Exploring the UAE: Road Trip Itineraries and Must-Visit Destinations

The UAE is deservedly one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. With everything from spectacular buildings to natural wonders to an amazing coastline, it has a seemingly endless list of things to offer potential tourists.

So what are some of the top choices for tourists headed to the region? The UAE is replete with incredible buildings, historical sites, beach and water-related activities, museums for the whole family, etc. While it is difficult to pick just a few, there are some sites that stand out in terms of tourist numbers.

Be prepared for your trip

Before you head out to any of the major sites, you should be sure that you are covered in terms of accommodation, transportation, etc. Make sure that you choose your hotel wisely and that it is one that gets good ratings for customer service, adequate facilities, etc. 

Also, you should ensure that your transportation needs are covered. You don’t want to rely on public transportation as this can be very hit and miss in the Emirates. You want to have a reliable car, and since this will be your big vacation, why not go all out and go for a exotic car rental Dubai while you’re at it? That way, you’ll be covered both in terms of comfort and style.

Top destinations

Once you’ve gotten your basic needs covered and your rental secured, you can start to think about which of the region’s top destinations you should hit. While there are too many amazing sites in the region to cover in one short article, let’s take a look at several of the most popular ones.

The Burj Khalifa

The world’s tallest building is an absolute must for first-time visitors to the region. A tour will take you to either the 124th or the 148th floor, both of which offer spectacular views of both the city of Dubai, as well as the area around it. You will be escorted up for your minute-plus elevator ride by a guide and given time at the top to look around and take pictures.

If you’re up for it, you can even pay a visit to one of the building’s restaurants, the Atmosphere Burj Khalifa or The Lounge Burj Khalifa. With your fancy car rental in tow, you’ll be able to ride up to this famous destination in style.

The Dubai Fountain

Also not to be missed in Dubai is the Dubai Fountain, which is the world’s largest choreographed fountain located on the 12 hectare Burj Khalifa artificial lake. A show takes place every 30 minutes throughout practically the entire day for all to view. It is truly a visual wonder that you and the entire family will enjoy.

The Dubai Mall

The Dubai Mall truly has everything that a family could want. Beyond the mall itself, it also houses the world-famous Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink, a Kidzania location and much more. And, of course, it is home to some of the world’s greatest shopping opportunities. Shop till you drop, and then you can pile all your fabulous new finds into your rental and take them back to the hotel.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

If you’re looking to get a better feel for the local culture, you should pay a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. This is the largest mosque in the country, with an impressive 82 domes, 1000 columns, and 24 carat gilded chandeliers. If you want a real taste of the Islamic experience, you should definitely hit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

There are many more mosques to explore throughout the UAE, in addition to Islamic history and cultural museums, so you can get a full taste of the region by visiting these sites throughout the seven Emirates with your fabulous rental, be it on your own or in an SUV with the family.

Dubai Marina

The Dubai Marina in many ways encapsulates what Dubai is all about. With its stunning skyscrapers all around, endless walkways leading to exotic resorts and hotels, and beautiful views of the water lined with some of the world’s most chic yachts, it’s the perfect way to top off your Emirati adventure. 

All this and more

The tourist possibilities in the UAE are far too many to list in one article. Surely you can read more online on auto sites, as well as other tourist-related portals. Before you head out on your trip, book your hotel, or look at rental agencies, check out tourist websites for the area and see what else strikes your fancy. Regardless of whether you are going alone, with friends, or with family, the region will surely have something to offer you.