Top 17 Must See Places and Things to do in Dubai

Dubai city skyline

Do you sometimes think that you have already travelled a lot and only a few places can surprise you? Then go to Dubai, one of the most luxurious places on our planet.

Dubai, once a humble fishing village, has metamorphosed into an oasis of splendour and luxury. The city’s roots can be traced back to the 19th century when it was a mere speck on the map, known for its pearling and boat-building industries. Fast forward to the present day, and Dubai stands as a testament to human ingenuity and ambition.

The turning point in Dubai’s history was the discovery of oil in 1966. This liquid gold propelled Dubai onto the global stage, transforming it from a desert outpost to a glittering metropolis. Today, Dubai is synonymous with architectural marvels like Ain Dubai, the world’s tallest Ferris wheel, and The Museum of the Future. These attractions, along with its world-class infrastructure and shopping malls, have made Dubai a magnet for tourists from around the globe.

Dubai is now a bustling cosmopolitan city that attracts millions of visitors each year. In 2022 alone, the city welcomed 14.36 million international overnight visitors, nearly doubling its tourist arrivals from the previous year. With an array of mega projects in the pipeline and major global hospitality brands investing in the emirate, Dubai’s tourism sector is poised for exponential growth. The city’s ambitious goal? To become the most visited tourist destination on the planet by 2025. And if its past is any indication, Dubai is well on its way to achieving this feat.

Whenever you go here, a holiday in Dubai will be an exceptional experience for you that you will not experience anywhere else in the world. The luxurious and modern metropolis offers several “best”, including the tallest building in the world, luxurious hotels, golden beaches, tempting shopping opportunities and endless possibilities for entertainment and knowledge.

1. Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa

During your visit, you will have an absolutely perfect view of the whole city of Dubai from the lookout points on the 124th and 125th floors. Be sure to book your visit a few days in advance, it is the only way to choose your preferred time of visit but will also save you some money when you buy online on the official website.

If there is anything you can’t miss in Dubai, then it’s the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, climbing to a height of a respectable 828 m. Its visit is really a TOP experience that you definitely must not miss.

2. Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall

In the immediate vicinity of the Burj Khalifa, you will find the large Dubai Mall, which is by far the largest shopping centre in the world. In addition to 1,200 shops, you will find more than 150 restaurants in an area of ​​1,124,000 m2, an indoor amusement park, an ice rink, a huge indoor waterfall, an outdoor fountain or a giant aquarium with an underwater zoo.

3. Dubai Fountain

DubaiFountainLakeRide

Few fountains can evoke in you such an extraordinary experience as the Dubai one, which is actually the largest fountain choreographer system in the world. This popular water show offers one of the most popular spectacles in Dubai. You can watch a fantastic water show full of music and lights completely free of charge every afternoon except Friday at 13:00 and 13:30, and Friday at 13:30 and 14:00. Evening performances take place every 30 minutes from 18:00 until 24:00.

If you would like to avoid crowds and crowds, then you can watch the show for an additional AED 20 from the floating pier.

4. The Mall of the Emirates

The Mall of the Emirates

The Mall of the Emirates is one of the largest and most visited shopping malls in Dubai. In addition to the enormous number of shops, you will also find the Cinestar cinema complex, the giant Magic Planet entertainment centre with many virtual and non-virtual games and many other entertainment options. The biggest attraction, however, is the Snow Dubai snow park, which allows visitors to experience unadulterated winter at any time of year.

5. Ski in Dubai

ski dubai

Skiing in the middle of summer? Apparently no problem in Dubai! Ski Dubai, part of the Mall of the Emirates, offers the opportunity to experience unadulterated winter, even though the tropics are outside. The indoor ski area with an area of ​​22,500 m2 offers a snowy area, which includes five slopes of varying difficulty, but also a freestyle section, where snowboarders and sledders will also enjoy themselves.

Ski and other equipment rental is included in the entry fee.

6. Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

dubai aquarium shark tunnel cr alamy

One of Dubai’s biggest tourist attractions is the Dubai Aquarium, located on the ground floor of the Dubai Mall. In addition to the 33,000 aquatic animals present, you will be captivated by the huge front wall recorded in the Guinness Book of Records. It is the largest acrylic wall in the world, its width is an incredible 75 cm.

Under the entire length of the aquarium, there is an underwater tunnel, which literally draws you into the underwater life. The aquarium also offers the opportunity to swim among the sharks in public diving or take a ride on a boat with a glass bottom

7. Burj Al Arab

Burj Al Arab hotel

Burj Al Arab, also known as the sailboat, is a luxurious five-star hotel located on an artificial island near Jumeirah Beach, which became an integral symbol of Dubai immediately after its opening in 1999, as is the Eiffel Tower for Paris.

Dubai and basically the whole of the United Arab Emirates are obsessed with the height records of their buildings, so it is no wonder that this hotel with its height of 321 meters is currently one of the highest hotels in the world and its luxury even deserves entry in the Guinness Book of Records. Although the hotel itself is not accessible to tourists, you will find several public beaches in the vicinity, from where you can enjoy its beauty from a relatively close distance.

8. Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah Dubai 1

An artificial island that resembles a palm tree in height from its shape, you may not see anywhere else than in Dubai. The Palm Jumeirah was the first coastal structure of its kind and is rightly considered a triumph of human ingenuity. Here you can enjoy a wide range of top hotels, sail around the island on a yacht or speedboat or take the Palm Monorail monorail to the Atlantis resort.

9. Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina is a luxury port located on an artificial bay that extends the Persian Gulf by 3 kilometres and is considered the largest artificial port in the world. Its construction began in 2003 and is still under construction today. It is here that you can admire the largest residential buildings in the world while walking along the local promenade or from the ship’s deck.

10. Dubai Global Village

Global Village scaled

Dubai Global Village is the largest seasonal pilgrimage in the world offering shops, restaurants and cultural activities. It is a very popular attraction, which is visited by more than 6,000,000 visitors a year. Some want to enjoy an exciting ride to fairground attractions, others buy tempting foods and products from around the world. Dubai Global Village is located in 37 giant pavilions, where you can get products from almost all over the world. From Russian matryoshka, through perfumes, jewellery, and clothing, to cotton from China, nuts from Syria, carpets from Iran, honey from Yemen, fabrics from India and furniture from Morocco.

It is open every year around the same days, in 2020 it is planned to open on 29.10.2020 and close on 4.4.2021

11. Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark

Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark

You will experience a unique rush of adrenaline on the toboggans and slides of the most popular water park in Dubai, which is rightly considered the number one aqua park located in the Middle East. There will be a range of adrenaline water slides at your disposal, including the unpopular The Leap of Faith, a 27.5-meter-long slide that will take you into a transparent tunnel through a lagoon teeming with live sharks and rays. The park also has a long private beach, where you can relax and unwind after a demanding ride.

12. Wild Wadi Waterpark

Wild Wadi Waterpark

A popular destination for all adrenaline lovers is the Wild Wadi Waterpark, which offers 30 slides and attractions suitable for the whole family. Its greatest pride is the 33-meter-high Jumeirah Sceirah slide, which boasts the title of the largest water slide located outside of North America. Just looking at her literally takes her breath away, and what if you climb all the way up?!

In addition to adrenaline experiences, Wild Wadi Waterpark also offers several surf simulators with artificial waves and a 360-meter-long lazy river.

The price for adults is 270 AED, children 220 AED.

13. Sheikh Saeed al Maktoum House

Saeed Al Maktoum House 2

If you are at least a little interested in Arab history and culture, then we recommend visiting the house of Sheikh Saeed al Maktoum, built in 1896 on Dubai Creek, which was once the seat of government and official residence of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, the grandfather of the current ruler. Today it serves as a museum that perfectly describes classical Arabic architecture. Inside you will find a collection of photographs from 1948 and 1953, paintings, lithographs, art objects, coins, stamps and documents that document the development of the city and the entire emirates.

Entry fee: 3 AED

14. Jumeirah Public Beach

Jumeirah Public Beach

The most beautiful and most visited beach on the Gulf Coast is Jumeirah Public Beach, a beautiful beach lined with palm trees and azure blue water, which you can visit for 5 dirhams per person. The beach is lined with hotels along its entire length, making it the most popular beach for tourists.

Entry fee: 5 AED

15. Kite Beach

Kite Beach

Extremely popular is Kite Beach, located next to the legendary Burj Al Arab sailboat. This beach is also an ideal place for all who want to try water sports.

Entry fee: Free

16. Marina Beach

Marina Beach

Marina Beach is considered to be the Miami of the Middle East, where in addition to magnificent buildings, skyscrapers and luxury hotels, you will also find a free beach complex accessible to all tourists and visitors.

During the day you can enjoy delicious cocktails, which will be brought to you, or ride a camel.

17. Deira

Dubai Creek

The old part of Dubai is often overlooked due to more attractive districts, but it has its own charm for tourists, mainly due to the traditional markets that are located here. Worth a visit is the Deira district, rich in bazaars and knots dating back to Dubai’s history, as well as the local pearl hunt.

In the narrow streets, you will find bags full of intoxicating spices and goods of all kinds, including gold and textiles. Street markets can also be found in the opposite part of Bur Dubai. Both of these parts are considered the traditional centre of the city, so you will find many cultural monuments here. You can move between these neighbourhoods using popular water taxis called abra.

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