To make this task a little easier, we had prepared our own selection of things you can do and places you can go to Dubai. Here it is:
Kite Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the emirate. The beach is located not so far from Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the Al Manara junction in Umm Suqeim. According to travelers who have already visited the beach, it is one of the best beaches in Dubai due to the presence of a large number of offices offering rental of equipment for water sports, cleanliness, convenience, and developed infrastructure. By the way, here’s our selection of the 10 best public beaches in Dubai.
Many people note the ideal temperature of air and water, calm sea, clean sand and beauty of this area. Kite Beach Dubai is landscaped, equipped with Wi-Fi and free charging stations for gadgets. The beach is also great for morning or evening jogging.
The views from Kite Beach are incredible. Photos with a view of the Arabian Gulf and Burj Al Arab will delight you for many years because visiting it is an unforgettable experience.
There are located many food trucks and cafes serving delicious and nutritious food with options for both meat-eaters and vegetarians. Kite Beach is also home to regular craft and souvenir fairs.
Global Village Dubai is a grand fair that is held every year from November to April and is extremely popular among local residents and tourists alike.
According to the concept, each participating country is represented by its own pavilion on the territory, which should acquaint the visitor with the life and cultural traditions of its people, demonstrate and offer ethnic attributes, outfits, goods and souvenirs.
This is a bright and cheerful fair, where folk music sounds in every corner, traditional cuisine is prepared and cultural events are held. On the territory, there are miniature constructions imitating popular sights from all over the world.
Global Village is annually visited by more than five million residents of the Emirates and guests of Dubai. This seasonal event is one of the central events in the calendar and plays an important role in the life of the UAE.
Dubai Parks and Resorts is a huge 285-hectare entertainment complex located on the outskirts of Dubai near the artificial Palm Jebel Ali island. Dubai Parks and Resorts includes several different amusement parks – Motiongate Dubai, on the territory of which the colorful worlds of popular Hollywood movie masterpieces are created, Bollywood Parks Dubai, in which a fabulous Indian atmosphere reigns with equally popular Indian blockbusters, Legoland Dubai is one of these children’s parks in the world, a LEGO-style water park and Riverland Dubai shopping and restaurant area on the banks of an artificial river.
There are about 100 different attractions and shows on the territory of Dubai Parks and Resorts, among which you will find entertainment for visitors of all ages.
The largest shopping center in the world, Dubai Mall, is located next to the famous Burj Khalifa skyscraper. Under the roof of the mall, there are about 1200 shops, two large department stores, restaurants, and cafes. The total area of Dubai Mall is over 1 million square meters and is equal to the area of 200 football fields.
Dubai Mall is a true oasis of fashion, with 70 shops of the world’s elite brands. The Dubai Mall is perfect for a family holiday. On its territory is located the famous Underwater Zoo Dubai Aquarium, the Olympic class ice rink, entertainment, and educational center for children Kidzania, and a multiplex cinema (by the way, here’s our list of upcoming movies in UAE).
Special attention should be paid to the magnificent Dubai Mall Waterfall, a breathtaking construction, and perhaps the most photographed place in the Dubai Mall.
The Spice Souk spice market in the historic part of Dubai is filled with countless exotic spices and herbs.
Rich aromas soar in the air, and friendly sellers are always ready to tell in detail about the peculiarities of using a particular seasoning. In addition to spices, you can also find aromatic teas from around the world.
Here you can find not only Arabic but also Indian spices, as well as nuts, oils, and saffron. Besides, you can buy fabrics, national clothes and shoes, sweets and a variety of souvenirs.
The exposition of the Etihad Museum is dedicated to the modern history of the United Arab Emirates. The museum building in the Jumeirah area consists of several interactive pavilions, which showcase a variety of interesting historical photos and videos. Particular attention is paid to the period between 1968 and 1974 when the formation and establishment of the country took place.
The authors of the building project embodied the history of the state in the architecture of the museum: the curved white roof symbolizes the page of the constitution, and the seven columns are the handles that signed the declaration on the unification of the country. The Etihad Museum also houses a library, educational center, exhibition hall and restaurant.
Shopping and entertainment complex The Pointe is located five kilometers off the coast of Dubai on the Palm Jumeirah island. This is a real paradise for shoppers, delicious food, and entertainment.
The lively boardwalk accommodates more than 80 waterfront restaurants, cafes, boutiques, gift shops, children’s entertainment centers, and a restaurant-service movie theater that shows the latest blockbusters.
The 1.5-kilometer walking area The Pointe stretches perpendicular to the Atlantis, The Palm, and is rapidly gaining popularity among residents and visitors of Dubai. Furthermore, the complex has a modern concert venue where world stars perform.
The Singing Fountain in Dubai is located in the heart of Downtown Dubai, surrounded by skyscrapers and restaurants, also directly linked to Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa. The fountain is rightfully considered one of the tallest and largest in the world. His shooters and movable nozzles eject and gracefully bend water jets so effectively that all spectators of the show are delighted.
Several times during the evening, the Dancing Fountains of Dubai, originally illuminated with special spotlights, turn into a light and music complex, creating stunning compositions. A sophisticated structure, controlled by automatic equipment, is located within the boundaries of an artificial lake, stretching at the foot of the Burj Khalifa. On its facade, during performances, you can often see delightful laser projections.
Ibn Batutta Mall got its name in honor of the famous Arab traveler Ibn Batutta, who lived in the XIV century.
This is probably the most architecturally unusual shopping center in the United Arab Emirates. Ibn Battuta Mall has 6 thematic zones associated with various countries that Ibn Batutta visited: Andalusia, Tunisia, Egypt, Persia, India, China.
The Persian pavilion is crowned with a magnificent painted dome, the Egyptian pavilion is dominated by pyramids, and in the center of the Andalusian Pavilion is a stone fountain depicting lions. The Tunisian pavilion is decorated with stucco, the Chinese pavilion reminds of the dangers that awaited Ibn Batutta along the way, such as pirate raids and sunk ships, and in the Indian pavilion dragons, phoenixes and wooden statues announce the arrival of every hour.
A trip to this shopping center is almost a trip to a museum, this center is so amazingly beautiful.
The legendary Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is renowned for its unrivaled service and hospitality, and its tall sail-shaped silhouette serves as a beacon for modern Dubai.
This hotel has been voted the world’s most luxurious holiday destination on several occasions. Everything imaginable is here: Rolls-Royce transfer with driver, private beach, a stunning terrace with pools and beach houses, some of the world’s best bars and restaurants including the famous Al Mahara, and much more.
The main art center of the UAE, the Alserkal Avenue contemporary art district, was created on the site of an industrial complex. The former warehouses house over 40 art galleries, dance studios, trendy cafes, etc.
The first gallery was opened here in 2008, and soon the area turned into an alternative art space. It hosts numerous contemporary art exhibitions, seasonal events and open-air festivals.
This is the first project in the UAE to be supervised by Rem Koolhaas, a world-renowned architect and Pritzker Prize winner. Alserkal Avenue is well worth a visit, even if you have little knowledge of contemporary art.
From concerts and sporting events to festivals and stand-up comedy shows, the Coca-Cola Arena in the City Walk area hosts large-scale events all year round.
The largest multi-functional indoor complex in the Middle East with an area of 45,000 sq. m can accommodate up to 17,000 people. The facade of the building, made in the shape of a cylinder, is illuminated in the evenings by hundreds of multi-colored LED-lamps.
The indoor temperature is controlled by a modern climate control system. The automated hall configuration system allows holding events of any format here. On the territory of the complex, there are 40 business boxes, a great number of restaurants and cafes.
The state-of-the-art Dubai Opera is the city’s premier cultural hub, hosting the finest theater and opera performances. However, this is far from all that he is capable of.
The theater stage can be transformed depending on the format of the event, transforming from a traditional theatrical stage into a concert hall or an open exhibition space. These transformations make Dubai Opera undeniably the ideal venue for any kind of event.
In addition, on the roof of the building, there is a fashionable restaurant The Loft at Dubai Opera overlooking the famous Burj Khalifa skyscraper.
Skydive Dubai invites you to skydive over the legendary Palm Jumeirah or Rub al-Khali desert and thus experience the emirate from a completely new perspective.
Even if you are new to skydiving, you have no cause for concern. The instructors will thoroughly prepare you for the upcoming jump and demonstrate everything before you step on the plane. Both locations, over which the jumps are made, are breathtakingly beautiful, and qualified instructors will take care of a soft landing.
For those with experience, there are advanced facilities available, including solo and tandem jumps, and a parachuting school. Here you can learn a variety of skydiving activities such as freefly, dome, and group acrobatics and wingsuit flying. Skydive Dubai employs professional videographers, so after the jump, you will have a video of the flight.
The Dubai Water Canal is a 3.2-kilometer long waterway that links the Arabian Gulf via Creek in the Old City to the Business Bay.
A man-made canal runs through the city center. Since opening in 2016, it has completely redefined Downtown Dubai, giving Dubai a waterfront. On the shores are shopping and entertainment complexes and fashionable hotels, including the V Hotel and Hilton Dubai, as well as the La Perle DXB water theater.
Five pedestrian bridges are thrown across the Dubai Water Canal, offering excellent views of the city. In 2017, one of the pedestrian bridges, which stands out for its purple-lit arch, was named the Bridge of Tolerance. The renaming was timed to coincide with the 22nd anniversary of the International Day for Tolerance.
La Mer is a beach-side multi-functional complex where everyone can find entertainment to their liking. It is divided into 4 conventional zones – beach, entertainment, central, North and South islands. After soaking up the gentle sun and swimming in the Arabian Gulf, you should definitely stroll along the shopping boulevard, where restaurants, cafes, bars, souvenir shops and stores are peacefully located.
In total, there are 130 entertainment points where you can have a tasty meal, relax or buy something for your soul or as a gift.
It is a true architectural treasure. The unusual architectural structure in Zabeel Park serves as a kind of “bridge” between the past and the present of Dubai.
The view of Dubai from a 150-meter height is breathtaking – the city is visible from here at a glance. The Dubai Frame offers panoramic views of Dubai’s historic districts on one side and dizzying skyscrapers on the other.
The gallery on the lower level houses a fantastic immersive exhibition. Projections, audiovisual objects, as well as artificially recreated haze and aromas will help you immerse yourself in the history of the city. The Virtual Metropolis attraction is a kind of “time travel tunnel” that will open up the virtual world of the future of Dubai.
Dubai Miracle Garden is the largest flower garden in the world. Its area is 72,000 square meters, and its main attraction is replicas of famous buildings and architectural structures made of flowers. The heart-shaped arches on the Avenue of Love are especially popular among visitors.
In the garden, there are castles and life-size flower houses. In total, more than 50 million flowers have been planted in Dubai Miracle Garden, of which various sculptural compositions are composed. You will not find such floral splendor anywhere else in the world.
The legendary Burj Khalifa skyscraper is not only the tallest building in the world and a masterpiece of engineering but also one of the main symbols of modern Dubai.
The skyscraper is 828 meters high and is located next to the Dubai Mall. Tourists from all over the world come to Dubai to see this miracle of architecture with their own eyes. Burj Khalifa has two observation decks.
The panoramic restaurant Atmosphere will give you a vivid experience. The 152, 253, and 154 floors of the building are occupied by The Lounge, Burj Khalifa, which is considered the highest-rise lounge establishment on the planet.
At the base of the skyscraper, there are many infrastructures, the huge Dubai Mall, the dancing musical fountain Dubai Fountain and other tourist attractions.
The Mall of the Emirates offers a wide range of shopping and entertainment opportunities. On its territory, there are many shops, a cinema and even a region’s first real indoor ski resort!
Under the glass of the Fashion Dome pavilion, in the style of a European railway station, the shopping center has all that is needed for a great family vacation. The indoor ski resort and the Magic Planet amusement park are particularly popular with guests.
The ground floor hosts fashion shows and interesting events for the whole family. Movie fans should visit the multiplex cinema.
There is also a huge selection of cafes and restaurants, including the Omnia branch, the popular Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung and the hipster Common Grounds coffee shop.
And that’s our list of what to do in Dubai during your journey or a staycation. This is, of course, not even a quarter of all the possibilities this Emirate has to offer, but definitely a good start. If you like it, why don’t you check our selection of UAE’s Nature destinations?
