Things to Do in Dubai: Must-Visit Attractions

The desert is the essence of the United Arab Emirates: it stretches across more than 85% of the national territory and naturally surrounds Dubai. Just 20 minutes away from the towering skyscrapers and the hustle and bustle of downtown, you can lose yourself in the red dunes and vast stretches of sand that encircle Dubai. The desert also offers surreal locations, such as the iconic heart-shaped Al Qudra Lakes.

Among the many activities in Dubai to enjoy, a desert excursion is a must-do. Discover the desert to explore traditional desert landscapes and Bedouin culture. You can venture into the dunes during a guided safari, by car, quad bike, or even on a camel, the emblematic animal of this arid region, for a unique experience.

For those looking to take to the skies, it is also possible to fly over the desert in a hot air balloon or paramotor for a breathtaking experience. A multitude of activities are also offered in this unique environment, such as henna painting workshops, introductions to local cuisine, or the incongruous sand surfing, also known as “sandboarding.”

Visiting Dubai undeniably involves discovering its desert. Whether a traditional and cultural visit or a more sporty and lively adventure, everyone can find what they are looking for amidst the dunes.

The Burj Khalifa is the iconic symbol of Dubai, as well as a must-see for all first-time visitors to the city. The emblematic tower in Downtown Dubai, inaugurated on January 4, 2010, has 160 floors and rises to a height of 828 meters, making it the tallest skyscraper and building in the world.

This exceptional site holds numerous records, combining extravagance with engineering prowess. At the heart of the Burj Khalifa experience is its observation deck, “At the Top Sky“, the highest in the world, located on the 148th floor at 555 meters high. A dizzying height offering breathtaking views of Dubai, especially at night when the city lights up.

The city of extravagance deserves its extravagant shopping mall: the Dubai Mall. Located in the heart of Downtown Dubai, the Dubai Mall is considered the world’s most visited shopping center, attracting over 100 million visitors each year.

This extravagant shopping center features 1,200 stores, over 200 restaurants and cafés, and two luxury hotels. This temple of consumerism also offers dozens of attractions, including an aquarium, cinemas, an Olympic-sized ice rink, vertical gardens, an opera house, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, a trampoline park, and even a haunted attraction.

Its aquarium, “Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo“, is a major attraction and well worth a visit. The aquarium is gigantic, with over 33,000 aquatic animals on display.

A symbol of both consumerism and unbridled entertainment, the Dubai Mall also showcases numerous artworks and even an almost complete skeleton of Diplodocus longus. This exceptional specimen, discovered in the United States and over 155 million years old, adds a unique dimension to the shopping experience, combining retail with a park-like attraction.

Palm Jumeirah is the famous artificial archipelago of Dubai, shaped like a palm tree (when viewed from above). An engineering marvel that can be fully appreciated from the The View at the Palm.

Beyond the architectural aspect of the archipelago, which is worth seeing on its own, it also houses the immense Atlantis complex. Atlantis is much more than a luxury hotel; it’s also a hub of festivities and entertainment. It offers numerous water-themed activities: Aquaventure Waterpark, Atlas Village, The Lost Chambers Aquarium, and the Aquarium Experience.

Aquaventure Waterpark is one of the largest water parks in the Middle East, internationally renowned for its thrilling slides like the “Odyssey of Terror” and its breathtaking aquatic attractions.

Atlas Village and its two themed parks are dedicated to dolphins and sea lions, offering the chance to get close to and even swim with these animals. Swimming with dolphins is a unique experience that delights both young and old.

The Lost Chambers Aquarium is a massive aquarium featuring over 65,000 marine animals. It’s one of Dubai’s two flagship aquariums alongside the Dubai Mall Aquarium. The must-see Aquarium Experience offers a unique way to discover marine life, including diving among sharks and manta rays.

Dubai Marina is one of Dubai’s most upscale districts, a lively and entertaining destination among the city’s most popular spots. The Marina consists of an artificial canal 3 kilometers long and 100 meters wide, lined with some of the city’s most beautiful yachts. On the waterfront, you’ll find JBR Beach (Jumeirah Beach Residence), Dubai’s trendiest beach.

The Marina is a fascinating mix of residential buildings, shops, and leisure and sports spaces. Most of Dubai’s water activities and excursions depart from the Marina: jet ski rentals, speed boat tours, yacht outings, and more. Adventurers can also enjoy two unique and thrilling experiences: Dubai’s XLine zipline and dining in the sky. The XLine Dubai is a nearly 1-kilometer-long zipline starting at 170 meters high, reaching speeds of 80 km/h, offering guaranteed thrills. Dining in the sky is an extraordinary culinary experience, with a gourmet meal served on a platform suspended 50 meters above the ground.

The Dubai Miracle Garden is as incongruous (a garden in the middle of a desert) as it is exceptional. This garden is a horticultural masterpiece featuring over 150 million flowers spread across 72,000 square meters, making it the largest natural flower garden in the world. Remarkably, it is located in one of the world’s most arid regions.

The Miracle Garden is only open for six months each year (November to April), and with every reopening, it offers a new theme. Thousands of flower varieties, artistic floral arrangements, giant sculptures, cartoon characters entirely made of flowers… the garden is a visual feast. Among the most impressive attractions is the world’s largest floral arrangement: a life-sized Airbus A380 covered with over 500,000 flowers.

Close to the Dubai Miracle Garden (separate entrance) is the Dubai Butterfly Garden, which features ten domes housing over 15,000 butterflies and 50 varieties. This secondary attraction is worth scheduling after visiting the Miracle Garden.

The Dubai Frame is an impressive architectural marvel located in Zabeel Park. The massive structure, standing 150 meters (492 feet) tall and 93 meters (305 feet) wide, represents a giant photo frame and is entirely covered in gold-colored panels.

Inaugurated in January 2018, the frame symbolizes a bridge between Dubai’s past and its future. Visitors can explore exhibitions about Dubai’s history as a small fishing village before becoming the extravagant cosmopolitan metropolis of today, with its ambitious vision for the future.

The highlight of the visit is the glass observation bridge at the top of the structure, offering a vertiginous experience, not recommended for those with a fear of heights.

The Museum of the Future is a must-see in Dubai and a global gem among technology-focused museums. It is impossible to miss this torus-shaped building, standing 77 meters (253 feet) tall, with its distinctive architecture and openings adorned with Arabic calligraphy.

The Museum of the Future in Dubai is more than just a museum; it is a unique and futuristic experience that invites visitors to explore the future through tomorrow’s technologies interactively. The museum showcases different themes within various worlds:

• O.S.S. HOPE: Dedicated to space and exploration, offering an immersive experience aboard a space station.
• Heal Institute: Focused on nature and environmental changes. It includes a mixed-reality recreation of the Amazon rainforest and an impressive DNA library featuring thousands of species represented as glowing holograms.
• Al Waha (The Oasis): Focused on human senses, meditation, and well-being. It features a sanctuary for exploring the senses and a dome of light and water interacting with movement, vibrations, and electromagnetic fields.
• “Tomorrow Today”: Dedicated to cutting-edge technologies that aim to address global challenges.
• Future Heroes: Designed for children with fun and interactive educational experiences.

Covering topics from space travel to ecosystem preservation, sensory discovery, and tackling global challenges, the museum offers experiences that encourage visitors to think and interact with futuristic concepts and technologies.

Both entertaining and thought-provoking, the museum blends reality with virtual elements, making it perfect for adults and children alike. As a fun fact, the museum was inaugurated on February 22, 2022, a date chosen for its palindrome.

The Global Village in Dubai is a theme park and entertainment venue dedicated to the cultural diversity of our planet. It hosts 90 pavilions, each representing a different culture and offering a glimpse into their traditions, crafts, and, of course, gastronomy. With over 250 food outlets, visitors can enjoy a vast array of traditional dishes, from street food to local specialties from around the world.

In addition to cultural pavilions, the park offers numerous entertainment and shows, as well as a funfair called “The Carnaval.” With its 195 rides, games, and attractions, the park features roller coasters and other thrilling rides that will delight both young and old. The Global Village is a window into cultural diversity, aligning with Dubai’s core values of tolerance and inclusion.

The historic district of Al Fahidi, also known as Bastakiya, is a charming and traditional area located in Dubai. It was built in the 19th century, making it one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, famous for its winding alleys and historic coral and plaster houses.

Al Fahidi is a well-preserved neighborhood where Dubai’s cultural heritage is still visible. At the heart of the district lies the Dubai Museum, housed in the old Al Fahidi Fort. It is a must-see for those wishing to immerse themselves in authentic Dubai, offering insight into the region’s artisanal and cultural heritage before the oil era. A valuable place for both residents and visitors, far from the frenzy of modern skyscrapers.