Top Things to Do in Dubai, UAE

Updated On: March 21, 2024 by   Ciaran Connolly

In the past two decades, Dubai has become one of the best tourist attractions in the world. It offers its visitors and residents so many activities and exciting opportunities that you will never have a moment of boredom when you’re there. From its entertainment parks to its malls and many outdoor activities, Dubai is a literal haven for tourists from all over the world.

Whether you’re there with your friends or family and children, you will surely find plenty to do in this amazing ultra-modern city that allows you to enjoy your time to the fullest.

The entire city is connected through a fast metro system that makes it easy to get from one attraction to the other so you can enjoy as many outings as possible in one day.

Visit the World’s Tallest Tower (Burj Khalifa)

Widely known as the tallest tower in the world, Burj Khalifa also hosts one of the biggest New Year’s celebrations every year attended by hundreds of people from Dubai and from all over the world to witness the stunning fireworks show.

Burj Khalifa also has residential apartments, hotels, gyms, officers, and the famous Dubai Mall, filled with top luxury brands and shops. You can also enjoy the Dancing Fountain show in front of the Tower which starts every 30 minutes from 6:00 to 1:00 pm. There are also a couple of shows held in the middle of the day at 1:00 and 1:30 pm.

One of the most exciting experiences you can have at the Burj Khalifa is to climb up to the top deck by an elevator which will take you to the 124th, 125th, or 148th floors in one minute.

The tickets cost AED 224 during prime hours which are from 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm, and AED 149 from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. We recommend booking these tickets online in advance to avoid the long queues.

At the top, you’ll find observation devices that operate as magnifying glasses to show you the entire landscape of Dubai from above, and interestingly you can adjust the settings so that they’ll also show you what it looks like by day or night or what it looked like 100 years ago!

Shop at the Dubai Mall

One of the main shopping malls in the city, the Dubai Mall has many luxury brands as well as affordable ones to fulfil every shopper’s demands. It also has many restaurants, some of which offer a fantastic view of the Dubai Fountain so you can enjoy the shows from the comfort of your table and avoid the rush of crowds looking to get the closest look at the fascinating water and colour projection display.

You can also take a boat in the fountain in between the shows that take you around the water so you can observe Burj Khalifa from a different angle. The Dubai Mall also has an indoor fountain which is one of the most photographed spots in the mall.

Attached to the Dubai Mall and also overlooking the Dubai Fountain is Souk Al Bahar (i.e Market of the Sailor), a traditional Middle Eastern marketplace with a modern twist, with shopping, entertainment, and dining opportunities.

Souk Al Bahar’s architecture is very unique, a spot of the traditional next to the ultra-modern Burj Khalifa, with its natural stone corridors and Arabian decor.

Souk Al Bahar has more than 100 shops and 22 restaurants offering great views as well as the top selections from fashion to Arabian handicrafts, perfumes, and antiques for a memorable cultural experience.

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo have thousands of aquatic animals in their impressive 10 million litre tank. The Underwater Zoo takes visitors through various aquatic environments, including the rainforest, touch pools, and UAE Night creatures.

The Aquarium Tunnel impresses all the visitors as it feels like you’re immersed in the sea with these enchanting creatures surrounding you from all sides.

Tickets are AED 150 for the full experience of observing these amazing aquatic animals and taking as many photos as you like to capture this unique experience.

The Dubai Aquarium also offers scuba diving lessons in the aquarium itself at 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm, or 5:00 pm, giving you the basic safety guidelines and skills in the confines of a cage before you venture out for your dive in the aquarium. You can even dive with the sharks!

Scuba diving lessons in the Dubai Aquarium start at AED 296 and go all the way up to AED 2,625, depending on the level of the lesson. You can also choose to have an underwater video taken of your unique experience.

Travel to the Past, Present, and Future at The Dubai Frame

The Dubai Frame is a 150-meter-high and 93-meter-wide fascinating cultural landmark. Designed like a frame, visitors go up this magnificent structure that is metaphorically built as a connection between the Emirate’s past and future, as they learn about the story of how Dubai came to be the city that it is today.

The elevator takes you to the Sky deck, climbing 48 floors in 75 seconds. There are three different galleries, dedicated to the past, present, and future of Dubai. At the top, you can see the spectacular view of the sunset over Dubai, walk on the glass walkway, draw shapes on the interactive screens, and of course, take some amazing selfies and enjoy the illuminated dancing musical fountain.

The Dubai Frame is open every day from Opening hours from 09:00 am to 09:00 pm. Tickets for adults are AED 50, while children’s tickets are AED 20. Like many attractions across Dubai, you can purchase your tickets online to avoid any queues at the location.

Dubai Ice Rink

Another interesting experience at the Dubai Mall is the Dubai Ice Rink. Located on the ground floor of the mall, the Olympic-size ice rink has become a social hotspot, appealing to the young and old alike.

Dubai Ice Rink operates as a party and dance floor and a lively venue for a wide range of events. It also offers skating lessons through the Dubai Ice Rink Skating Academy (DIRSA) from basic skills to advanced figure skating.

You’ll also find several cafés for a relaxing experience with the entire family.

The Dubai Ice Rink offers a variety of sessions with different ticket prices. The Festive DISCO Session is AED 90, while the Festive DJ Session is AED 120. As for the skating lessons, they start at AED 120 for a 30-minute private lesson, AED 210 for 45 minutes, and AED 229 for one hour. For those looking for other options, there are also semi-private lessons for AED 137.50 for 30 minutes and group lessons for AED 259 per group for 30 minutes, and AED 420 per group for one hour. All of these lessons range from beginners to advanced skating lessons according to your preference.

Birthday parties can be held on the rink as well at AED 130 per person, but if you want a more VIP experience, you can book a section of the ice for your party and your guests to enjoy themselves.

Explore the Global Village

Dubai is known as a modern cosmopolitan city since it is home to many foreign communities who live and work either in Dubai or in other emirates in the UAE. To make them feel right at home, Dubai opened the vast Global Village; an enormous open space for shopping and entertainment where each section offering products, foods, and clothes from more than 90 countries, such as Turkey, Pakistan, Thailand, Jordan, Lebanon, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Syria, Japan, South Korea, China, Africa, Egypt, India, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Iran, Yemen, Bahrain, and Kuwait.

There are also sections for events, concerts, and carnivals. Many notable international artists performed at the Global Village, including Jason Derulo, Liam Payne, Shahrukh Khan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Samira Said, Elissa, Atif Aslam, and many more.

The Global Village is located on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road E 311 road. The current admission fee is AED 15.

The Global Village in Dubai receives an average of 7 million visitors every year. It is open from Saturday to Wednesday, from 4:00 pm to midnight, and stays open for an extra hour on Thursdays and Fridays.

To get there, you can take one of four buses from several metro stations, the most convenient would be Bus 106 from the Mall of the Emirates station.

Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates

One of the must-have experiences in Dubai is skiing at the Ski Dubai arena at Mall of the Emirates, one of the largest shopping malls in the world.

In the indoor arena, you’ll find an 85-meter-high indoor mountain with 5 slopes of varying steepness and difficulty, and a lift carries the skiers up the mountain.

The entire family can enjoy the 3,000-square-metre Snow Park play area where they can sledge, climb towers, have snowball fights, and explore the ice cave. Ski Dubai also houses several penguins who are let out of their enclosures several times a day. You can also book a penguin encounter to interact directly with the adorable creatures.

To go on the slopes, there are a variety of ticket options. You can get the two-hour Slope Pass for AED 210 or a Full-Day Slope Pass for AED 310. Ski Dubai also offers the SkiFly Slope (AED 305) to explore the Snow Park and get a two-hour access to the Slope, as well as get two flights at the skydiving experience iFLY Dubai for free!

Another option is to buy the Snow Plus Slope (AED 340) for unlimited access to the Snow Park rides and you can pick either a two-hour Slope, a 40-minute Penguin Encounter, or a Snow Bullet Ride or a skiing/snowboarding lesson. Finally, the Snow Premium Slope (AED 490) includes unlimited access to the Snow Park and all its rides, a 40-minute penguin encounter, and any Slope session or ski/snowboarding lessons you choose.

As for the Snow Park, you can buy the basic ticket for AED 190, for one-time access to the Ski Dubai Snow Park and as many times as you want, or the Snow Classic (AED  256) for unlimited access to snow park rides in addition to one ride on the Mountain Thriller and the Chairlift.

Other ticket options include the Ski-Fly Snow Classic (AED 305) for unlimited access to Snow Park rides, one Mountain Thriller ride and one Chairlift ride, as well as two flights at iFLY Dubai and a choice between two hours on the Slope, a 40-minute Penguin Encounter, a Snow Bullet Ride or a 60-minute skiing/snowboarding lesson. The Snow Plus (AED 340) offers you either a slope session, a discovery lesson, a snow bullet ride, or a penguin encounter in addition to unlimited access to all snow park rides.

Finally, the Snow Premium (AED 490) offers a 40-minute encounter with the penguins, a choice between a slope pass or a 60-minute snowboarding/ski discovery lesson, unlimited access to the snow park and rides, a locker, waterproof gloves, and a photo book, which explains why it is the most popular ticket option amongst visitors.

Finally, for a chance to meet the penguins, you can choose the Peng-Friend Encounter (AED 230) for a 40-minute encounter as you learn all about them. The Snow Plus – Penguin Encounter (AED 520) gets you a 75-minute slot to meet the penguins and a photo opportunity with them, as well as a complimentary hot chocolate drink.

The Ultimate Peng-Friend (AED 890) gets you unlimited access to Snow Park rides, one go at the Chairlift and Mountian Thriller, and a 75-minute Peng Encounter. It also includes lockers, a hot chocolate drink, and a photo plus a souvenir. Finally, Swimming with the Penguins (AED 1,390) is an all-encompassing package that includes all the above, as well as a 15-minute session to swim with the penguins.

Ski Dubai also offers lessons at the Ski School for amateurs who are still beginning to learn and pros who want to brush up on their skills. The lessons are led by a team of experienced professionals.

If you need a break or you’re waiting for family or friends to finish their sessions, then we recommend that you rest at one of the Ski Dubai cafés and restaurants, such as North 28, an Alps-themed café, where you can sip some hot chocolate, or Avalanche Café, which is located halfway on the slope and lets you relax with good views. There is also the Ice Café where you can sample some delicious treats.

Become Enchanted by the Miracle Garden and the Butterfly Garden

Built over 60,000 square meters, the Dubai Miracle Garden is an enchanting experience that should not be missed. This massive flower garden is the world’s largest, featuring over 50 million flowers and 250 million plants.

Every season, the Dubai Miracle Garden offers a variety of new attractions and activities for all ages. Among the most interesting attractions are, for example, the largest floral installation in the world, which is of Emirates A380 aeroplane, made using 500,000 flowers, along with the Disney Avenue, featuring some of the most famous Disney characters, or the 15-meter floral clock, the Butterfly Passage, the Umbrella Passage, the Floral Castle, and the Lake Park.

The Miracle Garden is open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm on weekdays, from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm on Friday, and from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm on Saturday. Ticket prices for adults (above 12 years old) are AED 55 and for children (3 years – 12 years) are AED 40.

Also located close by is the Dubai Butterfly Garden, the world’s largest and the region’s first indoor butterfly garden and sanctuary for over 15,000 butterflies from 26 species. The garden has ten domes where you can see beautiful butterflies and have an insight into their world, including how they evolve through each stage. Amazingly, you can also interact with the butterflies and take beautiful pictures with them.

The Butterfly Garden is open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays and weekends with the same ticket prices as the Miracle Garden.

You can spend the entire day exploring both parks that offer a variety of activities for your children as well, including a trampoline park and souvenir shops that sell Disney merchandise.

Go for a Swim at JBR Beach and The Walk

There are many public beaches in Dubai, but the most popular would be JBR Beach. Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) has a 1.7-kilometre-long waterfront area called The Walk overlooking the Arabian Gulf in Dubai Marina. It is a residential area with 40 towers, including hotels and designer shops. It is within walking distance of the Dubai Tram and Dubai Metro.

The Beach at JBR provides a view of the Dubai Eye observation wheel on Bluewater Island, an artificial island. The area has all the facilities you might need, including showers, toilets and changing rooms. There is even an outdoor gym and plenty of food and drink outlets.

There are many other public beaches in Dubai that you can also enjoy, such as Umm Suqeim Park Beach and Sunset Beach.

Go on a Boat Ride in the Gulf from the Dubai Marina

The Dubai Marina is one of the most interesting locations in the city. With its state-of-the-art buildings and yacht dock, the Dubai Marina is a great place to stay during your trip or simply to spend time there at one of the many cafes, bars, and nightclubs, but most importantly, it is packed with companies that offer boat rides from the Marina that take you on a quick and exciting trip in the Arabian Gulf, where you can see many of the attractions of Dubai from the water, including the Atlantis Hotel, Burj Al Arab and the Palm Jumeirah islands.

You can also spot some of the tallest skyscrapers in Dubai, such as the Princess Tower and the Cayan Tower. These fascinating buildings provide a great backdrop to your photos, so make sure to take a few shots while there.

Bike around Dubai on NextBike

Dubai prides itself on encouraging exercise among its citizens and visitors, so naturally, there are many opportunities for working out all around the city. A great idea is the NextBike, which you can rent from  10 different stations around Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina, including Marina Mall, Marina Walk, Stefano’s Café, Marina Yacht Club, Grosvenor House Hotel, and JBR Shams Luxury Homes. Bike enthusiasts can download the app, register, and then easily rent and ride the bikes to explore the city at their own pace.

If you’re a resident or in Dubai for a longer trip and wish to use the bike as your mode of transportation, you rent a bike from 30 minutes to 24 hours, with the prices ranging from AED 15 to AED 80.

Shop While Exploring Different Cultures at the Ibn Battuta Mall

The Ibn Battuta Mall is on Sheikh Zayed Road and contains 270 shops, 50 restaurants, and play zones for children to enjoy their time. One of the world’s largest themed shopping malls. The mall is divided into six courts, each with a design inspired by some of the countries visited by the Moroccan Berber explorer, Ibn Battuta, after whom the mall is named, including Andalusia, China, Egypt, India, Persia, and Tunisia.

The Ibn Battuta Mall has international brands like Debenhams, MAC, Sharaf DG, NYX, Inglot, GAP, Allen Solly, Decathlon, Nike, and many more. The 50 restaurants and cafes offer local cuisine from all over the world as well, such as in the Middle East, India, Italy, Mexico, Turkey, Greece, China, and Japan.  This mall definitely offers an unforgettable shopping experience.

You can arrive at the Mall by taking the Dubai Metro and exiting at the Ibn Battuta Station, you’ll find the mall situated directly opposite the metro station.

IMG Worlds of Adventure

Amusement parks provide a lot of fun and adventure for the whole family, so we recommend the IMG Worlds of Adventure park in Dubai for a great day out, especially if you’re travelling with children.

The park is divided into five zones, two of which represent Cartoon Network and Marvel, while the others are IMG Boulevard and the Lost Valley – Dinosaur Adventure zones, and Novo Cinema.

IMG Worlds of Adventure covers an area of 1.5 million square feet, with the capacity to welcome more than 20,000 guests a day. There, you’ll find roller coasters, thrill rides, and other attractions based on popular Cartoon Network characters, iconic Marvel Super Heroes, and animatronic dinosaurs. There are also many themed retail stores and restaurants, as well as a 12-screen cinema complex.

There are so many rides and adventures to choose from, such as the Haunted Hotel where you can explore a maze of corridors while facing scary characters as you try to find the exit, or the Avengers Battle of Ultron where you can join your favourite superheroes, Iron Man, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Captain America, and the Hulk as they battle the villain Ultron.

The park is open from Saturday to Wednesday, from 12:00 noon to 8:00 pm, and on Thursdays and Fridays, it is open until 9:00 pm. The General Park Admission ticket is AED 299.

Bollywood Parks and Resorts

Have you ever dreamed of exploring the fascinating culture of India? Well, you might be able to do just that in Dubai! The Bollywood Parks and Resort offers you a glimpse into the enchanting Asian culture, while also providing plenty of opportunities for entertainment for you and the entire family, with numerous rides and live shows.

Inspired by the hit Bollywood film Lagaan, you can join Bhuvan and his team in a game of cricket against the British Raj amidst the idyllic village and rocky terrain through a motion simulator ride.

Make sure to check out the Bollywood Boulevard stage where the diverse cultures from all over India come together during live shows and performances filled with colours, music, and dancing.

For an adrenaline rush like no other, try the Bollywood Sky Flyer, the tallest swing ride in the world at 460ft.

After a day of fun and adventure, settle down at the Namaste India restaurant and taste the delicious food that pays homage to the beautiful country of India.

After finishing all the rides, performances and sampling your exquisite dinner, make sure not to leave before you see the Grand Parade that is held at closing time, as the ensemble you saw throughout the day gathers for the final time and see you off with upbeat music and fantastic dance moves.

The Bollywood Parks and Resorts opens on Fridays from 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm and from Saturday to Thursday, it opens until 9:00 pm.

Tickets are AED 275.

Burj Al Arab

One of the most renowned attractions in Dubai is Burj Al Arab. The Burj Al Arab is a luxury hotel and one of the tallest hotels in the world (321 meters). It was designed to resemble the sail of a ship and has a helipad near the roof at a height of 210 meters. It was built on a man-made island, 280 meters off-shore, connected to the mainland by a 340-meter-long bridge.

It is definitely one of the most luxurious hotels in the world, with very unique amenities made available to its guests that you are not likely to see anywhere else. You even get to choose from among the 17 types of pillows available on the pillow menu. The duvets used at Burj Al Arab are also said to be the rarest in existence as the down is harvested from abandoned eider duck nests in Iceland.

Further proving how luxurious the hotel is, in 2008, Burj Al Arab broke the Guinness World Record for the most expensive cocktail, valued at 27,321 AED. In 2016, it created the world’s largest tin of caviar with 17 kilograms of Empress Caviar.

If that wasn’t enough, the interiors of the hotel are gilded in 24-carat gold, making up 1,790sqm of 24-carat gold leaf. Furthermore, the ceiling of the hotel’s Japanese restaurant, Junsui, is adorned with 21,000 crystals (worth AED 1.3 million), with a design representing the Milky Way.

Guests at the hotel can relax at the spa located on the 18th floor, 150 meters above the Arabian Gulf.

The hotel’s helipad previously hosted many exciting international events, such as the tennis match between Andre Agassi and Roger Federer in 2005 which saw the helipad transformed into a makeshift tennis court. In 2006, Ronan Keating filmed a music video for his single “Iris” there as well.

Other notable events held on the famous helipad included a segment of The Today Show in 2007, and race car driver David Coulthard performing doughnuts in a Formula 1 in 2013, as well as professional kitesurfer Nick Jacobsen jumping off the helipad with his kiteboard in 2017.

At Burj Al Arab, you can visit The Terrace, the first man-made luxury beach of its kind, spread over 10,000sqm, with two pools, cabanas, and a 1,120sqm beach area. The Terrace wasn’t constructed where it is now; it was built in a cruise ship and yacht production facility in Finland before being shipped to Dubai in six pieces.

If you’re looking for a luxurious destination filled with pampering fun and relaxation, then a stay at Burj Al Arab is the best choice, just be sure to know the limits of your budget.

Dubai Opera

If you’re looking for a night out to enjoy artistic performances from world-renowned artists, then the Dubai Opera is the place to be. Located in the Opera District in Downtown Dubai, the Dubai Opera hosts a variety of performances, including theatre, opera, ballet, concerts, conferences, and exhibitions. The theatre seats up to 2,000 people and the roof have been transformed into a restaurant and sky garden with views of The Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa.

You can check out the current showings and book your tickets online.

There are also special guided tours designed to inform the visitors about the unique architecture of the building and the concept behind its layout. The tours last around 45 minutes and the tickets for the tours are AED 75 per adult and AED 40 for children.

KidZania

For a great day out for your kids, Dubai has one of the best entertainment and education centres in the region, which is KidZania. This 7,000m2 venue is built as a replica of a real city with over 70 activities for children aged between 4 and 16. The children get to role-play as employees at hospitals, fire stations, banks, radio and TV stations, supermarkets, pizzerias, and more.

They get to earn special KidZania money that they can spend within the KidZania city. Through these activities based on role-playing, they can discover all about different jobs and develop skills, such as decision-making, teamwork, creativity, and social skills.

Standard tickets are AED 179 for children aged 4 to 16, and AED 69 for adults.

Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood

For a quick trip to the past to explore the heritage and history of Dubai and the UAE, we recommend a quick trip to Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood in Dubai Creek (Khor Dubai). The neighbourhood has been set up to reflect the traditional style of life that was prevalent in Dubai from the mid-19th century till the 1970s where buildings with high air towers are side by side, separated by alleys, pathways, and public squares.

The quarter was built by merchants who came from the Persian town of Bastak to settle in Dubai to take advantage of tax breaks granted by the sheikh. Over time, residents began moving on to newer neighbourhoods, but thankfully the houses were well taken care of and preserved to give future generations a glimpse into the city’s past. Due to its strategic location, this area played an important role in Dubai’s commercial relations overseas.

The buildings of the district currently house art exhibits, specialized museums, cultural and artistic societies, ateliers, and cultural centres. You’ll also find several cosy cafés, restaurants, and motels that are all designed in keeping with the historical atmosphere of the area.

A visit to Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood is a great opportunity to become acquainted with the old way of life which was prevalent in Dubai decades ago.

Wild Wadi Water Park

An amazing outdoor water park in Dubai, Wild Wadi Water Park is located in the area of Jumeirah, next to the Burj Al Arab.

Among the rides at the park are the Ring Rides, the Tantrum Alley & Burj Surj, the Jumeirah Sceirah which is the tallest and fastest free-fall water slide outside of North and South America, as well as the FlowRider rides, Wipeout and Riptide, surfing simulators that produce a realistic wave effect which allows riders to body-board, knee-board or surf, Breakers Bay which is the largest wave pool in the Middle East, Juha’s Journey, a 360 m (1,180 ft) long river which allows guests to relax and slowly float around the park, and many more.

Wild Wadi Water Park opens from Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00 and is closed on Mondays.

Entrance fees depend on the height of the visitor, so tickets for those who are 1.1 meters and above are AED 209, while below 1.1 meters only pay AED 159. Special rates are given to online booking where 1.1 meters and above pay AED 199, while below 1.1-meter pay AED 149.

Wild Wadi Water Park provides an action-packed atmosphere suitable for the whole family. It’s definitely an attraction you and your kids would not want to miss.

Palm Islands (Palm Jumeirah)

The Palm Islands are three artificial islands on the coast of Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Deira Island, and Palm Jebel Ali.

The most well-known of the three is Palm Jumeirah which has numerous private residences and hotels. From the air, the island resembles a palm tree within a circle.

Dubai’s Palm Islands are home to thousands of apartments, villas, unique water homes, and luxury hotels as well as a number of marinas, health spas, shopping malls, restaurants, cinemas, sports facilities, and dive sites.

Palm Jumeirah is also home to Atlantis the Palm, one of the largest hotels in the world.

Atlantis Hotel and Resort

Atlantis The Palm is a luxury five-star hotel built at the apex of the Palm Jumeirah. The first resort to be built on Palm Island, Atlantis’ design is based on the myth of Atlantis, mixed with Arabian elements.

The hotel has 1,548 rooms dispersed on the East and the West Tower, linked together by the Royal Bridge Suite. It also has the Aquaventure water park and the Lost Chambers Aquarium, with more than 65,000 marine animals.

The hotel has an aquarium exhibit (Dolphin Bay) where the dolphins interact with visitors.

You can take your time to relax at White Beach, the hotel’s newest beach club with its mesmerizing infinity pool and outdoor restaurant. Also, consider paying a visit to the luxury spa and fitness centre.

Gordon Ramsay’s renowned restaurant Bread Street Kitchen is also housed in the hotel.

Atlantis the Palm was the set of many TV programs and movies, including The Amazing Race 15, the X-Factor, the Bollywood film Happy New Year, and even Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

It would be quite easy to spend an entire week or more at Atlantis the Palm without even leaving the resort because it offers you all that you need for a comfortable and enjoyable stay, from luxury accommodations to five-star dining and even thrilling adventure opportunities.

Dubai Gold Souk

The Dubai Gold Souk is a traditional market in Deira with over 380 shops, most of which sell jewellery, including Gold, Platinum, Diamonds, and Silver.

The Gold Souk overlooks the Deira Corniche and is very close to the Deira Bus Stand. It also borders The Dubai Textile Souk.

The Gold Souk is made up of a maze of covered walkways with glittering shops on both sides. It is a breathtaking place to visit and explore its stunning merchandise. However, if you intend to buy, make sure to visit several shops to compare prices and don’t forget to haggle.

Stores in the Gold Souk are typically open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Dubai Museum

The Dubai Museum lies in Al Fahidi Fort, which was built in 1787, making it the oldest existing building in Dubai.

The museum officially opened for visitors in 1971, to showcase the traditional way of life in Dubai. You can admire the fort’s construction and the various displays within it, portraying the history of the city in the 1800s. The Museum includes local antiques and artefacts from African and Asian countries that traded with Dubai as well. It also includes several dioramas showing life in the emirate before the advent of oil, in addition to artefacts from discoveries dating as far back as 3000 BC.

Al Fahidi Fort was the residence of the rulers until 1896 and then it went through different periods where it was used as a prison and a garrison before becoming a museum.

In the courtyard of the Dubai Museum, you’ll find bronze cannons and traditional boats as well as rooms with displays of various instruments and weapons.

The main exhibit can be found underground where you can find a display, playing a video that illustrates the development that Dubai has undergone since the 1960s. You can also find a dhow boat (traditional cargo boat) where you can cross its deck to enter a mock market. Other galleries showcase life in the desert and at sea, including a pearl-diving exhibit.

The Dubai Museum opens every day from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm, except Fridays when it opens from 2:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

Tickets are AED 3 for adults and AED 1 for children under the age of 6.

Dubai Creek (Khor Dubai)

Dubai Creek is a saltwater creek that divided Dubai into two main sections: Deira and Bur Dubai. Dubai’s pearling industry, which was the basis of the city’s economy, depended primarily on expeditions in the creek, before the 1930s.

If you are in the area, then there are several nearby attractions that you can visit, including Al Fahidi Fort, or ride the cable car 30 meters in the air over Dubai Creek. You can also take a cruise along the Creek and have a cosy dinner along the way. You can visit the gold and spices markets or watch the sunset as you walk along the wharf, either way, it promises to be an enjoyable day.

Deira Clocktower

Deira Clocktower (Dubai Clocktower), is a roundabout in Deira, that has become a prominent monument in the area. It was built in 1965 and was designed by Architect Ziki Homsi.

The Clocktower symbolizes Dubai and it was listed by The Telegraph as one of the 17 most beautiful clock towers around the world.

Meydan Racecourse

Meydan Racecourse is a racecourse in Dubai, with a grandstand over a mile long, and accommodates over 80,000 spectators. The racecourse includes a horse racing museum, a gallery as well as a five-star hotel, and a nine-hole golf course.

The Meydan Racecourse hosts one of the world’s richest horse races: the annual Dubai World Cup, drawing thousands of visitors in March of each year, and featuring a concert headlined by top international performers.

Visitors to the racecourse can also go horse riding, go on stable tours and dine at the many restaurants on location, such as Farriers and Qube, or enjoy a night out with friends at the hip Soho Garden.

The track was also used as a filming location for the film Star Trek Beyond as the set for the docking bay where the U.S.S. Enterprise is moored and also for the bar scene during the film’s climax which contains a ship construction bay.

World Islands

The World is an artificial archipelago of various small islands constructed in the shape of a world map, off the coast of Dubai. Made up of a collection of 300 private islands, The World islands are home to private homes, estate homes, resorts, and community islands. The project is still under development but it is certainly one of the most ambitious projects in the UAE and the entire world.

Richard Branson recently purchased the island of representing Great Britain in The World project.

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus or Big Bus Tours

Tourists all over the world would be familiar with the Hop-on Hop-off buses or the Big Bus Tours which offer you a unique way of exploring the city.

Using their apps, you can find the nearest bus stop to where you’re staying and board the buses to explore the many stops on the bus routes around the city of Dubai.

The attractions along the way include Burj Khalifa, Palm Island, Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Public Beach, Atlantis the Palm, Dubai Creek, Bastakia Quarter, and many more important attractions and landmarks. The full bus tour lasts around 2 hours and 20 minutes and you are provided with headphones that you can plug in at your seat to listen to a full guided audio recording along the way explaining the significance of each stop. You can also disembark at any stop to explore it more fully and catch the next bus when you’re ready to leave, using the same ticket.

Download the mobile app to find out more about the full tour and the ticket prices as well as the offers that come along with the ticket, because you may receive several vouchers and offers for free tickets to several of the landmarks along the bus route.

Dubai is one of the most ambitious and modern cities around the world. While it maintains close links with the past, it goes to great lengths to make sure they are ahead of its time in terms of technology and construction, which is one of the many draws it has when it comes to international tourism. There is no shortage of important attractions in the city and you will never feel boredom no matter how long you stay as there are plenty of things to do every single day, whether you are in the city alone, with friends or with family, we guarantee you will have a fantastic time.