Author:  Maria Alfano-Huggins

You partner surprised you with a trip of a lifetime and now you’re wonder what is there to see and do in Dubai?  Frankly…lots!  Whether you are a car enthusiast, a history buff, or anyone in between, Dubai has something for you.

You can research YouTube videos till the cows come home.  With each one you will see something new to discover for yourself.

Before we go any further, it would help to know where Dubai is.  Dubai is a city within one of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates.  It also happens to be one of the seven emirates (states).  While Abu Dhabi is the richest in oil, Dubai is the richest in tourism.  One thing is certain, you will never be bored visiting this vibrant and exciting metropolis.

21 Things to See & Do In Dubai – Free & Not So Free

Like any other place you visit for the first time there will be places that are a must see.  The city is quite expansive and it will take time to travel between the top sights.  Be sure to plan your excursions accordingly.

Commonly Asked Questions

What should tourists not miss in Dubai?

It all depends on your budget.  These are the top must see:

• Dubai Mall
• Burj Khalifa
• Dubai Fountains
• Sand dune bashing and sand boarding
• Gold and Spice Souks
• Museum of the Future
• Global Village
• Miracle Gardens

Is 3 days enough in Dubai?

If you plan on doing a drive by for most the tourist attractions, then yes 3 days will do it.  But to truly enjoy your time in Dubai, you should plan on at least one week.

What is the best month to visit Dubai?

The heat of the summer months can be unbearable so the best time to travel to the UAE is between November and March.

Can you wear shorts in Dubai?

Unless you are entering a religious structure, you can wear anything you want in Dubai.

Is it ok to walk in Dubai?

Dubai is a very safe and walkable city.  Cars respect pedestrians and will stop for you even if they have the right of way.

Free Things to See and Do

You can spend hours walking around this magnificent city without spending a dime – or should I say dirham.  There are so many free things to see and do that one week won’t be enough time to capture them all.

1 – Supercars

It’s true!  You cannot explore the city without spotting one of these gems. For people watchers, this is the best place to spot the most luxurious cars known to man.  It’s not a surprise to see a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Bugatti. Maybach, Rolls, or Bentley zoom past you.  Each one is more unique than the other.

And, if the car wasn’t expensive enough, the license plate is another thing to look out for on these vehicles.  The fewer number of digits on the plate, the more expensive it is.  Someone with a single digit plate paid millions of dirhams to own that plate.  You will know just how rich that owner is by the total digits on their vehicle tags.

2 – Shopping Malls

There are plenty of shopping malls to visit and marvel at. The thee main malls are Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Hills.  Honorable mention goes to Dragon Mart Mall (4000+ vendors selling Asian inspired goods)

The Dubai Mall is the largest mall in the world.  It will take you days to walk through every floor and visit every store.  The mall is opulent and fascinating.  It is a must see no matter if you want to shop or not.  Inside the mall you will find a giant aquarium spanning 3 floors and a massive waterfall (all free).  The tank is 65 feet wide and 167 feet long.  And, there is an indoor waterfall.

3 – Dubai Fountains

Just outside the Dubai Mall, at the foot of the Burj Khalifa are the dancing Dubai Fountains.  Much like the fountains in Las Vegas, the water show is thunderous and spectacular.  Not to mention 100% free to watch from the concourse outside the mall.  The 5 minute show happens every 30 minutes until 11 pm daily.  To get a front row seat to the show be sure to get there early and don’t plan on going on a weekend because the mob will be overwhelming.

4 – Burj Khalifa

The tallest building in the world is the next attraction attached to the Dubai Mall.  Standing at 2,722 feet tall, you will need to crank your neck waaaayyyyy up to see the top of the building when standing at its base. Witness the light show on the weekends between the fountain shows (also free).

Affectionately called The Burj, this building has a mix of retail, residential, hotel, and office spaces.  If you are so inclined to climb the tower to the 124th floor, there is a fee of $45.00 USD per person.  You will get 365 degree views of the entire area from there.

5 – Love Me

This is the heart of downtown Dubai…literally.  The heart sculpture was unveiled in 2019.  It represents love and peace among all people.  Those looking for the perfect IG picture, this place is where you need to be.

6 – Old Town

Before the splendor and glitz of new Dubai, there was Old Town.  This historical part of the city transports you to a time and land far away.  Buried in Bur Dubai and in Deira are the Gold Souk and the Spice Souk.  A ride across the Dubai Creek on an abra for $0.50 USD will get you from one souk to the next.

If you are looking to buy jewelry at the Gold Souk, not only will you get it for deeply discounted prices, you won’t be paying any taxes because all of Dubai is tax-free.  That’s a double saving.

Looking for fresh spices?  No problem, the best spices in the world are right there at the Spice Souk.

I realize this is the “free” things to do in Dubai, so you don’t need to spend any money – just enjoy the Old Town atmosphere and the sights and sounds of each Souk.

7 – The Beach

One must dip their toes into the Persian Gulf.  The beaches are beautiful and very crowded.  You can bring your own towels and beach chairs and enjoy a swim in the calm water of Jumeirah Beach.  There are plenty of little cafes and restaurants for you to explore once your done with your beach day.  If you are so inclined, you can rent a beach chair and umbrella for the day for around $33.00 USD per person.

Paid Tours In Dubai

Like all tourist towns, Dubai also has it’s paid tourist attractions.  The Burj, as mentioned above, is on the top of that list.  Below are some of the others.

8 – Dubai Frame

There is nothing like riding an elevator 492 feet to the top of the frame and seeing how it splits the city.  The view from one side is the futuristic marvel of Dubai’s skyscrapers.  On the other side is the view of what old Dubai looked like before modernization.  The stark comparisons are quite the eye openers.

For those that are brave you can walk the glass floor and view the park beneath the frame.  With each step the floor opens up below you exposing the scenery.  If you have vertigo or are afraid of heights, no worries.  You can still enjoy the top of the frame without stepping on the glass floor.

To get to the top of the frame, you will need tickets.  Purchase them in advance from places like Headout or Klook and save money.  The cost at the door is $33.00 USD but they could go as little as $18 USD online.

9 – Museum of the Future

The building alone is a sight to see.  Even if you don’t like museums or you don’t want to go inside this one, you need to at least visit the outside of the building for some amazing photo opportunities.

This museum houses ideas and experiments that could become the future of life in Dubai and around the world.  Admission to the museum is currently $56.00 USD.

10 – Dune Bashing and Sand Surfing

No adventurer can go to the middle east and not go sand dune bashing or sand surfing.  Excursions typically last around 7 hours.  Included are camel rides, dune bashing, sand surfing, dinner with entertainment – belly dancers, and male Ayyala Dancers. The fee for this attraction is $65 USD per person (including hotel pick up and drop off).

11 – Dinner Cruise

Book a 2 hour dinner cruise around the Dubai Marina.  The Dhow ride will take you to all the major sites along the marina.  Enjoy a lovely buffet dinner, a live ayyala dance show and the views of the marina after sunset.  For $100 USD per person, you will be picked up and dropped off at your hotel as well as enjoying the boat ride.

12 – Global Village

Enjoy the sights, sounds, and aromas from around the world at the Global Village.  Open only between October and April each year and entry is only in the evenings.  This is a fun place to be.  Taste the foods, buy the local wares, ride the attractions, and take in a show.  All this in one place, in the middle of the desert under the clear night sky.

Whether you want silk fabrics, pashminas or leather goods, there is something there for everyone.

Count on spending at least 3 hours there in order to take it all in.  There is so much to see and do, that you won’t know where to turn first.  The best part is the entry fee is only $17.00 USD per person.  Children under 3 and seniors over 65 get in for free.

13 – The Grand Mosque

One cannot travel all the way to Dubai without going that extra hour to see the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is jaw-droppingly beautiful. The intricate artwork, the magnificent carpets, the stunning white marble all come together to form the largest mosque in the world.  This is the most peaceful place I have ever been to in my life.  An experience I will never forget.

This is the one place in the UAE where a dress code is strictly enforced.  Men are to wear pants and dress or polo shirts (short sleeves are fine).  Women must be completely covered.  You will need to wear a head scarf, long sleeves and long skirt or pants.  Please ensure that what you wear is not see through.  It must be completely opaque.

The trip from Business Bay to Abu Dhabi, including entrance to the mosque, heritage village, and photo opportunities at other sites along with lunch was a mere $100.00 USD per person.  Hint – try not to go on a Friday as the mosque closes at 11 am on Fridays.

Other Things to see and Do in Dubai

There are a host of other paid things to do in Dubai.  You can find these and many more online.

• 14 – Yacht tours around the Palm Jumeira
• 15 – Atlantis Hotel – Palm Island
• 16 – Water parks around Dubai include – Wild Wadi Waterpark Jumeirah, AquaFun Water Park, and Aquaventure Waterpark
• 17 – Dubai Skywheel – the largest Ferris wheel in the world
• 18 – Burj Al Arab – the only 7 star hotel in the world
• 19 – Miracle Gardens – one of the largest and most special botanical gardens in the world.  This is home to a life-sized airplane made completely of flowers
• 20 – Hot air balloon rides at sunrise over the Arabian Desert
• 21 – Ski Dubai – indoor skiing at the Mall of the Emirates

In Summary – Thing to DO in Dubai

No matter the size of your budget, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Dubai.  Explore the free things as you walk through the city and its many malls.  Or, take an excursion just outside the city to see more of what the Middle East has to offer.

One things is for sure, there is a lot to see and do and a couple of days in Dubai will only allow you to scratch the surface of this exciting city.  Pick the right time of year to travel there so you don’t miss out on your desired attractions as some do close during certain months of the year.

We would love to hear from you.  What is your favorite Dubai experience?

Similar Posts:

• DUBAI – CREATE AMAZING MEMORIES ON VACATION IN THE UAE
• 5 Ultimate Luxury African Safari Vacation Resorts

 

all images from Canva