Best Things to Do in Dubai

Home to thousands of colorful butterflies in a climate-controlled environment.

World's first nature-themed mall adjacent to Global Village.

World's largest natural flower garden, a stunning visual spectacle.

Multicultural festival park offering shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Major retail and leisure destination

First Avenue Mall in Motor City.

Indoor theme park with popular cartoon and movie zones.

Iconic FIA certified racetrack hosting various motorsport events.

First operational sustainable community in Dubai with urban farming.

Home to Ski Dubai, a vast indoor ski resort.

Contemporary art hub with galleries, workshops, and events.

Indoor ski resort with real snow, skiing, and snowboarding.

Dubai's premier horse-racing venue and home of the Dubai World Cup, pairing grandstand racing with hotel-level hospitality.

Traditional Arabian market with shops and restaurants.

Relaxing public beach with stunning Burj Al Arab views.

Popular for watersports, food trucks, and vibrant atmosphere.

Popular public beach with stunning views and water sports.

A waterside promenade along the Dubai Water Canal in Business Bay, popular with joggers, cyclists, and weekend strollers.

Arabian-themed shopping and dining destination.

Popular beachfront promenade with shops, restaurants, and entertainment.

Relax on pristine sands with stunning views.

A clean, modern mall in the middle of Palm Jumeirah, currently branded Palm Jumeirah Mall in visitor reviews.

Home to thousands of migratory birds, especially flamingos.

Visionary landmark showcasing futuristic technologies and ideas.

A designed beachfront with clear water, dining and shops, lovely to look at, with a few house rules.

Atlantis The Palm's large waterpark, branded Aquaventure World by its own management, known for its slides, views, and cabana service.

A trendy beachfront destination with dining, shopping, and leisure activities.

A free, popular public beach with golden sand and Burj Al Arab views.

Atlantis The Palm's Atlantis-themed aquarium, recently reimagined into themed zones and praised for its immersive design, though not the biggest tank collection in the UAE.

Dubai's most photogenic mosque, open to non-Muslim visitors through guided tours.

Massive Chinese trading hub offering diverse products.

Dubai's oldest quarter, a maze of wind-tower houses and courtyards that shows the city before the skyscrapers.

A charming waterfront promenade blending old-world charm with modern amenities.

A fragrant maze of spice stalls in old Deira, an atmospheric browse more than a bargain hunt.

A calm, clean Deira beach with a long walking track, and a rare dog-friendly stretch.

A Hollywood-themed park off Sheikh Zayed Road with a DreamWorks zone and Hollywood-themed areas, a family favorite that reviewers say is showing its age.

Beautifully designed mosque inspired by Ottoman architecture.

Housed in the oldest existing building in Dubai, showcasing the city's history.

18-hole championship course

A romantic overwater restaurant at the end of a Jumeirah pier, the setting is the star and the food mostly follows.

Dining high in the Burj Khalifa, breathtaking views and a standout afternoon tea, with the odd inconsistency.

A Dubai Marina beach club with a pool, a beach and a DJ, big on vibe and brunch, with the odd service gripe.

An iconic rooftop lounge on the 54th floor with the famous swings and Burj Khalifa views, go for the setting, not a flawless meal.

A stylish Bluewaters beach club with a rooftop pool and Ain Dubai views, stunning to look at, uneven on service.

A stylish Peruvian restaurant at the Four Seasons, innovative food and a cozy, upscale room, with uneven service.

A stylish Marina beach club with a fun crowd and good music, but service and value complaints are loud.

An elegant DIFC Greek-Mediterranean room, refined food and quiet-luxury ambience, though set menus can underwhelm.

A DIFC benchmark for contemporary Japanese, quiet-luxury ambiance and refined food, with the odd off night.

Nobu's beachside Atlantis outpost, a stunning setting and luxury vibe, with food and service that divide.