The Most Amazing Things To Do & Places To Go To In Dubai

We have compiled a list of the finest things to do in Dubai. Dubai has so many amazing things to do and places to visit, from magnificent waterfronts to super rooftop bars, desert getaways, and shopping destinations, that it can be difficult to know where to begin.

And, to help, we’ve compiled a list of over 100 of the finest things to do in Dubai right here. It’s time to get out there and start checking off all of these amazing things to do in Dubai on your bucket list.

Best things to do in Dubai: Attractions

• Cruise past The Dubai Fountain

For the ultimate up-close experience of the Burj Khalifa, take a cruise on the lake. Attractions also include pedalos, a floating garden, kayaks and water bikes. One of the best things to do in Dubai if you’re new to the city.

Dubai Fountain, Dubai Mall, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, www.thedubaimall.com (800 28843867).

• See a show at Dubai Opera

Since opening in 2016 this stunning dhow-shaped building has been a hub for theatre, musicals, operas, ballet and comedians.

Dubai Opera, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai www.dubaiopera.com (04 440 8888).

• Check out Dubai Hills Mall

The fastest indoor roller coaster in Dubai had to be on our list. For those who enjoy getting their blood flowing, ‘The Storm’ is a thrilling ride with twists and turns, inclines, and enormous dives that are not for the faint of heart. Expect nonstop action during the two-and-a-quarter-minute ride, which will leave you breathless and delighted all at once.

Dubai Hills Mall, Dubai Hills Estate (04 448 5033).

• Explore Palm Jumeirah

This manmade archipelago is a true modern marvel, serving as an epic display of engineering skill. Take a stroll down the boardwalk to admire the scenery, or take The Palm Monorail along the trunk.

• Journey into space at Museum of the Future

The magnificent exterior alone will entice you to visit, but once inside the Museum of the Future, you will not want to leave. There’s a lot to discover, but the opportunity to glimpse Earth from above and register as a special space pioneer while selecting your mission is perhaps our favorite.

Museum of the Future. Open daily 10am-6pm. Sheikh Zayed Road museumofthefuture.ae

• See Dubai’s Burj Khalifa

It is the world’s tallest building, with 160 floors and a height of 828 metres. Visit At The Top, an observation deck on the 148th floor.

Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, www.burjkhalifa.ae.

• Take a trip to the rainforest at The Green Planet

Missing wildlife? Fancy a trip to the jungle? Head to The Green Planet to see an array of creatures and there is even a rainstorm two times each day, at 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm, that lasts for 5 minutes.

The Green Planet, City Walk, Al Safa Street, www.thegreenplanetdubai.com (800 637227).

• Explore the mountain and desert safari with Platinum Heritage

You’re in the desert, so why not explore it properly? Going out with this nice company that knows what they’re doing is one of the best things to do in Dubai. They’ll also provide you an overview of the surroundings as you explore the dunes. www.platinum-heritage.com.

• Visit the MBR Library

The Mohammed bin Rashid Library in Dubai Creek is Dubai’s newest library. This is an incredible structure that cost a stunning Dhs1 billion to create. At the reading location, visitors may access over 1.1 million printed and digital books in Arabic and foreign languages, so make sure to schedule some time for this one.

• Check out Atlantis The Royal

Palm Jumeirah’s 21km stretch is a great place to go to stretch your legs and get a great view of Dubai’s new mind blowing hotel Atlantis The Royal.

• Eat from a food truck at Last Exit

When you can’t decide which fancy restaurant to go to, ditch the plans and take the family to a food truck park. Last Exit, Sheikh Zayed Road, www.lastexit.ae (04 3173999).

• Visit Jumeirah Mosque

A visit to this mosque, one of only a few in the country that welcomes non-Muslims, is an engaging cultural experience that aims to teach and educate about Islam and Emirati culture. One of the top things to do in Dubai if you appreciate culture and history. Modest attire is necessary.

Open Sat-Thu, 10am and 2pm. Jumeirah Mosque, Jumeirah Beach Road, www.jumeirahmosque.ae (04 3536666).

• Get the adrenaline pumping from 220m up at Sky View Hotel 

Interested in thrills? If so, the Sky Views Dubai observation deck at Address Sky View Hotel should be on your Dubai bucket list. Walk across the 46m glass walk, zip down the see-through slide, and buckle up for the open-air observation deck from 220m high. You can even jump across the cliff if you’re bold, knowing your harness will work.

Dhs55 (Edge Walk from Dhs504). Open daily 10am-10pm. Address Sky View Hotel, Downtown Dubai.

• Sniff some spice at Spice Souk

Roam around the small alleyways of Deira’s spice souk, laden with sacks of vibrantly colored spices. The pleasant fragrances of the spices will take your breath away, and you can pick some up to add flavor to your food – Baniyas Street, Deira.

• Experience the underwater world, Deep Dive

Deep Dive Dubai, a world-record-breaking diving facility, features a 60-meter-deep pool and buried metropolis for divers of all skill levels to explore. There are experiences and classes offered for freediving, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

Open daily, noon-6pm. Nad Al Sheba, deepdivedubai.com.

• Discover history at the Dubai Museum

 

Have a spare Dhs3 in your pocket? Inside the walls of Dubai’s Al Fahidi Fort in Old Dubai is a brilliant tribute to Dubai’s past. The historic building is home to a wide variety of life-size dioramas that depict Emirati life from a bygone era. Al Fahidi Historical District, Bur Dubai (04 353 1862).

 

• Dress up and visit Burj Al Arab

You’ll need a reservation just to get into this hotel, so book a drink at Gilt, a day on the infinity pool terrace or afternoon tea in style. Wear your best garb. Burj Al Arab, Umm Suqeim (800 323 232).

• Dine at Al Dawaar revolving restaurant

Head for heights? Dubai’s only revolving restaurant circles through 360 degrees of panoramic splendour – Al Dawaar, Hyatt Regency Dubai, Naif, www.hyatt.com (04 209 6914).

• See butterflies at Butterfly Garden in Dubai Miracle Garden

Right next door to the Miracle Garden is the Butterfly Garden, which is home to more than 15,000 butterflies of more than 50 different varieties, all fluttering around. It’s time to stop and smell the roses, literally.

The 72,000 sq m Miracle Garden has more than 150 million flowers for you to admire. Just make sure to swing by when it isn’t summer as Miracle Garden shuts during the hotter months.

Al Barsha South, dubaibutterflygarden.com.

• Hop on a Dubai sightseeing bus tour

Whether you’re a resident or a visitor to Dubai, hop aboard a sightseeing bus to make your way around the city without driving.
Daily, call for timings. Various locations, www.bigbustours.com (04 3407709). www.citysightseeing-dubai.com (04 316 7506).

• Go to Sharjah

Sharjah offers a lot of art and culture, but one recent highlight is the reopening of The Flying Saucer. The famous structure was built in the mid-1970s and has been undergoing a substantial restoration by the Sharjah Art Foundation over the last two years to reflect its original construction. It is presently home to exhibitions and an artists space – www.sharjahart.org.

• Take a trip across Dubai Creek

Get aboard an abra, hand over a dirham, and enjoy a pleasant ride across the Creek. It’s a short trip to the other side, but it will reconnect you with everything the city stands for. One of the best things to do in Dubai if you want to experience the true, historic feel. Dhs1. Dubai Creek.

• Have an experience at IMG Worlds of Adventure

Dubai’s 1.5-million-square-foot IMG Worlds of Adventure is the biggest indoor theme park on the planet, and it’s home to some pretty epic rides. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubailand, www.imgworlds.com (04 403 8888).

• Enjoy the show at La Perle

Acrobatics, water stunts, motorbikes and more – this is a live theatre spectacle that must be seen at least once. What’s more to want at one of the best things to do in Dubai? La Perle by Dragone, Al Habtoor City, www.laperle.com (04 4370001).

• Swim with sharks in Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

Gather your confidence and enter the deep blue sea (sort of) to swim with sharks at this exciting attraction in the big shopping mall. Clearly one of the best things to do in Dubai, and an experience you will not forget.

Dubai Aquarium, Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, www.thedubaiaquarium.com (800 382246255).

• Travel the world at Dubai’s Global Village

This massive outdoor attraction features 78 countries, as well as carnival rides, international cuisine, shows, shops, and even an oddities museum. Just keep in mind that this is best visited during the cooler months because it closes in the summer.

Global Village, Exit 37, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, www.globalvillage.ae (04 3624114).

• Stroll along Dubai’s JBR beach

The Walk and its neighboring alfresco zone, The Beach, in Dubai’s JBR were intended to make the most of walks. People-watching is popular here, and there are plenty of food options, including Turkish ice cream. The Beach, JBR, www.thebeach.ae (04 3173999).

• Visit Etihad Museum

Learn about UAE history at this museum in Jumeirah. It covers 25,000 square meters and is located in the same building as Union House, where the constitution was signed in 1971.

Jumeirah, etihadmuseum.dubaiculture.gov.ae.

• Find a taste of Ireland at The Irish Village

The Irish Village, a Dubai tradition that has been there for more than two decades, continues to entice swarms of expats each week. The Irish Village’s vast grounds and welcoming atmosphere make it a popular spot among locals. With regular live music, fantastic cuisine, and a terrific vibe, The Irish Village should be your go-to bar for one of the greatest things to do in Dubai.

• Jump out of a plane at Skydive Dubai

Ever wanted to jump out of a plane at 120 mph over a man-made island? So, why not? Skydiving Dubai is one of the most adventurous activities to do in Dubai. Do not look down (gulp). From Dhs1,699 (tandem skydive). Skydive Dubai, Dubai Marina, www.skydivedubai.ae.

• Sip a drink and watch a film at Cinemacity

Cinemacity, Fountain Views, Downtown Dubai, cinemacity.ae (04 770 0111).

• GAME OVER Escape Rooms

If you enjoy escape rooms, this is surely one of the greatest things to do in Dubai. The massive VR-powered escape room premiered at Nakheel Mall in 2022, and enthusiasts of organised fun should check it out. GAME OVER Escape Rooms & Board Game Café spans 11,000 square feet and features 12 physical escape rooms with epic themes. There are 11 meta-escape rooms accessible via VR headsets, as well as a board game cafe.

Second Floor, Nakheel Mall, escapegameover.ae

• Zip over the top of Dubai Marina on the XLine

The XLine zip line allows thrill seekers to zoom over the glittering waters of Dubai Marina at speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour at an incline of 16 degrees, headfirst in true Superman style. It’s one of the best ways to explore the city while still getting your adrenaline fix. Dubai Marina, www.xdubai.com/xline.

• Speed around the track at eKart Dubai Mall

Fancy racing your friends on a rooftop overlooking the Burj Khalifa? You can now do precisely that because EKart Zabeel offers an outdoor track in Downtown Dubai during the winter. One of the top things to do in Dubai for any car enthusiast.

From Dhs95. The Dubai Mall Zabeel, Downtown Dubai, www.ekartzabeel.ae.

• Eat your dinner in the Sky at JBR

Have you considered eating on a crane-suspended table 50 meters above the ground? Dubai allows it even if you haven’t. The cuisine offers high-end food and city vistas. You’ll watch chefs prepare each course from above while strapped in a chair. The entire process takes 90 minutes. Not to be forgotten – From Dhs650. Skydive Dubai, Dubai Marina (050 925 6341).

• Check out the outdoor Ripe Market

If you have a few hours to meander, drift, saunter, and walk, there is no better place than Dubai’s largest community market, Ripe Market. Open throughout the cooler months, it’s a terrific place to shop and save money.

Open Sat 9am-7pm; Sun 10am-7pm. Academy Park, Umm Suqeim, www.ripeme.com (055 5431282).

• Play a round of night golf at Emirates Golf Club

Who wants to walk a golf course during the day? If you’ve always thought playing under floodlights would improve your round, numerous UAE courses offer nighttime play. In the summer, it’s essential due to the extreme heat and humidity. It also allows those of us with nine-to-five jobs to take the course during the week without waking up early or taking the day off. Going to the 19th hole at 8pm feels more appropriate.

Prices and times vary. Emirates Golf Club, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai (04 417 9842).

• Take a snap of Dubai from the Dubai Frame

This fantastic vantage point at Zabeel Park offers tourists who enjoy heights to experience the city’s past, present, and future in a one-hour trip with unparalleled views of ‘ancient’ and ‘new’ Dubai from a 150-meter-high sky glass bridge. Don’t forget your camera phone; you’ll want to record the spectacular views.

Zabeel Park, www.thedubaiframe.com (800900).

• Admire the wildlife at Ras Al Khor Sanctuary

Ras Al Khor’s 6.2-square-kilometer refuge offers a glimpse into another side of Dubai. Flamingos are the most well-known residents, but herons, cormorants, sandpipers, osprey, and other birds can also be seen. Bring binoculars.

Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, Ras Al Khor, www.rasalkhorwildlife.ae (800900).

• Treat yourself at the Guerlain Spa

Treating yourself does not only include devouring a slab of chocolate and sitting down; it also entails allowing yourself the odd indulgence. especially in Dubai. Like a lavish signature treatment at the stunning One&Only The Palm’s Guerlain Spa. Simply relax with smooth milk washes, personalized massages, perfumed showers, purifying wraps, and more. Click here to find Dubai’s top spas.

Guerlain Spa, One&Only The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, www.oneandonlyresorts.com (04 440 1040).

• Tackle the slopes at Ski Dubai

Snow may fall even in the desert. Granted, you won’t see it outside, but you’ll find enough at Ski Dubai. Learn how to ski, relax (literally) with the penguins, or have a hot chocolate at the snow theater. One of the best things to do in Dubai if you want to spend a few hours away from the sun.

Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates, Barsha, www.skidxb.com (800386).

• See the desert from a hot air balloon

Do you fancy taking to the skies? Book this as a bucket-list adventure. Balloon Adventures Dubai offers morning tours where you can float serenely over the desert at 4,000 meters above ground. Depending on your fear of heights, this might be terrible or exhilarating.

Pick up from 4am across Dubai www.balloon-adventures.com

• Have a splash at Jungle Bay Waterpark

Jungle Bay offers a variety of rides and attractions to keep the entire family entertained. The entire family will be thrilled, with slides and a splash park for the little ones and a six-metre pneumatic wave pool for the older youngsters.

From Dhs200, or Dhs100 (kids four-12). Open daily 9am-5pm. Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai Marina (04 399 3333).

• Bounce around at BOUNCE X Park

Bounce Dubai’s X Park is a great place to unleash your inner Spider-Man and work up a sweat on its spider wall and climbing wall. Parkour lets kids release their energies. Trampolining, recommended as one of the best exercises, is entertaining, low-impact, it tones and improves coordination. One of Dubai’s top family destinations – Al Quoz, www.bounce.ae.

• Bowl at The 44 bar

Every bone in our body knows that a high-up bowling alley is useless. It’s just like a ground-level bowling alley, except we want to play at Dubai’s The 44 bar. It’s cooler. The same goes for pool tables, dart boards, pinball machines, and live sports screens. Fun and trendy. For more top Dubai bowling alleys, go here.

Open Sat-Thu, noon-2am; Fri, 11am-2am. The 44, Hilton Dubai, Al Habtoor City, www.facebook.com/the44dubai (054 581 1758).

• Have a romantic stroll at Dubai Love Lakes

This has romance written all over it, so cynics you might want to skip this one. These two intertwined heart-shaped manmade lakes set up near Al Qudra Lakes are hugely popular. The site even has trees planted that spell out the word “love”. All together now, “ahhh”.

• Have fun at LEGOLAND

With over 40 rides, shows, and attractions across six themed lands and 15,000 LEGO models and 60,000 LEGO bricks, Dubai Parks and Resorts’ LEGOLAND spectacular has brought LEGO to life. Start at the factory for a guided tour and learn how LEGO bricks are created, then visit LEGO City to drive an electric car and fly a LEGO plane. After exploring the kingdoms and imaginative zones, kids can ride attractions in the Adventure zone before visiting Miniland, where they can see 20 kilometers of LEGO bricks.

Dubai Parks And Resorts, Jebel Ali, Dubai, www.legoland.com/dubai (04 820 0000).