Renting a luxury car in Dubai is about more than parking it outside a hotel. The UAE has some genuinely spectacular roads: mountain switchbacks, empty desert highways and city drives with skylines you will not see anywhere else. Here are our favourite routes, with tips on the best time to go and which car suits each one. Always drive within the limits and check road conditions before you set off.
1. Sheikh Zayed Road at night
The E11 is Dubai's main artery, and at night it becomes a corridor of light between the towers of Downtown, DIFC and Dubai Marina. Drive it late in the evening when traffic is lighter, passing the Burj Khalifa, the Museum of the Future and the Emirates Towers. It is the classic first drive in any supercar — the Huracán or 720S make it unforgettable. Watch the speed limits and the Salik gates; late-night tolls are often free.
2. Jumeirah Beach Road
Running parallel to the coast from the Dubai Canal towards the Burj Al Arab and Umm Suqeim, Jumeirah Beach Road is all about cruising, not speed. Limits are lower, there are traffic lights and plenty of cameras, but the views of the beach, the villas and the Burj Al Arab at sunset make it worthwhile. Perfect for a grand tourer like the Ferrari Roma or Bentley Continental GT. Continue onto Palm Jumeirah and along the crescent.
3. Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah
Jebel Jais is home to the UAE's highest mountain road, in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, about an hour or so north of Dubai depending on traffic. The road climbs for around 30 km through a series of sweeping hairpins, with dramatic views of the Hajar mountains. It is the best driving road in the country and a must for any sports car — the Porsche 911 feels right at home. Go early in the morning, before the heat and the traffic; temperatures at the top are noticeably cooler than on the coast. There are viewpoints, cafés and the famous zip line near the summit.
4. Hatta
Hatta is a mountain enclave belonging to Dubai, close to the border with Oman, roughly an hour and a half from the city. The drive takes you out through the desert and into the Hajar mountains, with rocky landscapes and the turquoise Hatta Dam lake at the end, where you can kayak. The roads are good and the scenery varied, making it a great day trip in an SUV like the G 63 or Range Rover Sport. Some routes to Hatta pass through Omani territory, so check your navigation and stay on the UAE route if you do not have the documents for a border crossing.
5. Al Qudra Road and the desert
South of the city, Al Qudra Road leads into the desert, past the famous cycling track and the Al Qudra Lakes, where you may see birds, oryx and gazelles. At dawn, with the dunes glowing orange, it is one of the most atmospheric drives in Dubai. Keep strictly to the tarmac: off-road and dune driving is generally excluded from rental insurance, and soft sand can trap even an SUV. If you want the dunes, book a guided desert safari.
6. Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain
Near the city of Al Ain, in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, the road up Jebel Hafeet is often described as one of the great driving roads of the world: around 12 km of smooth tarmac and wide curves climbing to over 1,000 metres. It is about two hours from Dubai, so it makes a long but rewarding day trip — or a stop on a tour to Abu Dhabi. Keep an eye on your kilometres: 250 km per day are included.
7. Dubai to Abu Dhabi
The highway to Abu Dhabi is fast, straight and smooth, ideal for a grand tourer or a comfortable SUV. Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, drive along the Corniche, and head to Yas Island for the Yas Marina Circuit and Ferrari World. Abu Dhabi's cameras are strict, and it has its own toll system, so stick to the limits.
Practical tips
- Start early: mornings are cooler and the roads emptier.
- Check the kilometres: 250 km per day are included; extra km are charged per car.
- Fill up before mountain drives and carry water.
- Respect the limits; read our fines guide.
Choose your car from the fleet and plan your weekend with our weekend rentals.