History on the ground · DUBAI HISTORY TOURS

Top 10 Dubai History Tours

10 tours  ·  from $23 a head

Good Dubai history tours fill up weeks ahead and the best go first. Below: the 10 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Dubai Evening Heritage Safari by Vintage G Class Al Marmoom Oasis - Al Marmoom gives the evening room to breathe
Dubai History Tours, History Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

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 in an open-air 1980s Mercedes-Benz G Class. You will ride with a guide such as Imran, Mustafa, Usman, Muhammad, or Waqar, then join a camel caravan, watch coffee being made, dress in Arabic clothing, meet a falcon, eat a six-course Bedouin dinner, and stargaze beside the camp.

“Traveled with my wife and my parents the experience was very good. Mustafa was a very good tour guide, and provided us options during the trip. Mustafa was quiet, but provided inside on any knowledge of the area. The tour itself is very long and nice. It was definitely worth the money. The tour itself provided various options and allowed each one of us to experience something different.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Dubai: Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque, Palace, and Heritage Village - Heritage Village and a glimpse of older Abu Dhabi
Architecture & Landmark Tours, Castle & Palace History Tours, Dubai History Tours, History Tours, Tour Reviews

Dubai: Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque, Palace, and Heritage Village

2.Dubai: Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque, Palace, and Heritage Village

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,265 reviews · 8 hours · from $75

Travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver. Visit Heritage Village, Qasr Al Watan, and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, with time to explore each site. Drivers such as Antoun, Abrar Muhammad, Asif, and Zabid are often praised for clear explanations, careful driving, and helpful service.

“We had a very exciting and enjoyable day trip in Abu Dhabi with Antoun. Throughout the journey, he shared fascinating information about the city’s history, architecture, culture, and lifestyle while driving and passing by notable landmarks. We were especially impressed by Antoun’s professionalism — he is a very responsible, calm, and skilled driver. He navigated the traffic smoothly, maintained safe distances, and made us feel comfortable and secure at all times. We learned so much during this trip — probably more than someone who has lived in Dubai for several years! This tour with Antoun is highly recommended — you definitely won’t waste your time!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Dubai Camel Desert Safari, Traditional Meal & Heritage Activities - Leaving Dubai between 2 and 4:30 p.m.
Dubai History Tours, History Tours, Local Culture & Traditions Tours, Tour Reviews

Dubai Camel Desert Safari, Traditional Meal & Heritage Activities

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

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

Spend about seven hours exploring Dubai’s desert with hotel pickup, a 45 to 60-minute camel caravan, sunset falconry, henna, Arabic coffee, bread making, and a four-course Emirati dinner. The small-group format, conservation setting, and no dune bashing suit travelers seeking a quieter cultural experience.

“We enjoyed the camels, falcon and sheesha experience. The meal was nice and overall tent setting was beautiful.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Dubai: Heritage Safari in Vintage Land Rover with Dinner - A calmer route through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Dubai History Tours, History Tours, Tour Reviews

Dubai: Heritage Safari in Vintage Land Rover with Dinner

4.Dubai: Heritage Safari in Vintage Land Rover with Dinner

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

Spend seven hours with a conservation guide such as Jovan, Bashar, or Oscar, riding an open-top 1950s Land Rover through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. See oryx and gazelles, watch falconry at sunset, enjoy Emirati dinner and performances, then finish with shisha and stargazing.

“Easy to get around and Stephen was great at telling us the Hong Kong history and culture. Well worth it”

Check availability →Read our full review

Dubai: Historic City Highlights Day Trip - Palm Jumeirah and Atlantis: Dubai’s grand opening scene
1-Day Tours, Dubai History Tours, History Tours, Tour Reviews

Dubai: Historic City Highlights Day Trip

5.Dubai: Historic City Highlights Day Trip

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

This four-hour Dubai tour links modern icons with Old Dubai. You’ll visit Al Bastakiya, cross Dubai Creek by abra, browse the Spice and Gold Souks, and see Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis, Jumeirah Mosque, Burj Al Arab, and Burj Khalifa. Hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, and shared or private options are included.

“Brilliant tour of old Dubai. Plenty of history and interesting facts with a great visit to the Dubai Museum. Our guide was great.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

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

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

Travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in a modern air-conditioned vehicle with a licensed guide. Visit Sheikh Zayed Mosque, enjoy lunch at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant, see the Etihad Towers Observation Deck, and enter Qasr Al Watan. Guides such as Haseeb, Noor, Jose, and Samir have been praised for clear explanations and friendly service.

“We were picked up in a nice air conditioned minivan. It was basically like a private tour! Our guide Shaun gave us a very pleasant experience. The mosque was very beautiful and the view from the Eithad towers was incredible! A must do activity if you have half a day to kill! Try to come early to avoid the intense heat and huge crowds”

Check availability →Read our full review

Dubai: Heritage Safari, Camel Ride & Al Marmoom Oasis Dinner - The vintage G-Class through the dunes
Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Dubai History Tours, History Tours, Tour Reviews

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

7.Dubai: 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 G-Class drive, two short camel rides, falcon and cultural shows, henna, a five-course Emirati dinner, and telescope stargazing. Guides such as Saeed, Ali, Imran, Babar, and Lucky are known for personal care and excellent photos.

“Great trip with many activities. Everything was amazing, totally worth it. Thank you Saeed!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Dubai: Al Fahidi Historical District Heritage Tour - Walking through Al Bastakiya’s windtower houses
Dubai History Tours, History Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Dubai: Al Fahidi Historical District Heritage Tour

8.Dubai: Al Fahidi Historical District Heritage Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 40 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $31

Spend 1.5 hours in Al Fahidi with an English-speaking guide, visiting windtower houses, the Ruler's Court Mosque, and SMCCU. Expect a traditional Emirati welcome, Arabic coffee and dates, plus a substantial question-and-answer session about Islam, customs, and daily life in the UAE. Modest attire is available for the mosque visit.

“Good learning experience on appreciating and understanding the culture in UAE”

Check availability →Read our full review

Dubai: Walking, Architecture and History Tour of Dubai Opera - Meeting at the Plaza Box Office
Architecture & Landmark Tours, Dubai History Tours, History Tours, History Walking Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Dubai: Walking, Architecture and History Tour of Dubai Opera

9.Dubai: Walking, Architecture and History Tour of Dubai Opera

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 40 reviews · 1 hour · from $27

Spend one hour exploring Dubai Opera with a live English or Arabic guide. See the striking dhow-shaped design, dressing rooms, trap room, seat storage area, sculptures, and backstage spaces. Guides such as Richard add stories and videos, while the working venue means some areas may change on the day.

“A wonderful tour of the opera. You learn so much from how they pack everything away to more. Richard is a very entertaining guide.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Dubai: Heritage Desert Safari wtih Overnight and Breakfast - The ride from Dubai to the conservation reserve
Dubai History Tours, History Tours, Tour Reviews

Dubai: Heritage Desert Safari wtih Overnight and Breakfast

10.Dubai: Heritage Desert Safari wtih Overnight and Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 35 reviews · 20 hours · from $298

Spend 20 hours in Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve with a professional English-speaking guide, a 1950s Land Rover wildlife drive, sunset falconry, Emirati dinner, cultural activities, stargazing, and an overnight stay in a traditional Arabic stone room. Guides such as Saif, Ravi, and Mehdi have been praised for attentive service and careful driving.

“Una de las mejores experiencias de mi vida. Superó completamente nuestras expectativas. Buen transporte, excelente organización, comida deliciosa, el campamento es muy bonito, limpio y ordenado. El personal es muy muy atento y amable. De verdad recomiendo esta experiencia”

Check availability →Read our full review

Scroll to Top

Explore history tours

Pick an era, a war, a palace or a street.