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The Best Things to do in Dubai

Unveiling Dubai’s Finest: What are the 13 Best Things to do in Dubai?

Dubai is the biggest and most populated city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It’s located on the southeastern coast of the Persian Gulf.

This emirate of majestic skyscrapers and luxury shopping malls, which grew up on a small piece of desert in just a few decades and attracts people from all over the world.

Where else can you see the tallest building in the world, go skiing in 40-degree heat, admire graceful sharks through the walls of a giant aquarium?

The city also offers many unique attractions, including indoor ski resorts, huge shopping malls and traditional bazaars. In addition, Dubai is famous for luxury and abundance, there are many high-class hotels, five star or Michelin star restaurants and entertainment venues.

It’s a center of business and trade in the Middle East due to its strategic location.

However, tourists from all over the world come here not only for big sales, sunshine and family holidays.

There are many cultural attractions in the city that reveal to us the secret of the East. Take a walk around the Bastakia district, visit the traditional oriental bazaar, take a cruise along Dubai Bay.

In this article you can find the top attractions in Dubai.

best things to do in Dubai

Burj Khalifa

The world’s tallest building in . Undoubtedly, it’s a main attraction of the city. The skyscraper was opened in 2010. With a total height of 829.8 m.

The architect was an American Adrian Smith. You can visit the observation desk with a 360-degree view located on the 124th floor of this skyscraper.

Night visits to the observation deck are especially popular among photographers who want to capture the amazing panorama of the lights of Dubai.

It is better to buy an entrance ticket to the observation deck in advance.

Admission fees vary depending on the experience chosen and you can book tickets through the official website: www.burjkhalifa.ae

Dubai Mall

    Dubai Mall is the main and grand shopping center of the city. It’s a real paradise for shopaholics.

    The world’s largest shopping mall can offer different experiences, such as shopping, entertainment, and dining. Guests who come here for shopping also can enjoy different entertainment, such as an ice rink, a playground, a cinemas and a Dubai aquarium.

    There is no fee for entrance, but when you can purchase some goods and services at different prices. In order to plan your visit to Dubai Mall, you can visit the official website: www.thedubaimall.com

    Dubai Fountain

      The choreographed fountains are located in the middle of a large lake at the foot of the Burj Khalifa.

      The fountain’s jets reach a height of 140 meters, while dancing like a belly dancer. All this happens synchronously with the soundtrack in the form of classical, Arabic and world music.

      Admission is free. Great places to observe are: the terrace on the Dubai Mall embankment or wooden boats on which you can have a ride along the lake for an additional fee.

      Dubai Fountains

      Dubai Miracle Garden

        It’s a Floral Wonderland in the Middle of the Desert. This stunning garden features over 45 million flowers.

        It’s not just a garden, but it has many attractions such as butterfly garden, a floral clock and a giant Emirati plane which made by flowers. It’s a true masterpiece of composition of flowers. You can have a walk through the garden and enjoy the flower scents and take a beautiful photo as well.

        Admission fees vary depending on age, and you can book tickets through the official website www.dubaimiraclegarden.com.

        Dubai Museum

          The Dubai Museum is located in the Al Fahidi Fort, built in 1787 to protect Dubai Bay.

          The walls of the fort are laid out of the traditional material in these places – coral blocks. It’s a main museum of the city. In this museum you can learn about cultural heritage, traditional way of life and evolution of the city.

          Admission fees are very affordable, and you can purchase tickets on site. Also you can check the official website: www.dubaiculture.gov.ae

          Dubai Creek

          Dubai Creek divides the city into two parts: Deira in the north and Bur Dubai in the south Small villages grew up on its shores 4,000 years ago: fishermen and pearl seekers settled here.

          The modern era of Dubai began only in the 1830s.It was a time when the area attracted the attention of a large and influential tribe of Bani Yas. Dubai Creek has played a significant role in Dubai’s history.

          As it was the city’s main port for trade and commerce for centuries. You can experience the local culture through the traditional boats called “abra,” which are used as water taxis to cross the creek.

          Admission fees vary. You can visit the official website for more information www.visitdubai.com/en/pois/dubai-creek.

          Dubai Parks and Resorts

            This massive ultimate entertainment complex features three theme parks and a water park.

            Thanks to this you can meet all your entertainment needs in one place. This gigantic complex includes several world-class theme parks offering something interesting for everyone, regardless of age.

            Motion gate with attractions based on the plots of movie blockbusters is dedicated to Hollywood, the world of Indian cinema comes to life in Bollywood Park, and Legoland Dubai offers young visitors a fun day in the lego world. It’s worth visiting for the variety of attractions and experiences.

            Admission fees vary depending on the experience chosen, and you can book tickets through the official website www.dubaiparksandresorts.com.

            The Dubai Mall Aquarium

            Dubai Aquarium is one of the main tourist attractions of the city.

            It allows you to admire a variety of marine life. It is located on the ground floor of the Dubai Mall, so you can see sharks, rays and other marine life for free – from the hall of the shopping center.

            Those who are not satisfied with this can walk through the tunnels of the aquarium located below and visit the underwater zoo. If you want you can get to know marine life better. Glass-bottomed boat tours are especially popular.

            The bravest can go snorkeling in a metal cage and diving with sharks. This massive aquarium has over 140 species of marine life.

            Admission fees vary depending on the experience chosen, and you can book tickets through the official website www.thedubaiaquarium.com.

            Dubai Aquarium
            Photo by Mido Moos – Pixabay

            The Dubai Mall Ice Rink

            This Olympic-sized ice rink offers public skating sessions and lessons. Located in the Dubai Mall.

            The ice rink offers a unique and thrilling experience for all ages. It’s worth visiting to escape from the heat. Especially during the summertime.

            The ice rink is over 2,090 sq. m., which is why it’s one of the largest indoor ice-skating rinks in the world.

            Prices vary and you can book tickets through the official website https://www.dubaiicerink.com/.

            Jumeirah Beach

            This strip of snow-white bliss is the number one beach for guests of Dubai. Hotels stretch along its entire length, so this is one of the most popular tourist destinations.

            There are excellent conditions on the beach:  many loungers, cafes and restaurants, rental of water skis and other accessories for outdoor activities on the water.

            You can enjoy the scenic views and relaxing atmosphere. Admission is free.

            Dubai Opera

            The Dubai Opera House, which opened in 2016, is intended to become the main cultural center of the city.

            Famous opera and ballet artists perform on the stage of the Dubai Opera all year round. The ultra-modern theater building, designed for 2,000 seats and reminiscent of the curves of its glass and steel walls of a traditional dhow, a traditional Emirati sailing vessel.

            It’s an amazing work of architectural art and one of the new attractions of Dubai. You can visit for spectacular entertainment and cultural experience.

            Admission fees vary depending on the event, and you can book tickets through the official website www.dubaiopera.com.

            Bastakia Quarter

            The Bastakia Quarter, also known as the Al-Fahidi district, is a historic neighborhood located in Dubai’s old town area.

            It appeared at the end of the XIX century and was built up with the houses of rich Persian merchants who were mainly engaged in pearls and textiles. Their interest in Dubai in general and this part of it in particular was associated with the possibility of duty-free trade and proximity to Dubai Creek.

            Coral and limestone buildings topped with wind towers are perfectly preserved in Bastakia. In the old days, wind towers performed the function of air conditioners: the airflow “caught” by the tower was directed inside the house, so that the room was cooled.

            A similar architectural element originally appeared in Persia, but thanks to Persian merchants it spread throughout the Middle East. The narrow streets of Bastakia remind of a bygone era in the history of Dubai.

            Inside the district you will find the Majlis Gallery with its collection of traditional Arabic ceramics and furniture and the XVA Gallery located in one of the historical buildings with a collection of modern art.

            There is no admission fee to enter this neighborhood.

            The Jumeirah Mosque

            The Jumeirah Mosque is the most astonishing mosque in Dubai. It’s an exact copy of the Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo, however it was built eight times larger than the original in size. It’s an excellent example of Islamic architecture.

            The mosque is especially attractive in the evening when it is illuminated by floodlights. This mosque is a gorgeous and serene place of worship and for sure it’s a perfect destination for anyone interested in Islamic culture and architecture.

            You can learn about Islam, its traditions, and the customs and rituals associated with prayer.

            There is a small admission fee with guided tour.

            Dubai Mosque

            In conclusion, Dubai is a destination that truly has something for anyone, whether or not you’re a luxury traveler, adventure seeker or cultural enthusiast.

            One of the motives why Dubai is one of these famous vacation spots is its lovely architecture. With the famous Burj Khalifa, the awe-inspiring Dubai Mall, and the iconic Jumeirah Mosque, Dubai is a town that truly pushes the bounds of what is feasible.

            But Dubai is greater than only a town of skyscrapers. It’s also a destination wherein you can discover big deserts, bask in luxurious shopping and dining experience, and immerse yourself inside the rich culture and history of the Middle East.

            Dubai is a town that is continuously evolving, with new attractions, stories, and events all of the time. 

            Dubai is a vacation spot it is really well worth exploring. With its amazing structure, rich tradition and endless possibilities for journey, it’s no marvel why so many people choose to go to this first-class metropolis.