After residing within the UAE for a decade, now we have found A LOT of issues to do in Dubai. We’ve made numerous highway journeys throughout the UAE, taken our guests up and down towering skyscrapers, bumped throughout desert dunes, loved delectable eating bites and thrilling theme park rides whereas being enthralled by conventional Emirati experiences – however how do you select a prime 10 for Dubai?
Some of Dubai’s highlights are undeniably costly however price it; Others are tacky however irresistible for the bragging rights to the Insta second. And lots of Dubai’s most unimaginable points of interest are completely free!
So in the event you booked your flights and sorted your Dubai visa, it’s time to slim down your Dubai bucket record. Whilst now we have an enormous record of 150+ issues you’ll be able to see and do in Dubai right here, we’ve chosen the prime 10 experiences you need to strive in Dubai.
How lengthy will I want in Dubai?
If you actually wish to “see the city” and expertise the various totally different sides of Dubai, we expect you want at the least three days. However, in the event you solely have a day or two on a stopover, that’s OK too; there’s loads you’ll be able to squeeze in – we present you precisely how to slot in all of Dubai’s points of interest to fit your pursuits and obtainable time over on our itineraries web page.
You can also wish to examine in on our finest time to go to Dubai information, the place we embrace month-by-month guides that will help you slim down your ‘must-see’ record for Dubai or these specialised guides:
Top 10 really helpful experiences in Dubai
1. The Dubai Fountains & Dubai Mall
Let’s begin with one thing free and straightforward. The Dubai Fountains are a night choreographed present on the foot of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. Each fountain present solely lasts for round 5 minutes, however there’s loads to see and do within the speedy neighborhood – not least of which is take a flick thru the world’s largest shopping center or dine at one of many dozens of eating places overlooking the fountains.
Not simply retail idea, you’ll find many spectacular websites inside Dubai Mall, from the world’s largest suspended aquarium tank (which is free to view) on the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo to the waterfall wall, large ice skating rink, Kidzania for the kiddos and PlayDXB (Virtual actuality theme park) to your tweens+.
Especially in the summertime peak, you’ll be able to simply spend a day or two stopover in Dubai simply round Dubai Mall and the Downtown Dubai space, together with Dubai Opera and the thrilling new Sky Views Observatory.
Click right here to search out actual fountain timings and our tips about the perfect viewing spots.
2. A day at Atlantis the Palm
If you’re on the lookout for an all-in-one bundle that accentuates Dubai’s luxurious and lavish aspect, then Atlantis the Palm just about sums it up. Sitting in prime place on the peak of Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis is a luxurious 5-star resort hooked up to Aquaventure, one of many largest water parks on the earth.
You can merely go to the water park for the outside thrills and spills or keep in a single day on the resort for an journey inclusive of water park motion and the spectacular Lost Chambers aquarium.
If a visit to the waterpark just isn’t inside price range, you’ll be able to at all times take pleasure in a stroll alongside the Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk or take within the views from The Pointe, reverse Atlantis.
3. A visit up the world’s tallest tower
We truthfully cringed a little bit at including this one. Should we or shouldn’t we suggest this expertise?
Even at its most cost-effective, you’re taking a look at round $30USD to simply make it to the decrease commentary deck ranges (nonetheless at an awe-inspiring 456 meters above the bottom, thoughts you!).
In an trustworthy assessment – the queues will be lengthy, the commentary deck will be crowded, and the Dubai haze and fog can wreak havoc with the views (or make them spectacular, relying on what you’ve come for!)
But there actually is just one record-breaking tallest tower on the earth. And on an excellent day, these views actually are spectacular. Our prime tip could be in the event you solely have a day in Dubai, don’t spend it queuing as much as get to At The Top. However, if time and price range allow – go for it!
This is one a part of your Dubai journey you’ll actually wish to have deliberate out prematurely, as pre-booked tickets are less expensive and assure your spot moderately than making an attempt your luck on the day.
We have an in depth information right here on all of your choices for visiting the Burj Khalifa.
If you don’t fancy the value tag or the queues, listed here are our prime various solutions on how to absorb spectacular views of Dubai.
4. A day journey to Abu Dhabi and the Grand Mosque
Undeniably one of the crucial lovely buildings on the earth and symbolic of recent Islamic UAE. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque will be present in neighbouring capital metropolis Abu Dhabi, about 150kms west of Dubai.
Don’t restrict your Abu Dhabi journey to simply the Grand Mosque, nevertheless. There actually is a unique vibe to Abu Dhabi, and we’d strongly encourage that an in a single day journey is required in Abu Dhabi to suit all of it in, together with the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Qasr al Watan, the UAE’s presidential palace.
If you’re on a decent timetable, it’s potential to spend a half-day trying out simply the Grand Mosque. The mosque itself is free to enter; you’ll solely have to pay for transport from Dubai. You can study extra about tips on how to take a day journey to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque right here.
If time doesn’t allow a go to to Abu Dhabi, however you’re nonetheless eager about experiencing a mosque and studying extra about Islamic tradition, then pop over to this information to Dubai’s Mosques open to the general public.
5. Explore Dubai Museum and the Al Faihidi Historical Neighbourhood
Please observe: As of summer season 2022, the Dubai Museum stays closed for renovations, however the surrounding areas are nonetheless open and really a lot price exploring on foot.
You mustn’t depart Dubai complaining that it’s all procuring malls and concrete in the event you haven’t at the least tried to dig beneath the floor. The Dubai Museum and Fahidi Fort are nice locations to begin however do proceed to discover the encircling space additional on foot.
The previous decade has seen an enormous transformation of this small space of town (previously often known as Bastakiya). Recognising that town’s historic roots mustn’t get misplaced beneath the skyscrapers, it is a actually totally different aspect of Dubai. It is crammed with museums, cafes, and galleries within the small winding alleyways.
We have an entire information to Dubai’s many museums and historic websites of curiosity right here if you want to broaden your search of the cultural aspect of Dubai.
We additionally strongly suggest visiting the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU). They may help you with cultural excursions, mosque visits, conventional meal experiences, and rather more – discovered at House 26 Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Al Musallah Street.
6. Wander the outdated souks
In full distinction to trendy Dubai and the procuring malls and skyscrapers of Downtown Dubai, you’ll find the Old Souks on the Deira aspect of Dubai.
For a real style of Dubai, soar on a ship from Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood or the connecting precinct Al Seef over Dubai Creek to Deira. There are many alternative transport choices, together with cruises in the event you’d prefer to see extra of the hustle and bustle alongside the creek banks or take a conventional abra for simply 1 AED.
On the Deira aspect of Dubai, you’ll find the standard Gold and Spice Souks and the Perfume Souk. Crossing again to Bur Dubai, you’ll be able to discover the Textile Souk. All are nonetheless genuine buying and selling markets.
Those wanting a extra trendy Arabian souk expertise, head to Souk Madinat, additional west within the Jumeirah space of town. Not fairly the identical cut price looking however nonetheless spectacular views and a beautiful procuring vibe, fairly totally different to the department stores.
See our decide of the highest souvenirs it is best to decide up in Dubai right here!
7. Enjoy the Beach
A big motive many vacationers come to Dubai is to benefit from the year-round heat climate and sunshine. There are loads of beachfront areas to discover round Dubai, however in the event you’re on a decent schedule, it’s possible you’ll wish to begin with JBR – the Beach.
The space has been designed with the vacationer in thoughts, with completely manicured seaside frontage providing water sports activities, camel rides, and every little thing in between!
Other seashores it’s possible you’ll wish to strive embrace Jumeirah Beach for ‘that’ iconic photograph of the Burj Al Arab (observe present development work considerably obscured these views at current), or strive the a lot newer La Mer beachfront space in the event you take pleasure in enjoyable and funky vibes and instagrammable seaside huts together with plentiful eating choices by the water.
You can see our full information to Dubai’s finest seashores right here or if you’re on the lookout for a enjoyable addition to your Dubai vacation, try these prime non-public seaside golf equipment for partying & leisure.
8. Hit the desert dunes
A wonderful reminder of the place you truly are, it doesn’t take lengthy to move past town’s speedy neighborhood to one of many many Dubai desert safari camps.
There are many variations on the desert safari obtainable today, together with morning camel treks, falconry shows, and conventional desert camps if you need a full in a single day expertise.
Most desert safaris sometimes provide a resort pick-up service mid-afternoon, adopted by spectacular dune bashing right into a camp the place a standard Bedouin dinner is served. Expect your expertise to be accompanied by desert sports activities comparable to quad bikes, sandboarding, and dune buggy rides.
You’ll undoubtedly come away with henna hand portray and a few unimaginable desert reminiscences from shisha smoking to conventional Emirati “Al Ayala” and stomach dancing exhibits!
A morning desert safari is a superb concept when the times are heating up or in the event you’re on a decent schedule.
If you’re on the lookout for some camel experiences nearer to town, you don’t essentially have to go on a full desert trek. We clarify your camel using (even camel cuddling!) choices right here.
9. Enjoy conventional Emirati Cuisine
Dubai is famend for having an enormous number of worldwide delicacies, however don’t depart with out making an attempt a standard Emirati meal. Be it by way of the SMCCU cultural program or in search of out hidden gems throughout town that supply Middle Eastern specialities by way of to these providing extra conventional Bedouin-style dishes.
10. A day journey to the Musandam Peninsula
If time in your Dubai itinerary permits for an further day journey, it is a MUST!
You could be doing your self an injustice to get so far as Dubai and never go to probably the most tranquil and delightful nook of the Arabian Peninsula. And it’s actually a nook! Jutting into the Strait of Hormuz, it’s truly an Omani enclave.
We may additionally compromise and say a go to to the Hajar Mountains in Ras Al Khaimah, or Hatta can even offer you an excellent taster of the nation’s rugged magnificence. But truthfully, Musandam is in a league of its personal on the subject of peaceable, uncooked magnificence.
You will want a full further day in your Dubai itinerary as there’s a border crossing concerned and loads of winding roads, however the reward as you float on a standard dhow boat, watching dolphins play amongst the dramatic khors, is solely unmissable.
Find a dependable firm to your Musandam day journey right here.
Remember, that is solely an introduction to what there may be to see and do in Dubai. Your full Dubai itinerary will rely on whether or not you’re a first-time or repeat customer, alongside along with your tastes and pursuits.
What extra is there to do in Dubai?
There is loads extra to discover in Dubai whether or not you’re household travellers, culturally curious, or just wish to take pleasure in a while within the solar (I do know we’re all of those!). Make positive you try our information to the perfect time to go to, so there are not any surprises with the warmth and spiritual occasions and pop over to take a look at these individual attraction evaluations.
Before you go… More essential issues it is best to know when planning a visit to Dubai
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