If you’re interested in visiting Dubai, there are quite a few great places to go that can easily make your stay truly memorable. From the incredible architecture at the Burj Khalifa to the spectacular views of the Burj Al Arab, you’ll have plenty of things to do in Dubai and activities to partake in while on your trip. These are ten of the best places to visit in Dubai, whether you’re traveling solo or with your entire family!
1-Uptown Dubai
One of Dubai’s most upscale and modern neighborhoods, Uptown Dubai is home to some of the city’s most popular destinations including Burj Khalifa, The Mall of Emirates, City Walk, Wafi Center, Jumeirah Beach Residence and Park Hyatt. It also serves as a convenient home base for travelers staying near Downtown Dubai.
2- Downtown Dubai
The downtown area is home to some of Dubai’s most recognizable landmarks, including Burj Khalifa and Sheikh Zayed Road. Considered part of old Dubai, many of its well-known attractions are clustered near one another: The souks of Deira and traditional Bastakiya quarter are just a short walk from one another, as are Creek Park at Al Fahidi Fort and Global Village. Jumeirah Beach Residence is also nearby.
3- The Burj Khalifa
If you’re looking for a real once-in-lifetime experience, one of Dubai’s top attractions is The Burj Khalifa. The world’s tallest manmade structure is located on Sheikh Zayed Road and holds offices, residential apartments, and even a Guinness World Record! You can reach up to 124th floor of The Burj Khalifa with an observation deck that offers breathtaking views of Dubai and beyond.
4- Desert Safari
A desert safari is a must for any Dubai trip, especially if you’re travelling with kids. The full day tour takes you across Dubai’s hinterland on four-wheel drives, where you can soak up some sunshine, snap pictures of camels and go dune bashing. We recommend pre-booking your desert safari through one of Dubai’s many reputable travel agencies.
5- Ski Dubai
Dubai has many great tourist destinations, including Ski Dubai and Dubai Mall. When you’re planning your trip to Dubai, don’t miss these great places. Skiers can enjoy a day at Ski Dubai with snow-covered mountains and amazing views of sand dunes on their way down one of two ski runs. At more than 200 feet high, it’s one of the largest indoor ski resorts in the world! If skiing isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy a day out there with trips down 2 hours for 50 AED ($13 USD). So make sure that when you’re traveling to Dubai for a fun getaway or business trip, be sure not to miss these top destinations.
6- Wild Wadi Water Park
Dubai is a city of fun and adventure, so it’s only fitting that there are plenty of places for you to let loose. One of these places is Wild Wadi Water Park, a giant outdoor water park that offers various pools and slides. Whether you want to go down a flume or relax on an inner tube in one of the calmer areas, Wild Wadi has something for you. Be sure to take advantage of life jackets if swimming doesn’t come naturally to you—it can be tough having fun if you aren’t confident swimming! However, even with life jackets, some rides require minimal swim skills.
7- Souks & Shopping
There’s more to Dubai than just iconic skyscrapers and luxury malls. The United Arab Emirates is home to many souks, or markets—nearly all of which are worth visiting at least once while you’re here. Explore your options and discover popular shopping spots like Karama Souk, Old Souk and Al Muraqqabat Souk. No matter what you want, you can find it here! Ready for a new smartphone? Check out Jumeirah Mosque Road.
8- Dubai Marina Yacht Club
This is a membership-only club for people with yachts, located on a private island at Dubai Marina. The beach has golden sand, and luxury boats can be seen docked nearby. It’s open from 8 am until sunset. The club itself has a few pools, as well as lounges and restaurants. Members also have access to changing rooms, bars, and beach umbrellas. Alternatively, there are five public beaches nearby that anyone can visit without any sort of membership required.
9- Burj Al Arab Hotel
Located on Jumeirah Beach, The Burj Al Arab is one of Dubai’s most iconic hotels. In recent years, it has become synonymous with luxury and extravagance as well as a very expensive bill for your stay. Built on an artificial island in 1996, designed by Tom Wright (of Giorgio Armani Hotels fame), it has become a huge draw for tourists across Europe, Asia and America. Almost exclusively hotel guests are allowed onto its private beach which fronts out onto clear blue waters of Jumeirah beach park.
10- Palm Jumeirah Island
The Palm Jumeirah, also known as The Palm Island, is a land reclamation project of artificial islands located off of Dubai’s coastline. It was designed and developed by Nakheel Properties, a property developer based in Dubai and it took three years to build (2004-2007). The land was built about 3 km into Gulf waters on an existing palm-shaped island and extends for about 5 km. As of 2009, about 15% of it has been completed.
