Looking for a quick get-away for a day trip or a few nights? There’s plenty of cool stuff to see within a two-hour drive from the city.

Liwa: A great place to go dune bashing, lounge by the pool and enjoy a quiet night under the stars, Liwa is home to the annual date festival, the comfortable Liwa Oasis Hotel and the more upmarket Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort. On the way, visit the Rainbow Sheikh’s extensive car museum.

Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort: This recently refurbished zoo is home to all sorts of animals, both domestic and international. While you’re down there, take the drive up Jebel Hafeet and soak in the landscape for miles around.

Madinat Zayed: A trip to this tiny city in the Western Region is like taking a step back in time. Though there’s not much in town, the drive is beautiful and you can enjoy a four-star stay at the quietly popular nearby Tilal Liwa Hotel.

Ruwais: Head west on Highway E11 and you’ll find this industrial community and one fabulous hotel, Al Dhafra Beach Hotel. Offering all the amenities you would expect from a reasonably priced luxury hotel, Al Dhafra is a gorgeous place to enjoy a tranquil weekend.

Ghantoot: Campers swear by the beach near the eastern border of Abu Dhabi – it’s clean, quiet and sparsely populated. Not the type to rough it? Book yourself into the Ghantoot Hotel and Resort or the nearby Golden Tulip Al Jazira Hotel and Resort for a more refined trip out of the city.