Top 13 Things To Do In Dubai

How can you make the most of the visit to this impressive desert city?

Many tourist-friendly destinations in the UAE, such as Dubai, stay to attract and enthral visitors worldwide. The stretching-out metropolis is well known for its luxury hotels, duty-free shopping, and general glitter and glamour. Still, it provides a far broader scope of activities and attractions than its image suggests. An image of ultra-modern architecture, soaring skyscrapers and the blue waters of the Persian Gulf also possesses various well-preserved local sites and attractions of historic and cultural significance from the Jumeirah Mosque to Alserkal Avenue. This makes for a city with abundant and wide-ranging things to do. Whether you like exploring landmark districts, wandering the world's biggest mall, or having dinner in the desert, Dubai must have something to catch your attention. So whether you have already booked your trip or are still caught in two minds fear, here is the list of some of the best things to do in Dubai on your next trip.

Burj Khalifa. Dubai Fountain and Marina

Known as the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa is a modern symbol of Dubai and one of its most visited sites. The structure stands 830 meters tall. Anyone can see the observation deck named 'At The Top' on the 124th floor of the building for a beautiful view of the city and its marina.

At the foot of the building lies the Burj Khalifa Lake, a 30-acre artificial lake known chiefly as the home of the Dubai Fountain. This 270-metre-tall fountain is the tallest performing fountain in the world, with light shows consisting of over 60,000 lights dancing to varied songs ranging from classical Arab to contemporary world pop. These two structures are perhaps the highlights of the Dubai Marina, a manufactured marina with a waterside promenade, its mall, and dozens of shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Find the city's Old Town

Away from the malls and skyscrapers, you will get Dubai's characterful Old Town. Traditional buildings, local markets, and cultural centres are the draw here, with many of the city's best districts in the area. There is nowhere better to start than Al Fahidi. In this historic neighbourhood, gypsum buildings and wind towers have been restored to provide a contrasting reminder of the city's old skyline. Al Seef along the Dubai Creek waterside is a blend of the old and new, with more gypsum buildings, narrow, winding streets that meet more modern buildings, and a background of skyscrapers. Across the Creek lies Diers, a district renowned for its traditional souks.

Explore the Jumeirah Mosque

It was built in a Fatimid style, and the Jumeirah Mosque opened in 1979. It can accommodate 1500 worshippers. Easily recognisable with its two towering minarets, it is one of the only mosques in the UAE open to non-Muslims. It has guided visits and opportunities to learn about Islam, its customs, and history. The mosque is open every day other than Friday, so adhere to dress codes. The website does say that Kandooras, Abaya, and Sheilas are available to borrow.

Sail across the Dubai Creek

The location where many of the first settlers made their home and an early port, Dubai Creek, lies at the city's heart. Separating the Deira area from Bur Dubai, it is a famous tourist spot for the boast names abras that you can travel across the water for just 1 AED. There are two routes across the first, from Deira Old Souk Abra Station to Bur Dubai, while the second busier route goes from Al Sabkha to Dubai Old Souk. Each crossing takes around five minutes, giving the travellers exceptional views of the city's old and new parts.

Go shopping in the world's largest mall

Located next to the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall is the world's biggest shopping mall, with over 1200 shops covering over half a million square meters. Visitors and travellers can expect anything from luxury stores to well-known international brands and American department stores with over 200 different places to eat once they are done shopping. The mall houses an aquarium, underwater zoo and go-kart track for children, while the entire area is mercifully air-conditioned in the summer months.

Expedite on a Desert Safari

Various companies provide excursions into the desert surrounding Dubai, from camel riding and barbecue buffets to quad biking and overnight stays in tents. Spending a day rolling across the golden dunes provides an adventurous alternative to strolling around malls, whether you go on a leisurely drive dune baggy over the sands or visit conservation reserves to sea flora and fauna. Visitors and travellers can see the sunset as night falls and enjoy an unforgettable lamp-lit meal among the dunes. Combine this with an overnight stay to experience what Dubai's desert provides.

Explore the souks

Dubai's souks are a legendary form of the local Arab market. Some of them are among the most well-known attractions in Dubai, selling an enticing range of products, from spice mixes to gold and hand-woven local crafts. Many houses are in the Deira above district, including the Gold Souk, Spice Souk, and Perfume Souk.

The Gold Souk is arguably Dubai's most famous market, a beacon for those searching for gold, silver, and fine jewellery. The Spice Souk offers, as you would expect, a colourful array of spices and dried herbs. The Textile Souk is a network of covered alleyways offering clothing, shawls, and souvenirs made from silk, wood, and cashmere fabrics.

A handful of modern souks are built to provide different shopping experiences. The Madinat Jumeirah is prime among them and is part of the Madinat Jumeirah resort, which was made to mirror the local aspects and architecture of a soul. It also offers galleries, restaurants, and shops. The Ripe Markets Dubai's take on farmers' markets runs in different locations around the city, with street stalls and boutiques selling organic foods and fresh produce.

Head to the Beach

Beaches may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the country of Dubai, but with the weather sometimes scorching, you may well appreciate a dip in the sea. The hundreds of miles of beaches here range from free-to-access stretches to exclusive beach clubs. JBR Beach is the emirate's busiest, with a long stretch of golden sand and a backdrop of the city's skyscrapers and the Ain wheel, while Jumeirah Open Beach is a more relaxed alternative. Kite Becah is another free access area, an eight-mile stretch of white sand that is also trendy for pop-up shops, food trucks and cafes. For a tranquil spot, try Sunset Beach, the city's only decent surfing beach, as it offers excellent sunset views and a particularly enviable view of the Burj Al Arab.

Know About The UAE at the Etihad Museum

Opened in 2016, the Etihad Museum shows contemporary Emirati history at the site where the UAE was founded in 1971. The museum's eight pavilions hold a range of artefacts and interactive guides, from personal possessions of the rules to the first written version of the country's constitution. Other exhibitions focus on pictures of the developing nation, documentaries, interactive maps, and homages to the critical moments before 1971. Tickets for the museum cost roughly 5 pounds, and spending at least an hour there is recommended to have a good nose around. Last ticket sales are at 7 pm ahead of an 8 pm closing time.

Go on an adventure in Hatta

If you venture beyond the desert, you will find the Hatta region in the Hajar mountains. The area contains a Heritage Village. A centuries-old restored village that retains its defensive tower stone houses and traditional falaj water system. Dramatic mountains offer scenic hiking and mountain biking opportunities, while canoeing, kayaking, and boat rides are available on the emerald lakes.

Take in the culture of Alserkal Avenue

Though the grey and blue warehouses of Alserkal may not look too inspiring from the outside, these buildings house dozens of art galleries, cafes and shops. The city's artistic hub, Alserkal, offers myriad surprises for visitors, whether stumbling across an independent records shop or watching indie films at Cinema Akil. Famous galleries include the Green Art Gallery, 1X1 and Carbon 12, while creative spaces like Kave: The Story of Things host workshops, including guitar making and embroidery. Food options, meanwhile, range from vegan tacos to handmade Belgian chocolate.

Get Golfing

Golf in Dubai caters to everyone from seasoned golf travellers to total amateurs, with activities ranging from championship courses to Top Golf driving ranges. The city hosts various professional tournaments, and its climate provides the perfect weather for getting out onto the greens (when summer temperatures soar to unbearable heights, many courses offer the opportunity to play at night under floodlights). Regardless of level, the chance to play surrounded by sea, sun, and skyscrapers is to be noticed. Some of the city's premier courses include the Trump International Dubai Creek, Emirates Golf Club and Jumeirah Golf Estates, with 20 to 175 pounds green fees.

Visit a Theme Park

Dubai has many theme parks and waterparks to keep kids happy during their visit. Global Village is a park for adults and children with various pavilions, shows, and dining areas that showcase culture from 90 different countries worldwide. At the same time, the IMG Adventure Park is the world's biggest indoor theme park, with dozens of rides and areas related to Marvel characters, Cartoon Network, and Lost Valley of Dinosaurs. The Hollywood-inspired Motiongate has various rides inspired by blockbuster classics from Shrek to The Hunger. At the same time, the city's Legoland park is another famous choice, home to over 40 rides and attractions and six themed lands, plus its waterpark. Regarding waterparks, Dubai has several: Wild Wadi, Aquavenure and Laguna are some of the best, with wave pools, 18-metre waterfalls, lazy rivers and even a 34-metre tall tower ride among the highlights.

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