United Arab Emirates · HISTORICAL TOURS

Heritage Tours in the UAE: 15 That Are Worth the Money

34 tours  ·  from $10

Good heritage tours fill their sunset and sunrise slots weeks ahead. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and where they differ.

Dubai Evening Heritage Safari by Vintage G Class Al Marmoom Oasis - Coffee, bread, and a Bedouin village
Desert Safaris, Heritage Tours in the Desert, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews

Dubai Evening Heritage Safari by Vintage G Class Al Marmoom Oasis

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, traditional dress, sunset, Bedouin food, stories, entertainment, and telescope stargazing. Guides such as Imran Khan, Mustafa, Usman, Muhammad, and Waqar Ahmad have led recent departures.

“Our guide Muhammad was caring and helpful. Seeing the nature preserve, flora and fauna, was awesome. The bbq dinner was incredible - lamb, chicken, Bedouin salads and so many side dishes.”

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Dubai Camel Desert Safari, Traditional Meal & Heritage Activities - A calm 45-minute journey by camel
Camel Rides, Desert Safaris, Heritage Tours in the Desert, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews

Dubai Camel Desert Safari, Traditional Meal & Heritage Activities

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

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

You’ll leave central Dubai by air-conditioned minivan, ride in a two-person camel caravan for 45 to 60 minutes, and reach a royal desert retreat before sunset. Expect falconry, Arabic coffee, bread making, henna, a four-course Emirati meal, music, and dancing. Guides such as Karim, Bash, and Jovan have been praised for warm, informative service.

“Our tour guide was very sweet and we had a great experience in the desert. This is the third time I visit the desert with the same company and always a very nice and pleasant experience.”

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Dubai: Heritage Safari in Vintage Land Rover with Dinner - The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve by vintage Land Rover
Desert Safaris, Heritage Tours in the Desert, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews

Dubai: Heritage Safari in Vintage Land Rover with Dinner

3.Heritage Safari in Vintage Land Rover with Dinner

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

Ride through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve in a 1950s open-top Land Rover with a conservation guide such as Bashar, Oscar, or Rammel. You’ll spot oryx and gazelles, watch falconry at sunset, eat a four-course Emirati dinner, join drumming and Yola, then finish with shisha and stargazing.

“Everything was amazing. I had a great time! I loved everything about this tour. The ride around the island, the pictures, the place that we had food and drinks. Tasty shisha, cute fireplace!”

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Dubai: Historic City Highlights Day Trip - Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, and the mosque
1-Day Tours, City Tours, City Tours in Dubai, Dubai Tours, Heritage Tours in Dubai, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews

Dubai: Historic City Highlights Day Trip

4.Historic City Highlights Day Trip

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

This four-hour Dubai tour links Jumeirah, Palm Jumeirah, Al Bastakiya, Dubai Creek, the Spice Souk, and Gold Souk. You ride an abra, visit Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque, and hear city stories from an English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, or Italian-speaking guide. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

“What a great trip so much fitted in and driver was so skilled. Thought we would die but writing this now so clearly survived. I am not good with motion sickness but just got a slight headache which is good for me. The desert was strange and enchanting. Looked like a baked Alaska. Photos of a lifetime. Don’t eat before you go haha.”

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Dubai: Abu Dhabi Trip with Lunch at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant - Lunch at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant
Abu Dhabi Tours, Dining Experiences, Heritage Tours in Abu Dhabi, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews

Dubai: Abu Dhabi Trip with Lunch at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant

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

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

Travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in a small group of up to 17 people, with hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a licensed guide. You’ll visit Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Etihad Towers, and Qasr Al Watan, then eat at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant. Guides such as Haseeb, Noor, Badr, and Samir are praised for clear local insight.

“Love all the details provided by our guide. The mosque is incredible and the palace is full of details. drive around seeing the other palaves was nice.the view from Eithad is breathtaking.”

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Dubai Heritage & Burj Khalifa Experience - Jumeirah Beach and the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab
Burj Khalifa Tickets, Dubai Tours, Heritage Tours in Dubai, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews

Dubai Heritage & Burj Khalifa Experience

6.Dubai Heritage & Burj Khalifa Experience

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

Pair Dubai’s old quarter with its modern icons on a five-hour bus tour. Visit Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah Mosque, Dubai Creek, the Spice and Gold Souks, then ride to Burj Khalifa’s 124th-floor observation deck. English guiding and multilingual audio commentary are included, with hotel or metro pickup.

“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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Dubai: Heritage Safari, Camel Ride & Al Marmoom Oasis Dinner - The vintage G-Class ride through the reserve
Camel Rides, Desert Safaris, Dining Experiences, Heritage Tours in the Desert, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews

Dubai: Heritage Safari, Camel Ride & Al Marmoom Oasis Dinner

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

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

You’ll spend six hours at Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve, riding a vintage Mercedes G-Class and camel caravan, meeting falcons, visiting a Bedouin village, eating a five-course Emirati dinner, and stargazing by telescope. English-speaking guides such as Saeed, Imran, Babar, and Lucky are frequently praised for friendly care and good photos.

“Excellent. Saeed is top notch as tour guide through out. Camel guide Anwar was also top notch. Everything was much more than we could’ve expected…hospitality, professionalism, atmosphere, cuisine etc.etc. highly recommended”

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57 Heritage Desert Safari - Wildlife inside the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
Desert Safaris, Heritage Tours in the Desert, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews

57 Heritage Desert Safari

8.57 Heritage Desert Safari

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

Spend about six hours in Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, watching falcons, spotting Arabian oryx and gazelles, riding a vintage Land Rover, and taking a sunset camel ride. Your evening ends with a four-course Arabic dinner, barbecue, soft drinks, and live entertainment. Pickup and drop-off from Dubai are provided.

“Zulfiqar was excellent. Really knowledgeable and the trip is a lot of fun. Particularly enjoyed learning about the falcons”

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Desert Safari with Entertainment & BBQ Dinner-Heritage Camp - Red dunes, dune bashing, and sand boarding
BBQ, Desert Safaris, Heritage Tours in the Desert, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews

Desert Safari with Entertainment & BBQ Dinner-Heritage Camp

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. The evening ends with belly dancing, thanoura, and fire shows. Toyota Land Cruiser transport is included for groups of up to six.

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

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Dubai Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner at Arabian Heritage - Optional quad bikes and buggies in Lahbab
BBQ, Desert Safaris, Evening Desert Safaris, Heritage Tours in the Desert, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews

Dubai Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner at Arabian Heritage

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

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

Spend about six hours in Dubai’s red dunes with hotel pickup, 4WD dune bashing, sandboarding, a short camel ride, sunset photos, henna, and an Arabian BBQ camp dinner. Guides such as Ajmal, Muhammad Arsalan, Amir Zaman, Sami, and Ijaz have been praised for safe driving and friendly help, though guide assignment varies.

“Be patient and enjoy the view and activities. Try to taste different foods much as possible and let your driver do the negotiations for you to settle you are comfort”

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From Dubai: Sharjah Heritage & Culture Tour - King Faisal Mosque: a grand first stop
Historical Tours, Sharjah Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Dubai: Sharjah Heritage & Culture Tour

11.Sharjah Heritage & Culture Tour

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

Travel from your Dubai hotel to Sharjah with an English-speaking guide and multilingual audio commentary. Visit King Faisal Mosque, Sharjah Fort, Al Arsa Souk, the Islamic Civilization Museum, and Central Souq before ending at Dubai Mall. Guides such as Ubaid, Ali, and Umair Shah have been praised for clear explanations and an easygoing pace.

“Loved the place- a nice getaway towards more cultural/ heritage aspects of UAE. But given our half day schedule, we felt time constrained at most places. That being said, arrangements were good. We had multilingual audio guides to brief us throughout the route. Even our driver cum guide Shanaka was a very warm and pleasant person.”

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Abu Dhabi Sightseeing Tour: Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Heritage Village & Dates Market - Palace views from the coach
Abu Dhabi Tours, Heritage Tours in Abu Dhabi, Historical Tours, Markets, Mosque Tours, Old Dubai and Souks, Old Town and Souk Tours in Abu Dhabi, Shopping Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

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

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

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

This four-hour Abu Dhabi tour combines the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque with a reconstructed desert village, the city’s Dates Market, the Corniche, and the Founder’s Memorial. Hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, and an English and German-speaking guide are included. Guides such as Latheef, Manuela, and Aslam have led past departures.

“We enjoyed our half day tour. We were meet in time and appreciated the convenient hotel pick up, particularly in the heat. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Grand Mosque and had plenty of time to look around and take photos. The Heritage Cultural Centre afforded us a Read more”

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Dubai Old Town, Culture, History, Street food and Souks Tour - Starting at Al Seef beside Dubai Creek
Dubai Tours, Food Tours, Heritage Tours in Dubai, Historical Tours, Old Dubai and Souks, Tour Reviews, Tours

Dubai Old Town, Culture, History, Street food and Souks Tour

13.Dubai Old Town, Culture, History, Street food and Souks Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 170 reviews · from $20

Walk through Al Seef and Al Fahidi with a local guide such as Abdullah, Hichem, or Hesham. Learn about Emirati culture, taste snacks, dates, camel milk chocolate, and drinks, cross Dubai Creek by abra, then browse the Spice and Gold Souks. English walking tours do not include lunch or food and drinks beyond the listed tastings.

“We had a guided tour with my family of 5, paired with another 4 people to complete our group. Abdullah was our guide. He has a great personality, very personable and funny. We were in Dubai for a week and he was the most informative and educational guide I experiencRead more”

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Old Dubai Historic Guided Tour: Creek, Street Food & Souks - Starting with coffee at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant
Dubai Tours, Food Tours, Guided, Heritage Tours in Dubai, Historical Tours, Old Dubai and Souks, Tour Reviews, Tours

Old Dubai Historic Guided Tour: Creek, Street Food & Souks

14.Old Dubai Historic Guided Tour: Creek, Street Food & Souks

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 156 reviews · 3 - 4 hours · from $10Best value

Spend 3 to 4 hours exploring Old Dubai with guides such as Ahmed Hussein, Nasser, Khan, or Ibrahim. Visit an Emirati heritage house, taste Arabic coffee, dates, karak tea, and samosas, then walk Al Seef, cross Dubai Creek by abra, and browse the Spice and Gold Souks. Hotel pickup is optional.

“Extremely happy for the tour. The guide was super cool and really good in explaining local traditions. Strongly recommend especially with ibrahim”

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Historic Old Dubai & Souk Small Group Walking Tour - Al Fahidi, old walls, and the Coffee Museum
Dubai Tours, Heritage Tours in Dubai, Historical Tours, Old Dubai and Souks, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Historic Old Dubai & Souk Small Group Walking Tour

15.Historic Old Dubai & Souk Small Group Walking Tour

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

This two-hour small-group walk takes you from the Arabian Tea House through Al Fahidi, the Textile Souk, and Dubai Creek to the Gold and Spice Souks. Guides such as Pri, Francesca, Dana, Ricky, and Orlina explain Dubai’s past, customs, and language. The included abra ride and coffee or tea add useful local flavor.

“Tour guide, Francesca was just fabulous. Loved every minute of the tour. She was thoughtful fun and very informative. Highly recommend”

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New in Historical Tours

★ 3.0Abu Dhabi Tour: Grand Mosque, Heritage Village, Emirates Palace & Qasr Al WatanFrom $699 reviews
★ 4.5Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque and Heritage Village Day Trip from DubaiFrom $8025 reviews
★ 5.0Abu Dhabi Tour Grand Mosque Heritage Village Emirates PalaceFrom $4930 reviews
★ 5.0Private Abu Dhabi City Tour : Sheikh Zayed Mosque & Heritage VillageFrom $18410 reviews
★ 4.3Old Dubai Heritage Tour: Souks, Mosques & more hidden gems!From $4972 reviews
★ 5.0Historic Forts, Boats and Pearls of Old Dubai Walking TourFrom $5431 reviews
★ 4.9Walking, Architecture and History Tour of Dubai OperaFrom $2740 reviews
★ 4.9Heritage Desert Safari wtih Overnight and BreakfastFrom $29835 reviews
★ 4.8Al Fahidi Historical District Heritage TourFrom $3140 reviews
★ 5.0Abu Dhabi Tour Grand Mosque Emirates Palace Heritage Village32 reviews
★ 5.0Hatta Mountain Tour, Hatta Dam, Heritage Village, Honeybee Garden23 reviews
★ 5.0Private Full Day Hatta Visit Dam Heritage Village Lake28 reviews
★ 4.0Hatta Heritage Village Tour from Dubai With KayakingFrom $7841 reviews

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