I have been to many places and have done many activities in Dubai throughout the years. Some places were just amazing, some were not worth the time, and some were meh. I’ll be listing the 10 best things that you can do from my personal experience.
1. At the Top of Burj Khalifa:
You can’t miss it. Trust me, it’s worth the visit. Standing on the 124th floor of the tallest building in the whole world is just different from any skyscraper. Try to go early in the morning, like at 7 AM. At that time, the views are very soothing. It was a December winter morning when I went there. The fog was a paid actor.
Try to book the ticket two days before you go there. Please book the ticket online so you won’t have to stand in line.
Here is the list of packages you can choose from:
- Sunrise at the Top of Burj Khalifa (124, 125) – AED 159 ($43)
- The Lounge, Burj Khalifa (152, 153, 154) – AED 769 ($210)
- At the Top Sky, Burj Khalifa (124, 125, 148) – AED 399 ($110)
- At the Top, Burj Khalifa (124, 125) – AED 179 ($49)
They also have other options. Check out their official website. But to me, 124 & 125 are only worth the visit and money. The rest of those are more or less the same as 124 & 125.
Book the ticket from their official website so that you won’t have to pay any extra fees.
2. Museum of the Future:
This is a one-of-a-kind place. It’s a whole new thing that you won’t see anywhere else. So, it’s basically a building where you can explore the future of science, technology, and innovation. It’s better than it sounds. You can experience a simulated space station, AI & human interaction, solutions for a better planet, innovations in longevity and wellness, and many more. The whole experience is really fun and educational.
The entry ticket is AED 159 ($43) per person. Book the ticket online two days before you go. This is their official website.
3. Miracle Garden:
Miracle Garden is a fun and relaxing place. You can go there to have a fun time. This garden is the largest flower garden in the world. It has 50 million flowers and 250 million plants. I personally love this place. If you’re with your partner or family, you’ll have a great time. Besides, this place is very photogenic. You’ll love the smell here.
- Adults: AED 100 (Over 12 years old)
- Child: AED 85 (Age 3 to 12 years) – ID is required
- Child below 3 is free – ID is required
Book the ticket online from their official website.
4. Marina Walk:
Dubai Marina is a small district built around an artificially constructed canal along a 3 km stretch of the Persian Gulf shoreline. It’s a nice place for a walk or a bicycle ride. You’ll enjoy the skyline.
There is a yacht club where you can rent a yacht tour. Even if you don’t rent a yacht, you can take good photos. There is a twisted tower called the Cayan Tower. In person, this building looks really cool. Make sure to visit that.
I really like this place. Whenever I’m bored or feeling a little down, I get a coffee and walk beside the canal.
5. JBR Beach:
Jumeirah Beach Residence is my favorite beach among all the beaches in Dubai. There’s so much to do, from shopping to trying out watersports like parasailing, wakeboarding, flyboarding, kayaking, paddleboarding, and many more. There are also banana boat rides and even a train for kids to enjoy.
For food, the Pavilion at The Beach is a must-visit. It has six amazing restaurants, each with stunning seaside views. I loved just sitting there, enjoying a great meal with the ocean breeze.
If you’re not into water activities, you can take a camel ride along the shore—it’s such a cool experience with the city skyline in the background. There’s also a 600m running track if you feel like getting active. I ended my day by watching a movie at the cinema nearby. From the beach, you can see or visit the world’s largest Ferris wheel, Ain Dubai. The night view is awesome.
What I love the most is the sunset from here. A good chocolate mocha and the sunset—ahh, I can’t express the feeling in words. Don’t miss the sunset, you’ll thank me later.
6. Desert Safari:
If you’re in Dubai and you didn’t go for a desert safari, then your trip is incomplete. I’ll just share my experience, and you’ll be the judge of how amazing it was.
My desert safari experience started in the afternoon when I was picked up from my home in a 4×4. Before heading into the desert, we made a quick stop to remove some air from the tires—it helps with a better grip on the sand. Once we entered the desert, the real adventure began!
Dubai Desert Safari was one of the most thrilling experiences I’ve had. The adventure started with dune bashing, racing over the golden sand dunes in a 4×4—it felt like a rollercoaster! After that, I tried sandboarding, which was so much fun, even though I fell a few times.
As the sun set, the desert turned breathtakingly beautiful. At the camp, I got to hold a majestic eagle, which was an unforgettable moment. I also enjoyed a camel ride and relaxed under the open sky while watching live performances like belly dancing and a fire show. The evening ended with a delicious BBQ dinner. Just sitting there, surrounded by the vast desert with clear stars up ahead, felt magical.
There are many safari packages to choose from, ranging from AED 120-1200, depending on what you want to experience. My total cost for the entire adventure was 700 AED ($190), including hotel pick-up and drop-off. I booked the ticket from here. It’s an experience you’d definitely want to do again!
7. Palm Jumeirah:
Palm Jumeirah is one of Dubai’s most impressive landmarks—an artificial island shaped like a palm tree, built using millions of tons of sand and rock through land reclamation. Today, it’s home to luxurious hotels, beautiful beaches, and stunning views of the Dubai skyline.
Getting there is easy, with several transportation options. You can drive across the Palm Jumeirah Bridge, take a taxi, or hop on the Palm Monorail, which runs from the mainland to Atlantis, The Palm, offering great aerial views. For a more scenic route, boat and yacht tours around the Palm give a unique perspective from the water.
I suggest not taking the monorail because it’s complicated to access from underground parking and very time-consuming. It’s best to take a car.
8. Global Village:
Global Village is one of Dubai’s most exciting cultural and entertainment destinations. It’s a massive open-air festival park that brings together pavilions from over 90 countries, each showcasing unique traditions, food, and products.
You can enjoy global street food, live shows, carnival rides, and shop for handcrafted souvenirs and exotic items. The entry fee is typically 20-25 AED, with free entry for children under 3 and seniors over 65.
9. Dubai Fountain:
The Dubai Fountain is a stunning water and light show set on the artificial lake at the base of the Burj Khalifa. The shows take place every 30 minutes in the evening, creating a mesmerizing experience for visitors.
The first performance starts around 6:00 PM, and the shows run every 30 minutes until about 11:00 PM.
10. Dubai Mall:
The Dubai Mall is one of the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destinations. I had an amazing time there—shopping, exploring the aquarium, and even trying my hand at skating! Bring comfortable shoes as you have to walk a lot, but there is a buggy service too.
There are many places and things to do in Dubai. I just listed my top 10 here.
Here are some more places worth visiting:
Burj Al Arab, Dubai Frame, Kite Beach, Dubai Gold Souk, Ain Dubai, IMG World, Dubai Creek, Grand Bur Dubai Masjid.
