31 amazing things to do in Dubai for the ultimate holiday

Palm Jumeirah is famous throughout the world and a triumph of human ingenuity. Locals and tourists alike flock to its vast array of high-end hotels – Waldorf Astoria, Fairmont, One&Only, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and, perhaps most notably, Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis The Royal. Getting here is simple, thanks to the monorail running down the 'trunk', which connects to the mainland's tram system.

Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood in Bur Dubai is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city. Best seen on foot, this area offers nostalgic views of a bygone era with traditional windtowers and a maze of winding alleyways, positioned along the historic waterways of Dubai Creek. Visit Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) to appreciate local culture with Arabic classes, heritage tours and guided mosque visits. After exploring, take an atmospheric abra boat ride to the souks on the other side of the creek. 

Less than a 20 minute-drive from the modern streets of Downtown Dubai lies the mystique-filled Arabian desert. Go on a desert safari, complete with thrilling activities such as quadbiking and sandboarding. Those looking for luxury can book a safari with leading tour companies Platinum Heritage and Arabian Adventures. From the unforgettable offroad drive to cultural fun with henna painting and camel rides, and a feast of local cuisine under the stars, it's an only-in-Dubai treat. Want to stay a little longer? Treat yourself to an unforgettable night amid the dunes at Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa.

If there's one thing every adventure-seeker must sign up for, it's a skydiving experience. Skydive Dubai provides tandem skydive opportunities, supervised by trained professionals. You'll have to book well in advance to secure a spot, but it's worth it as you dive through the clouds from 13,000 feet and take in views of the landmark Palm Jumeirah or rolling dunes of the desert. And you can keep reliving the epic experience thanks to perfectly-captured videos by the Skydive Dubai team. It's one for every braveheart's bucket list.

Literally translated as 'City of Jumeirah', the Madinat Jumeirah complex is inspired by an ancient citadel. Housing luxury hotels and private enclaves designed to reflect traditional Arabian architecture, it's a great spot to indulge in a therapeutic day at the world-class Talise Spa, splurge on local trinkets and boutique brands at the Madinat Souk, or immerse yourself in the work of famous artists at the high-tech Theatre of Digital Art. And, with over 40 restaurants and lounges featuring cuisines from around the world, it's also an ideal place to refuel.

Opening hours and price: Vary, depending on venues within the complex

Since opening in 2018, Dubai Frame has become a cultural landmark that connects Dubai's past with its present and represents a remarkable feat of engineering. Located within Zabeel Park, this attraction lets you experience the transition between old and new Dubai thanks to sweeping panoramic views of the city from 150m high. One of its striking features is the state-of-the-art clear glass bridge walkway, which connects parallel vertical towers so that, from the outside, the structure perfectly resembles a giant picture frame.

Opening hours: 9am to 9pm daily

Price: From AED50

Dubai Water Canal is a 3.2-kilometre-long waterway extending from the Creek in old Dubai through Business Bay before finding its way to the Arabian Gulf. With 80,000sqm of public space and facilities and a 12km cycling path, the canal has become a popular visitor attraction. There are also five pedestrian bridges that snake their way across the iconic waterway, so it's the perfect spot to stroll and take in classic views of the city at its best. Nearby is Al Habtoor City, home to the thrilling La Perle show, several five-star hotels and an array of trendy restaurants.

If you'd like to shop, dine, watch a movie and swim in the sea all in one place, consider a trip to The Beach, opposite Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR). With guest DJs playing on most weekends, a cinema and plenty of trendy boutiques, The Beach is always buzzing with activity. Take your pick from the range of dining options, try the exhilarating watersports on offer or just enjoy some relaxation time in a cabana with your favourite book. The Beach is also connected to the Bluewaters Island district, home to stellar attractions like Madame Tussauds and Brass Monkey, by a pedestrian bridge.

Opening hours - F&B outlets: 10am to 12am (Sunday to Thursday), 10am to 1am (Friday and Saturday)

City Walk offers European-style pedestrian streets alongside a host of shopping and entertainment options – perfect for a pleasant day out. Take a walk along tree-lined avenues with shops and restaurants and spot artwork etched by some of the world's finest urban artists. Afterwards, treat your family to an afternoon of fun and head over to The Green Planet to see real wildlife in an indoor tropical rainforest setting. You can also catch epic concerts, comedy shows and more at the nearby Coca-Cola Arena, the Middle East's largest indoor arena.

A world of floral wonder awaits you at Dubai Miracle Garden, the world's largest natural flower garden. The 72,000sqm park has an impressive line-up of stunning structures completely transformed into colourful flower displays. You can immerse yourself among more than 150 million blooming flowers throughout the different exhibits. The nearby Dubai Butterfly Garden is also worth a trip. Here, children can explore over 15,000 species of butterflies whilst learning more about them in a fun setting.

Opening hours: 9am to 9pm (Monday to Friday), 9am to 11pm (Saturday and Sunday)

Price: From AED100

Located in the Downtown Dubai district, Dubai Opera features acclaimed acts from across the world – including classical symphonies, standup comedians, beloved musicals, pop stars and more. With views of The Dubai Fountain and located next to Burj Khalifa, the landmark's eye-catching exteriors are inspired by Arabian dhow ships while the stage area is designed to easily convert into three different event platforms: theatre, hall or concert hall. Want to know what's playing at Dubai Opera while you're holidaying in the city? Visit Dubai Calendar.

Opening hours: 10am to 9pm, daily (show timings may vary)

A 130km drive south-east of Downtown Dubai is Hatta, a not-to-be-missed scenic getaway. In this mountain town you can try kayaking along the serene Hatta Lake, or traversing rocky mountains on foot with specially-crafted hiking experiences. Recent additions to the area include Hatta Dome Park, a glamping experience that takes advantage of Hatta’s mountainscape views and back-to-nature vibes, plus the chic Damani Lodges. Indulge in a host of adventure activities such as zorbing, mountain biking and more at Hatta Wadi Hub. Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit, as the Hub is also home to the region's first ever water jump park, Hatta Drop-In.

Unlimited fun, excitement, speed and 5D entertainment – you can expect it all at IMG Worlds of Adventure. This enormous theme park is the same size as 28 football pitches. With the most up-to-date and exciting rides, IMG Worlds of Adventure brings your favourite characters to life. Give your little ones the best time with rides featuring Ben 10, Powerpuff Girls and LazyTown, while older kids can delve into the world of Spider-Man, Hulk, Iron Man and The Avengers.

Opening hours: 12pm to 10pm (Sunday to Thursday), 12pm to 11pm (Friday and Saturday)

Price - general admission: AED365

Enjoy incomparable views of one of Dubai’s most talked about landmarks at The View at The Palm. Located 240m high, the observation deck presents 360-degree panoramas of Palm Jumeirah alongside the sparkling waters of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai skyline in the distance. The View at The Palm is located on level 52 of The Palm Tower, which also houses a café, a creative exhibition that showcases the development of the island, interactive aquarium-themed tunnels and a gift shop. 

Opening hours: 9am to 8:30pm daily

Price: From AED100

Thrill-seekers can try a trio of epic experiences at Sky Views Dubai, perched 219.5m above ground on top of the Address Sky View hotel. The Glass Slide allows visitors to zoom down a transparent tunnel on the 53rd floor, while the Observatory features a glass elevator and bridge to further test your head for heights. Meanwhile, true risk-takers will look forward to the Edge Walk – as they dangle off the building's side while strapped to a safety harness. All three experiences allow participants to enjoy phenomenal views of Downtown Dubai's iconic landmarks, including the nearby Burj Khalifa.

Opening hours: 10am to 10pm daily

Price: From AED80

For the first time since its launch, Dubai's famed Burj Al Arab has opened its doors to visitors, granting access to the hotel's ultra-luxurious interiors on a 90-minute tour. Not only will you get to explore the landmark’s gilded suites, and enjoy its incomparable views of the city, but you'll also uncover the hotel’s history and wealth of untold stories. You can also delve deeper and make the most of your experience with tour customisations.

Tour timings: 10am to 7pm daily
Price: From AED249

One of Dubai's most recognisable architectural landmarks, the stunning Museum of the Future takes pride of place along the city's superhighway, Sheikh Zayed Road. Founded by Dubai Future Foundation, the museum explores how society could evolve in the coming decades using science and technology. Termed a 'living museum', it incorporates elements of traditional exhibitions, immersive theatre and themed attractions, so visitors can look beyond the present and towards the future's limitless possibilities.

Opening hours: 9am to 7pm daily

Price: From AED149

Built along Dubai Creek and designed in the shape of a traditional Islamic lectern, Mohammed Bin Rashid Library is the region's largest library and represents its collective cultural wisdom, educational milestones and continued forays in research and academia. Aside from enjoying the remarkable architecture and exploring the library's nine levels, visitors can discover a fully digitalised laboratory and several specialised collections inside.

Opening hours: 9am to 9pm daily, except on Friday (opens 2pm) and Sunday (closed)

Price: Free

Serious foodies can’t visit Dubai without making a stop at 3Fils, which regularly features in the upper echelons of the MENA 50 Best Restaurants list. Its chic yet casual setting, coupled with calming harbourside views and a no-reservations policy, makes this one of Dubai's most unassumingly spectacular dining hotspots. Serving modern Asian cuisine, you’ll find tantalising dishes such as salmon carpaccio, wagyu sushi and fire-grilled octopus on the menu.

Opening hours: 12pm to 11:30pm daily

Unwind in the world's highest 360-degree swimming pool as you gaze out at landmarks including Burj Al Arab and Ain Dubai. Situated 200m above ground, AURA Skypool is the perfect place for an unforgettable swim. Visitors to the Palm Jumeirah venue can also relax in its chic lounge area and sample a menu filled with delicious sharing plates and pan-Asian flavours. Standouts to try include the glazed miso salmon, chilli honey cauliflower popcorn and matcha tiramisu.

Opening hours: Vary each day, visit the official website for details

Price: From AED225