Dubai, a desert city of breathtaking skyscrapers, emerging businesses, world-class luxury resorts, and extreme adventures. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. From its beautiful white sandy beaches, a myriad of shopping districts, and other countless attractions and experiences to choose from, you are sure to never run out of things to do in Dubai.
Get a spectacular birds-eye view of all the attractions in Dubai on the 125th-floor observation deck at The Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the city and the world. With a total height of 2,717ft (829.8m), you can easily spot this magnificent piece of engineering standing tall and proud from any distance. Avoid the long queues on-site and purchase your tickets online for quicker access to the observation deck. Make sure to not miss the amazing lights and fountain show while you’re there!
Even if you’re shopping for luxury brands or not, the Dubai Mall is a place worth visiting. Dubbed as the largest shopping, entertainment, and leisure destination in the world (by land area), it is part of the $20M Downtown complex which includes over a thousand shops. Because of how massive this mall is, you can also find entertaining activities such as an ice rink, an aquarium, an indoor fountain, to a grand cinema complex.
Witness a breathtaking musical fountain show when you visit Downtown Dubai. The Dubai Fountain, located just outside of the Burj Khalifa, offers captivating water, music, and light experience, something every tourist should see when visiting the beautiful desert city. The fountain jets up water into the air, illuminated with colorful lights as music is played in the background, giving you a beautiful light show display which will leave you spellbound. The show takes place every 30 minutes from 6PM, daily.
If you want to know how Dubai emerged from a small pearl diving and fishing village in the 1800s to the luxurious city we see today, then a must-visit tourist spot is the Dubai Museum, the city’s main historical museum. Find exhibits and life-sized dioramas from the Bedouin life, historical prints and footage of the Arab heritage, as well as archaeological items and artifacts discovered from ancient settlements at nearby towns.
One of the popular sights and places in Dubai to visit is Dubai Creek. This bustling creek has been the city’s soul and lifeblood for centuries and it continues to attract tourists from all over the world. Hop aboard an abra, or the traditional wooden boat, for a unique sightseeing experience of the new and old Dubai. Take the cruise during sunset or in the evening to see Dubai’s beautiful skyline light up at night.
An indoor ski resort in the middle of the desert? It’s one of the many unique Dubai tourist spots the city has to offer. Ski Dubai is a fun attraction to be experienced with family and friends. It offers indoor ski resort features like the 85m-high indoor mountain for skiing as well as a snow park for a variety of snow activities to try together with the kids. Ski Dubai also houses a few penguins which you can have close encounters with several times a day.
Mall of the Emirates is another massive shopping district in Dubai that you should visit. It houses the famous Ski Dubai, the indoor skiing resort, a 24-screen multiplex cinema, and around 630 shops and restaurants. Easily accessible through Dubai’s metro system, you can start shopping your heart away, and explore different designer shops and dine in at the many restaurants the mall has in store.
Located in Dubai’s commercial business district in Deira, go and explore the Dubai Gold Souk, a covered gold market that’s home to dozens of jewelry shops and traders. You can find every kind of jewelry imaginable with different designs – from pearls, to diamonds, and of course, gold. Even if you’re not the type to purchase some jewelry, simply strolling through the market and observing the hustle and bustle of tourists and retailers is a treat in itself.
Situated in Jumeirah, near Burj Al Arab and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, you’ll find the hottest waterpark in Dubai, the Wild Wadi Water Park. Experience a variety of water rides and activities to enjoy – from extremes to the relaxing type – there’s always something for visitors of any age. With the city’s warm climate, you can simply visit the waterpark at any time of the year. Buy your tickets in advance to skip the long queues and start your water adventures!
Also known as Sunset Beach, Jumeirah Beach is a popular tourist attraction in Dubai where visitors come to see the white sand beach strip against the ocean’s turquoise water, as well as get the infamous snapshot of Burj Al Arab, a 5-star hotel, as a backdrop. Apart from being an attraction in itself, you can also find restaurants, shopping malls, and even small shops to rent sun-loungers or jet-skis from.
Dubai is famous for the myriad of extravagant sightseeing attractions and unique activities every visitor can experience. The city is home to world-class skyscrapers and glamorous hotels, shopping complexes, as well as other cultural activities and outdoor adventures.
Dubai typically has a warm climate throughout the year, however, if you’re looking to visit the city with fewer crowds and pleasant weather, best to visit during the winter months between November to March. It is also the time when hotel rates are at its peak, so it’s good to plan and book in advance. For lower hotel and attraction rates, visit Dubai during the summer when temperatures are at a high.
Known for high-end hotels, Dubai also offers several great hotels to stay in for travelers with any budget. For more modern and top-notch hotels, you can book around the Dubai Marina area. If you’re looking for an authentic, more budget-friendly neighborhood, book to stay in Downtown and the district of Deira.