26 best things to do in Dubai

21.09.2024 - 17:39 / lonelyplanet.com

Sep 21, 2024 • 11 min read

If you're planning to visit Dubai, you'll find a stirring mix of profound traditions and futuristic vision wrapped into starkly evocative desert splendor. Dubai embraces sunshine, innovation and cultural dynamism, and is known as a shopping haven with a vibrant nightlife and entertainment scene.

You won't be short of things to do in the sci-fi-esque land of iconic skyscrapers, palm-shaped islands, city-sized malls and palatial beach resorts. Here are some great things to do to make the most from your trip.

Dubai is famous for its dramatic skyscrapers, and above them all looms the Burj Khalifa, shaped like a deep-space rocket and, at 2,718 feet, the world's tallest building. It's a stunning feat of architecture and engineering, and a trip to the observation deck on the 124th floor (1,483 feet) is the most popular way to take in the amazing views it offers. You can also buy tickets for "At the Top Sky" on the 148th floor, which is the world's highest outdoor observation deck at 1,820 feet.

Detour: It can be costly getting to the top of Burj Khalifa – with prices starting near $50 per person for the 125th floor and more than $100 for the 148th floor – so instead of booking a ticket, book high tea at Atmosphere Burj Khalifa and enjoy the views from the 122nd floor while enjoying delicious pastries, tea and bubbly without the crowds. Prices start at about $95 per person, giving you more bang for your buck.

Clad in 28,000 glass panels, the Burj Khalifa also lays claim to several more superlatives, including the highest occupied floor and an elevator with the longest travel distance. On hazy days, it’s better to visit at night.

Wandering around this restored heritage area in Bur Dubai provides a tangible sense of historic Middle Eastern architecture and culture and is one of the city’s free things to do. Low-lying traditional courtyard buildings flank this quiet labyrinth of lanes in Al Fahidi Historic District, many of them featuring arabesque windows, decorative gypsum screens and wind towers.

Some contain craft shops, small heritage museums, art galleries, artsy guesthouses or cafés serving local fare, including Middle Eastern breakfasts and camel milk smoothies. The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding leads guided tours of the quarter.

Planning tip: Visit in the morning to avoid the heat and explore the heritage sites at a leisurely pace.

Covering some 21,528 square feet and touted as the largest natural flower garden in the world, there’s a sense of Alice in Wonderland–esque surrealism when entering Dubai Miracle Garden. Wander past quirky bloom-covered peacocks, clocks and castles, or alternatively, chill out in a cabana with billowing drapes and floor cushions.

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