Best Things to Do in the UAE (2026 Guide)

The best things to do in the UAE span superlatives. The Burj Khalifa At The Top SKY observation deck (floors 124, 125, and 148 — book online for significantly cheaper prices than same-day) provides the world’s most dramatic urban panorama. The Dubai Mall — the world’s largest shopping mall by total area — contains a 155-species aquarium, an Olympic-sized ice rink, a VR park, and 1,200 stores. A desert safari from Dubai or Abu Dhabi (dune bashing in 4WD vehicles, camel riding, and a Bedouin camp dinner) connects the modern city to its ancient landscape. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi (capacity 40,000 worshippers, the world’s largest hand-woven carpet, 82 domes) is architecturally extraordinary and open to non-Muslim visitors outside prayer times. The Louvre Abu Dhabi — a permanent collection of 600+ artworks tracing universal human history under Jean Nouvel’s perforated dome — is one of the best art museums built in the 21st century.

Best time to visit

November to March is the ideal window: temperatures of 20-28°C, outdoor markets, and the Dubai Shopping Festival (January-February). The Dubai World Cup (March, the world’s richest horse race at $12M prize money) and the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix (November, Yas Marina Circuit) are signature events. April-May is shoulder season — warm but manageable (28-35°C). June-September is extreme summer: 42-48°C with high humidity, particularly in July and August. Most UAE residents leave for Europe in summer; attractions are at minimum crowds but outdoor activities are dangerous. Ramadan (dates vary, lunar calendar) — the month of dawn-to-dusk fasting — is a culturally extraordinary time to visit: the night markets, lanterns, and iftar dinner traditions are beautiful, though many restaurants only open after sunset.

Getting around

Dubai’s Metro Red and Green Lines cover the main tourist corridors: Deira, DIFC, the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station, Marina, and the airport. The NOL card (stored-value transit card) works on metro, buses, trams, and the Dubai Waterbus. The Dubai Tram connects Dubai Marina to the JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence). Abu Dhabi has limited public transit; taxis and Careem (Middle East’s ride-hailing app) are the standard. The E11 highway connects Dubai and Abu Dhabi (1.5 hours by car). Emirates and flydubai connect Dubai to all major cities; Etihad operates from Abu Dhabi. The Habtoor City – Dubai Mall cable car (across the Dubai Canal) and the Dubai Frame (a 150m picture frame structure) are the newest viewing attractions.

What to eat and drink

Dubai’s food scene is one of the world’s most diverse: over 200 nationalities live in the UAE, and every cuisine is authentically represented. Emirati food — the indigenous cuisine of the Gulf — features machboos (spiced rice with slow-cooked lamb or chicken), harees (slow-cooked wheat and meat porridge), and luqaimat (fried dough balls with date syrup and sesame). The best Emirati restaurant is Al Fanar in Dubai Festival City. Street food: shawarma (Beiruti-style with garlic sauce at Shawarma Al Haik), falafel, and manakish (flatbread with zaatar and cheese). The UAE is officially Islamic — alcohol is served only in licensed hotel restaurants and bars. The best rooftop bars for skyline views: Atmosphere at Burj Khalifa (Level 122), The Rooftop at the Address Downtown, and BOCA in DIFC. Non-alcoholic alternatives: fresh mango and pomegranate juices from any mall food court, karak chai (spiced condensed milk tea) from any Chaiiwala or Chai Stop outlet.Destinations to exploreDubai: Downtown & Burj Khalifa — Burj Khalifa observation decks, Dubai Mall, Dubai Fountain (the world’s largest choreographed fountain, free viewing from the lakeside promenade nightly), and the Dubai Opera house.Dubai: Deira & Old Dubai — The Gold Souk, Spice Souk, and the Deira Creek abra (traditional wooden boat) ferry — the authentic, pre-skyscraper Dubai. Al Fahidi Historic District has wind-tower architecture and the Dubai Museum.Abu Dhabi: Saadiyat Island — The Louvre Abu Dhabi, the forthcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi (under construction), Saadiyat Beach, and the NYUAD campus. The UAE’s cultural capital.Abu Dhabi: Yas Island — Ferrari World (the world’s fastest roller coaster, Formula Rossa at 240km/h), Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, and the Yas Marina Formula 1 circuit.Hatta (Dubai Mountains) — The Hajar Mountain exclave of Dubai: Hatta Dam kayaking, mountain biking trails, Hatta Heritage Village, and the Hatta Wadi Hub adventure sports complex. 90 minutes from central Dubai.