Dubai has become one of the most popular destinations in the world thanks to its great diversity of activities and places to visit. In fact, it is well known for its luxuries, with beautiful buildings and huge shopping centers that make anyone want to visit it.
Here we show you the best 50 things you can do in Dubai during your next vacation.
Top 50 things to do in Dubai
If you are about to visit Dubai, here are the funniest activities you can do in this city belonging to the United Arab Emirates.
The following activities are for all tastes, some are for the more adventurous (seeking extreme emotions), others to share with the family and others to relax and unwind.
So let’s see the best sites, points of interest and tourist attractions that Dubai has to offer.
1. Visit the spice and gold souk
Close to Al Bastakiya, (the most historic part of Dubai) you will find the traditional Arab markets (known as souks), the oldest in Dubai. These souks have a traditional charm that you have to experience on your trip to this imposing city.
If you visit them, do not miss the opportunity to buy some of the unique spices of the place. Here it is customary to haggle over prices, so never agree to a price right away.
If you put your mind to it, you can get things up to 50% off, but you’ll need to be patient and kind when negotiating prices.
In addition to being able to acquire the most exotic spices in the world and traditional Arab clothing with a much lower value than in any shopping center in the city.
If you know the current gold prices and you love jewelry, you will undoubtedly find huge quantities of them at prices that can hardly be offered elsewhere.
2. Visit Pier 7 in Dubai at night
Being full of restaurants and with modern skyscrapers, the Dubai port offers one of the best night views, especially at Pier 7, a beautiful seven-story building that has seven exclusive restaurants where you can have a romantic dinner.
If you plan to visit this area in high season, we recommend reserving a table on the terrace, although you must do so several weeks in advance.
In this way you will enjoy —without the need to make huge lines— an incredible view, while delighting your palate with the excellent dishes served there.
3. Speedboat tour
It is a small-sized motorboat that has been designed to move at high speeds.
On a speedboat excursion you can enjoy the fresh breeze and the immensity of the sea in Dubai. This is an excellent activity to do in summer and will surely increase your adrenaline levels.
4. Seaplane flight
These units are aircraft equipped with floats that allow them to land or take off from the water.
If you have never had the wonderful experience of taking a seaplane flight, this is a unique opportunity that you cannot miss while visiting Dubai. Here you can be amazed by the beautiful views that you will perceive from the air of the city, the bay and the desert.
5. Visit La Mer
If you are going to visit Dubai, you simply cannot miss the beauties of La Mer, a new beach that has gained a lot of popularity in recent years in Dubai.
In this part of the city you can relax with a slow walk on the soft and warm sands, enjoy a delicious breakfast in its open-air restaurants or marvel at the incredible works of street art.
6. Take a break at Zabeel Park
If you thought that Dubai was filled with just buildings and technology, this park will prove to you that it is not.
Your children will also love this place where, for just one dollar, they will enjoy the varied and recreational playgrounds that Zabeel Park has.
For just one dollar you can enter this magnificent natural space, where you will delight your eyes with beautiful varieties of regional plants and enjoy a pleasant climate harmonized by the singing of birds.
In addition, throughout the park you will find fun cell phone chargers in the shape of palm trees. So it’s just a matter of connecting your phone and while it’s charging you can relax with its wonderful attractions.
Zabeel Park is located between the Spice and Gold Souk (traditional Arab markets) and the Burj Khalifa, not far from the Dubai Crown Prince’s palace.
From here it is close to one of the new attractions of the city: The Arch of Dubai (later we will give you details of this site).
For all this and much more, Zabeel Park is the ideal place to relax in Dubai.
7. Take a walk through the Port of Dubai
This is one of the best places to walk and get lost all day. The port of Dubai will surprise you with its imposing skyscrapers.
You can also pamper your palate at any of the hundreds of cafes and restaurants in the area, which offer a wide variety of exquisite dishes.
8. Helicopter flight
If you have never traveled by helicopter, Dubai is the perfect place to try this experience. You can find a wide variety of prices, depending mainly on the season of the year. We recommend the helicopter views of the Burj Khalifa, the Palm Jumeirah and the Burj al-Arab.
Palm Jumeirah is a man-made island in the shape of a palm tree. It is a marvel of human ingenuity and is one of the largest man-made islands in the world. Seeing it from above is an experience that you cannot miss when traveling to Dubai.
9. Dubai Port Night Cruises
Boat tours at night in the port of Dubai are the best option to record all the majesty and nocturnal beauty of the city in your retina. There are many options to choose from and packages that can enhance your experience.
10. Desert Safari
Desert safari is one of the most famous activities in Dubai. You can choose from a wide range of different safaris, each one with its additional benefits, among which 4 x 4 transportation and barbecue -style dinners stand out .
On some safaris you can enjoy belly dancing shows. Actually, any type of safari is a unique experience, as you will be fascinated by the beauties of the desert.
11. Enjoy Jumeirah Beach
Most of the beaches in Dubai belong to some luxury hotel and therefore are not public or free. However, Jumeirah beach is beautiful, free and where you will enjoy excellent views of the Burj Al-Arab hotel.
It is a fairly accessible beach. You can get there by bus and, although the day is sunny, it is not as crowded as other beaches in the rest of the world, so you will feel like a privileged being in the face of such natural beauty.
The area is nice and has clean and clear water, which makes this one of the best places you can find in Dubai.
12. Visit the best hotels in the world
Even if you don’t stay in one of the best hotels in Dubai, you will be able to discover the beauty of its facilities and amenities.
Touring the best hotels in the world in Dubai is a fun experience that you can do without spending a single penny.
It’s just a matter of verifying which hotels allow access to the general public, then marvel at the architecture of these luxurious hotels.
13. Visit the Burj Al-Arab
This is one of the most representative icons of Dubai. The Burj Al-Arab is built on an artificial island and is the fourth tallest hotel in the world (321 meters). It is, in fact, the only seven-star hotel in the world.
The Burj Al-Arab is not characterized as a budget hotel, but if the cost is within your reach, take advantage of it, as it is one of the best experiences you can enjoy in Dubai.
If you plan to visit, make your reservations at least two months in advance.
14. Take a hot air balloon ride
From these airships you can enjoy the wonderful view of the deserts of Dubai. In fact, riding in a hot air balloon is one of its main tourist attractions. You will only have to get up very early to live this experience.
Regularly the tour starts at four in the morning, in order to enjoy a magical sunrise from the clouds. Generally, companies that run hot air balloon rides pick you up at your hotel.
15. Visit the Top of Burj Kahlifa
It is the tallest building in the world, 828 meters high. Burj Khalifa offers its visitors one of the best views of Dubai.
From up here you can see a beautiful sunset and even see the water dance show at the Dubai fountain.
If you plan to visit this monumental building, it is preferable that you buy a VIP ticket to avoid the long waiting lines to enter. There are packages that also include a lunch or dinner at the Burj Club.
16. Experience flyboarding
The Flyboard is a hoverboard attached to a hose, which is in turn connected to a jet ski. The hoses press water into a jet so that you can propel yourself through the air, as if you were flying.
It is, without a doubt, one of the most fun and unique experiences, ideal for those who enjoy more intense activities and that you can only find in Dubai.
17. Enjoy a delicious brunch
Brunch is a meal that combines breakfast and lunch, hence its name, which is an acronym in English that is formed by joining the word breakfast (breakfast) and lunch (lunch).
Brunch is a very famous gastronomic tradition in Dubai that takes place mainly on Fridays to celebrate the start of the weekend.
The best hotels and restaurants in Dubai are famous for their delicious Friday brunches.
If you want to enjoy a delicious brunch on your visit to Dubai, make sure you don’t arrive during Ramadan or the Muslim month of fasting.
18. Enjoy dates
Dates are a traditional snack in the region. It is the fruit of the well-known date palm, a very common and appreciated tree in Arab countries. They are sweet, healthy and ideal as a gift for your relatives.
19. Have fun at IMG Worlds of Adventure
IMG Worlds of Adventure is the largest indoor theme park on the planet. It has a total area of more than 1.5 million square feet and a maximum capacity to receive more than 20,000 visitors a day.
This destination has many themed attractions based on the popular characters from the Cartoon Network children’s television channel, the well-known superheroes from the Marvel series, and even a park with animatronic dinosaurs.
So if you travel with children I am sure that they will love this place. Here you will easily spend the whole day having fun with your family.
20. Visit the Dubai Mall
If you still don’t know what to do in Dubai for free, we recommend you visit the largest shopping center in the world. This place is so big that it looks more like a city than a shopping center, so much so that due to its large size it will take you several days to go around it quickly.
Here you can find everything from luxury to budget brands, electronics stores, beauty shops, fine dining, coffee shops and everything you would expect from the best shopping center in the world and a little more.
It is located right in front of the Burj Khalifa building, next to the water fountain, so you can visit all these places in the same day.
21. Go jet-skiing in Dubai
If you prefer to have fun outdoors, go to the beaches of Dubai to try the jet skis. Here you can enjoy the best and fastest motorcycles in the world while cooling down on a hot day.
22. Meet Al Bastakiya
Al Bastakiya is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Dubai. Its unusually narrow streets and characteristic architecture make it a place that every tourist must visit. A rustic facet of Dubai that will give you a break from all the modernity of downtown.
If you visit Al Bastakiya, you must also visit a beautiful restaurant called The Secret Garden.
23. Ski
Although it is not as natural a place to ski as Switzerland, in Dubai you can enjoy this sport, so it is a great opportunity to escape the ravaging heat of the region.
Dubai has the largest indoor ski slope in the world. You can find it on the first floor of the Dubai Mall.
24. Take a cruise along the Port of Dubai, Burj Aarab and Atlantis
We all love cruises, and touring the port of Dubai on one is one of the best experiences you can have in this city to please all your tastes. This will allow you to enjoy beautiful views and incredible buildings.
You can take advantage of the cruise to enjoy a delicious dinner while you have the Dubai Bay as a background. This is a great opportunity to get to know the city from a new point of view.
25. Take a walk in abra
This is an activity that you can do in Dubai with little money.
An abra is a very traditional small boat from Dubai. Thanks to the abra you can take a very cheap and charming trip on Dubai Creek, a natural stream that is located near the Spice and Gold Souk.
A trip from the Spice Souk to Bur Dubai can cost you 5 pesos (1 dirham), and if you want to reserve the entire abra for yourself and your family, you can do it for around 100 pesos (20 dirham).
If you have enough money, you could improve your experience at the Madinat Jumeirah hotel by paying for a ride in a fancier abra.
26. Enjoy a walk along The Walk, in JBR
JBR (Jumeriah Beach Residential) is one of the busiest places in Dubai. Here you can find a wide variety of shops, restaurants and elegant boutiques . You can also enjoy a quiet walk by the sea and eat outdoors with your family.
In March 2018 a new attraction was inaugurated: the Flying Cup . For around 440 pesos you can get into a capsule and marvel at an amazing view of The Walk beach in JBR from a great height.
If you prefer to relax on the beach, you will probably have to share it with many people since it is quite a busy place.
You can enjoy your meal outdoors, view the neighborhood’s street art, and take part in a wide variety of other tourist activities.
27. Visit the Dubai Museum
Although it seems to be a city with little history, at the Dubai Museum you will learn that this is not really the case.
As you can imagine, this museum is one of the best in the world. It is located near Al Bastakiya and is one of the most popular places in the United Arab Emirates.
Being very popular, it can get very crowded during peak tourist seasons, but it is still worth a visit, especially if you are traveling with your children. It has many images that will help you better understand the lifestyle in Dubai.
28. Take a day trip to Musandam/Oman
While the beaches and water are better off the coast of Dubai, in Musandam you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Getting to Oman is a long journey, but we guarantee that it’s worth investing a full day in its tranquility.
29. Visit a mosque in Dubai
Actually, not all mosques are open to non-Muslims, but you can still enjoy their architectural beauties.
Most of the mosques look similar, but they are impressive and you should stop by to see one when you visit Dubai.
One of the best mosques you can visit that is open to the non-Muslim public is the Jumeirah Mosque. By the way, if you are a woman you must cover your head, arms and legs when you visit the mosque. As a man, he only covers your arms and legs.
Another one you can go to is the Iranian mosque in Bur Dubai, which has a slightly different design.
30. Enjoy a ferry in Dubai
An inexpensive way to enjoy a short cruise is by taking a ferry trip. This is an excellent way to relax, while enjoying the sea breeze and admiring the landscape and all the splendor of the city of Dubai from the sea.
31. Marvel at the water fountain show
If you still don’t know what to do in Dubai at night, we suggest you see the magnificent water fountain show at the Dubai Mall, near Barj Khalifa, to marvel at the water dance.
The water show is very short, lasting around four minutes, but sitting in the comfort of a café and enjoying it is still a magical experience.
If you want a free view, you can visit the Apple store inside the Dubai Mall and go up to the balcony.
Keep in mind that the number of seats is limited and it is very likely that the place will fill up very quickly. This is so because of the tourists who attend and arrive very early. If you can’t find seats, you can still enjoy the show from the front.
If you visit the Burj Khalifa building and buy the VIP pass, you will enjoy an exclusive view of the show from its terrace while having breakfast. There is a wide variety of restaurants around that can also function as viewpoints.
32. Visit the Global Village
Global Village is an attraction within the Dubailand amusement park, in the Fantasy Island theme park. It is the ideal place if you go in the company of small children and adults with a young heart.
Admission is about 120 pesos, but roller coaster rides cost a bit more.
The park is a bit out of town, so you’ll probably spend the whole day here to make it worth the trip.
33. Explore Madinat Jumeirah
The Madinat Jumeirah is one of the most beautiful areas in Dubai. Although it has many modern details, it is a place that recreates ancient Arabia and contains some of the best hotels in Dubai.
You can visit it to do some shopping, have a romantic dinner, visit the souks or just take a walk and lose yourself in its streets.
From here you can have a beautiful view of the Burj Al-Arab.
34. Have fun at Aquaventure Water Park
This water park is one of the most fun and largest in the region. Your inner child may be excited to see all the attractions. You can easily spend a full day having fun in this magnificent place.
There is a wide variety of slides, different pools for all ages and much more in this water park.
35. Travel to Abu Dhabi
If you visit Dubai, you cannot miss the capital of the United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi. Dedicate at least a full day to see the impressive Grand Mosque, stroll along the Corniche and much more.
You can get there in about an hour by car. You could also take a bus tour and take guided tours of this beautiful place.
36. Visit the Lost Chambers Aquarium
This large aquarium is located in the five-star Atlantis hotel. Here you will discover many interesting facts about marine life and important information about the myths of the Atlantic. It is a great place to escape the summer heat and have a fun time with the family.
37. Take a professional photo
If you ever thought of hiring a professional photographer to take a majestic panoramic photo, now is the time. In Dubai you will find a large number of professional photographers everywhere who will take a picture of you anywhere in this beautiful city.
38. Ride a camel
If you are looking for an original way to experience Dubai, then take a camel ride through the city. Regularly this activity is offered on safaris in the desert.
39. Do not miss a bus ride around the city
The best way to enjoy many of the city’s tourist attractions is through a tour on one of the available tourist buses.
The price range is very varied and I am sure that you will be able to find the perfect bus to make this magnificent tour. Just relax and enjoy the views and the explanations of the guides.
40. The Dubai Frame
Inaugurated in January 2018, the Dubai Frame is a huge construction (150 meters) where you can take the best selfie in the world.
You will be surprised by its lighting if you visit it during sunset and it even has a glass floor on the top from where you can see 100 meters down. So it is a place not suitable for those who are afraid of heights.
41. Get a day pass to the beaches of the Palm Jumeirah
If you are not staying at one of the luxury hotels in Palm, you can get a day ticket to access Palm Beach.
These beaches are private, but with this pass you can enjoy their sands and special amenities.
42. Rent a private yacht
If you are looking to do luxurious things, there is nothing better than hiring your own private yacht. Being known as the city of the rich, renting a private yacht is quite standard in the region.
43. Enjoy a unique underwater dinner
In Dubai you will find several underwater restaurants where you can take advantage of an extraordinary evening with your loved one. This will be, without a doubt, something that they will remember all their lives.
44. Visit Wafi Mall
This shopping center is inspired by the constructions of ancient Egypt. It has a free light show every night. If you have time on your trip, you should stop by here.
45. Take a bike tour
On some beaches like Palm Jumeirah you can rent a bike and go for a ride. To rent it, you only need your cell phone and a credit card.
Palm Jumeirah Beach is the best for biking as it has new streets that make biking easier.
46. Practice sandboarding
Sandboarding is a sport in which you descend from sand dunes or hills in the desert. If you like extreme sports, you have to practice sandboarding in Dubai. As in snowboarding , you will be able to reach high speeds that will increase your adrenaline.
47. Marvel at the Dubai Garden Glow
This site is a huge garden full of brilliant lights that form gigantic and wonderful figures. It is the ideal place for those who love to show off photos on Instagram . If you have some free time, don’t forget to take a few photos here.
48. Visit the Dubai Underwater Zoo and Aquarium
The Dubai Underwater Zoo is one of the largest aquariums in the world. It is located inside the Dubai Mall. In fact, you can see a part of the aquarium from the ground floor of the mall.
49. Enjoy a walk around the city
There are so many places you can visit in Dubai that you probably won’t visit them all in one trip. However, City Walk is one of the first places you should visit.
It is a very beautiful and interesting place to walk around, especially at night, when all the places and shops are filled with lights.
You’ll find amazing street art on the city streets and plenty of dining options.
50. Visit Kite Beach
This beach is the ideal place for you to put your water sports skills to the test.
You will find many outdoor cafes and restaurants selling delicious smoothies just a few meters from the beach.
You can participate in the volleyball tournaments that are held continuously, ride a bike through the newly built parks, and plenty of beach activities.
The most important thing is that you enjoy your visit
As you have seen, in Dubai you can do endless activities. In the end, the important thing is to enjoy every moment. We suggest that you do not try to run from one place to another, just visit the places that interest you the most little by little and soak up their history.
This list is made to inspire you to travel and to be your own guide. So now you can decide what to do in Dubai.
Do not forget to share this information with your friends and leave us a comment with your impressions.
