Abu Dhabi is the capital emirate of the United Arab Emirates, blending ultramodern architecture with rich Bedouin heritage. Home to iconic landmarks like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre Abu Dhabi, it offers world-class culture, luxury hospitality, and thrilling desert adventures.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Al Ain — UNESCO World Heritage Oasis City
Al Ain is Abu Dhabi Emirate's second city and one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in Arabia — a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its oasis landscapes, falaj irrigation systems, and Bronze Age archaeological sites. A full day allows visits to the extraordinary Al Ain Oasis (147,000 date palms irrigated by ancient falaj channels), the Al Ain National Museum, the Hafit period Bronze Age tombs at Jebel Hafeet, and the famous Al Ain Camel Market. The city is dramatically greener and cooler than Abu Dhabi, set in the desert at the foot of the Hajar Mountains.
Highlights: Al Ain Oasis — UNESCO site with 147,000 date palms · Jebel Hafeet mountain and Bronze Age Hafit tombs · Al Ain Camel Market — the largest camel market in the UAE · Al Ain National Museum · Qasr Al Muwaiji — Sheikh Zayed's childhood home · Green Mubazzarah hot springs at Jebel Hafeet base
Dubai — The City of Tomorrow
Dubai, just 140km from Abu Dhabi on the E11 highway, is the UAE's most visited destination and a spectacular contrast to Abu Dhabi's more restrained capital atmosphere. A day trip efficiently covers the iconic highlights — the Burj Khalifa observation deck (the world's tallest building), the Dubai Mall, the historic Al Fahidi neighbourhood (Bastakiya), the Dubai Creek traditional dhow crossing, and the Dubai Frame. Dubai's metro system makes city movement easy once you arrive.
Highlights: Burj Khalifa — 828m, world's tallest building (observation deck floors 124 and 148) · Dubai Mall — one of the world's largest malls (with aquarium, ice rink, waterfall) · Dubai Frame — picture-frame architecture with history museum and skyline views · Al Fahidi Historic District (Bastakiya) — traditional windtower houses · Dubai Creek — traditional abra (water taxi) crossing · Gold Souq and Spice Souq in Deira
Sir Bani Yas Island — Wildlife Reserve
Sir Bani Yas Island is one of the UAE's most extraordinary natural destinations — a large island off Abu Dhabi's western coast that Sheikh Zayed transformed from a desert island into a wildlife sanctuary in the 1970s. Today it hosts the region's largest wildlife reserve with over 13,000 free-roaming animals including Arabian oryx (once extinct in the wild), cheetah, hyena, giraffe, gazelle, and hundreds of bird species. Wildlife safari drives, kayaking in mangroves, and snorkelling are the main activities.
Highlights: Arabian Oryx — once extinct, now thriving on the island · Wildlife safari drives with cheetah, giraffe, and hyena · 4.5km of natural beaches · Mangrove kayaking · 6th century Christian monastery (one of the oldest in the Gulf) · Snorkelling in clear Arabian Gulf waters
Liwa Oasis — The Empty Quarter Desert
Liwa Oasis sits on the northern edge of the Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter) — the largest uninterrupted sand desert on Earth. The dunes here, some exceeding 300m, are among the most magnificent in the world. A day trip from Abu Dhabi offers a genuine encounter with the vast, silent deep desert — utterly unlike the manicured desert safari experiences available near the city. Moreeb Hill (Al Moreeb Dune), one of the tallest dunes on Earth, is the centrepiece. The date palm oasis settlements add cultural colour.
Highlights: Moreeb Hill (Al Moreeb) — over 300m high, one of the world's tallest dunes · Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter) — the largest sand desert on Earth · Vast silence and total wilderness — extraordinary contrast to city life · Traditional Liwa date palm oasis settlements · Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort — a remarkable desert fort hotel
Al Wathba Wetland Reserve — Flamingos and Desert Wildlife
Abu Dhabi's easiest and most accessible nature day trip — the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve 50km east of the city hosts the UAE's largest Greater Flamingo colony (hundreds to thousands of birds in winter months), along with pelicans, herons, spoonbills, avocets, and over 250 other bird species. A flat, easy walking trail circles the main flamingo lake. Best visited in the early morning from November to April for peak flamingo numbers and cool temperatures. The reserve is free but requires prior online registration.
Highlights: Greater Flamingo colony — the UAE's largest · Over 250 recorded bird species · Pelican, heron, and spoonbill roosts · Peaceful desert wetland landscape · Hawksbill turtle sightings in adjacent coastal areas
Ras Al Khaimah — Jebel Jais Mountain
Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE's far north is home to Jebel Jais — the UAE's highest mountain at 1,934m — and the Jais Flight, the world's longest zipline at 2.83km. The drive north on the E11 passes through Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah, giving a sense of the diversity of the UAE. The mountain road to Jebel Jais is spectacular — dramatically different from the flat desert of Abu Dhabi — and the temperature at the summit is refreshingly cool even in summer.
Highlights: Jais Flight — world's longest zipline (2.83km, speeds up to 150km/h) · Jebel Jais — UAE's highest peak at 1,934m · Mountain hiking trails with Gulf of Oman views · Via Ferrata climbing route · Tobogganing and mountain activities
Multi-day tours from Abu Dhabi
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
Browse multi-day tours from Abu DhabiWe may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Start early — most popular day-trip destinations get crowded by mid-morning.
Check return transport times before you leave — missing the last train or bus can be costly.
Carry water, snacks, and layers — weather and food options can be limited at smaller destinations.