9x What to see in Dubai

Dubai is a wonderful destination if you are looking for a modern city, good weather and plenty to do. Dubai is one of the 7 Emirates (alongside Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Qaywayn, Ras al-Khaimah, and Fujairah) and certainly the best-known emirate of these 7.

Dubai is well-visited all year round, but it can get incredibly hot in the summer. For that reason, we mainly recommend the spring months for a visit to Dubai. It is around 20-25 degrees then. Perfect for an early beach holiday, but also a great temperature for doing all kinds of activities. Fortunately, Dubai is also well-equipped to handle very hot temperatures. For instance, we were there once in July when it was well over 45 degrees, but we didn't mind it much as long as we stayed indoors (even the bus shelters here have air conditioning!).

From Dubai, you can also take fun day trips to other nearby emirates, such as Abu Dhabi. You can find more information about such a day trip here.

But there is also a lot to see and do in Dubai. Below are our 9 favorite things to do when you are in Dubai.

Burj Khalifa

The tallest building in the world, named the Burj Khalifa, is located in Dubai and stands at an impressive 828 meters tall! Construction began in 2004 and the tower was completed in 2010. Inside the tower, you will find residences, offices, a hotel and a restaurant. That restaurant is also the highest restaurant in the world and is located on the 122nd floor.

Although you can spot the Burj Khalifa from several places in Dubai, you can also buy a ticket to visit one of the observation decks. These are located on the 124th/125th floor and on the 148th floor. Because this is a popular attraction in Dubai, it is recommended to purchase a ticket in advance.

Dubai Fountain

The Dubai Fountain is located at the foot of the Burj Khalifa, so both attractions can easily be combined. The Dubai Fountain is the largest fountain show in the world and features afternoon shows at 1:00 and 1:30 (or on Fridays at 2:00 and 2:30) and evening shows every half hour from 18:00 until 23:00. There are various shows, so you won't see the same thing every time.

Dubai Mall

For this attraction, we'll stay close to the last ones. The Dubai Mall, Dubai Fountain, and Burj Khalifa are all close together, so you can easily visit them all in one go. In Dubai, everything is big, bigger, biggest, so it won't surprise you that the Dubai Mall is the largest shopping center in the world. Here, you can not only find amazing things, but this mall also houses an ice rink, a gigantic aquarium, and an indoor waterfall.

Burj Al Arab

Besides the Burj Khalifa, the Burj Al Arab is another well-known and iconic building in Dubai and therefore certainly worth a visit. Unlike the Burj Khalifa, this building is exclusively a hotel. A very luxurious hotel, to be precise, where a night easily costs €700. The Burj Al Arab is also referred to as the only 7-star hotel in the world. The hotel stands on an artificial island in the sea, 280 meters from the coast, and is connected to the beach by its own bridge.

Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina is a popular district in Dubai built around a large harbor. Especially in the evening, when it cools down a bit, there is plenty to do here. Think of restaurants, bars, and other nice spots along the harbor where you can walk or just sit down and relax.

Palm Jumeirah

The Palm Jumairah island is Dubai's first artificial peninsula and the largest in the world. The island is shaped like a palm tree, making it one of Dubai's most famous structures. The island features more than 1,000 villas and 2,000 apartments. There are also several shopping malls and luxury hotels, such as Atlantis The Palm, where you can stay.

Dubai Frame

The Dubai Frame is a unique place to visit because the building is shaped like a picture frame. It consists of two towers connected by a bridge. You take an elevator to the top, where you have an observation deck at a height of 150 meters. From here, you have an incredible view of the Dubai skyline, including the Burj Khalifa.

Dubai Miracle Garden

You can also find the largest natural flower garden in the world in Dubai. The Dubai Miracle Garden contains more than 150 million flowers and plants that you can encounter in various forms. Think, for example, of an airplane made entirely of flowers, a floral arch, or several gigantic Disney figures, also made entirely of plants and flowers. Because temperatures in Dubai can rise significantly during the summer, this extraordinary garden can only be visited from November through May.

Desert day trip

You can also book a desert safari from Dubai. You can often choose between an afternoon or evening trip, including a barbecue. You will be picked up from your hotel in Dubai and driven to the desert. Such a safari often consists of a wild ride through the dunes, the opportunity to sandboard and ends at a camp with a barbecue dinner and live entertainment.