Dubai is a city of contrasts. From the tranquility of the desert to the hustle and bustle of the city, there is so much to see and do. Dubai’s central location at the heart of numerous international long-haul routes makes it the perfect location. transit city If you’re visiting the city, here are some of the best things to do in the city so you can enjoy it for several days.
Everything to do in Dubai
1. Enjoy the view from the world’s tallest building
A great way to start your time in Dubai and get an idea of the city’s scale is by heading to the top of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. From here you can enjoy views of the entire city, but note that the views change daily. It was quite hazy when I visited this time, but on a clear day you can see far into the distance. Sunrise and sunset are also great times to find yourself above the clouds. However, be sure to book several weeks in advance of your trip, as the tower is fully booked daily.
position: Burj Khalifa
Price: $40 USD per person
2. Swim in a glass pool
After getting off a 14-hour flight from Australia, my first stop was the hotel pool to freshen up for the day. We were staying at the Four Seasons DIFC and quickly discovered that it had the only glass pool in Dubai with stunning views of downtown Dubai.
Location: Four Seasons Dubai International Financial Center
Price: From $350 USD per night
3. Visit the Almaha Desert
The city of Dubai has a lot to offer in terms of activities, especially for those who want to experience a desert safari in Dubai. I have been to the Dubai desert several times now and my favorite operator is still Platinum Heritage. The company takes guests to a private desert reserve called Al Maha. The reserve is owned by the Royal Family, who have weekend homes here and some of the tour companies renowned for offering visitors the most authentic and fascinating desert safaris.
Location: Platinum Heritage Safari Tours, Al Maha Desert
Price: USD 160 per person for heritage or camel safaris.
4. Experience Tully’s Spa at Burj Al Arab
One of my favorite experiences of all my trips to Dubai was arriving at Tully’s Spa on the 18th floor of Burj Al Arab. This hotel is known as the only 7-star hotel in the world, but this title is completely incorrect (the international best is 5 stars). But once you step inside the hotel, it’s easy to see why it earned this title. The spa is a world of mosaic tiles, filled with millions of mosaic tiles, many of them golden (incredible to see!)
Location: Tully’s Spa, Burj Al Arab
Price: $176 USD per person for 45-minute neck massage (includes access to spa facilities)
5. Visit the Spice Souk and Gold Souk
It took me a few visits to Dubai to finally visit the souk, as it was just a short taxi ride away and I had heard it was a bit touristy (correction: quite a bit!) Nevertheless, the souk is a great way to get a feel of “old Dubai”, especially if it’s your first time visiting the souk. It’s nothing like the experience you’ll find in Muscat (Oman) or Marrakech (Morocco), but it’s an experience nonetheless.
Location: Old Dubai Spice Souk and Gold Souk
Price: Free
6. Watch the Dubai Fountain Show
Tourists visiting Dubai can enjoy the famous Dubai Fountains show every night outside the Dubai Mall and beneath the Burj Khalifa. It may not sound like a big deal, but this show is pretty flashy and cool against the backdrop of the glittering lights of Burj Khalifa. My favorite place to watch the fountain show is Thiputara Thai Restaurant.
Location: Dubai Fountain Show // Tiputara
Price: Free
7. Enjoy indoor skiing at Ski Dubai
I can’t say this was the best skiing experience for me (I’m certainly comparing it to mountain scenery like Zermatt, Arosa, Jasper, Chile, etc.), but it was still a great experience. There’s only one chairlift and one full track, but it’s a great way to spend a few hours at Mall of the Emirates if you’re into activities and want to see what all the fuss is about.
Location: Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates
Price: $74 per person
8. Go dune bashing in the desert
If you don’t fancy a hot air balloon ride with a 4am wake-up call, a desert safari in Dubai might be more to your taste. There are many tour companies offering afternoon dune driving tours, so choose the one that best suits your style. My preference is Platinum Heritage Safari for anything desert-related in Dubai.
Location: dubai desert
Price: $160 USD per person for Platinum Heritage.
9. Eating too many Arabic sweets
One of my favorite parts of traveling to the Middle East is still enjoying all the delicious Arabic pastries. My all-time favorite remains the old-school, faithful baklava, but there are so many variations across the continent that it’s hard to choose one.
Price: Varies
10. Spend the day at Jumeirah Beach
If you’re the type of traveler who enjoys relaxing in the sun, you’ll love Jumeirah Beach. Personally, I have a short attention span, so I spent about 20 minutes at the beach before heading off to a new activity, haha. The beauty of the beaches cannot be compared to Australian beaches, but I think you’d be hard-pressed to find beaches that rival them anywhere in the world outside the Pacific Ocean.
Location: Jumeirah Beach
Price: 50 dirhams for non-alcoholic drinks (not cheap!)
11. Encounter marine wildlife at Dubai Aquarium
Marine wildlife conservation and education is a big theme here in Dubai, and we have two very large and impressive aquariums at Dubai Aquarium and Lost Chambers at Dubai Mall. Personally, I don’t really like seeing wild animals in enclosures, but if you’re traveling with kids, this is a great way to educate them and learn about conservation projects.
Location: Dubai Aquarium at Dubai Mall
Cost: $28 per person for the underwater zoo. Free if you are standing on the shopping mall observation deck
12. Take a hot air balloon ride over the desert
On our last morning in Dubai, we woke up at 4am to take a hot air balloon ride over the desert. This was my third hot air balloon experience, but definitely the most memorable. Compared to other hot air balloon rides, the desert views and scenery were incomparable!
Location: dubai desert
Price: $360 USD per person with Platinum Heritage
13. Osman Fu
If you want to pamper yourself, check out Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, another beautiful spa. This property is a little out of the way if you don’t want to stay somewhere quiet, but the spa is well worth it. It is popular not only with tourists from outside the prefecture but also with locals.
Location: Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
Price: Treatment prices vary (from $150 USD)
14. Spend a night in the desert
Another way for authentic adventure seekers to discover the Dubai desert is by staying overnight in a traditional Bedouin camp. Take a safari tour in the late afternoon, spend the night under the stars, and wake up to a traditional Bedouin breakfast in the morning.
Price: Available on Platinum Heritage Safari Tours. Add-ons to selected Safari packages
15. Check out Palace Hotel Downtown
One of my favorite hotels in Dubai and one of the most beautiful hotels you’ll definitely want to check out, even if you’re not staying there. Palace Hotel Downtown is connected to Dubai Mall via the souk, so be sure to stroll along it if you want to see the symmetry of the hotel’s exterior. The lobby is equally impressive, and even non-hotel guests can enjoy a drink or meal at the restaurant. I highly recommend Thiputara, a Thai restaurant attached to the hotel. From there you have a great view of Dubai’s fountain show.
Location: Palace Hotel Downtown
Price: Free for just a tour!
16. Take a boat ride in Madinat Jumeirah
When you’re in Jumeirah Beach, be sure to stop by Madinat Jumeirah and take a traditional boat ride along the waterfront. The area is full of restaurants and beach clubs where you can stop and have a drink. This is one of the more residential parts of town and is a great place to check out if you’re thinking of moving to Dubai (remember, the UAE has great tax benefits!) If you’re looking to move to the middle of the world, Dubai has some great removal companies and packs to help you get there.
Price: USD 23 per person
17. Book a room with a nice view
Often the best way to see Dubai is from your hotel window or balcony. So be sure to request a room with a view. Although Dubai Financial District often has the best views, it is not the first choice for leisure travelers. This view is from Shangri-La Downtown Dubai, which has more of a business hotel feel, but is definitely one of the best views of the city.
18. Eat a milkshake for lunch
This little gem has been on my New York foodie bucket list for a long time, but the lines were always so long that I ended up making my second choice elsewhere. When I heard that Black Tap was opening a restaurant in Dubai, I knew this was destiny for me! It’s best known for its milkshakes (which cost a whopping AU$25 in Dubai), but it also serves some really great burgers. It’s not cheap, but what exactly is there in Dubai?
Location: Black Tap Dubai
Price: The milkshakes cost a whopping $18 USD per glass, but they’re worth it.
19. See Dubai from above
One experience I have yet to try in Dubai is one of the most popular. It is an experience to fly over the city in a helicopter and see the palm from above. Although not cheap, this is another great way to see Dubai from above and get a panoramic view of the city (a cheaper option is to visit the top of Burj Khalifa and hope for clear skies!)
Location: Heli Dubai
Price: 12 minutes, $180 USD per person
20. See wildlife in the Dubai desert
Another activity I highly recommend in the desert is to go on a wildlife safari and see the famous oryx and gazelles. It took me 3 visits to Dubai to finally achieve this and this has got to be one of my favorite experiences.
Location: dubai desert
21. Check out Atlantis The Palm Hotel
One of Dubai’s most iconic buildings, the Atlantis Hotel is a staple on most tourists’ Dubai itinerary. This hotel is often fully booked and is not cheap, but the good news is that you can visit without staying overnight. If you are visiting as a non-hotel guest, you will only be allowed entry to restricted areas (Aquaventure Park, Lost Chambers, shopping areas, restaurants, etc.).
Location: Atlantis The Palm Dubai
22. Take a day trip to Abu Dhabi
The cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi are so close that you would be selling yourself short if you don’t take at least a day trip to nearby Abu Dhabi. Here we recommend visiting the Grand Mosque (really beautiful) and the Emirates Palace (also similar). If you haven’t already, why not head out to the desert? If you want to enjoy Dubai’s many highlights, check out these Dubai combos to make the most of your stopover in Dubai.
Location: Abu Dhabi (139 kilometers from Dubai)
to you! What do you like most about Dubai?