10 Things Not To Miss In Dubai

There are so many things not to miss in Dubai for visiting tourists, but what exactly are they and what makes Dubai such a great place to visit?

Dubai is a city that holds many architectural marvels. This is one of the reasons why it is one of the top holiday destinations in the world. Also, it has become a very popular cruise port and you can see quite a bit in only one day in Dubai on a cruise port stop.

Apart from the architectural wonders, Dubai also offers some unique experiences to its visitors. From viewing the tallest building in the world to going on a desert safari, Dubai offers a package of incredible experiences.

Are you planning on visiting Dubai and doing some sightseeing? Read this complete guide to the things not to miss in Dubai for some of the best attractions and activities that you must indulge in to ensure you make the most of your experience. To make your trip smoother, it is best to hire a destination management company in Dubai that will take care of all your travel needs.

Planning Your Trip? Use Our Favourite Resources Below!

Accommodation – We recommend Booking.com
Flights – We recommend Skyscanner
Tours / Experiences – We recommend Viator
Car Rental – We recommend DiscoverCars
Travel Insurance – We recommend SafetyWing

Did You Know?

Dubai offers a lot of the biggest and best structures in the world including the tallest building, the biggest mall, the largest indoor theme park in the world, largest man-made island, to name just a few….
After London, Paris, and Bangkok, Dubai is the fourth most visited city on the entire globe.
There was only one skyscraper in the city in 1991.
Even though it may surprise you, many here actually own gold-plated automobiles.

“I like Dubai because of the sheer scale on which the city is built. It is completely futuristic but with a warm, old-world ethos.”
– Prabhas –

Things Not to Miss in Dubai – Dubai Bucket List

If you are looking for the must-see places in Dubai for first time visitors, read on for our list of the Top 10 attractions in Dubai.

1. Burj Khalifa

The tallest building in the world has attracted the attention of the world right from the time of its introduction. Standing at a height of 828 meters, the Burj Khalifa towers over the other buildings and skyscrapers of Dubai.

The best way to see the building closely is to take the elevator to ride up to the 124^th floor where the observation deck is located. The observation deck will give you a 360^o view of the whole city. Moreover, there are high-powered telescopes that give the chance to see some of the most important attractions of the city closely. For an extra special experience, you can also choose to visit the observation deck on the 148^th floor.

burj khlafia building against a blue sky — The Number 1. of Things Not to Miss in Dubai: Burj Khalifa

2. IMG Worlds of Adventure

Another attraction that should be on your to-do list is the IMG Worlds of Adventure, the largest indoor theme park in the world. Spread around an area of 1.5 million square feet, the IMG Worlds of Adventure is home to 6 zones, namely Marvel, Cartoon Network, Lost Valley Adventure, Novo Cinema, IMG Boulevard, and IMG Kids Zone.

Apart from the thrilling rides and interesting attractions, this theme park also hosts several fantastic shows and live events. There is also a Haunted Hotel, where participants can have scary experiences. The park also has numerous retail stores and restaurants. To have a seamless experience at the park, book your IMG World tickets in advance.

3. Dubai Miracle Garden

As the name suggests, the Dubai Miracle Garden is the largest natural flower garden in the world, right in a desert city. A seasonal attraction that opens from November to March, the Dubai Miracle Garden is home to more than 50 million colorful flowers. The best part is that these flowers have been arranged in the most beautiful and unique way.

Here you will get to see floral structures of the Burj Khalifa, Emirates A380, Disney characters, etc. The place also has a Floral Castle, Floral Lake, Floral Clock, heart-shaped passageway, etc. You can also visit the Dubai Butterfly Garden located on the premises.

4. Dubai Museum

Dubai is home to several amazing museums, but if you want to know about the history of the city, a visit to Dubai Museum is a must. Located in Old Dubai, Dubai Museum is inside the Al Fahidi Fort, the oldest building in the city. Here, you will get to know about the lifestyle, culture, and traditions of the Arabs when it was a simple fishing village before oil was discovered.

Through interesting exhibits, you will get to see the way people lived, how they worked, what they wore, etc. at this museum. You will also get to see an audio-visual presentation that shows the growth and development of Dubai during the past few decades and the future plans of the city as well.

5. Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

The unique fact about Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is that it is located inside the Dubai Mall, the largest mall in the UAE. Home to more than 30,000 aquatic species, the aquarium houses sea animals like sharks, manta rays, sting rays, etc. Moreover, the underwater zoo has some interesting mix of animals like Humbolt penguins, otters, the King Croc, snakes, etc.

Apart from watching the marine animals swimming around, you can also enjoy special experiences like shark feeding, cage diving, scuba diving, glass-bottom boat riding, etc. here.

Things Not to Miss in Dubai is Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo with large viewing window

6. Ski Dubai

A winter wonderland, Ski Dubai is the largest indoor ski resort in the world. It is located inside the Mall of Emirates and is spread around an area of 22,500 square meters. Ski Dubai has a large ski mountain, where you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, zorbing, tobogganing, etc. You can also enjoy ziplining and chairlift riding here.

Ski Dubai also has snow park where you can indulge in fun snow activities and rides. You also get to meet the in-house penguins at the Snow Park. Once you are done enjoying the numerous activities of Ski Dubai, you can sip on a cup of hot chocolate at the café here.

7. View at The Palm

The Palm Jumeirah, the largest manmade island in the world, is one of the major attractions of Dubai. Shaped in the form of a large palm island, the island consists of a huge trunk and 16 fronds. It is home to several luxurious villas, expansive beaches, high-end hotels, enormous malls, quaint cafes, and the palatial Hotel Atlantis the Palm.

If you want to enjoy an aerial view of the island, a visit to the View at The Palm is a must. Situated on top of the Palm Tower, The View is located 240 meters above the ground. From the top, you can enjoy a 360^oview of palm island and the Arabian Gulf as well. You can also visit the premium lounge at The View.

the road leading to the palm at atlantis in Dubai — Driving out to The Palm

8. Desert Safari Dubai

The Dubai desert safari is considered to be the ultimate experience in Dubai. Although different types of safaris are available, the evening desert safari is the most popular. Beginning with a thrilling dune bashing ride, the desert safari is filled with adventure and entertainment.

At the desert camp, you get to enjoy camel riding, quad biking, and sandboarding along with the chance of witnessing a beautiful sunset. In case of entertainment, you get to watch belly dancing and Tanoura dancing performances. The desert safari usually ends with a delicious BBQ dinner.

9. Dhow Cruise Dubai

Dubai has some of the most amazing restaurants, right from modest eateries to luxurious, fine dining ones. But if you want to enjoy a different experience, the Dhow Cruise Dubai is something you need to try.

Sailing on Dubai Creek as well as Dubai Marina, the dhow is a traditional wooden boat that was used for transportation in the olden times. Today, they are stylish, floating restaurants where you can enjoy a scrumptious 3-course meal while viewing the beautiful sights of the city. Most dhow cruises also offer entertainment in the form of Tanoura dance performance.

A Traditional Dhow in Dubai in front of high rise builkings — A Traditional Dhow in Dubai

10. Dubai Souks

There is no dearth of shopping malls in Dubai. In fact, the city houses some of the most enormous malls in the world. But if you want to have an authentic shopping experience, a visit to the Dubai Souks is a must. Located in the old part of the city, you will find 4 major souks in the Deira and Bur Dubai.

The most popular is the gold souk, where you can buy from around 300 stores selling gold and other precious jewelry. Then there is the perfume souk, where you can buy both traditional and mode rn perfumes. There is also the spice souk, where you will find an array of spices and herbs. Dubai also a textile souk, where you can buy different types of fabrics and readymade clothes as well.

FAQs About Dubai Bucket List and Things Not to Miss in Dubai

A visit to Dubai is great for a holiday with many places to see in Dubai as listed above.

UAE laws and customs are different from a lot of countries in the rest of the world, so here are the top things to know before travelling to Dubai:

Dress conservatively in public spaces
It’s illegal to drink in public or be tipsy in public
Avoid swearing in public
Unmarried couples cohabiting is illegal in Dubai
Avoid any public displays of affection including holding hands and kissing as this is considered offensive and could lead to arrest
Zero-tolerance drug policy – this can extend to some prescriptions

Visiting Dubai as a woman can be a little intimidating for some, so just remember these basics to make the most of your time visiting Dubai:

Dress modestly in public, especially shopping malls and places of worship i.e. shoulders, arms and legs should be covered
Nudity is prohibited so no topless sunbathing at the beach
Head coverings only need to be worn when visiting mosques

The most popular ways to get around Dubai is by taxi or by metro. Although in general prices are high for everything in Dubai, the cost of a taxi fare here is reasonable. Another fantastic option, and one we have used when we only had one day in Dubai, is the Big Bus hop-on-hop-off bus tour. If you are staying in Dubai for a longer period of time, an excellent option is the 5 Day Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus, Dhow Cruise and Desert Tour which is what we will book to see the see sights next time we visit Dubai.

In Summary – Things Not to Miss in Dubai [Dubai Bucket List]

If you want to enjoy an exclusive Dubai holiday with an itinerary tailor-made for you, an experienced and reputed destination management company can help you with the same. Such an organization will plan your entire itinerary including your accommodation, sightseeing, and other such experiences, making your holiday a memorable one.

Are you planning an upcoming trip to Dubai? Have you been to any of the places on our list of must-see places in Dubai for first time visitors, or have we missed any things to do in Dubai? Post your tips and questions below.

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Want more info to help you plan your United Arab Emirates holiday? Check out all the articles we’ve written on travel in the UAE below and continue planning your trip.

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Essential Travel Planning Resources for UAE

These are our favourite companies to use when we travel to UAE. They consistently turn up the best deals and offer great customer service, and overall, are better than their competitors. These companies are always our starting point when we need to book a flight, hotel, tour, transportation etc.

Book Your Flight:
The best and easiest way to find cheap flights is to use Skyscanner or Kiwi. They compare all of the available prices across every airline to help you compare flights in one place.

Book Accommodation:
In UAE, whether you are looking to book a hostel, guest house, hotel or resort, you’ll always find the best deals on Agoda. We always search using the map feature to find accommodation in the best location. If we are staying for a month or longer in a destination, we also search for monthly deals on Airbnb and Booking.com. For hostel bookings, we compare reviews on Hostelworld, then check other booking sites to compare prices.

Book a Tour:
We mostly travel independently, however, some places are better to visit with a guided tour. We use both GetYourGuide and Viator to find great deals on tours in UAE.

Book Transportation:
Rome2Rio is a great planning tool which allows us to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. From there, we book our transportation through 12Go.asia to save both money and time. If you are planning a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com to find the best deals.

Book Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft and cancellations. We never travel without it as we have had to use it several times in the past. We have been using 1Cover for the past 4 years, however, we also recommend World Nomads as many of our fulltime travel friends swear by them.

Always Carry With You:
When travelling in UAE, we always carry a daypack for excursions, and the Lonely Planet Guide!

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