10 amazing things to do in Dubai

Prepare to be overwhelmed with superlatives while in Dubai – an emirate defined by its ability to evolve and astound. Even regular visitors will be tempted by something new every time they arrive – a record-breaking museum perhaps, or maybe an entire hipster neighbourhood that seemingly sprang up overnight. So, tick the must-dos off your list – attempting to squeeze all 2,722 feet (828 metres) of the Burj Khalifa into one photograph and sailing a traditional abra (wooden boat) across Dubai Creek, for example – but don’t ever think you’ve done Dubai, because Dubai is always on a mission to outdo itself. Here are the best things to do in Dubai.

For further Dubai inspiration, see our guides to the city’s best hotels, restaurants, shopping, nightlife and family-friendly things to do.

In a forward-facing nation, history is hard to find, but look between the gaps of Dubai’s skyscrapers and the story of its early hardships and pearl-diving heritage emerges. Nowhere is this more evident than at the Dubai Museum. Part fort, the building dates back to 1787, making it the oldest in Dubai, and the museum has been in existence since 1971 – the year the UAE was formed. Some exhibits may seem a little dated, but the ragged edges add to the charm. The most impressive displays are the skeletal remains of Dubai ancestors excavated in the area, which date back to 1500 BC. Note that the museum is currently closed for refurbishment.

Insider’s tip: Just down the street, find the pretty courtyard café of the contemporary art-focused XVA Gallery.  

Contact: dubaiculture.gov.ae
Nearest metro: Sharaf DG
Price: £

Dubai’s souks are best explored on a guided walking tour and the most locally renowned of them are hosted by Frying Pan Adventures. Founder Arva Saleem Ahmed and her growing team curate culinary walks peppered with Arabian, Indian and Iranian food tastings, while covering the ‘Old Dubai’ essentials of being ferried across Dubai Creek on a cheap-as-chips abra, shopping at the spice and textile souks and exploring the historic Al Fahidi neighbourhood. The ‘Dubai Souks and Creekside Food Walk’ lasts around four hours and is the most comprehensive tour offered. 

Insider’s tip: Tours require a minimum of four guests. Bring your own earphones for the audio guide and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Contact: fryingpanadventures.com
Nearest metro: Sharaf DG
Price: £££

At ground level in Zabeel Park, circumnavigate Dubai Frame to see the contrasting faces of this emirate – ‘Old Dubai’ is framed from one direction and ‘New Dubai’ from the other. Inside, it’s essentially a footbridge with a glass floor, 500 feet (150 metres) up in the sky, giving guests a vertiginous thrill as they look down and a 360-degree view of Dubai as they look out.

Insider’s tip: Once you’ve seen the old and the new through the Frame, visit the Future Dubai Gallery on the mezzanine floor to find out what tomorrow looks like for this fast-paced metropolis.

Contact: dubaiframe.ae
Nearest metro: Max
Price: £
Book tickets

As romantic as it is family-friendly, Dubai Garden Glow is the world’s largest glow-in-the-dark theme park featuring 10 million energy-saving bulbs in fanciful illuminated formations of giant coral reefs filled with delightful Disney-esque jelly fish, exotic birds perched in gilded aviaries, Seventies-worthy disco tunnels and glistening models of local landmarks. There are also 100 animatronic dinosaurs for budding paleontologists to walk among.

Insider’s tip: Cool down at the on-site Ice Park where 5,000 tonnes of ice have been fashioned into a small airplane, a winged horse and carriage and a miniature Burj Khalifa, among other things.

Contact: dubaigardenglow.com
Nearest metro: Max
Price: £
Book tickets

The world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, neighbours the sprawling, designer label-filled Dubai Mall and the dancing Dubai Fountain, and between them they share a patch of Downtown Dubai famed for prestige, evident right down to the parking lots lined with Maseratis and Lamborghinis. Sheikh Mohammed, Ruler of Dubai, owns a penthouse in the tower, which also houses the At the Top observation deck and Armani Hotel Dubai.

Insider’s tip: The Dubai Fountain is best viewed by night when laser and light shows accompany the music. Also note that the Dubai Mall is equivalent in size to 50 football pitches, so you should wear comfortable shoes.

Contact: burjkhalifa.ae; thedubaimall.com
Nearest metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall
Price: £-£££
Book tickets: Burj Khalifa; Dubai Mall

Dhow-shaped in a nod to traditional Arabian ships, the 2,000-seat Dubai Opera opened with a promise to bring cultural diversity to entertainment in the region, and delivers shows that range from music by Morcheeba and comedy by Al Murray (The Pub Landlord) to ballets of the Swan Lake variety and the BBC Proms. Plus, Antipodean super-chef Sean Connolly has a seafood and steak brasserie on the top floor.

Insider’s tip: Head to the nearby Armani/Ristorante for refined Italian pre-theatre menus, served from 5.30pm at AED 250 for two courses and AED 300 (£64) for three.

Contact: dubaiopera.com
Nearest metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall
Price: ££

Imagine a universe made of flowers and you’re picturing Dubai Miracle Garden, winner of a Guinness World Record for the largest floral arrangement ever created, which takes the form of a 70-metre-long A380 airplane resplendent in a rainbow of petals. Stroll beneath heart-shaped trellises swollen with petunias along the Avenue of Love, the most photographed display at the attraction, and see houses, windmills and even a Mercedes, all repurposed as planters for marigolds, roses, calendulas and tulips.

Insider’s tip: The Butterfly Garden, enclosed and aflutter with myriad species, is popular with children; visit during school hours if you want the winged beauties all to yourself.

Contact: visitdubai.com
Price: £
Book tickets

At The Beach JBR, prove to the kids you’ve still got what it takes to make it around an inflatable floating assault course at sea (Aqua Park, AED 150/£30 for adults; AED 120/£25 for children), then refuel at one of the many restaurants on the strip. As night falls, potter among the market stalls, where you can learn how to create bottled sand art and pick up customised flip-flops.

Insider’s tip: Try the succulent peppered clams at Aprons & Hammers, but note that restaurants at The Beach don’t serve alcohol unless they’re part of a hotel complex.

Contact: thebeach.ae
Nearest metro: DMCC
Price: £-£££

Located on Bluewaters Island, the largest and tallest observation wheel in the world reaches 250 metres in the sky, which makes it almost twice the height of the London Eye. Each rotation takes 38 minutes, and the 48 air-conditioned, glass-sided pods overlook JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residences), Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah and beyond. Note that Ain Dubai is temporarily closed.

Insider’s tip: In addition to standard rides in pods that accommodate up to 40 people, more intimate ‘social experiences’ are available in pods with catering – for an additional cost you can enjoy the views with sushi platters and champagne. 

Contact: aindubai.com
Price: ££
Book tickets

Mix international movie park Motiongate with Indian blockbuster-inspired Bollywood Parks, throw in a Polynesian-themed hotel, Legoland and Legoland Waterpark, and what have you got? Dubai Parks and Resorts. This multiplex of amusement offers high-speed rides, a village of Smurfs, live Bollywood-style theatre, replicated street scenes of Mumbai and a primary-coloured world made of kids’ building blocks.

Insider’s tip: If your clan is mad about parks, check into the on-site Lapita Hotel and receive unlimited multi-park access and complimentary Q-fast to Motiongate and Bollywood Parks for the duration of your stay.

Contact: dubaiparksandresorts.com
Nearest metro: UAE Exchange (from here a taxi will cost around AED 40/£8)
Price: ££-£££
Book tickets