top things to do in dubai

Introduction : 19 Top Things to Do in Dubai | An Insider’s Guide to the City of Gold

Hey there, fellow adventure seekers! So you’re thinking about hitting up Dubai, huh? Well, buckle up because I’m about to take you on a virtual tour of my absolute favorite spots in this mind-blowing metropolis. Having spent countless weekends exploring this desert playground, I’ve compiled what I consider the 19 must-do experiences in Dubai that’ll make your Instagram followers green with envy. Trust me, this isn’t your average tourist guide—these are the real deals!

1. Scale the Mighty Burj Khalifa

Let’s kick things off with the obvious, shall we? The Burj Khalifa isn’t just tall—it’s insanely tall! Standing at a jaw-dropping 828 meters, this architectural marvel puts other skyscrapers to shame. Ever wondered what it feels like to stand on top of the world? Well, here’s your chance!

The observation deck on the 148th floor (aptly named “At The Top Sky”) offers views that’ll literally take your breath away. I still remember pressing my nose against the glass, watching tiny cars that looked like ants crawling along Sheikh Zayed Road. Worth every dirham of the entrance fee, IMO.

Pro tip: Book your tickets for sunset. You’ll get to experience the city in daylight, during sunset, and after dark when the city lights up like a Christmas tree. Talk about getting three experiences for the price of one!

2. Get Lost in the Gold and Spice Souks

Ready to channel your inner haggler? The traditional markets of Dubai are calling your name! The Gold Souk is exactly what it sounds like—a glittering marketplace where literally tons of gold are on display. I’m not exaggerating when I say the shop windows are basically dripping with gold necklaces, bracelets, and rings that would make even a pirate blush.

Just a short walk away is the Spice Souk, where the aromas of saffron, cardamom, and hundreds of other spices create an intoxicating atmosphere. The vibrant colors of the spice mounds are basically begging to be photographed.

Quick warning though—vendors can be pretty persuasive, so unless you want to go home with five kilos of saffron and a gold camel statue, keep your haggling skills sharp! 🙂

3. Experience Desert Safari Adventures

Okay, can we talk about desert safaris for a sec? Because they’re absolutely INCREDIBLE! Picture this: you’re bouncing up and down massive sand dunes in a 4×4, your stomach doing somersaults as the driver expertly navigates the golden landscape. It’s like being on a rollercoaster, except there are no tracks and you’re surrounded by endless sand!

After the dune bashing (that’s what the pros call it), most tours include camel rides, sandboarding, henna painting, and a traditional Bedouin-style dinner under the stars. The dinner typically features mezze platters, grilled meats, and sweet treats, all while enjoying belly dancing and tanoura performances.

I still have sand in places I didn’t know existed from my last safari, but hey, that’s part of the charm!

4. Take a Dhow Cruise Along Dubai Creek or Marina

Want to see Dubai from a different perspective? Hop aboard a traditional wooden dhow boat for a cruise along either Dubai Creek or Dubai Marina. These beautifully restored vessels serve up delicious dinner buffets while you glide past the city’s illuminated skyline.

The Creek gives you that old-school Dubai vibe with historic buildings and bustling souks, while the Marina route showcases the ultra-modern side with its futuristic skyscrapers and luxury yachts. Either way, you’re in for a treat!

Ever tried taking night photos while on a gently rocking boat? Let’s just say my first attempts were hilariously blurry, but the memories are crystal clear!

5. Go Wild at Aquaventure Waterpark

When temperatures hit the 40°C mark (which happens… a lot), there’s no better escape than Aquaventure at Atlantis, The Palm. This isn’t your average water park—it’s a sprawling aquatic playground with heart-stopping slides, lazy rivers, and private beaches.

The Leap of Faith slide still gives me nightmares (in a good way). It sends you plummeting down a near-vertical drop before shooting you through a transparent tunnel surrounded by sharks and rays. Yes, actual sharks! Talk about an adrenaline rush!

If extreme slides aren’t your thing, the lazy river stretches for over a kilometer, making it perfect for casual floating while working on your tan. Win-win!

6. Marvel at The Dubai Fountain Show

Remember the Bellagio fountains in Vegas? Well, Dubai took one look at those and said, “Hold my non-alcoholic beer.” The result? The Dubai Fountain—the world’s largest choreographed fountain system that puts on spectacular shows every 30 minutes from 6 PM onwards.

Located right outside The Dubai Mall and in the shadow of the Burj Khalifa, these fountains shoot water up to 150 meters in the air, synchronized perfectly to both Arabic and international music. The best part? It’s completely free to watch!

Find yourself a spot at one of the waterfront restaurants about 15 minutes before showtime. Trust me, the combination of good food, amazing fountains, and the illuminated Burj Khalifa in the background is pure magic.

7. Shop ‘Til You Drop at The Dubai Mall

Speaking of The Dubai Mall—this place is RIDICULOUS (in the best possible way). Calling it just a “mall” feels like calling Mount Everest just a “hill.” With over 1,200 shops, this retail paradise could swallow your entire vacation if you let it!

Beyond shopping, the mall houses an Olympic-sized ice rink, a massive indoor aquarium and underwater zoo, a haunted house attraction, and a VR park. I once went in for “just a quick look” and emerged five hours later with aching feet and several shopping bags. No regrets though!

The Dubai Mall isn’t just about shopping—it’s an attraction in its own right. Even if you’re not planning to buy anything (yeah, right!), it’s worth visiting just to see the architectural marvel and people-watch.

8. Take a Helicopter Tour Over the City

Want to make your Dubai trip truly unforgettable? Splurge on a helicopter tour! Yes, it’s pricey, but seeing the Palm Jumeirah, World Islands, and the city skyline from above is an experience that’ll stay with you forever.

Most tours last between 15-25 minutes and provide headsets so the pilot can point out landmarks as you fly over them. The perspective you get of man-made islands and architectural wonders is simply unmatched by any ground-level experience.

FYI, booking in advance is essential, and don’t forget your camera—though honestly, these views are so stunning they’ll be burned into your memory anyway!

9. Visit the Museum of the Future

One of Dubai’s newest attractions is also one of its most impressive. The Museum of the Future is a architectural masterpiece shaped like an eye with Arabic calligraphy covering its exterior. But the real magic happens inside, where cutting-edge exhibitions explore everything from space colonization to artificial intelligence.

Unlike traditional museums that showcase the past, this one catapults you decades into the future. Interactive displays let you experience technologies that don’t even exist yet! The “Tomorrow Today” exhibition blew my mind with its vision of future cities and sustainable technologies.

Is it weird that I left questioning everything I thought I knew about the future? The place is part museum, part time machine, and entirely awesome!

10. Wander Through the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood

Ready for a complete 180 from all that futuristic glitz? Head to Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood (also known as Al Bastakiya), one of the oldest areas in Dubai. With its narrow lanes, wind towers, and restored merchant houses, it feels like you’ve stepped back in time.

This atmospheric district is home to the Dubai Museum, housed in the Al Fahidi Fort—the oldest existing building in Dubai. The museum offers fascinating insights into what life was like before skyscrapers and supercars transformed the landscape.

After exploring the museum, stop by the Arabian Tea House for some mint tea and traditional Emirati food. Sitting in the courtyard under the shade of a tree, surrounded by whitewashed walls, you’ll forget you’re in the same city as the Burj Khalifa!

11. Get Up Close with Wildlife at Dubai Safari Park

Animal lovers, this one’s for you! Dubai Safari Park houses over 3,000 animals across 119 species in various themed sections. Unlike traditional zoos, the animals here have large, naturalistic habitats.

The African Village area is particularly impressive, with giraffes, zebras, and lions looking perfectly at home despite being in the desert. The Asian Village and Arabian Desert Safari sections are equally fascinating.

The park puts a strong emphasis on conservation and education, which makes me feel better about visiting. Plus, seeing my usually cool niece absolutely lose her mind over feeding a giraffe was worth the price of admission alone!

12. Experience the View from The Palm

The Palm Jumeirah is engineering insanity—a palm-shaped island visible from space! While staying at one of the luxury hotels here might break the bank, you can still experience the Palm by visiting The View at The Palm observation deck.

Located 240 meters up in the Palm Tower, this viewpoint offers 360-degree panoramas of the island, the Arabian Gulf, and the Dubai skyline. There’s something surreal about looking down at this massive palm-shaped structure stretching into the sea.

I recommend timing your visit for golden hour when the setting sun casts a magical glow over the entire scene. Seriously stunning!

13. Ski Dubai – Yes, Skiing in the Desert!

Only in Dubai can you go from scorching desert heat to snowy slopes in the same day! Ski Dubai inside the Mall of the Emirates offers 22,500 square meters of real snow year-round. It’s completely bonkers and absolutely wonderful.

With five ski runs of varying difficulty, there’s something for everyone from beginners to experienced skiers. Not into skiing? Try the Snow Park instead, with its sledding hills, zorb balls, and penguin encounters.

The temperature is maintained at a chilly -1°C to -2°C, so you’ll definitely need the cold-weather gear that comes with your ticket. Walking out afterward into 40°C heat creates the most bizarre temperature shock—talk about a uniquely Dubai experience!

14. Get Cultural at Alserkal Avenue

Need a break from the bling? Alserkal Avenue in the industrial area of Al Quoz is Dubai’s thriving arts district. This collection of warehouses-turned-galleries showcases contemporary art from the Middle East and beyond.

Besides art galleries, you’ll find quirky concept stores, hipster cafes, and creative spaces hosting everything from yoga classes to film screenings. It’s where Dubai’s cool kids hang out, and the vibe is refreshingly authentic compared to the polished malls.

I stumbled upon an amazing Palestinian photography exhibition here that completely changed my perspective on the region. That’s the magic of Alserkal—you never know what will inspire you!

15. Dive into Dubai’s Foodie Scene

Dubai’s culinary landscape is as diverse as its population. From humble street food to restaurants headed by celebrity chefs, this city is a food lover’s paradise!

For an authentic local experience, head to Al Dhiyafah Road, nicknamed “Cheap Eats Street,” where Lebanese, Iranian, and Filipino restaurants serve up delicious, affordable meals. My go-to spot is Ravi Restaurant—their butter chicken will change your life, I swear!

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Dubai also boasts outposts from world-famous chefs like Gordon Ramsay, Nobu Matsuhisa, and Massimo Bottura. Dinner at Zuma or Coya might require a second mortgage, but the food is absolutely phenomenal.

Don’t leave without trying some traditional Emirati cuisine! Al Fanar Restaurant offers authentic dishes like machboos (spiced rice with meat) and luqaimat (sweet dumplings) in a setting that recreates old Dubai.

16. Experience Global Village

If you’re visiting between October and April, do NOT miss Global Village! This seasonal attraction combines culture, shopping, dining, and entertainment from over 75 countries in one massive outdoor venue.

Each country has its own pavilion where you can shop for authentic handicrafts, sample traditional foods, and sometimes catch cultural performances. It’s like traveling the world in a single evening!

The entrance fee is ridiculously cheap (around $4), making it one of Dubai’s best value attractions. I always end up spending hours here, hopping between countries and loading up on unique souvenirs that definitely don’t fit in my suitcase. :/

17. Catch Sunrise from a Hot Air Balloon

Early risers, this one’s for you! A hot air balloon ride over the desert at sunrise is one of those bucket-list experiences that actually exceeds expectations.

As you float silently above the dunes, watching them change color with the rising sun, you might spot Arabian oryx, gazelles, or wandering camels below. The serene desert landscape stretching to the horizon with Dubai’s skyline visible in the distance creates a powerful contrast between nature and human achievement.

Yes, the 4 AM wake-up call is brutal, but I promise you won’t even remember your grumpiness once you’re up in the air witnessing that golden desert sunrise. Absolutely worth losing a few hours of sleep!

18. Marvel at La Perle by Dragone

Cirque du Soleil, eat your heart out! La Perle is Dubai’s first resident show, created by the legendary Franco Dragone (the genius behind many Cirque productions). Set in a custom-built theater with a pool stage that transforms from dry to wet in seconds, the show combines breathtaking acrobatics with stunning water effects.

Performers dive from 25 meters, fly through the air, and sometimes even motorcycle across the stage! The technology behind the production is mind-blowing, with high-powered water jets, moving stages, and projection mapping creating an immersive experience.

I literally sat with my mouth open for most of the show. It’s that impressive!

19. Relax at Kite Beach

After all that sightseeing, you’ll need some downtime. Kite Beach offers the perfect mix of relaxation and people-watching with its pristine white sand and clear waters.

As the name suggests, it’s popular with kite surfers whose colorful kites fill the sky on windy days. The beach has excellent facilities including showers, changing rooms, and a jogging track, plus plenty of food trucks and cafes when hunger strikes.

The beach also offers unobstructed views of the Burj Al Arab, making it a prime spot for those iconic Dubai photos. I’ve spent many afternoons here, alternating between cooling dips in the Arabian Gulf and lounging with a good book.

Final Thoughts on Dubai’s Top Attractions

So there you have it—my 19 favorite things to do in this crazy, over-the-top, utterly fantastic city! Dubai is one of those rare places that somehow manages to exceed its own hype. From record-breaking architecture to desert adventures, world-class shopping to cultural experiences, there truly is something for everyone.

Whether you’re planning a quick stopover or an extended vacation, Dubai demands your attention and rewards your curiosity. Just remember to pack light clothes (it’s HOT most of the year), respect local customs regarding dress and behavior, and bring your sense of wonder—you’re going to need it!

Have you been to Dubai? What was your favorite experience? Or if you’re planning a trip, which of these attractions are you most excited about? Whatever your Dubai dreams entail, I guarantee this city won’t disappoint!