The Best UAE Trips to Plan With Friends and Family

What sets the UAE apart from other Gulf destinations is the contrast. You can stand inside one of the world’s largest mosques in the morning, ride a camel across red sand dunes in the afternoon, and dine on a dhow cruise beneath a cityscape at night. Which journey appeals to you the most?

The ideal UAE trips will depend on who you’ll be travelling with and which emirate you want to stay in.

What to Choose for Your UAE Trip

A UAE trip can be a quick break or a multi-day trip, covering one or more of the seven emirates. Abu Dhabi, the capital city, and Dubai are just two of the more visited destinations. Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Ajman, and Umm Al Quwain also welcome their fair share of local and international tourists.

Here are just a few types of trips to consider.

Abu Dhabi Staycation Packages

An Abu Dhabi staycation package can be one of the best holiday trips for couples, families, and groups of friends. Most are curated packages that combine premium accommodation with guided experiences.

For example, a luxury hotel stay might be bundled with dhow cruises, desert safari, and Yas Island theme park access.

Some packages might offer a premium stay in a two- or three-bedroom apartment, presenting a home-like setting some travellers might prefer.

How do you choose a package?

For weekend holidays: 2 days/1 night package
For big family trips: 3 days/2 nights package
For longer holidays with more coverage: 4 days/3 nights package

Dubai Day Trips

Abu Dhabi and Dubai are about 140 kms apart, so it’s fairly easy to go from the capital city to another emirate. Alternatively, you can make Abu Dhabi your base emirate and arrange a day trip to Dubai.

Some of the more popular destinations for this UAE trip include:

Old Dubai: Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Dubai Museum, and the Spice and Gold Souks
Burj Khalifa & Downtown Dubai
The Dubai Frame and Al Seef District
Desert safari loops (departing Abu Dhabi, returning via Dubai)

Desert Safari Trips in Abu Dhabi

No UAE trip is complete without experiencing the Arabian desert. Abu Dhabi’s desert experiences range from Liwa’s sweeping mega-dunes (among the largest in the world, at over 300 metres) to more accessible red-sand dune-bashing sessions near Al Khatim.

A typical Abu Dhabi desert safari includes:

4×4 dune bashing
Camel riding
Sandboarding
Sunset photography stops
Bedouin-style camp dinner with live entertainment

Adventure and Outdoor Trips

The desert isn’t the only landscape that offers adventure travellers an adrenaline-packed itinerary. The UAE’s remarkably varied terrain presents land, air, and water-based excursions you won’t soon forget.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Hot air balloon ride over the Dubai desert at sunrise.
Skydiving with your choice of drop zones, the Palm Jumeirah or the desert campus.
Hiking in Ras Al Khaimah at Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest peak at 1,934 metres and home to the world’s longest zipline.
Canyoning, swimming, and trekking through Fujairah’s wadis.
Kayaking through protected mangroves with city skyline views in Abu Dhabi.

Cultural and Heritage Trips

The UAE’s cultural depth can be surprising to some visitors who expect only skyscrapers and theme parks.

Abu Dhabi alone offers a rich array of cultural and heritage landmarks:

Louvre Abu Dhabi — A world-class art and civilisations museum designed by Jean Nouvel on Saadiyat Island.
Manarat Al Saadiyat — Cultural and exhibitions hub adjacent to Saadiyat Beach.
Al Ain Oasis — A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the region.
Al Ain Zoo — One of the largest zoos in the Middle East, set against the backdrop of Jebel Hafeet.
House of Artisans — A platform for Emirati craftspeople, located in the cultural district.

The Luxury Escapes

Packaged trips in the UAE can be a bit more glamorous than most packages. Whether you’re opting for a staycation or a lengthy holiday, your journey can include a premium hotel stay, VIP access to the top attractions, and a high-end vehicle with a chauffeur to take you around the cities.

Your itinerary might include:

Sightseeing at the top attractions in Abu Dhabi or Dubai
Private tours conducted in English or your preferred language
A cultural shopping experience at the gold souks and spice shops
Contemporary shopping in the biggest malls around the Emirates

What Does an Abu Dhabi Full-Day Tour Include?

An Abu Dhabi full-day tour is one of the most popular ways for first-time visitors and UAE residents alike to experience the capital comprehensively. A well-curated full-day tour typically covers 8–10 hours and includes a combination of cultural landmarks, heritage sites, and scenic stops.

A standard Abu Dhabi full-day tour covers:

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — One of the world’s largest mosques, with a capacity for 41,000 worshippers. Entry is free; modest dress is required.
Corniche & Breakwater — Abu Dhabi’s 8-km coastal promenade, ideal for orientation and photography.
Heritage Village — A living museum depicting traditional Emirati life, pearl diving, and Bedouin crafts.
Qasr Al Watan — The Presidential Palace, open to the public and showcasing Islamic architecture and Emirati governance history.
Yas Island overview — Home to Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World™, Yas Waterworld, and Yas Marina Circuit.
Lunch at a traditional or modern Emirati restaurant — An often-overlooked but culturally rich element.

Plan Your UAE Trip

If you’re planning a trip with the family, Yas Island might be the ideal destination or base for your UAE visit. Yas Island contains Ferrari World (indoor theme park), Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World™, and CLYMB™ (the world’s largest indoor skydiving and climbing facility). The premier leisure and entertainment destination also has some of the best hotels in the Emirates, so you’ll have world-class accommodations.

If you’re planning a trip with your spouse, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Ras Al Khaimah offer some of the most romantic spots and experiences in the region. You can go on a sunset dhow cruise along the Abu Dhabi Corniche. You can arrange for rooftop dining with panoramic views of the city skyline or the mountains. You can book a private desert glamping under the stars.

The UAE welcomes travellers of all types and offers something for every trip. Whether you choose Abu Dhabi, Dubai, or any of the other cities, you’re sure to come away with spectacular experiences and memories to last a lifetime.