Al Ain
Jebel Hafeet's switchback drive (the region's great road), the free Al Ain Oasis (147,000 date palms), Al Jahili Fort, and the camel market. The essential Abu Dhabi day trip.
Guide
Day trips from Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi sits in the middle of the Emirates' best day trips: the garden city, the Empty Quarter's edge, a wildlife island, and Dubai itself. All real, all drivable.
Photos for Abu Dhabi are still on their way. Every listing below is real.
Al Ain - the garden city
Into the Empty Quarter
Liwa Oasis
The edge of the Rub' al Khali: Moreeb Dune (one of the world's tallest), desert forts, date farms. Go with a tour - the dunes are serious.
Wildlife island
Sir Bani Yas Island
The Arabian Wildlife Park: oryx, cheetahs, giraffes roaming a real island reserve. Day safaris run from the mainland jetty; the island resorts do the full experience.
The obvious one
Dubai
Burj Khalifa, the malls, the marina - the contrast to Abu Dhabi's calm. Easy drive or intercity coach; do it as a long day, not a rushed half-day.
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