Things to do in Dubai: 9 fun activities and attractions

Dubai is a wonderful destination if you are looking for a modern city, good weather and plenty of things to do. Dubai is one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates, alongside Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. It is certainly the best-known of the seven emirates.

Planning a trip to Dubai? Read more here about everything you need to know before you go to Dubai!

How many days do you need in Dubai?

To visit several beautiful attractions and enjoy the warm weather, we recommend spending around four to seven days in Dubai. Exactly how long you need mainly depends on how much time you are planning to spend relaxing on the beach. 😉

From Dubai, you can also take several enjoyable day trips to nearby emirates, including Abu Dhabi. More information about taking a day trip to Abu Dhabi can be found here.

However, there is also plenty to see and experience within Dubai itself. Below, we share our nine favourite things to do in Dubai.

Visit Burj Khalifa

The tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa, is located in Dubai and stands an incredible 828 metres tall. Construction began in 2004, and the tower officially opened in 2010. Inside Burj Khalifa, you will find residences, offices, a hotel and restaurants. At.mosphere, located on Level 122, is one of the highest restaurants in the world. Although you can see Burj Khalifa from many different places across Dubai, you can also purchase a ticket to visit one of its observation decks. The main observation experience takes you to Levels 124 and 125. You can also book a ticket that includes the higher observation deck on Level 148. Because Burj Khalifa is one of the most popular attractions in Dubai, we recommend booking your tickets in advance.

Watch the Dubai Fountain

The Dubai Fountain is located at the foot of Burj Khalifa, making it easy to combine both attractions during the same visit. The fountain show takes place on Burj Lake, next to Dubai Mall. The performances combine music, water and lights, with the water jets dancing to a variety of songs. Evening shows currently take place every 30 minutes between 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. There are also afternoon performances, although the schedule differs on Fridays. Different songs and performances are used throughout the day, so you may not see exactly the same show each time.

Go shopping at Dubai Mall

We will stay in the same area for this next attraction. Dubai Mall, the Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa are all located close together, so you can easily visit all three during the same day. In Dubai, everything seems to be bigger, taller and more impressive. It will therefore not surprise you that Dubai Mall is one of the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destinations. You will find an enormous range of shops, but the mall offers much more than shopping alone. Inside Dubai Mall, you will also find an ice rink, a huge aquarium, entertainment attractions and an impressive indoor waterfall.

See Burj Al Arab

Besides Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab is another famous and iconic building in Dubai and is therefore well worth seeing. Unlike Burj Khalifa, this building is used entirely as a luxury hotel. Spending a night here can easily cost hundreds of euros. Burj Al Arab is often described as the world’s only seven-star hotel. However, this is an unofficial nickname rather than an official hotel classification. The sail-shaped hotel stands on an artificial island around 280 metres from the coast and is connected to the mainland by a private bridge. Even when you are not staying at the hotel, you can admire it from nearby beaches or book a guided tour or restaurant reservation. Burj Al Arab remains one of Dubai’s most recognisable landmarks.

Walk around Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina is a popular neighbourhood built around a large man-made marina. There is plenty to do here, particularly in the evening when temperatures begin to cool down. You will find restaurants, bars and plenty of other enjoyable places along the waterfront. You can walk beside the marina, have dinner or simply find somewhere to sit and enjoy the views. The area is surrounded by modern skyscrapers, making Dubai Marina especially impressive after dark when all the buildings are illuminated.

Explore Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah is Dubai’s famous palm-shaped artificial island and one of the city’s best-known construction projects. The island was created using reclaimed land and is shaped like a palm tree when viewed from above. It is home to private residences, restaurants, shopping areas, beaches and several luxury hotels, including Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis The Royal. One of the best places to see the shape of Palm Jumeirah is The View at The Palm. This observation deck is located 240 metres above the ground and offers a panoramic view of the island, Dubai and the Arabian Gulf.

Visit Dubai Frame

Dubai Frame is an unusual attraction because the building is shaped like an enormous picture frame. It consists of two tall towers connected by a bridge at the top. An express lift takes you to the Sky Deck, located approximately 150 metres above the ground. From here, you have an incredible panoramic view of Dubai, including both the older parts of the city and the modern skyline. The glass bridge connecting the towers is around 50 metres long and offers views straight down towards Zabeel Park. From Dubai Frame, you can also see famous buildings such as Burj Khalifa.

Visit Dubai Miracle Garden

Dubai Miracle Garden is one of the most colourful attractions in Dubai. The enormous seasonal garden is filled with millions of flowers and plants arranged into impressive shapes and displays. You may see floral arches, buildings, characters and even a life-sized aircraft completely covered in flowers. The designs are regularly changed, meaning the garden can look different each season. Because summer temperatures in Dubai become extremely high, Dubai Miracle Garden is only open during the cooler part of the year. The precise dates can change each season, so check the official website for the current opening schedule before visiting.

Take a trip to the desert

You can also book a desert safari from Dubai. There are usually several options available, including afternoon excursions and evening trips with a barbecue dinner. You will normally be collected from your hotel in Dubai and driven into the desert. A typical desert safari may include an adventurous drive across the sand dunes, the opportunity to try sandboarding and a visit to a desert camp. Evening excursions often end with a barbecue dinner and live entertainment. It is a fun way to leave the skyscrapers behind for a few hours and experience a completely different side of Dubai.