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Planning a trip to Dubai? Compare 2 tours and activities from licensed local guides, read genuine reviews and book online in minutes. Prices start from €67 per person.
If you are planning things to do in Dubai, start by deciding how you want to split your time between heat and air-conditioning, old quarters and new skyline, sand and sea. The city is a good fit for first-time visitors to the Gulf, couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants a short, well-organised break with a lot packed in.
What sets Dubai apart is the contrast. Within a single day you can cross the Creek in a wooden boat, stand at the foot of the world's tallest tower, and eat dinner on the water as the Marina lights come on. It rewards a little planning: the best moments here depend on timing, shade and booking ahead.
The Marina is a canal-style waterfront lined with towers, and it looks its best after dark. A dinner cruise is an easy way to see it without walking in the evening heat. Our Luxury Dinner Cruise with 5-star buffet and live shows, Main Deck lasts about 1.5 hours, and the Upper Deck version runs for the same length. Check both tour pages to compare what each deck offers. Bring a light layer, since the air on the water can feel cooler than on shore.
For more on the format, see our page on the Marina dinner cruise with live shows, written with couples and small groups in mind.
The tower dominates the skyline and is visible from almost everywhere in the city. Going up gives you a sense of how the desert, the coast and the grid of highways fit together. Book a timed slot in advance, and consider a late-afternoon visit so you see the city in daylight, at sunset and as the lights come on. Allow a couple of hours including queues and security. Check the current ticket options on the official site before you go.
Even if shopping is not your thing, the mall is worth a wander. It holds an aquarium, an ice rink and a huge number of restaurants, and it opens onto the artificial lake below the Burj Khalifa. In the evening the fountains perform to music on a regular schedule. Watch from the waterfront promenade, and check the show times on the day, as they can vary. Wear comfortable shoes: the distances inside are bigger than they look on the map.
This is the closest you will get to old Dubai. Narrow lanes, wind-tower houses, small galleries and courtyard cafes sit on the Bur Dubai side of the Creek. Go in the morning, when it is quieter and still tolerable in the sun. Plan on an hour or two, longer if you want to step into a museum or sit with a coffee. It makes a good contrast with the glass towers elsewhere.
The traditional wooden abra boats shuttle people between Bur Dubai and Deira, and they are part of everyday life as well as a visitor attraction. The crossing takes only a few minutes, but it gives you a view of old trading dhows moored along the bank. Carry small change, because the fare is modest and paid on board. Late afternoon, when the light softens, is a pleasant time to go.
On the Deira side, the covered lanes of the Gold Souk are lined with shop windows full of jewellery, and the nearby Spice Souk smells of saffron, dried limes, frankincense and herbs. You do not have to buy anything to enjoy it. If you do, compare a few shops and ask politely about price; haggling is common for many goods, though gold is usually priced by weight and negotiation is more limited. Go earlier in the day to avoid the midday crush.
The Palm is a man-made island you can drive onto, with resorts, beach clubs and views back toward the skyline. Public beaches along the Jumeirah coast, such as Kite Beach, are good for a swim and a walk with a skyline view. Take sunscreen, a hat and your own water. Mornings and late afternoons are far more comfortable than midday. Some beach clubs charge entry, so check their terms in advance.
One of the city's best-known mosques, Jumeirah Mosque is used for guided cultural visits aimed at visitors, which explain local customs and Islamic practice. Arrangements and timings can change, so check the current schedule before you plan around it. Dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered for everyone, and a headscarf for women. It is a calm, informative hour that adds context to the rest of your trip.
A trip into the dunes is one of the classic Dubai experiences: a drive over the sand, a stop for photos as the sun drops, and an evening camp with food and entertainment. Choose an operator carefully and read what the package includes. Bring a scarf or light layer for the breeze, and sunglasses. If you are prone to motion sickness, mention it before the dune drive.
The torus-shaped building covered in Arabic calligraphy is as much a landmark as a museum. Exhibits are themed around technology and tomorrow's world, and tickets are timed, so reserve ahead. Allow a good part of a morning or afternoon. Even if you skip the interior, the exterior is worth a stop for photographs, especially in softer light.
Dubai is a year-round destination, but the season shapes what you will enjoy.
Dubai is well connected by air, and most visitors arrive on international flights. We have not listed airport details here, so check your flight confirmation for your arrival terminal. If you would rather skip the taxi queue after a long flight, you can book a private airport transfer in advance and have a driver waiting for you.
Once in the city, you have several choices: