🇦🇪 Dubai · Living here

Weekend getaways in Dubai

Places within easy reach of Dubai, with how long they take, how to get there and what a weekend costs. Filter by time and mode.

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10 getaways from Dubai

  • Sharjah

    40 min · Car, Bus

    The Museum of Islamic Civilization, the restored Heart of Sharjah and an older, quieter Gulf town. It is an alcohol-free emirate.

    Stay
    Day trip
    Per person
    AED 30–AED 200
    Car or taxi up the coast road, or the E-route buses from Union or Al Ghubaiba
    October to April

  • Al Qudra and the desert

    45 min · Car

    Desert lakes with flamingos, a long cycle track, and camping under stars in the cool months.

    Stay
    Day trip / 1 night
    Per person
    AED 30–AED 400
    Car south along Al Qudra Road; no public transport
    November to March

  • Abu Dhabi

    1 h 30 min · Car, Bus

    The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Corniche. Dress modestly for the mosque.

    Stay
    Day trip / 1 night
    Per person
    AED 60–AED 700
    Car down the E11, or the E101 bus from Ibn Battuta
    October to April; the museums work all year

  • Hatta

    1 h 30 min · Car, Bus

    Kayaking on the turquoise dam, mountain-bike trails, and cabins or domes in the mountains.

    Stay
    Day trip / 1 night
    Per person
    AED 50–AED 800
    Car through the Hajar foothills, or the RTA Hatta Express bus
    October to April

  • Al Ain

    1 h 40 min · Car, Bus

    A UNESCO-listed date-palm oasis, old mud-brick forts and the drive up Jebel Hafeet at sunset.

    Stay
    Day trip / 1 night
    Per person
    AED 100–AED 700
    Car or bus inland via the E66
    October to April

  • Ras Al Khaimah and Jebel Jais

    1 h 45 min · Car, Bus

    The UAE's highest mountain with a very long zipline, cooler air, then beach resorts on the coast.

    Stay
    1–2 nights
    Per person
    AED 300–AED 1,200
    Car up the E311 and E611; buses run to the town but not the mountain
    October to April; the mountain is cooler all year

  • Fujairah and the east coast

    2 h · Car

    The Gulf of Oman side: snorkelling at Snoopy Island, the old Al Bidya mosque and dramatic mountain roads.

    Stay
    1–2 nights
    Per person
    AED 300–AED 1,200
    Car across the mountains on the E611 and E89
    October to May

  • Musandam, Oman

    3 h · Car

    Fjord-like inlets, dolphins and snorkelling from a traditional dhow. Check Oman's entry rules and your car insurance before going.

    Stay
    1–2 nights
    Per person
    AED 500–AED 1,500
    Car via Ras Al Khaimah and the Oman border, then dhow cruises from Khasab
    October to April

  • Muscat

    3 h · Flight, Car

    A low-rise capital between mountains and sea: the Grand Mosque, Mutrah souk and wadis to swim in within an hour.

    Stay
    2–3 nights
    Per person
    AED 900–AED 2,500
    About an hour's flight, or five to six hours by road
    October to April

  • Liwa Oasis

    3 h 30 min · Car

    The edge of the Empty Quarter, with some of the tallest dunes in the world and silent desert nights.

    Stay
    1–2 nights
    Per person
    AED 500–AED 1,500
    Car south-west via Abu Dhabi; a 4x4 for the dunes
    November to February

Budgets are per person for the whole trip: return travel, a mid-range double room shared, and food.