Fun Things To Do in Dubai
Last Updated on Aug 21, 2024
I visited Dubai multiple times: solo, on a layover, with my husband, and with kids. Dubai is always changing as the city keeps expanding and new attractions keep getting built and added.Â
Dubai is an eclectic mix of both the old and the new. The city offers a bunch of futuristic attractions things to do in Dubai you shouldn’t miss, even if you’re just visiting the United Arab Emirates on a layover.
Getting around Dubai is cheap and easy, so don’t be afraid of going bankrupt when visiting on a budget. While some attractions might not be cheap, you can still enjoy Dubai on a budget – see my budget from a day in Dubai.
Fun Things To Do in Dubai
1. Visit Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa doesn’t need an introduction as it’s famous for being the tallest building in the world. However, this isn’t the only record it holds, it also has the fastest elevator in the world! The view from the 124th floor is a dream for every passionate photographer, especially at sunset.
The Burj also has the world’s highest nightclub and world’s highest restaurant. But if you’re afraid of heights you can see this spectacular building from the patio of the Dubai Mall.
Tip: I highly recommend getting the VIP access tickets, because on a busy day or at sunset the wait for the elevator to get down from the main floor can be over an hour long.
The attraction costs 100AED when bought online. Prebook here!
2. See the Fountain Show at the Dubai Mall
The attractions at the Burj Khalifa don’t end at the observation deck. Every evening between 6pm and 10pm, you can see the world’s largest fountain show in front of the skyscraper (the record used to be held by the Bellagio in Las Vegas, but Dubai recently took the lead).
The spectacular show of 6500 lights and 25 colored projectors is animated to the sounds of Arabian music. You should come early, as the place becomes crowded super fast!
Book a boat here during the show here!
3. Admire Dubai Miracle Garden
Even though Dubai Miracle Garden is a bit off the central part of the city, it’s surely worth your time. It might have been my favorite place to see in Dubai actually. The garden is extremely cute, as it’s built entirely out of flower creations. Many people who come here to take pictures for special occasions, such as weddings or engagements.
The garden spread over 72,000 square meters making it the world’s largest natural flower garden featuring over 109 million flowers planted. The entrance costs 40 AED.
While it’s not a botanical garden and you’ll see mainly the same type of flowers in different colors, I don’t think it takes the charm away. There’s even a full sized Emirates Airbus A380 made of flowers!
Book tickets with transportation here!
4. Experience Atlantis on the Palm & Aquaventure Waterpark
The Palm is one of the most extravagant structures in Dubai, but despite how incredible it looks from the air, on land it looks like… nothing. I did skydive over it on one of my trips and from that perspective it looks fantastic.
The real affordable attraction on the Palm is the Atlantis Hotel and its Aquaventure Waterpark and the aquarium inside the Atlantis. The waterpark is huge, so you really need a few hours to try every slide.
The craziest one is a slide that leads through an underwater tunnel with sharks and manta rays swimming above and around you. Once you check out every slide, you can also relax on the beach.
Book tickets to Aquaventure here!
5. Ski Dubai at the Mall of the Emirates
You can’t miss this huge artificial ski slope at the Mall of the Emirates, close to the Burj Al Arab. Even if skiing isn’t your thing, you should still check it. Where else you can see the snow-covered slope situated in the middle of a scorching desert, inside the shopping mall…?
If you do want to ski or snowboard, you don’t need to bring anything with you. The equipment and jackets are provided for you on the spot.
There are also penguins coming out at a certain time and non-skiers and small children can have fun at the snow park.
Penguins do get booked up, so prebook it here!
6. Stoll Around Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall is one of a kind and you simply have to see it, whether you like shopping or not. It’s one of the largest malls in the world, with over 1300 shops and a surface larger than 2 football fields.
If you’re coming by Metro it’ll take you 20 minutes to get inside the mall from the station. It’s so big you can order a special taxi inside the mall to get to the other side.
The mall offers many attractions like giant ice rink, dance floor, and umbrella corridor. And, of course, its most famous Dubai Aquarium full of sharks and fish. While you can see some parts of it from the outside for free, I recommend getting inside to walk the underwater tunnel.
It’s located right next to the entrance to Burj Khalifa, so you can easily combine the two attractions in one day.
7. Embrace in the Golden Souk
Gold Souk is most likely the world’s largest collection of gold. Dubai loves gold to such an extent that you can easily purchase your own from a vending machine – Gold-To-Go. You can also design your own jewelry that will be created for you in a short time.
8. Have an Afternoon Tea at Burj Al Arab
The Burj Al Arab Jumeirah proclaims itself as the world’s only 7-star hotel and whether or not you agree with this extravagant title, it certainly is one of the most iconic buildings in Dubai.Â
Jumeirah is an Arabic word meaning beautiful, and is a beachside residential area of Dubai.
The hotel might not be the most impressive at first sight, but the quality of service is excellent. Non-guests aren’t permitted to enter, but you can go there for either lunch, or and afternoon tea. The attraction isn’t cheap (afternoon tea prices start at $140), but it’s something you can do once.
Making a reservation is a must. Book it here!
9. Relax at Jumeirah Beach
If you want to just lay back and chill, the beach is the answer! The public beaches in Dubai are free and this includes the Jumeirah beach, situated next to the Dubai Marine Beach Resort.
It has showers, bathrooms, sun loungers, and changing rooms. You can finish the day with dinner near the boardwalk in one of the hundred or so international restaurants.
10. Walk Jumeirah Marina in the Evening
This 7km walk might not seem like it should be on this list because walking might not appeal to everyone, but the spectacle of bright lights, skyscrapers, and plenty of private yachts and supercars driving around can impress many, even those not into glamorous parties and fast Lamborghinis.
11. Do a Desert Safari
If you have more time a day or two in Dubai, you should definitely take a tour out to the desert. You will be taken to the middle of the dunes where the Bedouin camps are situated. Depending on the provider you can try traditional activities like henna, dancing, and Arabic coffee making. Some will even arrange a meeting with some falcons – national animals of the UAE.
It’s a totally different experience than going to the Sahara desert. The package includes a jeep ride among the dunes and a day full of adventures such as a camel ride and show. If you’re lucky you can also be taken to see a camel race!
12. Visit Old Dubai
Dubai is not only the city of the skyscrapers and modern architecture. You can get a real Arabic coffee from the little canteen, buy some trinkets, or take a traditional wooden boat.
It’s also the best place to try some camel milk, or even camel milk ice cream. It’s believed by the Bedouins to be full of proteins and lower in lactose than cow’s milk.
13. Enjoy your Hotel
As you can suspect hotels in Dubai are fantastic. I had a chance to stay at Shangri-La Dubai, Pullman Dubai Downtown, and Marriott The Palm and I truly enjoyed all of them.
I’d also say that the breakfast buffet in Dubai are awesome. The menu changed daily and I could get anything I wanted. Think of something you’d like to eat and it’ll be there, even a freshly made noodle soup, different types of nuts, tea eggs, and chocolate fondue!
Arrange your travel insurance
Don’t forget to arrange health insurance before heading to Dubai. The easiest and the most reliable travel insurance is Safety Wing travel insurance. Get it before your trip to avoid unnecessary troubles that might ruin your holidays!
SUGGESTED BOOKS FOR VISITING DUBAI & SURROUNDINGS:
- Eyewitness Top Attractions in Dubai & Abu Dhabi
- Understanding Arabs: A Contemporary Guide to Arab Society
- A Diamond in the Desert: Behind the Scenes in Abu Dhabi, the World’s Richest City
Dubai is really high on my bucket list! I admit that I wasn’t convinced from the beginning but than I had a stopover in Dubai when I was going to Sri Lanka and I remember I saw it only from the airport – first only the flat desert, than some small buildings and above them Burj Kalifa rising like a needle to the sky. And I fell in love! 🙂
I wasn’t very convinced either when people started visiting Dubai, but when I went there myself I really liked it 😀
I was in Dubai just last week, in time to celebrate the New Year 2015. Based on your list I’ve been to and/or experienced all but The Walk in Marina Bay. Out of all the places I’ve been through outside of my home country the Philippines, there is nothing quite like Dubai. The city that aspires for greatness and achieving impossible architectural feats. The people. The culture. The diversity. Especially on a very peak season as almost a million people – locals, expats and tourists – gathered near Downtown Dubai to witness the fireworks. Truly a 21st century city that has drawn the world over.
Dubai is the most popular destination & well known for luxurious place.. I would love to visit Dubai & want to spend at least a night in Burj Khalifa.
Dubai is such a amazing destination and your post makes it more visit worthy. it is high on my bucket list.
Thanks! There are plenty of things to do in Dubai. So much more to explore 🙂
I loved visiting Dubai – great post, Anna! I’ve just shared my Top 10 Things to do in Dubai, I featured a desert safari too! 🙂
My husband and I are planning a Middle East Trip at the end of this year! Dubai is on our list and we will have at least a week to explore (might go to Abu Dhabi as well!). This is a great list and we hope to do almost all of these things! Thank you!
I would also add Madinat Jumeirah to this list, especially having a shisha pipe at Shimmers, straight on the beach – my fav Dubai spot!
BTW, I can highly recommend you also a book “Beduinki na Instagramie” (unfortunately only in Polish – perfect insight on Emirati life 😉
I need to check this Instagram account then 😀
This is an Informative article. I am planning to visit Dubai this year and stubmled on your blog
I lived in Dubai for 22 years. Aside from old Dubai, the desert safari and maybe even Dubai mall, the rest are all tourist traps and can feel super gimmicky. Sharjah and Abu Dhabi offer a much more authentic experience. Also, the food is great, and don’t miss including a stop at any popular chicken shwarma places in your trip.