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Dubai   Travel Guide

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14 Best Things To Do in Dubai

Updated May 8, 2023

There is a delicate balance of old and new in Dubai, resulting in a smorgasbord of things to do. You can spend your mornings sprawled out along  Jumeirah Public Beach  and your afternoons shredding powder at  Ski Dubai . Or you can start your day

• All Things To Do

Burj Al Arab Burj Al Arab free

Overlooking the Persian Gulf from its perch between  Jumeirah Beach  and the Palm Islands, this stunning building has wowed architecture buffs since it opened in 1999. Its curved glass façade – modeled after the sails that have graced Dubai's waterways all these years – shelters a world-class, über-luxurious hotel located on its own man-made island. The hotel not only houses the tallest atrium in the world at nearly 600 feet high, but it is one of the tallest hotels in the world. Architecture aside, amenities include revolving beds in some suites, as well as a helipad, in case you thought arriving via a complimentary Rolls-Royce was too pedestrian. 

But you don't have to stay at the Burj Al Arab to enjoy it (and let's face it, most can't). Those who aren't crashing at the hotel can gain entry by grabbing a bite at one of the on-site restaurants. Among them are Nathan Outlaw at Al Mahara, which features floor-to-ceiling windows guarding a massive fish tank, and the sky-high Al Muntaha, located on the scenic 27th floor of the building.  

Dubai Mall Dubai Mall free

Skirting the  Burj Khalifa  in downtown Dubai is every shopper's paradise. The massive Dubai Mall is one of the largest shopping centers in the world and houses more than 1,300 stores. Even if you aren't interested in buying anything, a visit to this immense retail center is a must: The Dubai Mall also contains numerous entertainment facilities, such as an ice rink, a movie theater and several kid-friendly attractions, including an aquarium that houses thousands of underwater creatures. If you happen to be around at night, stop by the Dubai Fountain outside of the mall. Created by the team who designed the  Bellagio 's famous dancing fountains, the fountain features nightly shows set to a mix of western and eastern music. 

Visitors were taken by how much was at the mall – everything you could possibly need can be found inside its sprawling square footage. A few visitors were keen to point out that you might not want to shop here after all. Because so much is imported, some reviewers found prices to be higher in comparison to what they've seen at home. Still, many said that shouldn't stop you from popping in for a visit. Of course, if you're on the hunt for a taste of Middle Eastern culture, this isn't the place to experience it. It is, however, a great escape from the heat, according to travelers. 

Jumeirah Mosque Jumeirah Mosque

Jumeirah Mosque towers over the coast from its perch north of the Dubai Marina. Its detailed white façade – which graces the 500-dirham note – mimics the architectural style of the medieval Fatimid period. Unlike Dubai's other mosques, non-Muslims are invited inside to marvel at Jumeirah's ornate decor, featuring detailed painted panels against bright blue and yellow backgrounds. But a quick note on conduct: Those planning to enter the mosque should come in modest dress – that means long sleeves and long pants or skirts. Women will also have to cover their heads with a scarf. If you don't have traditional attire, the mosque is happy to provide you with traditional clothing necessary for entrance. 

Even if you're not religious, travelers strongly recommend a visit to this attraction for its educational value and cultural significance. Visitors loved the guides' informative presentation on the architecture of the mosque and informative talk on Islam. 

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Jumeirah Public Beach Jumeirah Public Beach

Within walking distance of the  Burj Al Arab  is arguably Dubai's best strip of public sand. Sun-seekers come to this lively shoreline to revel in Dubai's bright rays, while water sports enthusiasts take advantage of the calm, turquoise waters of the Persian Gulf. Jumeirah Public Beach is also equipped with a children's playground and plenty of barbecue and picnic areas. Just make sure you come early as the area grows steadily more crowded throughout the day. 

Although recent travelers said that Jumeirah Public Beach is neat and clean, defined by white sands, the water itself feels like bathwater and doesn't feel very refreshing on a hot day. The cafes that back the beach offer better spots to cool down. 

Burj Khalifa Burj Khalifa

Although we don't recommend experiencing it the way Tom Cruise did in "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol," the Burj Khalifa is a crucial item on any Dubai agenda. Rising 2,722 feet above the city (that's a whopping 160 stories), the Burj Khalifa proudly holds the title of "world's tallest building." But that's not the only title this tower's got under its belt. The Burj Khalifa is also the tallest free-standing structure in the world and home to the highest outdoor observation deck in the world. You know what that means: gorgeous views. Visitors are invited to ride the elevator to the 124th floor for breathtaking city vistas extending all the way out to the Persian Gulf. Special telescopes also show scenes of the city from different points in time, allowing you to experience every stage of Dubai's history. You can also travel higher to the 148th floor, the world's highest observation deck, but it will cost you extra. 

Traveler reviews were mixed for the world's tallest building. On the one hand, visitors say it's a must-see simply for its world-famous distinction, but on the other hand, some found the attraction to be overpriced with lackluster views. A few tips: If you to decide to take a trip to the top, book in advance because they sell out quickly. If you can, schedule your visit around sunset: According to travelers, the spectacular views more than make up for the long wait to the top. 

Bastakiya Quarter Bastakiya Quarter free

Amid the towering skyscrapers of downtown Dubai lies the Bastakiya Quarter, the city's historic district. This former fishing village earned its name from the numerous Bastak (Iranian) traders that settled here in the 19th century. The charming little neighborhood houses the popular outdoor café, the Arabian Tea House, and several art galleries that feature the work of local and international artists, among others. Some of the restored buildings also include wind towers, which was an early form of air conditioning. The Dubai Museum is also located here. 

Recent visitors found the Bastakiya Quarter to be a nice respite from the glitz and glam of downtown Dubai, and enjoyed seeing what the city looked like before all of its developments came to fruition. Some recommend taking a quick and affordable abra (boat) ride across the Dubai Creek to a market, where trying the street vendor's ice cream and purchasing Arabic perfume are musts. 

Gold and Spice Souks Gold and Spice Souks free

Dubai is and has been a titan of trade for centuries. To get a sense of what commerce was like back in the day, take a stroll through one of the city's traditional  souks , or bazaars. The Gold Souk, located on Dubai Creek's south bank in the Deira, specializes in glitz and glamour. Featuring glittering displays of necklaces, bracelets and earrings from more than 300 retailers, the Gold Souk is one of the most renowned gold jewelry trading centers in the world. In fact, approximately 20 percent of the world's gold passes through this market. But if you're not one for gold, don't fret. The souk also sells platinum, diamonds and silver. You're also guaranteed to get what you're paying for. The government tightly controls what is sold and by who in the souk, so you don't have to walk away thinking there's a chance you may be holding something counterfeit.  

On the other side of the creek lies the pungent Spice Souk, where vendors hawk flavors from across the globe, including cinnamon, ginger and chili. This is also the place to stock up on saffron, as you'll find this delectable spice at a much lower cost here than you would at home. 

Wild Wadi Waterpark Wild Wadi Waterpark

Located at the foot of the  Burj Al Arab , the Wild Wadi Waterpark is a collection of 30 water rides and play areas designed for all ages. The entire park is modeled after Juha, a character often referenced in Arabian folklore and featured predominately among the park. Thrill-seekers can slide down Tantrum Alley or the Burj Surj, while those looking for a little more relaxation can glide along the lazy river. There are also multiple moderate slide options, as well as a water park just for the kiddos and the Wipeout and Riptide, a simulated surfing ride that's one of only four of its kind in the world. 

Travelers say Wild Wadi is a guaranteed hit with kids of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers. However, despite all the fun-filled things to do, some found the park to a bit too pricey. 

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Ski Dubai Ski Dubai

"Surreal" is one way to describe Ski Dubai. Even when the city is enveloped in sizzling triple-digit temperatures, this massive indoor winter wonderland is never without fresh powder. The Middle East's first indoor ski center, Ski Dubai boasts five ski runs (the longest of which spans more than 1,300 feet with a 197-foot vertical drop), a freestyle snowboard zone, a chairlift, as well as room for toboggan runs and snowball fights. Inside there's also the world's first indoor black run, ski lessons for the kiddos, as well as a penguin colony.   

Recent travelers loved the idea of skiing in Dubai, but warn that avid snow bunnies may lose interest. As one might expect, those who've never skied, or didn't do it often, were thrilled by the attraction, while those who knew their way around the slopes were quickly bored. Although proper gear is available at the facility, some travelers warned that it is very cold inside, and to bring any extra winter accessories you may have, especially a hat and gloves. Families, in particular, found this attraction to be a hit with their youngsters. But many travelers warn that the hidden fees for services, such as locker usage and pictures with penguins are pretty high –even unreasonable. 

Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve

When the glitz and glam of urban Dubai grows tiresome, visitors strongly recommend escaping to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. The UAE's first national park sits on the outer edges of the city, and occupies about 87 square miles of the Arabian Desert. The reserve mainly acts as a research unit, but travelers are allowed to explore the area – with one caveat: visitors aren't allowed to tour the reserve by themselves. 

Luckily, the park offers many different types of activities that will cater to travelers with varying interests. Thrill-seekers can go sand boarding, dabble in archery or go dune driving on a luxury four-wheeler. Those looking for a more relaxed experience can soak up the spirit of the desert on low cushions in Bedu tents for a delectable Dune Dinner, or arrange a more intimate Private Desert Dinner. There's also traditional camel treks available, as well as horseback rides, and even a class on falconry. Visitors can also camp on-site, or retreat to the luxurious Al Maha A Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa at the end of the day. The interesting flora and fauna, as well as all of the fun activities, including barbecues and camel rides, made the experience unforgettable for most travelers. 

Dubai Museum Dubai Museum

Sitting near the  Bastakiya Quarter , the Dubai Museum offers visitors a glimpse of where this monumental city has been and where it's going. The museum occupies the Al Fahidi Fort, which is the oldest building in Dubai, previously used by the monarch and as a defense station. Today, the museum features a variety of wings dedicated to Dubai's cultural, historical and geographical landscape. Wander around and you'll find everything from goods sold in the 1950s, located in the markets wing, to information about the marine life that lies under the Arabian Gulf, appropriately located in the sea wing. There's also a folklore wing that will likely keep younger ones entertained, and a courtyard equipped with models of local boats and bamboo houses decorated with furniture used during that time period. 

Travelers recommend a visit if you're into history, or looking to beat the heat for an hour or two. Many said it was a "must-see" if it's your first visit to Dubai. 

Dubai Miracle Garden Dubai Miracle Garden

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Kite Beach Kite Beach

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The best things to do in Dubai

By Nicola Chilton

Think you've already done all the things to do in Dubai ? Think again. Dubai is pulling out all the stops in 2022, with the delayed Expo 2020 Dubai and the United Arab Emirates’ Golden Jubilee celebrations opening the country's doors to the world that little bit wider. This city continues to dream big, opening new things for visitors to do at a dizzying pace. So escape the year-round sun with a stay in one of the glittering hotels and get busy – these are some of our favourite activities.

Go up the Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa is a dazzling sight, its needle-thin, glass-covered exterior shimmering in the desert sun. At 828 metres, it’s the world’s tallest building and is such a Dubai icon that Emirates put a ‘flight attendant’ (actually a skydiver and stuntwoman ) at the very top of it in 2021 to announce the UAE’s addition to the UK amber travel list . You don’t need to go to such heights to enjoy the view, but there are a couple of ways of doing it. Visit the At The Top observation decks, including the vertiginous outdoor terrace on the 148 th level, or head to restaurant and lounge Atmosphere on the 122 nd level. Our tip? Save sundowner hour for the beach , and head here for breakfast when you’ll see the city waking up far below.

Go inside the Burj Al Arab

Celebrating its 22 nd birthday in December 2021, the Burj Al Arab still remains one of the city’s best loved buildings. Up to now, if you weren’t a hotel guest or dining in one of the restaurants, it’s been pretty much off-limits to casual visitors. But a new Inside Burj Al Arab experience has just launched, inviting guests on a tour through the world’s tallest atrium, up to the 24-carat gold-covered Royal Suite, and into a new Experience Suite showcasing the building’s history, design and quirky trivia. If a tour’s not your thing, you can still see inside the building by booking a meal – try Al Muntaha with its vaguely space-age aesthetic on the 27 th floor for French fine dining and some of the greatest views in the city.

Have supper in the desert

Avoid the bigger tourist desert camps and head to Sonara for a more intimate evening in the dunes. Cocktails and burrata pizza fresh from the wood-fired oven await on arrival at the sunset lounge, and supper is served in a fairylight-festooned hollow carved out of the dunes. You can even sandboard your way down to your table. Entertainment includes a whirling dervish, balancing acts and a fire show, but watching the moon rise over the dunes is the most dreamy performance of all.

Go on an elite desert safari

Get picked up from your door by Range Rover and watch the skyscrapers fade out of focus – within 30 minutes, you’ll be in desert territory. Whether you choose to ride in a vintage Land Rover or stick to your pick up vehicle, there'll be no dune bashing with  Platinum Desert Safari ; rather a leisurely drive through the beautiful natural landscape with an experienced guide. As you meander through the private conservation reserve, seek out Dubai's native flora and fauna, from snakes to Arabian oryx, and admire the rolling dunes as you go. Watch the sunset with a falconry show, canapés and sparkling date juice. Just before dark, enjoy a camel ride that leads you to a private cabana where you’ll settle in for an impressive six-course dining experience followed by star gazing. The whole experience lasts seven hours, before the journey back to your accommodation.

CNT Editors

CNT Editors , CN Traveller

Discover Bur Dubai 

Bur Dubai, one of the oldest parts of the city, is abuzz with energy. Go in the evening when it’s at its busiest, or go on Friday morning for a quiet stroll – Friday is the first day of the weekend in Dubai and it can be blissfully quiet until lunchtime. The Al Fahidi heritage district is home to galleries, small museums and cafés housed in restored traders’ homes topped by traditional windtowers. You’ll also find mid-century architecture , vendors selling jasmine garlands and lotus blossoms as offerings for the nearby Hindu temple, and streetside sugar-cane juice, karak tea and fresh samosas to fuel your wanderings. Closer to the Creek is the Old Souk where you’ll have to run the gauntlet of the often overly enthusiastic pashmina-sellers. Keep walking and you’ll reach the water where you can hop on an abra for a moment of calm.

Take an abra on Dubai Creek

Dubai’s not cheap, but if you have one dirham in your pocket, the equivalent of 20p, you can spend it on an abra to cross Dubai Creek, one of the loveliest things to do in the whole city. These little wooden boats have been chugging along for years, ferrying commuters, traders and tourists between the souk markets on each side. For a more leisurely cruise , rent your own for a circular tour. The trip takes around an hour and costs AED120. Prices are fixed – just go to one of the counters at the abra stations along the Creek. As you glide past minarets, windtowers and some of the city’s earliest skyscrapers, it feels like a journey back in time.

Deep dive in Dubai 

Dubai’s pre-oil fortunes lay largely in the pearl trade. Before cultured pearls were invented in Japan , around 40 to 50 million pearls were exported each year from the waters of the Arabian Gulf. Partially inspired by this heritage is Deep Dive Dubai , newly opened in summer 2021, housed in a building shaped like an oyster shell and, with a depth of 60 metres, the deepest diving pool in the world. But this is where the similarities end. The pool is designed as a sunken city filled with dystopian sights, such as an abandoned apartment, arcade games and a tree with far-reaching tangled roots. Beginners can join a Discover Scuba session and explore the shallower sights; advanced divers can head all the way down into the distant depths.

Experience a floating nightclub

Dubai’s love of breaking Guinness World Records knows no bounds, and the latest to be smashed is the world’s largest floating nightclub. New nightclub Float is located on the deck of the QE2 , itself a bit of a secret hiding in plain sight – surprisingly few people know that the grande dame ocean liner is permanently docked in Dubai and operates as a hotel. For those who’d prefer to see this piece of travel history in a more sedate way, the QE2 offers excellent heritage tours led by Peter Warwick, the ship’s former Cruise Director.

Soak up art and more at Alserkal Avenue

Alserkal Avenue’s grey and blue warehouses reward those who take the time to explore them. Previously known for being one of the ultimate places to discover regional contemporary art , the area has grown to include much more. Watch movies at Cinema Akil , the UAE’s only arthouse cinema. Pick up uber-stylish Arabian Gulf-style leather sandals at Tamashee and vinyl at Dubai’s first independent record shop, The Flip Side . Stop for coffee at Nightjar and burgers at futuristic food truck Fomo . These new additions don’t mean that it’s forgotten its beating arty heart, though – globally famed calligraffiti artist eLSeed has his studio here, and you’ll always find something exciting and thought-provoking at Ayyam Gallery and The Third Line .

Hike in the mountains 

Hiking mountains may not be something that springs to mind when thinking of things to do in Dubai, but if you’re looking for a breath of fresh air, a day in the emirate’s craggy region of Hatta reveals a completely different side. Hike or mountain bike trails ranging from ‘easy’ to ‘severe’ (the latter are not to be underestimated), kayak on the dam, and visit the Hatta Honey farm where a ‘Bee Suit Attendant’ will ensure you’re zipped up into a beekeeping outfit covered in cartoon bees before sending you out into the garden. Worth it for the pics alone. You can also stay overnight in accommodation ranging from dome tents to Airstream caravans, farm stays , and the lovely, rather retro,  Hatta Fort Hotel . This is not the Dubai you thought you knew.

See a flamboyance of wild flamingos 

Another unexpected Dubai sight is the colony of Greater Flamingos living in the heart of the city at the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary . While some are migratory visitors, many live here year-round. Come in summer and you’ll see the few hundred permanent residents, but visit in winter and they’ll be joined by thousands more, constantly honking. The hides open in the early morning, the best time to see the flamboyance (the collective noun for a group of flamingos) at its fullest.

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The 25 Best Things to Do in Dubai

By Melinda Healy

Contrary to what you might have heard, Dubai is not all malls and flashy hotels. This sprawling desert city is always adding notable cultural institutions , galleries, and design-focused shopping , all focused on luring in a new generation of visitors . If you prefer an adrenaline rush, though, there's always the thrill of sliding between the high floors of a glass skyscraper, or jumping into the world’s largest dive pool. Almost anything is possible in this city, and we have a list to prove it: Here are our picks for some of the best things to do in Dubai, both longstanding and new.

Read our full Dubai travel guide here .

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Aura Skypool Arrow

This is the planet's highest 360-degree infinity pool, perched 200 meters atop The Palm Tower. Aura Skypool offers not only uninterrupted views of the emirate, but also a unique pool day experience. From 50 floors up, the sweeping views of The Palm, the Burj Al Arab, and the gulf beyond are an incredible way to see Dubai from above and alter your perspective. Tickets cost from about $46 per person for one of three sessions, and are best pre-purchased online .

Jumeirah Mosque Arrow

As the only mosque in Dubai that's open to non-Muslim visitors, the Jumeirah Mosque is popular with a range of travelers—it's also the most photographed. Easily one of the most beautiful in the emirate, it's crafted entirely from white stone in the medieval Fatimid style and particularly breathtaking at dusk. Visitors are allowed in six days a week (Fridays are for prayer), and tours are led by knowledgable guides who make the experience.

Deep Dive Dubai Arrow

This is the world's deepest pool with a depth of 60 meters. It boasts a sunken city for diving enthusiasts to explore and holds 14 million liters of water. Tailored entirely to water lovers, deep diving is for those with certifications only, while snorkeling on the surface and scuba-diving up to 12 meters can be undertaken by anyone over the age of 10. Given Deep Dive Dubai also acts as the region’s largest underwater film studio, packed with 56 cameras and the ability to create different moods, it is definitely a must-try experience. Tickets are required and can be pre-purchased or bought online.

Hatta Dome Park Arrow

Ideally positioned a walkable distance from the Hatta Wadi Hub, this is a desert glamping experience that immerses guests in nature, offering them dome-tented accommodation, incredible mountain views, and an abundance of outdoor activities at their doorsteps. Hatta is buzzing with nature lovers and active travelers seeking refuge from the city, and geared up to explore the mountain range. These luxe tents offer comfort and adventure in equal doses. Each has its own terrace, and there are fire pits, barbecues, and food vans just a short distance away. Stylishly furnished in desert-inspired tones, the dome suites have a minimalistic chic design and serve up not only starry evenings, but also panoramic views of the picturesque Hatta mountain range that surrounds them. Despite the reasonably remote location, each room has Wi-Fi and can comfortably sleep two adults and three children (under the age of 14).

Shannon McMahon

CNT Editors

Hannah Towey

Al Marmoom Camel Race Track Arrow

A popular heritage destination, Al Marmoom draws camel racing enthusiasts of all stripes, local and otherwise. A day at the camel races is an experience that is nicely representative of Middle Eastern culture, one that dates back to the 7th century. The grandstands are often filled with camel owners, trainers, and handlers, and most seats offer good views of the action. Remember that races start early—between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.—and that commentary and announcements are made in Arabic.

Ain Dubai Arrow

Officially the world's largest observation wheel, Ain Dubai is 75 meters taller than the London Eye. Towering over Bluewaters Island, the wheel affords sweeping views from 250 meters in the air. Not only is it visible from so many of Dubai's vantage points, this attraction appeals to just about everyone—schools, businesses, families, tourists, and locals alike. Rides on the structure are ticketed, with passes sold at the venue or online .

Dubai Spice Souk Arrow

Dubai's sprawling spice market is arguably the most entertaining of all the city's souks. It's bustling, with intoxicating sights and smells. Many of the vendors sell the same ingredients—Persian dried limes, saffron, barberries, rose hips, and traditional Middle Eastern spice mixes. Saffron, while still pricey, is more affordable here than elsewhere in Dubai. Part of a complex that features three Jumeirah hotels and an adjoining waterway, the souk has stalls selling everything from the spices, to handmade lanterns, clothes, souvenirs, and everything in between. There are also two-dozen restaurants, indoor and out, not to mention some of the most spectacular views of the world-famous Burj Al Arab hotel. It’s free to enter, but parking and abra-style water taxis cost extra.

The Dubai Fountain Arrow

The world's tallest fountain puts the ones in Vegas to shame. Multiple fountain shows are scheduled every day, shooting 22,000 gallons of water up 500 feet in the air within the 30-acre Burj Lake. Plus, a new floating viewing platform means you can get much closer to the action than before. Even better, it's free. If you visit the Dubai Mall , you'll likely see the fountains while you're there, so pause for a moment and enjoy the show.

Flying with Falcons by Balloon Adventures Dubai Arrow

In this private adventure experience, the only other person in your balloon is the pilot, who is an expert balloonist and falcon handler. Guests are picked up from their hotels and driven out into the desert. The aerial views of the desert are some of the most spectacular you'll see. Not only is the rolling landscape incredible but it is possible to see Oryx and camels strolling the desert below. This tour is ideal for a special occasion with a loved one or for those looking to experience the culture in a totally different way. Bookings are required.

Global Village Arrow

Dubai's massive Global Village is essentially a theme park for all ages, though it's popular with families as the rides and attractions are kid-friendly. Open Late-October to mid-April, it features concerts, rides, dining, and attractions from around the world. It's on the outskirts of Dubai, so don't think you can pack it into a city-centric day, but if you have time and are interested in some global shopping and entertainment, it's worth a visit.

Sky Views Dubai Arrow

High above Downtown Dubai, 219 meters up, Sky Views serves up a series of adrenaline-inducing one-of-a-kind experiences. Like so many of the experiences offered in Dubai, this incredible attraction is not for the faint of heart. Tread the 25-meter glass-bottom podium that connects the Address Sky View's twin 50-story dual towers; ride the outdoor glass slide; or tackle the Edge Walk, which is exactly as it sounds. Tickets are required but you can buy them online or at the venue.

Al Shindagha Museum: Perfume House Arrow

Positioned on the Dubai Creek within the recently renovated Al Shindagha neighborhood (once the traditional center of the emirate), the Perfume House offers the opportunity to travel back in time and discover the ages-old methods of Arabic perfume-making. You'll learn about the region’s perfume-trading route and explore the traditional oils and ingredients used to make local scents (including oud, saffron, and specific roses).

Kite Beach Arrow

Like a Miami beach with its wide stretch of sand, aquamarine water, beach chaises, and enough activities to make you feel like sunbathing isn't quite enough, Kite Beach is for beach lovers. Join a game of volleyball, give kite-surfing a try, or take a run around the soft running track—when it's not 106 degrees out.

Aquaventure Waterpark Arrow

Now considered the world’s largest waterpark thanks to its recent extension, the venue has expanded by a third. Trident Tower, its newest arm, features the largest kids-only waterparks in the Middle East—Splashers Lagoon and Splashers Cove. Aquaventure contains more than 30 slides and attractions, including the emirates' longest lazy river, some thrilling rides (including the Leap of Faith and Poseidon's Retreat), and a private beach. There are also record-breaking waterslides to get the adrenaline pumping; Splashers Park and the Lazy River for families; and opportunities that encourage up-close-and-personal interactions with stingrays, dolphins, and sea lions.

Legoland Dubai Arrow

Legos come to life at Legoland Dubai (sister to others across the world, including in Florida), where 60 interactive rides and 15,000 Lego models entrance the young and young-at-heart. Aimed at families with children between the ages of 2 and 12, the theme park was created from 60 million Legos and encompasses six lands, indoor and out. And now there is a Legoland Hotel that allows families to really immerse themselves in Lego for a weekend or overnight stay. In the heat of summer, the outdoor attractions can be a little too much to bear, but the indoor ones are just as good—and they're air-conditioned.

Skydive Dubai Arrow

If free-falling over Dubai at 120 miles per hour sounds like your idea of a good time, Skydive Dubai has you covered. Beginners are welcome to jump in tandem with the company's experienced guides, but licensed divers can take the plunge solo. A tandem flight from Skydive Dubai's location on The Palm costs nearly $600—but it's worth it if you're a thrill-seeker who's not afraid of heights.

The Dubai Mall Arrow

As the largest mall in the world, the Dubai Mall draws in almost 100 million visitors a year. It's easy to get lost—there are more than 1,200 shops, after all—but a great place to beat the Dubai heat and ogle at the luxury stores. The place draws in more tourists from around the world than both New York City and Los Angeles so it's safe to say, everyone comes here.

XLine Dubai Marina Arrow

Fly belly-down across highways, skyscrapers, and swimming pools through the city of Dubai with XLine Dubai, one of the longest, steepest, and fastest urban zip lines in the world. From a height of 560 feet with speeds up to 50 miles per hour, riders soar from the Jumeirah Beach Residence to Dubai Marina, passing once-in-a-lifetime views along the way. There's even an option to ride tandem with friends.

Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood Arrow

This quaint neighborhood offers a glimpse into what Dubai was like before the Emirates were formed in 1971. Traditional buildings crafted from stone, palm wood, gypsum, and teak line the twisted alleys and pathways—history and architecture buffs will love getting lost here. The neighborhood is a quiet retreat from the traffic and skyscrapers of the city, and the labyrinth of lanes make this place feel like you're in a secluded village.

Abra Ride Across Dubai Creek Arrow

Riding an abra, or traditional wooden boat, is one of the most low-key ways to get a feel for life in Dubai. The boats gather on either side of Dubai Creek—in Deira or Bur Dubai—and can carry about 20 people. Many locals use the boats to get across the creek quickly and to avoid traffic, but you'll also see lots of tourists, especially at dusk. Given that it's quick and cheap, an abra ride is a must if you plan on spending any time at all in Old Dubai or visiting the QE2 .

Al Seef Arrow

From its location within the emirate's cultural epicenter, Al Seef marries the city’s heritage with contemporary offerings. The 1.1-mile precinct that hugs the Dubai Creek is split into two areas: one dedicated to the past and another to the future. Meander through the charming laneways, stop and have a coffee or a meal at one of the many restaurants and cafes, or simply sit and watch the activity on the creek from one of the tranquil public spaces.

Ski Dubai Arrow

In the middle of a mall in the desert, the world's third-largest indoor ski slope is a sight to behold. A daily lift ticket will run you about $138 (excluding equipment rentals), while a Snow Daycation pass, which primarily provides access to the non-skiing parts of the mountain like tubing, costs $75 per person, and you should plan to get there early. The place is filled with families with kids, most of whom are taking part in various rides, penguin visits and the Snow Cinema instead of skiing. If you're here to shred, there are two runs and a dedicated freestyle area (but Vail this is not).

At the Top, Burj Khalifa Arrow

The world's tallest building is, unsurprisingly, visible from almost everywhere in Dubai. Taking in the site is thrilling enough from the street, but you can also visit the top of the 160-story behemoth—brace yourself for the thrill of the high-speed elevators, followed by complete awe the moment you step onto the observation deck. Buy tickets online in advance for a specific time slot. Most first-time visitors to Dubai go to the top.

Etihad Museum Arrow

This ultra-modern museum offers a comprehensive look at the formation of the seven Emirates that make up the UAE. It draws a diverse crowd of UAE nationals and history-buff tourists. The museum lies on the site where the country's unification was signed in 1971. The Etihad Museum isn't overwhelming in size or content. Even non-museum lovers will find the exhibitions interesting and crucial to a well-rounded UAE visit.

Dinner in the Sky Arrow

Dinner in the Sky Dubai is no ordinary restaurant—even pulling up a seat at the table requires that you clip a seatbelt. The experience takes place nearly 165 feet in the air, at a table that rotates ever so slowly over the course of an hour. If you can stomach the altitude, you're in for impressive views of the Gulf—and maybe one of the most unusual dining experiences on the planet. Artful Dining by Le Meridien Mina Seyahi and The Westin Dubai are responsible for the menu, which ranges from burrata salads to Middle Eastern mezzes. It's ideal for a romantic evening or surprise celebration with a first date, long-time partner, or best friend.

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25 best things to do in Dubai

Jun 4, 2021 • 12 min read

Whether it's in a souk or a mall, shopping in Dubai is an essential experience © Matteo Colombo/Getty Images

If you're planning to visit Dubai, you'll find a stirring mix of profound traditions and futuristic vision wrapped into starkly evocative desert splendour.

You won't be short of things to do in the sci-fi-esque land of iconic skyscrapers, palm-shaped islands, city-sized malls and palatial beach resorts. Dubai embraces sunshine, innovation and cultural dynamism, and is known as a shopping haven with a vibrant nightlife and entertainment scene. Here are some great things to do to make the most from your trip.

Burj Khalifa

Dubai is famous for its dramatic skyscrapers, and above them all looms the Burj Khalifa , shaped like a deep-space rocket and, at 828m, the world's tallest building. It's a stunning feat of architecture and engineering, and a trip to the observation deck on the 124th floor (1483ft) is the most popular way to take in the amazing views it offers. You can also buy tickets for "At the Top Sky" on the 148th floor, which is the world's highest outdoor observation deck at 1820ft.

Clad in 28,000 glass panels, the Burj Khalifa also lays claim to several more superlatives, including the highest occupied floor and an elevator with the longest travel distance. On hazy days, it’s better to visit at night.

Al Fahidi Historic District

Wandering around this restored heritage area in Bur Dubai provides a tangible sense of historic Middle Eastern architecture and culture. Low-lying traditional courtyard buildings flank this quiet labyrinth of lanes in Al Fahidi Historic District , many of them featuring arabesque windows, decorative gypsum screens and wind towers.

Some contain craft shops, small heritage museums, art galleries, artsy guesthouses or cafés serving local fare, including Middle Eastern breakfasts and camel milk smoothies. The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding leads guided tours of the quarter.

Dubai Miracle Garden

Covering some 2000 sq metres and touted as the largest natural flower garden in the world, there’s a sense of Alice in Wonderland–esque surrealism when entering Dubai Miracle Garden . Wander past quirky bloom-covered peacocks, clocks and castles, or alternatively, chill out in a cabana with billowing drapes and floor cushions.

Home to 100 million flowers, and adjacent to the enormous nine-dome Dubai Butterfly Garden, it is incredibly popular, attracting 55,000 visitors a week. There are food outlets on site as well as a souvenir shop and small trampoline park.

Shop 'til you drop

Shopping malls represent an integral part of the culture and lifestyle in Dubai. Not merely places for maxing out your credit cards on fashion, electronics or gourmet foods, malls are also where locals go to socialize in cafés and restaurants, to catch a movie in a state-of-the-art multiplex or to get adrenaline kicks in an indoor theme park or game arcade. The best and biggest of the bunch is Dubai Mall, which features not only 1300 stores but also a giant aquarium, an indoor ice rink and a genuine dinosaur skeleton.

Serious shoppers can check out the Dubai Shopping Festival, which lures bargain-hunters from around the world. It takes place in January each year, and there are huge discounts in the souqs and malls. The city is abuzz with activities during the festival, ranging from live concerts to fashion shows and nightly fireworks.

Mushrif National Park

One of the oldest parks in Dubai, Mushrif National Park covers more than 5 sq km of natural ghaf forest. Mushrif is located around 15km east of the city centre, and is a haven for birds, including owls, Orphean warblers, hoopoes and black redstarts. Dating from 1974, the park has plenty of manmade attractions as well, including walking trails and bicycle tracks, a large children's playground, a swimming pool and barbecue pits.

Read more: The 9 best parks in Dubai

Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve

On the outskirts of Sharjah , the 225 sq km Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve accounts for 5% of the Emirate of Dubai's total land. The reserve was established in 1999 and has been involved in projects to reintroduce mountain gazelles, sand gazelles and Arabian oryx.

It's possible to stay inside the reserve at Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa , which was designed for superluxe ecotourism. The reserve is divided into four zones, the third of which is only open to resort guests and the fourth to a small number of desert tour operators, including Arabian Adventures , offering a less costly admission than overnighting at the resort.

IMG Worlds of Adventure

In 2016, Dubai added four theme parks to its stable of attractions, including IMG Worlds of Adventure , the world's largest indoor theme park. Housed in an air-conditioned hangar the size of 28 football fields, the park is truly impressive, with more than 20 rides and attractions split across four themed zones – Marvel, Cartoon Network, Lost Valley Dinosaur Adventure and IMG Boulevard. You won't go hungry as there are 28 dining outlets to choose from.

Etihad Museum

Opened in 2017, the striking Etihad Museum engagingly chronicles the birth of the United Arab Emirates in 1971, spurred by the discovery of oil in the 1950s and the withdrawal of the British in 1968.

Documentary films, photographs, artifacts, timelines and interactive displays zero in on historic milestones in the years leading up to and immediately following this momentous occasion, and they pay homage to the country's seven founding fathers. Free tours of the adjacent circular Union House are available, which is where the historic signing of the Constitution of the United Arab Emirates took place.

For a dose of Arabian Nights flair, head to Dubai's historic core and plunge headlong into its charmingly chaotic warren of markets. The famed headliner is the dazzling Gold Souq . Even if you don't have a thing for bling, a walk through here will feel like you've entered a giant Aladdin's Cave. It's fun to just watch the action, especially in the evening. If you're buying, sharpen your haggling skills, no matter whether shopping for teensy earrings, an engagement ring or a dowry-worthy necklace.

White Dubai

Dazzling rooftop bars, chill beachfront lounges, classic pubs, cool karaoke joints, speakeasy-style nightclubs, live-music venues – with such variety, finding a party location to suit your mood is hardly a tall order in Dubai. One of the biggest draws for nocturnal action is White Dubai. The mega-venue with its impressive light and sound systems sits smack dab on top of the grandstand of the Meydan Racecourse.

Desert escapes

The Arabian desert, with its weathered mountains, undulating sand dunes and wide open spaces, exudes a special mystique that can easily be savored on a day trip from urbanized Dubai. There are numerous tour operators to set you up with everything from camel treks to sandboarding or overnight safaris. The best ones offer an authentic look at local culture through encounters with Bedouins and traditional meals. Alternatively, consider hiring a 4WD and staying at a desert resort, so you can appreciate the magnificent scenery on your own schedule.

Read more: Top 9 day trips from Dubai

Dubai Museum

Housed in Bur Dubai's Al Fahidi Fort, the city's oldest surviving structure, Dubai Museum, provides a well-laid-out introduction to the history of the emirate. Marvel at its turbo-evolution from simple desert settlement to futuristic metropolis in just a third of a century. Dioramas recreate traditional scenes in a market, at home and in the mosque, while other galleries focus on life at sea and in the desert. An archaeological exhibition illustrates the ancient history of the region with a display of items unearthed during excavations at local digs.

Dubai Design District

This hub for creatives lures visitors with its edgy architecture, contemporary restaurants, public art, galleries and calendar of cultural events. Visitors to Dubai Design District can tap into this laboratory of tastemakers by browsing showrooms and pop-ups, eavesdropping on bearded hipsters in sleek cafés, checking out art exhibits in building lobbies, or attending free screenings and workshops. The week-long Dubai Design Week is held there in November, with an extensive offering of talks, workshops, masterclasses and kids' activities.

Dubai Butterfly Garden

If you want to deepen your knowledge of these pretty flying insects, pop into the Dubai Butterfly Museum , located next to the Dubai Miracle Garden. Some 15,000 butterflies flutter around nine indoor domed gardens, and you can see for yourself how they begin as caterpillars and evolve into their flying adaptations. Don’t miss the Butterfly and Insect Museum, which features in-depth analysis and information about thousands of colorful butterfly species from around the world.

Museum of Illusions

It opened in 2018 and the Museum of Illusions in the Al Seef district is fast becoming a favorite for families and Instagram fans. Kids will love the 150-plus illusions, including the rooms of mirrors, distorted perspective and various other optical illusions, while parents can take memorably wacky photos. Avoid visiting at weekends if possible, as visitors are restricted by number and you may have to wait your turn.

Jumeirah Mosque

Snowy white and intricately detailed, Jumeirah is Dubai's most beautiful mosque and one of only a handful in the United Arab Emirates open to non-Muslims. It's particularly beautiful at dusk and visitors are allowed in six days a week. One-hour guided tours are operated by the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding , and while modest dress is preferred, traditional clothing can be borrowed for free.

Dubai Fountain

The dancing Dubai Fountain is spectacularly set in the middle of a giant lake against the backdrop of the glittering Burj Khalifa. Water undulates as gracefully as a belly dancer, arcs like a dolphin and surges as high as 140m, all synced to stirring classical, Arabic and world music soundtracks played on speakers. There are plenty of great vantage points, including a 272m-long floating boardwalk, which takes you just 9m away from the fountain.

Other good viewing spots include some of the restaurants at Souk Al Bahar , the bridge linking Souk Al Bahar with Dubai Mall, the Dubai Mall waterfront terrace, or aboard a 25-minute Dubai Fountain Lake Ride on a traditional wooden abra boat.

Emirates Airline Festival of Literature

The long-running annual Emirates Airline Festival of Literature brings authors and thousands of book fans together to celebrate all things reading and writing. Held over nine days in March, the festival hosts talks, discussions, panels and a special program just for children, with many activities free to attend. It offers attendees a chance to meet local and world-famous authors, attend literary debates and workshops, participate in competitions and be inspired by their literary heroes.

Global Village

The carnival-like Global Village is a bit like a ‘world fair’ for shoppers, and you'll find it on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311). Each of the 30-something pavilions showcases a specific nation’s culture and products. Aside from shopping, there's also lots of entertainment – from Chinese opera to Turkish whirling dervishes – as well as a funfair with dozens of rides from tame to terrifying.

Burj Al Arab

This landmark luxe hotel, with its dramatic design that mimics the billowing sail of a ship, floats on its own artificial island and has become the iconic symbol of Dubai’s boom years. The Burj Al Arab's interior is all about impact, drama and unapologetic bling, with dancing fountains, gold fittings, shiny marble and whirlpool baths your butler can fill with champagne if you so wish. If a stay exceeds your budget, you can still partake in the opulence by making reservations for cocktails, afternoon tea or dinner in the underwater restaurant.

Dubai Frame

Opened in January 2018, this 150m rectangular 'picture frame' sits in Zabeel Park , right between historic and modern Dubai, and provides grand views of both parts of the city. Galleries on the ground floor of Dubai Frame tell the story of Dubai (the past) before visitors are whisked up to a viewing platform at roof level (the present). The final stop is another gallery depicting a vision of Dubai 50 years from now (the future).

Al Qudra Lake

One for the nature lovers, Al Qudra Lake is a series of man-made lakes set amidst the rolling dunes of the Saih Al Salam desert on Dubai’s southern outskirts. Part of the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, the surrounding area is unspoiled. Swap skyscrapers for wide open dunes and oasis-like pools where you can spot plenty of free-roaming wildlife, more than 100 species of birds and several desert plants.

This long, pristine stretch of white sand, off Jumeirah Road and next to a mosque, is superclean and has lots of activities, including kitesurfing, beach tennis, beach volleyball and kayaking. There are showers, wi-fi, toilets and changing facilities on Kite Beach , plus lots of food trucks and cafés. It offers great views of the Burj Al Arab, and gets very busy on Friday and Saturday when a seaside market with crafts and gifts sets up.

Perfume Museum

The waterfront Perfume Museum is part of the Al Shindagha Museum restoration project and is the former home of a Dubai sheikha who loved all things perfume. The old building has been restored and its interactive exhibits are based around scent, smells and fragrance. Keep your entry ticket and you’ll get free access to the nearby Dubai Creek House .

Steps from the Deira Old Souk abra station, the sound of Arabic chatter bounces around the lanes of this covered market. Dubai's famous Spice Souk is filled with intoxicating sights and smells. Its vendors work hard to unload cardamom, saffron and other aromatic herbs photogenically stored in burlap sacks alongside nuts, incense burners, henna kits, shishas and dried limes. Away from the tourist-oriented main thoroughfare, tiny shops also sell groceries and other household goods.

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Visit Dubai: Top 31 Things To Do and Must-See Attractions

Things to do in dubai: the 31 best places to visit (all highlights).

You’re planning to visit Dubai during your next trip?

Great idea!

With its impressive skyscrapers and the numerous activities you can do in Dubai , you will for sure enjoy your trip to one of the trendiest destination in the world.

In order to help you plan your stay, I have prepared this guide of the 31 best things to do in Dubai , with all points of interest and must-see attractions.

In addition to this list of things to do and activities, I will also give you itineraries to visit Dubai in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 days (or even 1 week!) as well as my selection of the best accommodations depending on your budget.

So, what are the best things to do in Dubai? Where to stay?

1. The Burj Khalifa

2. the dubai mall, 3. the dubai fountain, 4. deira district and its souks, 5. bur dubai, 6. atlantis hotel / the palm jumeirah / aquaventure waterpark, 7. the palm jumeirah / the pointe / the view at the palm, 8. dubai marina, 9. the burj al-arab, 10. dubai museum / al-fahidi fort, 11. dubaï garden glow, 12. dubai frame, 13. dubai aquarium and underwater zoo, 14. the walk and the beach / jumeirah beach residence, 15. the madinat jumeirah souk, 16. mall of the emirates / ski dubai, 17. global village, 18. etihad museum, 20. dubai canal walk, 21. the financial district, 22. jumeirah mosque, 23. miracle garden, 24. dubai creek park, 25. shopping in dubai, 26. img worlds of adventure, 27. dubai parks and resorts, 28. ain dubai and more activities in dubai, 29. excursion in the desert, 30. abu dhabi, visiting dubai with your family, how many days to spend in dubai, 1 day in dubai, 2 days in dubai, 3 days in dubai, 4 days in dubai, 5 days in dubai, 1 week in dubai, where to stay in dubai, where to eat in dubai, flying to dubai: airfares, tourist map of dubai, you’re traveling to dubai these articles will help you , visit dubai: all must see attractions.

The Burj Khalifa is for sure THE place to visit in Dubai!

The tallest skyscraper in the world (828 meters) has been open to the public since 2010 and has quickly become the symbol of the city.

Every day, thousands of visitors flock to the tower and take one of the fastest lift in the world up to the viewing platforms located on the 124th and 125th floors .

From there, you can enjoy an extraordinary panorama over the whole city!

And that’s not the highest point yet!

You can even go up to the 148th floor , to reach the highest viewing platform in the world (555 m high).

You should visit the Burj Khalifa in the evening , to enjoy the view over the illuminated city from the highest observation deck in the world .

To visit the Burj Khalifa , you should really book your skip the line ticket online in advance .

This will allow you to choose your visit time slot and avoid the long waiting lines to buy your tickets.

Another important advantage is that tickets are cheaper online than directly at the counter. And that’s the same for all the activities you can do in Dubai!

There are different types of tickets available (click on the orange link for information and to book):

• Ticket At The Top Burj Khalifa – Access to 124th and 125th floors.
• Ticket VIP At The Top Sky – Access to the 148th floor of Burj Khalifa + 124 and 125 floors + quick access to the security checkpoints and elevator.
• Ticket The Lounge – Access to floor 152 + 153 + 154, the lounge bar of the Burj Khalifa
• Ascent to the 124th floor + lunch or dinner at the Burj Club restaurant.

If you plan to visit the Dubai Aquarium as well , you should choose the Burj Khalifa combined ticket (access to 124 and 125) + Aquarium. It’s much cheaper than buying the 2 tickets separately!

To visit Dubai , you can also purchase the Dubai Explorer Pass .

With this pass, you have access to 3, 4, 5 or 7 tourist attractions (depending on your choice). The following activities are offered:

• Burj Khalifa
• Excursion in the desert
• Dinner cruise in the marina
• Access to the world famous Aquaventure Waterpark of Atlantis Hotel
• Ticket for the Hop on Hop off bus.

Since all these attractions are among the best things to do in Dubai, this City Pass is really the best way to save money!

For more information about this pass and the activities included, click on the button below :

In the city center , right next to the Burj Khalifa, there is the Dubai Mall .

This huge mall is the most visited shopping center in the world!

With more than 1200 shops and hundreds of restaurants, you will for sure find something that fits your taste and your budget.

And there is more:

This shopping temple also houses indoor waterfalls, an aquarium (more about it below), an ice rink , a go-kart track , a flight simulator , cinemas , arcade games and a lot more!

The Dubai Mall is open every day from 10am until midnight . Restaurants and food court until 1am.

If you want to prepare your visit, you can have a look to the official website to see all the existing shops, restaurants and attractions.

The Burj Khalifa is only accessible via the Dubai Mall on the LG level . You will need to follow the signs “At The Top Burj Khalifa”.

To get to the Dubai Mall , simply get off at the metro station of the same name . But don’t be surprised, you will have to walk about 10 minutes (inside) to reach the mall.

You need to cover your shoulders and legs in public places in Dubai. Signs of affection like kissing or holding hands aren’t allowed.

This fountain (the largest water fountain in the world) is one of Dubai’s main tourist attractions.

The fountain show takes place several times a day on the artificial lake located at the exit of Dubai Mall, at the foot of Burj Khalifa.

You must attend it during your trip to Dubai!

The best is to go there at nightfall, when the tower is illuminated. It’s simply magical to watch the ballet of water jets dancing to music.

The show takes place every 30 minutes between 18.00 and 23.00 (there are also a few during the day).

The access is free of charge.

Quick tip: To get a great viewpoint, try to be there as early as possible, as the fountain show attracts thousands of tourists!

If you want to admire the sound and light show up close , then you should take an abra (traditional boat) on the artificial lake. You need to click here to book your tickets.

One of the best places to view the Dubai fountain show is from the terrace of the Apple store located in Dubai Mall.

Near the lake, you can also visit Souk Al Bahar , another gallery with a few shops , cafés and restaurants with terraces and fountain view . It’s worth to go have a look, even if only for its beautiful interior.

Dubai isn’t just about luxury and excess: there are still traditional and authentic neighborhoods to visit!

During your stay, you should really take a stroll through Deira district , a picturesque and popular place featuring several souks :

• The Gold Souk and its large number of shops with magnificent jewellery displays. It’s the largest of its kind in the Middle East.
• The Perfume Souk , in Sikkat Al Khail street.
• The Spice Souk and its colourful stalls to stock up on curry, saffron, cinnamon and more.

To visit the Old Dubai and Deira , the best is clearly to book a guided tour!

During this 3-hour tour , your guide will show you the souks as well as Dubai Museum , which I mention a bit further down this article.

The guide is really amazing, he will teach you everything about the culture, religion, daily life and history of Dubai.

You simply need to click on the button below to book your tour of ancient Dubai :

In Dubai, Friday is a holy day (equivalent to Sunday in Europe). Some places, such as the shops in Deira, are usually closed in the morning and do not open until late afternoon.

In the souks, don’t hesitate to negotiate prices : the prices quoted are often crazy (between 20 and 50 AED for a magnet!), but can easily be reduced to something more reasonable.

Deira is the best place to change money in Dubai . The exchange offices in this part of the city offer better rates than at the airport or in the shopping malls.

Bur Dubai is the other typical district you should definitely visit in Dubai.

This neighborhood is also one of the oldest in the city. It’s located just opposite Deira, on the other side of Dubai Creek.

To get there, you will have to take an Abra , a small traditional wooden boat (1 AED per person).

The short crossing will allow you to enjoy a beautiful view and see “Dhows”, the old ships with bright colors supplying the souks with goods.

Here are the best places to visit in Bur Dubai:

• Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House: The old house of the Al Maktoum family until 1958. You will see photos and documents about the history of the city.
• Old Souk, one of the oldest in Dubai. You can find everything there: slippers, souvenirs, fabrics, traditional lamps…
• Meena Bazaar, a market where you can buy Indian goods: fabrics, spices, jewelry.
• Hindi Lane and its Indian stalls. The best place to try traditional dishes at a reasonable price.
• Sheik Mohamed Cultural Center: Here you can have lunch with an Emirati in a traditional house. The center was opened by the Sheikh to allow tourists to learn more about United Arab Emirates (UAE) traditions. Reservation is required, click here.
• Al Seef Market , where you can admire replicas of traditional houses, with restaurants and shops.
• Dubai Museum: I will tell you more about it in section 9 of this guide.

From Bur Dubai you can also take an evening cruise in the bay of Dubai .

You have 2 options. Simply click on the links below for more information and to book:

• A cruise on a traditional boat + buffet dinner + demonstration of local folk dances
• A luxury cruise with gourmet dinner .

Let’s continue this Dubai travel guide with the very famous Atlantis The Palm Hotel. It’s clearly another landmark of the city!

Located on the the artificial island of Palm Jumeirah , this luxury hotel architecture was inspired by the myth of Atlantis.

This man made island in the shape of a palm tree (visible from space!), is mainly home to luxury villas and upscale hotels .

Even if you are not staying at Atlantis Hotel , you can access shops and restaurants in the lobby and enjoy the following attractions:

• Aquaventure Waterpark : Dubai’s most famous water park, where you can take some of the world’s best water slides and slide through a shark infested tunnel.
• Lost Chambers Aquarium and its thousands of animals: Sharks, rays, piranhas…
• Dolphin Bay, a lagoon where you can swim with the dolphins. Booking your “encounter with dolphins” automatically grants you access to the Aquaventure Waterpark on the same day. Buy your tickets here in advance to get the best price!

If you only want to visit the Aquaventure Waterpark and Lost Chambers Aquarium , you should buy this ticket in advance :

The Aquaventure Waterpark is one of the attractions that are included in the Dubai Explorer Pass.

To get to Atlantis Hotel and Aquaventure Park:

• Take the subway to DAMAAC Properties station
• Then take the tram to the Palm Jumeirah station
• Follow the signs to reach the monorail – 5 minutes on foot
• Take the monorail – 30 AED (round trip). There is a monorail every 15 minutes between 9:00 and 22:00.

If you want to stay at Atlantis The Palm Hotel during your trip to Dubai, you can check here for availability and prices.

To get a great view over the Atlantis hotel , you should go to the small beach at “The Pointe”, a shopping center with shops and restaurants on the waterfront .

The surroundings are very beautiful and the place is quiet.

The Pointe is also famous for hosting the largest musical fountain show in the world, with water jets reaching 105 meters high!

Just like the fountains of the Burj Khalifa, the sound and light show takes place every evening from 6pm. It’s really a must-see in Dubai at night!

You can get there by taxi (less than 10 minutes from Atlantis Hotel) or, when the station will be ready, with the monorail.

In Palm Jumeirah , you should also go to the brand new tourist attraction of Dubai: “The View at The Palm Observatory”. Located on the 52nd floor, a t 204 meters high , you will enjoy an extraordinary 360° panorama over the Palm Jumeirah and Dubai’s skyline!

As always in Dubai, it’s best to book your ticket for “The View at The Palm” in advance to avoid hours of waiting. You just have to click on the button below to book:

Access to The View is through level 2 of Nakheel Mall.

And if that’s not enough, on the 50th floor of The Palm, at 200 meters high , you can also swim in the world’s highest infinity pool! (It actually dethroned the famous Marina Bay Sands pool in Singapore ).

To take a dip and enjoy the sumptuous view of Dubai from the AURA Skypool , you must make a reservation on the official website .

You’re going to Dubai?

You probably know it: the hardest part of planning your trip is to find an hotel offering a good value for money!

And that’s even worse in big touristic cities like Dubai 😅.

The closer you get to your travel dates, the harder it will be to get a good deal. Tens of thousands of people will be visiting Dubai on the same dates as you , so you can be sure that the best deals are booked extremely quickly!

Hopefully, there is a pretty simple solution to this problem: do like me and book your hotel as early as possible!

So, my best advice is to take 5 minutes (now) to have a look at the list of travelers’ favorite hotels in Dubai.

And if you see a good offer, book it!

Most hotels offer free cancellation, so it’s quick, easy, and you will avoid the the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the current best deals for your hotel in Dubai, simply click on the green button below 😎:

Once you’ve booked your hotel, it will be time to continue reading this guide and find out more about the best things to do in Dubai!

Let’s continue our visit of the city with a walk in Dubai Marina district.

There, you can take a walk on a pedestrian promenade along the waterfront and admire the yachts and buildings.

You will pass by Dubai Marina Mall , a big shopping center featuring brands stores such as Levi’s, H&M, Guess or Balmain.

A great way to discover the Marina is to opt for a cruise on a luxury yacht. A VIP moment you will never forget! Simply click here to book your VIP boat trip .

This boat tour is also included in the Dubai Explorer Pass.

During your visit to Dubai Marina, you should definitely try the Xline, the longest urban zip line in the world !

You will start 170m above the ground, from the top of a building and then fly amidst buildings and over Dubai Marina at more than 70 km/h.

I really loved it, adrenaline rush guaranteed 😁!

Of course, photos and the video of your heroic deed are included in the price: A superb souvenir of your flight among the skyscrapers in Dubai!

If you want to do something extraordinary and unique in Dubai, this is undoubtedly the right activity for you.

To book your zip line over Dubai Marina and enjoy an extraordinary experience, simply click on the button below:

If the ticket isn’t available, you can also check on this other website (click here).

The Burj al-Arab, in Dubai, is one of the few 7* hotels in the world .

Of course, staying in a luxury suite with sea view is pretty expensive ( Click here to see the rates )!

But even if this hotel isn’t for everyone’s budget, I have good news: You can enter the most luxurious hotel in the world for a few hours by reserving a lunch, a snack or dinner at the Burj al-Arab restaurant .

Here are the different options available (click on the links for more info and to book):

• Snack and tea at the SkyView Bar on the 27th floor – Enjoy the view with pastries and cakes.
• Lunch or dinner at the Al Yam ball – The restaurant is located on the ground floor of the Burj Al Arab and offers a breathtaking view over the Persian Gulf.
• Access to the SkyView Bar + 2 free drinks
• Lunch or dinner at the Al Mahara Aquarium Restaurant – Enjoy the unique experience of tasting the dishes of an award winning chef in the middle of an aquarium!

To admire the architecture of the Burj al-Arab , you can also opt for a boat tour. The tour will also pass by the other emblematic hotel of Dubai: the Atlantis The Palm Hotel .

Book your speedboat tour around the Burj al-Arab and Palm Jumeirah by clicking on the button below:

Dubai Museum is located in Bur Dubai, in Al Fahidi Fortress .

It traces the entire history of Dubai , from the first tribes who lived there through the economic boom in the 1960s, to the future plans for the coming years.

There, you will discover former fishing boats, objects from the nomads’ daily life , weapons and archaeological remains .

The museum is very interesting and allows you do get a good grasp of how the city looked like before its impressive development.

The entrance fee to the museum is 3 AED . It’s open every day except Friday morning.

You’re looking for things to do in Dubai in the evening?

Then I would recommend you to go take a walk in Dubai Garden Glow .

This park features hundreds of sculptures coming to life every evening during light shows with musical backgrounds .

It’s really impressive to see!

The entrance to the Garden Glow costs 65 AED and includes access to:

• Dinosaur Park, a park with several animated dinosaurs that move and growl. Kids will love it! It’s best to visit this park 1 hour before dusk and then go to the Garden Glow.

For another 30 AED, you will also be able to go to Magic Park , a place where you can take funny pictures, thanks to the optical illusions of the 3D decors.

There is also an ice park with a few ice sculptures, but the entrance fee (45 AED) is in my opinion a bit expensive for what it is.

Dubai Garden Glow is open every day from 4pm to 11pm.

The Dubai frame , one of Dubai’s newest tourist attractions, is already very popular!

You can go to the top of this huge 150 meters high photo frame and enjoy a panoramic view over the 2 parts of the city: Dubai Old Town on one side and Downtown Dubai (the Burj Khalifa) on the other.

To make things even more exciting, part of the floor is made of glass . You can see everything that’s happening under your feet!

Tickets for the Dubai Frame needs to be booked directly here :

The aquarium is located in Dubai Mall .

You can admire one side of the shark aquarium for free in the shopping mall and need to pay for the rest of the visit.

As the tickets are sold cheaper on the Internet than on site, you should buy your tickets in advance by clicking on the link below:

• Tickets for Dubai aquarium and the underwater zoo

And if you also plan to visit the Burj Khalifa, you can save even more money by purchasing a combined ticket:

When entering the aquarium, you will first go through a tunnel filled with sharks and other fishes. Then, you will go to the underwater zoo located on the second floor to discover different species of fishes, seahorses and jellyfishes.

The highlight of the visit is the star of the zoo: King Croc, one of the largest living crocodiles in the world with 5 meters long for 750 kg.

Where can you go to the beach in Dubai?

If you want to spend some time at the beach or have a swim, you should go to the public beach called “The Beach ” (original, right? 🤪). Here you can rent deck chairs and umbrellas for the day and enjoy the sun and nautical activities .

Along the entire promenade called “ The Walk” , you can take a stroll along the sea or enjoy the many restaurants with terraces and chic boutiques.

To reach The Walk and The Beach , take the subway to DAMAC and then the tram to Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR).

If you like to go to the beach, either for sunbathing or swimming, you can also go to one of the following beaches of Dubai:

• Sunset Beach and its breathtaking view of the Burj Al-Arab.
• Kite Beach , very popular among kite surfers.
• Black Palace Beach, located near the Al Sufouh Road and much less known.
• Al Mamzar Beach, north of the city, bordered by a large park with a playground, picnic areas, swimming pools and a skate park.

Let’s now head to another beautiful place to visit in Dubai: Madinat Jumeirah souk .

This large shopping area is especially worth a look for its traditional architecture and oriental atmosphere.

With its canals and restaurants on the waterfront, the place is quiet and really beautiful. If you feel like it, you can even go on a boat tour on an abra.

From the outdoor areas of the souk, there are several beautiful viewpoints over the Burj Al Arab.

From Madinat Jumeirah souk, you can enjoy beautiful views over the Burj Al Arab.

In Madinat Jumeirah, there are also several luxury hotels: some parts of the souk are therefore only accessible to guests.

A great wait to discover the Souk Madinat Jumeirah, is to opt for a guided tour with pickup directly at your hotel!

It lasts 5 hours and also includes a visit to the old town of Dubai and an Abra boat tour.

Book your guided visit of the Old and New Dubai by clicking here.

In addition to the Dubai Mall, the Mall of the Emirates is another shopping mall you should visit during your stay in Dubai.

This is actually where Ski Dubai , the famous indoor skiing area is located!

Yes, in Dubai, you can even enjoy a ski or snowboard ride when it’s 40 degrees outside.

You simply need to book your ticket for Ski Dubai by clicking here, all equipment and clothing is provided.

And if you don’t want to ski, you can simply enjoy shopping or try one of the dozens of restaurants.

If you are traveling to Dubai with your children , you should take them to “ Magic Planet “, an indoor amusement park with arcade games.

If you’re going to visit Dubai in winter, you will be able to discover the Global Village .

Located outside the city, the Global village features reconstructions of world-famous monuments (the Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum of Rome or the Taj Mahal) and dozens of pavilions, each dedicated to a different country : Thailand , China , Japan , United States , Egypt and a lot more!

In each pavilion you will find dozens of stands with local specialties: Food , clothes and objects.

The Global Village is pretty big, so plan at least 3 hours for your visit .

Practical information about the Global Village:

• Open only from the beginning of November to the beginning of April – Daily from 16.00 to midnight
• Entrance fee: 15 AED for a single ticket or 100 AED for the Wunderpass with 4 activities (fair, motorcycle show…)
• On Mondays, it’s open for families with children and women only
• There is a small fountain show every evening at 20h and 22h
• To get there: Take the Metro to Mall of the Emirates station and then bus 106 (20 AED round trip, 1/2 hour bus ride).

You should visit the Global Village in the evening , it’s much more beautiful and impressive when the lights are on!

Be careful for the return trip, there is only one bus per hour.

Let’s continue this list of the best things to do in Dubai with Etihad Museum, dedicated to the foundation of the United Arab Emirates .

Thanks to several films, testimonies and interactive terminals , you can discover the entire process that led to the creation of the Union Treaty and learn more about the 7 sheikhs founders of the nation.

If you’re interested in history, it’s a very good complement to the visit to Dubai Museum.

Plan about 1 hour for your visit. The entrance fee is 25 AED .

To get to the Etihad Museum, take the subway to World Trade Center station and then a taxi.

La Mer is another nice place to walk next to the sea in Dubai.

There, you can find many restaurants as well as a long promenade and several beaches . You can also rent deck chairs for 100 AED/person.

La Mer also features a water park: Laguna Waterpark, with several slides , a wave pool etc.. An excellent idea if you are visiting Dubai with your children!

Click here to get your tickets for the laguna Water Park (cheaper than on site).

The Dubai Canal Walk is, as its name suggests, a very pleasant walk alongside the canal.

The walk starts near Business Bay subway station and allows you to follow the Dubai Canal for about 3 km. You can walk on both sides of the canal, crossing by one of the 3 very beautifully designed bridges along the way.

Although the place is still under construction, it already offers a wonderful panorama over skyscrapers and the Burj Khalifa tower .

Tip: you should do this walk at night! Undoubtedly one of the best free viewpoints on Dubai’s skyline .

On the canal, you can also enjoy a diner cruise and Abra tours .

The boats pass under an artificial waterfall , whose “curtain” opens automatically to let the boats pass!

The financial district and its skyscrapers are one of the iconic places of Dubai.

The DIFC (Dubai International Financial Center) not only houses offices, but also restaurants, luxury hotels (Fairmont, Radisson), art galleries and more.

Here are the best points of interest:

• Jumeirah Emirates Tower, 2 skyscrapers over 300 meters high
• Gate Building, a 60-meter arch housing the Dubai Stock Exchange
• Gate Avenue, a new shopping center
• World Trade Center, Dubai’s first skyscrapers
• Galleries of the DIFC , with renowned art galleries.

Jumeirah Mosque is one of Dubai’s main attractions for good reason: it’s the only mosque in the city that is open to non-Muslims .

Guided tours are organized daily (except Fridays) at 10.00 and 14.00 . You should be there half an hour before to make sure you get a seat. The tour lasts about 1h15.

You will of course need to be properly dressed: Arms and legs must be covered (that applies to everyone), and women should cover their hair as well.

You can visit the inside of the mosque and learn more about the rites and the 5 pillars of Islam . Photos are allowed.

More than 150 million flowers are waiting for you at Dubai Miracle Garden !

You know it, in Dubai, when they do something, they are really pushing it it far. So you can imagine that the Miracle Garden is much more than just a garden.

During your visit, you will be able to admire impressive structures representing Disney characters and even a replica of an A380 completely covered with flowers .

The Miracle Garden is listed several times in the Guinness Book of Records, notably as the largest flower garden in the world.

The park is only open from November to May, every day from 9am until 9pm (10pm on weekends).

To get there: Take the subway to the Mall of Emirates + bus 105 (20 min. ride). The entrance ticket costs 55 AED and needs to be purchased online by clicking here!

If you prefer, you can opt for package “entrance ticket + pick up at your hotel” by clicking on the button below. This ticket also gives access to the Butterfly Garden , which includes a dozen domes with thousands of butterflies .

Combined Miracle Garden + Global Village tickets (section 16 of this article) are also available:

During your holidays in Dubai, you can also take a walk in Dubai Creek park , one of the largest parks of the city.

This huge park , located directly on the waterfront , is very popular among locals on weekends. They come here to picnic with their families, and children can play in the many playgrounds available .

The entrance fee to the park is 5 AED.

There are 2 more attractions in the park (not free):

• The Children’s City: It includes a planetarium and several areas dedicated to the universe and the mysteries of the human body.
• Dubai Dolphinarium , where you can swim with dolphins.

Can you imagine going to Dubai without doing a bit (or a lot!) of shopping during your stay?

Here are the best addresses in the city to go shopping :

• Dubai Mall, Dubai’s largest and most popular shopping center
• Mall of the Emirates and its hundreds of shops
• The Walk promenade and The Beach at JBR
• Souks of Deïra
• Old Souk and Al-Seef market in Bur Dubai
• City Walk, a pedestrian-only zone with chic and trendy shops
• Souk Madinat Jumeirah
• Outlet Village , where you can find the biggest Italian and American brands.

IMG Worlds of Adventure is the second largest indoor amusement park in the world, just behind Warner Bros Park in Abu Dhabi .

In the park, you can for example ride a roller coaster , visit a haunted house or watch a 4D movie.

It’s divided into 5 zones:

• Marvel and its attractions featuring Hulk, Thor and other heroes!
• Lost Valley , dedicated to the world of dinosaurs
• Cartoon network
• IMG-Boulevard, with its restaurants and shops
• Novo Cinemas, a cinema equipped with the latest technologies.

The park is open daily from 11 am . More information about the prices and schedules can be found on the official website.

The entrance to IMG Worlds of adventure is included in the Dubai Explorer Pass ( click here for more info )

In Dubai, you can also visit an other amusement park: Dubai Parks and Resorts .

This leisure complex includes several theme parks and a hotel :

• Motiongate Dubai and its movie-themed attractions: Hotel Transylvania, Underworld, Zombieland, Kung Fu Panda or even the Smurfs!
• Bollywood Parks Dubai and its various environments inspired by Indian films.
• Legoland Dubai , dedicated to Lego bricks! You can even see a miniature representation of Dubai made with Lego.
• Legoland Waterpark, a water park with slides and wave pools.
• Riverland Dubai, an area with shops and restaurants. Accessible free of charge even without an entrance ticket.
• Lapita Dubai Parks and Resorts : an hotel inspired by Polynesian themes. You can book your stay at Lapita by clicking here.

There are several options for 1 day, with tickets granting you access to 1 park, 2 parks or all of them.

If you plan to spend 1 day there, you should in my opinion choose the “2 parks” bundle ticket. It includes access to Motiongate (the main park) + 1 other park (choose between Bollywood and Legoland Dubai).

2 parks are easily doable in a day and it’s a great way to save money!

Book your Dubai Parks and Resorts Pass for 2 parks here:

And if you just want to go to 1 park, click on the link of your choice:

• Ticket for Motiongate Dubai
• Ticket for Bollywood parks
• Admission ticket for Legoland

You’re looking for even more activities in Dubai ?

Here they are!

Here are the best activities to enjoy in Dubai (click on the links for more information and to book):

• The Green Planet, a biodome that recreates a tropical forest with its animals and plants.
• Tandem parachuting over Palm Jumeirah – Amazing!
• Helicopter flight above the main attractions of Dubai (Atlantis, the Burj Al Arab).
• Seaplane , scenic flight over Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah.
• A Jet-ski tour , to discover the main sights of Dubai from the sea: the marina, JBR and Atlantis Hotel.
• Dinner in the Sky , 50 meters above the ground
• Flyboard, a new trendy activity
• Introduction to scuba diving
• Parasailing
• Simulated freefall in a wind tunnel
• Horse riding in Dubai National Park.

And for those who are not afraid of heights, I highly recommend you to try one of the new tourist attractions in Dubai: Ain Dubai . It’s nothing less than the biggest Ferris wheel in the world!

The cabins go up to 250 meters high , so you can enjoy a fantastic view over the whole city during 40 minutes.

Book your ticket for the Dubai Ferris wheel by clicking on the button below:

For one of your evenings in Dubai, you can also go to “La Perle by Dragone ” show!

This is the most popular show in the city: the staging, the performances of the artists, the light shows and special effects: everything is outstanding!

You should really book your tickets as early as possible as there are only 2 shows a day :

The 3 best places to visit around Dubai

Now that you know everything about the best things to do in the city, it’s time to discover the 3 best places to visit around Dubai.

You can get there with organized day trips from Dubai or by public transport.

The most popular excursion around Dubai is an excursion into the desert .

Suggested day program:

• Pick up at your hotel and drive to the desert
• Jeep tour in the dunes
• Sandboard rides
• A camel ride
• Lunch or dinner (barbecue) in a Bedouin camp, with shows and entertainment: henna skin tattoo, belly dance.

To be sure that you are booking with a serious and reliable agency , you should book your desert tour in advance by clicking on the button below.

It’s clearly the best excursion into the desert: It’s so great that they will give you a full refund if you don’t enjoy your time!

And if you prefer a bit more action, you can opt for one of the 2 following tours:

• Excursion in the desert + Quad bike tour in the dunes
• Excursion in the desert + Buggy tour in the dunes

Both of them are really awesome, so choose the one that you prefer!

The excursion into the desert is one of the attractions that are included in the Dubai Explorer Pass.

If you prefer to admire the desert from above, you can also opt for a hot air balloon tour .

This will give you the opportunity to fly over the desert for an hour and admire the sunrise over the dunes! A magical and unforgettable show , completed by a falconry demonstration .

After your flight, you will also enjoy a gourmet breakfast with smoked salmon, caviar and fresh fruit.

This hot air baloon flight needs to be booked here in advance:

Abu Dhabi is the most famous city near Dubai.

You should really visit it during your trip, as it’s only 1h30 away from Dubai by car or by bus.

If you want to rent a car, you should check all car rental agencies rates on Rentalcars.com (click here). It’s the best way to get the best price!

Here are the best places to visit in Abu Dhabi :

• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: this masterpiece of architecture is the symbol of the city, you need to visit it!
• Louvre Abu Dhabi, a modern museum with works from antiquity to the 21st century. The modern architecture of the building is also worth a look.
• Fortress Qasr Al Hosn : now converted into a museum about the city’s history
• Emirates Palace, the 7* hotel in Abu Dhabi. You can visit the inside free of charge.
• La Corniche, a long seafront promenade with beaches.
• Qasr Al Watan, also called the “Presidential Palace”: a magnificent palace both inside and outside, everything is covered with gilding and mosaics.
• Yas Island , where the Warner Bros amusement park and Ferrari World are located.

In order to organize your stay in the capital of the UAE , you should read my detailed article: The 17 best things to do in Abu Dhabi

If you don’t have much time to visit Abu Dhabi, the best is clearly to opt for an organized day trip to Abu Dhabi from Dubai!

Depending on your interests, you can choose one of the following:

• Great Mosque + La Corniche + Emirates Palace + Ethihad Towers + Marina Mall + Qasr Al Watan – My favorite to get a good overview of the city!
• Visit the Great Mosque and the Louvre Museum from Dubai – This tour allows you to explore 2 of Abu Dhabi’s must-see attractions in one day.
• Mosque visit only (1/2 day)
• In the morning excursion to the mosque + in the afternoon excursion to Ferrari World or Warner Bros .

Near Dubai, you can also visit the City of Al Ain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The journey by car or by bus takes about 2 hours .

In Al Ain, you can visit:

• Palace of Sheikh Zayed, the first president of the UAE. Today it’s a museum.
• Camel and dromedary market , held every day except Mondays.
• The oasis, for a walk among the palm trees.
• Al Ain National Museum, dedicated to local traditions.
• Al Jahili Fort
• Jebel Hafeet mountain , which offers a magnificent view over Al Ain.

To book your trip to Al Ain, simply click on the button below:

If you’re planning to visit Dubai with your family , here is the list of the best things to do with children:

• Visit to the Burj Khalifa combined with a visit to the aquarium and underwater zoo Book your tickets here!
• Kidzania (tickets for sale here!) in the Dubai Mall
• The Aquaventure Waterpark of Atlantis Hotel
• Dubai Garden Glow and its wonderful and colorful lit sculptures
• Discover and enjoy the beaches of Dubai
• Global Village, the perfect place for a great family evening!
• Laguna Waterpark
• Miracle Garden and its millions of flowers
• Dubai Creekside Park, one of the few places where your children can enjoy a bit of nature!
• IMG Worlds of Aventure
• Dubai Parks and Resorts
• Green Planet

As you have certainly noticed when reading this travel guide, there are many places to visit in Dubai!

You should thus plan at least 3 days to discover the city.

In my opinion, a one-week stay is really ideal to have enough time to see everything, enjoy the activities and even explore the surroundings.

In order to help you plan your stay, I will now give you optimized itineraries to visit Dubai in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 days or a week.

Don’t forget that you can save money with the Dubai Explorer Pass!

It includes access to 3, 4, 5 or 7 tourist attractions.

To get more information about the activities included, click here:

If you only have one day to visit Dubai, then you should focus on the 2 main parts of the city :

• Visit Deira and the souks
• Cross the bay of Dubai on an Abra (traditional boat)
• Walk in Bur Dubai district
• Shopping at Dubai Mall
• Fountain show
• Go to the top of the Burj Khalifa

To get an overview of the city in 1 day , you can also take the Hop on Hop off bus. The tickets need to be booked here!

Another option can be to hire a driver for the day: he will take care of driving you everywhere.

It’s a great alternative if you don’t want to waste time on public transport!

You can book your private tour of Dubai by clicking here.

If you only plan a 1 day stopover in Dubai , then you should book the following guided tour . It’s specially designed to allow you to explore the city in a few hours .

You will be picked up and dropped off directly at the airport!

Simply click here to book your private tour of Dubai with pick up and drop off at the airport.

If you plan to spend a 2 days in Dubai , you should follow this itinerary:

• Visit Deïra and the souks
• Cross the bay of Dubai on an Abra
• Stroll through Bur Dubai district
• Visit the Dubai Museum, dedicated to the history of the city
• Go to the top of the Dubai Frame : it offers a magnificent view over the whole city!
• Visit Dubai Garden Glow , an enchanting garden with many illuminated sculptures.
• Visit Etihad Museum to learn everything about the history of the UAE
• Pass by Jumeirah Mosque
• Discover La Mer: take a dip, have lunch on a terrace, enjoy the good weather and the warmth of Dubai!
• In the afternoon, head to the Dubai Mall , the best shopping place in Dubai!
• Visit the Aquarium and the underwater zoo
• Attend the fountain show
• Go to the top of Burj Khalifa and enjoy the magnificent panorama from the viewing platforms at night!

For more info about this itinerary, you should read my detailed guide: 2 days in Dubai

You plan to stay 3 days in Dubai?

For the 2 first days, you can follow the program I mentioned above . And for your third day in the city, you will have 2 options :

1) Spend 1 day in Palm Jumeirah to discover the Atlantis Hotel, the Lost Chambers aquarium and the Aquaventure Park (book here) . Don’t forget to go to The Pointe in the afternoon to admire the view!

In the evening, you should see La Perle , the most famous show in Dubai.

2) Explore Dubai Marina district

• Start the day with a walk along The Walk . You can also go for a swim or relax by the sea.
• Go to the Marina and head to Dubai Marina Mall
• In search of thrills? Then you should really try the amazing Dubai Zip Line , starting from the roof of a skyscraper!
• And if you prefer a more relaxing activity, you should instead opt for a cruise through the marina .
• Go to the Mall of the Emirates
• Visit the Global Village and its pavilions from all over the world
• Attend the spectacular La Perle show .

To organize your 3-day trip to Dubai, you should read my detailed article: 3 Days in Dubai.

For a 4-day stay in Dubai , you can do the 3 days itinerary I mentioned above and add an excursion into the desert for your 4th day!

4WD vehicle tour in the dunes, sandboard , camel ride , dinner in a Bedouin camp and animations: you will have a wonderful day!

You’re planning to spend 4 days in Dubai? You should thus read my detailed itinerary: How to visit Dubai in 4 days.

If you are lucky enough to travel to Dubai for 5 days , you can add for your 5th day:

1) Spend the day at an amusement park: IMG Worlds of Adventure or Dubai Parks and Resorts .

2) Visit Dubai’s points of interests you haven’t seen yet:

• Stroll through the blooming avenues of Dubai Miracle Garden
• Do some shopping or, why not, ski in the Mall of the Emirates .
• Go to the Souk Madinat Jumeirah
• Admire the view over the Burj Al Arab
• Spend the rest of the day at one of the nearby beaches.

You can have a look at my detailed 5-day itinerary by clicking here : 5 days in Dubai .

If you also want to explore the interior of Burj Al Arab , don’t forget to book your lunch , snack or dinner . It’s the only way to get inside in if you’re not staying overnight.

You’re gonna spend one week in Dubai?

Then you can add the following:

• 1 day in Abu Dhabi
• 1 day in Al Ain

And if you don’t want to leave Dubai , you can enjoy the city a bit more and do amazing activities:

• Do the Canal Walk or opt for a dinner cruise on the canal
• Discover the skyscrapers of the financial district
• Relax in Creekside Park
• You want to see the city from above? Then opt for a helicopter flight or Seaplane Tour !
• Enjoy a dinner cruise in Deira on a tradional boat.

The best way to easily plan your 7-day stay in Dubai is to read my detailed article: How to spend one week in Dubai.

There are hundreds of hotels in Dubai, and choosing the best for your stay can be a bit complicated.

In order to help you out, I have selected for you the best hotels in Dubai for each district, depending on your budget. I have also made a special list of the most beautiful luxury hotels in Dubai.

As always, to get the best prices, you should book your hotel as early as possible!

The best hotels in Downtown Dubai (near the Burj Khalifa)

• DoubleTree of Hilton Dubai – Business Bay: Located 1.5 km from Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall. Very spacious and comfortable room, well decorated and equipped from 110€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: free shuttle to the Dubai Mall, good breakfast, comfort, tranquility. This my favorite hotel in Dubai for its exceptional value for money!
• Rove Downtown: Only 600 meters from the Dubai Mall. Bright and clean double room with view on Burj Khalifa, from 150€, breakfast for 15€. Strong points: Access to the Dubai Mall on foot, helpful staff, free shuttle service to the beach, Dubai Museum or Madinat Souk.
• Taj Dubai: Located 800 meters from Burj Khalifa. Modern and luxurious room with bay window overlooking the city and marble bathroom starting at 220€ per night, breakfast at 32€. Strong points: The magnificent view from the roof, the Indian decoration, the large swimming pool. An excellent hotel in Dubai city center, perfect for a romantic stay!
• Palace Downtown: Located on the lake at the foot of the Burj Khalifa, this 5-star hotel offers magnificent rooms with balcony, with an exceptional view of the Burj Khalifa. From 380€ per night, breakfast at 39€. Strong points: the exceptional location, the beautiful surroundings, the very attentive and helpful staff. This is my recommendation for a luxury stay in Downtown Dubai!

The best hotels in old Dubai (Deira and Bur Dubai)

• Golden Sands Hotel Apartments : Located in Bur Dubai, 1.5 km from the Dubai Museum. Apartment equipped with kitchenette and washing machine, from 80€ per night, breakfast from 11€. Strong points: Cleanliness, the heated swimming pool, the comfortable apartments
• Swissôtel Al Ghurair Dubai: Located in Deira district. Warm and spacious room from 115€, breakfast at 27€. Strong points: the pleasant staff, the view, the good breakfast. It’s my favourite in Old Dubai for its excellent value for money!
• Hyatt Regency Creek Heights Residences: Located next to Creekside Park. Very spacious, super comfortable and very well equipped rooms starting at 130€ per night, breakfast at 33€. Strong points: 5 minutes walk from the metro, the warm welcome, the quiet location, the spa.
• Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek : 5* hotel located in Deira bay. Double room with balcony overlooking the bay from 150€, breakfast at 29€. Strong points: The proximity of the metro and the shops, the beautiful swimming pool, the comfortable bed and the amazing view. This is my recommendation for a luxury stay in Old Dubai!

Dubai’s best beach hotels

• Delta Hotels by Marriott Jumeirah Beach, Dubai: Located 300 meters from the beach. Rooms and apartments with sea view from 125€, breakfast at 27€. Strong points: The view, the comfortable beds, the location near the beach and the harbor.
• Amwaj Rotana, Jumeirah Beach – Dubai: Located along “The Walk”. Rooms with balcony overlooking the Gulf and Palm Jumeirah from 175€, breakfast at 24€. Strong points: the exceptional view, the proximity of the tram and metro, restaurants and shops at the foot of the hotel.
• Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach: Located 150 meters from the beach. Contemporary room with balcony and sea view from 230€, breakfast at 22€. Strong points: the infinity pool, the very good breakfast, the spa, the ideal location to enjoy the sea.
• Grosvenor House Hotel and Apartments: Located on the port promenade. Elegant and bright double room from 290€, breakfast at 42€. Strong points: Comfort, access to the private beach, the quality of the food.

The most beautiful luxury hotels in Dubai

• Atlantis The Palm, Dubai : One of the emblematic hotels of the city, located in Palm Jumeirah. Room from 300€, breakfast from 42€. Strong points: Includes access to Aquaventure Park and The Lost Chambers aquarium, private beach, swimming pools.
• Rixos The Palm Hotel & Suites – Ultra All Inclusive: Also located in Palm Jumeirah, this luxury hotel offers all inclusive rooms (all meals included) from 452€. Strong points: the quality of the meals, the setting, the amazing rooms.
• The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai: Located directly on the beach of JBR Walk. Elegantly furnished rooms with balcony and sea view from 500€ per night, breakfast at 39€. Strong points: 6 swimming pools, a private beach, the spa, the very helpful staff.
• Armani Hotel Dubai: Located in the Burj Khalifa Tower! Rooms decorated by the fashion designer Giorgio Armani, starting at 550€ per night, breakfast at 41€. Strong points: the privilege of sleeping in the Burj Khalifa, the refinement of the place, the view.
• Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah: Located in Palm Jumeirah. Luxury suite with living room and dining room starting at 750€, breakfast included. Strong points: The private beach, the huge swimming pool and the beautiful gardens.
• Burj Al Arab Jumeirah: THE luxury hotel, one of the rare 7* hotels in the world! The “smallest” suite is 170m² and prices start at 1290€, breakfast at 74€. I can assure you that your stay in Dubai will be truly exceptional and unforgettable!

You didn’t find your dream hotel in this selection?

You should thus have a look at my article about the best hotels in Dubai by clicking on the following link: Where to stay in Dubai?

In every shopping mall or touristic place in Dubai, you will find dozens of restaurants offering cuisines from all over the world .

The hardest thing will be to choose one!

If you feel like dining on a terrace with a beautiful view , you should go to Madinat Al Jumeirah souk and eat in one of the restaurants along the canals.

La Mer or The Walk and The Beach are also great locations to enjoy a meal close to the sea.

As restaurants are quite expensive in Dubai, if you want to spend less money, you can also eat in the food courts of the shopping malls.

You will find the classic Mc Donald’s, KFC, Burger King etc.. as well as small fast foods offering Chinese or Indian cuisine for example.

The old districts of Dubai (Deira/ Bur Dubai) are also an excellent choice to enjoy “real” traditional cuisine at low prices!

As always, you should book your plane tickets as early as possible to get the best prices.

To check the rates and schedules for flights to Dubai, you can use our flight comparator, in partnership with Skyscanner:

To help you get a better idea of the city, I have created a tourist map of Dubai that lists all the tourist attractions I mention in this guide. You can view the legend of the map by clicking on the upper left button with a small arrow.

And you, what do you plan to do in Dubai?

Discover all my articles about Dubai : All my articles to help you plan your trip to Dubai are listed there.

• Dubai: The 30 best places to visit – All best things to do and activities!
• 2 days in Dubai – The perfect itinerary for 48h!
• 3 Days in Dubai – The best 72h itinerary
• 4 Days in Dubai – The defitinive guide to plan your trip
• 5 Days in Dubai – How to spend 5 days in Dubai
• 1 Week in Dubai – The best itinerary to visit Dubai in 7 days!
• Burj Khalifa: The definitive guide to all tickets + Tips
• Dubai Aquarium: discover one of Dubai’s must see attraction
• Dubai Mall: How to plan your visit of this huge shopping center!
• Dubai Old Town: 10 best things to do
• Dubai Fountain Show: all my tips to enjoy it to the fullest!
• Palm Jumeirah: the 15 best things to do!
• TOP Activities in Dubai – The 30 best activities and excursions to do in Dubai!
• Dubai Zipline – Price, info and reservations for the best experience in town!
• The best desert safaris in Dubai – my 7 favorites! (4WD, quad, buggy and more)
• Where to stay in Dubai? The guide to the best hotels by district, for all budgets
• Dubai Pass: The best way to save time and money in Dubai!

You’re using Pinterest? Here is the picture to pin!

Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

Related Stories

One week in Dubai: The best 7 days itinerary

5 Days in Dubai: The Perfect Itinerary (First Time Visit)

4 Days in Dubai: The Perfect Itinerary (First Time Visit)

Discussion 3 comments.

Thank you so much for making this list. It was very helpful!

Thanks Manith!

I’m glad that my article about the best things to do in Dubaï helps you to plan your trip.

Enjoy your stay in Dubaï.

Dubai is spectacular! I made a solo trip to this city and had a great time. Though I haven’t visited all the places or did all the things, the three days and four nights I spent there were fabulous.

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32 Fun and Exciting Places to Visit in Dubai | 2024 (with Photos)

Marvellous Oyebanjo - Travel Writer

Last Updated: January 4, 2024

Marvellous is a passionate travel enthusiast with a knack for uncovering hidden gems and capturing breathtaking moments through photography. With firsthand knowledge and a genuine love for Dubai, Marvellous shares an exhilarating collection of 32 must-visit destinations in the city, promising an unforgettable adventure filled with thrills and delights.

Dubai is known for its luxury hotels, shopping malls, and stunning skyscrapers. It is also home to the world's tallest building and the second-largest indoor amusement park in the world.

However, there is so much more to this city than just the glitz and glamor. From exciting theme parks to serene beaches, there is something for everyone in Dubai.

We've compiled a list of 32 unique places to visit in Dubai that offer a mix of adventure and relaxation. So, get ready to discover a whole new side of the Middle East and Dubai.

Most Recommended Thing to Do

• Burj Khalifa

Top Choice Hotel

Burj Al Arab

Our Top Choice Restaurant

Our Top Choice Bar for Nightlife

Armani/Privé

Best Time to Visit

Mild winters, avoid extreme summer heat and Ramadan

Average Temperature

Hot weather year-round with scorching summers.

Transportation Options

efficient, modern, diverse, extensive, convenient, reliable, affordable, technologically-advanced

Average Cost ($, $$, $$$)

My Top Recommendation

Dubai is an extraordinary city that seamlessly blends tradition and modernity. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture by exploring the historic Al Fahidi neighborhood, where you can wander through narrow streets lined with traditional wind towers, visit the Dubai Museum housed in a 200-year-old fort, and sip on aromatic Arabic coffee in a local café.

For a dose of adrenaline-pumping adventure, visit the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, and take an exhilarating ride in the high-speed elevators to the observation deck on the 148th floor. From there, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the city's stunning skyline and the Arabian Gulf, creating unforgettable memories that will stay with you long after you leave this remarkable city.

What You'll Need to Bring

• Visa (if required)
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Lightweight, breathable clothing
• Travel adapter
• Money or credit cards

What Not to Miss

• Dubai Creek
• Jumeirah Mosque
• Palm Jumeirah
• Dubai Marina
• Dubai Museum
• Bastakiya Quarter
• The Desert Safari
• Sheikh Zayed Road

What to Avoid

• Overpacking: Dubai's climate is hot year-round, so it's best to avoid bringing heavy or unnecessary clothing items.
• Public displays of affection: Dubai is a Muslim country with conservative cultural norms, so it's important to avoid excessive displays of affection in public.
• Drinking in public: While alcohol is permitted in licensed venues such as hotels and restaurants, consuming alcohol in public places is generally not allowed.
• Showing disrespect for local customs: It's important to be mindful of and respect local customs and traditions, such as dressing modestly when visiting religious sites.
• Taking photos without permission: Avoid taking photos of people without their consent, especially in more traditional or conservative areas of the city.
• Offensive behavior or language: Remember to be courteous and avoid using offensive language or behavior that may be deemed disrespectful to the local culture and community.
• Neglecting to carry identification: It's advisable to always carry identification documents, such as your passport or Emirates ID, as you may be required to present them when needed.
• Engaging in illegal activities: Avoid engaging in any illegal activities, as the laws and regulations in the United Arab Emirates are strictly enforced.

Table of Contents

1. The Burj Khalifa Skyscraper

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the tallest building in the world , standing at a height of 828 meters. The Burj Khalifa is an iconic symbol of Dubai's modern architecture and engineering marvels.

The observation deck on the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa offers panoramic views of the city and beyond. You can also dine at the exclusive restaurant inside the Burj Khalifa, ****called Atmosphere . This restaurant is located on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa.

Alternatively, visitors to the Burj Khalifa can enjoy the stunning views from the lounge. The Burj Khalifa offers a unique perspective of the city and is a truly unforgettable experience. If you're interested, you can check out the Burj Khalifa tickets and pricing .

2. The Dubai Fountain

The Dubai Fountain is the world's largest choreographed fountain system, featuring over 6,000 lights and 22,000 gallons of water that shoot up to heights of 500 feet. It is located in front of the Burj Khalifa building.

The Dubai Fountain is free to watch , even if you are not a resident of the Burj Khalifa. It is also right by the famous Dubai Mall.

The show takes place every 30 minutes from 6 pm to 11 pm, making the Dubai Fountain a perfect attraction to visit during the evening. The floating platform of the Dubai Fountain Boardwalk is one of the most popular experiences for close-up views.

3. The Dubai Mall

The Dubai Mall is one of the world's largest and most extravagant shopping centers, with over 1,200 retail stores, as well as a variety of entertainment options such as an indoor theme park, an ice rink, a cinema, and an aquarium.

The Dubai Mall also boasts diverse dining options , from fast food to fine dining. It is a hub for cultural activities, hosting events and exhibitions throughout the year. The Dubai Mall is one of the best places to visit in Dubai.

The Dubai Mall is not just a shopping destination, but a complete entertainment and lifestyle experience that is worth visiting. So, whether you are in Dubai with kids, friends, or a partner, the Dubai Mall is a must.

4. The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

The Dubai Aquarium is one of the best aquariums in the world , featuring a 10 million-liter tank with over 140 species of marine animals. You can walk through a 48-meter-long tunnel with a unique 270-degree view of the aquarium and experience marine life up close.

The aquarium also offers shark diving , cage snorkeling, and glass-bottom boat tours, allowing visitors to get even closer to the marine animals. With so much to offer, the Dubai Aquarium is a top attraction and a fascinating experience for visitors of all ages.

Above the aquarium is the Underwater Zoo.

5. The Dubai Underwater Zoo

The Underwater Zoo , located above the Dubai Aquarium, allows visitors to get up close and personal with marine life. You can explore different zones, such as the Rainforest Zone and the Rocky Shore Zone, which showcase a variety of animals, including penguins, crocodiles, and otters.

One of the highlights of the Dubai Aquarium Underwater Zoo is the King Croc exhibit, which features one of the world's largest living crocodiles. The Underwater Zoo also offers a Glass-bottom boat tour and the Behind the Scenes tour for a glimpse into the inner workings of the aquarium.

6. The Dubai Miracle Garden

The Dubai Miracle Garden is one of the world's largest flower gardens and is home to over 45 million flowers. It features a variety of intricately designed floral arrangements, including a floral castle, an Emirates A380 airplane, and a giant teddy bear made entirely of flowers.

Visitors can stroll through the garden's pathways and take in the stunning beauty of the vibrant blooms. The Dubai Miracle Garden is near Global Village and is open from October to April each year. It is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Dubai during this time.

7. The Dubai Butterfly Garden

The Dubai Butterfly Garden is the world's largest indoor butterfly garden, featuring over 15,000 butterflies of 26 different species. The garden offers visitors the chance to walk through a climate-controlled dome filled with lush tropical plants and a variety of colorful butterflies.

Visitors can learn about the life cycle of butterflies and watch them as they fly and feed on flowers. The Dubai Butterfly Garden also offers a variety of educational programs and interactive exhibits, making it a perfect attraction for families with children.

8. Downtown Dubai

Downtown Dubai is a vibrant and cosmopolitan district and home to the most iconic Dubai attractions. At the heart of the district is the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, which offers breathtaking views of the city.

Just next to it is the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping and entertainment destination with a cinema complex, an ice rink, and the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo.

Another highlight of Downtown Dubai is the spectacular Dubai Fountain, a stunning water and light show that takes place every evening on the Burj Khalifa Lake.

9. Burj Al Arab Hotel

The Burj Al Arab Hotel , located on an artificial island off the coast of Jumeirah Beach, is one of the world's most luxurious hotels. The sail-shaped design and stunning architecture of Burj Al Arab make it one of the best hotels in Dubai .

Visitors to Burj Al Arab ****can enjoy high-end dining experiences, luxurious spa treatments, and the hotel's private beach. Burj Al Arab also offers helicopter tours, skydiving, and yacht rental, making it a perfect tourist attraction for those seeking an unforgettable experience.

When in Dubai, it is worth visiting Burj al Arab for a taste of luxury. Even if you are not staying at Burj al Arab, make the trip from Downtown Dubai to check out this magnificent building.

10. The Palm Jumeirah

The Palm Jumeirah is a man-made island located off the coast of Dubai, near the Burj al Arab. This is one of the city's most iconic landmarks. The island's unique palm-tree shape is visible from space and can be seen from the deck of the Burj Khalifa.

When visiting Dubai, United Arab Emirates, you will want to add the Palm Jumeirah to your list of must-see attractions. You will have never seen anything like the Palm Jumeirah anywhere else.

Visitors to the Palm Jumeirah can enjoy sports activities such as jet skiing, parasailing, and paddleboarding, or simply relax on one of the island's pristine beaches. The Palm Jumeirah is also home to several entertainment venues such as the Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark and the Dubai Marina .

11. IMG Worlds of Adventure

IMG Worlds of Adventure is the world's largest indoor amusement park, located in the City of Arabia district. IMG Worlds of Adventure features thrilling rides and attractions based on popular Marvel and Cartoon Network characters, and other experiences.

Visitors can enjoy a range of exciting experiences such as roller coasters, 4D cinema experiences, and virtual reality games. IMG Worlds of Adventure also offers a variety of dining options and souvenir shops, making it a top tourist attraction for families with children.

Alongside the Dubai Mall, this is a great spot for families with kids to visit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

12. Global Village

Dubai Global Village is a massive complex that features pavilions representing over 80 different countries, offering visitors an immersive experience of their unique culture and heritage.

If you are looking for culture in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, this is the place to be. Half an hour from the iconic landmarks of the Burj al Arab, Burj Khalifa, and Dubai Mall, it is worth the drive to this spot.

Global Village also hosts various live shows , concerts, and performances from different parts of the world. The place is famous for its spectacular fireworks , thrilling rides, and mouth-watering cuisine.

Whether you're looking for a family-friendly outing, a romantic evening, or an adventure-filled day, Global Village has something for everyone.

13. Dubai Frame

The Dubai Frame is one of the most iconic structures in Dubai, offering breathtaking views of the city's skyline. Dubai Frame stands at 150 meters tall and 93 meters wide, providing visitors with a panoramic view of the city's modern skyline on one side and the historical "Old Dubai" on the other.

While it is not as tall as the Burj Khalifa, the Frame is still a brilliant spot for photos and panoramic views. The Dubai Frame is located in Zabeel Park and is surrounded by lush greenery, providing a serene and peaceful atmosphere for visitors.

The highlight of the Dubai Frame experience is the 93-meter-long glass bridge that connects its two towers, offering an unparalleled view of both old and new Dubai.

14. The Dubai Museum

The Dubai Museum is one of the most popular tourist attractions and a must when you visit Dubai. The Dubai Museum is located in the Al Fahidi Fort , which was built in 1787 and is considered one of the oldest buildings in Dubai.

Dubai Museum houses a vast collection of artifacts that showcase the history and culture of Dubai. Visitors can explore the different galleries, which include exhibits on Bedouin life , traditional occupations, pearl diving, and the development of Dubai.

15. Dubai Gold Souk

The Dubai Gold Souk is a traditional market located in the Deira district of Dubai, United Arab Emirates and is one of the world's largest gold markets. The souk features over 300 retailers, offering a range of gold jewelry, precious stones, and watches.

You can explore the narrow streets and haggle for the best prices while admiring the unique designs of the jewelry on display. The souk also offers products such as spices, perfumes, and textiles, making it a perfect destination for anyone interested in experiencing the local culture.

16. The Al Fahidi District

Al Fahidi is a historic district in Old Dubai , famous for its traditional Arabian architecture, narrow lanes, and wind towers. Visitors can explore the Dubai Museum, which is housed in the Al Fahidi Fort , and see exhibits on the city's rich history.

Other attractions in the area include the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding , which offers cultural tours and activities, and the Al Bastakiya neighborhood , which is home to art galleries, cafes, and boutique shops.

Visitors can take an abra ride (traditional water taxi) across Dubai Creek to reach Al Fahidi and enjoy the scenic views.

17. Jumeirah Mosque

The Jumeirah Mosque is one of Dubai's most iconic landmarks and a beautiful example of traditional Islamic architecture. The Jumeirah Mosque is also great for learning about the Islamic faith and culture.

Visitors can take a guided tour of the Jumeirah Mosque, which is open to both Muslims and non-Muslims and learn about its history.

The Jumeirah Mosque has white marble walls and minarets, which are a sight to behold, especially in the evening when it is beautifully illuminated.

The mosque is located just a short drive from Burj Khalifa and other Downtown Dubai attractions, so it is very accessible.

18. The Dubai Marina

The Dubai Marina is a man-made waterfront development located in the heart of the city and is one of Dubai's most vibrant and cosmopolitan neighborhoods.

The Dubai Marina features a range of luxury hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues, as well as the famous Dubai Marina Mall .

You can take a stroll along the promenade of the Dubai Marina, enjoy a yacht ride on the Arabian Gulf, or dine at one of the many high-end restaurants overlooking the stunning waterfront.

The Dubai Marina also offers a range of water sports, such as jet skiing, parasailing, and paddleboarding. South west of Dubai Creek, this marina is a lovely place to relax in a vibrant city.

19. Ski Dubai

Ski Dubai is the first indoor ski center in the Middle East , offering an escape from the heat and the chance to experience snow sports in the heart of the desert.

2o minutes from Burj Khalifa, Ski Dubai features a 22,500 square-meter indoor ski slope, complete with real snow, ski lifts, and snowboarding runs.

Visitors can choose from skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing , and having snowball fights, as well as enjoy a hot chocolate or meal in the cozy Alpine-themed café.

Ski Dubai also offers a variety of ski lessons for all skill levels, making it a great destination for beginners and seasoned skiers who visit Dubai.

20. Legoland Dubai Theme Park

Legoland Dubai Amusement Park is part of a larger entertainment complex called Dubai Parks and Resorts. This is a great destination for any theme park lover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The complex comprises three theme parks, including Motiongate Dubai , Bollywood Parks Dubai , and Legoland Dubai , as well as a water park called Legoland Water Park. The only thing better than a theme park on a hot summer's day is a water park.

Dubai Parks and Resorts offers a wide range of rides, shows, and dining options, making it a perfect destination for families and groups of friends. Visitors can enjoy a variety of experiences, from thrilling roller coasters and water rides to live performances and interactive shows.

21. The Dubai Opera

The Dubai Opera is a stunning architectural masterpiece and one of the premier performing arts centers in the Middle East. The Dubai Opera features a 2,000-seat auditorium with world-class acoustics and a breathtaking design inspired by the Arabian dhow.

It is located in Downtown Dubai, near the famous Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. The Dubai Opera hosts musicals, ballets, concerts, and theater performances. Visitors can also enjoy the stunning views of the Dubai skyline from the rooftop terrace of the opera house.

22. The Dubai Creek

The Dubai Creek is a saltwater creek in the heart of Downtown Dubai, also near the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa.

Dubai Creek is a historical area that has been used as a trading port for centuries and hosts a number of attractions, including the Dubai Museum, the Gold Souk, and the Spice Souk.

Visitors to the Dubai Creek can take a traditional boat ride, known as an abra, and enjoy the stunning views of the city skyline.

The Dubai Dolphinarium , located at Dubai Creek Park, offers the opportunity to interact with dolphins and seals. The Dubai Creek is a must-visit destination for those interested in learning about Dubai's history and culture.

23. Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve

The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is a protected natural area covering over 225 square kilometers of pristine desert landscape in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

It is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including the Arabian oryx, sand gazelle, desert hare, and over 170 species of birds. This is one of the best local tourist attractions for nature lovers.

The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of the desert landscape while learning about the efforts to conserve this fragile ecosystem.

The reserve also offers activities, such as falconry displays, camel rides , and traditional Emirati meals served in a Bedouin-style camp on a Dubai desert safari.

If you are looking for culture, nature, and a unique experience in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, this is the place for you.

24. Lost Chambers Aquarium

The Lost Chambers Aquarium , located in the Atlantis, the Palm resort on the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates features over 65,000 marine animals from over 250 species, including sharks, rays, and colorful tropical fish.

It is one of the major tourist attractions in Dubai and worth checking out. Visitors can take a guided tour of the Lost Chambers Aquarium and learn about marine animals and their habitats.

The Lost Chambers Aquarium also offers various interactive activities, such as diving and snorkeling with marine creatures. This is a major tourist attraction in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

25. Dubai Garden Glow

Dubai Garden Glow , located in Zabeel Park , features a collection of themed attractions, including the Dinosaur Park, the Glow Park, the Glow Garden, the Ice Park, the Magic Park, and the Art Park.

The Glow Garden is a highlight of Dubai Garden Glow, featuring over a million energy-efficient LED lights in various designs and shapes.

With so much to see and do, Dubai Garden Glow is a fantastic attraction that should be added to every traveler's itinerary when planning to visit Dubai.

This is one of the most picturesque tourist attractions in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

26. Bur Dubai

Bur Dubai is a historic district located on the western side of Dubai Creek. Bur Dubai is known for its rich cultural heritage and traditional architecture.

One of the most popular attractions in Bur Dubai is the Dubai Museum . There are many other places to visit in Bur Dubai, so make sure to spend a good few hours in the Bur Dabi district.

Bur Dabi also has a bustling souk, or traditional market. Other notable attractions in Bur Dubai include the Grand Mosque and the historic Dubai Creek .

Overall, Bur Dubai is a great destination for anyone interested in learning about Dubai's history while enjoying its vibrant atmosphere. With so many tourist attractions, Bur Dubai is an unmissable part of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

27. Dubai Safari Park

Dubai Safari Park is a world-class wildlife sanctuary located in the heart of Dubai. This sprawling park is home to over 2500 animals from more than 250 different species, including lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, and many more.

Dubai Safari Park is divided into four different sections, each representing a different part of the world and its unique flora and fauna. Visitors can take a safari-style tour of the park, getting up close and personal with some of the world's most fascinating animals.

If you are in Dubai, United Arab Emirates with kids, the safari park is one of the best places to visit.

28. Wild Wadi Water Park

Wild Wadi Water Park is a thrilling and exciting water park in Dubai. With more than 30 rides and attractions, Wild Wadi offers something for visitors of all ages, from thrilling water slides to lazy river rides.

The park is home to the tallest and fastest freefall water slide outside of North America, the Jumeirah Sceirah , which plunges riders down a 33-meter drop at speeds of up to 80 km/h.

With its exciting rides and stunning setting, Wild Wadi Water Park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a fun day out in Dubai. This is another of the best places to visit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates with kids.

29. The Museum of the Future

Located on Sheikh Zayed Road , the city's main highway, the Museum of the Future is a seven-story hollow elliptical structure designed from stainless steel and inscribed with Arabic calligraphy quotes.

This unique museum features immersive installations and showcases the latest advancements in fields such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology. The Museum of the Future is one of the best places to visit for anyone interested in the latest innovations shaping our world.

30. Jumeirah Beach

Jumeirah Beach is one of Dubai's most popular and picturesque beaches, located in the exclusive Jumeirah neighborhood. It stretches along the Arabian Gulf, offering crystal-clear waters, soft white sand, and stunning views of Dubai's iconic skyline.

You can enjoy a range of activities at Jumeirah Beach, including swimming, sunbathing, beach volleyball, and water sports such as jet skiing and parasailing. So, it's one of the most fun places to visit for some downtime in Dubai.

Jumeirah Beach is also surrounded by a range of restaurants, cafes, and shops , making it the perfect destination for a day out with friends or family.

31. Kite Beach

Kite Beach is a popular beach in Dubai known for its crystal-clear waters, white sand, and perfect kite surfing conditions. The beach is located near Jumeirah and offers stunning views of the iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel.

You can enjoy a range of activities at the beach, including kite surfing, paddleboarding, beach volleyball, and swimming . Kite Beach also has a range of amenities, including showers, changing rooms, and a selection of beachside restaurants and cafes.

32. Take a Day Trip to Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi

One of the top attractions to see in Abu Dhabi is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque , which is considered one of the world's largest mosques. Abu Dhabi is not far from Dubai.

Another popular attraction is Ferrari World Abu Dhabi , a theme park that is home to the world's fastest roller coaster. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi offers thrilling rides, attractions, and experiences for visitors of all ages.

While you are in the UAE, why not stop in Abu Dhabi?

FAQs Related to Places to Visit in Dubai

Let's also explore some frequently asked questions related to fun and unique places to visit in Dubai, UAE.

What should I not miss in Dubai?

There are many things to do in Dubai, but some of the major attractions like the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, and the Dubai Mall, which is one of the largest shopping centers in the world should not be missed.

Other top Dubai attractions are the Palm Jumeirah, an artificial island shaped like a palm tree, the Global Village complex, the Miracle Garden, Bollywood Parks Dubai , and the Dubai Fountain.

What are the top 2 places to visit in Dubai?

The top two Dubai tourist places are the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall. The Burj Khalifa offers views of the city and the Dubai Mall is one of the largest shopping centers in the world, featuring over 1,200 stores, an aquarium, an ice rink, and a cinema. No trip to Dubai is complete without a stop at Burj Khalifa and the shopping malls.

What is famous in Dubai?

Some of the most famous Dubai attractions are the Palm Jumeirah, the Burj Khalifa, the big shopping malls, and Global Village Dubai .

Some other top Dubai tourist places are ****the iconic Burj Al Arab, the Dubai Miracle Garden, the Jumeirah Mosque, Bur Dubai, Ski Dubai, the Ain Dubai observation wheel, the Dubai Marina, and the IMG Worlds of Adventure.

You can also attend the famous Dubai Shopping Festival, and explore City Walk**,** a pedestrian-only zone in Dubai's city center, or Dubai's Aquaventure Waterpark with its private beach.

When is the best time to visit Dubai?

The best time to visit Dubai is during the winter months from November to March when the weather is mild and pleasant (from 20°C to 30°C). You can fly into the Dubai International Airport and use the Dubai Metro to make your journey pleasant.

Make sure to check Dubai, United Arab Emirates' timings for tourist attractions in off-peak seasons when you visit Dubai.

Summing Up: Fun and Unique Places to Visit in Dubai

Dubai is a city of endless possibilities, with a multitude of unique places to visit. From iconic landmarks like the Burj Khalifa to thrilling tourist attractions like the Dubai Parks ****and Resorts, IMG Worlds of Adventure, and the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, there are plenty of Dubai tourist places to explore and enjoy.

For those looking for something truly special, the Miracle Garden and the Dubai Dolphinarium ****in Creek Park ****transport visitors to magical worlds that must be seen to be believed.

With so many Dubai and Abu Dhabi attractions to explore, there is lots of fun to be had in this incredible city. So book your trip today and explore one of the world's most exciting destinations.

The Burj Khalifa Skyscraper

The Dubai Fountain

The Dubai Mall

The Dubai Miracle Garden

Dubai desert conservation reserve, jumeirah beach, related articles, featured in.

Things to know before you go

Where to stay, things to do and see, where to eat and drink, final tips before your trip, a local's ultimate guide to visiting dubai.

• I was born and raised in Dubai, and I'm sharing the best things to do, see, and eat in the city .
• Tourists should visit Kite Beach, Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Al Fahidi neighborhood.
• They should eat at Al Ustad Special Kabab, Salt, La Fabbrica Italiana, and Home Bakery.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories .

Dubai was once a fishing, trading, and pearl-diving hub along the Arabian Gulf, but now it's a modern metropolis home to architectural marvels and expats from around the world.

Although it's famous for having the world's tallest skyscraper, the city in the United Arab Emirates is also home to beautiful beaches, plush hotels, and eclectic neighborhoods.

As someone who was born and raised in Dubai and still calls this dynamic city home, I've managed to compile a list of must-visit hotels, sites, and eateries.

• COVID-19 PROTOCOL: As of June , all visitors arriving in Dubai must hold a negative PCR-test certificate to avoid quarantining. For most countries, the test must be taken no more than 72 hours before departure. Visitors from a changing list of destinations can expect to be tested at Dubai International Airport upon arrival and must remain in their hotels until the results arrive. The entry of passengers from certain countries is prohibited. 
• WEATHER: Dubai has relatively warm and sunny days throughout the year. Summer (May to September) temperatures, in Fahrenheit, range from low 90s to upper 100s with high humidity levels. Winter (October to April) temperatures range from low 60s to upper 80s. During February and March, light showers are common. 
• CURRENCY: Dubai uses the UAE dirham (AED or Dh), and most businesses also accept credit cards. For day trips outside the city, it's wise to bring some cash.
• WALKABILITY: Although many neighborhoods in Dubai are easy to explore on foot, you'll need public transportation to travel between them and to other parts of the city. Use single, return, or day-pass tickets or a rechargeable Nol Card to travel on buses, metros, trams, taxis, and water buses for varying fares. The Journey Planner on the Roads and Transport Authority website can help you plan your trip.

The XVA Art Hotel offers a unique stay in the historic district

Tucked away in the charming alleyways of the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, the boutique XVA Hotel is located in one of Dubai's oldest houses.

A café and art gallery occupy the shaded courtyard of the restored house, and the building still retains its original architectural elements, such as the traditional wind towers.

The hotel's 15 rooms are complete with works by local artists and vibrant Arabian-inspired furnishings. Visitors should expect friendly and attentive service and a cozy guesthouse vibe.

It's a 12-minute walk from the Textile Souk in old Dubai and a 10-minute walk from the Al Fahidi metro station.

Room rates start as low as under $50 a night.

Tip : If you're looking for souvenirs, the in-house store offers handicrafts, handmade jewelry, and bags.

The Jumeirah Mina A'Salam 5-star hotel is full of evocative architecture and design

The luxurious Jumeirah Mina A'Salam is surrounded by beautiful architecture and the meandering Madinat Jumeirah canal.

Designed with jewel tones and dark wood accents, the rooms offer top-notch amenities. There's also a private beach , a spa, and tons of restaurants and bars around the resort complex.

Popular attractions such as the Dubai Mall, Ski Dubai, and Dubai Marina are about a 10- or 15-minute drive away.

Average room rates are about $327 a night.

Tip: Try the hammam (Turkish bath) at Talise Spa or make use of the complimentary spa facilities, including the sauna, plunge pools, and outdoor pool.

The Address Sky View is in a prime location for hitting all the popular sites

The Address Sky View hotel is an excellent choice if you're looking to spend some quality time around Downtown Dubai.

It also offers access to the metro, so you can easily get to other parts of the city.

All the rooms provide fantastic views of either the Burj Khalifa skyscraper or Downtown Dubai, and rates range from about $220 to $1,770 a night.

Tip: For panoramic skyscraper views, head to the infinity pool located on the hotel's Sky Deck.

Check out the art scene at Alserkal Avenue

Alserkal Avenue in the industrial area of Al Quoz is the original home of Dubai's art , culture, and indie scene.

The neighborhood's art galleries, studios, coworking spaces, cafés, boutiques, and theaters are housed in former warehouses.

Most exhibitions featuring the works of local and regional artists are free, and talks, arts-and-crafts sessions, workshops, fashion pop-ups, and music and photography events are always on the calendar.

Tip: Stop for a refreshing Karak tea and snack at Project Chaiwala .

See the flamingos at the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary

The protected wetland at Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is an unexpected but pleasant respite from Dubai's city activities.

With grey herons, mallard, cormorants, ospreys, and Eurasian spoonbills among its 180 bird species , it's a must-visit for bird-watchers and wildlife photographers.

The Flamingo Hide tends to be one of the sanctuary's most popular sections.

Tip: Entry is free, but it's closed on Fridays and Saturdays. Visit around 7 a.m. or 8 a.m. for the best photo lighting and fewer crowds.

Photograph the colorful murals at La Mer

Head to this lively beachfront retail district and walk around the blocks covered in eclectic, colorful murals.

Many pieces of street art are a nod to Dubai's cosmopolitan culture, language, lifestyle, and maritime heritage.

Tip: Stop at one of the food stalls or get a bite to eat at Sikka Café (for Emirati-Indian cuisine) or Zou Zou (for good Middle Eastern food).

Experience immersive exhibits at the Theater of Digital Art

The Theater of Digital Art in Souk Madinat Jumeirah offers immersive installations featuring the works of legendary artists such as Van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Paul Cézanne.

Shows typically last an hour, and some feature actors or live music. In addition to multimedia exhibitions, you'll also find a must-see virtual-reality experience.

Tip: To avoid disappointment on crowded weekends, book your tickets online in advance.

Enjoy Dubai's sunny weather with a day at Kite Beach

Plenty of locals flock to Kite Beach , especially from October to April when the afternoons are sunny but temperatures are still pleasant enough to be outdoors.

There's always something happening on the weekends, whether it's kite surfers showing off their skills or live music at neighboring establishments.

Bring a picnic or grab a bite to eat from one of the food trucks or cafés on the beach .

Tip: At the end of the day, walk the short distance along the water to Sunset Beach near the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel. It's the best place in Dubai to watch the sunset.

Stroll through the fish market at Jumeirah Fishing Harbor

The Jumeirah Fishing Harbor offers beautiful views of boats and yachts on the Arabian Sea.

There are plenty of restaurants serving fresh seafood in a variety of cuisines from Middle Eastern to Asian-inspired.

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There's also a small fish market with persistent but friendly vendors.

Tip: Many of the restaurants offer alfresco dining to enjoy the view.

Rent a bike at Mushrif Park

When the weather is nice, Mushrif Park is the best place to ride bikes  while soaking in the beauty of flowers, birdsong, and blue skies.

There's a shorter loop inside the park and a 6-mile cycling track that loops around the perimeter.

If you don't want to cycle, there are also walking trails featuring thousands of trees (a rarity in Dubai), picnic spots, kids' play areas, swimming pools, and an adventure park.

Tip: You can rent a bike at the park or at the nearby Al Motamaiez Bicycles Rental . 

Get a taste of Dubai's history walking through the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood

A wander through the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood near Dubai Creek is like walking through chapters in the city's history book.

The sand-colored houses with central courtyards, latticed windows, and regal wind towers are some of the oldest buildings in Dubai, and they once belonged to prosperous pearl merchants. Today, they house museums, galleries, artist studios, cafés, and boutique hotels.

Make sure to book in advance for the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding , which offers cultural meal experiences in a traditional setting. The Coffee Museum and Coins Museum are also a few doors away.

Tip: The neighboring Al Seef retail district is a modern development built in the traditional architectural style, and it feels like a natural extension of the neighborhood. It's a good place to shop for souvenirs or grab a bite to eat.

Take an abra ride to visit the souks in Deira

While exploring the area around Dubai Creek, be sure to hop on an abra, a traditional wooden boat, to the souks (markets) in Deira. It's the city's cheapest public transportation, and it's a fun way to see old Dubai.

There's plenty to see, taste, smell, and buy in the souks, from spices, nuts, and dates to frankincense, traditional clothing, and oud (perfume).

Stop by the Gold Souk to ogle at extravagant window displays of jewelry fit for royalty.

Tip: Bargaining is the norm in the souks.

The hole-in-the-wall Al Ustad Special Kabab is a Dubai institution

You'd never guess that this unassuming restaurant in the Al Fahidi neighborhood of old Dubai has served its legendary kebabs to royals, athletes, diplomats, and celebrities. 

It's attracted customers for 42 years thanks to its deliciously juicy chicken and mutton kebabs, affordable prices, and friendly service.

Tip: If you can't decide what to order, ask the staff for a recommendation or choose from one of the combo mixes.

Go to Al Fanar Restaurant and Café for an Emirati feast

For authentic Emirati fare, head to Al Fanar Restaurant and Café .

The interior is modeled on 1960s Dubai. There are mud-and-coral walls surrounding a central courtyard, traditional lamps, wooden doors, old photos, vintage memorabilia, and lifelike re-creations of souk and village scenes.

The food is tasty and hearty, and the portions are big enough to share.

Tip: Save room for date cake and pumpkin pudding for dessert.

The burgers at Salt might just be the best in Dubai

Join the locals at Kite Beach in the queue for Salt , one of Dubai's oldest and most popular burger chains .

Even with multiple locations around the city, the original one on the beach continues to see hungry customers into the wee hours of the morning until it closes at 3 a.m.

The Wagyu beef sliders with jalapeño and the fried-chicken sliders with Cheetos are intensely satisfying. The popular lotus-flavored shake or softy is also a must-try.

During the cooler months, you'll even find live performances by indie artists and bands on the weekends.

Tip: If you're visiting on a weekend, don't be deterred by the long lines. They move quickly, and the wait is worth it.

Visit La Fabbrica Italiana for some authentic focaccia 

This cozy, little focacceria is run by an Italian family that keeps things simple with just three menu categories: focaccia, burrata, and tiramisu.

The food here is so good that you should absolutely try all three.

There are over 10 focaccia choices, featuring toppings such as black truffle, onions, San Marzano tomatoes, eggplant, salami, and zucchini.

The burrata is served with figs, tomato salad, beef carpaccio, or gazpacho, and it's perfect for a summer afternoon.

Tip: Wash everything down with a sweet Italian soda or try one of the Italian coffees.

For Lebanese street food, try Zaatar w Zeit

For a quick, tasty, and affordable meal, head to Zaatar w Zeit .

There are various locations across Dubai that serve Lebanese street food such as toasted kaakeh sandwiches and wraps stuffed with chicken, beef, turkey, tuna, falafel, kebabs, or avocado. 

There are also good salads and soups if you're in the mood for a lighter meal.

Tip:  The combo deals include appetizers and salads alongside your meal, and they're a good value for the money. 

For Dubai's best cheesecake, go to Home Bakery

This Emirati-owned bakery specializes in cakes, pastries, and other baked goods.

In addition to Middle Eastern-inspired desserts, such as chocolate-pistachio kunafa and milk cake, it serves what could easily be Dubai's best cheesecake with a burnt top and soft center.

Tip: The coffee here is also good.

Taverna Greek Kitchen is great for a date night

With a fantastic waterfront location, authentic Greek food, and friendly service, Taverna Greek Kitchen is a safe choice for a good time.

The white, wooden interior, twinkling outdoor terrace, and Greek music transport you to a seaside Mediterranean village.

The restaurant is helmed by Greek chef Theo Rouvas, and the Greek salad , flaming cheese saganaki, sea bass carpaccio, wood-fire-grilled octopus, and kadaifi prawns won't disappoint.

It also serves Greek-inspired cocktails, such as the Kalamata martini with lavender gin and Kalamata olives.

Tip: This place gets busy on weekends, so it's best to make a reservation at least a couple days in advance.

Enjoy a local-approved breakfast at the Arabian Tea House

Hidden away in the shaded courtyard of a traditional house in the historic district, the lovely Arabian Tea House is full of romantic charm, fun design touches, and mouthwatering food.

Stop in for breakfast dishes such as breads served with honey, local cheese, olives, and vegetables and vermicelli cooked with cardamom and saffron and topped with an omelet.

Tip: Order a pot of tea from the wide range available.

• Double-check if your medicine is on the country's control list . Even if you got it over the counter at home, it might be a controlled substance in Dubai, so you'll need to get prior approval , a valid prescription, and a certificate from your departure country. Don't bring anything on the unauthorized medicines list. 
• Bring comfortable walking shoes and a hat, scarf, or cap to protect your head from the sun. Dubai is home to many neighborhoods, souks, and retail districts that you'll want to spend time walking around.
• Don't take photos of people, especially locals, without prior permission. The UAE takes its privacy laws seriously, and this could lead to fines .
• While visiting Al Fahidi and the souks in old Dubai, women should cover their shoulders and knees. Drape a light scarf over spaghetti straps, wear a maxi dress or jeans, and avoid plunging necklines to be respectful. No person should wear clothing featuring expletives or offensive gestures.
• You're allowed to wear bikinis and swimsuits on public beaches but literally only on the beach. You'll have to cover up with a caftan or a T-shirt and shorts to even go as far as the beachfront cafés.
• If you're looking to try out some outdoor activities in Dubai, winter might be the best time to travel. Because of the mild weather, October through April is ideal for outdoor activities such as kayaking and hiking.

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Escape to the hills and explore nature

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Taste award-winning world flavours and local cuisine

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Sights & Attractions

31 Amazing things to do in Dubai for the ultimate holiday

Sun, August 14, 2022

Tick off the city's top things to do and places to visit.

Burj Khalifa

Standing 828m high, the  Burj Khalifa  is the tallest building in the world and one of Dubai's must-visit attractions. The majestic building is located in the heart of the city and is a hub of activity day and night. Just looking up in awe at the sheer scale of this magnificent structure is memorable in itself, but it's definitely worth venturing inside too. You can capture perfect views of the city from the  observation  deck at levels 124 and 125, or have a bite to eat in the  At The Top Sky Lounge . For special occasions, treat yourself to a sunset session at The Lounge, Burj Khalifa ,  the highest lounge in the world at 585m. 

Opening hours - At The Top:  8am - 12am, daily

Price - At The Top: from AED169

• 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Downtown Dubai

The Dubai Fountain

Located at the base of Burj Khalifa  is one of the world's largest choreographed fountain displays, where powerful jet streams soar as high as 150m in the air and sway in time to musical numbers. Stop by in the evening when displays begin at sundown and take place every 30 minutes, until the final song plays at 11pm. Diners can also sit back and enjoy the show at an array of restaurants at Dubai Mall  or Souk Al Bahar , both commanding prime positions near the fountain arena.

Opening hours:  6pm - 11pm, daily

Price:  free

• Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, Dubai

Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah is one of the largest manmade islands in the world and a triumph of human ingenuity. Locals and tourists alike flock to its vast array of high-end hotels – Waldorf Astoria, Fairmont, One&Only, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray  and, perhaps most notably, Atlantis, The Palm . Getting here is simple, thanks to the monorail running down the 'trunk', which connects to the mainland's tram system.

• Palm Jumeirah - Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Dubai Creek

• Baniyas Rd, Deira, Dubai

Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood in Bur Dubai is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city. Best seen on foot, this area offers nostalgic views of a bygone era with traditional windtowers and a maze of winding alleyways, positioned along the historic waterways of Dubai Creek. Visit Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) to appreciate local culture with Arabic classes, heritage tours and guided mosque visits. After exploring, take an atmospheric abra  boat ride  to the souks on the other side of the creek. 

• Al Fahidi St, Al Souq Al Kabeer, Bur Dubai

The Dubai desert

Less than a 20 minute-drive from the modern streets of Downtown Dubai lies the mystique-filled Arabian desert. Go on a Dubai-style desert safari, complete with thrilling activities  such as quad biking and sandboarding. Those looking for luxury can book a safari with leading tour companies  Platinum Heritage  and Arabian Adventures . From the unforgettable offroad drive to cultural fun with henna painting and camel rides, and a feast of local cuisine under the stars, it's an only-in-Dubai treat. Want to stay a little longer? Treat yourself to an unforgettable night amid the dunes at Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa .

• Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, Dubai-Al Ain Rd - Dubai

Dubai Mall is the world’s largest destination for shopping, entertainment and leisure, located next to the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. Featuring over 1,200 retail stores, two major department stores and hundreds of food and beverage outlets, Dubai Mall covers more than 1 million sqm – an area equivalent to 200 football pitches. Even an entire day spent here is not enough to see it all. Along with its 1,200-plus shops and 150 restaurants, the venue  is home to a range of other fun attractions.

Opening hours: 10am - 1am, daily, except Wednesday (closes at midnight)

• Financial Centre Road, Downtown Dubai

Skydive Dubai

If there's one thing every adventure-seeker must sign up for, it's a skydiving experience. Skydive Dubai provides tandem skydive opportunities, supervised by trained professionals. You'll have to book well in advance to secure a spot, but it's worth it as you dive through the clouds from 13,000 feet and take in views  of the landmark Palm Jumeirah or rolling dunes of the desert. And you can keep reliving the epic experience thanks to perfectly-captured videos by the Skydive Dubai team. It's one for every braveheart's bucket list.

• Al Seyahi Street, Dubai Marina - Dubai

Madinat Jumeirah

Literally translated as 'City of Jumeirah', the Madinat Jumeirah complex is inspired by an ancient citadel. Housing luxury hotels and private enclaves designed to reflect traditional Arabian architecture, it's a great spot to indulge in a therapeutic day at the world-class Talise Spa , splurge on local trinkets and boutique brands at the Madinat Souk , or immerse yourself in the work of famous artists at the high-tech Theatre of Digital Art . And, with over 40 restaurants and lounges featuring cuisines from around the world, it's also an ideal place to refuel.

Opening hours & price: vary, depending on venues within the complex

• 6 King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St - Dubai

Dubai Frame

Since opening in 2018,  Dubai Frame  has become a cultural landmark that connects the Dubai's past with its present and represents a remarkable engineering feat.  Located within Dubai's famous Zabeel Park , this attraction lets you experience the transition between Old and New Dubai thanks to sweeping panoramic views of the city from 150m high. One of its striking features is the state-of-the-art clear glass bridge walkway, which connects parallel vertical towers so that, from the outside, the structure perfectly resembles a giant picture frame.

Opening hours:  9am - 9pm, daily

Price:  from AED20

• Zabeel Park, Za'abeel 1 - Dubai

The aptly-named Kite Beach is the perfect place to test out your watersports skills , although there's plenty to do out of the water at this popular spot too. Grab a smoothie from one of the many open-air cafes and restaurants, watch bikers and skaters fly by at the skate park, or enjoy a game of volleyball with friends on the sand. With plenty of beach activities, plus an incredible view of Burj Al Arab  in the distance, you can easily spend a whole day here.

Opening hours: 24 hours, daily, although sporting and dining venues at the beach have varying timings.

• Umm Suqeim, just off Jumeirah Beach Road

Dubai Water Canal

Dubai Water Canal is a 3.2-kilometre-long waterway extending from the Creek in Old Dubai  through Business Bay before finding its way to the Arabian Gulf. With 80,000sqm of public space and facilities and a 12km cycling path, the Canal has become a popular visitor attraction. There are also five pedestrian bridges that snake their way across the iconic waterway, so it's the perfect spot to stroll and take in classic views of the city at its best. Nearby is the Al Habtoor City  development, home to the thrilling  La Perle by Dragone  show, five-star hotels and an array of trendy restaurants.

• Dubai Water Canal - Al Safa - Dubai

If you'd like to shop, dine, watch a movie and swim in the sea all in one place, consider a trip to The Beach, opposite Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR). With guest DJs playing on most weekends, a cinema and plenty of trendy boutiques , The Beach is always buzzing with activity. Take your pick from the range of dining options, try the exhilarating watersports on offer or just enjoy some relaxation time in a cabana with your favourite book. The Beach is also connected to the trendy new  Bluewaters Island  district by a pedestrian bridge.

Opening hours - F&B outlets: 10am - midnight, Saturday - Wednesday, extended to 1am on Thursday and Friday 

• Opposite JBR, Dubai Marina - Dubai

City Walk offers European-style pedestrian streets alongside a host of shopping and entertainment options – perfect for a pleasant day out. Take a walk along tree-lined avenues with shops and restaurants and spot artwork etched by some of the world's finest urban artists . Afterwards, treat your family to an afternoon of fun and head over to The Green Planet  to see real wildlife in an indoor tropical rainforest setting. You can also catch a concert, live sports or a comedy show at the nearby  Coca-Cola Arena , the Middle East's largest indoor arena.

• Al Wasl and Al Safa Road Junction, Sheikh Zayed Rd - Al Wasl - Dubai

Dubai Miracle Garden

A world of floral wonder awaits you at Dubai Miracle Garden, the world's largest natural flower garden. The 72,000sqm park has an impressive line-up of famous buildings and structures completely transformed into colourful flower displays. You can immerse yourself among more than 50 million blooming flowers throughout the different exhibits. The nearby Dubai Butterfly Garden  is also worth a trip. Here, children can explore over 15,000 species of butterflies whilst learning more about them in a fun setting.

Opening hours:  9am - 9pm on weekdays, extended until 10pm on Saturday and Sunday

Price:  from AED60

• Al Barsha South 3, Dubailand Area, Dubai

Dubai Opera

Located in the Downtown district, Dubai Opera offers an enticing performing arts schedule from the likes of London’s West End and Manhattan’s Broadway. With views of  The Dubai Fountain  and located next to Burj Khalifa , the eye-catching exteriors are inspired by Arabian dhow ships while the stage area is designed to easily convert into three different event platforms: theatre, hall or concert hall. Want to know what's playing at Dubai Opera while you're holidaying in the city? Visit  Dubai Calendar .

Opening hours:  10am - 9pm, daily (show timings may vary)

Price:  from AED145

• Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, Near Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai - Dubai
• Dubai Marina

A 130km drive south-east of Downtown Dubai is Hatta , a not-to-be-missed scenic getaway. In this mountain town you can try kayaking along the serene Hatta Lake, or traversing rocky mountains on foot with specially-crafted hiking experiences . Recent additions to the area include Hatta Dome Park ,  a glamping experience that takes advantage of  Hatta’s mountainscape  views and back-to-nature vibes, plus  a chic lodge-style hotel and trailer parks. Indulge in a host of adventure activities such as zorbing, mountain biking and more at Hatta Wadi Hub. Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit, as the Hub is also home to Asia’s first ever water jump park, Hatta Drop-In.

• Hatta Wadi Hub, located off the Dubai-Hatta road

IMG Worlds of Adventure

Unlimited fun, excitement, speed and 5D entertainment – you can expect it all at IMG Worlds of Adventure. This enormous theme park  is the same size as 28 football pitches put together. With the most up-to-date and exciting rides , IMG Worlds of Adventure brings your favourite characters to life. Give your little ones the best time with rides featuring Ben 10, Powerpuff Girls and LazyTown, while older kids can delve into the world of Spider-Man, Hulk, Iron Man and The Avengers.

Opening hours : noon - 10pm, Sunday to Thursday, extended to 11pm on the weekend

Price - general admission:  AED345

• E311, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road - City of Arabia Dubai Land - United Arab Emirates

Dubai Parks and Resorts

Dubai Parks and Resorts adds to the city's reputation as an entertainment paradise. Children are bound to get excited in the labyrinth of magnificent theme parks, which includes  Motiongate , Real Madrid World  and Legoland and Legoland Water Park . Adults can relax at the Riverland Boulevard , home to restaurants and a range of open-air entertainment. Don't want to leave? Check in to the luxury Polynesian-style hotel, The Lapita, or the region's first and only Legoland Hotel, both located within the theme park destination.

Opening hours:  10am - 11pm, daily

Price - One Park Pass:  from AED295

• Sheikh Zayed Rd, Opposite Palm Jebel Ali, Dubai

The View at The Palm

Enjoy incomparable views of one of Dubai’s most talked about landmarks at The View at The Palm. Located 240m high, the observation deck presents never seen before 360-degree panoramas of  Palm Jumeirah  alongside the sparkling waters of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai skyline  in the distance. The View at The Palm is located on level 52 of The Palm Tower, which also houses a café, a creative exhibition that showcases the development of the island, interactive aquarium-themed tunnels and a gift shop. 

Opening hours : 9am - 10pm, weekdays, extended to midnight on weekends

Price:  from AED100

• The Palm Jumeirah - Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Deep Dive Dubai

The latest addition to the city's thriving sports and adventure activities scene, Deep Dive Dubai is the place to be for all aqua enthusiasts . The recreational centre's 60.02m-deep pool is certified by Guinness World Records as the world's deepest swimming pool for diving. Aside from its remarkable depth, the pool features other unrivalled underwater additions, such as a 'sunken city', alongside year-round freediving and  scuba diving  courses and guided experiences.

Opening hours : 9am - 6pm, except on Friday (closed)

Price:  from AED400

• Deep Dive Dubai, NAS Sports Complex, Dubai

Sky Views Dubai

Thrill-seekers can try a trio of epic experiences at Sky Views Dubai, perched 219.5m above ground on top of the Address Sky View hotel. The Glass Slide allows visitors to zoom down a transparent tunnel on the 53rd floor, while the Observatory features a glass elevator and bridge to further test your head for heights. Meanwhile, true risk-takers will look forward to the Edge Walk – as they dangle off the building's side while strapped to a safety harness. All three experiences allow participants to enjoy phenomenal views  of Downtown Dubai's iconic landmarks, including the nearby Burj Khalifa .

Opening hours : 10am - 10pm, weekdays, extended to midnight on weekends

Price:  from AED70

• Address Sky View hotel, Emaar Square Area, Downtown Dubai

Burj Al Arab

For the first time since its launch, Dubai's famed Burj Al Arab  has opened its doors to visitors, granting access to the hotel's ultra-luxurious interiors on an immersive 90-minute tour. Not only will you get to explore the landmark’s gilded suites, and enjoy its incomparable views of the city , but you'll also uncover the hotel’s history and wealth of untold stories. You can also delve deeper and make the most of your experience with tour customisations.

Tour timings: 9:30am - 8:30pm, daily Price: from AED249

• Jumeirah Road - Umm Suqeim 3 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Museum of the Future

One of Dubai's most famous architectural landmarks , the Museum of the Future  takes pride of place along the city's superhighway, Sheikh Zayed Road. Founded by the Dubai Future Foundation, the museum explores how society could evolve in the coming decades using science and technology. Termed a 'living museum', it incorporates elements of traditional exhibitions, immersive theatre and themed attractions, so visitors can look beyond the present and towards the future's limitless possibilities.

Opening hours : 10am - 9:30pm, daily

Price:  from AED149

• Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centre - Dubai

Mohammed Bin Rashid Library

Built along the historic Dubai Creek and designed in the shape of a traditional Islamic lectern, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library is the latest cultural hotspot to open its doors in the city. A landmark  unique to Dubai, the library is the largest in the region and representative of its collective cultural wisdom, educational milestones and continued forays in research and academia. Aside from enjoying the remarkable architecture and exploring the library's nine levels, visitors can discover a fully digitalised laboratory and several specialised collections inside.

Opening hours : 9am - 9pm, daily, except on Friday (opens 2pm) and Sunday (closed)

Price:  free

• Dubai Creek, Al Jaddaf

Serious foodies can’t possibly visit Dubai without making a stop at the  MENA 50 Best Restaurants  top spot, 3Fils. Its chic yet casual setting, coupled with calming harbourside views and a no-reservations policy, makes this one of Dubai's most unassumingly spectacular dining hotspots . Serving modern Asian cuisine, you’ll find tantalising dishes such as salmon carpaccio, wagyu sushi and fire-grilled octopus on the menu.  Opening hours : noon - 11:30pm, daily

• Shop 2, Jumeirah Fishing Harbour 1, Al Urouba St, Jumeirah - Dubai

Aura Skypool

Unwind in the world's highest 360-degree swimming pool as you gaze out at landmarks including Burj Al Arab  and Ain Dubai. Situated 200m above ground, AURA Skypool is the perfect place for an unforgettable swim. Visitors to the Palm Jumeirah venue can also relax in its chic lounge area and sample a menu filled with delicious sharing plates and Pan-Asian flavours . Standouts to try include the glazed miso salmon, chilli honey cauliflower popcorn and matcha tiramisu. 

Opening hours : 10am - 7pm, daily

Price:  from AED150

• The Palm Tower, 50th Floor, Palm Jumeirah

Prepare to be amazed by Dubai's first permanent show, which combines acting, acrobatics, aquatic feats and aerial stunts across an exhilarating 90 minutes. All the action takes place inside a tailor-made, 1,300-seat theatre in the heart of Al Habtoor City , featuring a high-tech ‘aqua-stage’ that can fill with 2.7 million litres of water. Watch from the edge of your seat as performers dive, fly and defy gravity, as they tell a story which pays homage to the UAE's pearl diving history .

Show timings : 6:30pm - 8pm & 9pm - 11:30pm, daily

Price:  from AED209

• Al Habtoor City, 260 Sheikh Zayed Rd, Business Bay - Dubai

Alserkal Avenue

Once an industrial area in the centre of Dubai, Alserkal Avenue now comprises around 40 warehouses, converted into galleries, dance studios, artisanal cafes and more. The neighbourhood has nurtured a culture of creativity and is now one of the region’s leading art hubs. Since its humble beginnings as a standalone gallery in 2008, word caught on and similar concepts soon moved into the area. Popular spots include arthouse theatre  Cinema Akil , the hipster-inspired  Nightjar Coffee  and Leila Heller Gallery.

• 17th Street, Al Quoz 1, Dubai

Expo City Dubai

Building on the legacy of Expo 2020 Dubai , which welcomed 192 nations and more than 24 million visitors, is the future-centric Expo City Dubai. Explore popular country pavilions including the falcon-inspired UAE Pavilion, award-winning Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Pavilion and reworked spaces for Luxembourg, Pakistan and Australia. Alif – the Mobility Pavilion and Terra – the Sustainability Pavilion have been transformed into interactive educational experiences, while the Opportunity Pavilion is now the Expo 2020 Dubai Museum.  Al Wasl Plaza , the Dubai Exhibition Centre, the Garden in the Sky observation tower and the Surreal water feature also remain at Expo City Dubai, which has its own metro station. 

Opening hours: 24 hours daily, though attraction timings vary Price: free to enter, though attraction tickets vary

• Expo Road Dubai South, Jebel Ali

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75+ things to do & places to visit in Dubai by a local

I lived in Dubai for five years before the city became the pleasant and livable place that it is today , filled with nice promenades, parks, beaches and even an art district.  When I was living there, we would often escape the city in the weekends because asking my friends about what to do in Dubai usually ended up with shopping, eating and going out.

There were no places to learn about the Emirate’s heritage, limited cultural activities, and very few outdoor options. The city was not then what it is now, and I have seen it evolve dramatically over the last decade.

Everytime I come back, I feel like I am rediscovering a new city as there are always new places to visit in Dubai that were not even there the last time I visited, despite that maybe even being less than six months before.

Since I moved away in 2011, I have been back dozens of times. I still own property and my best friend lives in Dubai, so I go to visit him often and use the city, and its airport, as a base to explore parts of Africa ( Djibouti , Somaliland , Rwanda ), Europe ( Azerbaijan ) and the Middle East. When I land at Dubai International Airport, I can’t help but always feel as if I am landing back home.

So in this post, I wanted to finally share a list of things to do in Dubai accumulated from the many years living there and the countless returns. I plan to keep it live too, adding new activities as the city evolves and grows up.

A short introduction to Dubai

While there have been inhabitants in the Creek area of Dubai for thousands of years, Dubai as such was created in 1799 when the Bani Yas tribe settled there. In 1833, Dubai ibecame an independent Emirate with its own Sheikh, from the same Bani Yas clan and the Al Maktoum family who still rule the city.

When the pearl industry started to decline and the Great Depression hit the world stage, the Sheikh turned Dubai into a de-factor tax haven, similar to today’s status, by inviting traders from neighbouring Iran and India to settle in the port area and trade.

Luckily, oil was discovered in the 60s and with it came development, wealth and the ever changing landscape that the city has become famous for. Dubai joined forces with the other Emirates to create the United Arab Emirates in 1971 when the British left the Arabian Peninsula.

The best things to do in Dubai

This is a city of contrasts and while we all know the many tourist attractions in Dubai and can name the tallest building, the most luxurious hotel and the many other crazy Dubai sightseeing options, there are a host of activities in Dubai that are often overlooked so I wanted to create an extensive list which had them all.

Most visitors don’t realise that this is a widespread city which spans kilometers, so when thinking about what to do in Dubai, it is important to think geographically because this will save you a lot of time back and forth and hours of waiting in traffic. Sheikh Zayed Road, the main artery, can be totally clogged at peak hours and you don’t want to waste precious holiday time stuck in a jam.

Another thing to remember when plotting the best places to visit is that many of the best things to do in Dubai happen outdoors. But it is important to remember that the weather in Dubai can be brutal for 4-6 months of the year, so you need a good list of alternatives for when the thermometer reaches well past the 40 degree Celsius and being outside is just not an option.

Trust me, I lived through five summers and the weather is unpleasant to say the least. So I have tried to also include lots of Dubai tourist places that have indoor options or that are generally pleasant in the summer months, such as water parks, or museums.

Have tea, lunch, dinner, brunch or a drink at the Burj Al Arab

One of the most well known tourist attractions in Dubai is the Burj Al Arab. The famous seven star hotel sitting on its own manmade small island is iconic of the city and one of the features which catapulted it to stardom in the early 2000s.

Anyone visiting Dubai will want to get up and close with this gold, precious stone and rare material hotel where red, green and golden coexist in one of the tackiest yet most fascinating hotel lobbies in the world.

To get up and close with the Burj Al Arab you can either make a reservation for one of its duplex suites or take one of the two more modest options: afternoon tea, lunch, dinner, Friday brunch or a drink. The choice is all yours, or rather, your pocket’s.

The choice will determine the view and the expenditure. I used to like afternoon tea, which is served on the first floor of the hotel, better because the bar overlooks the mainland Jumeirah Beach and gave me the opportunity of spending time in the main hotel area, and appreciate the excesses and over-the-top design and decor.

Because this is probably the top thing to do in Dubai, I had “tea at the Burj” far too many times with every visitor who came to see me so I tried to move towards the Friday brunch option. Brunch is held at the top level SkyView Bar, this is also where the hotel now offers evening sunset drinks so you can enjoy the indulgence without having to stay for dinner.

At the top, you get less of a lobby feel and the decor is less over the top, as the views provide most of the entertainment. The buffet spread for Friday brunch is equally impressive with all you can eat seafoods and oysters and the drinks are prepared by the in-house mixologists.

But bear in mind that the restaurant faces the sea so your view is of the horizon unless you look to the right and down and then you can observe The World, The Palm and Jumeirah Beach.

The price was always twice as much for the brunch as for the afternoon tea, so this is to be considered, with afternoon tea at Skyview bar starting at AED 635 per person with an additional AED 100 for a window seat.

Watch the Dubai Mall Fountain show

Continuing on with the superlatives, one of the nicest things to see in Dubai is The Dubai Fountain. Located in front of the Dubai Mall and below the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, this is also, well, the largest performing fountain. Of course, because this is Dubai and they never do things halfway!

The fountain opened with the entire Downtown area and started by performing short but frequent songs. It is a very beautiful sight I must say, similar to the Bellagio in Macau or the ones in Las Vegas, and they change the show from time to time to dance to well known and amorous songs so it is quite romantic.

The Dubai Fountain can be seen from many places as it is obviously huge. The most obvious one is from the grounds around it or from the bridge that crosses to Souk Al Bahar. But here are a few suggestions from the years of visiting are.

One of the best and cheapest places to see the Dubai Fountain is the Apple store inside the Dubai Mall, it has uninterrupted views from behind the glass. Of course, this is a store so you should not be lingering around for long if you are not buying.

Another option is to see the entire sow while you are having dinner from one of the many restaurants that are in the Souk Al Bahar . The ones on the first floor are particularly good, pick a table closest to the fountain and call ahead to book, they will be able to advise on the best table. The restaurants on the ground floor are closest but beware some are on the walk, so tourists passing by can block the view.

Last but not least, the best way to experience the fountain is on an abra tour , right from the water, below the fountain, talk about front row seats! You can book your abra tour here . There is also a recent addition to the viewing experience. You can now also book tickets for the Viewing Platform of the Dubai Fountain and this gives you access to the best place. Tickets for this only cost AED 20 about $6 so they are worth it.

Spot flamingos at Ras Al Khor

Contrary to what you may expect, pink flamingos are in fact commonly found in arid parts of the world , for example, in Djibouti’s Lake Abbe , where I saw a fair few. The color of their feathers usually comes from what they eat, a small type of algae which turns their feathers pink.

Dubai is one of the places where you can see pink flamingos in the wild. The Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary , named after the Arabic for Cape of the Creek, is located inland from Dubai, at the beginning of the Creek, and by the side of Al Wasl Road, one of the main highways in the UAE, so you can even spot them from the car.

The reserve measures about 6 square kilometers and contains wetlands, a lagoon, mangroves and salt flats. Unlike other parts of the UAE, this is not man-made but natural.

The sanctuary was designated in 1985 and thanks to the protection and the non interference from humans, you can find flamingos in the winter and other migratory birds all year round.

Because access to the area is restricted, you can see the birds from one of the hide points along the perimeter which have been set up by the Dubai Municipality. The points have binoculars you can borrow so you don’t have to bring your own.

Each of them offers a view towards a different part of the park so you should check all three out. One of them is most suitable for spotting flamingos while there is one that faces the mangroves where you are more likely going to see birds of prey like eagles.

Access to these points is free and they are open during daylight hours. Just go the main entrance of the sanctuary and register as a visitor. They can also tell you more about what to expect at each of the viewing platforms as this varies by time of year.

If you don’t drive, the most efficient way to visit the reserve is by starting at the flamingo hide and then walking to the mangrove hide (the opposite is not allowed). You can take an Uber to and from.

For more information check their website .

Take an abra in the Creek

Dubai’s Creek is one of the few remaining parts of the city that still conserves the original charm from when Dubai was a pearl fishing settlement and the saltwater Creek connected the tribes living farther inland with the sea. In fact, the Creek’s shore is the place chosen by the ancestors of the current Sheikh to settle down, the Bani Yas tribe, in the 19th century.

Today, the Creek separates Bur Dubai from Deira, the two older parts of the city before all the development arrived, and goes all the way in towards Festival City and the Dubai Canal. The Creek has contracted and expanded through the years but the bottom part, closest to the Gold and Spice Souk, is still a functioning port and is lined with dhows, or traditional wooden boats , and merchant ships piled up with goods.

These traditional boats share the Creek’s shore with floating restaurants offering luxury lunch and dinner cruises on the water as well as the cheapest form of transportation in Dubai: the traditional abra wooden boats.

These water taxis connect the two sides of the Creek for just 1 Dirham and you can jump on them at one of the few abra stations along the Creek. The boats are small and simple and can maybe carry between 15 and 20 passengers.

They are floating structures without fences and with a thin roof that protects a bit from the sun and the journey across the Creek takes about five minutes.

If you want to enjoy the ride for a bit longer and explore the Creek and Dubai from a different angle, you can also rent them by the hour and go all the way up towards Festival City. As you ride among the larger commercial wooden boats and the towering skyscrapers in the distance, you may just understand a different side to the flashy and over the top Dubai that we all hear about.

Stand between old and new at the Dubai Frame

The Dubai Frame is one of the latest additions to the UAE list of unique attractions and one of the most fascinating places to visit in Dubai. Why? Because of what it stands for.

This is a great place to come for the views, of both new and old Dubai, as well as the Downtown area. And this is precisely what the frame stands for. The Sky deck very much looks like the tall tower in Riyadh, with a bridge connecting the two sides of the frame from where visitors can have panoramic views.

But there is more to that, this is also one of Dubai’s tourist places with the best mix of past, present and future. The 48 storey frame offers a glimpse into Dubai’s past through the Old Dubai Gallery exhibits. Here you can have a summarised perspective on the city’s evolution.

If you ever wanted to know what the future holds for this incredible city, the Future Dubai Gallery is filled with futuristic, sci-fi ready audiovisual displays that tell about a possible future.

You can buy tickets for the Dubai Frame online before your visit to avoid the queues. Don’t go to the wrong website for the Dubai Frame there is a dodgy site that appears as the official while it is not, here is the right one if you want more info.

Watch a show at the Dubai Opera

The Dubai Opera is one of the most recently opened buildings and one of the most interesting tourist attractions of late. Until now, Dubai did not really have a theatre or performance arena where shows could be presented but the Opera has sorted that with a space that can be used for all sorts of event.

The building is designed like an Arabian dhow boat and can be shaped to host concerts, operas and even events like fashion shows or exhibitions.

If you would rather learn more about the architecture of the building instead of watching a show, the Opera also offers tours including an option for a backstage tour that also has a drink at the cafe at the end and gives you more insights into what goes on in the background.

Go to a hammam

Some of the first luxury hotels to open along Jumeirah Beach are still, in my opinion, the best hotels in Dubai. They are charming, they have character and they were built at a time when bigger, grander, most impressive were not the slogan, so they are less artificially over the top and more old world Arabic hospitality.

In this category is one of my most favorite hotels in the city , the One&Only Royal Mirage . The hotel is fantastic for a meal, for a drink or, if you are lucky, for a wonderful stay. But if you cannot afford its prices, one of the best ways to enjoy its luxury is by booking a Royal Hammam treatment at the Spa.

This gives you the chance of checking out the hotel, which is absolutely magical, in the 1000 Nights way, and also indulge in a tradition that, while not Emirati but more Moroccan or Turkish, is perfected at the hotel. I can assure you this will be one of the most memorable things you will do in Dubai.

Here, the scrubbing is taken to a whole new level and done the original way, naked body on a marble slab vigorously scrubbed by a skilled large lady who knows how to purge layers of dead skin off you.

After the scrub comes the massage, equally vigorous and satisfying. You will leave as good as new, with the bright, clean and soft skin of royalty.

You can also book a 2h hammam treatment at the best day spas in Dubai here . For more relaxing and equally (if not more) indulging experiences that will leave you as good as new, book a 1 hour treatment at the Burj Khalifa spa .

Watch the sunset in the desert

Dubai is a city in the desert in every sense of the word. It was built in the desert, it is surrounded by sand dunes and it is as devoid of rain as you would imagine the desert to be. So much so that it usually rains five days a year, consecutively, and then not again for another year.

But while the city is surrounded by it, it is hard to enjoy the desert other than on a desert safari or a luxury desert resort stay. One of the best ways to get up and close with the magnificent dunes is by heading out into the desert, about half an hour from Dubai Marina, and having dinner under the stars at the Bab Al Shams Desert Resort.

This luxury hotel was one of the first ones to open in the UAE and a favorite of long term expats who no doubt take visiting friends and  family over for a memorable yet classy experience and a great view of Dubai against the sand dunes.

The resort has a few dining options some with live belly dancing, henna tattoos, shisha and music all under the stars, while there are also indoor options for the summer months. You can book a trip that includes a return journey from Dubai to the hotel and dinner at Al Hadheerah restaurant which is the resort’s signature desert restaurant, located a few meters from the main building and made to look like a bedouin village.   

If you want to do it independently, I would suggest you come for sunset first. The warm sun rays against the orange sand dunes and the dust that is always in the air of the desert create an aura around the city that makes it look almost out of a sci-fi movie. This was always my most favorite part of showing guests around and still remains one of the most romantic and beautiful places to see in Dubai.

The drive to Bab Al Shams is part of the experience and you should not miss the chance of seeing the city skyline against the sand dunes. More information on the rooftop bar here .

Share the romance at the Madinat Jumeirah

The Madinat Jumeirah is one of the oldest malls in Dubai although it is not really a mall in the traditional sense of the word but in the old Arabic way.

The Madinat as it is usually abbreviated to, is a development in between two luxury properties, the Al Qasr Hotel and the Mina Salam Hotel Hotel along Jumeirah Beach made of a souk surrounded by canals, restaurants, bars and even clubs. It is designed to look like an ancient city in the desert, in the color of sand and with wind towers, plus some water canals because, well, Dubai.

There are palm trees, waterways and abras taking people on short trips around the area. When I moved to Dubai this was one of my most favorite places in Dubai to have dinner. There was, and still is (14 years later!), a restaurant you could arrive at on a complimentary abra ride: Pad Thai, a Thai restaurant with nice outdoor seating on a wooden deck over the water.

Today, abra rides are available for fun too. Going on an abra ride through the Madinat is one of the fanciest ways to see how the rooms of the luxury hotels look like as they are spread across the entire area. They are also a fun activity in Dubai with kids.

The hotels that surround the Madinat offer a great friday brunch when several of their dining outlets combine their cuisines for a truly indulgent brunch after which all there is to do is nurse that food coma at the beach or with a siesta.

More information on the souk here .

Stroll along The Walk at Jumeirah Beach

When I moved to Dubai, there were no real beaches to speak of. The beach was there, but you would not really go, and if you did, you would stay with your clothes on as it was frequented mostly by South Asian workers and Emirati families and the atmosphere was conservative, bikinis were a big no. Strangely for a country surrounded by the sea, the beach was not really one of the most popular activities in Dubai.

As a resident, if you wanted to enjoy the beach, you had to pay for a hotel day pass. This was usually a good deal and included a buffet brunch and use of the facilities, it did also feel as if you were on a holiday, but it was not really what one would expect from a beachfront city like Dubai. For tourists, the sea and the beach was the most interesting attraction in Dubai and the reason why many Europeans would jump on a plane in the winter months when Dubai remained warm and sunny.

But this all changed when the Jumeirah Beach Residences real estate development opened up with a major dose of beach lifestyle. It took over 10 years for that vision to fully materialise but today, the Jumeirah Beach Residences area, colloquially known to everyone as JBR, is a true beach lifestyle.

The long promenade is lined with restaurants, bars, shops and food stalls. The beach is wide and always happening, with bootcamps, yoga classes, water sports and often live music. You can rent an umbrella and sun lounger and enjoy a true, and almost free, day at the beach.

JBR is today one of the most popular places to visit in Dubai and one of the favorite expat locations to live in. The beachfront setting, albeit most residential buildings are in fact on the other side of the road, the great lifestyle and the many dining and shopping options make this a very pleasant place to live, especially for families.

As a tourist, one of the best things to do in Dubai is to have a stroll along JBR. Be it during the day or at night, the area is always buzzing. Even in the summer months, when the weather is brutal and being outside is not really an option, JBR manages to still provide a bit of the beachside living it promises with outdoor fans and cooling machines.

Visit the Dubai Aquarium

The Dubai Aquarium is a fun place in Dubai for the whole family to explore. Located inside the Dubai Mall, the Aquarium has a huge array of tropical marine life from sharks to mantas to tropical fish and corals.

There is a glass tunnel you can walk through and be surrounded by the tank which is quite gorgeous and which will make kids happy. The fish can’t see you so you can’t scare them.

You can get your tickets here .

Dive with sharks in a massive fish tank

The Dubai Mall is one of the largest malls in the world and when I used to live in Dubai and the summer months arrived this was one of the few places you could come if you wanted to take a walk.

The mall has become one of the most important tourist attractions in Dubai and almost every tourist visiting will step inside at one point or another. But, besides the obvious shopping, the Dubai Mall is a destination where you can do lots of other different things, among which, diving inside the large fish tank of the Dubai Aquarium with sharks.

Now, only in Dubai can you dive with sharks inside a mall, this has to be one of the most ridiculous things to do in Dubai, up there with the other extraordinary activities the city offers.

The dive includes all the equipment and you don’t even need to be a certified diver as the aquarium has partners with Al Boo Divers, one of the most well established diving centers in Dubai, to give you a short introductory course. And if anything goes wrong, well, just stick your head out of the water.

More information on the various option available can be found on the website . They also have less scary options where you are not that close to the animals. The Aquarium only allows 4 guests per dive and there are three a day so spaces are limited.

Go on a desert safari

The most popular of all the tourist attractions in Dubai has to be the desert safari. And by safari, we do not actually mean you are going to see any wildlife, unless you consider other tourists.

Desert safari adventures are the only way to get up and close with the desert, unless you go on a hot air balloon or stay at one of the desert properties, as access to the desert wildlife reserve in Dubai is restricted only to the tour companies that the government has given permits too.

This is a half day tour that starts after lunch and ends after dinner so it’s quite long. You will be picked up from the hotel or designated points in Dubai and taken first on a dune bashing safari around the desert.

This usually includes driving up and down dunes, sliding down very tall ones, etc. Occasionally, cars get stuck in the sand and others have to come to the rescue, but don’t worry the drivers are very well trained and know exactly how to get the car out. You may spot some oryx if you are lucky.

You are then taken to a desert camp where there are a number of activities followed by dinner in a bedouin style, with carpets on the floor and an Arabic buffet dinner. There is a belly dancing show, you can ride a camel, go sand boarding, and there are usually falconry demonstrations too.

Nowadays, there are many different operators offering desert safaris, and many options beyond just the afternoon/dinner slot. But here are a few things to consider when picking the right safari for you:

• Sand boarding is usually available in the day time safaris
• Belly dancing is usually available in the evening safaris
• It can be excruciatingly hot in the desert heat from April till November so consider the evening safari if you are visiting Dubai at that time of year
• Bring sunglasses no matter the type of safari you pick, the sun reflects on the sand and creates a very tough glare. Bring a hat and sunscreen too
• Wear sandals as the sand will get everywhere but beware if you are going during the day as the sand can get really hot under the sun

With this being said, I highly recommend splurging a bit and going for the premium evening safari options like this one . They are the most complete, the nicest and the most memorable. For morning safaris, this one is complete and also premium.

If you want to feel the real magic of the desert, stay overnight at the camp . You have never seen so many stars in your life. I have done this in several parts of the world, from Jordan to Oman, and it is one of the most memorable ways to go to sleep and wake up.

Go quad biking in the desert

If you don’t mind the meal and just want the adventure part, you can also go on a quad biking adventure in the sand dunes, add in a bit of a camel ride and maybe some sandboarding and make it a morning of desert adventures.

There are tours that will pick you up, take you to some of the most impressive sand dunes, and take you back to your hotel. Here is one entirely focused on the adventure part .

Take a sunrise hot air balloon over the desert

What can be more romantic than a sunrise hot air balloon ride? I absolutely love them. I have enjoyed hot air balloons in Bagan in Myanmar, above Napa Valley and in the Masai Mara in Kenya , and the desert always offers an extra dose of romanticism with the red sunes and the warm hues of the sun.

For the ultimate in an exclusive morning, combine the hot air balloon sunrise journey with a breakfast of smoked salmon and caviar, followed by a desert safari on a vintage 1950s Range Rover to spot some wildlife and slide down large orange sand dunes. This is the best morning you will spend in Dubai. The tour is available here .

There are also more affordable options which offer just the hot air balloon with breakfast. Equally stunning but if you plan to go on a desert safari, this may be the best option. Although I do love the evening desert safaris that end in a meal under the stars.

Have tea or dinner suspended in the air

Dinner in the Sky is the local franchise of the global experience that is available in Dubai during the winter months from October to May and lifts a group of guests 45-50m up on a crane to enjoy afternoon tea or dinner suspended above the Jumeirah Beach and Marina area. The views are incredible and the experience quite exhilarating, literally.

Each session is for 90 minutes and goes on from 2pm till 11pm daily with a maximum of 22 guests at the table. The crane is located in the Mina Seyahi Hotel grounds and the food is prepared by the hotel chefs so you can expect something quite nice.

You will choose the menu from a set of choices ahead of time and an assistant will be with you up there to help out through the experience.

Don’t worry about safety, you will strapped to the seat and the rest of the team is wearing a harness so everyone is safe.

Shop at the Dubai Mall

The Dubai Mall is one of the largest malls in the world and receives 80 million visitors a year , this also makes it the world’s most visited. As such, it is a maze of 1,300 shops, department stores, grocery stores, restaurants, cafes and many other of Dubai’s best tourist attractions.

You could spend a week at the mall and never tire of new things to do, trust me, I spent many a summer in Dubai when the Dubai Mall and the Mall of the Emirates were the only options available for weekend entertainment. That is, before the city became such a happening place with so many tourist attractions that are also interesting for locals.

The Dubai Mall is where you can find all the premium brands in the world, from Chanel to Dior, from Jimmy Choo to Louboutin, it can be quite dangerous when it’s hot outside and there are less things to do, look at my shoe collection and you will know what I mean.

But it is not all shopping, there are also many other activities here, from the Aquarium which I touched up already, to the Kidzania children area, a cinema and an ice rink. I told you, you could spend a week here and never run out of things to do.

Get an art fix at Alserkal Avenue

Alserkal Avenue is one of the most exciting places to visit in Dubai not just because of the programming and the many events and exhibitions taking place but also because it is a landmark development in a city that did not use to have much going on with regards to art and creativity.

Alserkal is located in Al Quoz, a primarily industrial warehousing area on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road near The Mall of the Emirates that did not use to be a place anyone would visit. This changed in 2007 when the art hub opened and a lot has been happening since then.

The area now comprises of local art galleries, design studios, community spaces, restaurants and cafes, local outposts of international galleries, centers that promote regional art, and an ever changing and expanding program of events.

Some of the galleries and spaces close on Friday so avoid going on that day so you can enjoy the full range. Try chocolates at Mirzam Chocolate Makers, the coffee from Nightjar and the genuine and globally inspired tea from Project Chaiwala at Akil Cinema (see next section for more details). For car lovers, Nostalgia has a huge showroom filled with classic cars.

Watch an art film

Cinema Akil is the first cinema arthouse in the Gulf . After dozens of pop up events, they finally have a permanent home at Alserkal Avenue where they screen regional Arab and international movies to an avid cinema base.

Here you won’t find the Hollywood hits, but rather the under the radar art movies that tell more of a story and that are much more unique. You can find their calendar of screenings on their website .

Watch an amazing acrobatic show on water

This is a must visit show in Dubai for all fans of Cirque du Soleil and the like. In fact, the founder of the acrobatic epic, Franco Dragone, has also worked on Cirque du Soleil, Le Rêve in Las Vegas, The House of Dancing Water in Macau , as well as performances with Celine Dion. With such a famous theatre cache, it’s by far Dubai’s number 1 performance.

It’s a show that uses Dubai’s aspirational feats as a muse to create something part immersive artistic performance, part visual extravaganza and part technological mastery. The seating is 270-degrees in an aqua theatre, so the stage becomes flooded during the performance. It really is an aesthetic thrill ride.

You can book a show online here .

Ski indoors

Dubai became ever so famous when Ski Dubai opened in 2005, a year before I moved to Dubai.

This has to be the most over the top Dubai attraction and one of the most talked about points about the city for the years that followed. No doubt this is a must do attraction in Dubai, especially for families, even if just because it is quite impressive to have snow in a place that reaches over 40 degrees Celsius for several months of the year.

You can get your 2h tickets for the slopes here . But Ski Dubai is so much more than just skiing, you can also have a host of other snow related experiences . You can build a snowman with your kids, or friends, and go sledging and tobogganing. Basically all the snow activities you would have in the mountains are available, plus some other unique things like the penguins which would require a farther and more expensive holiday than the Alps. Here is a pass you can book online.

I hate skiing, I have tried it many times, including in Andorra , in the Catalan Pyrenees and also in Ski Dubai as a team activity, and it is just not my thing. I always say that I have too much common sense now to do certain life-threatening things. But Ski Dubai is one of the easiest places to learn the basis because it is a controlled environment and there are plenty of instructors at hand.

Ski Dubai is really well organised so you don’t need to bring any clothes or equipment with you, everything is available for rent, from the socks, gloves and jackets to the boots and skies. And if you plan to continue skiing after, you can also buy some of the equipment.

One of the nicest ways to enjoy the skiing feeling without actually getting cold or wet, is the Apres Ski Cafe in the Dubai Mall. This Swiss Alps inspired cafe serves the usual suspects, as if the weather was as cold as it would be there, and you get views of the slope, so it is quite scenic.

It is also a great place to come and relax while waiting for a friend who insisted in trying the indoor skiing option.

Mingle with the local expats

When I moved to Dubai there were very few places to go out and those that were have either closed now, or have become real institutions. After all, being open for 15 years in a city that is so fast paced and changing as Dubai is quite a merit. Barasti Bar is one such place, although it has evolved and changed quite a bit through the years.

This is the place to go if you want to mingle with expats living in Dubai, especially during the weekend or when a big sport game is showing. It is the go-to casual place to go for an after work drinks or on Ladies Night.

The bar is located inside Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort , which is now also connected with The Westin and is one of the first hotels to open in Jumeirah beach, well before expats or tourists arrived in Dubai.

While this is now an overdeveloped part of Dubai popular with expats working in the nearby Internet and Media Cities, the entire stretch of beach going through to the end of JBR was empty beach when I moved to Dubai.

Because Barasti is part of a luxury hotel, alcohol is served and the bar is fully licensed. There are both indoor and outdoor areas, the outdoor with a pool open to the public and turned into a pool party destination.

The indoor section is good for watching sports games and for an after work drink when it is already too hot outside.

Try kitesurfing at Kite Beach

With wind speeds easily reaching up to 60km per hour, kite surfing has become quite a popular activity in Dubai. Pull over to Kite Surf School Dubai ( KSD ) to hire all your gear. There are also SUPs, surf boards and kayaks to rent and even a yoga SUP class!

The waves aren’t very big so it’s also a nice spot to learn how to hang ten. Surf House Dubai is another local company that rents/sells boards and equipment.

For those who don’t want to get wet and have to wait around, Kite Beach is a perfect spot for spectacular sunsets providing great views of Atlantis on the Palm and the Burj al Arab.

Skydive or parasail above The Palm

Seeing Dubai from the sky isn’t difficult having the tallest building in the world and all. But avid thrill seekers will no doubt look for something a bit more extreme a la Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. While I would never suggest jumping out of a plane, I’m sure the view along with the thrill is absolutely exhilarating.

For those who aren’t willing to risk their life but still want a fun adventure from above, the safer option is to parasail in the waters around the Palm. You can book your activity here .

Take a helicopter tour above Dubai

Is there anything more must-do in Dubai than a helicopter tour? Exactly.

The city is best viewed from above where you can fully understand the shape of some of the areas, the tall buildings, the most important landmarks and the incredible development the city has gone through.

A helicopter tour is one of the best activities in Dubai. Depart from The Palm helipad and return to the same spot after a trip all the way to the Burj Khalifa on this 15min tour .

Fly above Dubai on a seaplane

If you have been to the maldives you will know what it is like to take off and land from water above the stunning islands of the Maldives on a seaplane . If you have never done it before, this is your chance.

Seaplane rides in Dubai take off from water and land on water and while in the air, you get to see what Dubai looks like from above. As you can see there are a lot of cool experiences in Dubai which take to the skies but this is probably one of the coolest.

Visit a theme park

Dubai has many a theme park, some individually, like the IMG Worlds of Adventure Park , some part of the Dubai Parks and Resorts complex which includes even a hotel and acts as the local version of a Disney World , minus the Disney characters. This is a place you could come for the weekend and be occupied.

Dubai Parks and Resorts

Dubai Parks and Resorts is made up of five parks, Legoland, Legoland Water Park, Riberland, Bollywood and Motiongate . Each of these parks has a very different audience and theme but they are all great for children and for adults (I mean who doesn’t love Legos?). In order to have enough time to visit them all, a 2-day pass would be the best ticket to buy.

Legoland is set around the famous toy, Bollywood is a world’s first and one of the most unique tourist attractions in Dubai. The park is themed around the famous movie industry and looks a bit like the Venetian in Macau or Las Vegas, with a reproduction of the landmarks and backdrops some of India’s most famous movies , like the markets of Mumbai or the Rajasthan villages that appear in Lagaan.

Motiongate is the theme park that focuses on the film industry of Hollywood so instead of Bollywood, it showcases DreamWorks Animation, Columbia Pictures and Lionsgate movies through rides and all sorts of attractions.

The last one of the parks is Riverland which is water-based and set around the canals. This is not so much a theme park as it is the retail and dining part of the park, so you don’t need a ticket for this.

IMG Worlds of adventure

IMG Worlds of Adventure is another theme park and a great family tourist attraction in Dubai. The park is themed around IMG’s sagas , like Marvel characters such as Spiderman, The Hulk, Thor, or The Avengers, or Cartoon Network like the Powerpuff Girls or Ben10.

There is also a section themed around dinosaurs and a cinema. The park has plenty of dining options as well and is best visited on a day pass. You can get your park passes here .

Get wet at a waterpark

Dubai can get quite hot during half the year so a waterpark is one of the best things to do in Dubai, especially in the summer , to weather the heat. There are several waterparks in Dubai but perhaps the two most famous ones are Wild Wadi which has been there for as long as I can remember and pretty much since the Madinat Jumeirah resorts opened, and the more recent Atlantic Aquapark, which is even more impressive and over the top.

Possibly the best thing to do in Dubai for families on a blistering hot day is to visit a waterpark. The Wild Wadi Water Park is an outdoor water park located in Jumeirah, and operated by Jumeirah International. The cutesy quiche theme comes from Arabian folklore with the tale of Juha.

There are over 30 rides and attractions from floating on a rubber donut right up to tornado-like Tantrum Alley or the vertical drop of the Jumeirah Sceirah. Wild Wadi’s claim to fame though is its wave pool with a fully functioning artificial wave to surf on. So if the surf is low, you can head here.

Atlantic Aquapark

Billed as the best waterpark in Dubai, Aquapark is more than just a bunch of rides and also includes a variety of other activities so it is a place where you can easily spend the whole day.

Besides the water park rides there is also an aquarium where you can also dive with the sharks (like at the Dubai Mall), snorkel with the marine life, and the Lost Chambers Aquarium which talks about the myth of Atlantis, the theme after which the resort is designed. They even offer tours to this part so that you can find out all the secrets. For the ultimate yoga experience, there are sessions at the Lost Chambers, surrounded by the fish, talk about a cool activity in Dubai!

If you are looking to visit the Aquapark, you can buy tickets just for the waterpark, for the combo of the park and the Lost Chambers or other variations. For the ultimate experience, you can also stay at the Atlantis The Palm and get unlimited access to the parks.

Enjoy beachside living at La Mer

La Mer is one of the latest developments along the beach in Dubai. Located further from the Marina area and towards Deira, on top of a great beach, La Mer is a dining and entertainment hub made of shops, eateries, lots of beach fun, a waterpark and plenty of pedestrian streets. It is similar to JBR in concept minus the tall condos.

Here is where you can enjoy Dubai’s beaches to the maximum. Rent a daybed or a room (yes a room) and enjoy beachlife. You don’t even need to bring anything with you, umbrellas and towels are also available, so La Mer makes for the perfect tourist attraction in Dubai.

The day rooms are available for rent for the whole day and make for a good option if you want a bit of air conditioned releave from the heat. Because they have fridges, you can bring your favorite drinks and food for the whole day. Or you can use the discount voucher you get with your booking and get some food from the many options.

Perhaps one of the most recognizable and fun parts of La Mer are the colorful changing rooms that are available at the beach. Located under shady palm trees, coming in all the colors of the rainbow, and in the usual wood shack look, they are truly instagrammable and make for cool shots, most people back home might think you are in South Beach not in Dubai!

Go on a yachting trip around The Palm

If you wander around the Marina areas you will see lots of luxury yachts anchored there. Nothing screams luxury life like a condo by the water and a yacht at your doorstep. Granted, I had some friends who own small boats in Dubai and they confirmed that there are two moments of happiness with a boat: When you buy it and when you sell it.

But you don’t have to own one to enjoy the beauty of sailing around the Marina or the The Palm, you can simply hop on a 60 or 90 minute yachting trip around the Palm and have a new perspective from the water.

There are group, but semi-private 2-3h yacht tour options which take you around in relatively posh surroundings and include a BBQ or breakfast, depending on the time of the day you book. I would suggest sunset to be the best time as that is when Dubai glows..

Or for a more DIY and casual option, check out the tours on zodiac-style inflatable boat options which are a bit more rough and fun.

Zip above the Marina (zipline)

A cheaper and less time-consuming alternative to skydiving, ziplining is a fun way to explore the Marina from above. The XLine is the world’s longest urban zipline, which means a nice long ride from start to finish. There are also a few lines next to each other making it a family-friendly affair as participants can ride in tandem.

The thrill is in the speed and the height of the zipline. The highest part stands at 170m above ground level and the fastest speed is 80km/h. This is sure to make dreams come true for adrenaline junky families. More information is here .

Go on a ferris wheel ride above The Palm

Similar to the London Eye, Ain Dubai (or the Dubai Eye) will take (when it opens) riders 210 meters above the ground to witness breathtaking views. And because this is Dubai, it’s the tallest ferris wheel in the world, as expected.

It’s located on the Pearl Island off the coast of the JBR beach, so you’ll have great views of the skyscrapers along the JBR beach including the Palm Jumeirah. There are 48 capsules in total measuring 30sqm and can hold up to 40 people at a time. The capsules are made entirely of glass so they all provide the same 360 views.

A single ride in the air conditioned capsules lasts for 45 minutes, but don’t worry about getting bored as there are LED screens constantly providing information about what’s around you. There are even VIP capsules that can accommodate twelve people and also provide meals. See more information here .

Take a professional photography session

From honeymooners to influencers, vacationing families to business teams, hiring a professional photographer is a great way to capture your trip. You will get to chat to the photographer before and come up with a perfect location and timing for your personalised shoot. As Dubai is one of the most photogenic places in the world, this is a great idea for big occasions, so that your memories can last forever.

Book your personal photographer on GetYourGuide here .  

See a camel race

When arriving in Dubai, it’s easy to forget that this glistening city filled with skyscrapers and malls actually has its roots in the Bedouin culture of a bygone era. One of the best ways to experience old Dubai is to watch a camel race.

The racing season is between October and April with races usually taking place on Friday and Saturday mornings, pretty early. While there are many tracks, the largest and most significant is the home of the Dubai Camel Racing Club, the Al Marmoom Camel Racetrack.

Unlike horse racing, there are no human jockeys weighing the camels down, but rather lightweight robot jockeys. It’s quite a show to see the robot jockey operators driving alongside the racing camels in SUVs honking their horn loudly. See more information here .

Be mesmerised by The Festival City light and water show

Dubai really comes alive at night when temperatures are cooler and entertainment is abound. IMAGINE is one of Dubai’s newest night-time attractions that utilises light, water, holograms and pyrotechnics, to offer a truly unique sensory experience. The show is made up from 30 fountains and a wonderful surround sound system to complete the experience. And of course, like everything else, it’s the largest screen projection in the world on the face of the InterContinental Hotel.

There are two different shows to catch. Star Dancer is at 7:00pm and 9:00pm all week and A Child’s Dream is at 8:00pm and 10:00pm on weekdays with an additional show at 11:00pm on weekends. More information here .

Learn to play golf

Golf in the desert? You bet! One of the most unreal activities in Dubai surely has to be playing a round of golf. I was always amazed at the ability of the few green golf courses to keep the grass lush such despite the heat and the lack of rain.

I am not talking about little rainfall, I am talking about down right draught for the entire year save for the week in February when it rains, and then it all floods because there is no drainage system.

But the golf courses in Dubai are as green as it gets and the rates are affordable too, both to play a round of 18 holes as well as to simply go and hit some balls in the driving range.

I took lessons in Dubai at the Emirates Golf Club and you could go to the driving range without an appointment and for a reasonable amount, borrow golf clubs and try your luck. Book a 30 or 50min lesson and get free driving range practice access for the entire day. There are several restaurants and bars with views over the green courses to feed you.

Emirates Golf Club is also one of the oldest membership and golf clubs in the UAE, set up in 1988 when there were practically no expats or golfers in the Emirates, and it is located where the first and most luxurious housing development for families, The Meadows, is.

For more information and to book lessons visit their website .

Drive a sports car

If there is one uber over the top activity in Dubai that has to be driving a race or supersports car. Perhaps one of the biggest incentives for sports lovers to move to the Emirates is the fact that owning an otherwise luxury and expensive supercar is relatively cheap here . It is also cheap to drive it, as petrol is subsidized and far more affordable. There are also long and straight roads, although the police have been cracking down on unsafe driving and now there are cameras all along the main roads preventing the 200km an hour that used to be so common when I was living there.

If you don’t live in Dubai or have a wealthy friend and would like to experience the adrenaline rush from driving a real fast car, really fast, you can simply book your slot and drive it in a race track at the Dubai Autodrome.

You can book your race slot here .

Ride the Dubai Metro

The Dubai Metro is quite a feat that took years to complete and then, when it opened it was not what I was expecting. It covers only two lines and the stations are far and few between so while it is a very affordable way to cross the city, you may have to walk a lot to get to the closest station.

Nonetheless, it is fun to ride it, especially along Sheikh Zayed Road, where the metro railways are elevated and glide above the traffic. You can take it at the Marina station and ride it all the way to Downtown Burj Dubai.

Learn more about falcons

The UAE has a special love for falcons. They are owned by the royal ruling families and they were historical used by the bedouin tribes. They are also featured in coins and stamps.

Falcons, especially peregrine falcons are the fastest birds and can fly at very high speeds. These beautiful birds of prey can see a prey from up to 2,5km away. Falcons are associated with the desert and thrive in the UAE where falconry is a popular sport.

One of the most uniquely Dubaian things to do is learning more about falcons and you can do so at the Dubai Falcon Museum, the Dubai Falcon Souk and through a falconry demonstration. This all happens at the Falcon & Heritage Sports Center.

The falcon souk is the only place where falcons can be legally sold and you can also see all the accessories and materials used to take care of and race these beautiful animals.

Or better yet, book a trip including visits to the museum and a 90min demonstration where you can get up and close to these majestic creatures. You have the opportunity to top the morning with breakfast at the Al Maha Desert resort which is stunning, I stayed there a few years back and the setting is sublime.

Eat your heart out on a Food tour

You’ll see below that I mention all the best things to eat in Dubai as well as my favorite restaurants, but in my experience, nothing beats eating like a local. If you have an adventurous palate like me and love sampling local and authentic delicacies, then you should definitely try going on a food tour of Dubai.

You’ll get to sample some out of the ordinary cuisine like saffron ice cream and even a camel burger as well as other food from various Middle Eastern cultures. This three hour food tour also takes participants on an abra across Dubai Creek, as well as various restaurants and areas that you would otherwise not have known about. It’s a great way to not only experience Dubai’s culinary scene, but also it’s lively culture.

Book your Dubai food tour here .

Talk a cruise along the Dubai Canal

While you can take a charming stroll along Dubai Canal, seeing the city by water is always a good idea to get a different perspective. Slowly cruising through Dubai’s artificial Water Canal is quite a particularly romantic experience, especially during sunset.

There’s a new man-made “waterfall” under Sheikh Zayed Road and you’ll get to see other famous landmarks along Dubai’s skyline like the Burj Khalifa, Business Bay Bridge, and Dubai Festival City Mall from the water.

There are various cruises to choose from, but two recommended ones would be a breakfast cruise on a luxury yacht where you get a freshly prepared BBQ onboard. This is a great option for families. A more romantic option would be a sunset cruise on a glass-encased dhow where you get a welcome kahwah (Arabic coffee) on arrival followed as well as chilled refreshments and dates. This becomes an indulgent Arabic dinner while watching a traditional tanoura dance providing sophisticated entertainment.

Book the breakfast cruise here and the sunset cruise here .  

Spend a day at The World

The World is perhaps Dubai’s most outrageous development and one that has not been finished yet.

These islands offshore shaped like the globe were started when Dubai was at the height of its real estate development, in 2008, but as soon as the 2008 financial crisis hit the city, development stalled and they were never finished.

If you are interested in seeing them up close, your best bet is by taking a day trip to Lebanon , the only island that is accepting visitors for the day and first one to open.

You ticket includes boat transfers, access to the beach, a daybed, a towel and also the opportunity to get your own meals and drinks from the Royal Island Beach Club and Toro Blanco restaurant. It is not a fancy club but quite a unique experience.

Visit the Turtle Rehabilitation center

One of the nicest things to do in Dubai is to drop by a place filled with people who do good to save wildlife.

The Turtle Rehabilitation Project is an NGO in Dubai devoted to taking care of sick and injured turtles with the objective of healing them and releasing them back into the water. The majority of the turtles there are hawksbill and green turtles, which are the common species in Dubai waters, and both of whom are endangered species.

If you visit the project at Al Naseem Hotel you will be able to see them being taken care of. In addition to that, Wednesday 11am see the turtles being fed in a public education effort by the center to tell more about them and what threats they face. You can see more details about the feeding on their Facebook page but the center is always open if you want to drop by.

Best places to visit in Dubai

If you are looking for lots of fun and unique things to do in Dubai, the list is pretty long, as you have probably realised. But this is not all. The city is also known for its tourist landmarks and sightseeing opportunities and so the list of places to visit is equally long. Most of the facts about Dubai contain superlatives and the Burj Khalifa is at the top of the list. 

At the top of the Burj Khalifa

Moving on to another Burj, the Arabic word for castle, we find Burj Khalifa, the other renowned Dubai attraction. No sightseeing in Dubai can start until one has seen the view from the top .

Burj Khalifa’s shape is one of the most recognizable of the tourist places in Dubai but perhaps less than the shape of the Dubai fountain pools from above. The bright baby blue against the desert sand color is unmistakably Dubaiesque.

I was living in Dubai when the Burj Khalifa was being built, in fact, I used to live in the Old Town, the residential area in Dubai that surrounds the Burj. It was impressive to see it go up a floor a week. But what many may not remember is that the tower was not supposed to be called Burj Khalifa but Burj Dubai.

But then the 2008 crisis hit Dubai, more in 2009, in the middle of the building’s construction, and Emaar, the government owned real estate developer, could not face the debt and was at risk of bankruptcy, so big brother Abu Dhabi came to the rescue. In exchange, the tower was renamed after the Abu Dhabi Sheikh.

This happened quite close to the launch date of the building so when it opened, a lot of the billboards and marketing materials still had the former Burj Dubai name.

In this case, unlike Burj Al Arab, you can easily go up to the top and see not only the tower but also the view from above .

Burj Khalifa has a viewing platform on level 140 that is open to the public. You can go up on the elevator and get out to the outdoor area to enjoy the views. I have to say that they are spectacular but not for those who are afraid of heights, it is really really high up there and you can almost feel the building sway to the winds.

If you want something extra special you can also have a meal, a drink or afternoon tea at Atmosphere, the bar/restaurant on level 122 which has stunning views.

Dubai Miracle Garden

Dubai Miracle Garden is perhaps the most beautiful of all the tourist attractions in Dubai. This huge open air space is filled with thousands and thousands of flowers of all colors landscaped into pretty shapes, from Mickey Mouse to an Emirates plane, houses, arches, turtles, teddy bears, etc.

Opened on Valentine’s Day in 2013 the garden is in full bloom from November to May when it closes as it gets too hot. There are 150 million flowers here and the pinks, yellows and purples prevail although all colors are on offer.

The garden is so unique that it has earned three Guinness World Records. You can buy tickets for the garden only or get a tour that includes the transfers or even better, a combo for the garden and the butterfly park (see next section).

Dubai Butterfly Park

Part of the Dubai Miracle Garden flower extravaganza, the Butterfly Park has 15,000 butterflies in an indoor space occupying several domes and you can spot 26 different kinds of butterflies. This is quite an endearing activity in Dubai, especially for kids.

Tickets need to be bought separately from the Miracle Garden but you can buy a combo with transfers here (both parks are a bit far from the main tourist area in Dubai).

Jumeirah Mosque

One of the most iconic places to visit in Dubai is indeed the Jumeirah Mosque. This is the only mosque in the city that welcomes tourists and visitors of all faiths in so it is the only religious tourist attraction in Dubai.

Located along Jumeirah Road, the best way to visit the mosque is no doubt via a guideline tour by guides from the   Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding which are available at 10am and at 2pm everyday but Friday which is the day of rest and prayer.

The tour aims to bring Islam closer to those of other faiths and debunk myths around the religion and its five pillars. The tours end with some snacks like dates and coffee.

Women need to cover their heads but there are scarfs to borrow.

Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina is perhaps the most famous skyline in Dubai . Located right by the two main and first free zones in Dubai, Media City and Internet City, the artificial marina area was the first development to attract expats in 2005.

The first six towers to be built there by famous developer Emaar are warmly known to any long term resident of Dubai as The Six Towers and started what will become the most popular residential area in Dubai. There are other bodies of water and other marinas in Dubai but when you say the Marina, everyone knows you refer to Dubai Marina.

While there are now several other parts of Dubai for expats to live in, from Kite Beach to the Old Town or even Jumeirah Lake Towers, when the first expats arrived, you could only choose from the large houses in The Springs, the larger ones in The Meadows, or the apartments in the Marina.

I moved into the second complex to open there after The Six Towers and lived surrounded by 24/7 constructions for the following years. Dubai Marina was a fascinating place to live in. While Dubai is an ever changing city that never looks the same from year to year, Dubai Marina has remained largely unchanged in all those years.

Flanked on one side by Sheikh Zayed Road and on the other by JBR, the Marina is where you can come to see how expat life in Dubai is like .

Before Dubai offered other alternatives, this is one one of the few parts of the city where you could walk around, by the water, away from traffic and construction. The Marina area is surrounded by a promenade and tall apartment complexes with eateries on the ground floor, most of which have outdoor seating close to the water.

Do as locals do and enjoy one of the best tourist attractions in Dubai: a dinner by the Marina followed by a stroll along the water and try to spot some of the beautiful yachts.

The Gold Souk

Located in the Deira side of the Creek, The Gold Souk is perhaps the most important and well known of the old souks in the city and it is also the oldest, opening its doors a century ago with with some of the shops dating back to the late 60s. The souk is filled with gold stores selling all sorts of jewelry in the brightest and yellowest of golds.

Some of the pieces on display are so impressive that they look fake. I always find myself getting up and close with them and leaving still wondering if they were real.

If you want to see something quite unique, the souk is home to world’s heaviest ring, the Star of Taiba, registered in the Guinness World Records and weighing 57 kg between gold and Swarovski stones and is valued at about $65 Million.

The Spice Souk

Of the three main souks in Dubai, the most interesting one to me is always the spice souk. I just can’t help but love to wander the narrow lanes among all the colorful spices. This is definitely a must place to visit in Dubai.

Here you can find all the usual suspects of any spice souk in Asia, such as dried chilli, all kinds of pepper powder, fragrant cinnamon, bright yellow turmeric, but, there are two items that are quite uniquely Middle Easter. One if the frankincense, and the other the saffron.

Frankincense is an expensive and priced item used across the Middle East as incense and in perfume. It is a historical object that was used in the past as bartering and currency, weight its price in gold. If you visit Oman, this is one of the most commonly found smells no matter where you go.

Saffron, so popular and famous of Spanish paellas, is a very pricy and delicate spice on sale not in the open air spice stalls but inside air conditioned premium shops that specialise in this only.

Dubai does not grow saffron, but is a great place to find it and buy as souvenir. The best saffron comes from countries in the Middle East and South Asia such as Iran which produces 90% of the world’s saffron.

Saffron is made from the dried stigmas and styles of a red flower which is collected and dried to be used as coloring for food, it does not actually have any smell or flavor.

Because saffron is practically weightless, delicate and time intensive to grow and collect, it commands very high prices, but just a small amount will do so you don’t need to buy a lot, a couple of stems will color an entire biryani

There are a lot of saffron stores in the Spice Souk but check out Bahraman Saffron Shop which is easy to find and easy to reach as it is located at the edge of the souk and learn more about Persian saffron.

Global Village

Global Village is an entertainment and shopping park with rides, dining options, and pavilions for several countries in the world.

This is another of the old timers in Dubai. Global Village opened in 1996 but moved to its current location in Dubai Land in 2001 and has been improving significantly over the years to become a much nicer place to learn about the world’s cultures.

At the beginning it was a pretty uninviting place with not so interesting stalls and some really tacky items from some of the countries but, with time, it has become a much more exciting destination and one of the most interesting places to visit in Dubai with 75 countries showcasing something and 30 pavilions.

There are seasonal festivals like Chinese New Year or Carnival, and lots of entertainment options for families including fireworks, dancing fountains, street performances, etc. Entrance is just 15 Dhs and every year the activities change. In the 2018-2019 season there are replicas of bridges from all around the world.

The park closes in the summer as it is all outdoor and it is impossible to appreciate it when it is so hot. The park is also closed to men on Monday when only women and children are allowed.

Dubai Garden Glow

Dubai Garden Glow is something a bit different to do in the night that is sure to please traveling families. The massive complex is a recreation park that has a multitude of glow in the dark sculptures that utilise modern, eco-friendly technology to create an otherworldly experience.

Beyond the glowing fun there is also an Ice Park, Dinosaur Park with animatronic dinos, and an edutainment centre to keep the young ones entertained while teaching them about the benefits of living an eco-conscious existence.

The park is open from Sat-Thurs between 4:00-11:00pm and Fri between 4:00pm-12:00 AM. Tickets are AED 65 excl. VAT, but allows you access to all three parks. Children 3 get free access. See more information here .

Wafi City Mall

Wafi City Mall opened in 1997 making it one of the oldest malls in Dubai and when I moved there, it was practically the only one. This ancient Egyptian themed small shopping center is where you would come to get your gourmet food fix.

There are not that many shops here, only about 250 which is a fraction of what you find in the Mall of the Emirates or the Dubai Mall so it is quite cozy, but the Pharaoh themed atmosphere and its nostalgic old fashioned look is quite unique in a flash and new city like Dubai where everything is always newer and better.

Don’t miss the chance of seeing the glass pyramid that sits in the atrium style section of the complex, it is absolutely beautiful, and the Khan Murjan Souk on the basement level (not to be confused with the mall of the same name that is inside the Souk Al Bahar in the Downtown area) is a great place to shop for traditional items from across the Arab world, from Persian carpets to beautiful coffee pots.

Is another of the historical heroes of Dubai. The park was practically the only green space available in the 80s and 90s and has improved, expanded and become something much more appealing and exciting over the years, especially now that it sits across from the Dubai Canal.

The park was created in the 70s and was originally used by illegal immigrants from Asia who called it home. Because their cheap labor was used in the city, they were allowed to stay, until the 80s when the ruler of Dubai gave them amnesty and a new place to stay.

The park was emptied out and has undergone many redevelopments and expansions since, the most notable the partition of the park to connect the Dubai Canal with the sea. What was originally in the outskirts of the city is now right in the middle, and is made of several lakes, lots of greenery, trees, birds, and even a waterfall.

Safa Park is a great place to come on Saturdays when there is a flea market going on and you can buy second hand stuff and have some food in a completely laid back way, almost not very Dubaian.

Ibn Battuta Mall

This mall in the western part of Dubai is inspired by the travels of the famous explorer Ibn Battuta and is considered the world’s largest themed mall receiving 20 million visitors a year (that is a forth of the Dubai Mall).

The theme you ask? The six lands that Ibn Battuta visited in his adventure across the world: Persia, India, Egypt, Tunisia, Andalusia and China.

Each of the six differentiated areas is decorated like the specific country so you can find influences from India’s Mughal Empire with landmarks such as the Taj Mahal, a replica of a Chinese junk from Imperial times, or the domes of Iran’s beautiful mosques.

There are a multitude of shops and dining options in all six, just like in any other mall, but the theme is what sets this mall one apart. Ibn Battuta is also one of the oldest malls and one of the closest to the Marina before the Marina Mall opened, so it is one of the long-term staples in expat life.

Is this Dubai’s most romantic tourist attraction yet?

If you were wondering what to do in Dubai for an extra dose of romanticism, the Love Lakes might just be the answer. These heart shaped pair of interlaced lakes are the ultimate in settings for proposals. Seen from the sky they are even more amazing.

Located in the middle of the desert and near Al Qudra Lakes, these were practically made famous by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai Instagram shot, who else can get an aerial shot in a country where drones are banned. We thank him for it because the photo is quite stunning.

Best heritage areas and museums in Dubai

What to do in Dubai in the summer?

Why not visit one of the many heritage areas and museums. This section can becomequite handy if you snapped one of the great summer hotel rates without realising you would be cooking in the 45 degree heat.

Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

The area at the mouth of the Creek and near the Shindagha Tunnel has become Dubai’s answer to an old town , in the sense of the center of a city.

This was not always like this. When I lived in Dubai there was nothing of the sorts and no place to really call the old part of the city. Instead, Bur Dubai and Deira where what one would refer to as such, but they lacked history and in fact, any Emirati or Dubai feel to them. There was an incipient Bastakiya district which has now grown, expanded and renamed Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.

The area between the Creek and Fahidi Street has dramatically changed with the renovation and reopening of several old buildings and is now a burgeoning district with museums, galleries, cafes and even some boutique hotels.

Al Fahidi is laid out and designed to look like the ancient Arabic villages, with tall walls providing privacy to those inside, wind towers that cleverly channel the wind and cool the houses down without air conditioning, and the beautiful interior courtyards.

The streets in Al Fahidi are narrow and the buildings in the traditional sand color, but inside, you can discover a world of heritage or simply some art or a nice coffee.

Some places to stop by at are XVA Cafe and gallery , which was one of the only places of the kind that existed in Dubai 10 years ago, or the Arabian Tea House which has the prettiest courtyard.

Dubai Museum

One of the best places to visit in Dubai is the newly opened Dubai Museum. Located at the heart of the Fahidi Heritage District , and housed in what is probably the oldest building in Dubai built in 1787, the Fahidi Fort is a great place to learn more about how it all started, right here by the Creek.

One of the most incredible parts of the museum is a set of aerial photos showing the development of Dubai. Only if you live in a place like Singapore where the evolution is equally dramatic, can you understand the magnitude of the change that Dubai has been through.

Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

Adjacent to the Dubai Museum, Sheikh Mohammed Center of Cultural Understanding offers tours of the Fahidi District as well as other cultural exchanges, breakfast, tours of the Jumeirah Mosque and regular events all geared towards improving multi-cultural understanding, something which is essential in a city where the vast majority of the population is foreign.

While you can wander into the center and learn more on the spot, it is wise to join one of their tours as this is one of the best things to do in Dubai and an excellent way to explore the area. Book your traditional Emirati breakfast here .

Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House

This is perhaps the most historically significant house in the entire historical district of Dubai. This is the where the grandfather of today’s Ruler of Dubai grew up and where the idea of Dubai started .

The house has been recently reopened to the public and you can see how structures were built in the past and have great views from the top of the wind towers, a traditional architectural feature of houses in the Arabian Peninsula.

Inside, there are lots of family portraits and other items that talk about the ruling family and the evolution of Dubai.

The house is undergoing renovations and you can find more information here .

Sheikh Obaid bin Thani House

This was one of the first houses to be built in Dubai , in 1916, and it is open to the public to visit and you can even get a guided tour for free. The house is not so much a museum with exhibits but rather a place to stop by and have a chat with the staff.

Crossroads of Civilizations Museum

The Crossroads of Civilizations Museum opened in 2104 and is now a group of three museums comprising the original plus the Rare Books, Manuscripts & Prints Museum, and The Armory Museum under the name of The Museum Group.

The museum is housed in the 19th century historic house of Sheikh Hashr Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, the brother of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, the current ruler of Dubai and constitutes the personal collection of Ahmed Obaid Al Mansoori who used to display his objects at home.

Inside you can find three distinct spaces under one roof showcasing ancient objects found in Dubai and which are believed to have come through the global trade that the city saw in the last hundreds years. There are artifacts such as bowls, jewelry and documents. The armory section has swords, daggers and guns from all over the world.

Etihad Museum

The Etihad Museum is not devoted to the airline but to the origins of the UAE and translates to “together” in Arabic which is why it represents the unity of the United Arab Emirates.

Strange as it may sound, the museum only opened in 2017 so before that, there wasn’t much about the Emirates as a whole, each may have had their own museum, Dubai being the most prolific in that space, but there wasn’t one for the country.

The museum is located in the place where the country was formed, along Jumeirah Road, and has a very unique design. Inside, you can find modern displays and interactive sections talking about the seven Emirates that make up the UAE. You may be familiar with Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but there are 5 more: Sharjah, Al Ain, Fujairah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah.

After the visit, enjoy camel milk ice cream in the garden cafe.

The Coffee Museum

This free and small museum is all about coffee. Did you notice that coffee can be drunk, brewed and made very differently across countries? For example, coffee is boiled with milk in Chennai, is filtered in small individual containers in Vietnam and nowadays, it can be brewed even cold or with nitrogen.

The Coffee Museum in Dubai is where you can learn at least about three types of coffees, of the more traditional kind: Ethiopian, Arabic and Egyptian. You can also enjoy a cup or three at the end of the visit.

The museum is located in the historical district of Dubai and aims to educate the visitors on the growing, roasting and brewing processes of these three types. You can see lots of vintage brewing and grounding items too, hence the museum aspect to it.

The visit combined more interactive elements like videos, with the traditional kind of museum exhibits and for coffee lovers, there are books on sale too. This is also a good place to buy coffee brewing equipment, older or more modern.

Majlis Ghorfat Umm Al Sheif

The former residence of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum , the father of the current ruler of Dubai, was built in 1955 has been converted into a heritage building open to the public. This is where the Sheikh used to come alone to relax and disconnect from the busy life in the afternoons.

But it is also the place where he used to have meetings and make important decisions. The building has two floors and on the upper level there is a Maslij, or meeting room, where he would receive his advisors. The room is covered in carpets, in the traditional Arabic wind tower way, and pillows, just like the forts and palaces everywhere else in the Middle East, like Nizwa Fort in Oman.

The structure is surrounded by palm trees and some benches. Here is where the UAE National Day celebration takes place.

Al Shindagha Museum – Dubai Creek House

This is one of the best places in Dubai to learn more about the local origins of the city and how it all started. Recently opened in the area of Dubai where the rest of the heritage building and museums are, Al Shindagha Museum wants to tell more about the first people who arrived in Dubai.

The first inhabitants of Dubai were fishermen and bedouins and in this museum you can read more about what life was like when both the desert and the sea dictate your food, your traditions and your life.

As the museum is quite new, there are several interactive and multimedia sections where you can have a more immersive experience than at other museums. There is video and audio. There is also a children’s section designed with entertainment in mind.

The museum also has live performances of traditional singing and dancing which is also commonly seen in other Middle Eastern countries (I have seen similar dancing in Oman and in Saudi Arabia) as well as demonstrations of traditional crafts, like dhow making. There is also a schedule of changing temporary exhibitions.

More information about the museum here .

Al Shindagha Museum –  House of Perfumes Museum

This newly opened museum is officially part of the Al Shindanga Museum Project although it is located in a separate building by the Creek instead of a row inland  with the rest of the Shindaga project mentioned before.

The building where The House of Perfumes is located was the former residence of Shaikha Shaikha Bint Saeed Al Maktoum, sister of the Vice President of the UAE who died in 2017.

She was an expert perfumer herself and the museum is a small yet interactive and very interesting place to learn more about the importance of the perfume tradition in the UAE and across the Arab world. Some of her priced artefacts and archeological finds are also found at the museum including a large piece of oud that is priced at Dhs200,000.

The main hall contains a few sections for each of the main smells common in Arabic perfumes and you can read about the ingredients, where they come from and how the smell is extracted then also smell the various types. Frankincense, oud, rose and other typical smells lingering in malls and Arabic places are all explained here.

The museum also has a shop where you can buy some to take home.

Have amazing, unique and authentic food

This is a city of superlatives so one of the best things to do in Dubai is to dine in the many over the top, unique, extravagant and exclusive places the city has on offer. With a population made of 8% expats, the choice of cuisines and foods available in Dubai are mind blowing.

Aside from the global range of restaurants and the many one of a kind foodie experiences available in Dubai, I also wanted to provide recommendations for the places that are historic, that are known to the locals, that are uniquely Dubai.

And there are many reasons why something can be truly local in a city that can only be defined by multiculturality and extremes so let me give you some suggestions for the best foodie related experiences in Dubai.

Have zaatar pastries

One of my most favorite Middle Eastern spices is zaatar. Zaatar is a combination of ground dried thyme, oregano and marjoram mixed with toasted sesame seeds, salt, and sumac, another unique spice used in Lebanese cuisine, for example, to dress fattoush salads.

Usually, zaatar is sprinkled over breads, or used in baking savory items along with olive oil and cheese, but can also be used in salads, Arabic breads, and even on pizza. It also makes for an amazing dip when mixed with olive oil.

Zaatar is commonly found across menus everywhere in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon, and in Dubai where a lot of Lebanese restaurants and bakeries have flourished. One of them is Al Reef Bakery which has been baking traditional Lebanese pastries and breads in house since 1986. While this may not seem like a very old business anywhere, it is in Dubai where everything is new.

At Al Reef Bakery you can buy sweet and sour biscuits, pastries and breads which are usually made using cheese, tomato, nuts and many of them contain zaatar. Don’t leave without trying the house specialty, the cheese manakish, served and eaten folded.

Oh and before I forget, Al Reef is open 24h so it is the most popular late night snack stop.

Eat where the Pakistani and Indian expats go

Let’s start by one of the most unassuming foods yet what really represents what Dubai is. Ravi is a real Dubai institution is the go-to place for Pakistani and Indian taxi drivers and anyone in the know.

The very affordable restaurant in one of the busiest streets in Satwa serves authentic Pakistani and Indian food in modest and humble surroundings. The food comes in plastic plates and can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors, in a sidewalk area flanked by bushes that protect diners from the buzzing traffic or in shared tables and chairs by the kitchen.

The atmosphere is friendly, welcoming and very casual. The menu is extensive and has all the usual favorites, with mutton kebabs, rice based dishes, chicken, dhal, curries and rotis or parathas.

Ask the staff to help you choose, they are best at giving recommendations and will do so with the widest smile. The food will come fast and hot.

Ravi is definitely not a place where tourists come, even expats do not usually make the trek down to Satwa which can take up to an hour in peak evening traffic, so you can expect the most authentic of meals. It’s long standing existence is also a testimony to its success among the community.

Do as the experts do and eat with your hands, dipping soft breads into spicy sauces or mixing rice dishes with the curry options. The restaurant does not have a license and it is not affiliated with any hotel so alcohol is not served.

As you tuck into delicious food, you may even forget you are in Dubai and instead feel in a side street in Delhi or Lahore .

More information here .

Have Emirati food at Al Bait Al Qadeem

After living in Dubai for many years, I actually had Emirati food very few times, perhaps less than half a dozen. This is because Emirati cuisine is hard to find in the UAE and in Dubai in particular, and is very rare outside the country, being overshadowed by the more popular Lebanese restaurants. However, having local food is one of the best experiences to have in Dubai.

But Al Bait Al Qadeem is one os the best places to try the local food not only because it is made using the traditional method but because the restaurant is housed in a historic building too.  

Al Bait Al Qadeem comes from the Arabic for Old House and is located in an original 1909 location that used to belong to a pearl trader who donated it to the local government for rehabilitation and conversion into a museum and restaurant.

As soon as you walk in you will be asked if you prefer to sit outside or inside. If it is not too hot, make sure to sit outside, in the courtyard, where the atmosphere is more pleasant and the true vibe of the house can be felt. If it is the summertime, inside there is air condition.

The menu is quite extensive and has a few items that are not Emirati like other Arabic dishes and even some Persian ones like the ever present grilled meats. Emirati food is traditionally made for people of the desert and is rice and meat based.

On the menu are grilled meats, called kebabs, rice biryani dishes with meat and many other meat-based dishes. Mutton is a favorite meat across the region. You will also find a small note on the table that talks about a uniquely Emirati food: mahyaveh , a pungent anchovy sauce that is eaten with bread and which you can buy if you like it. The sauce is believed to have been brought by Portuguese sailors who came to the region and is thought to help bear intelligent children to women and increase stamina. Do not miss the chance to try it.

Go for brunch

Nothing is more quintessentially Dubai than Friday brunch . This local pilgrimage is one of the most typical and unique things to do in Dubai. No expat will go a week without enjoying a lavish, decadent and utterly indulging brunch buffet with so much alcohol and food that only a siesta can follow.

There are a lot of brunch options in Dubai and the city has certainly expanded the portfolio of options even more since I moved out but the truly traditional ones are the huge spread that the five star hotel put out. Those come with unlimited food, which often include seafood, and even oysters, and a choice of cocktails, mocktails, wines and even bubbly, hence the food coma that follows.

One of the most favorite and longest standing ones is the brunch at the Al Qasr Luxury Hotel which spread over the many restaurants and is set along the waterways. There is usually live music and a selection of food from many stations providing something for everyone. Mojitos and other cocktails ensure a fun time for everyone.

Another great alternative is Traiteur at the Park Hyatt which sits by the yacht club, in a quiet and classier part of town. When the weather is good, you can sit outside by the boats and the spread is equally amazing.

If you are looking for a non-alcoholic option, there is a brand of cafes in Dubai that existed even before local cafes were available, More Cafe . With Dubai having no freehold options and the majority of the cafes and restaurant being part of hotels of malls, More has always been one of the few independent cafe options , well at least since 2002.

The menu is huge, with pretty much anything and everything, and there are always magazines and a relaxed surrounding. There are several branches but the menu is the same across, as is the excellent coffee.

Dine underwater

Dubai being Dubai, there are not one but two places where you can dine “underwater” and I put that word in between commas because, unlike the true underwater restaurant at the Conrad Rangali in the Maldives , you are not technically under the water here, just surrounded by it.

One of the most iconic places to visit in Dubai is the Burj Al Arab. I already told you about the afternoon tea and the Friday brunch affair. But perhaps the most elegant and refined way to visit the Burj is by booking dinner or lunch at Nathan Outlaw at Al Mahara.

The hotel’s underwater restaurant is helmed by Michelin-starred British chef Nathan Outlaw and, while it is not technically under water, it sure feels like that when you are surrounded by a huge tank with tropical fish. Tables are located along the tank and the dimmed lights and seafood heavy meal will do the rest. If you book your set lunch via GetYourGuide you can make sure not to go overboard with the expense.

The other option for dining underwater, is Atlantis The Palm Ossiano. The restaurant used to be led by the daughter of Catalan Michelin awarded Chef Santi Santamaria , and I had dinner there several times, before he died of a heart attack in Dubai without an heir to his passion and talent in the kitchen.

The setting has not changed and the romance remains but the menu is now designed by Chef Grégoire Berger. The tank here is much larger than at the Burj Al Arab and you can even see stingrays and other larger fish. It is all a bit surreal, but isn’t this why people come to Dubai?

More information on Al Mahara here and on Ossiano here .

Have a romantic dinner over water

Pierchic has been in business for years and this is a lot to say from a restaurant in Dubai where the landscapes and the dining scene change as much as the weather.

Floating over the water with views over the Burj Al Arab and part of the Al Qasr Hotel, Pierchic is one of the most romantic restaurants in the world and was a favorite of mine when I used to live in Dubai.

Nothing screams special occasion like the classy rickshaw ride through the alleys of the Al Qasr and a short stroll over the pier leading to the restaurant. The views help too, as do the dimmed lights and the fine dining Mediterranean menu for dinner.

But this is also a great place to come for lunch when the views over the beach and the Burj are even more impressive and Friday brunch is fabulous too.

Eat a whole fish with your hands

Bu Qtair is an unassuming and truly authentic fish shack by the beach serving up made to order, deep fried, whole fish or prawns which you must eat with your hands off plastic plates.

The restaurant was started by one of the fishermen and pearl divers in the 1980s when he realised that the entire stretch of beach in Jumeirah today filled with expensive houses and hotels had no eatery for these men. Initially, he served chai and parathas but this evolved into the fish restaurant that it is today when his Indian chef started to prepare fried fish with the special sauce that has made the restaurant famous.

The name Bu Qtair comes from the Arabic for sweet water, the place where the pearl divers would wash the salt off after a day at sea. The atmosphere has remained casual and unrushed, and you will have to wait long for your food, but it is one of the most unique experiences in Dubai.

In a city that is all flash and artificial and where modernity, expensive restaurants and one of a kind activities are the norm, it is nice to sit down by the side of the road to enjoy a really laid back meal made with simple ingredients and no complications.

To order your food walk into the building and queue up to the hole in the wall counter. There, you can select what you want and let the staff know. They will pick each piece, larger or smaller depending on what you prefer, and set them aside in a plate for the chef to cook it when your turn comes. Because the place is busy at meal times, you could be waiting a while.

If you want a drink, let the staff know or directly pick it up from the fridge. This is self-service, as if you were visiting a friend. Pay up and wait outside where your name will be called when the food is ready and you will have to go back in to pick it up.

If you don’t want to or are not used to eating with your hands bring your own cutlery. Tissues are provided. There is not much besides the specialty fried fish but this is all you will need.

Bu Qtair is usually filled with the local taxi drivers, especially in the indoor air conditioned area, whereas the outdoor section is favored by those who are not in such a rush to go back to work.

Get out – Best day trips from Dubai

When you live here, the city can become quite small and the options for activities in Dubai are soon over, so as an expat you always look for day excursions from the city as an alternative activity from Dubai.

Dubai is one of the seven Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates and there is plenty to see outside the city on easy day trips. If you are staying longer, one of the best things to do in Dubai is to rent a car and go on a day trip to either the nearby Emirates or to the natural formations and desert.

Hatta Fort and heritage village

Before true tourism development came to Dubai and the UAE, the one and only weekend escape for locals and residents of Dubai was Hatta.

This traditional enclave is part of the Dubai Emirates but about 130km inland. Hatta is surrounded by the Hajar Mountains and borders Oman and the other Emirates.

Because of its elevated location, the area has always had more temperate weather and drier conditions than the steaming hot city, so it was always a favorite place to visit in Dubai. I can’t remember how many times I have been to Hatta but it’s fair to say it is many.

Hatta has also developed with tourism growth in Dubai and now has a restored traditional village, several tourism hot spots and even luxury hotels.

A day trip to Hatta should include a visit to the Fort, the Mosque, the Al Sharia Site date plantations where you can see the traditional falaj water irrigation system (which I also saw in real life, still being used in Oman around the Alila Hotel ) and the Hatta Heritage Village, which opened in 2001 as a reconstr uction of what a traditional Emirati village would look like in the past.

The Fort itself is historical and was built in 1896 as a defensive structure and a house so you can see both a watch tower and a nice residential area including a courtyard.  The fort was restored in 1995 which is why it has been a popular getaway for years. Today, you can even stay at the hotel .

You can also get active by cycling the many tracks available or by hiring kayaks at the manmade Hatta Dam. For a complete day, explore Hatta, Fujairah and Kalba, on a day trip from Dubai to the east coast of the UAE.

Visit a real oasis

Part of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain has the UAE’s only UNESCO site consisting of six oases, a Bronze Age archeological site and the Jebel Hafeet Tombs. Because of the greenery that one can find in the middle of the desert, on the border with The Empty Quarter, the city is often referred to as the Garden of the Gulf.

This is also where the Ruler of Abu Dhabi grew up and where you can find the largest percentage of Emiratis among the residents, despite they are still outnumbered by expats.

Al Ain has a lot of important tourist attractions to visit on a day trip from Dubai. You can explore the 19th century Al Jahili Fort and the famous Al Ain Oasis which is made of several hundreds palm trees irrigated by the ancient system of falaj which brings subterranean water to the surface to keep vegetables, plants and trees alive and create the effect of a real oasis.

Apart from the oasis and the fort, Al Ain also has a palace and a museum and you can also learn more about the millennia old Bronze Age finds at the Hilli Archeological Park.

You can visit Al Ain independently, renting a car or taking Uber taxis, but you can also book a tour to all the main sites in Al Ain including the oasis, the fort, the museum where a lot of the objects from the 6th century are on display and get back to Dubai on time for the evening. This is a great tour option .

Mleiha Archeological Center

This is one of the most impressive, interesting and unique of the heritage sites in the UAE.

Located in the Emirate of Sharjah and dating back to the bronze Age , Mleiha is a combined of archeological sites and a visitor’s center which uncovers the ancient past of the UAE.

Start at the visitor center where you can have an overview and a more global perspective on the site and its evolution. Here you can also see what the UAE was like millennia ago. Then explore a few of the sites. Start with the Umm an-Nar tomb, near the center, which is large and quite unique and continue with the tombs at Jebel Faya. You can enter these tombs and see them inside.

Near the tombs you can also see the remains of a settlement that is seven millennia old and which can be viewed from platforms. The rest of the sites also provide important information about homo sapiens and the movement from Africa and into Arabia as the oldest stone tools found outside Africa were excavated here.

Follow the visit with the 2nd century AC Mleiha Fort which is believed to have belonged to a sort of ruler, the residential area nearby and the last set of tombs from the period. There are also larger village style excavations, more tombs and even a palace.

The archeological site and area also offers horse riding adventures, lessons, tours on a horseback and several other activities. There are also star gazing sessions and overnight camping options, with desert safari, comfortable camping tents and a BBQ dinner.

The site offers pick up and drop off services from Dubai making it the perfect place to visit in Dubai if you are looking to get out of the city. More information here .

The Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi

Ten years in the making, the Louvre’s first international outpost is an incredible building by Jean Nouvel housing a stunning universal collection held in loan from the Louvre as well as other institutions. This is a must see attraction near Dubai, especially if you are an art lover, but even if you are not, the building is worth it on its own.

The Museum is impressive as it large and truly one of a kind. You can find items from the time of the Egyptians and the Romans all the way to Leonardo’s or contemporary times.

You should allow for at least half a day to make the most of it and can perhaps end with lunch at the museum’s cafe which has stunning views. If you go in the evening, the sunset over the main area of the museum, the water and the domed area is absolutely magical.

The audio guide helps a lot and you need to download it on your phone and bring your own headsets. I went to the Louvre by Uber from Dubai, the journey takes about an hour and it is easy to get another taxi back. Or you can make it a day and explore the Museum and the grand Mosque on this tour .

Abu Dhabi day trip

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and far from the boring city that it once was it has been developing quite a bit, just like the rest of the UAE, into an art hub with the hopes of competing with Dubai’s entertainment and flash with a host of more refined alternatives.

The best way to explore Abu Dhabi is on a day trip from Dubai which takes you to all the major sites, including the Grand Mosque and the Louvre Museum mentioned above. Or you can skip the museum and focus on the mosque and the city’s main landmarks including the Etihad Towers in this small group tour of this full day tour .

If you prefer to have more fun and less heritage, there are tours that include the entertainment parks of Ferrari World, Warner Bros or the Yas Island Mall on top of a tour of the city.

I have put together an entire guide to Abu Dhabi with the major things to do and see and they can all be seen in a day. There are also lots of cool places to eat at and lots of beaches and entertainment parks in Abu Dhabi so you can never run out of options. 

When we wanted to escape Dubai’s heat and looked for a bit of respite, one of the favorite activities in Dubai was to leave the city and head for the mountains and sea of Musandam .

You would think that we could have as well gone to the beach in Dubai, after all the city is sea facing, but in the summer months, the sea reaches bath temperatures and when the water is 36-37 degrees Celsius and the temperature soars to 45 degrees it is not pleasant to go to the beach. Private pools in apartment buildings are refrigerated to make them cooler and the sea in Musandam was always a few degrees lower and much more crystalline too.

Musandam Peninsula is part of Oman and is located at the Strait of Hormuz, surrounded by the UAE. It is the closest point between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran and the narrowest point in the Gulf Sea. Because this is technically Oman, you will need to cross the border and make sure that your car has the right insurance and that you bring your passports and have a visa if you need one.

When you get there, you can drive around the rugged mountains, visit the 17th century Portuguese Khasab Fort in the Musandam capital, or more commonly, go on a dolphin watching dhow cruise. This is the main reason why people come all the way here, especially families.

If you want to stay longer and make this a weekend trip, you would be hard pressed to find a more spectacular place than the Six Senses Zighy Bay, a fantastic Arabian village resort on the bay of the same name that is a luxury oasis in the desert and from where you can explore Musandam and the rest of the peninsula. You can read my review here , I have stayed there twice.

And if you want to make things easy, I always prefer to be driven so I can watch the world go by (or nod off in the car) there are day trips to Musandam too. These include the stunning rocky landscapes of Dibba as well as a dhow boat trip where you can spot dolphins.

Diving in Fujairah

If you like diving you can do so at the Dubai Mall where you can jump into the tank and spend some time with the fishes as the rest of the mall goers walk past or you can do the real thing and head to Fujairah’s many dive sites.

Diving in Fujairah is a long running activity and one of the best activities to do when you live in Dubai. Fujairah is technically another of the seven Emirates that make the UAE and its location towards the eastern coast of the country, in the Strait of Hormuz, make it a privileged position for diving.

There are several dive operators who will take you out to the few sites which are all near the coast. There are several reefs created by sinking various ships, cars and trucks so, although the wreck diving here is not technically made from wrecks, you can still explore some ships and other underwater structures.

Expect to see reef sharks, turtles, coral fish and other tropical marine life. You can book a discovery dive here or a two-tank dive if you are already certified.

If you like to get wet and swim but don’t want to dive, there are also snorkeling trips to Fujairah with a BBQ lunch.

The Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi’s Grand Mosque is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and the city’s most recognizable landmark.

The mosque was commissioned by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the former president of the UAE, and opened in 2007. It was designed by an Iranian architect taking inspiration from several other buildings among which Lahore’s Badshahi Mosque or the mosque of Alexandria.

The most impressive part of the mosque is the internal courtyard, made in pure white marble and with mother of pearl inlay floral motifs, similar to the Taj Mahal or the Golden temple in Amritsar .

It is incredibly beautiful, especially when the sun is setting and the warmer hues reflect on the building’s facade. But the building has several other first, largest, biggest, longest, as would be expected of the UAE.

Look out for the massive chandelier, made with thousands of Swarovski crystals, and which is considered the third largest in the world. The carpet is also the largest carpet ever made and weighs 35 tons.

The best way to visit the mosque is on a half day tour . There are several options available, including the simple half day tour of the mosque , the full day tour which combines the Louvre Museum (a must visit when in Dubai) or the best of all, a tour of the mosque with a professional photographer , trust me, you can get absolutely stunning photos here as the backdrop is beautiful.

And for the ultimate in opulence, majestic architecture and a truly luxurious experience, combine the visit to the mosque with a coffee or tea at The Emirates Palace hotel in the city, this is one of the most elegant and grand hotels you will ever see. The hotel looks like a fairytale palace and you may find yourself waiting for the princess to appear.

If you visit the mosque on your own, you should allow for a half day visit as it takes about an hour to get there from Dubai and you will probably need another hour to visit it. Women will have to borrow a long tunic that covers you from head to toe. More information here .

Al Jazirah Al Hamra

Al Jazira Al Hamra was once an island but is now connected to the rest of Ras Al Khaimah thanks to landfill. This is perhaps the only haunted spot in the UAE and believed to host ghosts and other spirits.

The site was abandoned in 1968 and nobody has lived there since. It became famous with locals through the movie Djinn which was produced by the local media company Image nation which is part of the group that also owns THe National newspaper and was directed by Poltergeist Tobe Hooper.

Al Hamra was once a buzzing town with pearl divers and traders but when the industry collapsed the local Sheikh tried to revive the village with agricultural development. But with the arrival of oil, the men emigrated to other countries in the Gulf in search of work opportunities.

As wealth arrived elsewhere, the village was abandoned and has remained pretty much as it was in 1968, giving a glimpse into how people lived before success and money came to the UAE.

Where to stay in Dubai

Dubai has so many luxury hotel properties that it is impossible to narrow it down to just a handful. This is where you can find the most incredible, expansive, over the top and luxurious properties in the world with beachfront Arabian palaces, the lost city of Atlantis at the end of the man-made The Palm, the world’s first and only 7-star hotel or a hotel in the world’s tallest tower.

Dubai is what luxury hotel dreams are made of and picking one is nearly an impossible feat. I have selected here the best of the best of Dubai’s hotels and resorts, the ones that have something truly unique.

Al Maha Desert Resort

Al Maha Resort is a luxurious accommodation right in the middle of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. It’s truly an oasis as the secluded property is nestled within the Hajar Mountain massif among the dunes.

There are 42 suites each with a private temperature-controlled swimming pool. The style is bedouin luxe where the rooms have more of a glamping than resort feel. In all suites you’ll find antique handcrafted Arabian furnishings, custom-made king size beds, walk in showers, even an easel with art materials if you’re inspired by the desert landscapes.

Activities on offer include horse riding, dune drives, desert safaris, camel trekking, nature walks, archery and falconry. There are also several dining options available from Al Diwaan serving Arabic and Mediterranean cuisine where you can dine alfresco on the veranda, to the sophisticated Hajar Terrace Bar to dining in the dunes or on your suite’s deck.  

Book your stay on Booking.com |   Agoda

Burj Al Arab

Probably the most iconic hotel in Dubai, the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab Jumeirah stands as a symbol of modern luxury and over the top extravagance. Guests can expect world-class service with an option of a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce and complimentary access to Wild Wadi Waterpark for the duration of their stay.

The hotel has its own private beach, three outdoor swimming pools, one indoor pool, Sinbad’s Kids Club, as well as the Talise Spa and fitness club. There are nine different dining destinations including the highly acclaimed “underwater” aquarium restaurant Nathan Outlaw at Al Mahara .

There is a choice of 201 suites among the 56 floors of the building. Staying in the lavish suites is more like renting out a royal apartment than staying at a hotel. All the carpeted rooms are all decked out with Arabian divans, opulent sofas and bespoke furnishings. You can choose between ocean of cityscape views depending on your preference, but both are spectacular, especially from higher up.

Book your stay on Booking.com  | Agoda

Armani Hotel at Burj Khalifa

The Armani Hotel at Burj Khalifa is exactly what you would expect from two of the most lavish brands in the world. This hotel is the first from the fashion icon Giorgio Armani and is housed in the tallest building in the world. While most of the suites are on floors one through eight, there are a few premium suites on floors 38 and 39 of the 163 storey building. While Signiel hotel in Seoul is higher (occupying floors 87 – 101), it is still pretty high up!

The style, similar to Armani’s, is simple elegance. You won’t find any paintings on the wall or over the top decadence, but rather muted luxury that is calming and beautiful in its simplicity. Although “less is more” seems to be the hotel’s focus, there is an air of exclusivity. A table at the Armani Prive lounge, for example, starts at 3000. The lounge is topped with marble tables and a constant loop of Armani’s fashion shows are displayed on the largest LCD television in the world.

The beige and gray rooms are luxuriously zen and the Armani/SPA has an entire range of treats for the body from the relaxing to the invigorating. There is also a dining experience for every taste with a selection of six different options from Indian to Mediterranean and everything in between.

One & Only Royal Mirage

Located just one kilometer from the beach and a quick walk from Dubai Marina, the One & Only Royal Mirage is located in a true oasis among 65 acres of gorgeous landscaped garden. There is also a private beach with a host of fun-filled water activities, making it a great stay for families.

There several types of accommodation options to choose from, each one as lavish as the next. The Palace and the Arabian Court are both inspired by old Arabia with majlis styled sitting areas and intricately detailed floral designs. The Residence and Spa is a more intimate affair for couples who want to stay among lush gardens and the secluded Beach Garden Villas for the truly opulent.

Choose between eight different dining options from Indonesian to Moroccan to the seafood Beach Bar & Grill. Choices for rejuvenation include both the One&Only Spa or the traditional hammam (Turkish steam bath).

Book your stay on Booking.com

Atlantis The Palm

If you’re a traveling family in Dubai and are looking for a place to stay, then this should definitely be your first choice. From Aquaventure Waterpark, The Lost Chambers Aquarium, a Wave House with an artificial wave or even swimming with dolphins at Dolphin Bay, this is definitely a top destination for kids and water lovers. There’s even a summer camp available for the kids while the parents go for a relaxing spa-day or brave the heat and play some tennis.

Located on a stretch of beach at the tip of the man-made island of The Palm, Atlantis is a large complex that is themed after the fabled underground kingdom. You can expect coral  and shell motifs with blue and orange hues in the suites overlooking the ocean. Making it even more family-friendly, 90% of the Deluxe Guest Rooms are also interconnecting.

There are so many restaurants to choose from that you probably won’t have a chance to eat at them all on your stay. You’ll find everything from Lebanese to Japanese, Italian to Chinese, basically something for everyone in the family. There’s even a Brazilian Carnival themed day complete with performances and an after-party at Wavehouse.

Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda

The Address Dubai Marina

Situated right on the Dubai Marina, The Address is one of the trendier hotels due to its convenient location in the heart of New Dubai right by the beach, that is directly linked to Dubai Marina Mall. It’s centrality makes it the perfect spot for both business and pleasure.

The suites are simple yet stylish and are also equipped with modern technological amenities like their iGENIE automated system where service is provided through a swipe of a finger on one of the in-room iPads.

Another standout feature is the 45m long outdoor pool with separate dedicated children’s pool that overlooks the Marina. As with other Dubai hotels, there is an array of restaurants to choose from with indoor and outdoor options as well the sports pub style Nezesaussi Grill.

Park Hyatt Dubai

Everything about the Park Hyatt Dubai screams leisure. From the massive lap pool overlooking the Lagoon in Dubai Creek to the extravagant Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, it is as luxurious as they come.

Each of the suites provide picturesque views of Dubai Creek all with their own private terrace or balcony. The Moorish and Mediterranean influences make the spacious rooms calming, with a simple elegance and dashes of extravagance.

Dining is a sophisticated affair with several options including a selection of Western, Thai and French cuisines, all with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Dubai Creek. There’s even a pastry boutique for diners with a sweet tooth and a Shisha Lounge for a truly Arabic experience.

The Palace Downtown

Another offer from the Address brand, The Palace Downtown is an oasis of palatial splendor right at the feet of the Burj Khalifa. If the Address Marina is a trendier option, the Palace is more regal for guests who want to experience living like royalty.

It’s a great location for those who have to be on the move as it’s located on the Old Town Island in the heart of Downtown Dubai. All the major sites, as well as business and financial institutions, are all within walking distance. Some of the rooms even overlook the Dubai Fountain for a free show at night.

Dining options come in the form of Argentinian steakhouse, Asian style seafood overlooking the Dubai Fountain or flamboyant Arabic and Oriental dishes served from live cooking stations. The spa is a sanctuary offering hammam slabs, steam rooms and monsoon showers.  

Al Qasr Dubai

If you’ve ever wanted to know how Sheikh’s live, then a stay at the Al Qasr Dubai might be your answer. Drawing influences from a traditional Sheik’s summer residence, the hotel is both grand and majestic.

Like the Burj Al Arab, there is also complimentary access to the Wild Wadi Waterpark as well as access to the Talise Spa and Fitness areas. Further lifestyle experiences include Tai Chi and Kung Fu classes, yoga, and personalized lifestyle wellness medicine at DNA.

As Al Qasr is linked to Jumeirah Madinat there is an abundance of dining and drinking options, apparently over 50 of them, so there are almost unlimited choices for all foodies from family friendly to award winning options.  

Emerald Palace Kempinski

Another option for a stay on the Palm Jumeirah, Emerald Palace Kempinski moves away from the usual Arabic style to a more Continental European look and feel. This comes complete with hand-crafted Italian finishings in each of the spacious rooms and suites.

The 500-metre private pool overlooking the beach and lagoon is a perfect way to wind down in the sweltering heat. If outside is still too hot for you, there is also an indoor pool at half the size with snacks from the poolside Vitamin Bar.

The spa and wellness centre is one of the largest in the country standing at over 3,000sqm. While you can choose from Italian to Asian cuisine, you should definitely opt for a meal at miX by Parisian Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse. The haute cuisine restaurant features local produce as well as spectacular views overlooking the ocean.

The Bulgari Hotel Dubai

The Bulgari is for those who enjoy over-the-top luxury situated in a tranquil urban oasis away from the main rush of the city centre, even though its only 2mins from mainland.

Like all other properties around the world, The Bulgari Dubai was designed by Italian architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, so you can expect the same beauty albeit at a larger scale, 158,000sqm in total.

The property, set to mimic a Mediterranean village, not only features 173 sea facing apartments, but also 15 private mansions, as well as Bulgari’s first Marina and Yacht Club. Unlike other hotels in Dubai, The Bulgari focuses its attention of quality and exclusivity over quantity and choice when it comes to dining options like Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, the Il Café, Il Bar and the exclusive La Spiaggia beach club with a private.

Other facilities include a 1,700sqm spa with hammam, an indoor pool, fitness centre, as well as a beauty salon with a traditional barbershop and hairdresser. The bespoke brise soleil patterned like a winding coral is pleasing to the eyes and provides much needed shade in the blistering Dubai heat.

Jumeirah Emirates Towers

Jumeirah Emirates Towers is the go-to hotel of choice for those working in the financial industry. It’s a mere 5min drive from the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC) and a quick 2mins from the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC).

The iconic twin skyscrapers are known for the gorgeously designed atriums where an elevator ride is a thrilling experience in its own. The technologically advanced meeting rooms overlooking the Dubai skyline are one of a kind.

Dine on Italian cuisine on the fifty-first floor at Alta Badia, fresh bites on the go at Flow, carnivorous creation at the Rib Room, or modern Lebanese fare at Al Nafoorah. There is also access to the Talise Spa and fitness club for facials, massages, waxing and tanning and unlimited complimentary access to Wild Wadi Waterpark.

Practicalities – How to organise your trip to Dubai

Dubai is a very unique place. A combination of a small local population with a huge expat community from various backgrounds, religions, cultures and income levels. This means that a lot of the aspects of living or visiting Dubai can be quite shocking to an outsider.

A while ago I wrote a post about things that may surprise you about Dubai . While the city has changed a lot since I moved there in 2006, a lot of the same things still prevail, and will still shock you. It is best to be prepared.

How to get to Dubai

No matter what you do in Dubai, you will most likely arrive by air.

Dubai’s International Airport (DXB) is the third largest, one of the least efficient (in my opinion) and most trafficked airports in the world. The airport was designed to accommodate 90 million passengers and is almost at peak capacity so it is always busy, especially in the middle of the night when the connections between Europe and Asia are at their peak.

The airport is so important to Dubai that it contributed to more than 25% of the Emirate’s GDP in 2011.

It is mostly designed for transfers, as the airport is a great connecting place for flights between Europe and Asia or the Pacific, so it takes a really long time to get out of the airport, collect your luggage and make it home. Don’t think that connections and transfers are much more efficient either.

There are three terminals at Dubai International Airport. Terminal 2 is used by Fly Dubai and other low cost airlines and is the worst of the three terminals. It is not connected to the other two and it’s set aside. When the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were in full swing, the terminal was filled with military personnel and flights but the terminal has evolved into a regular civilian airport since then.

There is a paid lounge that I don’t think is worth it, and a couple of cafeterias, a drug store and a few other stores but otherwise very little to entertain. There are also no sofas or places to sleep, not a single chair where you can lay down, and the terminal is quite dirty. This terminal is where you will find all the flights to the lesser known countries in the world and also to destinations you can’t even place on a continent. It is busiest in the middle of the night, like the rest of the terminals.

Terminal 3 is the largest terminal in the world and is exclusively devoted to Emirates. It has its own dedicated arrivals and departures area for Business and First Class passengers who go through a separate terminal. This is the newest and flashiest of the terminals but it is also the largest and most inefficient. There are rows and rows of check in counters which make the process smooth, but then you will have to walk a lot to get to your gates.

Terminal 1 is the terminal used by all airlines that are not Emirates or low cost. Here is where most of the Asian and European airlines fly. The terminal is old, it has been there for a long time, and the departures area is often chaotic. When you go in, immigration can take a while but inside you will find quite a few dining and shopping options.

As opposed to Changi Airport, in Singapore, chosen most efficient and best airport in the world, Dubai requires long walks, taking trains and then queuing up to go through immigration. Baggage always takes long too and at peak hours, getting a taxi adds up again.

All in all, it is not not rare to need an hour to get out of the airport. Some additional things to consider:

1. Terminal 1 and the rest are not connected so you will need to take a shuttle or a taxi

2. Dubai International Airport is located in Deira, so it will take about 30min without traffic to get to the Marina, about 20 to arrive at the Old Town Burj Dubai area

3. If you have flown Business Class make sure to get the pass from the airline that allows you to use the dedicated immigration lines as they will cut some waiting time

4. There are porters at arrivals areas ready to help you if you are traveling alone with little kids or have far too much luggage

5. You will have to put your personal belongings through a scan on the way into the luggage area and you may be asked to scan your checked in luggage too on your way out although in the hundreds of flights I took when I was living there, this only happened a couple of times

Dubai has another second airport, significantly smaller and designed to accommodate 7 million passengers only. This airport is called Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) after Dubai’s ruling family.

Al Maktoum International Airport is located at the other end of the city, towards Jebel Ali Port and is still largely unused. If you are flying Fly Dubai or some of the other low cost airlines, you may land here.

This airport is closer to the Marina area and because it is largely unused, it is swift and fast.

From either airport, you can grab a taxi at the exit or get a pick up so you are well taken care of. It is not difficult to find your way around Dubai and most taxi drivers will know the major hotels but if you like to be picked up, the service is available.

How to get around Dubai

Dubai is a very spread out city and with traffic, you can easily spend the day on the road if you do not plan your days properly so make sure that you organise your time in Dubai geographically.

There are three main areas for visitors in Dubai: the “real” old part of town, namely Satwa, Deira and Bur Dubai, the Downtown area around Burj Khalifa, which is not old but it is called like that because it resembles an old Arabian city, and the Marina/JBR area and surroundings.

What you do in Dubai each day should depend on the area you want to hit. It is advisable to consider traffic and not to make bookings for dinner or plan activities that require you to drive all the way from the Marina to the old parts of town in the peak after work hours. You will get stuck in traffic for over an hour.

The best way to get around the city is by taxi. Taxis are cheap, they are easily found everywhere and can be booked with Uber, Karim (the local version of Uber in the Middle East) or simply flagging them down.

All major landmarks will have taxis nearby and all malls have their own taxi queues where you can usually get a cab without much wait.

Taxis always use taximeters but the drivers may not always speak English 100% and may not always know exactly where you are going, although this has improved dramatically from when I was living there and there were no street names and new buildings were popping up everyday. If you think you are going to a lesser known place to visit in Dubai, then get an Uber so you are sure you will get to your destination.

The other way to get around is the Dubai Metro. The Dubai metro is quite fun and nice but it is not a metro like we are used to in the West. There are few stops and they are far from the main tourist attractions in Dubai.

So, while this is a cheap way to get around and cover large distances, it is not suitable in the summer when the 5-10min walk from the station to your destination is just not an option in the heat.

Another great way to see Dubai and get around, especially if you are short on time, is to buy a hop-on, hop-off Big Bus ticket and see the main highlights this way. Because Dubai is spread out, and it can get really hot from May to November, a hop-on, hop-off bus is not only economical but also very practical to see all the highlights.

How to dress in Dubai

One of the biggest misconceptions about Dubai is the dress code.

I regularly had friends coming to visit who would be convinced they had to cover up when visiting Dubai. Here are a few suggestions for women who want to explore Dubai:

1. Women don’t have to cover up , they don’t need to wear an abaya, and don’t have to cover their heads. Local Muslim women will do, but visitors are not expected to so you can leave the headscarf at home.

2. It is freezing indoors so bring a sweater and if your day includes a lot of time indoors, in malls, at the Atlantis, etc. make sure to bring something warm. I ironically had to buy lots of jackets and scarves in Dubai in the middle of the summer months. You never spend any time outside at that time of the year, and the air conditioning in the office and at the malls is set to freezing temperature so, while it was 45 degrees outside, the mall was probably set at 17.

3. Dubai is a conservative society and despite the fact that the vast majority of the population is expat, the local norms and customs indicate that you should cover your legs and shoulders out of respect , when in public. You don’t have to at the major hotels and resorts, where you can wear your swimsuits and do as you would anywhere else, but don’t think skimpy clothes are acceptable otherwise. The malls have signs specifying what is acceptable and what is not and will remind you to cover knees and shoulders.

4. Showing affection in public is a big no-no . This includes holding hands, kissing and any other form of PDA. You will not see anyone doing it and you shouldn’t either. It took me a few months to normalise this behavior. Being Spanish and used to a rather touchy-feely society, this was one of the aspects I had to initially put more emphasis on, to make sure I would not do it. And it took me a few months to go back to my usual behavior after leaving Dubai.

5. There is censure and porn, certain movies and TV series and many magazines do not make it to Dubai or are heavily censored. If you buy samples of female magazines you may often see pages covered in black marker. The markers hide female nudity or anything that is deemed inappropriate. Do you remember Sex and the City the Movie? it was technically filmed in Abu Dhabi, but in fact it was done in Morocco and the movie was banned in the UAE.

If you observe the above, which is really not that hard, I can guarantee you that you will have a great time and will be able to enjoy all the places to visit and things to do in Dubai without any issues.

This would be a great addition to your Dubai board!

• Check if you need a visa, get help processing it at iVisa .
• Never ever leave without travel insurance. Get affordable coverage from World Nomads or long term insurance from Safety Wing .
• I find all of my flights on KAYAK . Check their Deals section too.
• Search for all your transportation between destinations on the trusted travel booking platform Bookaway .
• I book all my day trips and tours via GetYourGuide , they are the best and their tours are refundable up to 24h in advance.
• Get USD35 off your first booking with Airbnb .
• Compare hotels EVERYWHERE at HotelsCombined and book with Booking.com .
• Compare car rental prices at Rentalcars.com

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A list of all the amazing things to do in Dubai for FREE!

• Cultural activities
• Outdoor activities
• Historical attractions
• Other Free Things To Do

Planning to visit the emirate to take a much-needed break? Although Dubai is known for magnificent skyscrapers, opulent hotels and luxury shopping, you can still have a great time here without breaking the bank. Everything hinges on how you plan out your trip. If you are on a budget and want to find out the best free things to do in Dubai, we’ve got your back!

There are many places to visit in Dubai for free, from historical neighbourhoods to natural retreats. So, without further ado, let’s dig in.

EXPLORE THE CITY’S RICH CULTURE

The city is a fascinating tourist destination, more so because of its rich culture. It is an interesting combination of the old and new. Amongst the towering skyscrapers, you’ll find glimpses of a bygone era. So if you want to learn more about the golden city’s culture, here are some of the best places to explore Dubai’s culture .

1. THE STREETS OF AL SEEF 

A perfect mix of old and new Dubai, Al Seef Dubai is one of the best free places to visit in Dubai. It is situated along the Dubai Creek, revamped and brought to life by Meraas. It is one of the best free places to visit in Dubai. While Al Seef is open 24/7, the retail outlets are open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm on weekdays. On weekends, the timings are from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm.

You can enjoy views of the creek’s waters at this trendy destination. Furthermore, Al Seef is famous for hosting various festivals which feature some of the best free activities in Dubai, so keep an eye out for those if you plan to visit.

• Location: Dubai Creek
• Retail: Monday to Thursday, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm | Friday to Sunday, 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
• Food and beverages: Monday to Thursday, 10:00 am – 11:00 pm | Friday to Sunday, 10:00 am – 12:00 am
• Contact: +971-800-73-8245

2. TREAT YOURSELF TO THE STREET ART AT AL KARAMA

Take a walk through the vibrant streets of Karama, one of the best places with street art in Dubai and spot larger-than-life murals on 18b Street. There are stunning art pieces displayed across the street — part of an ambitious project to give the older buildings of Karama an urban facelift.

Art lovers will certainly enjoy this free activity in Dubai. So head to the bustling centre of Old Dubai and appreciate the street art that covers everything from 3D art to graffiti and abstract paintings.

• Timings: Open 24/7

3. TOUR THE GRAND BUR DUBAI MOSQUE

If you want to witness the grandeur of Arabic architecture in all its glory, head to the Bur Dubai Grand Mosque . An incredibly beautiful facility, the Grand Mosque is located in one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods, which can accommodate 1,200 people. It also features the tallest minaret in Dubai (70 meters tall), resembling a lighthouse.

• Location: Opposite Dubai Museum, near Rulers Court Office, Bur Dubai

4. LET YOUR INNER ARTIST OUT AT ALSERKAL AVENUE

If the streets of Al Karama aren’t enough, head to the famed AlSerkal Avenue . This is where you get to experience art in all its glory. Different exhibits and shows are organised every week.

• Location: 17th Street, Al Quoz Industrial Area 1
• Timings: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 am – 07:00 pm
• Contact: +971-4-333-3464

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alserkal Avenue (@alserkalavenue)

5. VISIT THE CAMEL RACING FESTIVAL

Dubai’s famed Camel Racing Festival is the best way to see these majestic creatures outdo each other. Best of all, it’s free.

Celebrating a sport deeply rooted in the region, much like the city itself, the festival is one of the best free activities for those who like to explore the country’s culture. What’s the best way to experience camel racing in Dubai ? Plan your trip during the Al Marmoom Heritage Village Festival.

The annual competition attracts thousands of visitors every year. It’s one of the best things to do in Al Marmoom . You can also explore the nature reserve and indulge in other activities too.

• Location: Al Ain Road, Al Marmoom
• Contact: +971-4-832-6526

6. EXPLORE A BEACH LIBRARY

If you want to catch up on your reading without skipping the beach, visit any of the city’s free beach libraries. You can find these libraries on several public beaches in Dubai, including Al Mamzar Corniche and Umm Suqeim 1 .

7. VISIT THE OLD SOUKS

A shopping spree isn’t cost-free under usual circumstances, but there is no rule against some window shopping.

Malls and stores aside, the traditional souks in Dubai provide enough free entertainment, especially for new visitors.

The Dubai Spice Souk, Old Souk Dubai and Deira Gold Souk are examples. You don’t have to buy anything. The trinkets, spices and colourful garments on display offer plenty of Insta-worthy opportunities. It’s one of the best things to do in Dubai for free.

• Location : Multiple Locations
• Timing: Until 9:00 pm

BEST FREE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN DUBAI

From free camping spots to verdant parks, wildlife and more, Dubai is also a haven for nature enthusiasts. Here are some of the best Dubai places to visit for free for those who love the great outdoors.

8. PLAN A PICNIC AT PUBLIC PARKS IN DUBAI

The parks in Dubai are a natural first pick for your “best places to visit in Dubai for free” list. From picnic spots to barbecue facilities and play areas for kids, the city’s public parks are ideal for Dubai families looking for cost-free leisure pursuits.

Free entry facilities include Al Barsha Pond Park and Burj Park. Although most of the parks offer free access to differently-abled visitors and children under a certain age.

9. SEE THE FLAMINGOS AT RAS AL KHOR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Next on our list of places to visit in Dubai for free is the  Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary . Home to many bird species like flamingos, the sanctuary is an ideal way to witness flocks in their natural habitat without spending a dime.

Periodic feeding sessions allow visitors to see the birds up close. Also, you won’t have to worry about getting scorched by the sun, because the viewing areas are shaded and airconditioned, making it one of the best free indoor spots in Dubai. 

• Location: Building 20, Baniyas Road, Deira Area
• Timings: Winter (October – March), 07:30 am – 05:30 pm | Summer (April – September), 06:00 am – 06:00 pm
• Contact: +971-800-900

10. HAVE A BEACH DAY

Visiting the beach is the best plan for anyone looking for free things to do in Dubai. Head to free-entry beaches in Dubai and take advantage of the facilities, including running tracks, volleyball courts and skate parks.

Some popular public beaches in Dubai include the JBR beach , Kite Beach and Jumeirah Beach.

11. HAVE A BBQ AT AL QUDRA LAKE 

One of the most popular BBQ places in the city, Al Qudra Lake offers its visitors some of the best free things to do in the city. 

This is also one of the most popular free things to do in Dubai during the Eid holidays and long breaks! It is one of the best BBQ spots in Dubai .

12. Go Camping at Al Qudra

Al Qudra Lake is also one of the best UAE camping spots . There are no charges for entering the park, and you won’t have to spend anything to pitch a tent either.

But make sure you bring everything for a campfire if you plan on staying overnight, as it can get chilly.

13. GO CYCLING

Al Qudra is also a major attraction for both professional and amateur cyclists. One, you get to cycle while enjoying the pristine views of the lake. Secondly, it’s free, as long as you bring your own bike. Bike rentals are available at the Trek Dubai store near the track. It is also one of the best cycling trails in Dubai .

You can also go cycling at Nad Al Sheba Cycle Park . Other places, like the Dubai Autodrome, also offer free access to their tracks on certain days of the week.

HISTORICAL PLACES TO VISIT IN DUBAI FOR FREE

Dubai was once a modest fishing village before it rose to fame as a luxury tourist destination and skyscraper haven. You can see the city’s architecture when its economy relied on pearl diving and fishing — by wandering the streets and visiting some of the museums. Here’s a list of all the places to visit in Dubai with family for free!

14. EXPLORE THE BASTAKIYA

Want to explore Dubai’s history? Visitors can experience the heritage and culture of the UAE in the historical neighbourhood of Bastikiya free of charge! Also known as the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood , Al Bastakiya offers a glimpse of the city’s old architecture similar to traditional desert homes in the UAE.

• Location: Al Fahidi Historical District 
• Timings: Open 24 hours

15. GO TO THE HATTA HERITAGE VILLAGE

Another place where you can learn more about the city’s history for free is the Hatta Heritage Village . If you ever wanted to know what the city looked like before the oil and tourism industry made it the modern Utopia we know, this is the best place for you.

The village features forts, citadels and towers. You can also visit the “Bait Al Wali”, the home of the local ruler of the time.

• Location: Hatta (Around 134 kilometres along the Hajar Mountains area)

16. VISIT THE FREE MUSEUMS IN DUBAI

Looking for  free things to do in Dubai with kids ? Take them to any free-entry museums in Dubai, such as the Coin Museum and Coffee Museum. These museums offer kids a chance to learn about the nation’s history and view artefacts from the past.

OTHER FREE PLACES TO VISIT IN DUBAI

Apart from museums and natural wonders, here are some other fun activities and places to visit in Dubai for free.

17. BIND YOUR LOVE TO THE LOVE LOCK BRIDGE AT THE YARD

Looking for a pocket-friendly date night? Head to the Love Lock Bridge at the Yard with a lock and key. You can place a lock customised with the initials of you and your loved one to the bridge, and toss the key off the bridge. No need to travel to the Pont des Arts Bridge in Paris for this experience!

The Love Lock Bridge at the Yard is easily one of the fun things to do in Dubai for free with your loved one. The Yard is one of the most popular places to visit in Dubai for free. However, if the Love Lock Bridge is not something you’re looking for, there are plenty of other activities at The Yard . 

• Location: Al Khawaneej Last Exit D89
• Al Seef Timing: Open 24 hours

18. VISIT LA MER

Another great free place to visit in Dubai is La Mer. Complete with quirky installations and colourful street art, La Mer is one of the  top selfie spots in Dubai . There is also La Mer Beach, which offers visitors a range of fun watersports activities for the whole family! And if the urge to splurge hits, you can always shop at the stores in La Mer .

Our review of La Mer will help you know all the details about the location and its attractions.

• Retail: Sunday to Thursday, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm | Friday and Saturday, 10:00 am – 12:00 am
• Restaurants and cafes: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 am – 12:00 am
• Contact: +971-800-637-227

19. CATCH A GLIMPSE OF AIN DUBAI AT BLUEWATERS ISLAND

Bluewaters Island is another one of the popular places to visit in Dubai for free. The area is home to Ain Dubai – the largest observation wheel in the UAE.

The best way to get to the island is by car, as no direct metro or bus route goes there. If public transportation is your only option, the closest metro station to Bluewaters Island is DMCC, but you must hail a cab to get there.

20. TAKE A WATERFRONT STROLL ON THE MARINA WALK

The Dubai Marina Walk is a popular tourist spot in the city. Enjoy a relaxing stroll with the family or even a jog across the Marina Walk. The waterfront and the docked yachts make for some spectacular views. 

21. WATCH THE DANCING FOUNTAINS IN DUBAI

This is probably the most popular among free things to do in Dubai. Just head to Dubai Mall and enjoy the spectacular show of the world’s largest choreographed fountain system the Dubai Fountain , that dance to the popular tunes of Whitney Houston and Celine Dion and many more. It is among the best family places to visit in Dubai for free.

• Location: Dubai Mall
• Timings: Every half hour in the evenings, from 06:00 pm – 11:00 pm.

22. WATCH THE WATERFALL AT THE DUBAI WATER CANAL

The Dubai Water Canal is one of the top places to visit in the emirate and a natural pick for places to see in Dubai for free. The 6.4km artificial canal also features a 3km running track and a 12km cycling path, making it the perfect spot for fitness enthusiasts looking for free places to exercise in the emirate.

Nevertheless, if working out is not your cup of tea, there are plenty of open spaces and benches along the waterfront of the Canal where you can kick back and relax. There is also a mechanical waterfall, that changes colours and acts as a curtain when boats pass through it. 

You can get to the Dubai Canal by car or metro. If you travel by car, you can park at the ‘Dubai Water Canal Walkway Parking’ and walk to the canal. For those using public transportation, the closest metro station to the Dubai Canal Waterfall is the Business Bay; from there, the Dubai Waterfall is a 5-minute walk away.

23. SHARE SOME LOVE AT LOVE LAKE

Considered one of the best romantic spots in Dubai , Love Lake at Al Qudra offers a fun way to explore the desert. The entire area of Love Lake has been crafted in a way that the lakes and fauna of the area, spell out the word ‘Love’ with two hearts. One of the fairly new things to do in Dubai for free, this place comes equipped with shaded areas with fire pits and facilities such as washrooms. 

• Location: Al Qudra Lake, Dubai

24. ENJOY THE SUNSET AT THE VIEWING DECK AT DUBAI CREEK HARBOUR

If you’re wondering where to go in Dubai at night for free, look no further than Dubai Creek Harbour . It is located between Downtown Dubai and Business Bay. The area is popular for its picturesque views. The Viewing Deck has added to the attraction of this place, which is an extension of the Grand Creek Harbour development.

So if you want to enjoy the glitzy Dubai skyline or want to bask in the glow of a setting sun, you should add the Viewing Deck to your must-visit list. The platform is free to access by all and can be easily regarded as one of the most Instagrammable spots in the city.

FAQS ABOUT THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN DUBAI FOR FREE

Where can i go shopping in dubai.

You can go shopping in Dubai at traditional souks such as Deira Gold Souk and Old Souk. Other options to explore include the famous Dubai Mall, Boxpark and The Beach at JBR.

ARE THERE ANY THEME PARKS IN DUBAI?

Yes! Some of the best theme parks in Dubai include Aquaventure Waterpark, Motiongate Dubai and Legoland.

CAN I VISIT DUBAI MALL FOR FREE?

Yes you can! In fact, there are certain free things to do in Dubai Mall, such as exploring the Fashion Avenue. See the human waterfall and enjoy the fountain show.

WHICH ACTIVITIES ARE UNDER AED 100 IN DUBAI?

There are plenty of things to do in Dubai under AED 100 . You can visit the Miracle Garden, Dubai Garden Glow, Safari Park, Flying Cup and Dubai Frame.

That’s everything about the places to visit in Dubai for free and cost-free things to do. If you are not on a budget, here are other things to do in Dubai . Want to walk on the wild side? Sign up for some exciting adventures in Dubai during your next trip. For die-hard thrill-seekers, there are some extreme things to do in Dubai .

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very informative

Thank you so much for your feedback!

Thank you for this, I will sure have a splendid time with family visiting dubai next year

Hello! We’re glad to be of service.

Our blog has a lot of information helpful for anyone visiting the UAE for the first time. This includes attraction reviews, tips on travelling around the city using public transport and even a guide to the Dubai Airport. A quick search on our blog can get you all this information and more. If there’s anything else you’d like to know, do reach out to us. We will try out best to get the information to you.

Thnks its really vry helpful

Hello Kiran, thank you so much for your feedback!

Thank you, the information was very helpful.

Hello Jemima, thank you for the kind words of appreciation. We’re glad to know our article was helpful to you.

Thank you. Very informative

love all of these they helped with my school presentation thanks. UwU

That’s amazing, Brittany! If you need any more information on the latest attractions and activities in Dubai, you can also check out the Pulse section of our blog.

Thanks, This article was very helpful … Well done bayut team.

Hello! Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re grateful for readers like you.

It’s awesome I like it

Thank you so much! We’re happy that you’re happy!

Hey ED! Thank you for this wonderful post! I feel being physically there — in every places you’ve mentioned here — even I’m not ( just seating here in our kitchen) Lol. It actually gives me a good feeling.

Also, it’s very informative. Will read other linked post under this article. I really appreciate your research and choice of place. Thank you so much!

Thank you so much for your kind words! We hope you enjoy reading the other posts too.

Hi I want to know if the flamingos at Ras al Khor wildlife center hass any more animals ???

Hello! According to the Dubai Municipality website, the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is home to countless species of birds, reptiles, fish and invertebrates. However, birds are the most prominent with over 180 different specie calling the sanctuary home.

I must say you have written it very well that while reading this it made me feel that i am experiencing it personally. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you for your kind words Dipika!

Definitely I will visit all these places

That’s amazing! Let us know which one is your favourite!

So glad to know you enjoyed this post!

I am from the UAE and I visited half of these places. I really recommended it. As you know UAE has all the places that a person wish for. Yes, also all these places Bayut are talking about they are free and also beautiful.

That’s amazing! Which of these spots did you love the most? We’d love to know. 😀

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Record floods hit Dubai after up to 10 inches of rain; 18 dead in Oman

The Arabian peninsula was hit by unprecedented rainfall and floods, shutting schools and grounding flights on Wednesday, with parts of the desert nation United Arab Emirates receiving 10 inches of rain in 24 hours.

In Oman, at least 18 people have died in recent days because of the severe weather, the country's National Committee for Emergency Management said.

The storms swamped roadways and created dangerous conditions across the region, a normally arid part of the world that is unaccustomed to intense rain and flash flooding.

Dubai's airport advised passengers early Wednesday not to travel to the airport unless "absolutely necessary." Major airline Emirates said in a post on X it was suspending check-in for all passengers at Dubai until midnight Wednesday (3 p.m. ET).

The National Center of Meteorology in Abu Dhabi said the rain in the UAE surpassed anything since records began in 1949, when the area was still a British protectorate and before the discovery of oil.

The Khatm Al Shakla area outside the city of Al Ain, near the border with Oman, received 10 inches of rain in less than 24 hours.

The meteorology center called it "an exceptional event in the UAE’s climate history since the start of recording climate data, and it is expected that the coming hours will witness the recording of larger amounts of rainfall."

Video obtained by Saudi Arabia’s state-owned news outlet Al Arabiya showed the tarmac in Dubai inundated, with airplanes skimming through floodwaters and support vehicles nearly submerged.

By midnight Tuesday, 5.59 inches of rain had fallen on Dubai over 24 hours — on average, 3.73 inches falls every year on Dubai Airport, a major hub for travel in the Middle East and beyond.

The UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority urged people to stay home, saying on X that cars should be parked in “safe and elevated locations,” away from flood-prone areas and places where water can accumulate.

Private schools across the UAE were closed ahead of the storm , and government employees were instructed to work remotely.

The UAE is known for its dry conditions and arid climate, but it can get occasional precipitation in the winter.

In neighboring Oman, storms and heavy rain in recent days killed 10 schoolchildren and an adult driver in a vehicle that was overtaken by floodwaters, according to the AP.

Other parts of the Middle East, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, were also hit by unusually wet conditions this week.

It’s too soon to know whether global warming played a role in the recent storms, but studies have shown that a warmer atmosphere due to climate change can hold more moisture , which in turn can fuel more severe storms and intense rain.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.

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Hot Oceans Worsened Dubai’s Dramatic Flooding, Scientists Say

An international team of researchers found that heavy rains had intensified in the region, though they couldn’t say for sure how much climate change was responsible.

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By Raymond Zhong

Scenes of flood-ravaged neighborhoods in one of the planet’s driest regions stunned the world this month. Heavy rains in the United Arab Emirates and Oman submerged cars, clogged highways and killed at least 21 people. Flights out of Dubai’s airport, a major global hub, were severely disrupted.

The downpours weren’t a total surprise — forecasters had anticipated the storms several days earlier and issued warnings. But they were certainly unusual.

Here’s what to know.

Heavy rain there is rare, but not unheard-of.

On average, the Arabian Peninsula receives a scant few inches of rain a year, although scientists have found that a sizable chunk of that precipitation falls in infrequent but severe bursts, not as periodic showers. These rains often come during El Niño conditions like the ones the world is experiencing now.

U.A.E. officials said the 24-hour rain total on April 16 was the country’s largest since records there began in 1949 . And parts of the nation had already experienced an earlier round of thunderstorms in March.

Oman, with its coastline on the Arabian Sea, is also vulnerable to tropical cyclones. Past storms there have brought torrential rain, powerful winds and mudslides, causing extensive damage.

Global warming is projected to intensify downpours.

Stronger storms are a key consequence of human-caused global warming. As the atmosphere gets hotter, it can hold more moisture, which can eventually make its way down to the earth as rain or snow.

But that doesn’t mean rainfall patterns are changing in precisely the same way across every part of the globe.

In their latest assessment of climate research , scientists convened by the United Nations found there wasn’t enough data to have firm conclusions about rainfall trends in the Arabian Peninsula and how climate change was affecting them. The researchers said, however, that if global warming were to be allowed to continue worsening in the coming decades, extreme downpours in the region would quite likely become more intense and more frequent.

Hot oceans are a big factor.

An international team of scientists has made a first attempt at estimating the extent to which climate change may have contributed to April’s storms. The researchers didn’t manage to pin down the connection precisely, though in their analysis, they did highlight one known driver of heavy rain in the region: above-normal ocean temperatures.

Large parts of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans have been hotter than usual recently, in part because of El Niño and other natural weather cycles, and in part because of human-induced warming .

When looking only at El Niño years, the scientists estimated that storm events as infrequent as this month’s delivered 10 percent to 40 percent more rain to the region than they would in a world that hadn’t been warmed by human activities. They cautioned, however, that these estimates were highly uncertain.

“Rainfall, in general, is getting more extreme,” said Mansour Almazroui, a climate scientist at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and one of the researchers who contributed to the analysis.

The analysis was conducted by scientists affiliated with World Weather Attribution, a research collaboration that studies extreme weather events shortly after they occur. Their findings about this month’s rains haven’t yet been peer reviewed, but are based on standardized methods .

The role of cloud seeding isn’t clear.

The U.A.E. has for decades worked to increase rainfall and boost water supplies by seeding clouds. Essentially, this involves shooting particles into clouds to encourage the moisture to gather into larger, heavier droplets, ones that are more likely to fall as rain or snow.

Cloud seeding and other rain-enhancement methods have been tried around the world, including in Australia, China, India, Israel, South Africa and the United States. Studies have found that these operations can, at best, affect precipitation modestly — enough to turn a downpour into a bigger downpour, but probably not a drizzle into a deluge.

Still, experts said pinning down how much seeding might have contributed to this month’s storms would require detailed study.

“In general, it is quite a challenge to assess the impact of seeding,” said Luca Delle Monache, a climate scientist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, Calif. Dr. Delle Monache has been leading efforts to use artificial intelligence to improve the U.A.E.’s rain-enhancement program.

An official with the U.A.E.’s National Center of Meteorology, Omar Al Yazeedi, told news outlets that the agency didn’t conduct any seeding during the latest storms. His statements didn’t make clear, however, whether that was also true in the hours or days before.

Mr. Al Yazeedi didn’t respond to emailed questions from The New York Times, and Adel Kamal, a spokesman for the center, didn’t have further comment.

Cities in dry places just aren’t designed for floods.

Wherever it happens, flooding isn’t just a matter of how much rain comes down. It’s also about what happens to all that water once it’s on the ground — most critically, in the places people live.

Cities in arid regions often aren’t designed to drain very effectively. In these areas, paved surfaces block rain from seeping into the earth below, forcing it into drainage systems that can easily become overwhelmed.

One recent study of Sharjah , the capital of the third-largest emirate in the U.A.E., found that the city’s rapid growth over the past half-century had made it vulnerable to flooding at far lower levels of rain than before.

Omnia Al Desoukie contributed reporting.

Raymond Zhong reports on climate and environmental issues for The Times. More about Raymond Zhong