Things To Do In Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
If you are looking for things to do in Dubai then you will not be disappointed. There are plenty of attractions & activities for kids of all ages in the Emirate for you to choose from. If you are someone looking for a holiday based on historical culture then no problem, Dubai can deliver this. Desert safaris, museums based on the Bani Yas beduion tribe and more are all available for the tourist. If you are someone who is laid back and wants to enjoy something a bit more modern, then Dubai has pretty much everything you are looking for.
Below are some of the top and main things to do in Dubai.
History and Culture
Visit and explore Dubai's many museums as well as historic sites and learn how the city came to be from its bedouin traditions. Visit the traditions and customs page to learn more.
Adventure Travel
If you are a fan of sports and adventure activities such as diving, skiing, windsurfing, or if you are just a sightseer, there are plenty of things to do and see. You might want to go on a hot air balloon as a romantic gesture for your partner or try some quad biking in the desert.
Desert Safari & Dune Bashing
No trip to Dubai would be complete without a trip to the desert. A desert safari or quad biking are definitely recommended and are an outdoor activity that should not be missed. You can speak to your hotel for further help on finding a good company.
Dubai Restaurants and Eating Out
Dining out in the Emirate is fun as well as exciting. There are an array of eateries that you can choose to go to and cuisines suitable for every palate and budget. Some of these include; Indian, Thai, Chinese, Italian, Lebanese, North African and many other. Many world-renowned chefs are also present in Dubai such as Gordon Ramsey, Gary Rhodes and Jamie Oliver.
Amusement/Theme Parks and Leisure Activities
Children and adults both want to engage in some fun activities to make their trip special, therefore, theme parks, water parks and beaches are all within a few miles. The most popular water park is the Wild Wadi based in Jumeirah as part of the Jumeirah beach residence, this comprises of some of the best hotels in the Middle East if not the world. The wild wadi is suitable for both children and adults. You can always watch videos these online to start to get an idea of the sheer luxury of this resort.
Open Spaces and Public Parks
If you want to just relax then there are plenty of open spaces available in Dubai. An example includes Al Mamzar Beach Park which is one of the best in the city. It has a children's play area, swimming pools, picnic areas, barbecues and you can even hire some of the private chalets where you can enjoy the scenery. There is a nominal entrance fee to enter park either by foot or by car. It is advised to check the rates prior to your journey.
Shopping Centres
If shopping is your thing then there are an untold number of shopping malls that are ever present in Dubai. Don’t worry, there doesn’t seem to be any sign of the developers slowing down. The great thing is that everything is tax free and the city is full of bargains. You might want to take a trip down to the Gold Soul where you can purchase 24 carat gold at very competitive prices.
Dubai tends to do things bigger and much more surreal than anyone else. Where else could you find an indoor ski slope in the middle of the dessert? It is an excellent attraction and because it is adjoined with the Mall of the Emirates shopping center, its very convenient for those hoping to either ski or for those just want to have a bit of fun. The lower part of Ski Dubai is suitable for younger children. The other most popular shopping precincts are Deira City Centre and the Dubai Mall.
You can even find an ice rink if you really want to learn how to skate in the Dubai Mall. If you happen to be in Bur Dubai then there is the Burjuman Centre. Wafi City is also another place you can consider.
In addition, finding the perfect souvenir for your loved ones is quite easy with so many gift shops all over the place.
Ski Dubai
The biggest indoor snow park in the Middle East and one of the largest in the world. Expect to see plenty of REAL snow. Visit our ski Dubai page to learn more.
Culture
Culturally there is plenty to see and do, if you like the finer things in life then there are many art galleries scattered around where you can see modern contemporary to local based Islamic Art. There are also many in neighboring Abu Dhabi. As the city grows, so does awareness for art and it is becoming very popular amongst the younger crowd. As mentioned above, you can also go to the many museums in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and the neighboring Emirates.
Dubai Hotels, Buildings and Skyscrpaers
If you like buildings then Dubai has plenty of them. In fact it has one of the tallest skylines anywhere in the world including the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. This is located on Shaykh Zayed Road as part of the ‘downtown’ Marina development. Here you will find plenty of luxury apartments and Marina Walk.
Skyscrapers have become part of the landscape and the Burj Dubai (Burj Khalifa) is the tallest building in the world. Talking of other attractions, the Burj Al Arab is a seven star hotel which is an award winning attraction, it is part of the Madinat Jumeirah resort complex. Because of its huge tourist industry, there are soo many hotels in Dubai to choose from. Just because you are not staying there, does not mean you cannot enjoy the benefits. You can go to any of the hotels and enjoy a meal, or tea and coffee.
Gold and Spice Souks
Being the shopping capital of the world, there is one thing you can find in abundance, and that is gold. All the latest designs in 24 carat gold are available at less than what you would normally pay in places like London or New York.
Dubai Creek
To get to the spice souk you will need to hop onto a water taxi (Abra) at the Creek in Deira. A very nominal fee yet the ride is quite enjoyable especially on a hot day where you will be amazed to see fresh spices that you have never even heard of.
Golf Courses
With the weather always being sunny and the City being a playground for the rich, there are many golf courses scattered around. In some cases, you must have a certain handicap before you get accepted as a member or let loose on the fairway. There is the Dubai Golf club which is the most renowned.
Sandy Beaches
Dubai is not short of beaches, in fact it has a huge coastline, partially man-made. One of the most popular ones is the Jumeirah Beach resort which is the upmarket area of Dubai. With sun beaming down on you all the time and the blue crystal clear warm waters, this place should definitely be a place you go with your whole family. A number of hotels also offer private beaches.
On certain days, Jumeirah beach as well as the other leading beaches have a women and children only day where no men are allowed. This is perfect for women who need their privacy due to personal preference or religious reasons as well as to engage and get to know other women.
Nightlife, Entertainment and Amusement
The nightlife in Dubai is like any other cosmopolitan city is vibrant. Dubai boasts a fantastic nightlife which consists of nightclubs, bars and also a great restaurant scene with some of the best known names in the business having eateries there; absolutely ideal for couples who want a romantic dinner. Because it is an Islamic country, alcohol is served only within hotels. In addition, there are plenty of Irish and English pubs for expats who like to engage in a tipple after work or to watch the football.
One should be aware of the customs and traditions; such as not drinking in public otherwise you could end up in trouble with the authorities.
The Palm Jumeriah Jebel Ali
Palm Jumeirah is on the world’s largest man made Islands. It is a truly extraordinary place and these islands can be seen from space. Just the sheer size and magnitude of this development is awe-inspiring. If you do have the time to go and visit, then do visit the Atlantis Dubai Hotel which is an incredible piece of modern architecture, breathtaking views, restaurants, an aquarium and more.
Other Attractions in Dubai
In addition, if you are an entrepreneur, the city hosts many business events throughout the year since Dubai is a hub to the West and East. There are always exhibitions being held so pick up a local paper or listen to the radio out there to find out whats going on.
Tips & Advice for Travel
Get a Map of Dubai and try and familiarise yourself with the main locations
Ensure you are acquainted with the culture of taking photos and videos in public. This is because it can sometimes cause offence.
During the months of May onwards, Dubai weather gets incredibly hot, if you must travel then ensure you take plenty of sun tan lotion.
The entrance fees of the locations we have mentioned above are always subject to change so please do your own due diligence to make sure it is correct. We try to update as quickly as possible so sometimes we also miss this (we are only human after all).
Whatever you decide to do, the Emirate has plenty to do and chances are you will never get bored. There is fun for the whole family, adults and kids alike. The best thing to do is to read reviews or get some advice from your friends (for those of you who know people who have visited). It is also a good idea to contact the place in advance or visit their website just to be on the safe side. With the continual developments and the wait for the launch of Dubai Land we are sure you wont be disappointed when it comes to finding fun things to do in Dubai.
As you can see from the above, there are plenty of things to do in Dubai, just browse the site to learn more and we hope you have an incredible trip.