In a nutshell
- Helicopter tour: Want to see Dubai from above in true luxury? A helicopter flight over the city is one of the most unforgettable things to do in Dubai.
- Diving at Jumeirah Beach: The coral reefs just off this stunning beach are a perfect spot for an introductory scuba diving course.
- Desert safari: Dubai sits right at the edge of the desert — a trip out into the sand dunes is an absolute must.
Lies auch:
Practical Tips for Activities in Dubai
Check Out the Dubai City Pass
There are several city passes available in Dubai. Many also include excursions and a wide variety of activities — for example, the Dubai Turbopass. We especially recommend it if you’re only in Dubai for a few days and want to pack in as much as possible.
For more details, check out our Dubai pass comparison and our Dubai All-Inclusive Pass article.
Always Bring Your Passport
On many tours and excursions, you’ll be asked for your passport. This is especially true if you’re heading outside Dubai or traveling by boat or helicopter.
Now, let’s dive into our favorite things to do in Dubai!
Climbing the Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa is an absolute must — it’s one of the ultimate Dubai activities, full stop.
The tallest building in the world is impossible to miss, and it’s well worth seeing both from below and from above.
There are several ticket options for the Burj Khalifa. We recommend the standard ticket, but make sure you go at sunset. Yes, there’s a surcharge for that time slot — but it’s absolutely worth it.
For full details on tickets and opening hours, check out our Burj Khalifa article.
Visiting the Burj Al Arab
Dubai is also home to the world’s most famous luxury hotel. Who hasn’t seen photos of that iconic sail-shaped silhouette rising from the beach? You can’t just walk in, though — it’s far too exclusive for that.
Still, there are a few ways to experience the interior. One of the best is dinner at the Burj Al Arab.
You can find more information in our Burj Al Arab article.
Helicopter Tour
No fear of heights? Then listen up! A 25-minute helicopter tour over Dubai is one of the most spectacular things to do in Dubai — you’ll see all the highlights from a bird’s-eye view.
From the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab to Palm Island and the countless luxury hotels in Dubai, you’ll get to take in all the top sights of Dubai from above.
The helicopter departs from the helipad of the Atlantis The Palm hotel, and the tour costs just under 150 euros per person.
Note: Be sure to bring your passport, as Dubai law requires every passenger on a plane or helicopter to carry one.
25-Minute Helicopter Tour over Dubai
Introductory Diving at Jumeirah Beach
Always wanted to learn scuba diving? This course at Jumeirah Beach is a perfect fit for beginners.
With a diving instructor and groups of no more than ten people, you’ll go from learning how to use the equipment to exploring the underwater world of Jumeirah Beach — all at depths of up to 12 meters amid lively little coral reefs. The course runs over two days.
Note: After a dive, it’s recommended that you wait at least 24 hours before flying. Don’t book this course too close to your return flight.
Scuba Diving Course in Dubai
Dubai Aquarium
No roundup of the best Dubai activities would be complete without the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo.
This isn’t just a standard aquarium visit — you also get a behind-the-scenes look and can watch marine researchers and animal keepers at work. The tanks are packed with species, from jellyfish and sharks to stingrays.
There’s also a 48-meter-long aquarium tunnel where you can look up at the colorful marine life from below.
On top of that, there’s a submarine simulator, a glass-bottom boat tour, and — if you’re feeling brave — the option to snorkel.
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo – Day Ticket
Dubai Sunset Boat Tour with Buffet
This 90-minute cruise takes you through Dubai Marina at sunset aboard a sleek, glass-enclosed boat.
You’ll be welcomed on board with a complimentary drink, and along the way you’ll drift past some of the most iconic sights in Dubai’s city center.
A buffet of Arabic and international dishes is served on board — think grilled fish, pasta, a variety of salads and soups, and several desserts.
After sunset, you’ll get to soak in Dubai’s glittering skyline from the water as the boat heads back to the pier.
Jet Skiing in Front of Dubai's Skyline
The Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa, and more are obvious highlights of any Dubai trip. But if you want to experience them from a completely different angle, why not see them from the water on a jet ski?
You can choose a duration anywhere from 30 minutes up to two hours. The 30-minute tour costs **94 euros** per person and includes a life jacket and an English-speaking guide.
Luxury Yacht Tour through Dubai Marina
Dubai Marina is a high-rise neighborhood crisscrossed by waterways, right on the sea.
Alongside breathtaking skyscrapers, you’ll find a luxury marina, beach areas, promenades, and countless boutiques and restaurants. What better way to explore it than from a yacht?
This two- to three-hour tour takes you aboard a luxury yacht through Dubai Marina. From the water, you’ll have a fantastic view of the impressive skyline, and depending on the time of day, you can enjoy a breakfast buffet or a barbecue on board.
Yacht Tour with Breakfast or BBQ
Dubai Fountain Show and Boat Ride
The Dubai Fountain Show in front of the Dubai Mall is one of the top attractions in the city. The Dubai Fountain on Burj Khalifa Lake is the largest fountain in the world, and several times a day the water dances in a stunning choreographed display.
There’s one catch, though: at show times, the surrounding area gets seriously crowded and your view is limited. The fix? Watch the show from the water instead.
From the Abra — Dubai’s traditional water taxi — you’ll have an unobstructed front-row view of the Dubai Fountain, with the Burj Khalifa and other iconic buildings as your backdrop.
Boat Ride at the Dubai Fountain
Swimming with Dolphins at Aquaventure Waterpark
Let’s be honest — who didn’t dream as a kid of being pulled through the ocean by a dolphin’s fin?
This experience at Aquaventure Waterpark makes it happen. In waist-deep water, you can play, splash around, and swim with the dolphins. Along the way, you’ll learn fascinating facts about these marine mammals and watch the trainers feed them.
You’ll also get access to the waterpark for the rest of the day — 30 slides, a private beach, and an artificial wave included.
Dolphin Experience at Atlantis Water Park
Desert Safari
No list of things to do in Dubai would be complete without a trip to the desert.
You’ll be picked up from your hotel in a 4×4 jeep and taken on a thrilling ride through the dunes to a desert camp.
There, you’ll be welcomed with Arabic coffee, tea, and dates. Activities include camel riding, traditional henna painting, photos in traditional clothing, and trying out a hookah under the stars.
The safari wraps up with a buffet dinner featuring regional specialties, along with belly dancing and traditional Tanoura dance performances. You can also opt for a desert safari with sandboarding if that sounds more your speed.
Desert Safari with Barbecue & Camel Riding
Sunrise Desert Safari with Sandboarding
Dune Buggy Tour
When it comes to Dubai excursions, the desert is the ultimate playground. If you want to experience it up close and in full action-packed style, we highly recommend a sand buggy tour.
This isn’t just about the stunning landscape — it’s also a serious amount of fun as you race through the dunes in two-seater, all-wheel-drive buggies. Afterward, you can even give sandboarding a try.
A single buggy tour costs around **200 euros**. Bring someone along and each person pays only half.
Dune Buggy Tour with Sandboarding
Quad Tour
Like the buggy tour, this quad adventure is perfect if you love outdoor action. You’ll be picked up and dropped off, get a short off-roading lesson, and then you’re free to hit the terrain — gloves and helmet on.
Short breaks are built in along the way, with sandwiches and drinks to keep you fueled.
The tour lasts three hours including pickup and drop-off, and costs around **70 euros** per person.
Quad Tour with BBQ
The quad tour is also available with a barbecue afterward. The ride includes photo stops, followed by a barbecue at a traditional Bedouin farm, a camel ride, and sandboarding.
There’s also a belly dancing performance, plus the option to relax with a hookah or try a traditional henna design.
This version costs around **80 euros** per person and takes about six hours.
Day Trip to Abu Dhabi
Since Dubai and Abu Dhabi are just a short distance apart, a day trip to the UAE’s capital is a great idea.
This full-day small-group tour to Abu Dhabi includes hotel pickup and covers all the major highlights.
You’ll visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque — one of the most impressive sights in Abu Dhabi — followed by a brief stop at the Emirates Palace, a visit to the Marina Mall, and a tour of the Qasr Al Watan palace.
The tour runs privately and starts from **96 euros** per person, including a guide, drinking water during the journey, and an air-conditioned vehicle.
Day Trip from Dubai to the Oman Fjords
This stunning fjord — accessible only by water and located on the Musandam Peninsula — offers some of the most dramatic scenery between the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Dubai and driven overland to the Omani coast. From there, you’ll board a traditional dhow.
The day’s program includes snorkeling, exploring mountains and caves, and a lunch buffet on board.
You’ll need to bring your passport, as you’ll be crossing into Oman. We also recommend packing a light jacket if you’re visiting Dubai as a winter destination.
The excursion lasts a full day and costs around **100 euros** per person, including visa fees, a lunch buffet, and round-trip transfers from your hotel.
Full-Day Sea Safari to the Musandam Fjords
Dubai Theme Parks
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are home to several world-class theme parks that make for a fantastic day out. Here are the ones we’d pick.
Aquaventure Waterpark
Aquaventure Waterpark is one of the most popular attractions in Dubai and sits on the grounds of the Atlantis Hotel. It has over 30 water slides and rides, a 500-meter-long sandy beach with free sun loungers, palm-lined landscapes, and plenty of restaurants.
Plan to spend at least half a day here — a full day is even better. It’s seriously huge, and that way you’ll get to try every slide at least once.
Ticket for Aquaventure Waterpark
Ferrari World
Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi is one of the most popular day-trip destinations from Dubai — especially if you love fast cars.
But even if Formula 1 isn’t really your thing, there’s plenty to enjoy: roller coasters, restaurants, and various live shows. And wouldn’t it be something to take an intro lap in a race car?
Day Tour to Ferrari World incl. Ticket
IMG Worlds of Adventure
A die-hard Marvel fan? At the world’s largest indoor theme park, you can experience heroes like Hulk, Captain America & Co. in real life.
In addition to roller coasters, you can encounter life-size dinosaurs and get spooked by ghosts and zombies in the “Haunted Hotel.” There are a total of 20 different rides and attractions.
IMG Worlds of Adventure Ticket
Skiing at Ski Dubai
Ice and snow in the middle of the desert? In Dubai, absolutely.
Inside the Mall of the Emirates, there’s a massive snow-covered indoor ski facility with five runs of varying difficulty levels.
For this Dubai activity, you can choose between a two-hour ski pass or a full-day pass. All equipment is included — skis, poles, ski boots, and warm clothing.
If you’re traveling with kids or are relatively new to skiing, instructors are available too.
