Who hasn’t dreamed about being on the top of the tallest building in the world, admiring Dubai’s ultramodern architecture, visiting its luxurious shopping malls and swimming in the crystal-clear water of the Persian Gulf?
“The Golden City” is a dream destination for many people and has been declared the world’s most popular destination in 2022 by TripAdvisor, thanks to its unique attractions, world-class dining, and gorgeous hotels.
There are a plethora of things to do in Dubai and no matter how many times you visit the city, there will always be something new to do.
I, finally, visited Dubai and had a wonderful time. I spent one week exploring its most famous neighbourhoods, discovering Dubai’s newest attractions and popular fun activities for adults. The top ones I compiled in this post.
From climbing to the top of Burj Khalifa to swimming in the highest infinity swimming pool in the world, exploring a sunken city, spending the day at a beach club, sandboarding in the desert and riding a glass slide, here are the 25 best things to do in Dubai.
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25 Fun Activities in Dubai for Adults
1 – Be on top of the world at Burj Khalifa
A trip to Dubai cannot be complete without visiting Burj Khalif!
The tallest tower in the world, at over 828 metres (2,716.5 feet) and more than 160 stories, has been the most popular Dubai attraction since it opened its doors in 2010.
Visitors can enjoy incredible 360-degree views over Dubai and the Arabian Gulf from the 124th, 125th and 148th floors.
The Burj Khalifa was one of the first places that I visited in Dubai and the building is as impressive as the views. My recommendation is to buy the tickets online in advance, and if you’re spending a short time in the city, buy the skip-the-line ticket, because the queues are long, regardless of the time of the day.
2 – Watch the captivating Dubai Fountain Show
While in the heart of downtown, you shouldn’t miss the world’s tallest performing fountain.
Situated on the Burj Lake, Dubai Fountain at over 900 ft in length, equivalent to over two football pitches, has a unique design. It comprises five circles of varying sizes and two arcs, with powerful water nozzles that shoot water up to impressive heights.
The fountain performs a range of different songs, from classical to contemporary Arabic and world music, and comes to life every 30min, daily, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Watching the fountain show is one of the best free things to do in Dubai and I loved it. I watched it from three different places, and for me, the top one is from the pedestrian Souk Al Bahar Bridge, near Five Guys, where you can get very close to the fountain.
3 – Go shopping at Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall, situated in the heart of downtown, is the second-largest mall in the world by total land area and the most visited retail and lifestyle destination in the world, welcoming over 100 million visitors every year.
This shopping centre, like no other, has more than 1,200 retail outlets, over 200 restaurants and a wide range of entertainment and attractions for the whole family.
There are many things to do in Dubai Mall such as browsing flagship stores, taking pictures in the captivating waterfall, going ice skating, taking the kids to KidZania, seeing people diving in the Dubai Aquarium, etc.
4 – Explore a fascinating aquatic world at Dubai Aquarium
Home to 33,000 thousand marine animals, from over 140 species, including 400 sharks and Rays, Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is one of the largest aquariums in the world with a capacity of 10 million litres of water.
It features a fascinating 48-metre-long tunnel and provides a series of carefully designed experiences, from animal encounters to diving, fish feeding and glass-bottom boat rides.
Dubai Aquarium is open 365 days a year, from Monday to Thursday, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and from Friday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to midnight.
You can book your ticket here and if you’re also visiting the Burj Khalifa, getting this combo will save you some money.
5 – Ride the glass slide at Sky Views
Located just across the Burj Khalifa, Sky Views is a thrilling new attraction in Dubai offering three adrenaline-pumping experiences.
You can explore the Sky Observatory and find new photo opportunities to capture the stunning Downtown Dubai skyline 720 ft (219.5 meters) above the city, slide down a floating transparent tube from the 53rd to the 52nd floor, or dare to a hands-free walk along the edge at the Edge Walk.
The ticket includes the glass walk experience and on-time slide only. Book your ticket online in advance and avoid the peak time, because you can wait up to 30min for the Glass Slide.
6 – Enjoy the striking views from The View at The Palm
While in Dubai you can’t miss the world-famous Palm Jumeirah, a symbol of Dubai’s growth and ambition.
To get the best view of this iconic artificial archipelago, head over to The View at The Palm, the tallest building on Palm Jumeirah Island.
Standing over 240m (787.40 feet) and 52 storeys high, The Palm Tower provides unbeatable 360-degree views of Palm Jumeirah, the Dubai skyline and beyond.
The View at The Palm has an outdoor glass-framed terrace, a premium VIP lounge, and an exhibition where you can learn more about the Palm Jumeirah. It’s also a great place to take stunning pictures for your socials.
7 – Swim in the sky at Aura Sky Pool
Located also at The Palm Tower, on the 50th floor, Aura Sky Pool is the world’s highest 360-degree infinity pool and one of the new things to do in Dubai (it opened in November 2021).
You can indulge yourself in ‘Lounge Experiences’, from leisurely breakfast to gourmet lunch, and sundowner drinks, or ‘Pool Experience’, by booking a sunbed for the morning, afternoon or the whole day, to swim, relax and enjoy the glistening horizon of the Arabian Gulf.
Aura Sky Pool is a tremendous success, but it isn’t that cheap. A sunbed starts from 200 AED (£40 / US$55), and lunch from 350 AED (£73 / US$95) per person.
Reservations open 60 days in advance and the demand is very high.
8 – Visit the flower paradise in the Dubai Miracle Garden
With more than 150 million flowers in full bloom, this 72,000 sqm paradise is one of the most picturesque and sweet-scented Dubai attractions.
Dubai Miracle Garden, the world’s largest natural flower garden, has a variety of exciting attractions for the whole family.
You can marvel at the world’s largest floral Emirates A380 Airbus, admire the Disney floral display, explore the mesmerizing Floral Clock, take pictures in the lovely Heart Tunnel, and enjoy walking around the magical floral garden.
It’s open from 9 AM – 9 PM on weekdays and from 9 AM – 11 PM on weekends. Buy your skip-the-line ticket online in advance here.
9 – Explore a sunken city at Deep Dive Dubai
If you’re looking for cool and unique things to do in Dubai, look no further. Deep Dive Dubai, the world’s deepest pool, is the answer.
This unparalleled 60-meter pool, with an extraordinary underwater city, is filled with fresh water at 30C.
Divers, professionals, and first-timers alike can explore and discover the wonders of the vast sunken city by joying one of the different experiences, from Free Diving, to Discover Scuba Diving and Diving.
I booked a ‘Discover Scuba Diving Experience’ at Deep Dive Dubai, and I had a fantastic time. I had so much fun exploring the underwater city. If you’re an adventurer and like one-of-a-kind experiences, don’t miss the chance.
10 – Strolling around Marina Walk
Best places to go in Dubai for free? The Marina Walk is one of my top suggestions.
The world-famous Dubai Marina Walk is a 7 km palm-lined beachfront walkway featuring 305 outlets and 69 restaurants surrounded by impressively head-spinning buildings.
You can enjoy a pleasant stroll along the promenade, go souvenir shopping at Covent Garden Market, explore the marina by bike, or hop on the water bus, which travels between Marina Terrace, Marina Mall, and the Promenade.
You can also take a yacht tour with breakfast/BBQ included or a dinner cruise with drinks and live music.
11 – Soar through the sky on Ain Dubai
Located at Bluewaters Island, near the Dubai Marina, Ain Dubai is the world’s largest and tallest observation wheel at 250m high.
This world-record breaking has 48 high-tech cabins, a capacity for 1,750 people and provides astonishing 360-degree views and a new perspective of Dubai’s mesmerizing skyline.
The ride lasts approximately 38min and costs 130 AED (£27 / US$35). Book your skip-the-line ticket online in advance here.
12 – Go to the beach
Located in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula on the coast of the Persian Gulf, Dubai has some of the most pristine beaches in the world.
Featuring golden sand beaches with crystalline water, the beaches in Dubai range from super simple (just sun, sand, and sea) to ultra-luxurious, from private to public.
JBR, La Mer and Kite Beach are some of the finest stretches of sand in the city and offer a wide range of facilities such as lounge chairs and umbrella rentals, restrooms, showers, restaurants, etc.
13 – Go to a Beach Club
Do you want to upgrade your beach experience in Dubai? If your answer is “Yes, please”, you should go to a beach club.
Whether you’re into a laid-back, boho-chic, or glamorous beachfront escape, Dubai has it all.
Some of the best clubs in Dubai are Beach by FIVE, Nikki Beach, Cove Beach, Fluid, White Beach, Drift Beach and SAL.
They boast crystal-clear water swimming pools, luxury cabanas, comfy loungers, and DJs, offer a great selection of food and drinks to choose from and aren’t cheap. Although the money is redeemable for food and beverage.
Spending the day at a beach club in Dubai is going to be so relaxing and like no other day in the city.
14 – Do Water Activities
While on the beach, what about doing some water sports? With miles of coastline and perfect sea conditions, there are no excuses to engage in some sort of fun activities in Dubai.
JBR, La Mer and Kite Beach are some of the beaches in Dubai that offer a plethora of water sports to children and adults alike.
From inflatable rides to kayaking, jet skiing, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, flyboarding, parasailing, scuba diving, etc.
15 – Go shopping at the Gold and Spice Souks
Located in Deira, a commercial hub and one of the oldest parts of Dubai, the Spice and Gold Souks, are two of the most popular places to visit in Dubai for free.
These traditional markets are a labyrinth of covered walkways with hundreds of retailers offering a huge selection of jewellery made from gold, silver, diamonds and other precious metals and stones, and exotic spices from India, Pakistan, and Iran.
You can visit the markets by yourself, the closest metro station is Al Ras, or you can take the metro to Al Ghubaiba and a regular Abra (boat) for 1 AED. But for a much richer experience, I recommend booking this tour.
16 – Get a glimpse into Dubai’s past at the Heritage Village
While in Old Dubai, you should also visit Dubai Heritage Village, where you can look back in time and explore the emirate’s past.
The village created in 1997 and rebuilt in 2001 is a reproduction of Dubai’s traditional culture and lifestyle, and there are museums, an Arabic village with stone houses, Bedouin tents, wind-tower houses, market stalls, etc.
You can shop, discover artefacts, and watch artisans making pottery, blowing glass, metalworking, and weaving fabric on a loom.
Dubai Heritage Village, aka Hatta Village, is open from Saturday to Thursday, from 07:30 am to 08:30 pm and on Fridays from 02:30 pm to 08:30 pm. It’s free of charge.
17 – Marvel at the Museum of the Future
Open in February 2022, the Museum of the Future is one of the new attractions in Dubai that will certainly leave you in awe.
This extraordinary museum combines elements of the exhibition, immersive theatre, and themed attraction. Each floor is like a film set in a future that you can inhabit, explore, and interact with.
The museum is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm and costs 145 AED (£30 / US$40). Tickets and time slots must be booked in advance.
Even if you don’t visit it, you should take a closer look at the building, as it’s an architectural marvel and is considered one of the most beautiful buildings on Earth.
18 – Take a Desert Safari Tour
Another experience that you shouldn’t miss during your visit is a desert safari.
You’ll drive over the red dunes of the desert surrounding Dubai, ride a camel, sandboard and more, depending on the tour you book. Some companies offer a BBQ buffet, dance show, henna painting, ATV/buggy (for an additional fee) and a falcon experience.
I was looking forward to taking a safari desert tour as it would be my first time in a desert, riding a camel (not a big thing) and sandboarding.
I can confess that this tour is a bit touristy, but I still think that’s worthwhile. Some of the best-rated desert safari tours in Dubai are this one and this one.
19 – Take a Day Trip to Abu Dhabi
While in Dubai, why not go to Abu Dhabi?
The capital of the United Arab Emirates is one of the most luxurious and wealthiest cities in the world. It’s just approximately 130 km (81 mi), a 1h20min drive, from Dubai.
There are several things to do in Abu Dhabi in one day, but the highlights are the breath-taking Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi (an architectural masterpiece), the Etihad Towers (featured on Fast & Furious 7) and Qasr Al Watan Palace.
I do recommend that you book a group tour to Abu Dhabi because it’s much better, easier, and more enjoyable than doing everything by yourself. Check the prices and availability here.
20 – Go Partying
Dubai has a bustling nightlife with a plethora of lively bars, luxury rooftops, world-class nightclubs, and opulent bistros to make your night out in Dubai a night to remember.
Before you hit the floor, you should know that most bars and clubs in Dubai are restricted to five-star hotels as they have a liquor license to serve alcohol. Bars are open until midnight and clubs until 3:00 am, in general.
Some of Dubai’s best bars and clubs are: Bla Bla, The Penthouse, Iris and SushiSamba.
But Dubai’s brilliant party scene goes beyond the nighttime, there are also parties on yachts, brunches, and beach clubs, which for me is one of the best things to do in Dubai with friends.
21 – Go Fine Dining
In the lavish city of Dubai, where the level of extravagance reaches almost unimaginable peaks, there isn’t a shortage of fine dining restaurants.
Many of Dubai’s most famous restaurants can be found in the city’s luxurious hotels, such as Armani/Amal (third floor of the Armani Hotel), Social by Heinz Beck (Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah), Eauzone (One&Only Royal Mirage) and Nobu Dubai (Atlantis, The Palm).
But there are other great restaurants scattered all over the city that are worth checking. Thiptara, Buddha-Bar, Zuma and Atmosphere (the world’s tallest restaurant) are just some of them.
Fine dining is one of the best things to do in Dubai for couples and as I was alone, I did it only once. I went to Ninive, one of the best Middle Eastern restaurants and cocktail bars in the city.
22 – Visit The Pointe
Located on Palm Jumeirah, across the bay from Atlantis, The Pointe is Dubai’s new waterfront destination offering unrivalled dining, entertainment, and leisure.
Its 1.5 km promenade is dotted with luxury stores and more than 80 restaurants and cafes from around the world with spectacular views. There’s also a public beach and the world’s largest musical fountain.
The Pointe is the perfect place for unwinding, enjoying the cool sea breeze with stunning views and snapping pictures against the awe-inspiring backdrop of Atlantis The Palm, an iconic Dubai landmark.
23 – Go to a Waterpark
With plenty of slides, tunnels, inflatable mattresses, giant buoys, wave pools and fountains, spending the day in a waterpark is undoubtedly one of the most fun things to do in Dubai with family.
The four best waterparks in Dubai are: Aquaventure, Laguna, Wild Wadi, and Legoland.
Aquaventure, probably the best and most beautiful one, is the world’s largest waterpark with over 105 record-breaking slides, animal encounters, 1Km private beach, and much more.
If you are visiting the city with kids, you shouldn’t miss the chance to take them to these incredible waterparks!
24 – Visit the Dubai Frame
The Dubai Frame, the largest frame in the world, is an architectural landmark in Zabeel Park that consists of two 150-metre high, 93-metre-wide towers connected by a 100-square-meter glass bridge, all covered in gold plating.
Standing tall at 150 m, Dubai Frame provides a bird’s eye view of the city’s spectacular skyline, and you can experience amazing views of the Old and New Dubai.
It’s open daily from 09:00 am to 09:00 pm and costs 50 AED (£10 / US$13). If you prefer, you can book this city tour that includes a visit to The Pointe and Dubai Frame tickets.
25 – Take Pictures for your socials
A trip to Dubai can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Apart from creating memories that will last forever, it’s also an opportunity to boost your Instagram.
Dubai is one of the most Instagrammable cities in the world and has plenty of photo opportunities to please everyone.
From museums to hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, beach clubs, rooftops, and famous landmarks, almost everything in Dubai is Instagram-worthy.
Some of the most Instagrammable places in Dubai are: Burj Khalifa, Atlantis, Burj Al Arab, Wings of Mexico Statue, Dubai Mall Waterfalls, the Museum of the Future, and the lantern shops in the Spice Souk.
Dubai is a vibrant and unique destination.
Whether you’re doing a stopover on your way to Asia or Africa, or only visiting the city, like me, I suggest that you plan your trip carefully because there’s a wide range of things to do and see.
And if you can’t do everything on a single trip, no worries because there’ll be always a reason to come back to this exciting city.
Safe travels and have fun in Dubai.
Watch my Video: Best Things to Do in Dubai
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Tips for Planning a Trip to Dubai
Where is Dubai located?
Dubai is situated on the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates. It shares borders with Abu Dhabi in the south, Sharjah in the northeast, and the Sultanate of Oman in the southeast (check the exact location here).
How to Get To Dubai
There are 2 major international airports in Dubai, the Dubai International Airport (DXB) and the Dubai World Central or the Al Maktoum International (DWC).
DXB, the primary international airport serving Dubai, is the world’s busiest airport by international passenger traffic.
To find the best deal on airline tickets to Dubai head to Skyscanner, the website that I trust, use and recommend.
Best Time to Visit Dubai
The best time to visit Dubai is from December to February when the temperatures are more pleasant. But this is also the high season when accommodation gets a bit more expensive.
Alternatively, you can visit Dubai in November or March. I travelled to Dubai in mid-March and the weather was good. Although, two days were very hot (36C / 97F).
Avoid travelling to Dubai from mid-May to mid-September when the daily temperature is above 38C (100F).
Where to Stay in Dubai
I stayed in there different hotels in Dubai: Leva Hotel and Suites, Opposite Downtown, Rove Dubai Marina and Super 8 by Wyndham Dubai Deira.
If you’re looking for a place to stay in Dubai, my recommendation is:
- Budget: Green Sky Hostel, Rove City Centre, Wyndham Dubai Deira and Mix
- Great value for money: Edge Creek Side Hotel, Rove Downtown and Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina
- Luxury: Grosvenor House, The St Regis Dubai, Address Sky View and Atlantis Hotel
- Book Your Flight Find deals on airlines on my favorite search engine: Skyscanner. Be sure to read my How to find cheap flights article.
- Rent A Car Rental Cars is a great site for comparing car prices to find the best deal.
- Book Accommodation Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. But Hotels.com and Hilton Hotels have very interesting reward programs.
- Protect Your Trip Don’t forget travel insurance! I always use World Nomads for short-term trips and SafetyWing for long-term ones. Find out why Travel Insurance: Much More Than a Precaution, a Necessity.
- Book Tours in Advance Book unforgettable experiences and skip-the-line tickets with GetYourGuide or Viator .
- Book Ground Transportation BookaWay offers a stress-free experience with secure payments and no hidden fees. You pay online and receive your itinerary by email.
- Luggage Solutions Rent your luggage with Cargo or if you need to drop off your own luggage and enjoy your time without dragging it all over a city, find a LuggageHero shop here.
- Get a Travel Card Revolut Card is a pre-paid debit card that enables cash machine withdrawals in 120 countries. I’ve been using my Revolut Card for over a year and never paid foreign-transaction fees again. Get your Revolut Card with free shipping here.
- Packing Guide Check out my How to Pack a Carry-on Luggage For a Five-month Trip to help you start packing for your trip. Don’t forget your camera, chargers and other useful travel accessories. World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.