Monday newsletters always feature top 10 travel lists to inspire.
Today: Top 10 Best Things to See and Do in Dubai
Dubai is a city like no other—an awe-inspiring blend of futuristic innovation, ultra-luxury living, and ancient cultural traditions that coexist in perfect harmony. What began as a modest desert settlement has transformed into one of the world’s most glamorous and fast-growing travel destinations, drawing millions of visitors each year with its extraordinary architecture, world-class attractions, and unique cultural experiences. The city’s striking skyline, pristine beaches, opulent resorts, and vibrant neighborhoods offer something for every type of traveler, whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, culture, or indulgence. From cutting-edge landmarks and thrilling desert activities to historic souks and award-winning dining, Dubai showcases a diversity few cities can match. Whether you’re planning a quick stopover, a romantic escape, a family holiday, or a luxury retreat, Dubai promises an unforgettable collection of moments. This article highlights the very best things to see and do in Dubai to help you make the most of your visit.
Think I missed one? Share your favorite things to see or do in Dubai in the comments section.
10. Stroll Through Dubai Marina
Dubai Marina is one of the city’s most picturesque and vibrant neighborhoods, built around a stunning man-made canal where luxury yachts glide across calm waters framed by gleaming skyscrapers. Its lively waterfront promenade, known as Marina Walk, is perfect for leisurely sunset strolls, morning jogs, or relaxed evenings by the water. Along the promenade, you’ll find an impressive variety of restaurants and cafés serving everything from fresh seafood and international cuisine to sushi, Italian dishes, and classic Middle Eastern specialties, making it a culinary hotspot with incredible views. The marina truly comes alive after dark, when the towers light up in brilliant colors and reflections shimmer across the water. One of the most popular ways to experience this beauty is on a dhow dinner cruise, where you can board a traditional wooden boat decorated with soft lights and enjoy a generous buffet meal while slowly drifting past the illuminated skyline. Whether you’re in the mood for a peaceful waterside walk, a romantic dinner, or a vibrant night out, Dubai Marina offers a blend of elegance, energy, and charm that captures the very best of modern Dubai.
9. Visit Aquaventure Waterpark
6. Relax on Dubai’s Stunning Beaches
Dubai’s coastline is lined with lovely beaches featuring soft white sand, warm turquoise waters, and sunshine almost all year, with each beach offering its own personality to suit different travel styles. JBR Beach is one of the most vibrant, filled with music, water sports, kids’ playgrounds, inflatable water parks, beachfront restaurants, and thrilling activities like jet skiing, parasailing, and flyboarding. Kite Beach draws active travelers with its steady winds for kitesurfing, beach volleyball courts, fitness stations, and a long jogging track, complemented by gourmet food trucks and stunning views of the Burj Al Arab. For a more stylish, urban vibe, La Mer offers colorful murals, trendy shops, calm waters for swimming or paddleboarding, and a range of beachfront dining spots with picture-perfect backdrops. Meanwhile, Sunset Beach (Umm Suqeim Beach) provides a peaceful escape with wide open spaces, gentle waves, and unforgettable sunset views behind the iconic Burj Al Arab.
5. Explore Dubai’s World-Famous Shopping Malls
Shopping in Dubai isn’t just an activity—it’s a full-fledged experience, as the city’s malls combine retail, entertainment, dining, and world-class attractions into massive, climate-controlled environments that amaze first-time visitors. The Dubai Mall, one of the largest malls on the planet, features more than 1,200 stores ranging from luxury designer brands to international labels and unique local boutiques, as well as standout attractions like the illuminated Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, and a full-sized ice rink. Mall of the Emirates is equally impressive, best known for Ski Dubai—the Middle East’s first indoor ski resort—where visitors can ski, snowboard, or meet penguins in a snowy wonderland, while also enjoying luxury shopping, gourmet dining, cinemas, and family-friendly entertainment. Together, Dubai’s malls serve as true lifestyle hubs, reflecting the city’s vibrant culture and offering unforgettable experiences for travelers and residents alike.
4. Watch the Mesmerizing Dubai Fountain Show
At the foot of the Burj Khalifa, beside The Dubai Mall, the Dubai Fountain delivers one of the city’s most enchanting nightly spectacles, combining water, music, and lights in a performance that feels almost theatrical. Set on the sprawling Burj Lake, the fountain’s powerful jets shoot water up to 140 meters (460 feet) into the air—equivalent to the height of a 45-story building—while thousands of lights illuminate the dancing streams. Each show is carefully choreographed to a diverse soundtrack of classical pieces, traditional Arabic melodies, Bollywood hits, and contemporary global favorites, ensuring that no two performances feel exactly the same. Crowds gather along the waterfront every 30 minutes to witness the dazzling display, which is completely free and offers a front-row view to one of Dubai’s most memorable experiences. For those seeking an even closer look, the floating boardwalk allows you to stand just a few meters from the fountains as they leap into the air, adding an exciting sense of immersion.
3. Stay at a Luxury Hotel for the Ultimate Dubai Experience
Dubai’s luxury hotels are synonymous with world-class luxury, exceptional service, and architectural brilliance, and staying in one is more than just accommodation—it’s a defining part of the Dubai experience, especially since many travelers come specifically to unwind at a beautiful beach hotel. Many of the city’s top properties – such as Burj Al Arab and Atlantis The Royal – offer private stretches of pristine shoreline, lavish spas, rooftop infinity pools with sweeping skyline views, Michelin-starred restaurants, and highly personalized concierge services. Whether you choose an over-water villa on Palm Jumeirah, a serene desert oasis surrounded by dunes and camels, or a glamorous skyscraper suite in Downtown Dubai, you’ll enjoy a unique blend of comfort, style, and indulgence found nowhere else. With its exceptional hospitality and spectacular resort offerings, Dubai sets global standards for luxury stays, making a splurge on accommodation one of the most rewarding parts of any trip.
2. Take an Unforgettable Desert Safari
A desert safari is one of Dubai’s most exhilarating and unforgettable experiences, taking you deep into a landscape of rolling golden dunes where your adventure begins with a thrilling 4×4 dune-bashing ride guided by expert drivers. Along the way, you can try sandboarding, enjoy camel rides, capture stunning photos in the vast desert, and gain insight into the region’s traditional nomadic life. As the sun sets and the sky glows with vibrant colors, the experience becomes even more magical as you arrive at a Bedouin-style desert camp for an evening filled with Arabian hospitality, including henna painting, shisha lounges, falconry demonstrations, and opportunities to dress in traditional attire. A generous barbecue buffet featuring Middle Eastern dishes sets the stage for live cultural entertainment, such as belly dancing, fire performances, and tanoura shows, all enjoyed beneath a blanket of stars. Combining adventure, cultural immersion, and breathtaking natural scenery, a desert safari is an essential Dubai experience that leaves a lasting impression.
1. Visit the Iconic Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa, standing at a staggering 828 meters (2,717 feet), is the tallest building in the world and Dubai’s most iconic architectural masterpiece, representing the city’s ambition, innovation, and futuristic vision. Its shimmering glass façade reflects the sunlight by day and sparkles against the night sky, making it a breathtaking sight visible from miles away. Inspired by desert flowers and Islamic geometric patterns, the tower’s elegant design is a marvel of modern engineering. Inside, visitors are transported upward by some of the fastest elevators in the world, reaching the observation decks on the 124th, 125th, and 148th floors in a matter of seconds. From these heights, panoramic views stretch endlessly across the Arabian Gulf, the golden desert, and the city’s soaring skyline, offering a perspective unlike anywhere else on Earth. Many travelers choose to visit at sunset, when the entire city glows in warm golden tones before gradually transforming into a glittering sea of lights as evening arrives.
Conclusion
Dubai is a destination that truly has it all—iconic landmarks, beautiful beaches, luxury experiences, cultural treasures, and adventures in both the city and the desert. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning for another taste of its magic, the city offers endless ways to explore, relax, and be inspired. With so much to see and do, every trip to Dubai becomes a collection of unforgettable moments waiting to be shared.
*** Follow me on Instagram, X (Twitter), and Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***
