Dubai

Beach LoversCouplesNightlife

Dubai Marina & JBR

Beachfront high-rises, resort energy, sunset everything

Culture SeekersHistory BuffsBudget Travelers

Bur Dubai

Historic, authentic, the Dubai that existed before the skyscrapers

Culture SeekersBargain HuntersFoodies

Deira

Souks, spices, gold, and the energy of a trading city

DIFC & Business Bay

Sleek, sophisticated, Dubai's answer to the City of London but with better restaurants

FoodiesCouplesNightlife

Beach LoversFamiliesCulture Seekers

Jumeirah

Residential, beachy, the pace Dubai was meant to have

Where to book

Stay in Dubai

Real-time pricing across hotels, apartments, and ryokans. Book direct from the map.

What to do

Things to do in Dubai

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Attraction

Dubai Mall

The Dubai Mall is 1,200 shops across 502,000 square metres, which makes it one of the largest malls in the world by total area. The numbers are meaningless until you are inside and realise you have been walking for 20 minutes and still have not reached the aquarium. The Dubai Aquarium viewing panel is free from the mall floor: an enormous tank with sharks, rays, and thousands of fish visible without paying the AED 159 tunnel entrance fee. But the mall is more than shopping. There is a dinosaur skeleton (a 155-million-year-old Diplodocus, free to view), an Olympic-sized ice rink (AED 80 including skate rental), a VR park, a waterfall feature four storeys tall, and KidZania (a miniature city where children do adult jobs, AED 185). The food court on the lower ground floor has better variety and value than most of the sit-down restaurants, though the restaurants overlooking the fountain promenade are worth the premium at showtime. The sheer scale is the thing that photography and descriptions cannot convey. You will get lost. You will walk more than you planned. The map on the Dubai Mall app is essential. The air conditioning is aggressive, bring a light layer. The metro connection (Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station) involves a 10-minute walk through an air-conditioned tunnel, which is its own experience in efficiency. Is the Dubai Mall a mall? Technically. In practice it is a climate-controlled city within a city, and dismissing it as 'just shopping' misses what it represents about Dubai's approach to public space in a desert climate where outdoor gathering is impossible for half the year.

2-4 hoursExplore

Landmark

Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa is 828 metres tall and from the observation deck on the 124th floor the cars below look like ants and the ants are invisible. The building should not exist. It is taller than anything else on earth by over 200 metres, it took six years to build, and standing at the base looking up makes your neck hurt and your brain stall trying to process the scale. There are two observation deck options. 'At the Top' on the 124th/125th floor costs AED 149 online (AED 169 at the door) and is the right choice for most people. 'At the Top SKY' on the 148th floor costs AED 399 and adds a lounge with drinks, a guided tour, and about 24 extra floors of height. The views are marginally better but the 124th floor is already so high that the difference is academic. Book the sunset slot (check the exact time for your dates) because watching the city light up from that height is the single most photogenic moment in Dubai. Go up in the late afternoon, around 4-5 PM. You will see the city in daylight, watch the sun set over the desert, and see the lights come on. The whole sequence takes about 90 minutes and you will not regret staying the full time. The elevator is one of the fastest in the world and reaches the 124th floor in about 60 seconds, which is its own kind of experience. Come back down in time for the Dubai Fountain show, which starts at 6 PM and runs every 30 minutes until 11 PM. The best free viewing spot is the waterfront promenade between the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall. The best paid spot is a table at any restaurant in Souk Al Bahar, where a AED 40 main course buys you a front-row seat. Skip the fountain boat rides (AED 85) unless you want to get slightly damp.

1.5-2 hoursExplore

Shopping

Mall of the Emirates

Landmark 630-store shopping center housing Ski Dubai, the Middle East's first indoor ski slope. Features 85 dining options, VOX Cinemas megaplex, and Magic Planet entertainment zone spanning 2.4 million square feet.

3-5 hoursExplore

Family

Global Village

Global Village is a seasonal attraction (October to April) that is part world's fair, part street food market, part theme park, and part shopping bazaar. AED 25 entry (about $7) gets you into a massive outdoor complex where over 90 countries have pavilions selling food, crafts, clothing, and souvenirs. The Turkish pavilion sells baklava, the Indian pavilion has biryani, the Moroccan pavilion has tagine, and the whole place is a chaotic, colourful, delicious mess. The food is the real draw. Each country's pavilion has its own kitchen, and the range and quality of street food here is staggering. You can eat Korean fried chicken, Emirati machboos, Filipino halo-halo, and Peruvian ceviche in the space of 100 metres. Most items cost AED 15-40. The trick is to graze: buy one thing from each pavilion you pass and assemble a meal from six countries. There are also rides (a Ferris wheel, rollercoasters, bumper cars), live performances on multiple stages, and a fireworks display on weekends. The rides cost extra (AED 15-30 per ride or AED 100 for an unlimited wristband) and are aimed at families. The overall energy is festive, loud, and completely unlike anything else in Dubai. Global Village is on the outskirts of the city with no metro access. Taxi from Downtown is AED 40-60. It opens in the late afternoon (4 PM) and runs until midnight or later. Go on a weekday evening for smaller crowds. The October opening is the freshest, by March the pavilions are more tired.

3-4 hoursExplore

Landmark

Dubai Fountain

The Dubai Fountain is the world's largest choreographed fountain system, performing a water, light, and music show every 30 minutes from 6 PM to 11 PM. It is free. The choreographed water jets reach up to 150 metres (higher than a 50-storey building) against the backdrop of the Burj Khalifa, and the whole thing is set to music ranging from Whitney Houston to Arabic classical. It is touristy and spectacular and there is no reason to pretend otherwise. The best free viewing spot is the waterfront promenade between the Burj Khalifa and Souk Al Bahar. Arrive 10-15 minutes before the 6 PM show for the first performance (the crowd is thinnest then) and stake out a spot on the railing closest to the water. The fountains are also visible from inside the Dubai Mall through the lower ground floor windows, which is useful if it is too hot to stand outside. The best paid viewing is a table at any restaurant in Souk Al Bahar, the traditional-style market across the footbridge from the mall. A AED 40 main course buys you a front-row seat to the show with the Burj Khalifa rising directly behind the fountains. The restaurants fill up around showtime, so arrive by 5:30 PM if you want a terrace table. There are fountain boat rides (AED 85 for a 30-minute ride on the lake) which put you closer to the water jets. The experience is fine but the view is actually worse because you are too close and too low to see the full choreography. The promenade or a Souk Al Bahar terrace is the better perspective by far.

30-60 minutesExplore

Park & Garden

Dubai Miracle Garden

Dubai Miracle Garden is 72,000 square metres of flowers arranged into shapes that range from impressive (a full-size Emirates A380 aircraft covered in flowers) to whimsical (houses, hearts, arches, characters). It is open seasonally from November to May because the summer heat would kill everything. During the season, there are over 150 million flowers in bloom. AED 55 entry (about $15). The instinct is to dismiss this as Instagram bait, and in one sense it is. The entire garden is designed for photographs. But the execution is impressive. The flower arrangements are maintained to a standard that makes the engineering behind them (the irrigation, the climate control, the logistics of planting and replacing millions of flowers) genuinely remarkable. The Emirates A380 display holds the Guinness World Record for the largest floral installation. Go in the late afternoon (3-5 PM) when the light is soft and the worst heat of the day has passed. The garden is outdoors and there is minimal shade, so morning or late afternoon visits are essential. Weekdays are significantly less crowded than weekends. The butterfly garden next door (included in the ticket) is a pleasant, air-conditioned addition with thousands of live butterflies. The garden is located on the outskirts of the city near Al Barsha. There is no metro station, so you will need a taxi (AED 35-50 from Downtown, AED 25-35 from the Marina). Allow 2 hours for the garden and 30 minutes for the butterfly garden.

1.5-2 hoursExplore

Shopping

Deira City Centre

One of Dubai's oldest and most established shopping malls, featuring over 370 stores, a cinema complex, and diverse dining options. This mall maintains a more local atmosphere compared to newer mega-malls, offering a mix of international brands and regional retailers popular with residents.

Landmark

Dubai Frame

The Dubai Frame is a 150-metre-tall, 93-metre-wide picture frame in Zabeel Park. One side faces Old Dubai, the other faces New Dubai, and the concept is that you see the city's past and future simultaneously. It is kitschy and brilliant. The glass-floored sky deck on top is terrifying for those who look down and exhilarating for everyone else. The museum inside the base tells the story of Dubai's transformation from a fishing village to a megacity with immersive exhibits that are better than expected. You start in a gallery showing old Dubai (pearl diving, Creek trading, wind-tower houses), take the elevator to the top, cross the glass bridge with the skyline on both sides, and descend through a gallery showing futuristic Dubai plans. AED 50 entry (about $14). The views from the top are different from the Burj Khalifa because you are lower and centrally positioned between Old and New Dubai. You can see the Creek, the souks, Bur Dubai, and Deira on one side, and the Burj Khalifa, Business Bay, and the Marina skyline on the other. On a clear day, the contrast between the two sides is the most effective visual metaphor for Dubai's transformation that exists. Go in the late afternoon for the best light on both sides. The glass floor panels on the sky deck are about 3 metres long and the drop below is visible. Some visitors walk across confidently. Others crawl. Both reactions are valid. The gift shop at the base is forgettable. Zabeel Park around the Frame is pleasant for a walk afterward.

1-1.5 hoursExplore

Shopping

Ibn Battuta Mall

Themed mall divided into six courts representing regions visited by 14th-century explorer Ibn Battuta: China, India, Persia, Egypt, Tunisia, and Andalusia. Each section features architectural details and design elements authentic to its region across 521,000 square meters.

Museum

Museum of the Future

The Museum of the Future is the torus-shaped building on Sheikh Zayed Road that looks like an eye and is covered in Arabic calligraphy. The building alone, designed by Killa Design and opened in 2022, is one of the most striking pieces of architecture built this century. The facade has no straight lines and the Arabic script carved into it is not decorative but functional, serving as windows that let light into the interior. Inside, the experience is part museum, part immersive theatre. You take an elevator to the top floor (set in space, on a space station orbiting Earth in 2071) and work your way down through themed floors exploring future scenarios: a rainforest DNA library, a wellness floor focused on the senses, a floor about AI and technology, and a creative floor for children. The production values are extraordinary. Every room is a designed experience with sound, lighting, scent, and interactive elements. Is it a museum in the traditional sense? Not really. There are no permanent collections or artefacts. It is more of an immersive experience about possible futures, designed to be cinematic rather than educational. Whether that appeals to you depends on what you expect from the word 'museum.' If you want to be impressed by design and production quality, this delivers. If you want to learn facts about the future, you might leave wanting more substance. AED 149 entry. Book online in advance, timed slots sell out. Allow 2-3 hours. Photography is allowed in most areas. The gift shop is better than average. The building is stunning from the outside at night when the calligraphy is backlit.

Park & Garden

Zabeel Park

Dubai's largest urban park spans 47 hectares with separate sections for families and singles. Home to the Dubai Frame landmark and features cricket pitches, jogging tracks, and lakeside picnic areas with city skyline views.

Market

Waterfront Market

Modern air-conditioned seafood and produce market with 400+ vendors selling fresh fish, meat, fruits, and vegetables. Features viewing gallery of fish auction floor, sushi restaurant, and cooking demonstration areas in contemporary glass building.

1-2 hoursExplore

Hand-picked

Experiences worth booking ahead

Vetted tours and tickets we'd send a friend to. The ones worth reserving before you arrive.

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Bestseller

Dubai Marina Walk

A 7km pedestrian promenade lined with cafés, restaurants, and shops along the man-made canal waterfront. The Marina is home to over 200 residential towers, creating a distinct urban skyline reflected in the water. Popular for leisurely walks, outdoor dining, and people-watching.

Nemo Watersports Dubai

Kayak through the Dubai Marina canals, paddling beneath the Marina Walk promenade and alongside superyachts. Guided tours depart from the beach near JBR and include basic instruction, life jackets, and waterproof phone pouches. The calm waters make this suitable for beginners, with the evening slot offering cooler temperatures.

The Beach JBR

A 1.7km beachfront promenade along Jumeirah Beach Residence offers outdoor dining, retail shops, and direct beach access. The area features a mix of international restaurants, beach clubs, and family-friendly activities with views of the Arabian Gulf. It's a popular spot for morning jogs, evening strolls, and beach volleyball.

Xclusive Yachts

Private yacht charters departing from Dubai Marina for two-hour, four-hour, or full-day excursions along the coastline. Boats range from 33-foot cruisers to 155-foot superyachts with crew, water toys, and optional catering. Popular routes include Palm Jumeirah circuit and Atlantis anchorage.

Dubai Museum

Dubai Museum is inside Al Fahidi Fort, the oldest existing building in Dubai, dating from 1787. The entry fee is AED 3 (about $0.80), which makes this the cheapest attraction in the city by a wide margin. For that price you get a fort, a courtyard with traditional boats and a wind-tower house reconstruction, and underground galleries with dioramas showing pre-oil Dubai life: pearl diving, souk trading, desert living, and the Creek trading economy. The dioramas are surprisingly good. Life-size figures in reconstructed settings show how Dubai functioned before the discovery of oil in the 1960s. The pearl diving section is particularly interesting, explaining an industry that defined the Gulf economy for centuries before collapsing when the Japanese invented cultured pearls. The archaeological section displays artefacts from the Al Qusais burial site dating back 4,000 years. The fort itself is small, with thick walls, a watchtower, and a courtyard that gives you a sense of the defensive architecture that protected the Creek's trade routes. The building has served as a palace, a garrison, a prison, and a museum over its 230+ year history. Standing in its courtyard and looking at the Dubai skyline in the distance is the most condensed version of the 'before and after' story that defines this city. Allow 30-60 minutes. The museum is air-conditioned underground and a good escape from the heat. Combine with Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood (a 2-minute walk) and the Creek waterfront for a half-day in Old Dubai. Open 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM Saturday to Thursday, 2:30 PM to 8:30 PM Friday.

Dubai Opera

Dhow-shaped multi-format performing arts venue in Downtown Dubai hosting opera, ballet, concerts, and theater productions. The 2,000-seat auditorium transforms between theater, concert hall, and banquet hall configurations. The rooftop restaurant offers views of Burj Khalifa.