Hatta day trip from Dubai: what to see and how to go
Shuttlix teamUpdated October 11, 2026 · 3 min read
Ninety minutes from the towers of Dubai, the road climbs into the Hajar Mountains and ends at Hatta: a small mountain town with a turquoise lake, an old stone village and some of the best walking in the UAE. It is the easiest way to see a different side of the country in one day.
Where is Hatta?
Hatta belongs to the emirate of Dubai, but it sits apart from the city, about 130 km to the south-east and close to the border with Oman. The drive takes about 90 minutes each way.
When to go
Go between October and April. The mountain air is cooler and drier than the coast, and the walking trails are comfortable. In summer the heat makes outdoor activities hard, and some of them close for the season. Weekends are busy, so choose a weekday if you can.
What to see and do
- Hatta Dam. The picture you have seen of Hatta: green-blue water between bare mountains. Hire a kayak or a pedal boat, or just walk along the top of the dam.
- Hatta Heritage Village. A restored mountain village with stone houses, a fort and two watchtowers. It shows how people lived here before the road was built. Entry is free.
- Hatta Wadi Hub. An adventure park with a zipline, mountain bikes, climbing and other activities. It is seasonal: check that it is open before you go.
- Walking and cycling trails. The trails are marked by colour for difficulty, from an easy walk to a hard climb. The short hike to the Hatta sign on the hill gives a view over the whole valley.
- The honey farm. Hatta is known for its honey. You can visit the bee garden and buy local honey to take home.
A one-day plan
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 7:30 | Leave Dubai |
| 9:00 | Hatta Heritage Village |
| 10:30 | Kayaking at Hatta Dam |
| 12:30 | Lunch in the town |
| 14:00 | Hatta Wadi Hub or a short hike |
| 16:30 | Drive back, arriving at about 18:00 |
How to get to Hatta
- Bus. There is a public bus from Dubai. It is cheap, but it is slow and it leaves you in the town, a long walk or a local taxi from the dam and the trails.
- Rental car. A good choice if you are happy driving on a mountain road after a long day outdoors.
- Car with a driver. The simplest way. With a car with a driver for 10 hours, the driver takes you from your hotel, waits at every stop and brings you back. The price is fixed for the vehicle, so it works well for a family or a group of friends.
- One-way transfer. If you are staying the night in a lodge or a mountain cabin, book a point-to-point transfer on our home page: Hatta is in the list of destinations.
What to bring
- Your passport or Emirates ID: Hatta is in a border area.
- Closed shoes, a hat, sunscreen and more water than you think you need.
- Swimwear and a change of clothes if you plan to kayak.
- A light jacket in winter. The mountains are cold in the early morning.
Going as a group?
A minibus takes up to 10 people, which makes Hatta a good day out for a family gathering or a team. See the vehicles on our fleet page, or ask for a quote on the group transfers page.