Things to do in Dubai

Dubai’s reputation has been growing faster than its skyline in recent years. So much so that this crossroads between East and West is now one of the world’s must-visit destinations. Between its skyscrapers, its luxury hotels, its high-end restaurants and its off-the-wall activities, there’s something to occupy every minute of your visit. Some of the top things to do in Dubai include a 4x4 desert safari, visits to the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, a dhow cruise and an excursion to Abu Dhabi. And, of course, living the high life Dubai-style with a trip to the top of a skyscraper to take in the views over the creek, islands, emirate and gulf.

The six best things to do in Dubai

1. Admire the architecture of Dubai

You can still see faint traces of Dubai’s past as a fishing village, but the city stopped looking to sea long ago, instead reaching for the heavens. For more than a decade, the 163-storey Burj Khalifa has been the world’s tallest building. You can head to the 124th and 125th floors, where observation decks boast epic views far into the horizon. Another eye-catching structure is the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab luxury hotel. While the Atlantis, The Palm hotel is another architectural gem. Surrounded by the Lost Chambers aquarium and Aquaventure water park, it stands on the artificial archipelago of Dubai. You can admire Dubai from the air on a helicopter ride, or from the sea with a boat trip.

2. Go on a desert tour of Dubai

The desert is just a stone’s throw away from Dubai. And its raw wildness offers the perfect antidote to the bling of the city. Desert safaris come in a multitude of shapes and sizes. Dune bashing in a 4x4 is very popular while there are also buggy, ATV and more traditional camel tours. And sandboarding has become very trendy. You can also transfer the high life to desert with a hot air balloon tour. One must-do is a visit to a Bedouin camp.

3. Discover the Marina district

Dubai’s liveliest area is where it’s at. Live it up on the beach in the morning, shop in the malls in the afternoon, stroll the 7km-long promenade in the evening – it’s great for seeing the lit-up skyscrapers – and party the night away afterwards. One of the most popular hotspots is the Jumeirah Beach Residence area.

4. Explore Old Dubai

Dubai’s most authentic districts can be found on either side of the mouth of Dubai Creek. In Deira, you can poke around the Gold and Spice souks as well as the Naif souk, in which you can find all types of products. And the Heritage House is always worth a pit stop. On the other bank of the creek is the mazy Al Fahidi Historical District. This former base for Persian merchants has been restored and its narrow lanes offer a cool escape from the heat. Despite its compact size, there are plenty of museums, galleries, cafés and craft shops. The district’s star attraction is the Dubai Museum, which is located in 18th-century Fort Al Fahidi, the city’s oldest building. And to round off your sightseeing of Old Dubai, a creek cruise in a traditional dhow is a must.

5. Visit the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

Dubai Mall, the largest shopping centre in the United Arab Emirates, has more than 1,200 shops. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg of its offering. It’s also home to Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Walk through the 48-metre-long glass tunnel and see sharks swim above you, learn about the marine life of the different oceans and much more.

6. Day trip to Abu Dhabi

An hour and a half away by road, Abu Dhabi is a potpourri of tradition, modernity, culture, nature and let-your-hair-down fun. An excursion to this emirate is one of the top day trips from Dubai. You can’t miss the vast Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a masterpiece of modern Islamic architecture. No expense was spared. Its dozens of marble domes, four 100-metre-high minarets and hundreds of marble columns with intricate golden patterns are straight out of a fairytale. Another showstopper is the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The building is as much a work of art as the exhibits in its 12 galleries. For thrills and spills, there’s Ferrari World theme park and Yas Waterworld waterpark. While the wetlands of Mangrove National Park can be explored by boat or on boardwalks – a great escape to nature.