The Essential Dubai to Abu Dhabi Day Trip Guide

The key word about this place is ‘Grand’! Everything about the mosque screams of magnificence. The gleaming white marble structure is one of the most beautiful mosques in the world and a sight to behold! And a trip to Abu Dhabi is incomplete without a visit to the Sheik Zayed Mosque. The mosque has many unique elements that add up to its architectural beauty. But the exterior of the pristine white domes and imposing minarets itself is quite a sight.

The huge mosque has a capacity to accommodate almost 41,000 worshipers! It has the second largest chandelier in the world as well as the world’s largest carpet spanning a floor size of 5,627 sq mt! Even in the blazing hot sun of Abu Dhabi the marble mosque provides a surreal and cool environment. You can even visit the mosque at night when you can see the amazing play of light and shadow along the pillars and ponds of the mosque.

Recommended Experiences
• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Tour
• Abu Dhabi Sightseeing Tour

The Emirates Palace is a must see stop on your Abu Dhabi day tour from Dubai. The Palace is actually a 7 star hotel that is built along a private beach and is set amidst 85 hectares of verdant lawns and gardens. The best way to explore the Palace is by taking an Emirates Palace Show Around Tour. This way you can explore the extensive grounds as well as the stunning architecture of the Palace. The palace has 114 domes, the Grand Ballroom and palace auditorium.

A day trip to Abu Dhabi from Dubai will provide you with many photo ops but nothing like the Palace! The opulent brown architecture resembles the desert sands and is a perfect backdrop for your photographs. You can easily spend an hour at this spectacular location before heading on to the other sights of Abu Dhabi.

Recommended Experiences
• Magical Abu Dhabi Tour from Dubai with Lunch at Emirates Palace
• Emirates Palace Show Around Tour

Before the skyscrapers and glass structures of Abu Dhabi came along, the desert was dotted with oases that were its lifelines. The Bedouin life was hardy and sparse on resources, which made the desert life unique and remarkable. The Heritage village provides travelers an insight into this desert life through the unique village setup.

The Village is a reconstruction of a traditional oasis village replete with goat hair tents and the falaj irrigation system. There are live workshops where you can see artisans demonstrate traditional skills like metalwork and pottery. It is an interesting experience and one that will add the cultural experience to your day trip to Abu Dhabi from Dubai.

Recommended Experiences
• Abu Dhabi Sightseeing Tour
• Private Tour of Abu Dhabi from Dubai with Lunch

The iconic image of camels ambling along the desert dunes is what strikes you when you think of a desert! So, why not head to the desert for a camel safari for the quintessential desert experience? The desert right outside Abu Dhabi offers a plethora of activities for all kinds of travelers. The best way to include this in your day trip to Abu Dhabi from Dubai is by doing a Camel Trek. The entire activity takes less than an hour and takes you back to the era when camels were the main mode of transport in the desert.

The desert has more to offer if you extend the trip to Abu Dhabi by another day. You can catch the sunrise desert safari or spend the night out while on a desert safari to Liwa also known as the ‘Empty Quarter’! There is no shortage of exciting adventure activities too. These safaris usually include a session on dune bashing. Tucked comfortably in a 4×4, you will be driven across the desert on a roller-coaster ride over the dunes. You can also zoom across the slippery sand dunes in a powerful quad bike ride that will leave you dizzy with excitement!

Recommended Experiences
• Camel Trekking with Private Transfers
• Morning Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi
• Quad Bike ride in Abu Dhabi

Corniche is where the relaxation happens! There is nothing better to do at the end of a sightseeing trip than to put your feet up and relax, and let the day unwind amongst the comfort of the Corniche. If you are on an Abu Dhabi tour from Dubai then the promise of the vast ocean and the breeze coming in will excite you!

This waterfront is a public road lined with parks, walkways and cycle paths. It has a spectacular backdrop of the Abu Dhabi skyline and the blue waters in the front. In fact the Corniche beach is given the Blue Flag status which is an eco-label for beaches that guarantees safe and clean bathing water. If you are short on time then you can even take the Abu Dhabi sightseeing tour which will cover the Corniche, Heritage Village and Sheikh Zayed Mosque.

Recommended Experiences
• Guided Abu Dhabi Tour from Dubai

• Private Tour of Abu Dhabi from Dubai with Lunch

If you are planning for day trips from Dubai with your family then you have to include the Yas Waterworld theme park! It is one of the world’s top 10 water parks and is spread across 37 acres. The water park has 45 rides which includes the world’s first hydromagnetic tornado waterslide!

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Families with young children especially wonder what to see in Abu Dhabi because it is often known only for shopping and leisure. However, this is one place where the entire family can have fun. You can simply book a Yas Waterworld Bronze Pass to get the best of the theme park!
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Recommended Experiences
• Yas Waterworld Bronze Pass

• Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld Bronze Pass

The biggest attraction of Abu Dhabi region is the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, located right next to the Formula One track and home to the first Ferrari World Theme Park. A large number of tourists visiting Dubai can be seen setting a day aside to travel to Abu Dhabi to experience Ferrari World.

Once at Ferrari World, you will discover the extravagance of the Ferrari World which offers 25 thrilling rides. The most popular of them all is the Formula Rossa, the fastest roller-coaster in the world that will catapult you from 0-62mph in 2 seconds. A popular destination with car enthusiasts and speed freaks, the Ferrari World Theme Park is a must do on a day trip from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. If you can’t spend the entire day, you can take a quick look at the race track and click photographs for keep sake!
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Recommended Experiences
• Ferrari World Bronze Pass

• Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld Bronze Pass

Musandam is an Omani territory within UAE and is often touted as the ‘Norway of Middle East’ for its beautiful scenery of fjords and cliffs. One of the most popular day trips from Dubai for expats, it offers a chance to escape to nature and is only 120 miles away from Dubai. The place has great wildlife and beaches filled with underwater wildlife like dolphins, turtles and manta ray. It’s also great for snorkeling!
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Recommended Experiences
• Musandam Tour from Dubai
• Khasab Musandam Dhow Tour from Dubai with Lunch & Transfers

Ras al-Khaimah is an Emirate in UAE and is home to the Ice Land Water Park. It is about 62 miles from Dubai making it one of the popular day trips from Dubai. The Ice Land Water Park is enormous and has more than 30 slides. There is a large Olympic sized pool and the world’s largest waterfall. It is definitely a destination for families with children. Ras al-Khaimah is also popular for its desert safaris.
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Recommended Experiences
• Ice Land Water Park

• Evening Safari at Ras al-Khaimah

If you are looking for offbeat day trips from Dubai then head to the Hajar Mountains. The mountains range from eastern UAE into Oman and are a picturesque location. The unique landscape provides panoramic views perfect for a road trip from Dubai. You can head to the Hatta Heritage Village which is about 95 miles away from Dubai making it a convenient day trip from Dubai. You can experience the traditional Hajar life as well as sight local wildlife like gazelles along the way.
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Recommended Experiences
• Hatta and Hajar Mountain Safari