10 Best Activities in Dubai

During every hour and every minute in Dubai there are at least a hundred things happening for tourist entertainment. That is why it is important for you to know the best activities you can do in this beautiful Middle Eastern destination.

Keyvis Montilva

Keyvis Montilva

11 min read

10 Best Activities in Dubai

Dubai, United Arab Emirates | ©David Rodrigo

If you are planning a trip to the United Arab Emirates, it is very likely that you are interested in knowing what are the activities and plans to see and do in Dubai. Which is logical, since it is the most visited tourist destination in the entire region.

So I invite you to continue reading this publication, because I have compiled the 10 best activities you have to do in this city. Undoubtedly between all of them they form a group of entertaining situations that will keep you busy throughout your trip.

1. A sightseeing tour of Dubai with tickets to the Dubai Frame

External view of the Dubai Frame| ©Ashwin Kumar
External view of the Dubai Frame| ©Ashwin Kumar

Dubai is a city with so many tourist attractions that it is worth to be visited with the accompaniment of a specialized guide. Keep in mind that this type of tours are usually for a group of about 15 people and sites such as the Burj Al Arab or the Blue Mosque are known.

It is usual that in this type of tours there is also some ride in one of the famous water cabs of the Dubai Creek and can also include the tasting of some traditional delicacy of Arabic gastronomy in a restaurant that is within the route to follow.

In addition, the great attraction of a tour with these characteristics is that it includes the entrance to the Dubai Frame. Which is a 360-degree panoramic viewpoint that offers the best views of the entire skyline of the city. Actually an ideal place to enjoy the sunset as well as to see how the lights of the buildings in Dubai look like at night.

Details of interest:

  • Price: the approximate rate for a tour with this feature is usually around 72€ per adult while children between the ages of 4 and 11 usually pay around 60€.
  • Duration: on average a tour like this usually lasts around five to six hours in total.

Best tours and excursions from Dubai

2. A yacht tour of the Dubai Marina

Waiting to board the Yacht at Dubai Marina| ©LafullPicture
Waiting to board the Yacht at Dubai Marina| ©LafullPicture

Luxury and exclusivity are clearly among the best things to do in Dubai. A yacht ride in the Dubai Marina is one of the best things to do in the lifestyle of the city and the price per person is really not that high.

It is almost always a shared activity with 30 people. Keep in mind that at all times you will be guided by a voiceover narrating the history of some of the most important sites along the coast of this city. For example, you will hear details about the construction of the Blue Water Island as well as the Jumeirah Palm.

Also, it should be noted that this type of tour is one of the best things to do in the Dubai Marina, as it optimizes the time of your tour and offers a relatively luxurious experience at a low cost. Keep in mind that depending on the time you choose you will have the opportunity to enjoy breakfast, lunch, barbecue or dinner. All included in the price of your purchase.

Details of interest:

  • Price: the price per person of a yacht trip with these characteristics usually ranges from 55€ to 95€. This depends on whether you choose the morning, afternoon or evening alternative.
  • Duration: they usually last about two or three hours approximately which is more than enough to tour the entire area and enjoy the food offered.

3. Dubai Big Bus Tourist Bus routes

Dubai Sightseeing Bus| ©Alan & Flora Botting
Dubai Sightseeing Bus| ©Alan & Flora Botting

Tourist buses are a basic and elementary element of the most visited cities in the world and clearly Dubai being the most important destination in the United Arab Emirates has its own versions. Take advantage of them to your advantage by enjoying this activity as one of the best plans to tour the city.

In this case, as you can imagine, these are air-conditioned buses and most of them are roofed on the second floor, as in the case of the Big Bus, in order to offer protection from the high temperatures of the city. This tour company maintains the scheme of being able to buy passes for one day, for two days or even for five days in which you can enjoy the tourist bus as a convenient means of transportation.

Keep in mind that thanks to this route that resembles the rest of the best tourist buses in Dubai you can reach most of the sights of the city as the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Museum or the famous Burj Al Arab hotel. At the same time with the purchase of a ticket you might be entitled to a free night tour or you could even enjoy some Arabian dance show.

Details of interest:

  • Price: the price of the single day pass costs about 70€, the two-day pass is priced at about 88€ approximately and the five-day Deluxe pass costs about 100€ approximately. Children between 5 and 15 years old pay these prices with a 20% discount.
  • Duration: if you wish you can spend the whole day touring the city inside this bus. However, the average tour usually lasts two and a half hours in total.

The best tourist buses

4. A visit to the observation decks of the Burj Khalifa

Sunset from the viewpoint of Burj Khalifa| ©Simon Bierwald
Sunset from the viewpoint of Burj Khalifa| ©Simon Bierwald

The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world and since its inauguration has become one of the most important tourist destinations in the Middle East and an important icon of Dubai. Undoubtedly a visit to some of its observation decks is one of the best activities to do in this city and the ones located on the 124th and 125th floor have one of the best views of downtown Dubai.

When visiting the Burj Khalifa you will also have the opportunity to visit the shopping mall that is located at the base of this gigantic building and you have to keep in mind that this tower has a structure of 828 m high.

I also advise you to do some research on the things you can do and see at the Burj Khalifa inside, as you should make the most of your visit to see as many attractions of the tallest building on the face of the earth as possible.

Details of interest:

  • Price: a ticket to this observation deck is usually priced at €60 per adult and €50 for a child between the ages of 4 and 12 if you decide to visit during the night. The price rises to 90 € per adult and 60 € per child if you decide to visit during the afternoon.
  • Duration: there is no time limit on how long you can stay at the viewpoint. However, most people usually last about 30 to 40 minutes approximately.

Book your tickets for the Burj Khalifa

5. A sunrise balloon flight in Dubai with breakfast

Hot air balloon| ©beth woodrum
Hot air balloon| ©beth woodrum

A hot air balloon ride is a life-changing experience for most participants all over the world and Dubai is a perfect place to enjoy such an activity. Which is focused on admiring the scenery of the place where you are.

In this case you will enjoy a ride over the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, which means that you will see both the miles of sand dunes as well as the whole panorama full of modernity of the famous skyscrapers. The tour also includes a full breakfast that includes smoked salmon, caviar, eggs benedict, drinks and a couple of gastronomic items typical of the Arab culinary world.

Keep in mind that the return trip includes a small tour of the desert area that can perfectly be done in a luxury car such as a Land Rover. This is a recommended plan for autumn and winter, as it is the best time to visit Dubai, at least for the weather.

Also, if you wish, it would be good to read some tips for visiting the Dubai desert if you have doubts about what kind of clothing you should wear or that you will find yourself in this peculiar environment.

Details of interest:

  • Price: the adult rate is usually around 280€ while children between the ages of 5 and 11 pay around 260€ approximately.
  • Duration: the balloon ride lasts approximately two and a half hours, but the excursion in total takes about four hours if you take into account the desert tour and the transfer to and from the hotel.

6. A desert excursion with dune safari, camel ride, sandboarding and dinner included

Camel Trekking in the Desert| ©Yasin Gündogdu
Camel Trekking in the Desert| ©Yasin Gündogdu

The desert itself is a great tourist attraction in Dubai and therefore activities that focus on touring and enjoying it will always be among the best things to see and do in this city. If this idea interests you then you have to go for an excursion that includes a Safari through the dunes, along with a camel ride, a sandboarding session for some adrenaline and an excellent closing of the experience with a good dinner and a beautiful sunset.

These excursions also include the possibility of dressing up in traditional costumes and you will even see a Tenoura show, which is a folkloric dance that comes directly from the Sufi traditions of the emirate. The tour in the dunes takes place in an off-road vehicle and throughout the excursion you will have limited access to drinks. Keep in mind that Bedouin dining is another hallmark these Dubai desert excursions.

Details of interest:

  • Price: the approximate rate per person for a tour with these characteristics is usually around 90€. The rate for children between 3 and 11 years of age usually costs about 80 €. If you prefer a VIP buffet, approximately 10€ per person would be added.
  • Duration: as it is an excursion with so many activities included, it is logical that it is quite long. The average duration is about 7 or 8 hours approximately.

Get to know Dubai by camel

7. A street food tour of the old section of Dubai

Falafels, typical Arabian food| ©Eiliv Aceron
Falafels, typical Arabian food| ©Eiliv Aceron

Although luxury seems to be synonymous with Dubai in the eyes of the tourist industry, it is true that there is an underground culture throughout the gastronomic scene. Therefore a street food tour in the oldest neighborhoods of this community are one of the most interesting and entertaining activities in this famous city.

Note that in this type of tours you will find some of the best places to eat in Dubai andnot only you can enjoy the flavors of the Arab culinary world. You will visit the typical markets such as the Spice Souk, the Old Souk or the famous Dubai Gold Souk.

It is also common for this type of tour to include a boat ride on the Dubai Creek and a visit to the Dubai Museum is also frequently offered due to its proximity to the most traditional historical neighborhoods of the city.

Details of interest:

  • Price: an excursion like this usually costs about 40€ per person.
  • Duration: the average duration of this type of tour is usually about five hours. Which is logical considering that it includes several activities in the same itinerary.

Top 10 best places to eat in Dubai

8. An afternoon of fun at the Atlantis Aquaventure Park

Family Fun at the Atlantis Aquaventure Park| ©Jeremy Thompson
Family Fun at the Atlantis Aquaventure Park| ©Jeremy Thompson

Dubai is a place that breaks records when it comes to impressive works of modern engineering and specifically this water park with the largest number of slides on the planet is located within the large artificial island that resembles the shape of a palm.

This theme park is called Atlantis Aquaventure Park and is a place you can not miss if you are thinking about the best plans and activities to enjoy with the whole family in this city. Among its attractions I can highlight its artificial wave pool for surfing in conditions worthy of a Hawaiian beach or also the famous slides that cross pools full of sea creatures.

Details of interest:

  • Price: the entrance per person to this park usually costs about 100€ approximately, keep in mind that it also includes access to an impressive aquarium called The Lost Chambers.
  • Duration: if you decide to participate in most of the attractions of this water park is likely to take about eight hours on average.

Get to know Atlantis Aquaventure

9. A game session at the Blacklight Minigolf 3D in Dubai

Dubai Skyline with the Burj Khalifa in the background| ©Kent Tupas
Dubai Skyline with the Burj Khalifa in the background| ©Kent Tupas

Mini golf is an entertaining activity everywhere in the world and quite modest in all honesty. However, since Dubai is all about taking things up to the next level then it is a good idea for you to visit the Black Light Mini Golf 3D. This is an enclosed mini golf course in which there are different themed stations with walls, floors and ceilings completely illuminated with ultraviolet light. This creates amazing abstract figures and paintings and many are works of artists from all over the world.

This is one of those excellent plans to do in Dubai in August because it is a safe escape from the heat, at the same time it is a family activity where you will experience the possibility of playing the typical mini golf in a completely modern and entertaining way.

Details of interest:

  • Price: the price per person to participate in this indoor minigolf course is about 35€ approximately.
  • Duration: there is really no limit on the amount of time you can last on the site, but in about an hour you should have completed the 18 holes of the game.

10. A dinner cruise along the coast of Dubai

Dubai Cruises| ©Michael Beyer
Dubai Cruises| ©Michael Beyer

A Dubai marina cruise is definitely an interesting and recommended activity for all types of tourists. At the same time, if it includes an elegant dinner it becomes an unforgettable event that you can't miss if your budget allows it.

From the dinner you can expect a five-star buffet menu with a variety of quite exotic dishes that have a lot to do with Arabian gastronomy.

There are also traditional sailboat dinner cruises in Dubai

For your convenience you also have the option of enjoying this type of dinner on a traditional Arabian sailing yacht. The dinner is basically the same and what changes is the structure of the boat. So this type of traditional sailboat rides in Dubai Marina can also be a good option if you are looking for an elegant and peculiar dinner to celebrate your visit to the city.

Details of interest:

  • Price: both types of dinners have prices that vary between 45€ and 65€ per person.
  • Duration: this type of tours usually last between 1 hour and a half and two hours approximately.