Looking for things to do in Dubai? Beyond the skyscrapers and shopping malls, many attractions places that will surprise you. Even though the malls and skyscrapers are very impressive. From desert safaris to cultural activities, beach escapes, and luxury experiences, Dubai has it all! It’s the most populous city and one of the most exciting cities in the Middle East to visit.
It is also known as the city of the future, it has the world’s tallest building, tallest hotel, and residential building. It also has the largest shopping mall in the world, the world’s largest aquarium, and the second-largest man-made harbour on earth. Dubai is a city that people should see once in their lifetime but there are many things you can do. That will surprise you beyond the megacity malls and skyscrapers.
Top Things to Do in Dubai:
Dubai has many activities to do like going on a desert safari, adventure, and beaches. I think it’s is a city built for tourism. It is moving forward with seven-star and other luxury hotels attached to supermalls where families can do everything, they want on vacation without leaving. Dubai has much more to offer than shopping and manufactured experiences. There are plenty of things to do that are entertaining, exciting, and a lot of fun.
- Go to the Burj Khalifa
- The Dubai Mall
- The Dubai Fountain
- Deira district and its souks
- Bur Dubai
- Atlantis Hotel
- The Palm Jumeirah
- Dubai Marina
- The Burj al-Arab
- Dubai Museum
- Dubai Glow Garden
- Dubai Frame
- The Madinat Jumeirah souk
- Mall of the Emirates/Ski Dubai
- Global village
- Dubai Canal Walk
- Jumeirah Mosque
- Dubai Creek Park
- Shopping in Dubai
- IMG Worlds of Adventure
Go to the Burj Khalifa:
The Visit to Burj Khalifa is the best thing to do. It is the tallest building in the world with a height of more than 800 metres and opened to the public in 2010 and became the city’s symbol. Every day, thousands of tourists visit and take the fastest lifts to the viewing point on the 124th and 125th floors. From there you can enjoy an extraordinary panoramic view of the city, and that’s not the highest point yet! You can go even up to the 148th floor, to reach the highest viewing platform in the world. You should visit the Burj Khalifa in the evening, to enjoy the view of the lighted city from the highest observation deck in the world.
The Dubai Mall:
A visit to Dubai Mall is also the best thing to do. Which is located in the city centre, right next to the Burj Khalifa. This shopping centre is the most visited in the world. With more than 1200 shops and restaurants, you will for sure find something that fits your taste and your budget. And there is more because it also has indoor waterfalls, an aquarium, an ice rink, a go-kart track, a flight simulator, cinemas, games, and a lot more!
The Dubai Fountain:
It is one of the largest water fountains in the world and Dubai’s main tourist attraction, A visit to it is a must-do thing when you are in Dubai. The fountain show takes place various times a day on the artificial lake located at the exit of Dubai Mall. You must see it during your trip The best is to go there at night when the tower is lit. It’s simply magicked to watch the water dancing to music. It’s free of charge to watch. A quick tip: To get a great view, try to be there as early as possible, as the fountain show attracts thousands of tourists!
Deira district and its souks:
Dubai is not just about luxury. There are still traditional and authentic neighbourhoods to visit! During your stay, you should take a walk through the Deira district, a popular place showing several souks:
- The Gold Souk people come here to buy gold jewellery.
- The Perfume Souk, People came here to buy different types of perfumes.
- In the Spice Souk, people come here to buy spices and to see its colourful stalls stock up on curry, saffron, cinnamon and more.
Bur Dubai:
A visit to Bur Dubai is the best thing to do in Dubai, it’s a must-visit typical district in Dubai.It is also the oldest neighbourhood in the city. It’s located opposite Deira, on the other side of Creek. To get there, you will have to take a small wooden boat called the Abra. This passage will allow you to enjoy a beautiful view. Here are some places to visit in Bur Dubai:
- Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House
- Old Souk
- Meena Bazaar
- Al Seef Market
- Dubai Museum
Atlantis Hotel:
Atlantis the Palm Hotel is the landmark of the city! Which is located in Palm Jumeirah, this hotel’s architecture was inspired by the myth of Atlantis. This man-made island is in the shape of a palm tree and is mainly home to luxury villas and hotels. Even if you are not staying at Atlantis Hotel, you can still access shops and restaurants in the lobby and enjoy the following attractions places:
- Aqua venture Park
- Lost Chambers Aquarium
- Dolphin Bay
The Palm Jumeirah:
You should go to the small beach at “The Pointe”, to get a great view of the Atlantis hotel. The place is quiet, and the surroundings are very beautiful. The Pointe is famous for hosting the musical fountain show, with water jets reaching 105 meters high! Just like the fountains of the Burj Khalifa, the sound and light show takes place every evening. Seeing it’s a must-do thing at night! You can get there by taxi or by monorail. In Palm Jumeirah, you should go to the new tourist attraction: “The View at The Palm Observatory”. Located on the 52nd floor, at 204 meters high, you will enjoy an extraordinary 360° panorama view of Palm Jumeirah and Dubai’s skyline!
Dubai Marina:
Continue your visit to the city with a walk in the Dubai Marina district. There, you can take a walk on a deck along the waterfront and see the yachts and buildings. You will pass by Dubai Marina Mall, a big shopping centre which has different brands stores such as Levi’s, H&M, Guess or Balmain. A great way to discover the Marina is to go on a cruise on a luxury yacht. A moment that you will never forget!
The Burj al-Arab:
The Burj-Al-Arab is one of the few seven stars hotels in the world. Of course, staying in a luxury room with a sea view is expensive. But even if this hotel isn’t for everyone’s budget. You can still enter the most luxurious hotel for a few hours by reserving a lunch, a snack or dinner at the Burj al-Arab restaurant.
Dubai Museum:
A visit to Dubai Museum is a must-do thing in Dubai, which is located in Bur Dubai, in Al Fahidi Fortress. It shows the history of the first tribes who lived there through the economic boom in the 1960s, to the plans for the coming years. There, you will discover former fishing boats, weapons, and archaeological remains. The museum is very interesting and allows you to get a good knowledge of what the city looked like before its impressive development.
Dubai Glow Garden:
looking for things to do in Dubai in the evening? It is recommended to go and take a walk in Glow Garden. This park features hundreds of sculptures that come to life every evening during light shows with musical backgrounds. It’s impressive to see!
Dubai Frame:
The Dubai Frame is the newest tourist attraction and is already very popular! You can go to the top of this huge 150 meters high photo frame and enjoy a panoramic view of the city: Dubai Old Town on one side and the Burj Khalifa on the other side. It’s a must-do thing in Dubai. A part of the floor is made of glass, making things even more exciting. Under your feet, you can see everything!
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo:
One of the best things to do in Dubai is to see Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, which is located in the Dubai Mall. When you enter the aquarium, you will go through a tunnel filled with sharks and other fishes. Then, you will go to the underwater zoo located on the second floor to see different species of fish, seahorses, and jellyfish. The highlight of the visit to the zoo is the King Croc, one of the largest living crocodiles in the world 5 meters long weighing 750 kg.
The Madinat Jumeirah souk:
Madinat Jumeirah souk is a large shopping area and is especially worth a look for its traditional architecture and oriental atmosphere. With its canals and restaurants on the waterfront, the place is beautiful. If you like it, you can even go on a boat tour. There are several beautiful viewpoints over the Burj Al Arab, From the outdoor areas of the souk. From Madinat Jumeirah souk, you can enjoy beautiful views of the Burj Al Arab.
Mall of the Emirates/Ski Dubai:
The Mall of Emirates is another shopping mall you should visit when you planning to do things in Dubai during your visit. This is the place where Ski Dubai, the famous indoor ski resort is located! You can even enjoy an indoor ski or snowboard ride when it’s 40 degrees outside. You simply need to book your ticket for Ski Dubai, and all equipment and clothing are provided by the resort. And if you don’t want to ski, you can simply enjoy shopping or try dozens of restaurants.
Global village:
If you are planning to go to Dubai in winter, you will discover the Global Village. Located outside the city, the Global village features remakes of world-famous monuments and dozens of pavilions, each dedicated to a different country: Thailand, China, Japan, the United States, Egypt, and a lot more! In each pavilion, you will find stands with local specialities: Food, clothes, and objects.
Etihad Museum:
Continue the list of the best things to do in Dubai with the Etihad Museum, which is dedicated to the foundation of the UAE. Discover the entire process that led to the creation of the Union Treaty and learn more about the seven sheikhs who founded the nation through films, testimonies, and interactive terminals. It’s a great complement to Dubai Museum if you’re interested in history.
Dubai Canal Walk:
The Dubai Canal Walk is a very pleasant walk alongside the canal. You can walk along the Canal for about 3 km starting near the Business Bay subway station. You can walk on both sides of the canal, crossing one of the three beautifully designed bridges. Although the place is still under construction, it already offers a panorama view of skyscrapers and the Burj Khalifa tower.
Jumeirah Mosque:
Jumeirah Mosque is the main attraction for a good reason. it’s the only mosque in the city that is open to non-Muslims. Guided tours are organized daily (except Fridays). You should be there half an hour before to make sure you get a seat and will need to be properly dressed: Arms and legs must be covered which applies to everyone and women should cover their hair as well. You can see the inside of the mosque.
Creek Park:
During your holiday trip, you can take a walk in Creek Park, one of the biggest parks in the city. This huge park is located on the waterfront and is very popular among locals on weekends. They come here to picnic with their families, and children can play in the many available playgrounds.
Shopping:
Can you imagine going to Dubai without doing a bit of shopping during your stay? Here are the best places in the city to go shopping:
- Dubai Mall
- Mall of Emirates
- Old Souk
- Al Seef Market
IMG Worlds of Adventure:
IMG World of Adventure is an indoor amusement park. In the park, you can ride a roller coaster, visit a haunted house, or watch a 4D movie. It is divided into five zones:
- Marvel
- Lost Valley
- Cartoon Network
- IMG-Boulevard
- Novo Cinemas
In this Blog, we have covered Dubai as a destination and the best things to do in it. If you want to know why Dubai is a great place to visit, read our tourist guide blog.