While the UAE’s cities are no doubt beautiful (you can head over to @timeoutdubai and @timeoutabudhabi for all the evidence you could ever need), sometimes you just need to get out into nature.
Drive for just an hour or two from Dubai or Abu Dhabi and you’ll soon find yourself clambering through rugged mountains, kayaking along a dam or even taking a dip in a hot spring (though maybe not right now).
The scenery at these beauty spots is quite literally jaw-dropping, and you won’t be able to resist snapping a few pictures for the ‘gram. Dubai has already been voted one of the top five most Instagrammable spots in the world.
Add these awesome destinations to your bucket list right now, and make sure you head out sooner rather than later – you won’t regret it.
Check out the UAE’s best hiking trails here.
Discover more local and must see attractions in the UAE right here.
Al Hayer Forest
A true hidden gem, Al Hayer Forest is a patch of several hundred trees tucked away in the desert between Dubai and Al Ain. This is a great spot for camping, particularly if you’re looking for shade from the overbearing summer sun.
Al Ain. GPS: 24.64522647575838, 55.78504916441817.
Al Rafisah Dam
The Hajar Mountains loom large over this dam, which was originally built in the 1980s. You can go kayaking on the calm waters, or explore the kilometre-long walkway around the dam and discover the recently restored Wadi Shea Fortress.
Khor Fakkan, Sharjah. GPS: 25.349098531664826, 56.31126938389657.
Dibba Rock
Okay, so this one is under water… but nonetheless beautiful. If you love scuba diving, this spot is a special one. Dibba Rock is a breathtaking (there’s not much air down there, you know) site to plumb if you’re at home on the ocean’s bed. Dives go as deep as 30 metres, but with 10 metres visibility on a good day. Dibba Rock is a site to behold once you’ve hit the bottom, making it one of the best things to do in Fujairah. Swaying corals wave hello to open water divers while sting rays, green turtles and colourful scales can all be spied floating above a small shipwreck.
Fujairah. GPS: 25.603134155273438,56.351131439208984
Fossil Rock
Hiking enthusiasts absolutely must check out Fossil Rock in Sharjah, which gained its name for the fossils, which date back 70 million years, embedded in the formations here (it’s quite a literal name…). The contrast between the burning orange sands and the rocks is beautiful, and the sights from the top are well worth the steps.
Mleiha, Sharjah. GPS: 25.1420409741543, 55.83379624227387.
Green Mubazzarah
Visitors to the UAE are probably more concerned about places to cool down rather than hot springs, but that’s exactly what you’ll find at Green Mubazzarah in Al Ain. Located at the bottom of Jebel Hafeet, the landscape is covered in grassland, and feels like an oasis in the desert.
Al Ain. GPS: 24.105453989417622, 55.7491859.
Half Desert Road
The unofficial Instagram name for this very sandy, very picturesque and unnamed road off the Emirates Road, and close to Academic City in Dubai. Desert sand sweeps over the fully laid road, to create a weird, yet beautiful juxtaposition of the natural landscape and the man-made. The road looks back onto the incredible Dubai skyline, whilst if you turn your back to the skyline you’ll see nothing but red sandy desert for miles.
Dubai. GPS: 25.139323,55.467237
Hatta Dam
The Hatta Dam is a well-known local trail for hiking and running, the perfect brief oasis of nature not far from the big city. Easily one of the most Instagrammed spots outside of the city, Hatta Dam truly is stunning. There are plenty of hiking trails through the mountains, including up to the iconic Hatta sign (Hollywood, eat your heart out), or you can head out on the water in a boat. If the views aren’t enough for you, you can also visit Hatta Wadi Hub for water slides and other fun activities. This one is best to leave off the list if the weather is too hot, as shade may be hard to come by. Be sure to check before you head out.
Dubai. GPS: 24.784690498854793, 56.11380634772314.
Jebel Hafeet
Abu Dhabi’s highest mountain Jebel Hafeet towers 1,249m above sea level, and you can drive all the way to the top along the winding roads for spectacular views over the area. UNESCO World Heritage site Jebel Hafeet Desert Park lies at the bottom of the mountain and is home to neolithic tombs, which you explore with a guided hike. Click here for everything you need to know about this attraction.
Al Ain. GPS: 24.057282695913543, 55.777984907167365.
Jebel Jais
With an elevation of 1,934 m, Jebel Jais is the UAE’s highest peak, and an essential visit for hiking fans. Views from the top are breathtaking, and temperatures here are usually 10C cooler than the rest of the country – making it a welcome respite during the summer. Not satisfied just with hiking? Then you can also check out Jebel Jais Flight, the longest zipline in the world and Jebel Jais Sledder, the region’s longest toboggan ride – both bound to blow the cobwebs off.
Ras Al Khaimah. GPS: 25.94483508163624, 56.14243262461735.
Jubail Mangrove Park
After opening in January 2020, Jubail Mangrove Park quickly became one of the top attractions in Abu Dhabi thanks to its gorgeous greenery. Visitors can kayak through the mangroves, or enjoy one of the three walkways through the area. Thinking of visiting? Check out our ultimate guide by clicking here.
Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi. GPS: 24.545709501430988, 54.48542756671897
Khor Fakkan Waterfall
The UAE is filled with surprises, and one of our favourites is the Khor Fakkan Waterfalls. Built next to the Khor Fakkan Amphitheatre, the 45m tall attraction has been carved into the natural rock and has viewing windows at the top. Soak up the views before soaking in the culture at a show.
Khor Fakkan, Sharjah. GPS: 25.367345746884883, 56.348169542025914.
Love Lakes
Another man-made attraction, the Love Lakes in Al Qudra have no doubt made it on to your Instagram feed plenty of times in the past. The interlocked heart-shaped lakes even have trees next to them that spell out ‘love’, and were unveiled by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai in 2018. There are jogging tracks here for those looking to stay active, and you can camp nearby, too. Discover exactly how to get there by hitting this link.
Al Qudra, Dubai. GPS: 24.838759235141953, 55.40506148363732.
Mangrove Beach
Working on our tan is one of our favourite hobbies, but we’ll admit we’ve visited some beaches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi just a few too many times (cough, JBR beach, cough). So if you’re looking for a new spot, you can’t go far wrong with Mangrove Beach, which opened in December 2020 in Umm Al Quwain. As you might have guessed from the name, it is home to plenty of mangrove trees and us at the weekends.
Umm Al Quwain. GPS: 25.52840278438662, 55.58258524536412.
Masfout
Surrounded by the Hajar Mountains, the village of Masfout is popular among nature lovers looking to get out of the city. There are plenty of hiking and mountain biking routes in the area, and it’s not too far from Hatta, so you can combine days out if you want.
Ajman. GPS: 24.81979623896089, 56.09769655188091.
Mleiha
The Mleiha archaeological site in Sharjah is a real window into the past, with various tombs dating back to the Iron and Bronze Age. The visitors’ centre here is truly fabulous, and you’ll come away knowing plenty about the history of the UAE (yes, there’s more to it than just the discovery of oil). If you can’t tear yourself away, there’s also an option for overnight camping with stargazing.
Mleiha, Sharjah. GPS: 25.1266566893995, 55.857847799999995.
Moon Lake
The UAE really can’t get enough of shaped lakes, and you can probably guess what this new addition looks like. You will need a 4×4 to reach this spot, but it’s worth it. Close to the Love Lakes, you might even be lucky enough to spot some Arabian oryx that have recently been introduced to the area.
Al Qudra, Dubai. GPS: 24.7874218, 55.3065662.
Snoopy Island
Parrot fish, turtles and live coral – catch it all at Snoopy Island. This is one of the most revered snorkelling spots in the UAE, making it equally one of the most beautiful places to visit. For water babies it needs no introduction, but for those who have yet to dip their toe in the crystal clear H2O, stick it on your Fujairah to-do list, pronto. The shallows of the 20-metre tall rock provide welcome retreat for all manner of marine life, including blacktip reef sharks. When visibility is at its sparkling best, the scenes are very cool. Top tip: bring a GoPro.
Al Aqah, Furjairah. GPS: 25.4888811,56.3601091
Wadi Ghalilah
Fair warning: only experienced climbers should be attempting this climb near Jebel Jais. And only do so if the weather (and heat) allows. If you do fancy yourself as an experienced hiker you will be greatly rewarded with incredible views from Wadi Ghalilah. Jaw dropping. Get that picture for the ‘gram and be safe.
Ras Al Khaimah. GPS: 25.98430684245669, 56.16747852470802.
Wadi Shawka
Looking for a significantly easier route to clamber around than Wadi Ghalilah? Then Wadi Shawka might just be for you. The loop around the Shawka Dam is around 10km, and you’ll have plenty of gorgeous mountain scenery to enjoy as you hike.
Ras Al Khaimah. GPS: 25.105086901545196, 56.046759497355694.
Wadi Shees
One of the few places in the UAE with fresh flowing water all year round, Wadi Shees is yet another oasis we think you should add to your list. The trail inside the park is more like a walk than a hike, and there are signs explaining points of interest along the way. If you’re looking for something more adventurous, there are also scenic trails in the Shees Valley.
Khor Fakkan, Sharjah. GPS: 25.29197854056671, 56.244552469318485.
