The 14 Best Historical Tours in the UAE

1.Dubai Evening Heritage Safari by Vintage G Class Al Marmoom Oasis

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,500 reviews · from $189Our pick

Spend about six hours exploring Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve by modern transfer and open-air 1980s Mercedes G Class. Expect a camel caravan, falcon photos, Arabic coffee, Emirati dress, sunset, Bedouin dinner, stories, and telescope stargazing. Guides such as Imran, Mustafa, Muhammad, Usman, and Waqar Ahmad have received warm praise.

“A great experience, driving on the dunes at sunset, seeing gazelles. The camel ride and the fabulous dinner and shows are memorable! Lots pf fun not to be missed. Our driver Usman was great!!”

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2.Dubai Camel Desert Safari, Traditional Meal & Heritage Activities

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 937 reviews · from $193

Ride by camel through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve to a torch-lit Bedouin camp, then enjoy falconry, Arabic coffee, bread-making, henna, Emirati food, music, and dancing. Guides such as Karim, Bash, Harish, and Jovan are praised for warm, clear help. Pickup is included, and groups are limited to 20.

“This experience was hands down one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. As a solo traveler I cannot recommend this enough. Best money I’ve ever spent. Our guide Karim made sure the experience was one to remember for all the group.”

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3.Heritage Safari in Vintage Land Rover with Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 861 reviews · 7 hours · from $189

You’ll leave your Dubai hotel in air-conditioned comfort, then ride an open-top 1950s Land Rover through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve with a conservation guide. Expect wildlife, falconry, sunset, Emirati food, camel rides, drumming, Yola, henna, shisha, and stargazing. Guides such as Bashar, Oscar, and Rammel are known for friendly, attentive service.

“The day and experience was amazing and I will highly recommend it. Our guide Navir was amazing sharing so much local knowledge and facts with us, taking so many photos and really making sure we had a great day. Transfers were on time, all round great experience. All staff involved very kelpful and friendly, all aspects well thought out, planned and executed. Will be the highlight of our trip to Dubai!!”

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4.Historic City Highlights Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 807 reviews · 4 hours · from $23Best value

This four-hour Dubai city tour links Jumeirah, Palm Jumeirah, Al Bastakiya, Dubai Creek, and the Gold and Spice Souks. An English-speaking guide such as Hammad, Waseem, or Nimesh leads the way, with hotel pickup, an abra ride, and mosque entry included. Choose a shared small group or private vehicle, and allow extra time for transfers.

“They came to pick us from the hotel, transfer us to our tour bus (the timeing hasn't been the best). After departing from Burj al Arab we had the best guide, both in english and german. From there we had a nice tour. Drop-off at the hotel was included as well. Good value for money.”

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5.Abu Dhabi Trip with Lunch at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 805 reviews · from $127

Travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in an air-conditioned vehicle with a licensed guide, visit Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Etihad Towers, and Qasr Al Watan, then eat at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant. Expect a 9 to 10-hour day, a group of up to 17, included admission, and hotel pickup.

“We enjoyed seeing the Blue Mosque. Also the tour of Old Dubai and the water taxi. Mufaso was a wonderful guide with great information about Dubai.”

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6.Dubai Heritage & Burj Khalifa Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 500 reviews · 5 hours · from $116

You’ll tour Dubai by air-conditioned bus, with stops at Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah Mosque, Al Bastakiya, Dubai Creek, the Spice Souk, and Gold Souk. A guide such as Mohammed or Malik provides live commentary, while multilingual audio is available. The tour ends near Dubai Mall and includes Burj Khalifa’s 124th-floor observation deck.

“I enjoyed seeing a few of the iconic sites in Dubai, especially the visit to Burj Khalifa. I least enjoyed the visit to the art centre which, in reality, is a shop where you are under some pressure to buy artwork. I also felt the visit to the store in the Souk was arranged in a similar manner, a sales opportunity.”

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7.Heritage Safari, Camel Ride & Al Marmoom Oasis Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 431 reviews · 6 hours · from $189

Spend six hours at Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve with hotel pickup, a 30 to 40-minute vintage Mercedes G-Class safari, two short camel rides, a falcon show, Bedouin coffee, Emirati cooking, dinner, entertainment, and telescope stargazing. Guides such as Saeed, Ali, Imran, Babar, and Lucky are often praised for thoughtful care and good photos.

“Absolutely wonderful tour. Our guide Babar was fabulous, so welcoming and knowledgeable. Every aspect of the trip was worth it. You will not regret booking this-absolute must do.”

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8.57 Heritage Desert Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 329 reviews · from $189

Spend about six hours exploring Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve by vintage Land Rover, with a 30-minute falcon show, wildlife sightings, a 15-minute sunset camel ride, and a four-course Arabic dinner at a desert camp. Pickup and drop-off are offered in Dubai, with private and shared bookings available.

“My family and I had a wonderful time on this excursion! The company was very communicative and organized! They responded to all my questions when I reached out and were on time and flexible when we were running late. Our guide aRead more”

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9.Desert Safari with Entertainment & BBQ Dinner-Heritage Camp

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 276 reviews

Spend about seven hours in Dubai’s Fossil Rocks Desert with private pickup, dune bashing, sand boarding, a camel ride, sunset photos, henna, Arabic coffee, and a BBQ dinner. Your evening ends with belly dancing, thanoura, and a fire show. The private vehicle suits families and small groups up to six.

“Must do activity in Dubai, the tour guide provided excellent service, our family love it, highly recommended.”

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10.Dubai Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner at Arabian Heritage

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 264 reviews · from $104

You’ll ride a 4x4 from Dubai or Sharjah into the red dunes of Lahbab for dune bashing, sandboarding, sunset photos, and a short camel ride. At Arabian Heritage Camp, expect Arabic coffee, falafel, henna, traditional dress photos, a BBQ buffet, and live belly dance, Tanoura, fire, and Khaliji performances. Guides such as Arsalan and Amir Zaman are frequently praised for careful driving and helpful service.

“It was perfect . The safari and the camp was good quality. I recommend if you are looking for very good safari . Our guide Ajmal is a fantastic person .”

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11.Sharjah Heritage & Culture Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 227 reviews · 4 hours · from $41

See Sharjah’s King Faisal Mosque, Al Hisn Fort, Islamic Civilization Museum, Al Arsa Souk and Central Souq on a four-hour small-group tour from Dubai. An English guide leads the visit, with audio commentary in several languages. Hotel pickup is included, while the tour ends at Dubai Mall.

“Lovely tour! I was quite lucky to be alone during the tour, so it was practically a private tour for me. I was pleasantly surprised that Sharjah is a nice city. In addition, the host RIZWAN was really kind and attentive, and also generously dropped me off in front of my hotel, as we finished earlier, even though the drop-off was at Dubai mall. I definitely recommend this tour if you’re into traditional landscapes!”

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12.Abu Dhabi Sightseeing Tour: Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Heritage Village & Dates Market

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 226 reviews · from $48

Start with hotel pickup at 8:30 am, then visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, view the Presidential Palace, explore Heritage Village, drive along the Corniche, shop at the Dates Market, and visit the Founder’s Memorial. Expect an air-conditioned vehicle, a bilingual English and German guide, and about 90 minutes at the mosque.

“The tour was like any other tour as tours go, however, the 5 stars are for the tour guide. She was very knowledgeable of the history and very personable.”

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13.Historic Old Dubai & Souk Small Group Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 156 reviews · from $79

Spend two hours with a licensed guide in Old Dubai, beginning at Al Fahidi and ending at the Gold Souk. You’ll see the Coffee Museum, old city wall, Textile Souk, Spice Souk, and Dubai Creek, with an abra ride and Arabic coffee or tea included. Guides such as Ricky, Pri, Dana, Francesca, and Orlina bring local stories to the walk.

“Our tour guide was amazing, Old Dubai is a stark difference from present day Dubai. There is so much history to learn. This is a great place for shopping. I recommend this tour for anyone visiting Dubai!”

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14.Private Old Town, Heritage & Souks Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 102 reviews · 2 hours · from $98

Begin at Arabian Tea House and walk through Al Fahidi’s courtyards, sikkas, heritage houses, and textile market. Cross Dubai Creek by abra, taste spices, and finish at the Gold Souk. Guides include Pri, Ricky, Francesca, and Dana, with tours in English or Hindi.

“Pri is a really great and authentic guide, who quickly established connection with our three kids and turned the tour in one of the best Dubai experience for us!:) We very much appreciated her to tailor it to our interests…and getting my wife the Karak tea!:)”

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