Things to do in Dubai

Touted as the home of the biggest, the tallest and the most ambitious man-made architectural wonders in the world, Dubai has evolved from a humble fishing village into an ultramodern city boasting towering skyscrapers, supercars speeding down the highways and the latest in the world of fashion and luxury.

For an unforgettable experience that covers the best things this city has to offer, here are some exciting activities that you can only do and enjoy in Dubai.

1. Stand on Top of the World at Burj Khalifa, the World’s Tallest Building

Standing at 828 meters high, Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa can be seen from all over the city.

Standing at 828 meters high, Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa can be seen from all over the city. / by Hans-Jürgen Schmidt

No trip to Dubai is complete without a visit to the iconic Burj Khalifa, an 828-meter high skyscraper crowned by Guinness World Records as the tallest building in the world.

High-speed elevators – the fastest double deck elevators in the world – take guests straight to the 124th floor in just a minute, where guests can discover the history of Burj Khalifa through a series of fascinating exhibits.

See the city spread out before you when you visit At The Top Sky Lounge and enjoy uninterrupted panoramic views of Dubai at the world’s highest observation deck.

Best times to visit are during sunset when the sky is vibrantly painted with colors of gold, pink and purple, or during nighttime when the city’s impressive skyline glitters spectacularly like diamonds.

Fancy some high-altitude fine dining? Aside from offering unbelievably beautiful views of the Arabian Gulf, the At.mosphere resto-bar lounge on level 122 raises the luxury dining experience to new heights with their critically acclaimed menu of original and exclusive culinary creations.

2. Watch World-class Performances at Dubai Opera, the Region’s Cultural Hub

Inspired by the shape of a dhow, a traditional sailing vessel, Dubai Opera hosts theater shows, opera, ballet, concerts, gala dinners, banquets and even weddings.

Inspired by the shape of a dhow, a traditional sailing vessel, Dubai Opera hosts theater shows, opera, ballet, concerts, gala dinners, banquets and even weddings.

From sensational Broadway shows to enchanting ballet performances, Dubai Opera brings the best stage performances from all over the world to Dubai.

Nestled in The Opera District in the heart of Downtown Dubai, the 2,000-seat performing arts center can transform into a theater, a concert hall, and a flat floor, giving it the unique versatility to host theater shows, opera, ballet, concerts, gala dinners and banquets.

Designed by renowned architect Janus Rostock of Atkins, Dubai Opera’s distinct shape is inspired by a dhow, a traditional sailing vessel in the Arabian region.

Want to see what goes behind the scenes? Dubai Opera offers private backstage tours where you will be taken to the backstage areas and dressing rooms, trap room and sound room, while getting to know the meticulous production that goes into each and every show.

Public tours are also available for guests who want to know more about the unique history and cultural heritage that inspired Dubai Opera.

3. Shop and Dine at One of the Biggest Malls on the Planet

A magical performance from the Dubai Fountain, the tallest performing fountain & largest choreographed fountain system in the entire world.

A magical performance from the Dubai Fountain, the tallest performing fountain & largest choreographed fountain system in the entire world.

Where to best shop until you drop? At The Dubai Mall, the largest shopping destination in the world with over 1,200 retail stores and more than 200 brands, including the most coveted high-end labels in fashion such as Armani, Cartier, Gucci, Valentino and more.

Situated right next to Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall offers more than an unrivaled shopping experience. With an area equal to 200 football pitches, Dubai Mall showcases exceptional entertainment and leisure options, including an Olympic-sized ice rink, a 24-meter high indoor waterfall, a 22-screen multiplex cinema, and the breathtaking Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, where you can marvel at more than 33,000 marine animals up close.

Don’t miss the brilliant show of the Dubai Fountain – the tallest performing fountain and largest choreographed fountain system in the world. Dancing to a selection of classical and contemporary Arabic and world music, Dubai Fountain shoots 22,000 gallons of water up to 500-feet high, dazzling spectators with a magnificent movement of water, colors and sound orchestrated to perfect precision.

If you want to get closer, you can book a traditional Abra ride on the 30-acre manmade Burj Khalifa Lake, or get a pass to the Dubai Fountain Boardwalk, a floating platform that takes you as close as 9 meters from the fountain. Designed by the people behind the Bellagio Hotel Lake in Las Vegas, the Dubai Fountain amazes the crowd every 30 minutes throughout the evening.

4. Soak Up the Sun and Make a Splash at the Beach

Head over to Umm Suqeim Beach and take a selfie with Burj Al Arab.

Head over to Umm Suqeim Beach and take a selfie with Burj Al Arab. / by Keerthi Ramesh

Sitting on the southeastern coast of the Persian Gulf, Dubai is home to many stunning beaches that rival some of the world’s most famous summer getaways.

Famous for its stunning views of the eye-catching sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel, Umm Suqeim Beach is popular among locals and tourists looking to get a healthy dose of sunshine and fresh air, with picturesque views of the sea as their backdrop.

If you want to bask under the sun while enjoying easy access to modern comforts, then head over to JBR Open Beach. Surrounded by tall, sand-colored residential buildings, JBR Open Beach features a breathtaking coastline, a 1.8-kilometer running track, showers and public toilets. Dotting the beach’s vicinity are restaurants and retail stores where you can easily get everything you need.

Searching for a more private and relaxing setting? Palm Jumeirah offers numerous luxury hotels and resorts with their own exclusive beachfront facilities. The world’s largest manmade island, Palm Jumeirah is widely renowned for its palm tree shape, as well as its elite selection of upscale hotels, beach clubs, bars and restaurants.

With a colorful, vibrant and lively atmosphere, La Mer is the perfect beach hangout for people of all ages. The family-friendly beach resort offers myriad options when it comes to dining, shopping, water sports and recreational activities. It is home to the Laguna Waterpark, an expansive water paradise filled with exhilarating activities and fun attractions for both the adventurous and the laidback.

5. Conquer the Desert with a Thrilling Desert Safari Experience

Uncover the secrets of the Arabian Desert with a desert safari tour.

Uncover the secrets of the Arabian Desert with a desert safari tour. / by Sarbjit Singh

From sublime panoramic vistas of the beach, we move to the dramatic landscape of the golden Arabian Desert. Just a short drive from the city is a multitude of desert attractions waiting to be uncovered. Desert safari tours are the most popular way to explore the desert, where guests enjoy an exhilarating dune-bashing activity in the safety and comfort of a 4×4 vehicle.

At a Bedouin-style desert camp, guests are treated to a lavish Arabic buffet spread while being entertained by traditional performances including hypnotic Tanoura dance shows and mesmerizing belly dance performances. A celebration of local culture, desert safari camps include falconry displays, shisha of different flavors, and tents where guests can get henna tattoos.

Have you ever dreamed of spending the night in the desert under the beauty of countless stars? You can book an overnight desert safari tour and see the infinite sky be illuminated by innumerable stars, before ushering in the splendor of dawn.

6. See the Stunning Contrast of Old and New Dubai from the Dubai Frame

Featuring two unique perspectives, Dubai Frame shows how Dubai is paying homage to its rich past while ambitiously working towards the future.

Featuring two unique perspectives, Dubai Frame shows how Dubai is paying homage to its rich past while ambitiously working towards the future. / by Kamil Żywolewski

An imposing structure separating the old and new districts of Dubai, the Dubai Frame is another architectural feat that is hard to miss within the city’s world-renowned skyline.

A tribute to Dubai’s rich past and its remarkable present-day development, the Dubai Frame showcases three key galleries that celebrate its past and present and highlights its ambitious plans for the future.

Enjoy a cup of coffee as you admire expansive views of Old and New Dubai from a 150-meter high vantage point. Feast your eyes on awe-inspiring views of the sunset as you take in the hustle and bustle of the city below that can be seen through the glass walkways of Dubai Frame.

7. Be Enchanted with the Flower-filled Beauty of Dubai Miracle Garden

This life-size version of the Emirates A380 is the world’s largest floral installation, located in none other than the world’s largest natural flower garden: Dubai Miracle Garden.

This life-size version of the Emirates A380 is the world’s largest floral installation, located in none other than the world’s largest natural flower garden: Dubai Miracle Garden. / by Валентина Цибульская

Enter a world filled with the beauty, colors and scents of millions of flowers at the Dubai Miracle Garden – the world’s largest natural flower garden. Visually captivating flower arrangements take center stage in this enormous 72,000-square meter garden, where the world’s floral installation can be fittingly found: a life-size version of the Emirates A380.

From gazebos and cabanas adorned with the loveliest flowers, to intricately designed flower castles and flower arches, Dubai Miracle Garden is truly a sight to behold.

Take a leisurely stroll along the immensely popular hearts and butterfly passages. Explore the secrets of the vast Lake Park and take selfies with the attention-grabbing Big Teddy Bear and Mickey Mouse flower installations.

Within Miracle Garden you can also find the Dubai Butterfly Park, currently the largest butterfly garden in the region and in the world with over 15,000 butterflies from 26 different species.

Plan Your Trip to Dubai With Jetex

Want to have the best travel experience to Dubai? Let the Jetex Experience team help you. With our industry-leading expertise, exclusive partnerships and extensive global connections, we can arrange a smooth and relaxing travel experience especially for you.

Contact our team today on +971 4 212 4088 or send us a message at experience@jetex.com.