Things to Do in Dubai: The 22 Best Attractions & Highlights

Top Sights in Dubai

Dubai has a truly impressive number of attractions. Since you’ll hardly have time to see every single one, we’ve put together the top highlights for you here.

Top Things to Do in Dubai in Two Days

Just making a stopover and wondering which Dubai sights you absolutely need to see during a short stay? You can comfortably fit these attractions into two days:

• Burj Khalifa
• Dubai Mall
• Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo (get tickets)
• Dubai Fountain (book tour)
• Madinat Jumeirah

When you head to Madinat Jumeirah, you can not only take a boat ride through the idyllic waterways, but also stroll along the beach and see the Burj Al Arab.

More Great Things to Do in Dubai If You Have Extra Time

If you have a bit more time, we’d also recommend these Dubai highlights:

• Aquaventure Water Park (get tickets)
• Dubai Garden Glow
• Desert Safari (book tour)
• Stroll through Deira
• Walk in Al Mamzar Beach Park

Our tip: If you want to make sure you hit all the top attractions, the Dubai Turbopass or the Dubai Explorer Pass is worth it. Both passes cover Dubai’s most important highlights and can save you money and time. Before buying, check your savings against the individual ticket prices.

Dubai Attractions You Should Book in Advance

Some Dubai attractions are absolute tourist magnets. That’s why we recommend buying tickets for these highlights ahead of time.

Otherwise, you may end up waiting in long lines — or find that tickets are only available for a different day.

The table below lists all the Dubai highlights for which we recommend booking tickets online:

All Dubai Attractions on One Map

For a quick overview, here are all the major Dubai points of interest on a single map.

Impressive Architecture in Dubai

Burj Khalifa

The Dubai attraction par excellence is, of course, the Burj Khalifa — the tallest building in the world and one of the most famous landmarks on the planet.

The Burj Khalifa stands an impressive 828 meters tall. For comparison: the Berlin TV Tower, the tallest building in Germany, is only 368 meters — not even half as tall. Incredible!

A visit to the Burj Khalifa is an absolute must on any trip to Dubai. It’s best to buy your Burj Khalifa tickets in advance to avoid long lines at the ticket counter.

We’ve laid out the most important ticket options in the table below. We’ve also written a detailed article covering the different tickets: How to buy Burj Khalifa tickets.

The Burj Khalifa isn’t just a record-breaker for its height. The world’s tallest skyscraper is served by a total of 54 elevators. The fastest one covers 500 meters in just 55 seconds — enough to make your stomach flip.

And if you want to take home a truly spectacular souvenir from the Burj Khalifa, you can actually withdraw real gold bars from an ATM inside the tower. Wild!

Dubai Mall

A shopping mall as a tourist attraction? Sounds strange, but here it really works. The Dubai Mall at the foot of the Burj Khalifa is no ordinary shopping mall — it’s a world unto itself.

We actually got lost in there and still didn’t come close to seeing everything. To give you a sense of the scale, here’s a quick rundown of what the Dubai Mall has to offer across its total area of over 1.1 million square meters:

• Over 1,200 stores
• The world’s largest gold souk with 220 stores alone
• A massive aquarium with 33,000 marine animals, including sharks and rays
• An Olympic-size ice rink
• 120 dining options
• A multiplex cinema with 22 screens
• A 24-meter-high water cascade

Sounds crazy? It is. Even if you’re not a big fan of shopping malls — like us — this one is still worth a look.

And ultimately, you can’t avoid the Dubai Mall anyway, since the entrance to the Burj Khalifa observation decks is located inside it.

Burj Al Arab

In a city where a shopping mall counts as a tourist attraction, it’s no surprise that a hotel makes the list of top sights too.

The Burj Al Arab is one of the most luxurious and iconic hotels in the world and, alongside the Burj Khalifa, a symbol of Dubai.

It sits on an artificial island off the coast of Dubai and is a real showstopper. Unfortunately, you can’t just walk in — even though it’s one of Dubai’s top attractions, guests still appreciate a little privacy.

You have several options. Here are 3:

1. Simply admire the Burj Al Arab from the outside
2. Spend just under $2,000 and book a night at the Burj Al Arab
3. Book a Burj Al Arab Tour and explore the breathtaking interiors

Since there are several ways to visit, we’ve written a detailed article about touring the Burj Al Arab:

All the ways to visit the Burj Al Arab

Dubai Frame

The Dubai Frame is the world’s largest picture frame — and a walk-through building at the same time. This record-breaking structure opened in Dubai in 2018 and has been one of the top Dubai attractions ever since.

The Dubai Frame stands 150 meters tall and is designed to frame the skyscrapers around the Burj Khalifa on one side and Dubai’s old quarter on the other — a connection between old Dubai and new Dubai, so to speak.

At the top, the two towers are linked by a bridge offering a 360-degree view across all of Dubai. The real highlight, though, is the glass floor: pressure-sensitive panels turn transparent as you walk over them, giving you a dizzying view 150 meters straight down.

Lines are guaranteed. Your best bet is to grab your ticket online with a fixed time slot.

Tickets for the Dubai Frame

Ain Dubai

One of the newest things to do in Dubai is riding the world’s largest and tallest Ferris wheel, the Ain Dubai. It stands 260 meters tall and 250 meters wide.

The Ferris wheel is located on the artificial Bluewaters Island, right across from Dubai Marina.

During the 38-minute ride, you’ll enjoy stunning views of all of Dubai’s highlights — a full 360 degrees, since the cabins are entirely made of glass.

You can also stand up and walk around during the ride — the cabins are 30 square meters, so there’s plenty of room.

Similar to the Burj Khalifa, tickets for sunset are about $10 more expensive here too.

Cool Neighborhoods in Dubai

Here’s our honest rundown of which neighborhoods in Dubai are actually worth your time.

The Palm Jumeirah

The Palm Islands are artificial islands built off the coast of Dubai in the shape of palm leaves — yet another wild project that’s so typically Dubai.

Only Palm Jumeirah has been completed so far; two more islands are still under construction. The best way to see the islands is from above. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse from the plane.

The island is home to several well-known luxury hotels in Dubai, including the Atlantis The Palm with the Aquaventure Water Park and the Lost Chambers Aquarium.

Of course, you can also visit the island just for the experience. The Dubai Monorail, a single-track train, runs the full length of the island and stops at four stations in total. It runs daily every 15 minutes from 10 AM to 10 PM.

A one-way ticket costs 20 AED (about $5.50) and a round-trip ticket costs 30 AED (about $8). Tickets can be purchased at the first and last stations with cash or credit card.

Our tip: Check out Palm Jumeirah from a completely different perspective — from the water or even from the air. It makes for a truly special experience!

Book a boat tour in Dubai online

Helicopter flight from Palm Island Jumeirah

Gold & Spice Souk in Deira

Deira is the second-oldest neighborhood in Dubai. It sits east of the Creek, close to the airport.

The highlights and most exciting sights in this area are definitely the markets — Arabic souks. Our favorites were the Gold Souk and the Spice Souk.

The Gold Souk is packed with jewelry in every shape and size, and the Spice Souk is overflowing with spices of all kinds.

The markets really come alive in the evenings, when it’s not quite so hot outside.

As wonderful as the souks are, walking through the market can be a bit exhausting — the vendors are not exactly known for their restraint.

Somehow they always know where you’re from, and they’ll call out to you with funny phrases in your language. Our favorite: “Aldi prices! Come take a look.”

Madinat Jumeirah

This city of superlatives even has a city within a city: Madinat Jumeirah is a commercial and cultural hub right on Dubai’s coastline, complete with a souk, luxury hotels, and plenty of cafés and restaurants.

There’s a lively buzz here, as it’s not just hotel guests filling the streets. The wide variety of gourmet restaurants and the nightlife draw plenty of other visitors too. There’s also a large private beach.

What makes it truly unique are the nearly 7 kilometers of waterways in total. You can cruise through Madinat Jumeirah in the most idyllic way imaginable — aboard traditional Emirati wooden boats called abras.

Museums and Theme Parks in Dubai

Dubai has no shortage of theme parks — and creative museums are plentiful too. Here are our top picks!

Dubai Garden Glow

The name Garden Glow couldn’t be more fitting. This Dubai attraction is an outdoor theme park filled with giant glowing sculptures that really come into their own after sunset.

Dubai Garden Glow is quite large and divided into several themed zones, including a dinosaur park and an ice park. So make sure you set aside plenty of time!

Most of the installations are handcrafted from recycled materials. There’s also a small train that runs through the park.

Motiongate Dubai

At Motiongate, you’re thrown into the fantastic worlds of your favorite movie characters. From the Smurfs to The Hunger Games to Shrek — Motiongate Dubai makes childhood dreams come true.

Three major film studios joined forces to create the park: Lionsgate, DreamWorks, and Columbia Pictures.

The park features roller coasters, live shows, and other cool attractions like the Kung Fu Panda Academy. You can also learn a ton about how animated films come to life, from the first idea to the finished movie.

Day ticket for Motiongate Dubai

Dubai Miracle Garden

The Dubai Miracle Garden is a kind of permanent garden show spread across 72,000 square meters. Flowers bloom in every color and shape, from small decorative displays to towering sculptures.

Even more than beautiful, the installations are a little wild too. Perhaps the most impressive is a life-size Airbus A380, closely followed by an 18-meter-tall Mickey Mouse. Both — who would have guessed — hold world records.

If you want a break from the hustle of Dubai’s main highlights, the Dubai Miracle Garden is a great escape.

Museum of the Future

The Museum of the Future is a record-breaker even from the outside: a silver ring completely covered in glowing Arabic calligraphy. It’s considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

Inside, you’ll go on an interactive journey to the year 2071. Instead of dusty exhibits, you’ll find high-tech visions of space travel, nature, and AI. Particularly spectacular is the observation platform at the center of the building.

Note: There isn’t much for young children here — most of the experiences are really only worthwhile from age 8 or 9. The haunted house is only for ages 15 and up.

Tickets for the Museum of the Future

Beaches in Dubai

Here are what we think are the best beaches in Dubai — and trust us, they’re worth making time for.

Kite Beach

Dubai has many beaches, but Kite Beach is one of the most famous. And it’s not just a great beach for water sports enthusiasts.

You’ll find kitesurfing schools and kite rental shops here. The water at this beach is also nice and shallow, making kitesurfing easier.

But kitesurfing isn’t the only thing you can do here: you can try stand-up paddleboarding, or simply soak up the sun and relax.

There are food trucks, beach chairs, volleyball courts, bounce houses, and walking paths — plus a great view of the Burj Al Arab.

Al Mamzar Beach Park

For a Caribbean feel, head to Al Mamzar Beach Park — a large park with a total of five beaches, multiple pools, and palm trees as far as the eye can see.

There are also plenty of beach bars and cafés, a basketball court, and rentals for bikes and water sports equipment.

Al Mamzar Beach Park is especially great for families with kids: it’s easy to reach by car without having to drive far out of the city, and the shallow water is perfect for splashing around.

Water Attractions in Dubai

You simply can’t get enough water in Dubai. Whether it’s shows, aquariums, or water parks — here are the coolest water-themed sights in Dubai.

Dubai Fountain

Right in front of the Dubai Mall, the famous water show takes place every evening against the backdrop of the Burj Khalifa.

The Dubai Fountain on Burj Khalifa Lake is the world’s largest fountain, and the water dances to music every single evening.

Each show lasts just a few minutes and starts at 6:00 PM. After that, the show repeats every half hour until 11:00 PM.

There are also two afternoon shows at 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM (Fridays at 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM). That said, the evening show is definitely more impressive with the lights.

There’s always quite a crowd around the fountain, so if you want a great photo spot, bring some patience.

A nice alternative is a boat ride on Burj Khalifa Lake during the show. It costs around $20 and you can book tickets online.

Book the Burj Lake Boat Ride with Fountain Show

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

The Dubai Aquarium is a kind of underwater zoo with around 140 species of marine life, located right inside the Dubai Mall.

There’s a 48-meter-long glass tunnel that gives you the feeling of strolling along the ocean floor. You can even swim with sharks or ride in a glass-bottom boat.

It’s especially great with kids. And if you don’t want to go inside, you can already peek into one of the tanks from the mall through a huge window.

Get tickets for the Dubai Aquarium
Our tip: You can combine the aquarium with a visit to the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa, which sits right above the mall. It’s worth it price-wise too: booking both Dubai highlights as a combo ticket instead of separately saves you around $10.

Get the Dubai Aquarium and Burj Khalifa combo ticket

Aquaventure Water Park

No roundup of the best things to do in Dubai would be complete without this park: the Aquaventure Water Park. It’s located on the grounds of the Atlantis hotel on Palm Jumeirah island.

There are 30 adrenaline-pumping slides, a 500-meter-long private beach, and a large dedicated area just for families.

It’s best to arrive right when it opens in the morning — that’s when it’s least crowded and you won’t have to wait as long at the slides. As the day goes on, lines will build up, but you can add a Fast Lane ticket for the slides at the gate to get moving quickly.

Our tip: Bring flip-flops, because the ground gets very hot under the Arabian sun.

Book a ticket for the Aquaventure Water Park

If you’re not planning to spend the whole day at the water park, take a look at the combo ticket with the Lost Chambers Aquarium. It’s definitely worth it price-wise, since you only pay around $5 more for the combo.

Separately, both Dubai attractions cost around $63 and $26 each.

Get the combo ticket for Aquaventure and the Lost Chambers Aquarium

Lost Chambers Aquarium

The Lost Chambers Aquarium is the largest in the Emirates. That said, it’s not so enormous that you can’t see it all in about an hour.

That’s exactly why the combo ticket with the Aquaventure Water Park makes sense — you can easily do both Dubai attractions in a single day.

In total, the aquarium is home to around 65,000 marine animals. You can scan them with an app to learn more about each species on your smartphone.

If you’re staying at the Atlantis Hotel, admission to the aquarium is free.

Get tickets for the Lost Chambers Aquarium

Unique Activities in Dubai

Looking for a truly extraordinary experience in Dubai? Check out these standout picks.

Ski Dubai at the Mall of the Emirates

Compared to the Dubai Mall, the Mall of the Emirates — with its 600 stores — seems like a modest little place. Still, it used to be the largest shopping mall in the world.

But the real highlight of the Mall of the Emirates is Ski Dubai. This 22,500-square-meter snow-covered hall features five different ski slopes with varying difficulty levels.

Inside, the temperature stays a constant -2 to -1 degrees Celsius, while outside it’s often around 40 degrees. Pretty impressive!

In addition to skiing, you can also go sledding, snowboard on a halfpipe, or race down an ice channel on a bobsled. Ski lifts and equipment rentals are included, of course.

Get tickets for Ski Dubai

Dubai Creek

The Dubai Creek is a 14-kilometer-long inlet and something of the lifeblood of old Dubai. The Creek divides the old neighborhoods of Deira to the east and Bur Dubai to the west.

No visit to Dubai is complete without a crossing on one of the water taxis from one neighborhood to the other — it’s an absolute must.

The boats, called abras, depart once all seats are filled, which usually happens very quickly. The fare is just 1 dirham — roughly 25 cents. The water taxi ride is probably the most affordable Dubai highlight you’ll find.

Dubai Museum

Right nearby stands the 200-year-old Al-Fahidi Fort — the oldest surviving building in Dubai. Today, the fort houses the Dubai Museum.

It’s really worth a visit: the museum is thoughtfully done, and you’ll learn a great deal about the history of Dubai, from a Bedouin settlement in the 18th century to the ultra-modern metropolis of the 21st century. We really enjoyed it.

Note that the museum is currently only viewable from the outside, as it’s undergoing extensive renovation.

La Perle

La Perle is the most popular stage show in Dubai, created by renowned theater director Franco Dragone.

Water is the central element of the show: an incredible 2.7 million liters of water are used while some of the world’s best acrobats perform their stunts.

For 90 minutes, audiences are treated to daring high dives, spectacular water shows, and a breathtaking stage design with lighting, video, and sound effects.

La Perle runs five days a week with two shows daily at Al Habtoor City, right in the heart of Downtown Dubai.

Get tickets for La Perle

Day Trips Around Dubai

There are also some worthwhile day trip destinations around Dubai. For a more comprehensive overview of excursions from Dubai, check out this article:

17 Excursions and Activities in Dubai

Desert Tour

A desert safari is definitely one of the top highlights in Dubai. If you’re already on the Arabian Gulf, you absolutely have to see the desert!

A desert tour lasts around seven hours in total and costs between $70 and $80 per person. Along the way, there are regular stops for sandboarding or camel riding. Hotel pickup and a barbecue in the desert are included.

Book the Desert Safari with BBQ incl. Hotel Pickup

All Desert Safari Options and Offers

Day Trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi

If you’re in Dubai for a longer stay, you shouldn’t miss a side trip to Abu Dhabi. The most important Abu Dhabi attractions are easy to cover on a day tour. Guided bus tours to Abu Dhabi cost between $60 and $70 per person.

We’d recommend a private tour, though. It’s a bit more expensive, but it’s always nicer to plan your own itinerary rather than traveling with a large group.

Private Tour to Abu Dhabi

Practical Travel Tips for Dubai

To wrap things up, here are a few practical pointers for your stay in Dubai.

Dubai City Tours and Guided Tours

Since Dubai isn’t really a city where you can just wander the streets and soak it all in, a guided tour actually makes a lot of sense here.

Depending on what you want to see, you can choose from a variety of tours:

Private City Tour: Dubai Highlights incl. Burj Khalifa Ticket

Dubai by Night incl. Burj Khalifa

Helicopter tours over Dubai: a truly special experience

Dubai Pass: A City Pass for All Dubai Attractions

In a city so packed with things to do in Dubai — and not exactly cheap ones — a pass usually makes a lot of sense.

Depending on how long you’re staying in Dubai and what you want to do, there are several different city passes available. Particularly popular are the Dubai Turbopass and the Flexi Attractions Pass.

If you only want to visit a handful of key sights, the Dubai Explorer Pass is worth considering. You can choose between three and seven attractions and build your own sightseeing itinerary for Dubai.

If you’re spending more time in Dubai and planning a day trip to Abu Dhabi, we’d recommend the Dubai All-Inclusive Pass.

Read our detailed articles to find out which pass is the best fit for you:

Our Hotel Recommendations for Dubai

In a city as large as Dubai, it’s best to look for a hotel near a metro station. You should also think about what you want to do in Dubai: are you looking for more of a beach vacation or a sightseeing trip?

We stayed in the Deira neighborhood at the Somewhere Hotel Apartment. The hotel is perfectly located for a stopover in Dubai: right next to the metro station. You can reach the airport by metro in 10 minutes and get to all of Dubai’s attractions quickly too.

These are some other hotels we recommend:

Jumeirah Mina A’Salam (on the beach)

Rove Downtown Dubai (near the Burj Khalifa

Atlantis The Palm (luxury hotel on Palm Jumeirah island)

Want even more hotel recommendations for Dubai? Check this out:

Our hotel tips for Dubai

Our Verdict on Dubai

Dubai is genuinely impressive, and we’d recommend stopping by for a few days to take in the highlights.

For a longer vacation, we wouldn’t recommend Dubai. Even though some of the architecture is truly awe-inspiring, the city is missing something essential: atmosphere.

The city has no heart and no soul — much like a shopping mall has no soul.