Main attractions

1 Dubai Museum

The yellowish building is easy to spot thanks to a replica of a dhow ship next to it. This typical means of transport in the old times is the first exhibit on your road.

The second one is the building itself – the old fort of Al-Fahidi. It was built in 1787 to protect the transport on the Dubai Creek. The fort’s walls are built out of traditional coral-blocks and held together with lime. The upper floor is supported by wooden poles, and the ceiling is constructed from palm fronds, mud, and plaster.

Inside you will be able to see the old maps of the region, traditional boats and old houses. You will learn about the oil boom and old emirati life. And through the artefacts you will be able to understand the art of war, music and death.

2 Dubai Creek

A short walk from the Dubai Museum is the canal. The area around it is called Dubai Creek and is a lovely maze of alleys, souk shops, and a home of the cheapest tourist attraction in Dubai.

Although people come to Dubai for the “glamour” – this is the true heart of the city and a place where the Beni Yas tribe first settled. The first town was built along the shores of the canal. You can easily appreciate it by taking a taxi-boat to the other side or going on a Dhow Cruise (60 minutes).

The old medina and souk called Deira are on the eastern bank and you can find the famous Gold Souk there.

The area is a mix of old and new architecture, but the city made a wonderful reconstruction of the old Dubai – it is located on the western bank, more to the south of the souks.

3 Al-Fahidi historical neighborhood/Bastakia and Al Seef

Those alleyways and characteristic buildings called wind towers are reminiscent of the past. Bastakia is a maze of streets empty at a first glimpse. You feel threatened by the walls surrounding you but then a small square greets you. You can visit there the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) where guests can take part in the Arabic classes, heritage tours, and guided mosque visits to better appreciate the local culture, or art exhibitions (Mahijas Gallery, Al Serkal Cultural Foundation).

From this XIX century quarter, you can follow Dubai Creek south and go along its shore through Al Seef. This long, thin district is a tribute to the architectural, Arab heritage, and Dubai’s maritime past. Camels, historical crafts stations, and typical products are situated next to great restaurants, shops, cafes, and entertainment areas – just enter the buildings to find proof of the XXI century.

4 Burj Khalifa

This majestic building of 828 meters dominates the skyline of the city. You truly appreciate it when you get close – the glass reflecting the sun, the height is making your head dizzy.

The observation deck is on the 124th floor of the total of 154. It is the highest deck in the world – 555 meters above sea level. What’s more – you can admire the highest views in the lounge on top, through the safety of a window.

5 Burj Khalifa fountains

The show at the base of the building starts every day at 6 pm/after sundown (every 30min) until 11 pm. You won’t miss this characteristic waterfront because it is situated between the tower and the shopping centers. The water looks calm during the day and you can lighten your wallet in Dubai Mall in the meantime.

But in the evening it turns into a magical show full of light and music. You can enjoy it from anyplace close to the water or join the densest crowds close to the Dubai Mall bridge and entrance.

6 Dubai Mall

To call this lively development merely a shopping mall is doing it an injustice. It is the easiest of things to spend there the whole day in between the restaurants, shops and more. It is wise to bring there some money, but beware… Dubai has many shopping events that will melt your resolve.

If you came only to see this wonder, don’t forget about the Aquarium Wall in the heart of it and the Huge Waterfall.

7 Dubai Opera

Walking around the grounds of Burj Khalifa you are bound to notice this characteristic building. It is like a dhow ship (typical boat) wishing to be floating around the fountains. It is the heart of the Opera District and is rarely compared to Broadway or London’s West End.

Its highest part, beautifully lightened in the evening is the rear area – the entrance. The guests arrive here with their limousines and enter the building. The stage area is just behind it – invisible.

8 Souk Madinat Jumeirah and Burj Al Arab Hotel

Experience some luxury in a shadow of the most famous, sail-shaped, hotel.

3 kilometers long Souk Medinat Jumeirah is a town within a town. It was shaped after a traditional citadel and has taxi-abras sailing on the inside lake. It offers a trip to an oasis from the past but is not ancient.

On the premises, you will find various hotels offering staggering views and refreshing SPA treatments. There is a park along the beach where you can take a golf car taxi instead of walking. You can catch a breath in one of many restaurants or go shopping in the local Souk.

On numerous occasions you will be able to appreciate the view of a nearby Burj Al Arab – the only one in the world 7* hotel (although they didn’t claim that). Together with Burj Khalifa its sail shape is the most recognizable part of Dubai. It is built on an artificial island and is 321 meters high. Only to get near there you need to have a reservation and the rooms come at a reasonable price of around 18000 US dollars.

The only possible cheat to get inside is a reservation in one of the restaurants or cafes… but it still weighs heavy on the wallet.

9 Beach ride

Visiting the golden sands and bathing in the salty sea is a top attraction for many. The former desert shore of Dubai definitely offers many places to enjoy the day and relax.

You can choose from sports beaches like Kite Beach. This one is reserved mostly for the wind-lovers, but there are some spots for the admirers (with a beach library there!).

If you want more than a few lonely bars go to Jumeirah Beach. Located in the shadow of a magnificent, wave-shaped hotel Jumeirah Beach Hotel it is the number one beach in Dubai and a popular tourist spot. Close by, if you fancy a bit of sightseeing, there is Majlis Ghorfat Um Al-Sheef. The summer residence of royalty gives a glimpse into the lavish but familiar life they had. Plus the gardens’ date palms give a much-welcomed shadow and you have a reproduction of the irrigation system there.

Lovers of beaches, aquaparks, and shops should go to Jumeirah Public Beach. You can have some fun in a waterpark there, do some shopping or taste great food in La Mer center. It is very active in the evenings too.

There are many, many more… just follow the shore and your heart.

10 Jumeirah Mosque

If you are not planning a day tour to Abu Dhabi Mosque it is highly recommended to come here. The “churches” of Islam come in all shapes and sizes, but the more funds there was the more fabulous they got. Here you have a true pearl on the coast.

Jumeirah Mosque is open to non-Islamic faiths except for Friday (holy day in Islam). Remember to dress appropriately if you want to enter and have a guided tour there.

From the distance, you will admire the traditional Fatimid architecture and stonework. Tall minarets are easy to spot and in the evening, flooded with light, the mosque stands out with ease.

11 Dubai Frame

You can easily spot it from the metro or you can dedicate some time to properly see this 150m giant. Made from reinforced concrete, steel, and glass the Frame stands between the old and the new cities linking them together in a symbolic way.

The elevator will take you up to the 48th floor in 75 seconds. The galleries will tell you the story of the city’s past, present, and future (Future Dubai Gallery) with the top quality technologies and effects. The star of the show is the Sky Deck, where you will be able to make unforgettable photos of Dubai.

12 Marina District

Marina, as the locals say, is a vibrant new neighborhood full of skyscrapers and luxury. The wonders that will catch your eye are the Cayan Tower with its twisted shape or Elite Residence – which was 3rd tallest in the world when built (2012). For its skyline, Dubai Marina is sometimes called Small Hong Kong. Locals are attracted to live here by its proximity to the beach, wide range of activities, and rich nightlife.

If it gets too hot to walk in this urban place, go to the largest manmade marina in the world. Enjoy a coffee or a meal there is one of many restaurants. Take a boat tour or try a thrilling, longest in the world, urban XLine. Do you feel Divergent enough?

13 Palm Jumeirah and Atlantis the Palm

Dubai is a place for architects. Here they can unleash their imagination or get ideas. Palm Jumeirah is an artificial island created in the form of a date palm – beloved life-giver in Arab reality. From the ground, it looks like every other, luxurious area full of interesting buildings like the Atlantis Hotel. But when you get off the ground or just look at the map you will see it!

The project got so popular that another Palm is being created, but there is also artificial World Archipelago if you want to buy yourself an island.

Getting to the palm is easy with the metro and island tram lines. You can hop on and off and see the most interesting landmarks – like Pointe for a photo or Atlantis at the end of the road. There are boat trips, helicopter rides, or busses showing you around the place.

Atlantis the Palm Hotel is a special one and the most recognizable on the island. There is Aquaventure Waterpark there, right next to a Dolphin Bay when you can touch this bottlenose and the Lost Chambers Aquarium. And if you do not have enough – you can dive in one of the aquariums and become a part of a wall.

14 Eithad Museum

As Dubai Museum tells you about the faraway past, Eithad Museum is a story of UAE union. In stands in the very place where it happened in 1971. The expositions focus around this date and try to explain the situation and the reasons behind the great success of this Arab federation.

The displays are interactive and full of photos and are a must-see for every history lover. There is also a library, education center, and a restaurant.

15 Parks and more for Fun and Pleasure

Dubai is certainly known for its vast opportunities for guests to enjoy themselves. Families are a marketing target as well as all the wishes of the possible comers. Dubai’s philosophy is attracting everyone with the best and biggest of everything. Aquaparks and Aquariums may be a necessity in this desert country. But there is more…

Miracle Garden is a magical place where flowers bloom where it is impossible. It has 2000 square meters and it makes it the largest in the world. It houses 100 million flowers put everywhere – on buildings, mills, and cars.

Butterfly Garden (next to Miracle Garden) and Ras Al Khor Wild Sanctuary are a tribute to fauna. The first one houses 15000 butterflies under a dome. It is a green oasis and a great adventure when one of these colorful creatures lands on you. The second one is a proof of life so close to The Empty Quarter. Mangrove forests and wetlands of Dubai Creek became home to flamingos that migrate here in winter.

Bollywood Park, Motiongate, and Legoland speak for themselves (next to each other). IMG World of Adventure near Global Village is a theme park of Marvel, dinosaurs, and Cartoon Network and Dubai Marina has quite big Eye Ferry Wheel.

But there is also an XLine making you fly among skyscrapers of Marina; skydiving, helicopter rides, skiing on an artificial slope of Ski Dubai in Mall of Emirates, Lights Shows with Dubai Garden Glow being some sort of Chinese Lantern Festival and more…