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Dubai is full of amazing things to do! In fact, it’s hard to compile one list – cause you could easily at least create the following lists:
- free things to do in Dubai
- classic touristy things to do in Dubai
- off the beaten track things to do in Dubai
- somewhat luxury things to do in Dubai
- crazy expensive things to do in Dubai
- things to do in Dubai as a solo female traveler
Anyway, I’ll try to compile the ULTIMATE list of things to do in Dubai and then you can decide on your own, what’s best for you!
Quick note on the side: I spent over a month in Dubai from end of April to beginning of June. Markus was spending half of the week with me while the other half he was off to Riad for client work. During that time I was exploring Dubai on my own. I have seen Dubai during Ramadan as well as during “normal time” and yes, some things were definitely different.
Anyway, let’s get you started on what to do in Dubai!
Table of Contents
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Map of top things to do in Dubai
Down below on the map, I marked all the must-see things in Dubai as well as some hotel recommendations and public transportation lines (namely, the tram, the metro, and the Gold Souk Bus). I hope this map will help you navigate around Dubai and make the most of your time in this fascinating city!
And if you are looking for the perfect place to stay in Dubai, check my hotel reviews of Dubai!
Read: Grosvenor House Dubai – a review with 3D tour
Go to the top of Burj Khalifa
Okay, so this was a no-brainer: yes, you should visit the highest building in Dubai – oh wait, the WORLD!
Entrance is really expensive but luckily covered in a number of “tourist passes” (which, in Dubai, often offer a really good value).
There are two different observation decks:
- At the top: Level 124+125 (from 141AED)
- At the top SKY: Level 148 (includes entrance to level 124+125) (from 370AED)
If you want to go even higher, you need to go to “The lounge” (Level 152+153+154) (from 600AED). Just to make this clear: this is over 150$ for entrance.
You can find more about the current ticket options here: Website Burj Khalifa
The smart way to visit Burj Khalifa: At.mosphere Bar
But there is another way to get up in Burj Khalifa: Head to the At.mosphere restaurant on level 122 and have drinks there!
Drinks and food are expensive – but the drinks were really good and came with free snacks.
You likely won’t save money this way as there is a minimum spend with tables (250AED per person for non-window seats / 350 AED for window-tables). But in my opinion, it is a much better investment to enough fantastic drinks in the world’s highest sky bar than to pay a hefty fee to run through an observation deck with many other people!
In order to do this, you need to make a reservation online or via phone. It’s easy and straightforward. You then tell your taxi driver to bring you to the Armani hotel (as the bar is part of this hotel) and tell the receptionist that you have a reservation for At.mosphere!
They have a pretty cool ladies’ night offer – one bottle of bubbly with some canapes just for 120AED. Come with your girls and enjoy the view for less after 9:30 pm! I am not entirely sure if they will enforce the minimum spend though – answers to this question vary, sadly.
Take a night bus tour of Dubai
We rarely take one of the sightseeing buses – but this time we decided to go for a five-day pass with Big Bus Dubai and this included an evening tour. City Sightseeing also offers this – so it doesn’t matter which ticket you choose.
But it is definitely worth seeing Dubai by night – especially around Burj Khalifa!
Cruise along Dubai Marina
Dubai Marina is stunning – both at day and at night and it is well worth exploring it from the water.
Sightseeing cruises start at Dubai Marina Mall near Pier 7 and cost around 65 AED for a one-hour cruise. Again, you could take the Big Bus ticket as it includes the Marina Boat Tour.
Or you’ll spend around 250 AED and take one of the dinner cruises. However, we have heard mixed reviews about the food quality aboard..!
Walk along JBR The Beach
Jumeirah Beach Residence (or short JBR) is a giant development project along Dubai Marina.
It is definitely worth strolling along both the beach as well as the JBR the Walk with lots of cafes, restaurants, and hotels.
And hey, there is one of the best public beaches in Dubai here!
Read: Best public beaches in Dubai
Madinat Jumeirah Souk
This item would definitely go on the touristy list as this Souk was constructed by Jumeirah Hotels and is only catering to tourists. Prices here are way too high – so I would recommend buying something here.
However, as the Souk is really beautifully designed (and entirely for free) – this is definitely worth visiting anyway!
Old Dubai (Deira) – Gold and Spice Souk
If you are out for a more authentic experience, you absolutely need to visit the Gold and Spice Souk in Dubai Deira.
You can buy spices here or gold (surprise!) – however, don’t forget to haggle hard!
The souks are chaotic and all the time someone will try to make you go into their shop.
Be prepared to be called Shakira if you are blonde (and apparently Angelina if you are brown haired). If you want, you can try on jewelry – but I hate being touched by strangers so I avoided this at all cost 😀
Al Fatta Heritage Souq / Al Seef Creekside
No, you are not done with Souks yet. 🙂
Next up on the list of things to do in Dubai is Al Fatta Heritage Market. This place was still in development when we visited in May 2019. You can already see the potential of this beautiful (fake) old-style walk along the Creek.
However, currently, almost no one comes here – making that a refreshing escape after visiting Gold Souk or Spice Souk.
Take an Abra ride across Dubai Creek
This is probably the cheapest (non-free) thing you will do in all of Dubai.
Abras are traditional boats that cross the Dubai Creek – and they are priced at just 1 AED (around 30 Cent)!
The Abra rides on fixed routes and is shared with around 20 people. It takes about 5 minutes to cross the Creek on the predefined route and is definitely one of the experiences you absolutely can’t miss when visiting Dubai!
Visit Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis the Palm
This aquarium is just stunning – inside the biggest tank are reef sharks, mantas and various colored fish.
Everything is designed to resemble the sunken city of Atlantis. Even being a diver and having seen all of these animals already in the open sea this was a unique experience.
You can also opt to only see the big tank from the Ambassador lagoon in the lobby of the Atlantis hotel (cheaper) – however you will miss out on the smaller and also beautiful other displays inside Lost Chambers aquarium.
Have dinner at Burj Al Arab
Burj Al Arab is visible from pretty much everywhere in Dubai. And like nothing else, the self-proclaimed only 7* hotel in the world represents Dubai’s mindset. Everything is luxurious, bigger, taller, more golden, more expensive in Dubai, and so is Burj Al Arab.
Without a reservation, you won’t get further than the lobby level (which is beautiful as well).
When we visited Dubai, we decided to splurge and had dinner at Burj Al Arab. There are numerous restaurants in Burj Al Arab and you can simply reserve a table online. Plan on spending at least 100$ per person though!
As it was Ramadan during our visit, we decided to have “Iftar” at Al Iwan and we did not regret it. The food quality was impressive and the service absolutely outstanding!
Dubai Museum
Dubai Museum shows you how Dubai has evolved from a sleepy old harbor town with pearl fishers and some trading into the bustling metropolis that it is now!
Entrance is really cheap (3 AED ~ 80 Cent) – and sometimes already included in your bus ticket (e.g. Big Bus Deluxe tour)!
See the ski slopes in Mall of Emirates
Yes, despite the fact that it gets scorchingly hot in Dubai in summer, there is a ski slope in Dubai – it’s in the Mall of the Emirates! And it’s one of the biggest indoor ski slopes in the world – and one of the literally coolest indoor things to do in Dubai when it gets really hot!
I am not sure if skiing is among the things you planned to do in Dubai – but hey, you CAN!
Aside from the ski slopes, Mall of the Emirates is a pleasant and beautiful mall to walk around. In my opinion, it is better than the Mall of Dubai – but that’s a question of personal taste. Anyway, even if you don’t like shopping at all – visiting a mall is a must in Dubai!
Mall of Dubai
And there we have it: The Mall of Dubai. It’s a sheer monstrosity in size and it can take ages to get around. I constantly lost orientation in the mall of Dubai. But that does not change the fact that it is indeed a fascinating building.
And there is a myriad of things to explore aside from shopping!
Dubai Fountain
The Dubai Fountains are the largest choreographed fountains in the world – and they are amazing to watch! Shows run in the evening (approximately every half hour – check the schedule online).
The fountains are free to watch – you can pay 20 AED though to get closer with an Abra. We didn’t and instead sat down in a restaurant (surprisingly, they are comparably cheap) and watched multiple fountains and light shows!
Aquarium in the mall
Another thing that Dubai Mall has to offer is a gigantic aquarium with sharks and manta rays! You can simply see the aquarium from inside the Mall for free and marvel at the colorful show that is put on.
Only if you want to walk through a tunnel you have to pay a (hefty) admission. I highly doubt it’s worth the up-pay (various packages, minimum is 175AED) – just stop by while walking through the mall!
The human waterfall
One of the most instagrammed places inside Dubai Mall is the human waterfall.
It’s an art installation with well, a waterfall and human statues. I wasn’t overly impressed and skipped the shot 🙂
Ice Rink
Somehow, Dubai seems to be obsessed with winter sports. While the Mall of the Emirates comes along with a ski hall, Mall of Dubai at least has an ice rink. If ice-skating is among the things to do in Dubai you feel you have to do – then you’ll find your spot in Dubai Mall.
Dubai Dino
Imagine, you are just casually walking along the souk part of the mall – and suddenly you are facing a dinosaur. Yes, there is a gigantic real skeleton of a dinosaur in Dubai Mall – the Dubai Dino!
Dubai Parks and Resorts
Opened in 2016, Dubai Parks and Resorts is a theme park complex in the south of Dubai. And it is certainly not only for kids – there is something to discover for everyone.
We spent a whole day exploring all four parks within Dubai Parks and Resorts – and this was certainly a tight schedule! I’d say, go for a two day all park pass and you will enjoy yourself even more!
Parks inside Dubai Parks and Resorts:
- Legoland Dubai
- Legoland Dubai Waterpark
- Motiongate Dubai (Hollywood-themed)
- Bollywood Dubai
Read: The ultimate guide to Dubai Parks and Resorts
Dubai Frame + Zabeel Park
Dubai Frame is one of the newest additions to Dubai’s landmarks and was recently added to the Guinness Book of World Records for being the “World’s Largest Frame” (what a record!!!)
The entrance price is just 52.5 AED and is totally worth it!
When you are visiting – take the time to also walk around Zabeel Park. Not only does it offer other perspectives on Dubai Frame – but it has also other interesting spots, like a Chinese mini pagoda!
Zabeel Park alone is 5 AED entrance only – but it is now included in the admission to Dubai Frame anyway!
Go to a beach club
Have you really been to Dubai if you haven’t visited a beach club?
Beach clubs are the modern side of Dubai. You will hardly feel any influence from Islam here – bikini clad girls and boys in shorts are drinking and partying on a gorgeous beach.
Most beach clubs can be found around Dubai Marina and JBR Beach. And if you are female: Most of them offer some sorts of an amazing ladies offer – often ladies days AND nights!
La Mer Beach Dubai
This is one of the public beaches in Dubai – and it’s my favorite one! There is a ton of reasons why I think this is the best beach in Dubai – even among the payed ones!
Read: Best beaches in Dubai – public and free!
Visit Jumeirah Mosque
Jumeirah Mosque is one of the two mosques that are open to non-muslim visitors. It’s close to La Mer – my favorite public beach in Dubai (link)
However, you can’t just walk in and wander around the mosque. You need to visit with a guided tour organized by the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding.
Tours run at 10 am and in the afternoon (note: during Ramadan only morning tours are operating) and cost 25 AED (~7$).
These tours are well worth the small pay as someone will explain to you everything about the mosque as well as the traditions of visiting a mosque (like the ritual washing before entering).
Outside Dubai
Do a day trip to Abu Dhabi
You can’t visit Dubai with hopping over to the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi (no, Dubai is NOT the capital!) at least for visiting the amazing Sheikh Zayed Mosque!
Luckily, it is really easy to get to Abu Dhabi from Dubai and vice versa – just take a public bus!
Read: Bus from Dubai to Abu Dhabi – everything you need to know!
Abu Dhabi is a lot more residential than Dubai – but that doesn’t mean that there is not a ton of things to see:
Sights to see in Abu Dhabi:
- Sheikh Zayed Mosque
- Emirates Palace Hotel
- Qasr Al Watan (Royal Palace)
- Corniche boardwalk
- Emirates Heritage Club Heritage Village
- Observation Deck from Etihad Towers
- Saadiyat island beaches
Explore the neighboring city of Sharjah
Sharjah is the Emirate just north of Dubai. It’s a lot more original and follows stricter rules than Dubai.
For example, Sharjah is a “dry Emirate”, meaning that you can’t get alcohol there, not even in international hotels. Also, you should dress a bit more conservative in Sharjah than you need to do in Dubai.
But that shouldn’t stop you from exploring this fascinating city! There is a lot to discover – and most of it is actually closer to Dubai Airport (DXB) than e.g. Palm Jumeirah!
Go on an evening desert safari
Technically, this is not in Dubai anymore – but tours into the desert usually start from Dubai (and Abu Dhabi).
Most tours include a few minutes of camel riding and some Arabian coffee + dates. Depending on the operator you choose your desert experience might also include dune bashing, a photo with a falcon, some henna painting, a Shisha and/or an BBQ dinner and some dance performances.
The cheapest price we found was just 59AED for such a desert sunset tour – and a basic one is even included for free in the 5-day ticket from Big Bus again.
However, if you want the full experience you should probably calculate to spend something like 40-60$ on such an experience and get one of the recommended Dubai tour operators! Including dinner, this is pretty cheap for Dubai!
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