54 Best things to see & do in Dubai

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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..