Mega tall skyscrapers of Dubai covered in early morning fog

Things to do in  Dubai

Understated is overrated

With its spiky skyscrapers dividing the UAE desert from the Persian Gulf, Dubai vies for the crown of the world’s most futuristic metropolis. Yet, while many of the best things to do in Dubai involve its space-age architecture, there’s plenty else here. After admiring the iconic Burj Khalifa (and its companion Dubai Fountain), Burj Al-Arab, and Palm, travelers can get the Middle East experience exploring the Arabian Desert on camel rides. There are water parks, theme parks, and beaches to enjoy. And there’s always plenty of time to lounge on Jumeirah Beach, hit shopping destinations like the Dubai Mall, and get glam in the city’s luxury hotels. Don’t forget to rewind to the past in the city’s shaded souks, Dubai museums, and historic Bur Dubai district.

Here, get your guide to Dubai’s best attractions, tours, and more.

Top 15 attractions in Dubai

Burj Khalifa

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The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world, soaring 2,717 feet (828 meters) high with more than 160 stepped floors that narrow as it climbs syringe-like to the sky. Designed to pay homage to the complex geometry of Islamic art, the Burj Khalifa brings a new meaning to the term skyscraper and is a highlight of the massive downtown Dubai complex.More

Dubai Marina

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Carved along the Gulf shoreline south of Dubai’s The Palm island, Dubai Marina is a skyscraper-packed waterfront community that’s one of the city’s swishest residential and leisure hotspots. At its heart is a 2-mile (3-kilometer) waterway framed by residential blocks, hotels, shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.More

Burj Al-Arab Jumeirah

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The sail-like silhouette of the Burj Al-Arab Jumeirah has become a symbol of Dubai's opulence and affluence, standing at 1,053 feet (321 meters) as the third-tallest hotel and one of the most luxurious hotels in the United Arab Emirates. Opened in 1999, the landmark boasts plenty of superlatives, including its five-star status.More

Palm Jumeirah

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Jutting into the Persian Gulf from southern Dubai, the Palm Jumeirah is an artificial island in the shape of a palm tree and ringed by a crescent-shaped breakwater. The world’s biggest artificial island, it draws visitors to its palatial hotels, theme parks, and shopping malls.More

Dubai Gold Souk

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Dubai’s internationally famous Gold Souk has its roots in the 1940s, when Indian and Iranian traders began setting up stalls in the area. Today, it’s one of the world’s busiest jewelry markets, with hundreds of shops and stalls selling just about everything that glitters—namely, gold. An estimated 20 percent of the world’s gold passes through the souk, with a whopping 10 tons (9,072 kilograms) for sale in the market at any given moment.More

The Dubai Mall

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The world’s largest shopping mall by area, The Dubai Mall boasts a huge range of attractions—making it a full-blown UAE entertainment destination. At the heart of Downtown Dubai, this 4-level colossus houses around 1,300 stores, plus restaurants, cinemas, Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, and the Burj Khalifa.More

Dubai Spice Souk

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Tucked into Dubai’s Deira district just north of Dubai Creek, the Dubai Spice Souk offers some of the city’s most rewarding shopping. Here, covered alleyways brim with stalls that sell all manner of Arabian and Asian spices, herbs, and delicacies, making the souk ideal for souvenir hunters and anyone hoping to get a sense of old Dubai.More

Souk Madinat Jumeirah

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Part of Dubai’s luxe Madinat Jumeirah resort, the Souk Madinat Jumeirah is a modern re-creation of a traditional Arabian souk, with an upscale touch. In place of higgledy-piggledy stalls, a web of alleyways echoes a classic bazaar filled with boutiques, souvenir shops, restaurants, and cafés.More

Bur Dubai Village

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Located south of Dubai Creek, Bur Dubai is one of Dubai’s oldest districts, with a traditional atmosphere to match. Extending from Al Raffa in the west to Al Jaddaf in the east, it’s home to an array of sights, from the Bastakia Quarter—also called the Al Fahidi Historic District—to souks, parks, and several top museums.More

Global Village

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Global Village is one of Dubai’s most popular evening entertainment destinations. A combination of festival and theme park staged on the edges of Dubai, it opens yearly between November and April and takes visitors on a virtual world tour with replica international architecture, cultural zones, food pavilions, shows, rides, and markets.More

Jumeirah Beach

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Running about 15 miles (25 kilometers) along Dubai’s Persian Gulf coast, Jumeirah Beach is a go-to for sun and surf lovers. Named after Dubai’s nearby residential Jumeirah district, the beach extends from Jumeirah Mosque in the north to Palm Jumeirah in the south, and includes of a string of private sections and public beaches.More

Dubai Creek (Khor Dubai)

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The seawater Dubai Creek (Khor Dubai)—which flows between Deira and Bur Dubai in the historic center of the United Arab Emirates city—is the reason for Dubai's very existence. It’s been widened many times during the last century and, today, it's often full of abra (wooden water taxis) ferrying passengers between the souks of Deira on the northeastern bank and the historic district of Bur Dubai on the southwestern bank.More

Jumeirah Mosque

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Built from white sandstone and crowned with a central dome and two towering minarets, Jumeirah Mosque is Dubai's main place of worship and arguably one of the most beautiful mosques in the United Arab Emirates. Aside from being an extremely popular photography site in Dubai, the landmark is also notable in that it's the only mosque in the city open to non-Muslim visitors—an excellent way to gain a deeper understanding of Islam and its traditions.More

The Dubai Fountain

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The Dubai Fountain, which sits in the Burj Khalifa Lake in Downtown Dubai, is the world’s largest choreographed fountain system with jets that shoot 500 feet (150 meters) into the air. Visitors flock to the shop- and restaurant-lined lakeside to watch the spectacle, as water jets burst into life and sway in synchronicity to lights and music 12 times each day.More

Dubai Miracle Garden

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A floral wonderland of 50 million flowers, the Dubai Miracle Garden is one of the UAE's most original attractions. Branded as the world's largest natural flower garden, it boasts hundreds of flower-formed displays spread over 18 acres (7.3 hectares), all of which create an extravaganza of color and scent on the outskirts of Dubai.More

Trip ideas

An Art Lover’s Guide to Dubai

An Art Lover’s Guide to Dubai

Top activities in Dubai

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All about Dubai

When to visit

The city is like an oven from May through August, prompting most travelers to stay away. As a consequence, the city’s more comfortable winters and shoulder seasons, which fuse cooler temperatures with near-guaranteed sunshine, lure the most visitors. During this time (October through April), the city is at its most crowded and expensive. But it’s also at its buzziest best. Wintry things to do in Dubai range from the Shopping Festival and New Year’s Eve fireworks to concerts and arts festivals.

Getting around

Dubai’s tourist attractions are widely dispersed, which, when coupled with the city’s often-stifling heat, makes sightseeing on foot challenging. Although renting a car is an option, it can be daunting to drive the city’s multi-lane highways. For that reason, using taxis and ride-hailing apps like Careem is easiest for shorter trips. If you’re traveling long distances between different areas of the city, public transport comes into its own. You can buy and preload the local Nol Card to ride the local metro trains and public buses.

Traveler tips

One of the best things to do in Dubai is explore its emerging outdoor market scene. Leading the charge is the Ripe Market, a community souk of up-and-coming food, craft, and creative entrepreneurs and vendors. Exploring one of these markets is a great way to bag homemade delicacies and one-off handicrafts, as well as enjoy family-friendly shows, workshops, and music. Make time to visit the flagship version of Ripe, held every winter Saturday and Sunday at the Academy Park. It makes a refreshing break from the city’s big, modern malls.

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People Also Ask

What should you not miss when visiting Dubai?

Downtown Dubai’s futuristic architecture is unmissable, with the 2,723-feet (830-meter) Burj Khalifa skyscraper. Then there’s the sail-shaped Burj Al-Arab and mighty Atlantis hotel on Palm Jumeirah. Hot on their heels—and we mean hot—is the Dubai desert. an ocean of orange dunes, it feels light years from the city’s high-rises and is ideal for thrill seekers.

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What kind of activities can you do in Dubai?

After admiring the city’s mega-buildings, there are plenty more things to do in Dubai. Ride a camel or 4WD in the desert before a barbecue under the stars. Get glam at the Dubai Marina, roam scented souks, and chill on a yacht or dhow (wooden boat) cruise on the Dubai Creek. Or simply absorb the vibe at the pool and ocean.

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What should you not wear in Dubai?

Dress codes are more relaxed than you might expect. At pools and beaches, swimwear is acceptable. Dress more modestly inside hotels, malls, and restaurants by covering knees and shoulders—although shorts are usually okay. In souks and mosques, avoid sleeveless tops, shorts, and sandals. Mosques require women to wear head coverings.

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What is Dubai best known for?

Dubai is known for its extravagant skyscrapers, opulent hotels, showy malls, and top-notch restaurants—and the A-lister lifestyle organically entwined with them. Other signature attractions include its crop of all-singing theme and water parks. In stark contrast is its desert, and the verdant beauty of the Dubai Miracle Garden.

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Can you drink alcohol in Dubai?

Yes, non-Muslim tourists can drink alcohol here. If you’re over 21, feel free to imbibe at licensed hotels, restaurants, and bars. However, alcohol is illegal in public places, including public beaches, and can trigger severe fines or prosecution. Note that during Ramadan most licensed venues won’t serve alcohol until early evening.

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Is it expensive in Dubai?

Yes, the city is expensive. Lavish hotels and luxe lifestyles are synonymous with the city, although it’s still possible to budget in the emirate. Target the city’s Deira area for inexpensive hotels and eateries used by Middle Easterners. There are also numerous free and low-cost attractions, including public beaches, souks, museums and creek boat rides.

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Do you need a guide to visit Dubai?

Look beneath Dubai’s shiny exterior and you’ll see a city rich with Middle Eastern culture. Get your guide to take you beyond the sand and skyscrapers into fragrant spice markets and shops glittering with gold jewelry for a taste of how locals live. And be sure to bag a skip-the-line ticket to the world’s highest building.

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Frequently Asked Questions