promotes sustainability and eco-tourism and you can enjoy activities like cycling, hiking, mountain climbing, cave adventures and kite flying. 

In addition to these, destinations such as Georgia and Armenia are also a short flight away. 

LOCATIONS FOR SHORT TRIPS FROM DUBAI WITHIN THE UAE

 HATTA

If you are driving to Oman or taking a bus trip, you can also make a stopover at Hatta. This small town is located in the Hajar Mountains and is the ideal spot for those who are seeking short getaways from Dubai. You can visit the old town in Hatta to look at the traditional houses or climb the cool mountain paths to experience the wilder side of the UAE.

The most famous place to visit is the Hatta Heritage Village. This is a reconstructed traditional mountain village exhibiting weaponry, palm-tree products, handicrafts, traditional dresses and music. 

Moving on, you can also head to the famous Hatta Dam. With its clear turquoise water, the dam is an ideal location for activities like biking, boating, kayaking and pedal boating. These are only some of the many things to do in Hatta. You can drive up to Hatta in less than 1 hour and 30 minutes from central Dubai.

ABU DHABI

If you are seeking short getaways from Dubai but still want to stay in the country, what better place than the capital itself? You can take a day trip to Dubai from Abu Dhabi in less than two hours or even take a bus from Dubai to Abu Dhabi.

You will find Abu Dhabi to be more relaxed though, where you can enjoy long walks on its relatively low-crowd beaches. If you’re feeling contemplative or doing some soul searching, just head over to the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. You can go bargain shopping at Heritage Village or visit some of the world’s best-themed parks. In short, there is no shortage of things to do in Abu Dhabi on a weekend. 

AL AIN

The Garden City of the UAE, Al Ain is also a great weekend destination, especially if you are considering a change in weather and scenery. The city offers everything from historic sites to water-based activities. You can head to the Al Ain Zoo and watch wildlife up close on a safari. And be sure to check out Wadi Adventure, which has the world’s largest man-made white-water channels. For accommodation, you can consider Danat Al Ain or The Hilton Al Ain. 

Al Ain is about 100 km away from Dubai. Now you can even take a bus from Dubai to Al Ain and reach your destination in about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

SHARJAH

If you want to get a glimpse of the culture of the UAE, head over the city of Sharjah. You can reach Sharjah by car, bus or taxi is less than an hour. A one day Sharjah tour can easily be filled with trips to museums and cultural centres. The third-largest city in the UAE, Sharjah was declared as the Arab Capital of Culture by UNESCO. Of course, that is not all the emirate has to offer (just check out our master list of things to do in Sharjah).

You can always head over to the Corniche area, known for its sandy white beaches. 

Another great location for a weekend getaway is the Khorfakkan beach which is also technically a part of Sharjah, although it’s fairly close to Fujairah. This beach in Sharjah is all about beautiful views and water sports. A family-friendly picnic spot, the beach is lined with palm trees, swings and football goals. Stretching over 3 km, the beach is also home to the Khorfakkan Resort & Spa. The resort offers visitors a range of activities such as diving, fishing, boating and water sports. Or you can just keep things simple and relax on the sand or take a dip in the clear waters of Khorfakkan (read more about things to do at Khorfakkan Beach here).

As you move along the Corniche, you will also find huts where they rent jet skis. If you have some extra time, you can also take a small boat from the beach to the nearby Shark Island, which is a popular spot for snorkelling and scuba diving. 

FUJAIRAH

Located two hours from Dubai is the emirate of Fujairah. The place has a unique landscape that features beaches and rocky outcrops. Covering most of the UAE’s east coast, Fujairah is a great place for outdoor activities over the weekend. Not to mention, you will find several cultural attractions in Fujairah as well. For accommodation, you can check out hotels in Fujairah for a weekend getaway.

Among other things, there is a Friday Market in Fujairah in the mountainous town of Masafi. You can visit the Souq Al Juma for snacks, local sweets, pottery, plants and especially carpets. History buffs, on the other hand, can head to the city centre to visit the fascinating Al Hayl Castle. Its location on the mountainside makes for an adventurous trip, but one that is ‘scenic-ly’ rewarded once you’re up there. 

Also on Fridays, you can visit the Corniche to catch some bull butting action. Unlike traditional (and brutal) animal fights, bull butting is more of a wrestling competition where the gigantic creatures have to push each other out of a marked circle. These are some of the many reasons you should visit Fujairah over the weekend. Travelling to the emirate is easy and affordable, especially with Dubai to Fujairah bus service. 

RAS AL KHAIMAH

Another picture-perfect location for a weekend getaway from Dubai, the mountainous terrains of RAK come with luxury hotels and resorts and a range of thrilling outdoor adventures. You can conquer the Jebel Jais, enjoy the scenic beaches and indulge in the refined luxury of the hotels in Ras Al Khaimah for a perfect short trip from Dubai. Take a look at the complete list of things to do in Ras Al Khaimah to plan your ideal weekend retreat from Dubai. 

AJMAN

Although it may be the smallest emirate of the UAE, Ajman is also a great escape from the bustling city life of Dubai. The untouched beaches, quaint historic attractions and luxury resorts make it ideal for people of all ages. Take a look at our guide to the main attractions in Ajman and enjoy the many interesting activities in the charming emirate. 

So that’s about it. Of course, this list doesn’t exhaust all the possible destinations for short trips from Dubai for the weekend. Alternately, you can also read all about long drive places in UAE so that you can enjoy a long drive over the weekend while immersing in the landscape of the emirates. Of course, there are so many things to do on a weekend in Dubai that you may not get a chance to leave the city after all. 

But a benefit of living in Dubai is that you can fly to destinations in Asia, Europe and even Africa in less than five hours. We have listed some of these in our list of the best winter destinations from Dubai. Plus, if you are travelling off-season, you can even save money on the airfare and hotel bookings.