Dubai is the best tourist city in the United Arab Emirates filled with glitz and glamour.
It is a city that will amaze you with its sky-piercing buildings, smell-induced souks and futuristic architecture. All wrapped under one umbrella.
Whether you take a stroll through one of the historic neighborhoods. Or rubberneck through the window of the metro, you will be fascinated by how much there are things to see in Dubai.
For instance, you can walk along the Al Fahidi quarter and discover the old Dubai. Make a day filled with calm and serenity by taking a cruise along Dubai Creek in a traditional dhow.
Pretty soon, you will realise there are more than the tourist things to do in Dubai.
Coming for a short trip to Dubai won’t do any justice. You will have to live here to experience the country.
But sadly, that isn’t the case for many, due to tight schedules and personal priorities. That is why we’ve jolted down the best tourist attractions and things to do in Dubai. This will help you save time and see the best of the country.
Some of the Best Tourist Attractions and Top Things to Do in Dubai are listed below:-
Burj Khalifa
The most famous attraction in Dubai is the Burj Khalifa. In fact, it is one of the most popular tourist sites in the world. Why? This magnificent landmark stands at 829.8 meters making it the tallest building in the world.
For most visitors, just a sight of the building may suffice. But for some, a ticket to the observation deck on the 124th floor is like a jackpot.
You get to see the stunning city skyline from the top, from a bird’s-eye perspective. The feeling to be at the tallest building in the world is simply hair-raising but with excitement.
Nighttime visits are widely popular for the stunning views of the city-lights panoramas. And if you do not want to wait in line, buy tickets in advance.
Dubai Aquarium
Aquatic life is perhaps the most fascinating to the human eye. The different aquatic species that swarm in the Dubai aquarium are a magical experience.
Everything in Dubai is large. So you can expect the Dubai aquarium to be a massive fish tank measuring 51 meters in length, 20 meters in width, and 11 metres in height. The fishes do not feel prisoned though, the aquatic life is well maintained, daily cleaning the tank.
Dubai aquarium is one of the top attractions in Dubai where you can walk through the long tube which is home to over 140 species of sea life. You can find the aquarium on the ground floor of the Dubai Mall.
But there is more than simply seeing marine life. To get a close-up encounter, there are activities which allow you to hand-feed eagle rays and even dive with reef and tiger sharks.
Desert Safari
There is no shortage of adventure things to do in Dubai and by that, we mean dune adventure. The country is surrounded by rippling deserts. And close to the city, there are many desert safari activities.
Along with the expansive dune field for activities is the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Here you can find many animal species that are accustomed to the harsh UAE hot climate.
While you cannot venture for activities on your own, there are several Dubai desert adventure tours. These tours combine activities from camel rides to sandboarding and 4WD safaris to luxury dinners during the golden desert sunset.
The traditional Arabian falconry display is one of the many things included in the Dubai tour packages. Some of the desert safaris also include overnight camping under the starlit sky.
If you do not have time, the Dubai desert 4×4 safari is a great option for a half-day desert adventure. It includes activities like sandboarding lessons, a camel ride, a sunset barbecue, and the traditional belly dancing show.
Al Fahidi Quarter (Old Dubai)
Bastakia neighbourhood, the Al Fahidi Quarter, or to put it simply, Old Dubai is a fascinating place to explore. If you get enticed by old-world charm, century-old houses and courtyards then come to this part of Dubai.
It is the best place to visit in Dubai. It treasures the late 19th century houses of the Persian merchants. You can visit Al Fahidi which is located in the eastern part of Bur Dubai, alongside the Dubai creek. The impressive limestone buildings offer a fresh ambience amid the harsh heat.
You will notice houses also has wind towers which provide the houses to cool down. It is an early method of cooling like we use air conditioners for modern buildings today. The Persian merchants enjoyed the transplanted architectural element providing easy cross ventilation.
Apart from the neighbourhood quarter of Al Fahidi are simple pleasures of exploring the narrow lanes. The picturesque setting and clean street provide an ambience that has aged slowly compared to Dubai’s long history.
Mall of the Emirates
As a tourist, you may not find it appealing to visit the mall, unless you need to shop. But the Mall of the Emirates is something out of the ordinary. It is one of the must-visit places in Dubai.
The mall covers everything from shopping to the cafeteria, activities to attractions. It also has the iconic Ski Dubai facility inside. The indoor ski slope is completed with actual snow and chairlifts and a penguin enclosure.
It is a fascinating place to be while it is hot out, it has a winter-like ambience inside with temperature slopping to -4 degrees Celsius. The Mall of the Emirates also features a cinema complex ideal for parents when kids are playing on the rides.
The shopping area has boundless options from expensive brands to local products. The eating options offer all kinds of world cuisine.
Dubai Frame
One of the iconic and quite new attractions is the Dubai Frame. This prime place is located between the bustling old town of Dubai and the modern neighbourhood.
Dubai Frame stands at approximately 150-meter with golden ornate around it giving a spectacular sight. While from a distance it may see only a frame, it includes a series of galleries like the ‘Future Dubai gallery’. The images of the Emirati heritage can be seen through the images carefully treasured here.
Come here and explore the city and the kingdom before you embark on a higher elevation at the Sky Deck.
From the top, you get to see fantastic panoramas of both the old and new Dubai. There are viewing platforms at the Dubai Frame giving a hair-raising sight of the city.
Souks of Deira
Everyone enjoys exploring the city markets from where all the daily items are brought from. One of the major markets is the Deira which is located in the northern part of Dubai Creek.
The market’s winding streets are filled with spices and the largest gold bazaar in the world. For a traveller and locals as well, Deira is a shopping delight. It has every kind of spices, like cumin, paprika, sumac, saffron, and thyme.
Souks of Deira also has a fish market that provides a local experience which should not be missed. While here, you must not miss two of the famous restored architectural gems.
The 1890 Heritage House was the home of a wealthy Iranian merchant which was later the home of Sheik Ahmed bin Dalmouk. The Al-Ahmadiya School was constructed in 1912, making it the oldest school in Dubai. Today, it has become a museum of public education.
Jumeirah Mosque
One of the sacred attractions in Dubai is the Jumeirah Mosque. Not only it is sacred but the most beautiful mosque in Dubai.
While it does not shy away from stating the fact that the Jumeirah Mosque is an exact copy of Cairo’s Al-Azhar Mosque. But we can all agree that it is not less attractive despite its size. By the way, Jumeirah Mosque is eight times smaller than the actual marvel in Cairo.
You can come here and soak into the beauty of Islamic architecture. The fine stonework, stunning minarates and more.
