10 Best Things to Do in Dubai

Experience the best of Dubai! Visit these top tourist attractions and have fun in one of the world’s top tourist destinations. Featured photo of an aerial view of Burj Khalifa by tampatra/stock.adobe.com

Dubai has undoubtedly become one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations ever since its transformation to today’s cosmopolitan metropolis. It is simply amazing to think that half a century ago, Dubai was merely a desert and a cluster of settlements. Now? It has become the primary home to some of the world’s largest conglomerates. 

Aside from its inspiring rapid growth in terms of business and economy, Dubai is also a haven for tourism for people worldwide! That’s right, the wealthiest city in the Middle East has set the global standard for its stunning architectural infrastructures. It is home to some of the world’s phenomenal buildings, such as the Jumeira Beach Hotel, Dubai Opera, Burj Al Arab, and the planet’s tallest, Burj Khalifa. Oh, and Dubai is also second with the most five-star hotels in the world!

Not only did Dubai master engineering and architecture, because it was also able to take the art of entertainment to the next level. It’s no wonder why millions of tourists flock to the city every year! From popular destinations such as the Dubai Marina, Desert Safaris, Hot Air Balloon Festivals to Helicopter Tours, you definitely won’t run out of options!

So, if you’re planning to visit the wonderful city of Dubai anytime soon, where should you start? Well, lucky for you because we’re going to answer that very question in this article! Join me as we discover the 10 Best Things to do in Dubai!

Fall in Love with the Dubai Fountain

You’re looking for entertainment, am I right? Well, I guess there’s nowhere else better to start your tour than the incredible Dubai Fountain! It is the world’s most extensive choreographed fountain system located at the famous Burj Khalifa Lake. This massive 12-hectare fountain perfectly compliments the vibe of Downtown Dubai Development which is full of business offices.

Witnessing the Dubai Fountain Show is one of the best things to do in Dubai
Dubai Fountain | Photo by hit1912/stock.adobe.com

Watching the magnificent lights and water of the Dubai Fountain has already become a significant experience for tourists visiting Dubai. So, get ready to be amazed as 22,000 gallons of water are shot up the sky along with spectacular lights in a beautifully choreographed masterpiece!

Wander Around the Historical Neighborhood of Al Fahidi

Aside from its astonishing architectural creations, another fantastic thing about Dubai is its rich culture and history. And the best place to witness that is no other than the historical neighborhood of Al Fahidi. This ancient region was constructed in the late 1800s, and the structure perfectly depicts what was life in Dubai before its drastic transformation.

Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood in Old Dubai, United Arab Emirates - one of the top tourist spots in dubai
Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood in Old Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Photo by Roman Sigaev/stock.adobe.com

Today, countless cultural and artistic activities are held in Al Fahidi, such as the Sikka Art Fair, Heritage Week, Artists-in-the-Residence, and many more! Aside from conserving the creative culture of Dubai, the neighborhood is also home to some elegant cafes offering delicious treats and delicacies to tourists. So, you should go ahead and check them out, too!

Discover the Underwater World at Dubai Aquarium

Speaking of taking the art of entertainment to the next level, our next destination is another out-of-this-world experience brought to you by Dubai. Yup! I’m talking about the one and only Dubai Aquarium, where you can meet over 140 species of amazing aquatic animals such as sharks, rays, penguins, crocodiles, and many more!

Dubai Aquarium | Photo by Michael/stock.adobe.com

There are many different experiences to look forward to, like the King Croc, Penguin, Otter, and Shark Encounters! Oh, and you can also try first-hand experiences such as the Shark Dive, Snorkeling, and Shark Walker. Of course, don’t forget to tour around the iconic Aquarium Tank consisting of a massive 10 Million liters of water where more than 400 sharks and rays live. There’s also the Aquarium Tunnel and Underwater Zoo to watch out for. 

I suggest that you dedicate a whole day of your tour to make the most out of your experience in the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo!

Visit the Iconic Dubai Frame

Another destination you shouldn’t miss when in Dubai is the iconic Dubai Frame. It is a magnificent architectural landmark with a height of a whopping 150 meters! Yup, that’s right. It is made of glass, steel, aluminum, and reinforced concrete. 

Dubai Frame | Photo by hossein1351/stock.adobe.com

The structure of the Dubai Frame itself is already an iconic attraction, right? But there’s more to it than what it seems! The frame is strategically positioned so that tourists can see the landmarks of Modern Dubai on one side and the ancient parts of the city on the other! How great is that? 

You can also take spectacular photos of the Dubai Frame with the aesthetic skyline of the city or the majestic sunset in the background. Oh, and there’s also a museum at the lower part of the frame where tourists can learn more about the rich history of Dubai!

Show Some Guts at Skydiving! 

You came to Dubai hoping to get a taste of a once-in-a-lifetime experience that it famously offers, right? Well, suit yourself because the next attraction will take your breath away! Skydive Dubai is the largest company offering skydiving activities to tourists in Dubai. It also has a golden standard in teaching skydiving for beginners and enforcing top-of-the-line safety features for everyone, so no need to worry! 

Dubai Skydiving over Palm Jumeirah | Photo by Dubai Tourism

With Skydive Dubai, you can get to have a unique perspective of the city from up above! You can choose to leap above the famous Palm Jumeirah or at the Arabian Desert. Both locations are premier skydiving spots, so make sure to give it a try!

Have the Best Day of Your Life at IMG Worlds of Adventure

Yup! No matter how old we are, we can never deny the fact that a trip wouldn’t be complete without theme parks! Well, lucky for us because the largest indoor theme park in the world can be found in Dubai, and it’s no other than the IMG Worlds of Adventure. 

Velociraptor (IMG Worlds of Adventure)
Velociraptor (IMG Worlds of Adventure) | Photo by Jeremy Thompson under creative commons

This iconic theme park in Dubai is perfect for kids and adults alike! There are tons of things to do like countless rides, movies, tours, shopping, and even dining options around. Some popular adventure zones include Marvel, Cartoon Network, Lost Valley, the Haunted Hotel, and many more. 

Wander Around the Dubai Miracle Garden

Dubai isn’t all about indoor theme parks, hotels, and entertainment buildings; it also has several outdoor attractions such as the one and only Dubai Miracle Garden. This flower garden nestled at the heart of Dubailand spans an area of more than 7 hectares, making it the world’s most extensive flower garden! How great is that? 

Wandering around the Dubai Miracle Garden is one of the best things to do in Dubai
Dubai Miracle Garden | Photo by efesenko/stock.adobe.com

So, if you’re looking for a place offering fresh air and visually relaxing attractions, then you should drop by Dubai Miracle Garden! 

Discover Dubai Marina

Everything you need to experience about the modern and stylish side of Dubai is here at Dubai Marina. It is overflowing with picturesque views of towering skyscrapers with a touch of natural wonders! You can also witness beautiful mosques nestled between high-rise buildings, making the industrialized region more culturally balanced. 

Aerial view of yachts in the Dubai Marina | Photo by Sunday Stock/stock.adobe.com

Just a walk around the iconic Dubai Marina will let you have a fantastic tour and experience of the city of Dubai itself. Feel free to dine in luxurious restaurants while you enjoy the majestic view of the setting sun by The Beach! 

There’s also the iconic Dubai Marina Mall,  a grandeur shopping complex where you can hang around and buy some of the famous brands of anything and everything on the planet. Make sure to check it out!

Go on an Adventure in Hatta 

People tend to focus on Dubai’s brighter and highly-developed side without realizing that the city also has a rich and pristine part where you can enjoy several wonders of nature! I’m talking about Hatta, an enclave of Dubai found high above the Hajar Mountains. 

Hatta Lake and Hajar Mountains in Dubai, UAE | Photo by Alexey Stiop/stock.adobe.com

An adventure in Hatta will undoubtedly make you love Dubai even more than its iconic buildings. Here, you can find countless attractions like the Hatta Water Dam, Hatta Rock Pools, Hatta Swan Lake Bridge, Hatta Hill Parks, and many more! So you should explore it and make some great memories out there. 

Witness the Iconic Burj Khalifa

Finally, it’s impossible to find any list of the best things to do in Dubai without the iconic Burj Khalifa. Everyone widely knows it as the tallest building globally, having a height of 830 meters. It is essentially the face of Dubai in the world of tourism. 

A visit to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai is one of the best things to do in Dubai
Burj Khalifa in Dubai | Photo by francescodemarco/stock.adobe.com

Aside from the majestic structure itself, Burj Khalifa also has a lot to offer from the inside! Plenty of unparalleled amenities and services, such as indoor swimming pools, event rooms, and top-notch fitness facilities, can be found within the building! 

Guests can also enjoy the exclusive Sky Lobbies distributed within the floors of Burj Khalifa, where you can have a magnificent perspective of the city from above! Aside from all those things, Burj Khalifa also conducts live laser shows and fireworks from time to time, so make sure to catch them!

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