Top Things to Do in Dubai: 6 Tips
We had a three-day stopover in Dubai during our world trip in 2023. Honestly, we weren’t sure what to expect, but looking back, we can say Dubai is quite impressive. Especially if you’re passing through this airport on your way to another destination! Within three days you can already see some nice places in the city. However, a few extra days would have been better. Here are 6 tips for the top things to do in Dubai!
1. Visit the Burj Khalifa Tower
At 828 meters, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world (2023)! This iconic tower is an absolute must-visit during your trip. There’s so much to see and do in and around the tower, so we’ve dedicated an entire blog on our travel tips for Burj Khalifa. It includes all the details on how to get there and where to catch the free fountain show, for instance.
Check out our Google Maps Dubai for all the stops!
2. Take a Desert Safari in Dubai
We didn’t plan for a desert safari trip. However, right after we arrived in Dubai, we stumbled upon a fun desert safari with two spots left on that same day. So we just decided to go and ended up loving it. In the end it was even the best activity we did! If you’re looking for more desert safari tips, check out our blog on our Dubai Desert Safari adventure.
3. Explore Dubai Marina
Besides the Burj Khalifa,the city is home to many other impressive skyscrapers. One area that stands out is Dubai Marina. We loved wandering around here, both during the day and in the evening. There’s also a public transport system that runs through the Marina, easily accessible from the metro station!
4. Palm Jumeirah and Aquaventure
One of Dubai’s artificial islands, Palm Jumeirah, is also worth a visit. We knew it would be huge, but we were still in awe of its scale when we took the monorail across. This island is home to some incredible sights, including great views of the famous Atlantis Hotel and a cool observation point called The View at The Palm. We only visited the world’s largest water park, Aquaventure, ourselves.
5. Shop at Dubai’s Malls
Dubai is famous for its massive shopping malls, and there’s no shortage of them! We were particularly impressed by the Dubai Mall (which is conveniently located right next to the Burj Khalifa) and the Mall of the Emirates. You could easily spend an entire week exploring these malls and still discover stores you haven’t seen. There are many more malls to explore, but ultimately, it’s all about huge buildings packed with luxury stores, so don’t worry about missing any!
6. Visit Souqs in the Old Town
Just northwest of the airport is the historic district, where you’ll find the traditional souqs (markets). Although we didn’t visit the city center itself, we explored the nearby souqs and thoroughly enjoyed wandering through them. Be prepared for the persistent salespeople, that’s part of the experience!
More Tips for Top Things to Do in Dubai
There are plenty of other sights in Dubai that we didn’t get to see due to our limited time.
7. Marina Beach: Depending on the season, Dubai can be a great place for a beach holiday. We thought Marina Beach looked wonderful, but in the summer, it’s just too hot for a beach day.
8. Dubai Miracle Garden: Located a little further from the city center, Dubai Miracle Garden is a large flower garden with the most unusual designs and structures. It’s one of the few attractions not accessible by the metro, but Uber is a good alternative.
9. The Dubai Frame: You can spot this impressive structure from the metro. Located between the airport and the Burj Khalifa, it looks spectacular from a distance, but it’s even more breathtaking when you’re standing right in front of it. Lindeontdekt has some great tips on visiting!
10. Dubai Old Town: A little away from the towering skyscrapers lies the historic center. It’s located just across the river from the souqs and is easily combined with a visit to the markets. Due to time constraints, we had to skip this area, but we wish we could’ve explored it.
Where to Stay in Dubai?
Hoteltip: Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights
We stayed at Mercure Barsha Heights, a centrally located hotel right next to the metro station. We were very pleased with our choice! From here, all the top sights were easily accessible and the hotel itself was good value for money!
