Fun things to do in Dubai
There are plenty of things to do in Dubai for people of all ages. You can visit imposing buildings such as the Burj Khalifa and take in stunning vistas of the city from top-view decks. Shoppers will like the Dubai Mall with its numerous shops and entertainment facilities. Families love water parks, aquariums, and wildlife reserves, which offer thrilling experiences for children and adults alike. You can take a relaxing walk along the Dubai Marina and catch boat rides or dhow cruises. Cultural and futuristic sites such as the Dubai Frame and Museum of the Future provide insights into Dubai’s heritage and vision.
Outdoor activities include desert safaris with dune bashing, camel rides, and BBQ dinners under the stars. Beaches and waterfront promenades offer a great space to relax and enjoy the sun. Overall, Dubai offers a combination of contemporary attractions, cultural experiences, and adventurous excursions that accommodate different interests. If you’re looking for comfortable accommodation, consider staying in service apartments in Dubai. For a full itinerary, check out the top places to visit in Dubai, and for retail therapy, explore the top 10 malls in Dubai.
Things to do in Dubai
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Visit the Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa in Dubai
To experience a mix of contemporary architecture and breathtaking views of Dubai, you must go to the Burj Khalifa. You may tour its observation decks, which offer panoramic views of the city. Tourists also browse the nearby Dubai Mall and eat at restaurants serving diverse cuisines. Individuals undergo guided tours that describe the construction and architecture of the building. Tourists take pictures from strategic points and view the fountain displays organised near the tower. Families relax in recreation areas and visit entertainment venues within walking distance.
Business travellers arrange meetings in locations inside the tower and find lounges specifically created for relaxation. Visitors pre-book tickets to avoid delays and organise their time according to desired schedules. Consumers buy souvenirs from authorised sources and take memories of the trip. Tourists travel to the site on public transport with ease, and therefore, the Burj Khalifa is a must-visit site on a visit to Dubai.
Located in: Burj Park
Address: 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Height: 828 m, 830 m to tip CTBUH
Floors: 163
Owner: Emaar Properties
Cost: US$1.5 billion
Architects: Adrian Smith, Marshall Strabala, George J. Efstathiou
Opened: 4 January 2010; 14 years ago
Nearby Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station
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Explore The Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall
You can visit The Dubai Mall and have a day of shopping, dining, and leisure. The mall has an array of international and local brands that appeal to all tastes. Travellers stroll through its expansive design and discover stores to suit their taste and requirements. Families spend their time in several entertainment areas that accommodate activities for kids and adults. Food enthusiasts have various dining establishments to dine on international and local foods. There are also leisure activities that cater to visitors and keep them occupied for the whole day.
Customers browse new arrivals, take advantage of promotions for the season, and maximise their visit. Friends troop to restaurants, eat together, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere surrounding the mall. Tourists usually have a stop here as part of their Dubai trip because it offers numerous experiences under one roof. Visit The Dubai Mall and experience shopping, dining, and entertainment establishments that make memories.
Location: Downtown Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Opening date: 4 November 2008; 15 years ago
Developer: Emaar Properties
Management: Emaar Malls Group
Architect: DP Architects
No. of stores: 1,200+
Total retail floor area:3,800,000 sq. ft.
No. of floors: 4
Parking: 14,000+
Nearest metro station: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Red Line
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Go on a Desert Safari
Desert Safari in Dubai
Embark on a desert safari and have a fun outdoor adventure that is a mix of adventure, culture, and entertainment. Take a ride on the dunes in a 4×4 vehicle and experience the thrill of an off-road adventure. Visit the desert terrain and take regular brief stops to enjoy the scenery. Experience activities such as camel rides, sandboarding, and quad biking, which provide diversity to the trip. You can relax at a desert camp and watch traditional dance and music performances. You can have a taste of local cuisine served in the open and spend time under the night sky.
Take in the sunset views and take pictures to capture the memories. You can go for morning or evening safaris, depending on your timings, and have the flexibility of different packages. Most operators have several activities in one tour, so the experience is also good for groups, families, or single travellers. Book your desert safari ahead of time and have an experience of a lifetime in the desert.
Key activities: Dune Bashing, camel riding, sandboarding, Quad Biking/Dune Buggies, and many more
Camp Experience (Evening Safari): Sunset View, Traditional Camp, BBQ Dinner, Entertainment, and many more
Best Time to Go: November to March
Cost: AED 85–220 (US$23–60) per person for standard packages
Best Safari: Red Dune Safari with dune bashing and quad biking
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Wander through the Old Dubai Souks
Old Dubai Souks
Walk through the Old Dubai Souks and witness a traditional shopping experience that fascinates tourists with its one-of-a-kind charm. You walk along the narrow streets where local merchants showcase fabrics, spices, perfumes, and gold jewellery. These products enhance the authentic marketplace environment. The Spice Souk reveals you to pungent aromas, whereas the Gold Souk makes you focus on stores filled with ornaments. The Textile Souk provides regional culture-influenced fabrics, clothing, and accessories. You visit each section of the markets and deal directly with shopkeepers who bargain, thus making it part of the experience.
These souks portray a robust trading culture that emphasises the intersection of business and social community. You come across daily items, souvenirs, and culture-derived products that symbolise Dubai’s traditional trading culture. Tourists like to walk from stall to stall and find a wealth of products. A tour of the Old Dubai Souks affords you a firsthand experience with a tradition that interweaves past and current commerce.
Location: South side of Dubai Creek, in the historic Bur Dubai district
Famous for: gold jewellery, spices, and handcrafted textiles
Hours: 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Best time to visit: October–April
Ticket Price: free and open to all
Nearest Metro station: Al Ras Metro Station
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Relax at Jumeirah Beach
Jumeirah Beach in Dubai
You can unwind at Jumeirah Beach for a straightforward means of spending time beachside in Dubai. The beach runs along the coast, providing clean sand and peaceful water. You can sit or recline on the sand to soak up the sun and soft breeze. The spot offers ready access to nearby cafes and stores to get refreshments and snacks. The beach is visited by people to stroll along the beach or engage in activities related to water, such as beach volleyball and swimming. The beach remains open from morning through late evening and does not have an entrance fee.
It has clean facilities such as changing rooms and seating areas. The area also has hotels and parks that you can visit if you prefer. Guests can choose to relax peacefully or listen to soft music in certain locations. The overall ambience encourages you to relax and spend time away from daily patterns. Jumeirah Beach presents a peaceful location for relaxation close to Dubai’s urban city life.
Location: Jumeirah district of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, along the coast of the Persian Gulf
Famous for: stunning white sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and breathtaking views of iconic landmarks like the Burj Al Arab
Hours: Open 24 hours
Best time to visit: November to March
Ticket Price: free and open to all
Nearest Metro station: Sobha Realty and Dubai Marina
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Ski Indoors at Ski Dubai
Ski Dubai
Ski Dubai provides an exciting indoor skiing experience within the Mall of the Emirates. The facility has a year-round cold temperature and boasts five ski runs of different difficulty levels. Guests can access beginner to expert runs, including the world’s first indoor black diamond run. The facility rents out all ski equipment, including jackets, boots, and skis, with the ticket. Skiers ride chairlifts and tow lifts to access the summit of the slopes. Besides skiing, Ski Dubai features a 3,000-square-meter Snow Park with toboggan and sledge rides, an ice slide, climbing towers, and snowball zones.
Guests can also meet penguins in organised interactions. Ski Dubai provides lessons for children and adults of all levels and is suitable for novices as well as experienced skiers. The indoor setting provides skiing and snow sports irrespective of the external weather in the desert city of Dubai. This renders Ski Dubai a year-round destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
Location: Mall of the Emirates
Opened: November 2005
Famous for: the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East
Hours: 9:00 am to 12:00 am
Height: 85 m
Trails: 5
Ticket Price: 130 AED
Nearest Metro Station: Mall of the Emirates Metro Station
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Explore the Dubai Marina
Dubai Marina
Discover Dubai Marina, a seashore district in Dubai. Walk along the Marina Walk, a pedestrianised promenade alongside canal. Look at yachts moored along the water and skyscrapers bordering the area. Shop and dine at Dubai Marina Mall. Have cafes and restaurants along the promenade. Experience boat cruising or water sports. The neighbourhood is accessible by public transportation, like the metro and water taxis. Beaches like Jumeirah Beach are close by for the more laid-back visitors.
Bridges along the canal in the district provide nice photo opportunities. Dubai Marina provides city living with access to the sea. Visitors like to walk the paths and look out at the cityscape. The district is clean, secure, and suitable for families. Dubai Marina provides a combination of entertainment, shopping, and leisure activities, all situated in a seashore environment, making it a distinguishing destination in Dubai.
Location: District of Marsa Dubai in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Famous for: luxurious yachts, stunning skyline, and a vibrant social scene with countless restaurants and activities
Built: 2003
Hours: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Total area: 4.9 km2 (1.9 sq mi)
Ticket Price: 0
Nearest Metro Station: Sobha Realty and DMCC
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Visit the Dubai Frame
Dubai Frame
Visit the Dubai Frame to experience a unique view that showcases both old and new Dubai. Two towers stand 150 meters tall, and a 93-meter bridge connects them at the top. Visitors enter through a museum on the ground level that offers insight into Dubai’s past and future. A glass elevator carries guests up 48 floors in less than two minutes. At the top, the observation deck provides panoramic views of downtown Dubai on one side and historical areas on the other.
A glass walkway in the middle allows visitors to look down at the city from above. This landmark symbolises Dubai’s transformation and connection between its heritage and modern growth. The Dubai Frame is located in Zabeel Park and provides a clear and unobstructed view; therefore, it has become a favourite among tourists and residents due to its iconic architecture. Make your visit to take in the breathtaking cityscape from this iconic tower.
Location: Zabeel Park in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Famous for: the world’s largest picture frame
Opened: 1 January 2018
Hours: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Ticket Price: AED 50
Nearest Metro Station: AI Jafiliya Metro Station
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Ride the Palm Jumeirah Monorail
Jumeirah Monorail in Dubai
The Palm Jumeirah Monorail offers a central transport connection down the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. The monorail sits elevated, stretching between the Gateway Station at the head of the Palm and the Atlantis Aquaventure station, and also makes stops at Al Ittihad Park and Nakheel Mall. The robotic trains run from 9 AM to 10 PM daily, with departures every 15 minutes. The monorail runs for approximately 5.5 kilometres, providing passengers with unobstructed views of Palm Island’s distinctive design and surrounding buildings.
Parking at Gateway Station provides you with a complimentary parking space for the first three hours. The fares begin from AED 10 one-way, with round-trip and passes for regular passengers available. Employees wait on the driverless trains to aid passengers and keep everyone safe. The monorail is both for visitors and locals and is convenient and quick in its travel along Palm Jumeirah in around 10 to 20 minutes for each complete trip. It connects many of the island’s notable sites.
Location: along the trunk of Palm Jumeirah in Dubai
Famous for: scenic and unique way to travel across the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai’s iconic human-made island.
Started: April 2009
Hours: 9:00 am to 10:00 pm
Length: 5.5 km
Ticket Price: AED 35
Nearest Metro Station: Dubai Internet City and Al Khail
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Explore the Dubai Creek
Dubai Creek
Explore the Dubai Creek, a natural saltwater creek that flows through the centre of Dubai. The creek separates the city into two halves, Bur Dubai and Deira. The creek has been an important trading route and harbour for years, facilitating maritime business such as fishing, pearl diving, and trade. Since the 1950s, developers have dredged and developed the creek to include larger ships. Wooden abras work like water taxis, ferrying people over the creek. The surrounding region of the creek has markets, historic places, hotels, and business districts.
Major bridges join the two major portions of the city over the creek, facilitating movement and trade. People can enjoy the cosmopolitan environment, traditional boats, and a glimpse of old Dubai life along the banks of the creek. Dubai Creek continues to be a significant cultural and commercial centre, indicative of the city’s historical beginning and continued development as a world trade centre.
Famous for: its historical role in trade, traditional markets, boat rides, and as the birthplace of modern Dubai.
Built by: architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava
Length: Total 24 kilometres
Hours: 24 hours
Ticket Price: 0
Nearest Metro Station: BurJuman Metro Station 2
Conclusion
Activities in Dubai range from urban discovery to cultural experience and outdoor recreation. Travellers can pick activities that suit their interests, ranging from sightseeing iconic landmarks to relishing family-friendly recreational parks and entertainment spots. Dubai blends tradition and modernity through historical attractions and futuristic destinations. Outdoor activities such as desert safaris spice up any travel plan. Dubai’s environment encourages dynamic travel experiences that blend leisure, culture, and adventure. Visitors leave with memories of a city that offers variety, convenience, and a unique blend of the old and new.