Things to Do in Dubai: Top 7 Attractions & Experiences

Dubai is a travel destination where holidays are not limited to sightseeing. Instead, it takes the experience a step further with some of the most exciting adventures and memorable experiences you can have on a trip. From record-breaking attractions and world-class entertainment to cultural landmarks and desert adventures, there is no shortage of things to do in Dubai. Whether you're visiting as a couple, travelling with family, or wandering on your own, the city offers experiences for every type of traveller. This guide covers the best things to do in Dubai, including seven must-see attractions, exciting activities, and the charm of Old Dubai.

What are the Top 7 things to do in Dubai?

If you only have a few days, these seven experiences cover the best of what the city does well: record-breaking heights, world-class shopping, a futuristic icon, and a literal frame around old and new Dubai. They are consistently the top things to do in Dubai for first-timers, and together they give you a balanced taste of the modern, the cultural, and the family-friendly side of the city. Here are the must-see things to see in Dubai, with what to expect at each.

​1. Marvel at the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain

When people think of Dubai, the Burj Khalifa often comes to mind, and for good reason. It’s the tallest building in the world and holds a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. What really makes it special, though, is the view from the At The Top deck on levels 124 and 125.

From the top, you can see the whole city and its impressive skyline. The Burj Khalifa is always at the top of any list of Dubai’s best sightseeing spots. At the base of the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountain offers free water and light shows every evening. You don’t need a ticket to enjoy these impressive displays. Visiting the Burj Khalifa and watching the fountain show is something you shouldn’t miss in Dubai.

2. Shop and Discover The Dubai Mall

A holiday to Dubai is not complete without a visit to its largest mall, where shopping, dining, and indoor attractions help make the most of your day. Not only is visiting the Mall a great escape from outdoor heat waves, but it can also prove to be adventurous by the time you leave.

There are lots of activities to do in Dubai Mall, beyond the 1,200-plus stores. You can stand before the Dubai Aquarium viewing panel, watch divers among the sharks, visit the underwater zoo, or skate on the Olympic-size ice rink. And by the way, the entry is totally free, so an exploration here doesn’t put any weight on your pocket.

• Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo: See sharks, rays, and thousands of marine animals through one of the world's largest suspended aquariums.
• Olympic-Sized Ice Rink: Swap the desert heat for a skating session on a full-sized indoor rink.
• Shopping and Dining: visit a huge range of restaurants, cafés, and food courts.
• Dubai Fountain Views: Step outside to enjoy front-row views of the famous fountain shows at the foot of Burj Khalifa.

Tribe Travel Tip: The mall is genuinely enormous, so pick your two or three priorities in advance, and note that headline attractions like the aquarium walk-through carry their own tickets on top of free entry.

3. Visit Palm Jumeirah and Atlantis Aquaventure

Palm Jumeirah is a man-made island that is so impressive in scale and beauty that first-time visitors often pause just to admire the view. And when finding fun things to do in Dubai, coming across this attraction is quite obvious. One of Dubai's most iconic landmarks, it combines luxury resorts, waterfront attractions, and family-friendly experiences, making it a popular stop on almost every Dubai itinerary.

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Palm Jumeirah is home to several attractions, but these are the highlights most visitors come for:

• Atlantis Aquaventure: Enjoy more than 100 slides, water coasters, wave pools, and one of the world's longest lazy rivers.
• Leap of Faith: Take on the park's most famous near-vertical slide that shoots riders through a clear tunnel surrounded by marine life.
• Private Beach Access: Relax on a stretch of sandy beach with views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai's skyline.
• Family and Kids' Zones: Younger visitors can enjoy dedicated splash areas, smaller slides, and shallow pools designed for all ages.
• Lost Chambers Aquarium: Upgrade to a combined pass to visit themed underwater tunnels filled with sharks, rays, and thousands of marine creatures.

4. Step into Tomorrow at the Museum of the Future

Wrapped in Arabic calligraphy and shaped like a glowing silver ring, the Museum of the Future is one of the most striking buildings in the city. It stands out among the best things to do in Dubai for anyone curious about technology and design. Moreover, the Museum of the Future is spread across five themed floors, each offering a different vision of what the world could look like in the decades ahead.

• Level 5: Space Station: Experience a futuristic space station and discover how people might live, work, and travel beyond Earth.
• Level 4: Nature and the Environment: See interactive exhibits focused on protecting ecosystems, wildlife, and the planet's future.
• Level 3: Wellness and Relaxation: Unplug from technology and enjoy immersive experiences designed to relax the mind and senses.
• Level 2: Future Technology: Discover cutting-edge innovations shaping the future of healthcare, transportation, energy, and more.
• Level 1: Future Heroes: A hands-on adventure zone where children solve challenges and learn future-ready skills through play.

Tribe Travel Tip: Entry is timed, and tickets are around AED 169, and slots regularly sell out days ahead, so book online and reach it easily via the Emirates Towers metro station on the Red Line.

5. Get the View from the Dubai Frame

Standing 150 metres tall in Zabeel Park, the Dubai Frame literally frames the contrast between the historic neighbourhoods and the modern skyline. You can take a walk through its gallery, ride a panoramic lift to the sky bridge, then step onto a glass walkway that lets you look straight down to the ground. It is one of the most affordable viewpoints in the city, which makes it a great-value pick.

A visit to the Dubai Frame includes a few standout experiences:

• Old and New Dubai Views: See the contrast between Dubai's historic districts on one side and its modern skyline on the other.
• Sky Deck and Glass Walkway: Take the panoramic lift to the top and walk across the transparent glass floor suspended 150 metres above the ground.
• Interactive Galleries: Stroll through exhibits that showcase Dubai's past, present, and future before heading to the observation deck.

6. Go on a Desert Safari

A desert safari is one of the most iconic Dubai experiences, taking you beyond the city's skyscrapers into a landscape of rolling red dunes and endless desert views. The journey offers a completely different side of Dubai, where adventure, local culture, and breathtaking scenery come together in a single outing. These unmatched experiences are the reason the desert safari ranks among the best things to do in Dubai for adventure.

• Dune Bashing: Ride across the rolling red dunes in a 4x4 with an experienced driver.
• Desert Activities: Try sandboarding, enjoy a camel ride, or get a traditional henna design.
• Sunset Views: Watch the sun dip below the dunes, creating one of the most memorable landscapes in Dubai.
• Desert Camp Experience: Many safaris end at a Bedouin-style camp with local food, live entertainment, and cultural performances.

Tribe Travel Tip: Afternoon and evening safaris are the most popular, as they combine dune bashing, sunset views, and dinner under the stars in a single trip.

​7. Ski and Play at Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates

Skiing in the middle of the desert is one of the most surprising experiences Dubai has to offer. Inside Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates, the temperature is kept below freezing, creating a snowy escape from the desert heat outside. You can ski or snowboard on real snow, ride the chairlift, zoom down tubing and toboggan runs, enjoy the snow park, and even meet the resident penguins. Most passes include winter clothing and equipment, so all you need to bring is a pair of gloves and warm socks.

• Real Snow Slopes: Ski or snowboard on genuine snow throughout the year.
• Snow Park Fun: Enjoy tubing, tobogganing, climbing areas, and other family-friendly snow activities.
• Chairlift Rides: Take in views of the indoor winter landscape from above.
• Penguin Encounters: Meet Ski Dubai's resident penguins through special interactive experiences.

Conclusion

With so many things to do in Dubai, it's easy to see why the city attracts travellers from around the world. From soaring skyscrapers and desert adventures to historic districts, family-friendly attractions, and romantic experiences, Dubai offers something for every travel style. A well-planned itinerary lets you experience both the city's modern highlights and its cultural side. If you're ready to start planning, the team at Holiday Tribe can help you create a Dubai trip that matches your interests, pace, and budget.