The Fastest Way to Experience the Best of Dubai

Dubai is a city of superlatives: the world’s tallest tower, one of the world’s largest shopping malls, one of the world’s largest marinas, and unique man-made islands shaped like palm trees. The splendor of the buildings is impressive, and the entertainment is nothing short of breathtaking. Aside from the old Al Bastakiya neighborhood, there aren’t many historic sites left, but you can still catch a glimpse of the past here and there, such as traditional wooden boats sailing down the saltwater creek right through the city.

Dubai is the capital of the emirate of the same name and, together with six others, forms the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is a popular tourist destination, and a rental car is essential there. It’s actually a fairly sprawling city, and although the metro is very efficient, a rental car gives you much more flexibility and allows you to see and experience much more. When you rent a car in Dubai, you can explore the city and the rest of the Emirates at your own pace. Stop wherever you want, take detours, and discover hidden gems that most tourists miss.

Must-See Highlights in Dubai

The list of places to visit in Dubai is endless and keeps getting longer. Below are our suggestions, but this list is by no means complete!

At 828 meters, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world and one of Dubai’s top tourist attractions. You can choose from a variety of tours. The basic package includes a visit to the 124th and 125th floors, an outdoor terrace, and an observation deck. It’s also possible to visit the 148th floor, which features the world’s highest observation deck and outdoor terrace at an altitude of 555 meters. With the most luxurious package, you’ll visit the lounge of this gigantic skyscraper on floors 152–154 for snacks and drinks. We recommend booking well in advance, as tickets often sell out.

Not as tall as the Burj Khalifa, but just as spectacular, is Sky Views, a glass platform suspended 219 meters above the city. So it’s not for those afraid of heights—and that goes double for the Edge Walk, where you take a stroll along the exterior—safely secured, of course.

Dubai is a top destination for shoppers. Well-known shopping centers like the Dubai Mall and the Mall of the Emirates are just the two largest of dozens of malls, where the expression “shop till you drop” definitely applies.

The centuries-old souks (Arabic markets) stand in stark contrast to the glitz of modern shopping malls. In some souks, you’ll be overwhelmed by the wonderful scents of herbs and spices, while others specialize in items such as textiles, fish, or gold jewelry.

In the evening, discover a world of beauty at the Dubai Fountain. Every performance is different—sometimes elegant and serene, sometimes powerful and dramatic. Marvel at the enchanting synchronization of the water jets, which shoot up to 150 meters high, with the Burj Khalifa in the background.

The Miracle Garden is one of the world’s largest flower parks and is easily accessible via a short drive from downtown Dubai. This is not a traditional botanical garden, but rather a collection of impressive floral sculptures.

A wide, 11-kilometer promenade runs along the Persian Gulf, circling the artificial island of Palm Jumeirah. In some spots, you’ll find food trucks and cafés with fantastic views thanks to their large windows. If you’ve rented a car, you can stop anywhere along this boardwalk.

The Dubai Museum, located in the Al Fahidi Fort from the 18th century, documents the traditional culture, crafts, and way of life of the Emiratis. The museum’s exhibits include an original wind tower and a dhow, a traditional sailing vessel moored just outside the museum. Nearby is the Al Bastakiya neighborhood, where you can soak up the atmosphere of old Dubai.

At the Museum of the Future, you’ll experience what the world will look like in fifty years. The innovative building itself is an architectural marvel, and inside you’ll learn all about the future of smart cities, robotics, artificial intelligence, space travel, and energy.

Free beaches in Dubai

Many beaches in Dubai are part of luxury resorts. If you’re not staying at one of these resorts, you can often gain access to the beach for a fee. There are also plenty of free beaches. The best-known is The Beach (formerly Jumeirah Beach) near the Dubai Marina. Right behind it is The Walk, a promenade lined with plenty of restaurants, outdoor cafes, and shops. J1 Beach (formerly La Mer Beach) also has a beautiful boulevard.

West Beach is located along the access road to the artificial island of Palm Jumeirah and is over one and a half kilometers long. It offers a great view of the Dubai Marina skyline. Because the beach faces west, it’s a popular spot to enjoy the sunset. You can also watch the sun set from the relatively small Umm Suqeim Beach, where you’ll see it dip below the horizon behind the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel.

As the name suggests, Kite Beach is popular among kitesurfers, but you can also rent kayaks there. In Fujairah, on the east coast of the UAE, Umbrella Beach is highly recommended.

Driving and Parking in Dubai

Many cities with more than a million residents are difficult to drive in, but that’s not the case in Dubai. With fantastic roads, strict traffic rules, plenty of parking, and countless fun places to visit, it’s a delight to hop in your rental car and take a drive through the city. Just avoid doing so during the morning or evening rush hour, when the roads in and around the city get very busy.

All traffic signs are written in both Arabic and Latin script. The hardest part of driving in Dubai is navigating the sometimes confusing intersections. It’s easy to miss an exit. The navigation app Waze (Android / iOS) is a lifesaver here, as it gives directions for the correct lane!

You might be surprised by how fast some cars drive in the left lane—clearly faster than the speed limit. This is because Dubai unofficially allows a margin: if you’re driving less than 20 kilometers per hour over the posted speed limit, you won’t get a ticket. We advise against following this practice with your rental car, if only because other emirates do not have this “buffer” and strictly enforce the posted speed limit.

Parking in Dubai is easy: there is plenty of parking available, and with a local SIM card, you can pay using your smartphone. You can also pay in cash, and you can buy prepaid parking cards at gas stations and supermarkets. Hotels usually offer free parking for their guests, and many supermarkets allow four hours of free parking.

Toll Roads in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Dubai has a fully automated toll system called Salik. Every car—including your rental car—has a tag on the windshield that allows the toll gate to recognize the vehicle and charge the amount due. The rental company will settle this toll—possibly plus an administrative fee—when you return the rental car. Ask about the rental company’s specific rules when you pick up the car.

If you’re driving to the city of Abu Dhabi, a different toll system applies, called DARB. Under this system, cars are registered by their license plate number. The toll gates on the bridges to Abu Dhabi are only in operation during rush hour on weekdays, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. You can easily avoid this toll by driving outside of rush hour.

Renting a Luxury Car

In trendy Dubai, a lot revolves around luxury, and that’s evident from the relatively large number of exclusive cars driving around. You’ll see plenty of Rolls-Royces, and the road along The Beach looks just like an open-air car show. See and be seen! And why not join in on the fun for a day? For example, by renting a truly luxurious car and turning heads on the roads along the beaches. Check the “Luxury” box in our search form, and we’ll give you an overview of the most beautiful cars to take for a spin in Dubai!

Day Trips by Rental Car from Dubai

You can easily drive to the other emirates, so there’s much more to see than just Dubai. Rent a car to take day trips from Dubai!

If you’re driving a rental car on the E66 toward Al Lisaili (also known as Al Marmoom), you’ll see a brown sign with a camel on it just before you reach the village. That’s the turnoff to the camel racing track. It’s the largest and best-equipped camel racing track in Dubai, attracting visitors from far and wide. There are no races in the summer or during the fasting month of Ramadan. You can check the Dubai Camel Racing Club’s website to see when the next camel races are scheduled.

Further to the southeast lies the city of Al Ain, which grew up around an oasis and is therefore also known as the Garden City. The oasis is a beautiful, shady area with winding paths, hundreds of date palms, and traditional irrigation canals. On the edge of the oasis stands the Al Ain Museum, where you can learn a lot about the history of the Emirates through archaeological finds, scale models, and interactive displays. The city lies at the foot of Jebel Hafeet, the second-highest mountain in the UAE. With your rental car, you can follow a winding road up the eastern side of the mountain range. You’re allowed to pitch a tent in the area, but keep in mind that nights in the desert can get very cold. You’ll also find 5, 000-year-old tombs that resemble giant beehives.

About an hour and a half's drive from Dubai City lies the reservoir of the Hatta Dam. You can go kayaking and pedal boating there, but it's also a perfect spot for a picnic. There are five hiking trails through the surrounding mountains, ranging from fairly easy to quite challenging.

The northernmost emirate is Ras Al Khaimah, which is usually abbreviated locally as RAK. This area is famous for Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the UAE (1,892 m). Incidentally, the highest point in this part of the rugged Hajar Mountains is 1,934 meters, but that’s in Oman. Along the winding mountain roads, you can enjoy breathtaking views and participate in exciting outdoor sports: rappelling, rock climbing, hiking, tobogganing, and much more. You’ll also find the world’s longest zip line there, the Jais Flight, which stretches nearly three kilometers.

Car enthusiasts head toward Abu Dhabi, as just outside the city lies the Yas Marina Circuit, where the Formula 1 Grand Prix is held. Attending the race will set you back quite a bit, but there are often other car races to watch or drivers training on the track. Nearby is Ferrari World, where you can admire various classic and recent models from this famous car brand. You can even take a ride in a Ferrari (but be sure to book this online in advance). It’s also an amusement park where all the attractions are Ferrari-themed, such as the super-fast Formula Rossa roller coaster and the F1 simulator.

The emirate of Fujairah is located on the east coast of the UAE on the Gulf of Oman, about a 120-kilometer drive by rental car from Dubai City. Here, too, you’ll find amazing beaches, and it’s a popular spot for snorkeling or scuba diving. The underwater world is known for its colorful coral reefs, home to a wide variety of fish and other marine life, including sea turtles and dolphins.

Abu Dhabi is not only the capital of the emirate of the same name, but of the entire United Arab Emirates. The city is home to the country’s largest mosque, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. It is one of the few mosques that non-Muslims can visit, and admission is free. The enormous courtyard features a beautiful floral mosaic, and the interior is notable for its large chandeliers and more than a thousand pillars.

Just like Dubai, Abu Dhabi realizes that oil revenues will eventually dry up. That’s why the city is catching up by building modern skyscrapers and is also becoming an increasingly popular beach destination.

Airports and Terminals

If you want to rent a car in Dubai and are flying into Dubai International Airport (DBX), be sure to check which terminal your flight arrives at. Emirates flights use Terminal 3, while other major international airlines arrive at Terminal 1. Regional flights use Terminal 2, which also serves as the arrival and departure hall for many budget airlines. However, budget carriers may also arrive at Dubai’s second airport, Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). In the coming years, work will be underway on a major expansion of this airport, which will eventually completely replace the other airport.

More and more people are flying to the international airport in the emirate of Sharjah, which borders Dubai. Etihad Airways is based at Abu Dhabi Airport. If you rent a car there, it’s not a very long drive to Dubai: just over 100 kilometers.

Why Rent a Car in Dubai

Many people think the best way to explore Dubai is by taxi or metro, but it’s actually much cheaper and more convenient to get around by car. There are amazing places you can easily drive to in a rental car, and many attractions that the metro or bus doesn’t reach. Plus, gas prices are low there, especially compared to many European countries.

The Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall are two of Dubai’s most famous attractions, but the city and the other Emirates have much more to offer. The peaceful Al Qudra Lakes, the rugged mountains of Hatta, and the stunning desert landscapes are all within driving distance. Also, keep in mind that it can get very warm in Dubai—not to mention hot. Can you picture yourself sweating while waiting for a bus or taxi? Not exactly pleasant. With your own rental car, you’re in control not only of the air conditioning but also of the music and the pace of your trip. Plus, you can make spontaneous stops at interesting places you come across along the way. We recommend booking a rental car in Dubai well in advance, especially during peak season (the winter months).

Renting a car in Dubai can be surprisingly affordable compared to the alternatives. Getting around by taxi can quickly add up, especially if you plan to visit many places. With a rental car, you pay a fixed rate and can usually drive an unlimited number of kilometers, allowing you to explore the area without constantly worrying about the meter. If you rent a car with our Worry-Free label, unlimited kilometers are always included. What’s more, these cars come from reputable rental companies, include all necessary insurance, and have your deductible covered. With a rental car like this, you can travel worry-free through Dubai and the other Emirates!