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Best experiences:

Burj Khalifa

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

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Bucket List Experience
Burj Khalifa rising above Dubai downtown cityscape high angle view view at sunset. United Arab Emirates modern architecture and travel abstract

The world’s tallest building. Head up to the world’s highest outdoor observation deck for exceptional views of the city and desert beyond, and learn Dubai history along the way.

Adult price: £30

Best for ages 4+

Museum of the Future

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

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Bucket List Experience
Exterior of the museum showing the silver curved building

This extraordinary, one-of-a-kind museum offers an insight into what a future world will look like – a bewildering showcase of cutting-edge technologies like AI, robotics, and virtual reality. Unmissable.

Adult price: £35

Best for ages 4+

Dubai desert safaris

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

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Bucket List Experience
Dubai desert safaris

A must-do Dubai experience – experiencing the surrounding desert through outdoor adventure, desert dinner and traditional entertainment.

Adult price: £20+

Best for ages 10+

Duration: 4+ hours

A night in the desert

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

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Bucket List Experience
A night in the desert

Take the opportunity to spend the night in a real desert, outside of the city – for a night of complete tranquillity and mesmerising star-gazing.

Adult price: £100

Best for ages 13+

Duration: 4 hours

Dubai’s best food & drink

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

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Bucket List Experience
Dubai’s best food & drink

Nicole rounds up the typical foods, ingredients and flavours, cooking styles, dining scene and best foodie experiences in Dubai.

Best for ages 13+

Duration: -

Camel Racing at Al Marmoom

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

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Bucket List Experience
aerial view of camels racing

Get a fascinating insight into Emirati culture, tradition and rituals by watching a camel race – a popular sport in Dubai since the 7th century.

Best for ages 6+

Duration: Half day

When: Oct-Apr

Frequency: Selected dates

Deep Dive Dubai [scuba diving & snorkelling]

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

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Bucket List Experience
Deep Dive Dubai [scuba diving & snorkelling]

Dive down into the world’s deepest diving pool, and discover a bizarre, imaginary sunken world. Snorkelling and kids’ experiences are available too.

Adult price: £90

Min age 6

Best for ages 6+

Duration: 2+ hours

Helicopter flights over Dubai

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

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Bucket List Experience
Helicopter flights over Dubai

Get you up close to Dubai’s world-famous landmarks, and put the sprawling desert city in perspective with an unforgettable helicopter flip.

Adult price: £160

Min age 2

Best for ages 12+

Duration: 1 hour

14 best family attractions in Dubai

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

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Bucket List Experience
14 best family attractions in Dubai

Few, if any, cities in the world can rival Dubai for a family holiday – particularly with this long list of family-focused attractions and activities.

Adult price: £15+

Best for ages 4+

Skydive over the Palm

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

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Bucket List Experience
Skydive over the Palm

Skydive over the famous Palm Jumeirah for the ultimate adrenalin-charged Dubai experience and jaw-dropping, if surreal, Palm views.

Adult price: £200

Min age 18

Best for ages 18+

Duration: 4 hours

Hot-air balloon flights over Dubai’s desert

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

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Bucket List Experience
Hot-air balloon flights over Dubai’s desert

Drift over an ocean of rolling, golden dunes surrounding this extraordinary city, their crisp curves glinting under the Arabian sun. The occasional oasis punctuates the solitude, as does the occasional traversing camel.

Adult price: £250

Min age 4

Best for ages 12+

Duration: 4-5 hours

Dubai’s extraordinary shopping mega-malls

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

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Bucket List Experience
Dubai’s extraordinary shopping mega-malls

Dubai’s extraordinary malls are a shopper’s heaven but so much more. They’re entertainment hubs, with cinema complexes, ski slopes, ice rinks, giant aquariums and regular live events.

Best for ages 4+

Duration: -

Old Dubai [walking]

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

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Bucket List Experience
View of traditional arabic buildings at Al Fahidi Historical District, Bastakiya

A walk around ‘Old Dubai’ and an abra ride on Dubai Creek offer a fascinating glimpse of the city as it would have been before the skyscrapers arrived.

Best for ages 13+

Dubai’s best beaches

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Dubai’s best beaches

Escape the sweltering heat and spend some time at Dubai’s beautiful golden beaches. Choose from hip beach clubs or family-friendly public stretches of sand.

Best for ages 4+

Dubai’s best shopping

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Dubai’s best shopping

From traditional souks to mega-malls, Dubai’s world-class shopping options span everything from dates to Bedouin jewellery to high-end fashion.

Best for ages 13+

Duration: -

Gold Souk

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Gold on the famous "Golden souk" in Dubai Deira market. Deira is an old commercial center of Dubai with the biggest street market.

An atmospheric bazaar where dazzling chains, earrings, headdresses and more drip from the shop windows, and good deals can be had if you know what you’re looking for. It’s regulated by the Dubai government to ensure authenticity.

Best for ages 13+

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Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) heritage tours

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The QE2 Hotel at dock in Dubai

Permanently moored in Dubai as a hotel, non-guests can join heritage tours led by the ship’s former Cruise Director. Learn about the most famous cruise liner in history and its role in the Golden Age of travel.

Adult price: £38

Best for ages 13+

Dubai Fountain

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Dubai Fountain

Set in the 30-acre Burj Lake, at the foot of the Burj Khalifa next to Dubai Mall, this Bellagio-esque, 5-minute light, sound and water spectacular sees jets of water shoot up to 140m into the air, synchronised to music. It takes place every 30 minutes from 6pm, over an area covering 2 football pitches. Head to the Dubai Fountain Boardwalk for the best view.

Best for ages 4+

Duration: 5 minutes

When: Daily from 6pm

Frequency: daily

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Global Village

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Colorful Entrance to Global Village with crowd in Dubai, UAE. Brightly colouredl lights and highly detailed pavilion facades have helped make Global Village one of Dubai's most popular attractions

A family-friendly journey around the world in one evening, full of shopping, food and entertainment. Pick up honey from Yemen, kaftans from Morocco, Thai food from the floating market, and go for a spin on the fairground rides. Good – if slightly kitsch – fun.

Adult price: £5

Best for ages 6+

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Miracle Garden

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Miracle Garden

One for the gardeners – this aptly-named garden, cultivated in the Middle East desert climes, is the world’s largest natural flower garden with over 50 million flowers and 250 million plants. The 72,000 square metres of park features numerous structures and decorations – from castles to elephants to 747s – covered in brightly coloured blooms.

Adult price: £17

Best for ages 13+

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Dubai Mall

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Dubai Mall

One of the world’s largest malls, at the foot of the world’s tallest building – a veritable city within a city. The mall includes 1,300 shops, a vast aquarium, ice rink and cinema, and SEGA Republic. Next door is a modern souk and a lake with spectacular dancing fountains directly beneath the Burj Khalifa.

Best for ages 4+

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High tea at At.Mosphere

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

High tea at At.Mosphere

Head to this restaurant/café on the 122nd floor of the iconic Burj Khalifa for the highest tea in the world. You’ll have practically the same views as from the observation deck, but with a more relaxed ambience. Cocktails, coffee and full dining options available too.

Adult price: £100

Best for ages 13+

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Dubai Garden Glow

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Dubai Garden Glow

An outdoor park featuring over 500 different displays and sculptures, illuminated by millions of lights. Highlights include famous monuments like the Taj Mahal, a Dinosaur Park with life-sized dinosaur models, the Underwater World, and the Magic Park, with interactive exhibits and optical illusions.

Adult price: £15

Best for ages 4+

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Textile Souk

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

colorful shoes in souk Dubai,United Arab Emirates

Running alongside Dubai Creek, the main lane of the souk is firmly for tourists and vendors can be quite persistent. Head one street back to find the real textile shops that cater to local tailors, with hues of every colour, shimmering satins, thousands of sequins, and the classic blacks and whites that are used to make Emirati traditional dress.

Best for ages 8+

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Sky Views Observatory, Edge Walk & Sky Slide

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Peopel attached to harnesses walking one edge of the OneWorld skyscraper in Dubai

This observatory, sited on the top of 50-story dual towers, offers views across the skyscrapered Dubai skyline. Daredevils (age 12-65 years) can book in for a terrifying ‘Edge Walk’ along the rim, attached to harnesses; and/or slide 4m down a transparent glass tube on the building exterior.

Adult price: £20

Best for ages 13+

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Aquaventure Waterpark

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Aquaventure Waterpark

Colossal marine and waterpark located at Atlantis The Palm, featuring adrenalin-pumping slides, including 12 new slides added at Trident Tower. Heaven for kids and big kids; only the bravest dare to try the near-vertical ‘Leap of Faith’ waterslide.

Adult price: £70

Best for ages 6+

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Ain Dubai

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Ain Dubai (Dubai Eye) tallest ferris wheel in the world on Bluewaters Island, JBR beach club with sunbeds in the foreground.

The world’s highest Ferris wheel, Ain Dubai has recently opened in Dubai Marina, offering spectacular views of the waters of the Arabian Gulf and towering skyscrapers along the coastline.

Adult price: £30

Best for ages 6+

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Spice Souk

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Variety of spices and herbs on the arab street market stall. Dubai Spice Souk, United Arab Emirates.

While some stores feel a little touristy, locals really do stock up on spices here too. From Iranian saffron to piles of chilis, cloves and spice mixes, the shopkeepers will be happy to tell you about their stock and how you can use the spices back home.

Best for ages 8+

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Etihad Museum

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Etihad Museum

The UAE’s national museum, set in this striking building by architects Moriyama & Teshima, is dedicated to preserving and displaying the heritage of the UAE – everything from social and cultural, scientific and military. The location was specially chosen to be where the country was founded in 1971. Open daily, with free daily guide tours.

Adult price: £5

Best for ages 18+

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Jumeirah Mosque

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Jumeirah Mosque is a mosque in Dubai City. It is said that it is the most photographed mosque in all of Dubai. Organized tours are available for non-Muslims.

A wonderful opportunity for non-Muslims to gain an insight into the Islamic faith. Public tours are on offer as part of the ‘Open Doors, Open Minds’ programme, inviting visitors to ask questions of their Emirati guides, enhancing their understanding of local culture.

Best for ages 13+

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Dubai Safari Park

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Dubai Safari Park

This 119-hectare wildlife sanctuary is home to over 3,000 animals from around the world, including lions, tigers, giraffes, and elephants. Visitors can take a safari tour, watch animal shows, and explore the park’s various global habitats. Great for learning about the local desert wildlife too.

Adult price: £17

Best for ages 4+

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Ski Dubai

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Ski Dubai

Indoor ski centre located inside the Mall of the Emirates, with two ski lifts and a ‘chalet’ for hot chocolate mid-ski. Worth a look, if only for the novelty or wrapping up in ski wear when it’s 45°C outside, but there are better things to do in Dubai.

Adult price: £45

Best for ages 8+

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Hike the Hatta Trail

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Hike the Hatta Trail

Anyone wanting to explore the desert scenery outside of the city should sign up for this 7-mile (11km) hike, run by local operator Nara. The trail is 1.5 hours from Dubai. Luxury transfers, refreshments and guide are included.

Adult price: £200

Best for ages 13+

Duration: 4-5 hours

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Wild Wadi Waterpark Dubai

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Wild Wadi Waterpark Dubai

An extraordinary waterpark inspired by Arabian myths/legends (Sinbad and Juha) popularised in children’s stories, with crazy rides & surfing. Situated in the area of Jumeirah, next to the Burj Al Arab and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel.

Adult price: £46

Best for ages 4+

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Madinat Jumeirah

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Madinat Jumeirah

A staggering replica of an Arabian walled citadel from medieval times, complete with towering sand-coloured buildings topped by wind towers, a touristy-but-fun covered souk, some great restaurants and bars, and a maze of meandering canals and lagoons plied by abras.

Best for ages 10+

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Souq Madinat

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

People shop at Souk Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. The traditional Arab style bazaar is part of Madinat Jumeirah resort.

It may veer on the kitsch, with its bazaar of Aladdin’s Cave-style shops, but some of the boutiques stock high-quality embroidered fabrics, pashminas and scarves. When you’re shopped out, there’s a great selection of restaurants outside, and cute little abra boats to ride around the man-made canals.

Best for ages 8+

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Cultural breakfast at Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Cultural breakfast at Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

Cultural activities and meals – including wonderful cultural breakfasts and lunches in Al Fahidi – offer visitors the chance to understand Dubai from the perspective of Emirati’s who have grown up and live in the city.

Adult price: £16

Best for ages 13+

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Arabian Teahouse

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Arabian Teahouse

A delightful former trader’s house in Al Fahidi where you could spend hours sitting in the atmospheric courtyard beneath the shady tree, sipping a mint lemonade or sweet karak tea.

Best for ages 10+

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Al Qudra Cycle Track

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

New desert cycle track at Al Qudra in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It's length is nearly 100km

An 86km cycling track that heads out from the city into the desert (go only as far as you want). Opt for an early morning or evening ride to avoid the heat, and you might be lucky enough to spot gazelles or oryxes. Bike rental is available from Hello Bike.

Best for ages 10+

Duration: 1+ hours

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Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Impression of the Wildlife Sanctuary Ras Al Khor with Greater flamingo's and the skyline of Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Just a stone’s throw from the Burj Khalifa, this is one of the city’s most unexpected sights – a wetland sanctuary full of avian life, including Greater Flamingos, spoonbills, egrets and more. Go early morning when they gather in large numbers.

Best for ages 6+

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Laguna Waterpark

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Laguna Waterpark

This small (by Dubai’s standards) waterpark – the newest of the bunch – is on the waterfront at La Mer, so also comes with a beach. Better for older, water chute-loving kids and infinity-pool-loving adults.

Adult price: £37

Best for ages 4+

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Legoland Dubai

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Legoland Dubai

The Dubai outlet of this popular theme park – packed with jaw-dropping Lego constructions and over 40 Lego-themed rides – is a great day out for kids 2-12. The air-conditioned indoor mini-land has Lego models of all Dubai’s top landmarks.

Adult price: £55

Best for ages 4+

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Camelicious Camel Milk Farm

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Akkawi Cheese from Middle Eastern cow's milk sliced on sauna bench desk wood board table

Drive out to this dairy camel farm on the outskirts of Dubai to visit the dromedaries and watch them being milked. Sample fresh camel milk, as well as flavoured milks and ice cream. Its creamy flavour belies the fact that it’s 50% lower in fat than cow’s milk.

Best for ages 13+

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Alerskal Avenue art district

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Woman in red dress enjoying art exhibition at the local gallery in Dubai

This warehouse district, a vibrant community of all things arts, continues to go from strength to strength. It features exceptional regional art across multiple galleries, as well as the region’s first arthouse cinema, and a handful of hip cafes and one-of-a-kind design boutiques.

Best for ages 13+

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Mall of the Emirates

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Mall of the Emirates

This labyrinthine mall holds around 1,000 outlets and is one of Dubai’s most popular. The top attraction is Ski Dubai, the famous indoor ski run and snow park. If you don’t fancy skiing, just grab a coffee and watch the surreal snowy scene through huge windows.

Best for ages 4+

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Motion Gate

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Motion Gate

This mega-theme park is inspired by Hollywood, with zones, shows, rides and characters themed around blockbuster movies such as Shrek and Madagascar for little ones –  there’s even a full-blown Smurf’s Village on-site – and Hunger Games for older children. There’s even an on-site, working movie studio for behind-the-scenes tours.

Adult price: £40

Best for ages 4+

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IMG Worlds of Adventure

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

IMG Worlds of Adventure

A monstrously large indoor amusement park, with five entertainment zones: two original concepts ‘IMG Boulevard’ and a dinosaur-themed ‘Lost valley’, and zones for international brands Marvel and Cartoon Network featuring the well-known characters and heroes. The fifth zone is a 12-screen cinema complex.

Adult price: £45

Best for ages 4+

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Aqua Fun

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Aqua Fun

The name says it all – 110 inflatable games and challenges floating on water offering hours of energetic fun for kids and adults alike. The world’s largest inflatable waterpark at 2,700 sq m is 25m off the beach at the Jumeirah Beach Residence. Open all year round.

Adult price: £35

Min age 6

Best for ages 6+

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Kite Beach

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Kite Beach

Located near the iconic Burj Al Arab, this long stretch of public beach is a great place for families to enjoy water sports such as kite surfing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. There are food trucks and cafes, showers and changing facilities. There’s also a long wooden promenade for sunset strolls and a skatepark.

Best for ages 4+

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Jumeirah Beach Park

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The Ain Dubai Observation Ferris Wheel, the largest of it's kind in the world, on Bluewaters Island near Jumeirah Beach, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Located in the Jumeirah district, this public beach is a popular spot for families. With a wide stretch of white sand, crystal-clear waters, and numerous facilities like showers, changing rooms, and play areas, this beach offers a fun day out for all ages.

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Wafi Mall

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Wafi Mall

Shaped like an Egyptian pyramid, and themed as such throughout, the highlight of this mall is the beautiful reconstructed Souk Khan Murjan, which lies beneath the modern mall. The souk is full of stained glass, decorative details and artisan wares. Stop for a Middle Eastern lunch in the attractive courtyard of the Khan Murjan restaurant.

Best for ages 4+

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Mirdif City Centre

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Mirdif City Centre

Yet another vast mall, this one is located just south of the airport and on a similar scale to Mall of the Emirates. In place of a ski run, there’s an aerial assault course and indoor skydiving centre, alongside a great ‘edutainment’ zone for kids.

Best for ages 4+

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Ibn Battuta Mall

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Ibn Battuta Mall

This themed shopping mall lies beyond Dubai Marina and is split into six separate courts that trace the travels of famous Arabic scholar-traveller Ibn Battuta. Look out for story boards throughout and other oddities such as replica ships and life-sized elephants. There’s an IMAX theatre too.

Best for ages 4+

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Mirzam Chocolate Makers Factory & Store

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Mirzam Chocolate Makers Factory & Store

A chocolate factory making everything from bean to bar in Dubai, Mirzam’s creations feature regional ingredients and rich storytelling, involving everything from ancient maritime trade routes and sea monsters to Emirati traditions. Don’t miss the lovely cafe in the Al Quoz neighbourhood..

Best for ages 6+

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