7 Exciting Ways to Explore Dubai Beyond the Usual Attractions

Most of the travel blogs about Dubai talk about the same few places like Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and desert safari, and there is nothing wrong in that also. But when a tourist is coming for the second time or staying for a week, they usually want to see something more than the regular list.

So here are 7 ways to explore Dubai (and a little bit outside of it) which gives you a more complete picture of the UAE.

1. Dubai City Tour

Let me tell you that a Dubai City Tour is the best way to start if you have never been to Dubai before. In half day you get to see both the old and new side of the city in one go. A normal city tour in Dubai like this one covers Dubai Museum area, Jumeirah Mosque from outside, Burj Al Arab photo stop, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Dubai Frame drive by. The price of a shared Dubai City Tour is around AED 100 to AED 150 per person,. Big plus point is that the guide explains the history of each place which you miss when going by your own.

2. Abu Dhabi City Tour

Now if you have one extra day, then Abu Dhabi city tour package is something that you should not skip. Abu Dhabi is the capital of UAE and it is around one and half hour drive from Dubai. The main highlight is Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, where entry is free but you have to follow the dress code, so ladies should carry a scarf and long clothes. After that the tour usually goes to Qasr Al Watan (presidential palace), Corniche, Heritage Village and Yas Island for a photo stop near Ferrari World. A shared full day tour from Dubai starts from around AED 150 to AED 250 per person, with hotel pickup and drop included.

3. Hatta Mountain Day Trip

Most people don't know that Dubai has mountains also, and Hatta is the place where you can see them. It is a small town near the Oman border, around 2 hours drive from the city. At Hatta Dam you can do kayaking in green colour water and there is Hatta Heritage Village also. Kayak rental is around AED 60 to AED 100 depending on the time and the boat type. My suggestion is to go on a weekday and start early, because on weekends the parking and kayak queue both gets very full.

4. Al Qudra Lakes

When its about a peaceful evening away from the city, Al Qudra Lakes comes into the picture. It is a man made lake area in the desert on Al Qudra Road where you can see flamingos, ducks and sometimes oryx also. There is no entry ticket, but you need your own car or a private tour because public transport is not available there.

5. Al Seef and Al Shindagha

Suppose you want to see how Dubai was before oil, then Al Seef and Al Shindagha area is the right place for you. Al Seef is a heritage style walkway along the creek with cafes and small shops, and it looks very good at night. A short walk from there is Al Shindagha Museum, which explains the story of Dubai Creek and the old way of life. Museum ticket is around AED 15 to AED 25 which is very reasonable.

6. Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah

Jebel Jais is the highest mountain in the UAE and it is in Ras Al Khaimah, around 2 hours from Dubai. The weather on the top is cooler than Dubai by 8 to 10 degrees. The most famous activity is Jais Flight (one of the longest zipline in the world), and its ticket starts from around AED 399. Even if you are not into adventure, the drive on the mountain road and the viewing decks are worth it.

7. Dubai Miracle Garden

Dubai Miracle Garden is open only in the cooler months, normally from October to May. It has millions of flowers arranged in different shapes like hearts, castles and even a big Emirates plane. Adult ticket is around AED 95 to AED 100. The garden is open in the evening also, so better to go after 4 PM when the sun is not that strong.

Quick Comparison Table

Having said that, the right option for you depends on how many days you have and who you are travelling with. For booking a city tour or any of these day trips with hotel pickup and drop, you can contact local tour operator in Dubai and they will plan it according to your dates.