What to do in Dubai – 12 Indispensable Tour Tips

Discover what to do in Dubai, the largest city in the United Arab Emirates that combines modernity and tradition in one place.

Located on the coast of the Persian Gulf, Dubai has the world's eyes on it, with its flashy attractions and lavish architecture. It's easy to be enchanted by the gold-decked buildings and artificial islands that look real. The hard part is knowing what to do in Dubai and how to get out of there without seeing at least half of what the destination has to offer.



Although Dubai has consolidated its economy with oil, it currently represents less than 6% of its revenue. The natives say that all the country's tourism infrastructure came about because Sheikh Zayed himself realized that, one day, oil would run out and he couldn't just depend on it for the country to prosper.

Below, we have separated some of what to do in Dubai with some of the attractions that you cannot miss when you are touring this wonderful city.

In this post you will read:

Map of two Tourist Points

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Dubai's main tourist spots

Dubai is far from a city filled with traditional Arab architecture, but it is not difficult to find it there. From sumptuous buildings to the world's largest botanical garden, the UAE's most famous city has a little bit of everything.

It is impossible not to be enchanted by the countless options for leisure and tours that exist in Dubai, such as the Burj Al Arab, the only seven-star hotel in the world, the Gold Souk, a traditional gold market, and even the unmissable view that only the Burj Khalifa provides.

Check out the list of what to do in Dubai with 11 tours you can't miss:

1- Dubai Mall

The Dubai Mall is the largest mall in the world. With more than 1200 stores, hotel, skating rink, food court, cinema and one of the largest aquariums in the world, the Dubai Aquarium, this is an attraction that cannot be missed on your checklist when you have to choose what to do in Dubai.

Located in the Burj Khalifa complex, the mall opened in 2008 and attracts attention with numerous designer brands.

Not to be confused with the Mall of the Emirates, the second largest shopping complex in the world, also located in Dubai, but just as splendorous.

What to do in Dubai – 12 Indispensable Tour Tips

The Dubai Aquarium is one of the must-see attractions at the Dubai Mall – Photo: Ashim D'Silva via Unsplash

2- Burj Khalifa

Popularly known as “the tallest building in the world”, the Burj Khalifa opened in 2010 with a height of 828 meters and 160 floors, with three observation points (124th, 125th and 148th floors) that give a 360º view of Dubai. Here you can even see the waters of the Persian Gulf that bathe the region on a clear day.



The ticket price starts at AED 149 (about BRL 211,70 at the June/2021 quotation).

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What to do in Dubai – 12 Indispensable Tour Tips

The majesty of the Burj Khalifa on the Dubai skyline – Photo: Pranav Bhasin via Flickr

3- font show

One of the most beautiful spectacles in the city is the show of the dancing waters of the Dubai Fountains, located on the artificial lake between the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall.

The show takes place in two moments: during the day there are two sessions, at 13 pm and 13:30 pm. At night, when the event takes on much more color and magic, there are performances from 18pm to 23pm, with the show starting every half hour.

What to do in Dubai – 12 Indispensable Tour Tips

The fountain show is a must-see show on Dubai nights – Photo: Ayisha rida via Wikimedia

4- Gold souk

Have you ever imagined yourself walking through an open-air gold fair? At Dubai's Gold Souk, it is possible. A huge variety of stores and merchandise at affordable prices are the factors that most attract jewelry lovers to this internationally known market. 

And if you want to give in to temptation and buy something, keep in mind that you can haggle directly with the craftsman. ?


What to do in Dubai – 12 Indispensable Tour Tips

The Gold Souk windows are a luxury – Photo: MrT HK via Flickr

5- Dubai Marina

An artificial marina built around the waters of the Arabian Gulf, Dubai Marina is an upscale residential neighborhood with luxury shopping malls and hotels. It is known to Arab billionaires. Therefore, it is very common to see yachts and boats crossing the marina.


With an extremely modern architecture, Dubai Marina is the busiest area of ​​Dubai. It is worth spending a few hours walking through the neighborhood that has numerous attractions, such as The Walk, a boardwalk surrounded by restaurants, ice cream parlors and cafes that attract tourists of all nationalities.

Be sure to also visit The Beach, an open-air market on the beach at Jumeirah Beach Residence.

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What to do in Dubai – 12 Indispensable Tour Tips

At night, the Dubai Marina region is even more surprising with the illuminated skyscrapers – Photo: analogicus via Pixabay

6- Palm Jumeirah

One of Dubai's main attractions are the artificial islands, especially the Palm Jumeirah.

Built between 2001 and 2008, the archipelago is shaped like a palm tree, with a trunk and a crown of 17 crowns, thus forming a barrier to the waves. 

Among the attractions of the artificial island is the hotel Atlantis The Palm, a 5-star hotel and entertainment complex with a water park and aquarium.

To spend the day without staying at the hotel, simply make a reservation for one of its restaurants or buy a ticket to the theme park Aquaventure or even to an aquarium known as The Lost Chambers.

What to do in Dubai – 12 Indispensable Tour Tips

With a peculiar shape seen from above, Palm Jumeirah is full of buildings seen up close – Photo: Alexander Heilner via Wikimedia

7- Madinat Jumeirah

A great choice for shopping, the Madinat Jumeirah Souk refers to the ancient Arab markets in the open air, with refinement and sophistication. With more than 75 stores open every day from 10 am to 23 pm and restaurants from 8 am to 02 am, you can find everything from spices and spices to jewelry.

What to do in Dubai – 12 Indispensable Tour Tips

One of the most charming places in Dubai is the Madinat Jumeirah – Photo: enjoytheworld via Pixabay

8- Burj Al Arab

Located about 850 m from the Madinat Jumeirah Souk, it's a great walk to take in the winter months, when temperatures hover around 35ºC. Like Atlantis, it is possible to visit the Burj Al Arab by booking a meal at one of its restaurants. 

The sail-shaped hotel, opened in 1999, was considered the best in the world by experts. Admiring its structural beauties should definitely be on your list of things to do in Dubai. Impressive fountains, shops and the world's tallest lobby capture the attention of visitors.

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What to do in Dubai – 12 Indispensable Tour Tips

The Burj Al Arab is considered the only 7-star hotel in the world – Photo: Darcey Beau via Unsplash

9- Bur Dubai

Not everything is modern and flashy in Dubai. The historic part is also very authentic and worth a visit, like Bur Dubai, an old district that has been kept in the midst of the modernity that has taken over the city.

There you can see several traditional buildings, as well as markets, mosques and the Dubai Museum, believed to be the oldest building in the city, built in 1787. Dubai's main museum is located at Al Fahidi Fort and houses antiquities on display. and historical artifacts that show the emirate's way of life before the advent of oil. Entry costs around AED 3,00 (about R$ 4,26 at the June/2021 price).

What to do in Dubai – 12 Indispensable Tour Tips

A facade of Bur Dubai – Photo: Bin Al Stroker via Wikimedia

10 Dubai Miracle Garden

The biggest flower garden in the world in the middle of the desert? It would only be possible even in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai Miracle Garden is a botanical garden with over 72.000 m², 50 million flowers and 250 million plants. It's a spectacle in itself, full of vibrant colors and sculptures that delight anyone who goes there. 

Open from October to April, when temperatures are milder, the garden uses treated wastewater to keep the flowers always striking.

The ticket costs AED 50,00 for adults (about R$71 reais) and AED 30 for children (about R$42,62).

Take the opportunity and book your tour to Dubai Miracle Garden!
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What to do in Dubai – 12 Indispensable Tour Tips

The Dubai Miracle Garden full of dazzling colors – Photo: Srilatha Sharma via Flickr

11 Dubai Desert Safari

How about venturing out into the middle of the desert in a 4×4? Taking a safari in the Dubai Desert is a unique experience. Even the photos taken in the midst of all that immensity of sand, with some street vendors in the background, are wonderful – a memory of those to keep for a lifetime. 

#Anotaadica: opt for the afternoon tour. Start around 15:XNUMX pm with the tour through the dunes and then finish in a great siege set up in the middle of the desert, with camel rides, henna tattoos, a wonderful dinner and an exciting traditional show.

The desert safari costs from AED 200 (about R$284,15) for people over 11 years old and approximately AED 130 (R$184,70) for children from 3 to 11 years old. Dubai Desert Safari company takes it.

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What to do in Dubai – 12 Indispensable Tour Tips

One of the most exciting tours in Dubai is the desert safari – Photo: Prakash Bishunke via Pixabay

12 Mesquita Sheikh Zayed

Leaving Dubai a little and arriving in Abu Dhabi (about 140 km away) is the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, also known as the White Mosque, the largest in the country.

Like everything else in the United Arab Emirates, the work is monumental, with a capacity for 40 people. There is a Persian wool rug covering the entire interior of the rooms, imported marble mosaics and chandeliers encrusted with Swarovski crystals. And best of all, admission to this architectural spectacle is free. I mean, you can't lose, right?

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What to do in Dubai – 12 Indispensable Tour Tips

Photos cannot capture the full grandeur of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque – Photo: Agnieszka Mordaunt via Unsplash

Suggested Itineraries in Dubai

Check out the suggested itineraries for those visiting Dubai, whether on a connection or an extended vacation in the United Arab Emirates.

  • What to do in Dubai in 1 day
    With just one day in Dubai, take a city tour of the city, visiting the main points, such as Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, Gold Souk and the Madinat Jumeirah Souk.
  • What to do in Dubai in 2 days
    On the second day of the trip, in addition to the 1st day tours, visit the Dubai Miracle Garden in the morning and go on a desert safari from the afternoon until the evening.
  • What to do in Dubai in 3 days
    With three days available, add a visit to Dubai Marina and Bur Dubai, the historic part of the city.
  • What to do in Dubai in 4 days
    On the fourth day, stroll along the Palm Jumeirah and visit Atlantis the Palm, going to one of the restaurants or the aquarium. Finish with the sunset seen from the beach where the Burj Al Arab is, or from the Dubai Frame, “the largest frame in the world” – two towers 150 meters high and an elevated walkway at 93 meters that “frames” the old part of the city to the north and the modern part to the south.
  • What to do in Dubai in 5 days
    Go to Abu Dhabi and visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque and the Ferrari museum. End the day with a visit to the Mall of Emirates.

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hotels in Dubai

What to do in Dubai – 12 Indispensable Tour Tips

how about ficar not Burj Al Arab, the only ★★★★★★★ in the world? ?

In addition to the most essential tours to take advantage of Dubai's full potential, another super important point of travel planning is knowing which ones are the best. hotels in Dubai. In fact, one of the great qualities of the destination is the wide range of accommodation, with good facilities, interesting amenities and surprising service. Meet some of them below:

  • Atlantis – Daily rates from US$ 573 – 8,9 grade
  • One&Only Royal Mirage Resort Dubai – Daily rates from US$ 463 – 9,0 grade
  • Rove Downtown – Daily rates from US$ 136 – 9,1 grade
  • Burj al arab jumeirah – Daily rates from US$ 1.200 – 9,1 grade

See all available hotels in Dubai.

Dubai – Destination Guide

One of the most westernized centers in the Middle East, Dubai is considered the most peaceful place in the UAE in terms of cultural matters to travel, but without exaggeration. Clothes that are too tight and that leave the body very exposed are still not so well seen.

Although the official language is Arabic, it is easy to communicate in English with the natives, who are always in a good mood and willing to help. The roads there are well signposted, quiet and safe streets, and efficient and affordable taxi services make it easy to choose Dubai as your next destination.

Dubai is worth visiting during the milder months, from October to April, when temperatures are not so high. However, for those looking for savings and who don't mind being hot, the summer months always have several hotel promotions so that the city doesn't lose its tourists.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top tips for what to do in Dubai?

The most must-see tours in Dubai include visiting the iconic Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab buildings, as well as seeing the Dubai Mall and Dubai Miracle Garden. See more tips on what to do in Dubai.

What to do in Dubai at night?

One of the main tours to enjoy in Dubai at night is the fountain show, which takes place every day between the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the city. The Dubai Marina region is also a good option. Check out other options to enjoy at the destination.

What to do in Dubai in 1 day?

With just one day in Dubai, places you can't miss include the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall and other venues like the Madinat Jumeirah Souk. Check out more day trip tips.

What to do in Dubai in 5 days?

Those who stay five days in Dubai can enjoy the destination in a much more complete way, knowing all the tourist attractions that we have indicated about what to do in Dubai. Check the post for the main locations.

What to do in Abu Dhabi?

Abu Dhabi is very close to Dubai and is a very interesting place to visit, especially to see the beautiful Sheikh Zayed Mosque. See also tips on what to do in Dubai.

When to go to Dubai?

The weather in Dubai is hot all year round, but during the summer temperatures rise considerably. To escape the extreme heat, it is best to travel in winter. See also what to do in Dubai.

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