After residing within the UAE for a decade, we’ve got found A LOT of issues to do in Dubai. We’ve made numerous street journeys throughout the UAE, taken our guests up and down towering skyscrapers, bumped throughout desert dunes, loved delectable eating bites and thrilling theme park rides whereas being enthralled by conventional Emirati experiences – however how do you select a high 10 for Dubai?
A few of Dubai’s highlights are undeniably costly however price it; Others are tacky however irresistible for the bragging rights to the Insta second. And plenty of of Dubai’s most unimaginable points of interest are utterly free!
So for those who booked your flights and sorted your Dubai visa, it’s time to slender down your Dubai bucket listing. While we’ve got an enormous listing of 150+ issues you’ll be able to see and do in Dubai right here, we’ve chosen the high 10 experiences you should attempt in Dubai.
How lengthy will I want in Dubai?
For those who actually need to “see the town” and expertise the various totally different sides of Dubai, we expect you want at the least three days. Nonetheless, for those who solely have a day or two on a stopover, that’s OK too; there’s lots you’ll be able to squeeze in – we present you precisely how to slot in all of Dubai’s points of interest to fit your pursuits and obtainable time over on our itineraries web page.
You might also need to examine in on our greatest time to go to Dubai information, the place we embody month-by-month guides that will help you slender down your ‘must-see’ listing for Dubai or these specialised guides:
Prime 10 really helpful experiences in Dubai
1. The Dubai Fountains & Dubai Mall
Let’s begin with one thing free and straightforward. The Dubai Fountains are a night choreographed present on the foot of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. Every fountain present solely lasts for round 5 minutes, however there’s lots to see and do within the instant neighborhood – not least of which is take a flick through the world’s largest shopping center or dine at one of many dozens of eating places overlooking the fountains.
Not simply retail principle, one can find many spectacular websites inside Dubai Mall, from the world’s largest suspended aquarium tank (which is free to view) on the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo to the waterfall wall, big ice skating rink, Kidzania for the kiddos and PlayDXB (Digital actuality theme park) to your tweens+.
Particularly in the summertime peak, you’ll be able to simply spend a day or two stopover in Dubai simply round Dubai Mall and the Downtown Dubai space, together with Dubai Opera and the thrilling new Sky Views Observatory.
2. A day at Atlantis the Palm
If you’re searching for an all-in-one bundle that accentuates Dubai’s luxurious and lavish aspect, then Atlantis the Palm just about sums it up. Sitting in prime place on the peak of Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis is a luxurious 5-star resort hooked up to Aquaventure, one of many largest water parks on the planet.
You’ll be able to merely go to the water park for the out of doors thrills and spills or keep in a single day on the resort for an journey inclusive of water park motion and the spectacular Misplaced Chambers aquarium.
If a visit to the waterpark is just not inside finances, you’ll be able to at all times get pleasure from a stroll alongside the Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk or take within the views from The Pointe, reverse Atlantis.
3. A visit up the world’s tallest tower
We actually cringed a little bit at including this one. Ought to we or shouldn’t we suggest this expertise?
Even at its most cost-effective, you’re taking a look at round $30USD to simply make it to the decrease remark deck ranges (nonetheless at an awe-inspiring 456 meters above the bottom, thoughts you!).
In an sincere assessment – the queues could be lengthy, the remark deck could be crowded, and the Dubai haze and fog can wreak havoc with the views (or make them spectacular, relying on what you’ve come for!)
However there actually is just one record-breaking tallest tower on the planet. And on a great day, these views actually are spectacular. Our high tip could be for those who solely have a day in Dubai, don’t spend it queuing as much as get to At The Prime. Nonetheless, if time and finances allow – go for it!
That is one a part of your Dubai journey you’ll actually need to have deliberate out upfront, as pre-booked tickets are less expensive and assure your spot somewhat than making an attempt your luck on the day.
We have now an in depth information right here on all of your choices for visiting the Burj Khalifa.
For those who don’t fancy the value tag or the queues, listed below are our high different solutions on how to absorb spectacular views of Dubai.
4. A day journey to Abu Dhabi and the Grand Mosque
Undeniably one of the vital stunning buildings on the planet and symbolic of recent Islamic UAE. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque could be present in neighbouring capital metropolis Abu Dhabi, about 150kms west of Dubai.
Don’t restrict your Abu Dhabi journey to simply the Grand Mosque, nevertheless. There actually is a unique vibe to Abu Dhabi, and we’d strongly encourage that an in a single day journey is required in Abu Dhabi to suit all of it in, together with the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Qasr al Watan, the UAE’s presidential palace.
If you’re on a good timetable, it’s doable to spend a half-day trying out simply the Grand Mosque. The mosque itself is free to enter; you’d solely must pay for transport from Dubai. You’ll be able to study extra about the right way to take a day journey to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque right here.
If time doesn’t allow a go to to Abu Dhabi, however you’re nonetheless fascinated with experiencing a mosque and studying extra about Islamic tradition, then pop over to this information to Dubai’s Mosques open to the general public.
5. Discover Dubai Museum and the Al Faihidi Historic Neighbourhood
Please be aware: As of summer season 2022, the Dubai Museum stays closed for renovations, however the surrounding areas are nonetheless open and really a lot price exploring on foot.
You mustn’t go away Dubai complaining that it’s all purchasing malls and concrete for those who haven’t at the least tried to dig beneath the floor. The Dubai Museum and Fahidi Fort are nice locations to start out however do proceed to discover the encircling space additional on foot.
The previous decade has seen an enormous transformation of this small space of the town (previously referred to as Bastakiya). Recognising that the town’s historic roots mustn’t get misplaced beneath the skyscrapers, this can be a really totally different aspect of Dubai. It’s full of museums, cafes, and galleries within the small winding alleyways.
We have now an entire information to Dubai’s many museums and historic websites of curiosity right here if you need to broaden your search of the cultural aspect of Dubai.
We additionally strongly suggest visiting the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU). They might help you with cultural excursions, mosque visits, conventional meal experiences, and far more – discovered at Home 26 Al Fahidi Historic Neighbourhood, Al Musallah Road.
6. Wander the outdated souks
In full distinction to fashionable Dubai and the purchasing malls and skyscrapers of Downtown Dubai, one can find the Previous Souks on the Deira aspect of Dubai.
For a real style of Dubai, bounce on a ship from Al Fahidi Historic Neighbourhood or the connecting precinct Al Seef over Dubai Creek to Deira. There are numerous totally different transport choices, together with cruises for those who’d prefer to see extra of the hustle and bustle alongside the creek banks or take a conventional abra for simply 1 AED.
On the Deira aspect of Dubai, one can find the normal Gold and Spice Souks and the Fragrance Souk. Crossing again to Bur Dubai, you’ll be able to discover the Textile Souk. All are nonetheless genuine buying and selling markets.
These wanting a extra fashionable Arabian souk expertise, head to Souk Madinat, additional west within the Jumeirah space of the town. Not fairly the identical cut price searching however nonetheless spectacular views and a beautiful purchasing vibe, fairly totally different to the shops.
See our decide of the highest souvenirs you need to decide up in Dubai right here!
7. Benefit from the Seashore
A big cause many vacationers come to Dubai is to benefit from the year-round heat climate and sunshine. There are many beachfront areas to discover round Dubai, however for those who’re on a good schedule, chances are you’ll need to begin with JBR – the Seashore.
The world has been designed with the vacationer in thoughts, with completely manicured seaside frontage providing water sports activities, camel rides, and every part in between!
Different seashores chances are you’ll need to attempt embody Jumeirah Seashore for ‘that’ iconic picture of the Burj Al Arab (be aware present development work considerably obscured these views at current), or attempt the a lot newer La Mer beachfront space for those who get pleasure from enjoyable and funky vibes and instagrammable seaside huts together with plentiful eating choices by the water.
You’ll be able to see our full information to Dubai’s greatest seashores right here or in case you are searching for a enjoyable addition to your Dubai vacation, take a look at these high personal seaside golf equipment for partying & leisure.
8. Hit the desert dunes
A superb reminder of the place you truly are, it doesn’t take lengthy to move past the town’s instant neighborhood to one of many many Dubai desert safari camps.
There are numerous variations on the desert safari obtainable today, together with morning camel treks, falconry shows, and conventional desert camps if you would like a full in a single day expertise.
Most desert safaris usually provide a resort pick-up service mid-afternoon, adopted by spectacular dune bashing right into a camp the place a standard Bedouin dinner is served. Count on your expertise to be accompanied by desert sports activities comparable to quad bikes, sandboarding, and dune buggy rides.
You’ll undoubtedly come away with henna hand portray and a few unimaginable desert recollections from shisha smoking to conventional Emirati “Al Ayala” and stomach dancing exhibits!
A morning desert safari is a superb concept when the times are heating up or for those who’re on a good schedule.
For those who’re searching for some camel experiences nearer to the town, you don’t essentially must go on a full desert trek. We clarify your camel using (even camel cuddling!) choices right here.
9. Take pleasure in conventional Emirati Delicacies
Dubai is famend for having an enormous number of worldwide delicacies, however don’t go away with out making an attempt a standard Emirati meal. Be it via the SMCCU cultural program or looking for out hidden gems throughout the town that supply Center Japanese specialities via to these providing extra conventional Bedouin-style dishes.
10. A day journey to the Musandam Peninsula
If time in your Dubai itinerary permits for an additional day journey, this can be a MUST!
You’d be doing your self an injustice to get so far as Dubai and never go to essentially the most tranquil and exquisite nook of the Arabian Peninsula. And it’s actually a nook! Jutting into the Strait of Hormuz, it’s truly an Omani enclave.
We might additionally compromise and say a go to to the Hajar Mountains in Ras Al Khaimah, or Hatta may even offer you an important taster of the nation’s rugged magnificence. However actually, Musandam is in a league of its personal in the case of peaceable, uncooked magnificence.
You will have a full additional day in your Dubai itinerary as there’s a border crossing concerned and loads of winding roads, however the reward as you float on a standard dhow boat, watching dolphins play amongst the dramatic khors, is just unmissable.
Discover a dependable firm to your Musandam day journey right here.
Bear in mind, that is solely an introduction to what there may be to see and do in Dubai. Your full Dubai itinerary will depend upon whether or not you’re a first-time or repeat customer, alongside together with your tastes and pursuits.
What extra is there to do in Dubai?
There’s lots extra to discover in Dubai whether or not you’re household travellers, culturally curious, or just need to get pleasure from a while within the solar (I do know we’re all of those!). Be sure you take a look at our information to one of the best time to go to, so there aren’t any surprises with the warmth and spiritual occasions and pop over to take a look at these particular person attraction evaluations.
Earlier than you go… Extra vital issues you need to know when planning a visit to Dubai
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Please be aware we’re not a journey company. This web site is a journey weblog to assist newcomers to the UAE and transit passengers self plan their journey, we can’t e book your flights, accommodations, visas or connections for you. We might make a small fee for those who click on on any of our advice hyperlinks.
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