Updated: April 5, 2024

To all the people who love long drives. A chill Friday afternoon in Hatta, UAE! Hatta lies to the south – east of Dubai. Its main territory is about 134 km (83 miles) east of Dubai. It is located relatively high in the Hajar Mountains. It borders with Oman to the east and the south, the Ajman exclave of Masfout to the west, and Ras al Khaimah to the North.
The old village of Hatta includes two prominent military towers from the 1880s, a fort from 1896 and the Juma mosque, which was built in 1780 and is the oldest building in Hatta. The traditional water supply was through the falaj system, which also has been restored. Since it is located in the mountains, traditionally it was the summer habitation of Dubai-based families escaping the heat and humidity of the coast.
Hatta is nestled in the foothills of the Hajar Mountains, and what Lonely Planet describes as “magnificent mountain scenery” is a big part of Hatta’s allure. Hatta has also been labeled as a “heritage village,” and as such it is authentically Arab. There is little in the actual village in the way tourist-oriented shops and restaurants, which in and of itself makes Hatta worth exploring for its atmosphere. The village also houses a 16th century fort.
Since the early 1980s, Hatta has been a popular destination for adventuring western immigrants and local families alike “wadi bashing” through the tracks between Hatta. People even camp overnight. September end to March end would be the best time to visit and have fun.
Hatta’s main economic factor would be tourism and large body of water. Historically the area was able to grow date palms. The fruits were used as a food source, while the tree was used for building material. It has a popular heritage village, including a collection of reconstructed traditional mountain dwellings and is popular for weekend getaways with both people camping in the winter months or staying at the Hatta Fort Hotel, which is located around 3 km (1.8 miles) from Hatta Dam.
Hatta Dam was built in early 1990s to supply the area with electricity and water. Hatta Kayak is a popular tourist destination and a favourite spot for kayaking in UAE. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) plans a 250 MW pumped-storage hydroelectricity at Hatta using 880 million gallons of water 300 metres above a lower dam.
Many tours to the village include off roading in the desert and mountains in a 4-by-4 jeep or SUV. A prominent fixture on these tours are the Hatta Rock Pools. These are narrow, windy canyons of smooth rock containing pools of blue-green water, fed into the canyons by springs. On the road to Hatta is the Mezereh roadside market, with the sort of knickknacks like carpets and candle holders that make for souvenirs.
Compared to the larger region, Hatta has a mild climate. While Dubai is hot and humid and the desert is to be hot and dry, Hatta offers relief for most of the year in the form of mild and dry weather. Although Hatta is scorching in the summer months, with temperatures soaring into the mid-90s Fahrenheit or higher, even then humidity tends to remain moderate. For much of the year, daytime highs in the 70s are more normal.
Its a pleasent drive from Dubai and there are busses and taxis also available to take you there.