Dubai is one of the most opulent cities, not only in the Middle East but in the entire world. It is often confused with the capital of the United Arab Emirates, as millions of tourists come here to stay in its luxury hotels, be inspired by its ultra-modern architecture, and visit the tallest tower in the world: the Burj Khalifa.
But Dubai has another side. What is now a megacity was once a modest fishing village on the shores of the Persian Gulf. Visit the old town and discover the traditional souks, old mosques, and traditional Arab teahouses.
Now that the city is covered, you should think about how to get out of the city again. There you have miles of unspoiled desert, the beautiful blue waters of the Persian Gulf (perfect for diving), and the mountains of the Emirates, all within easy reach of Dubai.
1. Safari in Dubai: Walk through the dunes, camels, and meals in Al Khayma
A day full of adrenaline is something not to be missed in and around Dubai.
Take advantage of hotel pickup in a luxurious Land Cruiser, which will take you a short distance from the city. You will try quad biking, dune bashing (in 4×4), and sandboarding.
You’ll be exhausted after all this, so the perfect antidote is a meal and camel ride through the luxurious Al Khayma camp before heading back to your central Dubai hotel.
2. 8-hour magical tour of Dubai visiting the Burj Khalifa
This eight-hour tour will give you a fantastic overview of the old and new parts of Dubai, accompanied by a friendly and knowledgeable local guide.
First, you’ll head to the Old Town, where you’ll learn about Arab culture and history as you discover museums and mosques.
So, whenever you’ll have a visit to Dubai, make sure that you’ll visit the world’s luxurious hotel, the 7-star Burj Al Arab before you’ll visit the man-made islands of Atlantis. Oh, and of course the Burj Khalifa, the tallest skyscraper in the world.
3. Safari in the morning with quads, sandboarding, and camel ride
This four-hour tour is the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown Dubai and head out into the Arabian desert.
You will be picked up from your hotel and driven out of town in a 4WD where the fun begins. First, marvel at the picturesque Lahbab area before your driver squeezes some of the air out of your tires to create the perfect vehicle for dune bashing.
Before heading back to Dubai, try your hand at sandboarding and take a ride on the desert’s original mode of transportation: the trusty camel.
4. Abu Dhabi day trip from Dubai
It is actually Abu Dhabi, not Dubai, which is the capital and largest city of the United Arab Emirates. Fortunately, it’s only 1.5 hours away in the air-conditioned vehicle included in your trip.
You will be guided by a bilingual tour guide, who will show you the sights of Abu Dhabi, the highlight without a doubt being the exquisite Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the fourth largest mosque in the world. Before driving back to Dubai, you will visit the Marina Mall and learn about the history of the country in the historic village of the United Arab Emirates.
As you are visiting a mosque, make sure you wear appropriate clothing. If you are in doubt about what that is, your hotel will be able to help you.
5. From Dubai: Sunset Camel Ride with BBQ, Dancer, and Tanoura
Perfect for couples or honeymooners, this sunset camel trek is an unforgettable experience you’ll talk about for years to come.
Leave the city and immerse yourself in the peace of the Arabian desert as you travel on your ‘desert boat‘ for 45 minutes before your caravan arrives at a traditional Bedouin camp.
Here, you’ll have the opportunity to get a henna tattoo, come face to face with a much smaller animal – a falcon and smoke a shisha pipe. Enjoy a barbecue buffet and belly dancing show before heading back to Dubai in comfort.
6. Traditional desert safari from Dubai
No problem here, though; You will cruise through the desert in a classic 1950s open Land Rover, feeling the wind in your hair.
The open-top jeep gives you more opportunities to spot local wildlife in a conservation reserve before heading to a Bedouin camp. There are a number of cultural activities on offer here, such as falconry. You can even learn how to cook some Arabic dishes before your star dinner is served.
This unforgettable way to see the desert is one of the best experiences in Dubai, and should not be missed.