Dubai attracts tourists with its modern architecture, luxurious shopping, active nightlife, and variety of entertainment. Dubai has beaches, record-breaking buildings, and man-made islands for everyone. These are the major attractions in this interesting emirate:
Explore Dubai’s stunning beaches along its shore. Top beaches include Jumeirah Beach, Al Mamzar Beach Park, and Kite Beach. Enjoy a day at one of the beaches by swimming, sunbathing, jet skiing, paddleboarding, or strolling along the shore. Many beaches have playgrounds, BBQs, and shops.
Experience a Desert Safari: An adventurous desert safari is a key Dubai experience. Many tour firms provide half-day or full-day desert 4×4 rides over rolling sand dunes. Camel rides, sandboarding, falconry, henna tattoos, and belly dance are stops. Enjoy a Bedouin-style BBQ supper at sunset before stargazing or shisha.
Dubai is known for its shopping, with modern malls featuring both luxury labels and ordinary retailers. The Dubai Mall (with its large aquarium and indoor theme park), Mall of the Emirates (with an indoor ski slope), and Marco Polo-themed Ibn Battuta Mall are popular. Traditional gold, spice, and textile souks offer bargains.
Explore Al Fahidi, a historic neighbourhood in Dubai, to experience its traditional architecture, in contrast to the gleaming skyscrapers nearby. Visit the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding’s reconstructed wind tower residences, then cross Dubai Creek in a wooden abra. Other side, the gold and spice souks have bustling bazaars and modest museums about Dubai’s history. The 1900 Ottoman-inspired Grand Mosque is a must-see.
Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest structure at over 800 metres, offers stunning views over Dubai from its observation decks on the 124th and 148th floors. Views to the desert allow you to admire Dubai’s expanding skyline. At the Top Sky, the world’s highest outdoor observatory, costs extra.
Dubai is extending into the Arabian Gulf with land reclamation projects like Palm Jumeirah, a palm-shaped artificial island with luxury hotels, villas, and apartments. Let’s explore Dubai’s new neighbourhoods. Take a monorail for stunning aerial views. Another new community worth visiting is Dubai Marina, a chic waterfront quarter with restaurants and nightclubs, and Dubai International Financial Centre, a free economic zone featuring modern public art.
Dubai’s dining scene offers a diverse range of options, from Michelin-starred restaurants to casual food truck parks. Experience great Emirati cuisine at award-winning restaurants like Ossiano Aquarium Restaurant, Nathan Outlaw at Al Mahara, and Ewaan Palace Downtown. Boxpark and City Walk’s numerous food halls or historic Dubai neighbourhoods’ tasty street food are budget-friendly options.
Charter a private yacht to sail around Dubai Marina, one of Dubai’s most exclusive neighbourhoods. Cruise past waterfront restaurants and mega-yachts while seeing Ain Dubai, a record-breaking observation wheel, and the twisting Cayan Tower. Boat cruises often include the Palm Islands and Burj Al Arab hotel. Traditional dhow charters are also atmospheric.
Experience thrills at Dubai’s theme parks, suitable for all ages. MotiongateTM Dubai has rides and attractions like How to Train Your Dragon and The Smurfs, while Bollywood Parks recreates Mumbai’s cinematic enchantment. IMG Worlds of Adventure, Legoland Water Park with over 20 waterslides, and Palm Islands’ Aquaventure Waterpark are other prominent parks.
Escape Dubai’s city lights to explore the vast protected wilderness of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve and gaze into the stars. Local firms offer overnight camping “in the middle of nowhere” where you can see shooting stars and bright night skies. Track nocturnal animals and walk vast red sand dunes at sunrise. It’s a beautiful retreat from Dubai’s hustle.
There are so many things to do in Dubai; activities, entertainment, and exquisite experiences for all interests, budgets, and travel preferences. This boundary-pushing metropolis has it all: beaches, desert adventures, world-class restaurants, shopping, and dancing. Dubai keeps expanding, so visit before it creates anything new!