Dubai attractions you don’t want to miss!
- Famous Landmarks
- Theme Parks and Beaches
- Shopping, Dining & Cultural Attractions
- Adventure Destinations
- FAQs
Dubai is a famous holiday spot and home to some of the leading tourist attractions in the UAE. Visitors from different parts of the world come to the country to have a great time amidst the glitz and glam of this fascinating city. The ‘City of Gold’ has everything from architectural marvels to glamourous shopping destinations.
But with so many things to do, how would you decide which place to visit first, especially if it’s your first trip? To make sure you have an unforgettable time, we’ve compiled a list of the major tourist attractions in Dubai that you shouldn’t miss out on.
Best Landmark Attractions in Dubai
Dubai is home to marvellous feats of engineering that are evident everywhere in the city. Whether it’s the tallest building in the world or the one-of-a-kind man-made island, these landmarks are some of the best tourist attractions in Dubai.
Burj Khalifa
Dubai’s major point of interest, Burj Khalifa, stands 829.8 metres tall, offering you staggering views of the city across the beautiful skyline. It’s a must-visit place for every tourist in Dubai.
Although the view from the At the Top Burj Khalifa is the most popular tourist attraction in the area, there are other interesting things to do in Burj Khalifa. You can dine to your heart’s content at some of the city’s most luxurious restaurants and relax at the Burj Club before enjoying a trip to the observation decks, located on the 124th, 125th and 148th floors here.
Palm Jumeirah
The man-made island of Palm Jumeirah is a favourite with tourists, and for a good reason! The palm tree-shaped, artificial archipelago is home to glitzy hotels, a popular mall, fine-dining restaurants and luxury apartment towers.
Amidst all these places, the island also has some most luxurious resorts, with Atlantis The Palm and Atlantis The Royal being two of the most popular attractions. Whether you sail around the island in a yacht or a speedboat, relax at hotels or skydive from up on high – there are so many things to do in Palm Jumeirah, making it one of the unmissable tourist attractions in Dubai.
Dubai Fountain
Overlooking the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountain is the world’s second-largest musical fountain inspired by the Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas. One of the must-visit places in Dubai, the fountain is choreographed to the tunes of some of the most recognisable musical songs of the last 50 years, including Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
Dubai Frame
Another unmissable tourist attraction in Dubai is the Dubai Frame. This iconic landmark offers the ideal vantage point to visually experience the modern high rises of New Dubai and the quaint charm of Old Dubai, with its glittering souks and winding alleyways.
The Frame is ideally located to provide views of both sides of Dubai and comes with an exciting glass footbridge from where you can see the magnificent sights of the city. You can easily plan a trip to the Dubai Frame even if you don’t drive because it’s one of the attractions in Dubai near the metro.
THEME PARKS AND BEACH ATTRACTIONS FOR TOURISTS IN DUBAI
If you’re looking for some fun and easygoing destinations for your visit to Dubai, you can never go wrong with beaches, theme parks…or both!
Dubai Parks and Resorts
Enjoy a trip to Dubai Parks and Resorts, a place where all your whims and fantasies are rolled together, offering you endless fun! Whatever your age, whatever your interests are, this place has something for everyone.
It is home to the Hollywood-themed park Motiongate, the highly interactive Legoland and Legoland Water Park, which pay homage to the vibrant fun with Legos. Offering a combination of fun, music, food and entertainment, this amusement park is home to Riverland – the only free theme park in Dubai.
If you are keen on such amusement parks, there are several other theme parks in Dubai that make excellent tourist attractions.
Ski Dubai
Hands down one of the most popular Dubai tourist attractions, Ski Dubai is a one-of-a-kind winter wonderland that brings sub-zero temperatures to the desert. Experience the thrill of skiing down an 85-metre high ski slope, go sledging in the snow park, meet the resident penguins or simply sign up to learn how to ski – there is plenty for you to do at Ski Dubai located in the Mall of the Emirates.
Jumeirah Public Beach
A list of tourist activities in Dubai is incomplete without a mention of a beach. Jumeirah Public Beach in Dubai made it on our list as you can swim, skate and run along on the long stretch of sand for free here.
Helping visitors to enjoy the sun, sand and sea, this is one of the best tourist attractions in Dubai, where you can indulge in beachside fun on a budget.
There are also several restaurants and shops near the beach. Bu Qtair, JJ Chicken and Fili Cafe are just some of them. Other than the Jumeirah Public Beach, there are several beaches in Dubai where tourists can enjoy some quality family time. Some beaches also offer interesting water sports activities for tourists in Dubai.
Dubai Safari Park
One of the most highly-anticipated Dubai tourist attractions, the Dubai Safari Park is a great spot if you’re crazy about wildlife and animals. This properly-planned safari park is spread over 119 hectares with verdant landscaping and beautiful lakes.
The area is sectioned into four villages, each with a unique topography suited to the animal species living there. The Dubai Safari Park is home to more than 3,000 species of mammals, amphibians, birds and invertebrates.
Aquaventure Waterpark
If you are a fan of water theme parks, pop over to the world’s largest waterpark — Aquaventure Waterpark. Situated in the stunning Atlantis Aquaventure, it offers a variety of water attractions for the entire family. The fun-filled activities in Aquaventure Waterpark include waterslides and rides, along with unique marine experiences like the ‘Sea Lion’ experience and the Lost Chamber. You can also indulge in the various restaurants and eateries on the premises.
SHOPPING, DINING AND CULTURAL SPOTS
Being a melting pot of different cultures, Dubai always has something new to cater to the varying sensibilities of tourists from all over the world. Recreational places like Bluewaters Island and The Walk (JBR) showcase trendy and happening dining spots. On the other hand, charming destinations and activities-laden places like The Yard capture the heartwarming, family-friendly vibe of the emirate.
If you’re looking for some insider experiences the next time you visit Dubai, make sure you don’t miss out on these.
The Dubai Mall
Epitomising the opulence and grandeur of this city, Dubai Mall is also one of the top tourist attractions in the city. From high-end stores to an Olympic-sized ice rink, the mall truly has it all.
Find exclusive brands, famous restaurants and entertainment venues – all under one roof. From one-off gems to everyday items, you can buy pretty much anything you want at Dubai Mall.
Dubai Opera
If you are into art and culture, the Dubai Opera is the place you need to be. Nestled in the picturesque community of Downtown Dubai, it is the first performing arts theatre in the city. You can enjoy musical concerts, stand-up comedy shows, jazz performances and more at this cultural epicentre of the city.
Gold Souk
Dubai is known for its Deira Gold Souk. Whether you are visiting Dubai for the first time or you are a frequent visitor, don’t miss out on the largest gold bazaar in the world! Located in Deira Dubai, the Gold Souk showcases a gleaming array of gold ornaments, strings of pearls and silver-encrusted gems.
The gold available in Dubai is well known for its high quality. This is probably one of the reasons why expats prefer buying gold from Dubai. Here are some of the best places to buy gold in Dubai. Visitors can also check out the spice souks and other traditional Dubai markets in the area.
Al Seef
Take a leisurely walk down Marsa Al Seef, Dubai’s leisure and recreational spot that offers two sides of Dubai – the ‘Old Side,’ with Middle Eastern style buildings, and the New Side, with contemporary style buildings. You can indulge in shopping, stop by one of the many restaurants in the area, have fun at the Museum of Illusions, or just enjoy the breeze from Dubai Creek in your hair.
Dubai Museum
Set inside Al Fahidi Fort, the Dubai Museum has earlier served as a home to the ruling family. Built out of coral blocks, wooden poles and palm fronds, the Dubai Museum is one of the top cultural attractions in Dubai.
The museum showcases a variety of fascinating artefacts and objects that reflect different events in the emirate’s history. Apart from old maps, you can find boats and palm-leaf houses with Emirati wind towers in the courtyard.
Dubai Creek
Dubai Creek has been a witness to the city’s boom. It lies at the juncture of two towns, Deira in the north and Bur Dubai in the south. One of the iconic attractions in the city, Creek Park is the perfect place to experience the stunning sights of the Dubai Creek.
But to get the most authentic experience, you can hop aboard a traditional abra (dhow) and take a ride around the city. The abra ride costs just AED 1.
Dinner Cruises in Dubai
Your sightseeing in Dubai is incomplete without enjoying a delicious meal in a traditional dhow in Dubai. There are many dinner cruises in Dubai where you can enjoy a hearty feast and splendid views. The best dinner cruises in Dubai include Xclusive, The Bateaux Dubai and the Alexandra Dhow Cruise.
ADVENTURE DESTINATIONS
MOUNTAIN EXTREME DUBAI
Up for a challenge? Dubai residents looking to scale new heights must check out this incredible recreational facility. Located in Al Quoz now, Mountain Extreme Dubai features bouldering and climbing spaces spanning 9,000 sq. ft. That’s the reason why it’s touted as the city’s largest rock climbing centre.
DEEP DIVE DUBAI
Deep Dive Dubai offers a one-of-a-kind diving adventure. The world-record-breaking facility transports thrill-seekers to a whole new world, making it ideal for both beginners and experts. The world’s deepest pool, at 60 metres, allows everyone to discover the depth of their potential.
HATTA WADI HUB
Hatta, a mountainous town in Dubai, is an ideal destination for adventure seekers and a top tourist attraction in Dubai. The Hatta Wadi Hub, which has a variety of outdoor activities and experiences for people of all ages, is highly popular among thrill seekers.
TEPFACTOR
This well-known company offers both hyper-realistic combat simulations and action-packed competitive gaming. TepFactor combines cutting-edge laser targeting technology with immersive gameplay to deliver a wide range of thrilling simulations. It is definitely one of the coolest Dubai attractions, offering cutting-edge laser targeting technology with immersive gameplay to bring you a variety of thrilling simulations.
SEASONAL TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN DUBAI
While all the above-mentioned attractions for tourists in Dubai are open year-round, there are others that are seasonal. Here are some of the most popular seasonal tourist attractions in Dubai that you shouldn’t miss out on.
Dubai Garden Glow
Located in Zabeel Park, this is one of the best places to visit at night in Dubai. A huge attraction for young children, the park comes alive with glowing animals, arts and other attractions.
The Dubai Garden Glow is a thematic garden that seamlessly blends creativity, skill and art. This family-friendly park spans 40 acres of land and is the largest glow park in the world. This emporium of illumination is usually open for six months every year.
GLOBAL VILLAGE
Another excellent tourist spot in Dubai is the Global Village. Open only six months during the year, this fantastic attraction brings you experiences from all over the world. Whether you want to indulge in some Turkish ice cream, taste the Emirati Luqaimat or get your hands on some flavourful Asian street food, you’ll find it all here.
There’s plenty to shop too. From jewellery to handmade baskets and organic products, the pavilion has many options to choose from. Apart from food and shopping, there are rides and shows to keep you entertained throughout!
Dubai Miracle Garden and Butterfly Garden
Another place to visit in Dubai for tourists, especially during cooler months, is the Dubai Miracle Garden. A floral extravaganza unlike any other, the Miracle Garden is one of the top winter attractions in Dubai.
The garden features unique 3D and 2D floral arrangements and attracts millions of visitors every year. It also features the Emirates Airbus A380, recognised as the largest floral installation in 2016 by the Guinness Book of World Records.
While visiting Miracle Garden, don’t forget to pop over to the Dubai Butterfly Garden as well. Note that there are additional charges for visiting the Butterfly Garden, which is home to over 15,000 types of butterflies.
FAQs ABOUT DUBAI TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
ARE THERE ANY NEW TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN DUBAI?
There have been many new tourist spots in Dubai that opened in the city. These include:
- Madame Tussauds
- Green Planet Dubai
- Museum of the Future
- Sky Views Dubai
- The View at the Palm
- Aya Universe
WHERE CAN I GO IN DUBAI AT NIGHTB FOR FREE?
Thinking where to go in Dubai at night for free? You can visit the public beaches, watch the flamingoes in Ras Al Khor, take a stroll around JBR The Walk or visit the art galleries.
We hope that you will get the chance to explore many of these places on your next visit to Dubai. If you have already visited any of these Dubai famous attractions, let us know in the comments section. Aside from these, there are many other interesting places in Dubai to check out!
You can sign up for the hop-on-hop-off bus tours to access some of the best places to visit in Dubai.
Planning to explore the other emirates too? Make sure you don’t miss out on some of the best attractions in the UAE.
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