1 Al Zorah
Despite being just a short drive away from Dubai, Al Zorah feels like a completely different world – one which is greener, and definitely calmer. You can visit the Al Zorah Nature Reserve, which has one million square metres of mangroves, and plenty of bird and marine life including flamingos and herons, or just head to the beach to enjoy the pristine sands. Day trips here are always spectacular, but we love taking a staycation to really add to those holiday vibes. A stay at The Oberoi Beach Resort will instantly transport you to a place where your worries are miles away, and it’s a great way to recharge, without having to leave the country.
2 Hatta
While there are plenty of skyscrapers for you to climb and enjoy the view from, shooting upwards in a lift just can’t compare to successfully hiking up a mountain. The rugged mountains of Hatta are just meant to be explored, or, if you’re more adventurous, flung down by bike. Sure, you can kayak around the Louvre Abu Dhabi or go stand-up paddleboarding at the beach, but the same experience at Hatta Dam just has a certain je nais se quoi. After living in the UAE for a while, you’ve no doubt stayed at plenty of five-star hotels with all the glitz and glam you can handle – but there’s nowhere in the city that has the rustic charm of the cabins you can stay at in Hatta.
3 Sir Bani Yas Island
It would be pointless to try and compare Sir Bani Yas Island to one of your favourite holiday destinations, as this spot is totally unique. It’s sort of like a combination of an African safari trip and one of those lazy holidays where you do nothing but lie by the pool. Half of the island is a wildlife reserve, with 17,000 free-roaming animals, including Arabian oryx, gazelles, giraffes, hyenas and cheetahs, while the rest of the island is home to the three Anantara resorts which offer up next-level luxury. Any Instagram shot taken here is bound to lead to questions asking where on earth it is – it just doesn’t seem real that this amazing location is in the UAE.
4 Lebanon Island
The World project is something that would only ever be attempted in the UAE. Like Burj Khalifa, or Palm Jumeirah, the project is incredibly ambitious and completely iconic. Lebanon Island is one of the few with any infrastructure right now and has everything you could possibly need to enjoy a proper holiday, with two beaches, a swimming pool, and plenty of sun loungers for relaxing on. We can’t promise it’ll make you feel like you’re in Byblos, but it certainly does feel like you’ve been transported to your ideal holiday island.
