Best Things to Do in Dubai (2026 Guide)
Dubai is the UAE's most visited city — a vertical skyline rising from the desert beside a turquoise Gulf, built in less than 50 years into one of the world's top travel destinations. This guide covers the best things to do in Dubai, from the top of Burj Khalifa to an abra crossing to the Gold Souk, and from dune-bashing safaris to the world's largest shopping mall.
Find Things to Do →
The unmissable in Dubai
These are the staple sights — don't leave Dubai without seeing them.
Burj Khalifa
Palm Jumeirah
Burj Al-Arab Jumeirah
Attractions in Dubai
More attractions in Dubai
Museum of the Future
The Dubai Fountain
Dubai Marina
Dubai Mall
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
Ski Dubai
Dubai Creek
Dubai Gold Souk
Dubai Spice Souk
Dubai Frame
Jumeirah Mosque
Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Dubai Miracle Garden
Aquaventure World
The View at the Palm
Global Village
Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR)
Hatta Heritage Village
Atlantis, The Palm
IMG Worlds of Adventure
La Perle By Dragone
Dubai operates at scale: the world’s tallest building (Burj Khalifa, 828 metres), the world’s largest shopping mall (Dubai Mall, with 1,200 stores), the world’s busiest international airport, and a coastline of man-made islands visible from space. Yet the best things to do in Dubai also include older, quieter pleasures — the wind-tower architecture of Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, the spice traders of Deira’s souks, an abra (wooden boat) crossing of Dubai Creek, and the empty desert an hour from the city. Dubai has achieved in half a century what took other world cities centuries to build, and visiting it is an education in ambition.