The Best Glamping Sites in the UAE

There’s nothing better than waking up to a view of the sun-drenched sea. And this luxe campsite in Ras Al Khaimah, perched on the Arabian Gulf, lets you do just that – from pre-pitched glamping domes or tipi-style tents, set right on the powdery sands. On-tap activities – including morning yoga, kayaking, kite-flying and massages in the outdoor spa – ensure you’ll never get bored. Kids particularly enjoy the waterfront obstacle course and night-time bonfires, while couples love the atmospheric floating theatre.

The pampering at this nature-focused Sharjah retreat starts from the get-go: you arrive by private boat transfer, gliding across mirror-like Arabian Sea waters. And it just gets better from there, with mornings bird- and turtle-watching in the nearby mangroves, and evenings bedding down in a glam tented lodge, complete with proper bathroom, plunge pool and four-poster bed (the largest has three bedrooms, ideal for families). The restaurant serves organic, globe-trotting cuisine but you can also ask staff to sort out a DIY barbecue for your tent.

A night in the desert is a must when you come to the UAE, and this Sharjah glamping retreat lets loved-up couples or groups of friends do it in style. A grand central Emirati ‘castle’ complex houses dining spaces, a health club and a cool indoor pool – a perfect retreat if the Arabian heat starts to overwhelm. But come nightfall, you’ll retire to one of 10 tents, complete with dune-facing pools and swish, locally inspired furnishings.

Whether you’re catching up with colleagues or celebrating a birthday with family, the social vibe at the Dunes in Ras Al Khaimah feels perfectly suited to groups. A mix of accommodation styles – stilted treehouses, luxe domes, intimate igloo tents – means there’s a sleeping arrangement to suit everybody, while a host of diverse activities lets all ages get involved. Sign up your crew for a sandboarding session before sunset, followed by a blowout buffet dinner.

A visit to the UAE isn’t only about desert and sea. This mountainside retreat gives you a whole other side of the country – cooler-climate Hatta, with its historic watchtower, lush greenery and kayaking lakes. Nearby, the Hatta Wadi Hub has everything from mountain biking to zorbing on tap, so this is a great pick for families with busy kids. The cabin-style rooms at the lodge, which come with ace hilltop views and modern furnishings, can sleep up to four too.

Perched on the edge of the largest uninterrupted sand mass in the world – known as the Empty Quarter – this glamorous Abu Dhabi stay combines romantic Bedouin vibes with Instagram-perfect styling. The tents, set right on the red sands, look straight out of a glossy magazine, with patterned carpets and rattan-style furniture; a dreamy set up for couples. Meanwhile, fill your days with all the classic desert activities, from camel rides to barbecue dinners under cloudless skies.

Less than 15 minutes’ drive from the centre of Ras Al Khaimah, this glampsite gives you a taste of the Emirati rural life without a long trek – just the ticket if you’re only visiting for a short time. If you have a pet in tow, this is a dog-friendly stay, with many owners coming to let their pups roam free among the shade-casting trees or russet sands. Choose from a cosy pitched-roof pod with double bed or, if your pooch needs room to stretch out, a larger lodge.

You might argue that with so many luxe amenities – sun-drenched swimming pool, rambling terraced restaurant, ornate villa-like sleeping spaces with traditional Emirati prints, lanterns and sculpted alcoves – that this is a step above glamping. And yet despite the indulgences, this Abu Dhabi getaway channels the vibe with its remote location, in the red-tinged dunes southeast of the city. Let staff welcome you with cardamom-spiced coffee and gooey dates, then sign up for an afternoon of fat biking on the sands.