Top 20 tourist attractions in Dubai. One of the most cosmopolitan places in the world

things to do dubai

Looking for best things to do in Dubai? Discover what you can do in Dubai – We found 20 best tourist attractions and places to visit.

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Dubai is the largest city in the United Arab Emirates and one of the most impressive cities in the world.

It is recognized for its grandiose buildings, but also for the traditions preserved in the old quarters.

Traveling in Dubai, you will discover everything superlative, being one of the most cosmopolitan places you can find in the world.

From the skyscrapers, the Dubai Marina, the Dubai Mall and top hotels, everything is magnificent.

The best time to visit Dubai the city is November – February, when the blue sky perfectly frames an ideal vacation image.

Our top 20 most interesting tourist attractions in Dubai, look something like this:

Best Things to Do in Dubai

The View from The Palm

The View on level 52 of the iconic Palm Tower is the highest observation point in Palm Jumeirah, offering 360-degree panoramic views of Palm Jumeirah, the Arabian Gulf and beyond. Places to stay in the area

The View Dubai - Things to Do
The View Dubai – Things to Do

Located at a height of 240 m (787 ft), the observation deck also houses a cafe, a creative exhibition that introduces you to the development of the island, interactive water-themed tunnels and a gift shop.

Burj Khalifa Dubai

Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world and one of the must-see attractions in Dubai.

It has a height of 828 meters (2,716 ft) and is located in the heart of the city. Places to stay in the area

Burj Khalifa Dubai - Things to Do
Burj Khalifa Dubai – Things to Do

The building is also famous for the world’s fastest elevators and the highest mosque, which is on the 158th floor.

To enjoy the superb views of the city and the Persian Gulf, a trip to the observation point on the 124th floor is something not to be missed.

Dubai Fountain

At the base of the Burj Khalifa is one of the largest musical artesian fountains in the world.

It sends powerful jets of water up to 150 meters (492 ft) high and makes them dance to the rhythm of some music. Places to stay in the area

Dubai Fountain - Places to Visit
Dubai Fountain – Places to Visit

The Dubai Fountain offers tourists an immersive experience thanks to its unique play of water, music and lights.

I recommend you to visit the fountain in the evening, at sunset. You will not regret!

Palm Jumeirah Dubai

The Palm Jumeirah is an archipelago of man-made islands in the Persian Gulf in Jumeirah, Dubai and is part of a larger series of developments called the Palm Islands. Places to stay in the area

Palm Jumeirah Dubai - Places to Visit
Palm Jumeirah Dubai – Places to Visit

It is also one of the most emblematic attractions in Dubai.

The island is shaped like a palm tree and each of the 16 leaves of the island is home to luxurious hotels, beautiful villas, clean beaches or other attractions.

One of the island’s attractions is The View, the observation deck located on the 52nd floor of the Palm Tower, which offers a full view of Palm Jumeirah, the Dubai skyline and the Arabian Gulf.

Dubai Dolphin Bay

It is a very beautiful place in Dubai, where you will be able to enjoy playful dolphins, and even swim with them for 30 minutes. Places to stay in the area

Dubai Dolphin Bay - Things to Do
Dubai Dolphin Bay – Things to Do

This experience is suitable for all ages and is the perfect interaction for younger children or non-swimmers.

The visit will be a memorable one, so allocate enough time to visit this place.

La Mer Beach

Tucked away between Pearl Jumeirah and Jumeriah Bay, La Mer – Dubai’s eclectic beach is a must-see.

La Mer is an urban seaside destination with turquoise waters, white sands and a variety of thrills or playgrounds for children. Places to stay in the area

La Mer Beach - What to Do in Dubai
La Mer Beach – What to Do in Dubai

The beach is quite famous and renowned especially for relaxation and restaurants, cafes or boutiques for shopping.

During the evening, the beach and its modern surroundings transform into a promenade area.

Among the attractions is the impressive Laguna Water Park – a unique park with an exclusive surf attraction.

Al Fahidi Historic District

The Bastakia district (also called Al-Fahidi district) occupies the eastern side of Bur Dubai along the river, and visiting it is the perfect way to experience Dubai’s fascinating culture.

Al Fahidi Historic District - Places to see
Al Fahidi Historic District – Places to see

It is a neighborhood with a quiet atmosphere, completely different from the hustle and bustle of the modern city districts.

The city impresses with its Arabic architecture and narrow streets that will take you through the fascinating history of the city.

Dubai desert

The Dubai Desert is an area of fine sand known as the fifth largest desert in the world and the largest in Asia.

It is less than a 20-minute drive from the trendy streets of Downtown Dubai and offers numerous entertainment options.

Dubai desert - Things to Do
Dubai desert – Things to Do

Whether you want to get your adrenaline pumping with a desert safari or enjoy a relaxing overnight stay, this is the place for diversity.

You can opt for off-road car racing, a camel ride, cultural entertainment with henna paintings, try sandboarding, or simply enjoy the endless sand dunes and a local cuisine feast.

Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall is the second largest mall in the world after Iran Mall.

It is part of the Downtown complex (called Downtown Dubai), adjacent to the iconic Burj Khalifa and includes over 1,200 shops. Places to stay in the area

Dubai Mall - Things to Do
Dubai Mall – Things to Do

A visit to the Dubai Mall will surely please those who are passionate about shopping.

In addition to shops, the mall offers visitors several entertainment options including: 22 cinema halls, 120 restaurants and cafes, an absolutely spectacular aquarium with over 300 species of animals, Dubai Dino – the place where an authentic fossil of a dinosaur over 7 meters tall and many other attractions.

Ski Dubai is a ski resort within the Dubai Mall featuring an indoor mountain measuring 85 meters high. There are 5 slopes of different difficulty and a 3000 square meter play area.

Dubai Frame

Dubai Frame is an observatory, museum and monument in Zabeel Park, which holds the record for the largest frame in the world. It is definitely one of the best places to visit in Dubai. Places to stay in the area

Dubai Frame - tourist attractions
Dubai Frame – tourist attractions

It is created from glass, steel, aluminum and reinforced concrete and is positioned in such a way that the representative landmarks of modern Dubai can be seen on one side, while on the other side, visitors can also see the older parts of the city.

The lower space contains a museum that shows the history of the city and a video exhibition that predicts the future of the city, the so-called “Dubai Vision 2030”.

Kite Beach Dubai

Kite Beach, one of the most popular beaches in Dubai, is located right next to the Jumeirah district and offers tourists a multitude of attractions. Places to stay in the area

Kite Beach Dubai - Things to Do
Kite Beach Dubai – Things to Do

From kitesurfing, wakeboarding, paddleboarding or volleyball, Kite Beach exudes as much adrenaline as it does tranquility and a relaxing atmosphere.

At low tide, it’s ideal to take a long walk on the beach to enjoy some of the best pictures taken of the Burj-al-Arab hotel.

Dubai Miracle Garden

The Dubai Miracle Garden is located in the Dubai land district and is the largest natural flower garden in the world with over 50 million flowers and 250 million plants.

Dubai Miracle Garden - Places to Visit
Dubai Miracle Garden – Places to Visit

There are plenty of attractions for visitors. You can walk along the heart-shaped alley, or walk among the flower castles with illuminated nightscapes and life-sized houses, or admire the flower reproduction of an Airbus A380 super-aircraft.

Also, the stunning ‘floating lady‘ dressed in exotic flowers is a sight not to be missed, as is the stunning Butterfly Garden.

Dubai Tourist Attractions

Dubai Opera

Located in the heart of Dubai, the Dubai Opera is a major destination for world-class performing arts and entertainment productions.

Dubai Opera - Places to Visit
Dubai Opera – Places to Visit

It hosts the best, authentic, creative and immersive performing arts experiences in Dubai and the world.

Dubai Opera’s design offers the unique flexibility of an arched theatre, acoustic concert hall and 2000 square meters of event space.

Visit the city of Hatta

130 km (81 mi) from Downtown Dubai is Hatta, a mountain town and picturesque retreat not to be missed.

If you arrive in Dubai, you must also visit this village. It is definitely a good place to visit in Dubai.

City of Hatta - Places to see Dubai
City of Hatta – Places to see Dubai

This mountain village, believed to be over 3000 years old, has been preserved and restored to its original glory to give tourists a glimpse of how Emiratis lived centuries ago.

A must-see for anyone coming to Hatta is the Hatta 360 Observatory, located at a high point so as to offer visitors great views of the village.

Dubai Creek

Dubai Creek is a saltwater creek that stretches for about 14 km (9 mi) and forms a natural harbor that has traditionally been used for trade and shipping.

It separates the city into two cities, with Deira to the north and Bur Dubai to the south.

Dubai Creek - Places to Visit
Dubai Creek – Places to Visit

A series of bridges allow vehicular movement across the stream, while the many traditional ferries, known as abras, are used as taxis.

If you set out on a trip in the morning you will catch the local merchants lowering anchor and getting ready to trade.

You will also be able to admire spectacular views of Old Dubai with its traditional houses, wind towers and minarets.

Burj Al Arab

Burj Al is one of the tallest hotels in the world with a structure designed to resemble the sail of a ship.

The hotel sits on a man-made island connected to the mainland by a private curved bridge and includes a rooftop helipad at a height of 210m (689 ft). Places to stay in the area

Burj Al Arab - tourist attractions Dubai
Burj Al Arab – tourist attractions Dubai

With golden interiors, luxurious apartments and some of the best restaurants in Dubai, Burj Al Arab is considered among the best places to stay in Dubai.

The Burj Al Arab is worth a visit, if only to look at an interior that is as dazzling as the exterior is gorgeous.

Wild Wadi Park

It is a water park next to the Burj Al Arab and one of the most impressive parks of its kind in the world. It offers tourists a lot of attractions. Places to stay in the area

Wild Wadi Park - Things to Do
Wild Wadi Park – Things to Do

From roller coasters to high-speed underground rides, surfing and gravity-defying carousels, Wild Wadi Waterpark may be, for many of us, the most immersive theme park experience.

If you want more relaxation, the tranquil Wave Pool is a great way to spend the day. Or you can rent a private cottage, where you can relax by the Lazy River.

Deep Dive Dubai

Located in Nad Al Sheba – 15 minutes from downtown Dubai – Deep Dive Dubai is a 60 meter (196 ft) deep pool entered in the Guinness World Records as the deepest diving pool in the world. Places to stay in the area

Deep Dive Dubai - Things to Do
Deep Dive Dubai – Things to Do

Here you can enjoy a variety of unique underwater experiences and attractions, such as the “sunken city” or free diving and scuba diving courses.

In addition, here you can also find a sunken gift shop, a restaurant and meeting spaces that can accommodate up to 100 visitors.

Dubai Future Museum

The Museum of the Future, also known as the “living museum“, is one of Dubai’s most popular tourist attractions. Places to stay in the area

Dubai Future Museum - places to see
Dubai Future Museum – places to see

Building without supporting columns is one of the most complex architectural structures.

The building consists of seven floors and each level of the museum was designed to look like a large interactive film set.


Best Places to see in Dubai

  1. Best Things to Do in Dubai
    1. The View from The Palm
    2. Burj Khalifa Dubai
    3. Dubai Fountain
    4. Palm Jumeirah Dubai
    5. Dubai Dolphin Bay
    6. La Mer Beach
    7. Al Fahidi Historic District
    8. Dubai desert
    9. Dubai Mall
    10. Dubai Frame
    11. Kite Beach Dubai
    12. Dubai Miracle Garden
    13. Dubai Opera
    14. Visit the city of Hatta
    15. Dubai Creek
    16. Burj Al Arab
    17. Wild Wadi Park
    18. Deep Dive Dubai
    19. Dubai Future Museum