Magical, majestic, and amazing Dubai is the city of luxury. It's where the old meets the new. There is something for both sun worshipers and culturists in this unique desert city!
Things to do in Dubai, we know a thing or two (actually 10) about that. We’ve been to this authentic and very soulful city and we know exactly where you need to go. Follow our lead and your trip to Dubai will be unforgettable!
Visit the Burj Khalifa and be on top of the world
The Burj Khalifa is the most iconic building in Dubai that rises far, far, far above its already mystical skyline. No visit to Dubai is complete without admiring the tallest building in the world. This can be done from the ground because the tower can be seen from afar due to its height. But a visit to the Burj Khalifa and admiring its breathtaking panoramic views completes your visit to Dubai.
After buying a ticket you can enjoy the shocking high views of Dubai from the 124th or the 148th floor. The observation deck is partly inside and partly outside. You look out over the palm islands, the Sheik Zayed Road, the Dubai Marina, and you can even catch a glimpse of the luxurious Burj al Arab hotel. The infamous Sky level, the 148th level, is a more luxurious experience. Here you get drinks and snacks from the middle east and there is a guide who you can ask anything about the Burj Khalifa.
We´ll tell you everything you need to know about visiting the Burj Khalifa in this Visitors Guide.
Pro-tip: Buy tickets in advance. It is a very popular attraction and because of this, you can stand in line for a long time.
Inspired to also see this amazing bucket list location? Book a flight and hotel and turn dreams into memories!
Wander through Deira, old Dubai
Deira is one of the oldest districts in Dubai and was the main business district before the 1990s. After that, the business district moved to the skyscrapers in Dubai Downtown, as we know Dubai today. Nevertheless, it is very nice to visit the older and more authentic part of Dubai.
Deira's contrast with the ultramodern skyscrapers, opulence, and luxury in Downtown is quite shocking. Deira consists of (way) older architecture with lower construction and there is much more sand in the streets. This area looks like a mix of Cairo, New Dehli, and Istanbul. In general, Deira is a lot cheaper in terms of hotels and restaurants and you will find less western food and more culture here.
Attractions in Deira include the Deira Clock Tower and the Hermitage. Also, a visit to the various souks (markets) cannot be missed. You start with the Grand Souk, which is covered and you can get everything from clothing to souvenirs here. This souk flows into the Spice Souk. Here you will smell all the wonderful scents of all the herbs, spices, and teas from all over the world. Don't forget, if you buy something at the souks, you always have to haggle. The souks are known for their liveliness and hustle and bustle, the sellers do their best to sell you everything. After that, you can enter the Gold Souk where a whole lot of jewelry and accessories are for sale. If you want to buy anything expensive here, be sure to have the expertise yourself or bring an expert along to make sure you get the best price for a real piece of gold or jewelry.
Also, it is very nice to cross the small river to get to the other side with an authentic Abra boat. You can sail across for less than a dollar!
Pro-tip: Take your time to stroll along the Dhow Wharfage. Here the dhows (traditional wooden cargo ships) dock to load, unload and transfer their merchandise. During this spectacle, you imagine yourself in a time that you never knew existed.
Pro-tip: Eat dinner on the quay at one of the restaurants. The view of the water with the Abra's always crossing is very lovely. It will smell like diesel fuel from time to time. In the meantime, you can enjoy a very tasty wrap made of egg filled with shawarma.
Enjoy a day trip in the magical desert
Go on one of the many 4×4 desert tours! Several providers basically offer an unforgettable desert safari through the red dunes of Dubai. You will be picked up at your hotel or a central point by 4×4 Jeep. Driven by an experienced guide, this jeep will take you across the iconic red dunes of the Lehbab desert. Along the way, there will be a stop to go sandboarding and there will be enough time for taking pictures of the beautiful desert. Please note that driving in the desert is very bumpy and sliding, so you can suffer from motion sickness if you are sensitive to it. It is not very heavy on all parts, but be prepared for this!
Then, enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner with local food and sweets at the majestic Al Khayma camp. Here you can also participate in traditional desert activities such as camel riding, getting henna done, dressing up as an Arab, and watching a show of belly dancers and a fire-eater. And all these activities are included in the tour. A must-do!
By the way, if you want to know where to stay in Dubai, check out our recommendations for great hotels, luxury hotels, and Airbnb rentals.
Admire the Burj al Arab
The world-renowned Burj al Arab is the only 7-star hotel in the world. It is built on an artificial island off the coast next to a sandy beach in Dubai in the shape of a spinnaker (billowing sail at the front of sailing boats). You can have a good look at the building from the sandy beach next to it. The Burj Al Arab cannot be viewed from inside or closer unless you have a reservation at the restaurant or booked a hotel room with prices that are close to prohibitive. But it seems to be super luxurious with excellent world-class service to match. If you have the dough, spend it on this hotel. And if you don't, just walk away! 😉
You can reserve a high tea or afternoon tea in the Burj Al Arab, which starts from 170 US dollars. Pricey, but you will get a peek inside the world of the elite.
Gaze at the Lost Chambers Aquarium in Atlantis
Atlantis is a luxury hotel chain that has several locations around the world. Atlantis in Dubai is located on the artificial island of The Palm. Visiting this huge man-made island is a trip in itself. But visiting the Atlantis hotel in Dubai is the main reason to make the journey.
In the hotel, there are gigantic aquariums for which you have to pay an entrance fee (25 dollars). The aquarium contains various exotic fish species and even contains several sharks and graceful rays! The aquariums are stunning, to say the least, and you will shoot some amazing pictures here.
By visiting the aquarium you can also partly view the hotel Atlantis, including the Lobby, the shops, and the garden. This is actually an attraction in itself, as the hotel has a very special kind of architecture and decorations in the Atlantis style. So take your time to view this as well!
Loving these tips? Then go! Book your flight and hotel here!
The Walk at JBR – Stroll and dine in style
The Walk is a vibrant promenade through the Jumeirah Beach Residence area where you can shop, eat, and stroll around. Especially in the evening, there is a lot of fun activity going on and you will see a lot of Emirati (the locals) eating, shopping, and meeting each other here. And when it is dark the area of The Walk beautifully lit. It's like a superdeluxe shopping area with all sorts of upper-class restaurants and cafes.
The atmosphere here is very relaxed, many young people come together here and you notice that especially the prosperous Emirati comes here to socialize. You'll see beautifully made-up girls with luxury bags and designer killer heels. And the eateries at The Walk are all very hip. For instance; they sell special mocktails (no alcohol on the street of course), have the best patisserie, and serve delicious modern food from all over the world. Also, you can marvel at all the crazy expensive luxury cars that come and go.
Pro-tip: We had a drink at a place called The Secret Garden by l'ETO and it is beautifully decorated with flowers and roses all over the walls and ceiling. They also serve delicious mocktails and Arabic coffee.
Source: Secret Garden.
Daytrip to Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is a neighboring emirate and can be reached from Dubai in 1.5 to 2 hours by taxi, bus, or an organized day tour. We traveled to Abu Dhabi with an organized day tour in a group of 5 people. But afterward, we would rather have done this day trip on our own. It's very easy to get to Abu Dhabi by yourself and explore the city on your own without having to stick to a fixed program.
Then we also recommend staying here for 2 days, so booking at least 1 night. There is plenty to do in this futuristic city, such as admiring the beautiful fairytale Sheikh Zayed Mosque during sunset or sunrise, marvel at the luxury at the Emirates Palace Hotel, and ride the fastest rollercoaster in the world at Ferrari World. We went on this crazy ride and all we can say is; WTF! You don't know fast until you've felt this. The acceleration is faster than you can imagine, you can't even speak a word while boosting away from the starting platform. The rest of the ride is not that great, but the jumpstart is madness. You will feel quite alive after this rollercoaster ride, to say the least. 🙂
The city center and the beaches are also highly recommended by many travelers, so be sure to have a well-thought-out itinerary so that you won’t miss a thing!
Pro-Tip: Travel Insurance with World Nomads
Get lost at the Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall is ranked number 2 of all things to do in Dubai according to TripAdvisor. Especially on warm afternoons, it is wonderful to get lost in this gigantic shopping mall. The air conditioning works very well, so take a scarf or thin sweater with you, because you can experience it as quite cold there. The Dubai Mall is easily accessible from the metro, by taxi, or straight walking towards it (this might take a while, but because the mall is found beneath the Burj Khalifa, you won't mind this long walk).
You will find everything in this shopping center from food courts to luxury clothing stores and jewelers. Especially the luxury brands can be found here (Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Balenciaga), but brands such as the Zara or the Shake Shack can also be found here. Fortunately, you will regularly find a screen with a search function of the map, otherwise, you will get lost. It is gigantic and you will sometimes have to walk long distances to get to your destination.
Besides shops, there is also an ice skating rink, a huge aquarium, and various works of beautiful art such as ‘the Human Waterfall'. Shopping or just strolling, a visit to Dubai is not complete without a day at the Dubai Mall. You can spend a whole lot of cash in this amazing mall, so be smart; leave your wallet at home if you're on a budget. But be sure to splurge if you can spend some hard-earned cash.
The Frame – Where the old meets the new
The Dubai Frame is the city's newest attraction. The Frame consists of two vertical towers of 150 meters high, connected by a bridge of 100 square meters that contains transparent parts on the floor! Because of the location, you can see the authentic old Dubai on one side and the futuristic new Dubai on the other. In the museum, you can see the build-up from a simple fishing village to the ultra-modern city it is today with the use of photos and advanced technology. You can enjoy the view while enjoying a delicious cup of coffee in the café on the bridge. It is worth a visit due to the beautiful views of both parts of Dubai and certainly, the transparent parts of the floor are spectacular. Tickets are available for 15 US dollars.
Dubai Marina
The Dubai Marina is a district in Dubai that consists of a beautifully landscaped harbor with a boulevard. This area is buzzing with fun and is formed by tall skyscrapers next to each other. You will meet many locals and ex-pats and the area contains many nice food stands and restaurants. It the perfect area to relax, dine, drink, and have a great time with your family, friends, colleagues, or lover.
Pro-tip: have dinner at the delicious sushi restaurant, Asia Asia, on Pier 7. Pier 7 is a tower with several restaurants on the harbor. You have a nice view from the 6th floor from Asia Asia on the harbor, which is especially nice in the evening and the food is delicious!
Pro-tip: Don't forget to have a cocktail or mocktail at the very cool Budha Bar. This is by far one of the coolest looking bars in the world!
ps; looking for a great hotel, luxury hotel, or Airbnb rental in Dubai? We got you!
Bonus tip: the view from the Gevora Hotel (highest hotel in the world)
The Ahmed Abdul Rahim Al Attar Tower, also known as the Gevora Hotel, is right next to the main road, the Sheikh Zayed Road. We stayed at the golden Gevora Hotel, the official highest hotel in the world at 356 meters / 1168 feet tall. The hotel has had its opening in 2018, so it's all very new!
We've had a wonderful stay, mainly because of the great location, the amazing golden lobby, and the mindblowing views from the roof terrace. If you don't stay here, no problem, you can still go up to the roof terrace to have the most wonderful view of Dubai. The Burj Khalifa can also be seen clearly from here!
If you do stay at the Gevora, be sure to enjoy the mid-tier roof terrace with the amazing swimming pool. The views from here are epic, to say the least.
Bonus tip: New Year's Eve in Dubai
Oh yesss ladies and gentlemen, we actually celebrated New Year's Eve at the Gevora Hotel! From 6 pm till 11 pm, we've dined like royalty at our own table on the mid-tier level. After those lovely hours of eating, eating and more eating, we went to the rooftop to see what all the fuss was about. We've heard that there were hundreds of thousands of people going to the Burj Khalifa, so we were very happy to be on a roof terrace with just a couple dozen people. They even closed down the Sheikh Zayed Road to stop people from coming (and this road never closes!).
We could see the Burj Khalifa and the fireworks spectacle from afar through the golden arches of the Gevora hotel. The view from here is just absurd. It's really impressive!
But… here's the silly part. The fireworks and light show only last about 5 minutes. After that, the show's over! People were all walking back to their rooms. No drinking, no hugging, no partying. The whole ordeal was just… over. For us Dutchies who party till the late hours and go crazy with our own fireworks, it was weird to see the opposite of that. The city also closes shop pretty soon, so don't expect any big crazy party after the short-lived show.
It might not have been a crazy party, but we can say that the view from here was absolutely crazy!
And there is so much more to explore in Dubai! Consider a guide to show you the way around this magical place!
