Things to Do in Dubai (UPDATED 2025)

Activities in Dubai

A city of contrasts, Dubai has a glittering skyline and has amazing skyscrapers to explore. Some are so that that they defy your imagination. The city has a modern touch but you get an opportunity to explore the ancient side too. There are numerous luxurious stays and the country is warm to welcome guests from all over the globe.

Deserts are an exciting place when it comes to Dubai. You can go on a desert safari and be assured that it will be an experience of a lifetime. The transportation system is among the most advanced in the world and you have numerous options to choose based on your budget. Even organized tours like a hop on hop off bus service is an excellent way of exploring the city of dreams.

The coastal belt also features some amazing spots to spend your stay and experience something different. Coming to the shopping centers, Dubai has some of the biggest malls in the world and offers an enormous collection of different products both from local and international brands. The Gulf Standard Time is Dubai’s time zone and you can visit this city at any time of the year.

Must Do Things In Dubai
Dubai is a city never advisable to visit without a plan. It is a city so large, but with so many things to do that it can be difficult to figure out what you should really focus on. Therefore, here are some of the things that you shouldn't miss while you are in Dubai:

Visit the Burj Khalifa
Explore the Souks and shop for souvenirs
Take a trip to Oman (Only if you have time!)
Go shopping at Mall of Emirates for all your luxury needs
Eat authentic Arabic food at any of Dubai's street stalls
Many people are attracted by Dubai's nightlife with many bars and nightclubs open until late at night where they can dance to their heart's content.

Dubai Attractions
Among the most famous cities in the world, it is famous for its beauty and attractions. No matter what you are looking for, Dubai has something to offer. There are many places to visit and some of them are listed below:

The Palm Jumeirah: The Palm Jumeirah is an artificial island in the shape of a palm tree that is built off the coast of Dubai in a location close to the Persian Gulf. It was designed so that it would resemble an offshore desert island and comprise villages with luxury hotels, shopping malls, and residential areas. The Palm Jumeirah can be reached by boat or by crossing the bridge on Emirates Road on land.

The Dubai Marina: Dubai's iconic skyline, with its billowing, sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel, is the first thing you see as you approach the city.

The Dubai Marina stretches for six kilometers of waterfront and is home to dozens of apartments, hotels and restaurants. The Marina is a great place to explore on foot or by bike. You can also visit some of Dubai’s most famous icons from here, including the Jumeirah Mosque and Madinat Jumeirah – a grand resort set around a traditional Arabian courtyard.

Jumeirah Mosque: The Jumeirah Mosque is a white marble structure with a green dome and it is the largest mosque in Dubai. The mosque was built in 2003 and it can accommodate up to 10,000 people. It has large tapestries on its walls which are embroidered with verses from the Holy Quran.

It is the world's tallest mosque, standing at more than 41 meters tall. It is a place that is used for daily prayers, weddings and funerals.

360° Sky View at Burj Khalifa: Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world and one of the most recognizable and extraordinary buildings. The 360° Sky View at Burj Khalifa allows you to see Dubai from a panoramic view.

It is one of the most recognizable buildings in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It was designed by Adrian Smith while Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, who are based in Chicago and San Francisco respectively, were responsible for its construction. With a height of 828 meters (2,716 ft), it came to be known as "Burj" which means "tower" in Arabic.

It was on January 4th 2009 that Burj khalifa became the tallest man-made structure ever built after its construction was completed.

Dubai Mall & Souk Al Bahar: One of the most popular attractions in Dubai is Dubai Mall. This shopping mall has over 1,200 stores with many different price ranges, food courts and amazing views. Another great place to visit in Dubai is Souk Al Bahar. This modern market is located on top of a manmade canal and has a beautifully landscaped garden on the roof.

Dubai Mall, also known as The Address Hotel Downtown Dubai, has over 1,200 stores and many different price ranges. It also includes several food courts which are perfect for families who want to spend some time exploring this mall together before deciding what they want to eat for dinner.

Souk Al Bahar serves as an entertainment venue for those looking for something a little different than just shopping malls or beaches during their stay in Dubai because it features an incredible garden on the roof that was made using plants from all throughout

Helpful Tips When Visiting Dubai

Dress Appropriately -Do not wear shorts, low necklines or tank tops as these types of clothing may offend some people. Wear modest attire such as trousers, long skirts and shirts with sleeves.
Keep Your Bag Close -The chance of pick-pocketing is high in crowded places like shopping malls or markets. Keep your bag close at all times, especially in such places.
Carry A Phone Card -You might need to call for help and if you have a phone card with you then this won't be an issue. You will also need to pay for roaming if you don't get the right plan for your country beforehand, so keep in mind that carrying a phone card could save you from high roaming charges which may come up unexpectedly.

Other useful tips:

Pack light
Carry cash and avoid using credit cards
Do not pick up items that are dropped on the ground
Drink only bottled water or filtered water
Avoid talking about religion and politics when interacting with locals

Best Time To Visit Dubai
If you wish to explore Dubai, in its best season, then December is the month to be. Early morning and evenings in the city are quite soothing besides the city having plenty of air conditioning support at all its hotspots. Another reason why you should be going in winters is the Dubai Shopping Festival that is organized in the month of January each year.

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4.0

City Sightseeing: Dubai Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tour

Overall good experience and good way to visit city with tourist bus. few things can getting better. Traffic was horrendous ....pick up at cruise terminal was left waiting on bus for ages waiting for bus to fill, also o return from tour to mall to join bus for return to ship again waiting a further 20 mins for bus to arrive.

Stephen Pepper Jan 22nd, 2024