Unique roads in the UAE

Our favourite driving roads in the UAE!

We can’t wait to drive them all again after the coronavirus lockdown is over.

Living in the gorgeous city of Dubai, the tall sparkling buildings lining Sheikh
Zayed Road are always a sight to see however we all need to escape the city every now and then and
go to the countryside, where it is quieter and simpler. So here is a list of our favourite road trips in the
UAE.

1. Khoor Fakkan road
This is a brand new road that was recently built to connect both coasts of the UAE. The road extends for
89 Km through and around the mountains which offers some amazing views. One of the 7 tunnels along
this road is Al Sidra tunnel, which at 2.7 KM is the longest covered mountain tunnel in the Middle East.
The destination is just as impressive, Al Rafaisah Dam is what you will see at the end of the tunnel. The
tourist destination spans a total area of more than 10,000 square meters, it includes a mosque, outdoor
seating area for 300 people, car parking for 45 vehicle, a walkway, and 3 playing areas. There is an
activity there for every member of the family.

2. Hameem – empty quarter
This is one of those really long road trips, around 3 and half hours of driving to cover almost 400 KMs.
You can take the chance to visit the Emirates National Auto Museum, which falls on the same route. This
is where you will see some of the most interesting custom cars and some very rare classic cars. Hameem
falls on the outskirts of the empty quarter, which is the purest form of untouched desert and offers
some breathtaking view of massive dunes. Make a weekend out of it and stay super luxurious Qasr Al
Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara and witness one of the most beautiful sunsets while you are pampered
in luxury like no other.

3. E11 coastal road
This is probably the only road trip that will take you through most of the 7 Emirates. Starting in Dubai
and going through Sharjah, Ajman, Um Al Quwain, and ending in Ras al Khaimah, this road trip takes you
through 5 of the 7 Emirates. Driving along the Arabian Gulf allows you to take in the gorgeous scenery
from the different beaches, and you can experience each emirate and everything it has to offer. The
road has a lovely couple of surprises along the way for the urban explorers, where you will come across
the IL-76 plane when you are in UAQ, and the Al Hamra village, which was the first village in the UAE
that still stands abandoned till this day.

4. Shuwaihat Island
For the real adventurers, willing to spend hours on a long straight road driving towards the Saudi border,
the destination is very rewarding. The island is connected to the UAE mainland by a man made dirt
bridge that is no more than two cars wide. The nature of the rock formations and the beaches will have
you believe that you are not in the UAE anymore but more of a deserted island in the Caribbean, it is one
of those destinations that you have to see to believe.