All the must-see sights, bucket list activities and amazing foods to try on your trip to the UAE
Dubai is a city of superlatives: an explosion of pioneering architecture, one-of-a-kind experiences, and some of the top restaurants, beach clubs and malls in the world. Our guide leads you through the best things to do in Dubai, whether you’re here on a romantic trip, a friends’ break or a family holiday.
Hit up all the best malls and atmospheric souks, book in for a dive or learn to surf, or perhaps head out to the desert for a day and appreciate the surreal landscape. There are no limits to what you can do here. Have you booked your flight yet?
You can’t come to Dubai without seeing at least one of these renowned pieces of architecture. The Burj Khalifa and the Burj Park are the primary attractions in downtown and you can’t help but gaze in wonder at the gargantuan creation. While in the Dubai Marina area, you won’t want to miss The Palm Jumeirah, an artificial archipelago that you should at least pop onto to enjoy one of the beach resorts, the water park or a swanky restaurant. You can stay in some amazing hotels here too. The sail-shaped Burj Al Arab is as pretty at night viewed from the beach as it is impressive during the day. Book into one of its bars or restaurants and use it as a vantage point to admire the city.
Cost: You can see them all for free.
Best for: Everyone – unmissable.
One of the best things to do in Dubai to escape the sometimes stifling heat is to head to a water park. Wild Wadi Waterpark is one of the most famous, with its popular lazy river and slip-and-slide rides with a view. Atlantis, The Palm houses its own epic water park, while Laguna Water Park’s headline attraction is its Manta waterslide and the perma-wave for non-stop bodyboarding fun.
Cost: Wild Wadi adult AED 269, child AED 199.
Best for: Families and friends.
There are dozens of museums worth visiting in this city, but the top contenders are definitely the Etihad Museum, where exhibitions on the history of the UAE are housed in a stunning modern building, the Al Shindagha Museum of history, and the Dubai Museum, which hosts splendid historical artefacts and exhibitions on cultural heritage. The Perfume House delves into the way scents are intertwined with local culture and history, while the Coffee Museum will also delight your senses, telling the story of the revered drink. The Museum of Illusions is a great spot for a fun selfie or two.
Cost: Al Shindagha Museum AED 15, Etihad Museum AED 25.
Best for: History fans, those seeking cultural understanding.
While not a museum, Jumeirah Mosque offers a similar air of wonder and reverence, as well as an understanding of the local Islamic culture. It’s the only mosque in the city that is open to non-Muslim visitors and, as such, is welcoming and very widely photographed.
Cost: Free entry, guided tour is AED 25.
Best for: Cultural understanding and beautiful architecture.
The Ain Dubai – officially the world's largest observation wheel – would tower 75 metres above the London Eye if the two were placed side by side. It’s one of the top things to do in Dubai if this is your first time, treating you to an incomparable panorama. Pick your moment to head up – during the day for a breath-taking view over the hazy horizon, as the sun sets for a romantic moment, or at night to enjoy the glittering city below.
Cost: AED 130 or AED 370 for family ticket.
Best for: Stunning views and a great family day out.
As you’ll come to expect, in Dubai they like to build things bigger and better than anywhere else. The Dubai Fountain, at the base of the stunning Burj Khalifa, puts all others to shame. Multiple displays a day shoot 22,000 gallons of water around 500 feet (152.4 m) into the air, and at night all this is illuminated against the sparkling city backdrop.
Cost: Free.
Best for: Families, couples, friends – everyone.
Near the mouth of Dubai Creek and the Infinity Bridge, the Al Fahidi district is home to probably the city’s oldest and most historical buildings. It’s best explored on foot, strolling through the sand-coloured architecture and ornate archways, the souks with their wares laid out under colourful awnings and the gleaming white Grand Mosque. It’s home to the Dubai Museum, the Coffee Museum and several galleries.
Cost: The district is free; cafés tend to be cheaper here than the marina.
Best for: Off-the-beaten-track travellers.
One of the best things to do in Dubai with kids is to spend a day, or an afternoon, exploring Legoland. This world of dreams includes a water park, a theme park and a factory where little ones can explore how Lego is made. They can ride rollercoasters, build and race cars, wander through medieval kingdoms, and explore Miniland, where the world is recreated in colourful miniature.
Cost: Combined theme park and water park 1-day ticket AED 395 pp.
Best for: Families with young kids.
The Miracle Garden is a horticultural masterpiece and one of the top things to do in Dubai for plant lovers – or just for a photo op. The garden is a riot of colour, with flowers, vines and plants trained meticulously into enormous sculptures and imaginative miniature worlds. It’s typically open from October to April and includes 30 dining options, shops and a flower parade that’s sure to be a hit with younger visitors.
Cost: Adults AED 55, kids AED 40.
Best for: Couples, keen photographers, families.
If you love shopping, what wouldn’t you love about the world’s largest mall? Inside you’ll find 1,200 shops, with everything from Emirati brands to global high street names and some of the most luxurious stores you’ll ever set foot in. The labyrinthian mall is quite a work of art in itself, and it’s also air-conditioned, so it’s one of the best places to escape the heat. You’ll get phenomenal views of the Burj Khalifa from the waterfront in front of the mall.
Best for: Luxury retail and serious shoppers.
Good to know: Open until 23:00/00:00, all-day free parking.
Immerse yourself in the sensory experience when you take a trip to the fairly authentic Dubai Spice Souk. Many vendors sell traditional wares, such as dates, Persian dried limes, barberries and rose hips, as well as the famous saffron. It’s also got plenty of restaurants and souvenir shops, so you can find treats for everyone back home.
Best for: Travellers seeking authentic experiences.
Good to know: Open until 22:00/23:00, near Al Ras Metro Station.
Global Village is like a giant playground for adults and kids. Here, elaborate pavilions artfully represent individual countries and cultures, offering foodie delights (more on that later), a visual treat and artisan shopping opportunities. You can wander between pavilions representing Europe, the UAE, Pakistan, Thailand, India and many more. Pop into a miniature London, visit the Colosseum, find a microcosm of Iraq or the ancient Egyptian wonders. It hosts events and concerts, rides and carnivals and unique shopping experiences, so you can easily lose yourself for a whole day here.
Best for: Full family experience (Tuesdays women only).
Good to know: Open Oct–Apr until 00:00/01:00, free parking, buses.
As well as being architecturally impressive, the Mall of the Emirates is home to over 600 brands, making it a top spot to visit for fashion lovers as well as those seeking sports gear and electronics. You can drop the non-shoppers at the bowling alley, theatre, 4DX cinema or the Dreamscape immersive virtual reality experience. There’s also the largest and most exciting indoor arcade you could imagine and even an impressive ski slope, for a surreal experience to contrast the Dubai heat.
Best for: Unique experiences besides shopping.
Good to know: Open until 23:00/00:00, free parking weekends/first 4 hours.
Dubai Perfume Souk is a true sensory experience. Even if you’re not purchasing some of the ubiquitous Oud or another signature scent, you’re sure to be enchanted by the row upon row of colourful stalls stacked high with gold-capped glass bottles. You’ll find perfumes, solid perfume, incense and bakhoor, as well as sellers tempting you with their promises of scents tailored to your skin and hair type.
Best for: A more traditional experience and perfume.
Good to know: Close to Baniyas Square Metro Station and buses.
The Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is, without doubt, one of the most luxurious hotels you’ll ever stay in. You’d expect nothing less from this herculean icon of the Dubai skyline. While a stay here isn’t within everyone’s budget, you can certainly splash out and dine inside at the stunning Skyview Bar on the 27th floor, Ristorante L'Olivo at Al Mahara for mouth-watering Italian cuisine with an underwater backdrop, or glitzy and glamorous Gilt for cocktails and decadent small plates.
Best for: Chic dates.
Make sure you bring your emptiest belly on a trip to Global Village, because there are more food options than you could know what to do with. It’s one of the best things to do in Dubai for foodies, comprising a series of pavilions offering not only a gorgeous setting to dine, but myriad different street food and sit-down options from their local culture. Indulge in Emirati, Yemeni and Iraqi cuisine, sample treats from India and Bosnia, or snack on American street food. You’ll find a floating market, a Bangkok-inspired railway market and fiesta street, as well as the Happiness Market, where novelty food is designed to make you smile – expect everything from multi-coloured ice-cream sandwiches to giant pizza slices.
Best for: Family fun and eating all you can.
Atlantis, The Palm is one of the most famous sights in Dubai and is on many people’s bucket list in its own right. The iconic hotel and resort is breath-taking – one of the best ways to experience the famous Palm Island, and home to myriad activities including its own water park, beach club and aquarium. Of course, there are dozens of dining options, but Nobu is one of the best-rated. It’s an unrivalled sushi and Japanese cuisine experience with a cavernous interior that will make your jaw drop.
Best for: Haute cuisine and a refined atmosphere.
Dining at Aura Skypool is arguably more about the breath-taking view and the unique experience than the food itself. It’s an infinity pool suspended 200 metres in the air, offering a panorama over Dubai’s stunning skyline. You can book for a morning swim with a leisurely lunch, sunset dips, or a night-time date accompanied by a DJ set. The breakfast menu includes nutritious bowls and brunch favourites, as well as cocktails and smoothies.
Best for: Glam friends’ getaways.
Believe it or not, Dubai has an emerging surfing and watersports scene, and one of the best places to get stuck in is at Kite Beach. When the wind is right, the sky along this beach is speckled with colourful kites being flown from the shore and ridden on the waves. On Nessnass Beach you can learn to kitesurf, windsurf, kayak and paddleboard and there are full lessons for total beginners.
Cost: 2-hr kitesurfing lesson AED 525, SUP rental AED 60/hour.
Best for: Beach lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
There are many different desert activities you can try while in Dubai. You can go quad biking, sandboarding or even hot-air ballooning over the sandscape. There are treks and cycles, glamping and luxury desert safaris in vintage Land Rovers. Visit first thing for an epic sunrise, or go in the evening and dine in the desert as the sun sets. Even more romantic: book a night tour to see an unimaginably clear starry sky.
Cost: Various. Self-drive buggy AED ~800, balloons AED ~1,250Various. Self-drive buggy AED ~800, balloons AED ~1,250.
Best for: Unforgettable friends’ trips and romantic moments.
We’ve all been to pools, but Deep Dive Dubai has taken the concept to a whole new level. At 60 metres – or as deep as a Boeing 777 is long – and holding 14 million litres of water, this is the world’s deepest pool. While snorkellers are allowed on the surface sections and there are progression courses for intermediate divers, plunging to its depths is reserved for qualified divers only. This is a true playground for diving enthusiasts, with an entire underwater world to explore and photograph.
Cost: Snorkel AED 400, discover freediving AED 1,100, certified to 60m AED 1,800.
Best for: Adventurers.
Tennis fans might well want to time their visit to the enchanting city to match up with the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Tournament, one of the most exciting on the circuit. It usually hosts all the big names you’d expect from the men’s and women’s top ten and takes place around February each year. It’s held in the stunning Dubai Tennis Stadium and is one of the most popular events on the sporting calendar here.
Cost: Tickets range from AED 55 for early rounds to AED 630 for finals.
Best for: Tennis and all-round sports fans.
We'll send you exclusive offers and sneak peeks of our best deals,
plus travel tips and the latest advice on where you can go.
Support and useful information