United Arab Emirates · best-of list
16 Top Things to Do in the United Arab Emirates
All 16 things to do our route editors picked in the United Arab Emirates, across 3 destinations, gathered in one list. Expect sights and experiences, spread across 3 destinations.
Our curated picks
16 things to do in the United Arab Emirates, grouped by destination. Destinations with the most picks come first; this is not a ranking.
Abu Dhabi 6 picks
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi · On our Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta route
Indoor theme park on Yas Island home to Formula Rossa, one of the fastest roller coasters.
Photo: Mohamed Fayaz Khan · Google
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi · On our Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta route
Jean Nouvel's domed museum on Saadiyat Island, spanning world art from antiquity to now.
Tip: Watch the 'rain of light' under the dome at midday.
Photo: M BOZAYED · Google
Mangrove National Park kayaking
Abu Dhabi · On our Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta route
Guided kayak tours through channels of protected mangroves near Eastern Mangroves.
Tip: Go at high tide; operators set times accordingly.
Photo: Chanel Van Der Westhuizen · Google
Qasr Al Hosn
Abu Dhabi · On our Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta route
The city's oldest stone building, an 18th-century fort turned museum.
Photo: Majid M (MBA) · Google
Qasr Al Watan
Abu Dhabi · On our Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta route
Working presidential palace open to visitors, with a domed Great Hall and library.
Tip: Stay for the evening light show on the facade.
Photo: Qasr Al Watan · Google
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Abu Dhabi · On our Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta route
White marble mosque with 82 domes, a vast hand-knotted carpet and reflective pools.
Tip: Book a free time slot online; closed to tourists Friday mornings.
Photo: SALIL SOLKAR · Google
Dubai 6 picks
Abra ride across Dubai Creek
Dubai · On our Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta route
Wooden water taxis crossing the Creek between Bur Dubai and Deira for 1 dirham.
Photo: ابراهيم بهزاد · Google
Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
Dubai · On our Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta route
Restored wind-tower houses, galleries and lanes from old Dubai beside the Creek.
Tip: Combine with an abra ride from Bur Dubai to Deira.
Photo: Nirmal Gupta · Google
Burj Khalifa
Dubai · On our Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta route
The world's tallest building, with observation decks on levels 124, 125 and 148.
Tip: Book a sunset slot online in advance.
Photo: imran shahabuddin · CC BY 2.0
Desert safari in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
Dubai · On our Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta route
Dune drives, camel rides and dinner in a protected desert reserve.
Tip: Choose a conservation-licensed operator such as Platinum Heritage.
Photo: Christof Verboven · Google
Dubai Fountain
Dubai · On our Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta route
Choreographed fountain shows on Burj Lake every 30 minutes in the evening.
Tip: Free from the Dubai Mall waterfront promenade.
Photo: GinaD · CC BY-SA 4.0
Museum of the Future
Dubai · On our Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta route
Torus-shaped building with immersive floors imagining life in 2071.
Tip: Timed tickets sell out; book online.
Photo: DH Kwon · Google
Hatta 4 picks
Hatta Heritage Village
Hatta · On our Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta route
Restored mud-brick village with a fort, watchtowers and falaj irrigation channels.
Photo: CultureArts · CC BY-SA 3.0
Hatta Honey Bee Garden
Hatta · On our Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta route
Bee farm with tours on beekeeping and tastings of local Sidr honey.
Photo: sari r · Google
Hatta mountain bike trails
Hatta · On our Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta route
Over 50 km of marked trails for walkers and mountain bikers, with bike hire at the hub.
Tip: Ride early before the rock heats up.
Photo: Kirtan Kaklotar · Google
Hatta Wadi Hub
Hatta · On our Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta route
Adventure park with zip lines, downhill carts, wall climbing and archery.
Photo: Wadi Hub at Hatta Resorts by Dubai Holding · Google
How we picked these
Every entry is a stop on at least one of TripsCircle's hand-curated routes, chosen by our route editors, who wrote the reason to go shown with each place. These are our curated picks, not a scored ranking: we haven't rated or reviewed them against each other. The list is grouped by destination, and within each destination places that appear on more routes come first.
Prices ($ to $$$$) and visit lengths are rough guides from our route notes, not quotes. Check opening hours before you go.
About this list
How did you choose the things to do in the United Arab Emirates?
Each one is a stop on a TripsCircle route that our editors built by hand, and each comes with a written reason to go. This page shows all 16 of them. They are curated picks, not a ranked score.
Which part of the United Arab Emirates has the most things to do on this list?
Abu Dhabi and Dubai lead with 6 each; the other picks are spread across 1 more destination.
Are any of these free?
5 picks on this list are marked free in our route notes: Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Dubai Fountain, Abra ride across Dubai Creek and Hatta Heritage Village. Check ahead, since parking or special exhibits can cost extra.
More lists for United Arab Emirates
Top things to do nearby
Turn this list into a plan
Open a curated route in TripsCircle, add the spots your crew wants, vote with polls and keep everyone on one shared itinerary.