Top Dubai attractions everyone has to experience at least once
Dubai is a city of superlatives, where futuristic ambition meets rich cultural heritage. At Experience Dubai City, we bring your ultimate Dubai bucket list – must-do experiences in Dubai that covers the iconic attractions that truly define the Dubai experience, from record-breaking heights to timeless traditions.
1. BurjKhalifa
The icon of Icons – no trip to Dubai is complete without witnessing the world’s tallest building. Soaring at 828 meters (2,717 ft), it’s a marvel of engineering and ambition.
- Must-Do: Take the ‘At the Top’ elevator to the 124th and 125th-floor observatory decks for breathtaking 360-degree views. For the ultimate experience, book a ticket to the higher 148th-floor ‘At the Top Sky’ lounge.
- Tickets: From Dhs125 (varies by time & level)
- Timings: Daily, 5am–midnight
- Where: Downtown Dubai
- Experience Dubai City Tip: Book your tickets online in advance for a specific time slot (sunset is most popular). Combine your visit with the Dubai Fountain show below.
2. The Dubai Mall
More than just shopping – adjacent to the BurjKhalifa, this isn’t just a mall; it’s a destination. It’s one of the world’s largest shopping and entertainment centers.
- Must-Do: Visit the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo (with 33,000 marine creatures), featuring a massive 10-million-litre tank with a walk-through tunnel. Even just seeing the giant tank from the mall’s entrance is impressive.
- Timings: Daily, 10am–11pm
- Where: Downtown Dubai
- Also Inside: An Olympic-sized ice rink, a huge VR park, a dinosaur skeleton, and hundreds of restaurants.
3. Museum of the Future
A stunning architectural wonder and a working museum dedicated to innovation and future technologies. Its torus shape covered in Arabic calligraphy is instantly iconic.
- Tickets: From Dhs149
- Timings: Daily, 9am-9pm
- Where: Sheikh Zayed Road
4. Desert Safari
A taste of ancient Arabia – escape the city’s glitz for the timeless beauty of the Arabian Desert. This is an essential cultural and adventurous counterpoint to urban Dubai.
- Must-Do: Book an evening safari that includes dune bashing (a thrilling 4×4 ride over sand dunes), camel riding, henna painting, a traditional BBQ dinner, and live performances like belly dancing and Tanura shows under the stars.
5. The Palm Jumeirah
An engineering Marvel – this man-made palm-shaped island is one of the most astonishing feats of modern engineering and is best appreciated from the air.
- Must-Do: Visit the Atlantis The Palm resort at its apex. You don’t need to be a guest to explore “The Avenues” shopping street, enjoy its restaurants, or visit Aquaventure Waterpark and The Lost Chambers Aquarium. One can alsoenjoy 360-degree panoramas of Palm Jumeirah, and the Dubai skyline at The View at The Palm.
- Experience Dubai City Tip: For the full effect, take a helicopter tour or a monorail ride along the “trunk” of the palm to truly grasp its scale.
6. Atlantis Aquaventure
For thrill-seekers and water lovers, nothing beats the world’s largest water park. With over 105 slides, it’s an adrenaline-packed day out for kids and adults alike. UAE residents get up to 40% off, and if it’s your birthday, your entry is free – now that’s a splashy celebration.
- Tickets: From Dhs245 (UAE residents)
- Timings: Daily, 9am-5.30pm
- Where: Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah
7. Burj Al Arab
The symbol of Luxury – undoubtedly, one of Dubai’s most iconic landmarks, standing on its own artificial island, this sail-shaped hotel is synonymous with opulence and is often called the world’s only “7-star hotel.”
- Must-Do: While entry is restricted to guests or those with dining reservations, you can experience it by booking afternoon tea at the Skyview Bar or dinner at one of its world-class restaurants like Al Muntaha.
- Tickets: From Dhs249
- Where: Umm Suqeim
- Photo Op: The best public view is from the public beach next to the Madinat Jumeirah.
8. Ain Dubai
The world’s largest observation wheel reopened in December 2024, and at 250 metres high, it delivers some of the most breathtaking views in Dubai. After your ride, head to Bluewaters Island’s buzzing dining scene for a post-spin meal.
- Tickets: From Dhs145 (adults & kids over 12), Dhs115 (kids 3+), free for under 3s
- Where: Bluewaters Island
9. Dubai Marina & JBR Walk
Modern waterfront life – this man-made canal city is a dazzling district of soaring skyscrapers, luxury yachts, and buzzing promenades.
- Must-Do: Take a leisurely evening stroll along the Marina Walk. For a different view, book a dhow cruise or speedboat tour. Then, head to the JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence) Walk, a vibrant beachside strip with shops, street performers, and restaurants right on the sand.
10. Dubai Frame
Literally a giant picture frame in Zabeel Park that offers views of both “Old Dubai” and “New Dubai” from its 150-metre-high glass bridge, symbolizing the city’s past and future.
- Tickets: From Dhs50 (adult), Dhs20 (child)
- Timings: Daily, 9am–9pm
- Where: Zabeel Park
11. Old Dubai: Souks & Abra Ride
Cross the Dubai Creek to experience the city’s bustling trading roots. From glittering gold and fragrant spices to handcrafted textiles and perfumes, these bustling markets are a sensory feast. To avoid the peak crowds, visit early in the morning or just before closing.
- Must-Do: Explore the aromatic Spice Souk and the glittering Gold Souk (where you’ll find everything from simple chains to million-dollar creations). Then, take a traditional wooden Abra boat across the creek for just 1 AED. It’s the oldest and cheapest tourist attraction in the city.
- Explore Further: Visit the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood (Bastakiya) with its wind-tower architecture and wander through the Dubai Museum located in the Al Fahidi Fort.
Undoubtedly, Dubai is a dazzling fusion of futuristic ambition and rich cultural heritage, offering a portfolio of iconic attractions that define a must-experience journey. We, at Experience Dubai City summarize the iconic Dubai attractions you simply can’t miss. The undisputed symbol of the city is the BurjKhalifa, the world’s tallest building, where visitors ascend to observation decks for breathtaking panoramic views. At its foot lies the Dubai Mall, a premier entertainment and shopping destination, and the Dubai Fountain, which captivates crowds with its choreographed water and light spectacles on Burj Lake.
Venturing out to the coast, the engineering marvel of the Palm Jumeirah awaits, best appreciated from the air or from its apex at the luxurious Atlantis The Palm resort. Nearby, the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab stands as an iconic symbol of opulence on its own island. For a contrast to the city’s modernity, an evening Desert Safari is essential. This adventure includes thrilling dune bashing, camel rides, and a cultural immersion with a traditional BBQ dinner under the stars.
To discover the city’s soul, visitors must explore Old Dubai. A ride on a traditional wooden Abra boat across the Dubai Creek leads to the aromatic Spice Souk and the glittering Gold Souk. This historic area, including the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, provides a poignant glimpse into Dubai’s trading past. Finally, the vibrant waterfront of Dubai Marina and the JBR Walk showcase a modern lifestyle of luxury yachts, skyscrapers, and beachside dining. From record-breaking heights to timeless traditions, these experiences collectively create the unforgettable, contrasting essence of Dubai.
Enjoy your trip to this truly one-of-a-kind city.