Things to do in Dubai
- Dubai is home to the world's only seven-star hotel, though the rating is unofficial and industry-coined.
- The city's police force operates a fleet of high-performance supercars to patrol tourist-heavy areas.
- Over 85 percent of the resident population in Dubai are expatriates, contributing to a distinct multicultural social environment.
- The Dubai Metro is the world's longest fully automated, driverless train system.
About Dubai
Dubai is a global transport and commercial hub situated on the southeastern coast of the Persian Gulf, defined by its rapid transformation from a pearling port to a futuristic metropolis. Visitors can experience the city's heritage in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood or explore local commerce at Souk Al Seef by Dubai Retail. Public green spaces like Zabeel Park provide recreational contrast to the dense urban architecture. The city's cultural diversity is reflected in landmarks like St. Mary's Catholic Church, Dubai and the Shiva Temple, while family-oriented sites such as Dubai Garden Glow - Dinosaur Park & Fantasy Park highlight the city's focus on themed entertainment.
Highlights of Dubai
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Historical places
Explore traditional wind-tower architecture and narrow lanes that define the city's early mercantile roots.
Places of interest
Walk through this waterfront promenade that blends ancient Arabian architectural aesthetics with modern retail experiences.
Parks
Visit this sprawling urban space to see the Dubai Frame, a massive structure offering panoramic views of old and new Dubai.
Museums
Housed within the Al Fahidi Fort, this museum details the region's rapid development through dioramas and historical artifacts.
Amusement parks
Experience an illuminated park environment featuring large-scale installations, including an expansive prehistoric dinosaur section.
Beaches and ponds
Access one of the city's most accessible coastal parks for swimming and barbecue facilities along the Gulf shoreline.
Places of interest
Recognize this historical monument that stands as a landmark of mid-century infrastructure in the older part of the city.
Places of interest
Visit this interactive space themed entirely around confectionery and sweet-inspired art.
Top things to do in Dubai
The 300 highest-rated places in Dubai, ranked by travellers.
1
Parks
Zabeel Park is a massive urban green space in Dubai divided into three distinct zones connected by pedestrian bridges. I...
2
Places of interest
Souk Al Seef is a 1.8-kilometer waterfront promenade designed to contrast traditional Emirati heritage architecture with...
3
Parks
Mushrif Park is a sprawling 5.25-square-kilometer green space in Dubai featuring a distinct 'World Village' area with mi...
4
Temples
St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dubai serves as a major hub for the city's diverse expatriate Catholic population, offerin...
5
Historical places
Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood represents the mid-19th-century architecture of pre-oil Dubai, characterized by narro...
6
Zoos
Dubai Safari Park is a 119-hectare wildlife facility housing approximately 3,000 animals representing over 250 species....
7
Amusement parks
Dubai Garden Glow is a large-scale nocturnal attraction located within Zabeel Park, featuring thematic light installatio...
8
Beaches and ponds
Al Mamzer Beach is a large coastal park situated on a peninsula in Deira that borders the emirate of Sharjah. The site f...
9
Temples
The Shiva Temple, located in the Bur Dubai district, serves as a significant spiritual center for the Hindu community in...
10
Museums
The Dubai Museum is housed within Al Fahidi Fort, the oldest existing building in Dubai, constructed in 1787. Originally...
11
Places of interest
The Museum of Candy in Dubai is an interactive, multi-sensory immersive experience centered entirely around confectioner...
12
Parks
Karama Park is a community-focused urban green space located in the densely populated Al Karama residential district of...
13
Places of interest
The Deira Clocktower is a historic monument situated at the intersection of Umm Hurair Road and D89 in the Port Saeed ar...
14
Parks
Al Muteena Park is a neighborhood-focused green space situated in the densely populated Deira district of Dubai. The par...
15
Parks
Union Metro Station Garden is a landscaped public green space situated directly above the busiest interchange station in...
16
Parks
Al Qusais Pond Park is a public community space anchored by a central artificial lake spanning approximately 17 acres. T...
17
Historical places
Dubai Old City, situated around the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood and the Dubai Creek, represents the city's urban...
18
Museums
Al Shindagha Museum is an expansive heritage site located on the banks of Dubai Creek that documents the emirate's trans...
19
Parks
20
Venues
21
Places of interest
22
Museums
23
Temples
24
Parks
25
Temples
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Temples
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Temples
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Parks
29
Museums
30
Places of interest
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Dubai on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Dubai
November to March, when temperatures are mild enough for outdoor exploration and coastal activities.
4-5 days, allowing time for both modern architectural sightseeing and traditional districts.
The Dubai Metro is efficient for arterial transit, supplemented by a network of taxis, ride-hailing services, and trams.
Stay in Deira or Bur Dubai for historical proximity and lower costs, or Downtown Dubai for modern luxury and access to major landmarks.
Expensive, though a range of options exists for mid-budget travellers if avoiding peak-luxury lifestyle brands.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 300 curated attractions in and around Dubai, ranked by traveller ratings.
Zabeel Park is the highest-rated place to visit in Dubai right now.
The largest category is temples, with 203 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah, Al Ain.
Explore more of United Arab Emirates
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
