The plethora of things to do in Dubai can confuse anyone. Dubai thrives on tourism. Sightseeing, adventure, food, shopping, culture, art—you name it, you will find it in Dubai. This is why Dubai is one of the world’s top tourist destinations.
Dubai is ideal for all kinds of visitors. There are numerous family-friendly attractions for tourists with kids and even romantic attractions for couples on their honeymoon. Even singles vacationing with their friends will find plenty of exciting things to do here. These are the Dubai things to do that will keep you entertained in the city.
Visit Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa is impossible to ignore. The building is 828 meters high and towers over all the city’s skyscrapers. The building has hotels, residential complexes, and corporate offices as well. But its main attractions are the observation decks on the 124th, 125th, and 148th floors.
All three observation decks showcase an astonishing 360-degree view of the city. There are specialized telescopes that provide you with a closer look at the different landmarks in Dubai. You can also dine at the restaurant on the 122nd floor, which serves delicious meals along with fantastic views.
Indulge in Retail Therapy
It is a delight to shop in Dubai. The enormous shopping malls in the city have stores for almost all the popular international and local brands. The Dubai Mall is a dream-come-true spot for shopping lovers, as the place has more than 1,200 stores that sell everything from clothes to electronics.
The Mall of Emirates, Dubai Hill Mall, and Dubai Marina Mall are a few other malls you must visit. But you must not restrict your shopping to malls. Dubai has traditional souks where you can buy everything from spices to gold.
The Gold Souk, Perfume Souk, Spice Souk, and Textile Souk in Deira and Bur Dubai are worth visiting. Souk Madinat Jumeirah is a modernized version of the traditional souk, which is a combination of a souk and a mall.
Ignite the Adventurous Side in You
There are numerous Dubai attractions that reveal the city’s adventurous side. You can participate in hordes of adventurous activities, including extreme sports. Water sports lovers can try kite surfing, flyboarding, kayaking, paddle boarding, parasailing, and deep-sea fishing. Snorkeling and scuba diving are also popular here.
The ultimate adventure sport to try here is skydiving, where you jump from an airplane and enjoy an aerial view of the legendary Palm Jumeirah. Hot air balloon riding, bungee jumping, helicopter riding, ziplining, and skiing are some other must-try adventures here.
Enjoy the Raw Beauty of the Desert on a Desert Safari
The roots of the sprawling city of Dubai lie in the desert. Today, very few tribes live in the desert, but you can still enjoy the beautiful landscape with the desert safaris Dubai. The desert safari is a fun-packed experience filled with adventure and entertainment.
It begins with a bang with the dune bashing session as you roll over the dunes in a 4×4 vehicle. You can enjoy sandboarding, quad biking, and camel riding at the desert camp. The evening brings with it entertaining programs like belly dance and Tanoura dance.
A 3-course BBQ dinner is also something you can expect here. But one thing you should not miss is the glorious sunset in the desert. Alternatively, you can also choose a morning desert safari or an overnight desert safari.
See Dubai from the Water on a Dhow Cruise
Dubai is laden with fine dining restaurants with cuisines from almost all over the world. But only a dhow cruise can give you a unique dining experience. The dhow cruise is a floating restaurant built on a traditional boat.
The dhow cruise usually happens on Dubai Creek and Dubai Marina, and sometimes on the Dubai Water Canal. The cruise serves a three-course meal with local and international dishes.
Guests also get to watch entertaining performances like Tanoura dance and belly dance. But the showstopper is the glimmering city sights that unfold during the cruise. The breathtaking spectacle of the city skyline twinkling in millions of lights makes the cruise truly worthwhile.
Soak in the Old-World Charm of Dubai
Dubai is the epitome of modern architecture, dotted with unique constructions and buildings. But a part of the city still preserves its past. We are talking about Old Dubai, situated on the banks of Dubai Creek.
Old Dubai reminisces about the time when Dubai was a fishing village. As you walk here, you can admire antiquated buildings preserved beautifully. You will even find a Starbucks inside one such building.
A must-visit place here is the Al Fahidi Fort (the oldest building in the city), which houses the Dubai Museum. The Al Fahidi Neighborhood’s historic buildings, traditional constructions, and narrow alleyways make for an enlightening tour. There are several unique museums, art galleries, cafes, restaurants, and souks here to explore.
Prepare for Thrilling Animal Encounters at Dubai Safari Park
Most people envision a desert tour when they think of a safari in Dubai. But did you know that you can go on an African safari in the city? The Dubai Safari Park has over 3,000 animals in its several zones.
The African Safari is one of its main highlights. The drive-in, special safari bus lets you see a range of African and Asian wild animals, including tigers, lions, giraffes, cheetahs, etc., closely.
You can also visit the Asian Village, Explorer Village, and Arabian Desert Safari zones. There is also the Kids Farm, where little visitors can pet and feed farm animals like horses, sheep, goats, ducks, etc.
Spend a Fun Day or Two at the Amusement Parks
Dubai’s amusement parks will add fun to your holiday. The IMG Worlds of Adventure is on top of the list. It is the largest indoor theme park in the world. It has some of the most thrilling rides and attractions spread around several zones, like Marvel, Cartoon Network, the IMG Kids Zone, and the Haunted Hotel.
A visit to Dubai Parks & Resorts will let you experience the numerous attractions of Hollywood Parks Dubai, Legoland Dubai, and Legoland Water Park. Then there are the amazing water parks.
Be it Wild Wadi Water Park (the oldest in the city), Atlantis Aquaventure (the biggest in the region), or Aqua Fun (the largest inflatable water park in the world), each aims to impress and entertain like no other.
Have Fun on the Beaches of Dubai
Dubai has perfect beach weather most of the year and some stunning beaches to enjoy, although you should avoid it during the scorching summer daytime. Relaxation, adventure, and great food await you on the city’s beaches.
And how can one forget the sunset? Sunset fans should visit Sunset Beach at dusk to witness a glorious sunset. The Jumeirah Open Beach is apt for family picnics.
Kite Beach is for adventure lovers who want to indulge in kite surfing and paddleboarding. Black Palace Beach, or Secret Beach, is where you should head if you want to enjoy the deep waters of Dubai in peace.
Witness the Mesmerizing Dubai Fountain Show
Dubai is an expensive city where you have to buy tickets to almost all popular attractions. But the Dubai Fountain Show is something you can watch for free. The Dubai Fountain Show happens on Burj Lake, right outside Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa.
The show starts around six in the evening and takes place every half an hour; each show lasts five minutes. As it begins, the fountain starts dancing to the tunes of some popular music. Along with the sprays of water, the lake is illuminated with colorful lights, adding to its allure.
While you can watch the show from the edge of Burj Lake as often as you want, you can also buy tickets to watch it closely on an abra ride on the lake or by taking to the dedicated Dubai Fountain Boardwalk.
Dubai is a city that presents new and unique attractions almost every year. It is a city that you can visit multiple times without repeating any of the attractions you have seen. You can easily find fascinating Dubai tours that match your interests.
