Things to do in Dubai

Dubai packs a lot into a compact centre. Here are all 42 sights in our planner, starting with the must-sees and then grouped by theme, each with opening hours, price and the time you need.

Last updated: 3 November 2026

Don't miss

Downtown

Photo: imran shahabuddin · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia

Burj Khalifa (At the Top)

The world's tallest tower: levels 124/125 are the first-visit deck, SKY on level 148 costs extra.

• 🕗 Hours: Daily 10:00–20:00, last entry 19:00
• 🎟️ Price: AED 189
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1.5 h

Old Dubai

Photo: jensimon7 · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia

Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

Sand-coloured lanes and wind towers from the 1890s, with galleries, cafés and small museums.

• 🕗 Hours: Daily 07:00–20:00 (shops and cafés vary)
• 🎟️ Price: Free
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1.5 h

Old Dubai

Photo: Alberto-g-rovi · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia

Abra ride across Dubai Creek

A five-minute ride in a wooden water taxi between Bur Dubai and Deira, the cheapest boat trip in the city.

• 🕗 Hours: Daily 06:00–00:00, departs when full
• 🎟️ Price: AED 1
• ⏱️ Visit: ~0.5 h

Deira

Photo: HighKing · Public domain · Wikimedia

Gold Souk

A covered maze of over 300 jewellers in Deira, famous for its window displays of gold.

• 🕗 Hours: Sat–Thu 10:00–22:00, Fri 16:00–22:00 (shops vary)
• 🎟️ Price: Free
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1 h

Sightseeing: squares, landmarks and viewpoints

DIFC & Za'abeel

Photo: Sachimo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia

Dubai Frame

A 150 m picture frame with a glass-floor sky deck: old Dubai to the north, the skyline to the south.

• 🕗 Hours: Daily 08:00–21:00
• 🎟️ Price: AED 50
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1.5 h

Old Dubai

Photo: RPSkokie · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia

Al Seef

A creekside promenade built like old Dubai: souvenir shops, cafés and views across the Creek.

• 🕗 Hours: Mon–Thu 10:00–22:00, Fri–Sun 10:00–23:00
• 🎟️ Price: Free
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1 h

Jumeirah

Photo: Vicharam · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia

Jumeirah Mosque

Dubai's most photographed mosque, visited on a 75-minute guided tour that includes Arabic coffee and dates.

• 🕗 Hours: Guided visit Sat–Thu 10:00 and 14:00 (not Fri)
• 🎟️ Price: AED 45
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1.5 h

Umm Suqeim

Photo: Joi Ito · CC-BY-2.0 · Wikimedia

Burj Al Arab (view from the beach)

The sail-shaped hotel seen from the public beach next to it: one of Dubai's most photographed views, at its best at sunset.

• 🕗 Hours: View from Umm Suqeim public beach all day; lit at night
• 🎟️ Price: Free
• ⏱️ Visit: ~0.5 h

Palm & Marina

Photo: Norlando Pobre · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia

Dubai Marina Walk

A promenade around a canal of towers and yachts, with cafés and the Marina cruise piers.

• 🕗 Hours: Open all day; busiest after sunset
• 🎟️ Price: Free
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1.5 h

Palm & Marina

Photo: Imre Solt · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia

The View at the Palm

A deck on the 52nd floor of Palm Tower with a view of the Palm's fronds, the Marina and the Gulf.

• 🕗 Hours: Daily 09:00–20:00
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1.5 h

Umm Suqeim

Photo: Dayneferrera · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia

Dubai Miracle Garden

A huge flower garden with floral sculptures and archways, open only in the cool season.

• 🕗 Hours: Daily 09:00–21:00 (season Oct–May)
• ⏱️ Visit: ~2 h

DIFC & Za'abeel

Photo: Sajitkk · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia

Dubai Creek Harbour waterfront

New waterfront district with a promenade, the Creek Tower construction site and views back to the Downtown skyline.

• 🕗 Hours: Always open (promenade); cafes about 08:00–23:00
• 🎟️ Price: Free
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1 h

DIFC & Za'abeel

Photo: Ranjit Laxman from Cochin, India · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia

Zabeel Park

Large green park beside Dubai Frame with a lake, a jogging track and playgrounds: cooler after sunset.

• 🕗 Hours: Mon–Thu 08:00–22:00, Fri–Sun 08:00–23:00
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1 h

Jumeirah

Photo: Robert Luxemburg · Public domain · Wikimedia

Safa Park

Big green park between Jumeirah and Al Wasl with lawns, playgrounds, a lake and city-skyline views.

• 🕗 Hours: Daily 08:00–23:00
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1 h

Palm & Marina

Photo: Roxy3115 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia

Bluewaters Island

Car-light island opposite JBR with a seafront promenade, cafes, boutiques and views of the Marina skyline.

• 🕗 Hours: Shops and cafes about 10:00–23:00
• 🎟️ Price: Free
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1 h

Downtown

Photo: McKay Savage from Cusco, Peru · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia

Burj Park

Lawns and a lakeside path at the foot of the Burj Khalifa: the classic spot for a photo and the fountain view.

• 🕗 Hours: Always open
• 🎟️ Price: Free
• ⏱️ Visit: ~0.5 h

Museums and galleries

Old Dubai

Photo: Delta.jpg · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia

Coffee Museum

A small museum in an old house with grinders, brewing pots and the story of Arabic coffee.

• 🕗 Hours: Sun–Thu 09:00–17:00, closed Fri and Sat
• 🎟️ Price: Free
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1 h

Old Dubai

Photo: Vaishnavi.vinodkumar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia

Al Shindagha Museum

Heritage houses on the creek mouth telling how Dubai grew from fishing village to city, with a perfume house.

• 🕗 Hours: Daily 10:00–20:00, last entry 19:00
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1.5 h

Jumeirah

Photo: Lxs · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia

Etihad Museum

The story of the founding of the UAE in 1971, in a modern building shaped like the unrolled union document.

• 🕗 Hours: Daily 10:00–20:00, last entry 19:00
• 🎟️ Price: AED 25
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1.5 h

Jumeirah

Photo: Fuzheado · CC0 · Wikimedia

Alserkal Avenue

Former warehouses turned into galleries, design shops, a cinema and cafes: the art district of Dubai.

• 🕗 Hours: Daily 10:00–19:00 (individual galleries differ)
• 🎟️ Price: Free
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1.5 h

Old Dubai

Photo: Steven Sun · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia

Museum of Illusions Dubai

Playful museum of optical illusions, mirror rooms and puzzles in Al Seef: a rainy or hot-afternoon option.

• 🕗 Hours: Mon–Thu 10:00–22:00, Fri–Sun 10:00–23:00
• 🎟️ Price: AED 90
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1 h

Deira

Photo: Omar Kamel · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia

Al Ahmadiya School and Heritage House

Dubai’s first school and a merchant’s house from the 1900s, showing old classrooms and family life.

• 🕗 Hours: Sat–Thu 08:00–19:30, Fri 14:30–19:30
• 🎟️ Price: Free
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1 h

Architecture

DIFC & Za'abeel

Photo: Leakingh · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia

Dubai Design District (d3)

Creative quarter with design studios, concept stores, galleries and cafes in modern low-rise architecture.

• 🕗 Hours: Shops and cafes about 10:00–22:00
• 🎟️ Price: Free
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1 h

Food and markets

Old Dubai

Photo: Lyleham · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia

Cultural breakfast at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre

Emirati breakfast on floor cushions in an old courtyard house, with a local host talking about traditions.

• 🕗 Hours: By booking (office daily 08:00–20:00)
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1.5 h

Jumeirah

Photo: Lynnereal · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia

Mirzam Chocolate Makers Factory

Dubai’s bean-to-bar chocolate maker: factory store and cafe, with chocolate-making workshops by booking.

• 🕗 Hours: Daily 08:00–23:00
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1 h

Beaches

Jumeirah

Photo: CoolP1x4rt · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia

La Mer

A sandy beachfront with a boardwalk of cafés, murals and a small water park, good at sunset.

• 🕗 Hours: Open all day (beach and promenade); shops and cafés about 10:00–midnight
• 🎟️ Price: Free
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1.5 h

Umm Suqeim

Photo: Lxs · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia

Kite Beach

A free public beach with a view of the Burj Al Arab, food trucks, kitesurfers and a jogging track.

• 🕗 Hours: Open all day; best early morning or late afternoon
• 🎟️ Price: Free
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1.5 h

Palm & Marina

Photo: pe-sa · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia

JBR Beach & The Walk

A free public beach with a street of cafés and shops behind it, facing the Gulf.

• 🕗 Hours: Open all day; The Walk shops and cafés about 10:00–midnight
• 🎟️ Price: Free
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1.5 h

Deira

Photo: Fabio Achilli from Milano, Italy · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia

Al Mamzar Beach Park

Green beach park on the Deira corniche with four sandy beaches, picnic lawns and a swimming area.

• 🕗 Hours: Daily 08:00–22:00
• ⏱️ Visit: ~2 h

Umm Suqeim

Photo: Siu2016 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia

Sunset Beach

Free public beach with a boardwalk and the best late-day view of the Burj Al Arab; shaded cafes nearby.

• 🕗 Hours: Open to the public (beach always; cafes by day)
• 🎟️ Price: Free
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1 h

Shopping

Downtown

Photo: EditQ · CC0 · Wikimedia

The Dubai Mall

One of the world's biggest malls with 1,200 shops, the Fountain Walk and the Aquarium tunnel in the middle.

• 🕗 Hours: Daily 10:00–00:00
• ⏱️ Visit: ~2 h

Old Dubai

Photo: Chris Waits · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia

Textile Souk (Bur Dubai Souk)

A covered lane of fabric, pashmina and tailor shops beside the creek, where bargaining is normal.

• 🕗 Hours: Daily about 09:00–22:00 (shops vary)
• 🎟️ Price: Free
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1 h

Deira

Photo: Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia

Spice Souk

Narrow lanes of sacks of saffron, frankincense, dried limes and herbs, next to the abra station.

• 🕗 Hours: Sat–Thu 09:00–21:00, Fri 16:00–21:00 (shops vary)
• 🎟️ Price: Free
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1 h

Umm Suqeim

Photo: Donaldytong · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia

Souk Madinat Jumeirah

A modern covered souk with wind towers, canals and cafés, with Burj Al Arab views from the waterside terraces.

• 🕗 Hours: Shops daily 10:00–23:00, restaurants 08:00–02:00
• 🎟️ Price: Free
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1.5 h

Jumeirah

Photo: Lyn972 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia

City Walk

Pedestrian open-air shopping and dining district with boutiques, cafes and street art, lively after dark.

• 🕗 Hours: Shops Mon–Fri 10:00–23:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–00:00
• 🎟️ Price: Free
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1.5 h

Old Dubai

Photo: Savio-B (talk) (Uploads) · Public domain · Wikimedia

Karama Market

Down-to-earth market streets for bargaining over souvenirs, bags, scarves and cheap gifts.

• 🕗 Hours: Shops about 10:00–22:00
• 🎟️ Price: Free
• ⏱️ Visit: ~1 h

With kids

Downtown

Photo: Maxim Gavrilyuk · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

A 48 m walk-through tunnel with sharks and rays, plus the Underwater Zoo with penguins and otters.

• 🕗 Hours: Mon–Fri 11:00–21:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–21:00, last entry 20:15
• 🎟️ Price: AED 169
• ⏱️ Visit: ~2 h

Umm Suqeim

Photo: Jason7825 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia

Ski Dubai (Mall of the Emirates)

An indoor snow park at -4 °C inside the mall: sledges, snowball fights and penguins, with gear included.

• 🕗 Hours: Mon–Thu 10:00–23:00, Fri 10:00–00:00, Sat–Sun 09:00–00:00
• 🎟️ Price: AED 150
• ⏱️ Visit: ~2 h

Palm & Marina

Photo: CT Cooper · Public domain · Wikimedia

Aquaventure Waterpark (Atlantis)

A huge water park with slides through shark lagoons, a lazy river and a long private beach.

• 🕗 Hours: Daily 10:00–18:00
• ⏱️ Visit: ~4 h

Downtown

Photo: Ravi Dwivedi · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia

KidZania Dubai

Child-sized city inside the Dubai Mall where kids aged 2–16 try out jobs from firefighter to pilot.

• 🕗 Hours: Sun–Thu 10:00–22:00, Fri–Sat 10:00–23:00
• 🎟️ Price: AED 195
• ⏱️ Visit: ~3 h

Umm Suqeim

Photo: Unknown author · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia

Wild Wadi Waterpark

Water park beside the Burj Al Arab with slides, a wave pool and a lazy river; best for families.

• 🕗 Hours: Daily 10:00–18:00
• ⏱️ Visit: ~4 h

Plan your trip → Put these places in a day plan with walking times.