Things to Visit in Dubai: Skyscrapers, Souks, and Desert
Experience Dubai's jaw-dropping architecture, traditional souks, and desert adventures in one trip. Covers the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Marina, Gold Souk, beaches, and day trip options.
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Iconic Architecture and Attractions
Visit the Burj Khalifa observation decks
At 828 meters, it's the world's tallest building. The At The Top deck on floor 124/125 costs from AED 149 ($40) online; the premium SKY level on floor 148 costs AED 379 ($103). Book the sunset slot — you'll see the city in daylight, at golden hour, and lit up at night. Online prices are 30-50% cheaper than walk-ups.
Watch the Dubai Fountain show
The world's largest choreographed fountain shoots water 150 meters into the air in front of the Burj Khalifa. Free shows run every 30 minutes from 6 PM to 11 PM daily (plus 1 PM and 1:30 PM on weekdays). The best vantage points are from the Souk Al Bahar terrace or a Dubai Fountain boat ride (AED 65).
Walk through the Dubai Mall
With 1,200+ stores across 502,000 square meters, it's one of the world's largest malls. Beyond shopping, highlights include the Dubai Aquarium (AED 140), the Olympic-size ice rink, and a 24-meter waterfall. You could easily spend half a day here without buying anything.
See the Dubai Frame
A 150-meter-tall picture frame structure with a glass-floor walkway and observation decks on both sides. Entry is AED 50 ($14). The north side frames old Dubai; the south side shows the modern skyline. Less crowded than the Burj Khalifa and better for photography of the city.
Explore the Palm Jumeirah
The world's largest artificial island is shaped like a palm tree. Take the monorail from the mainland trunk to the Atlantis resort at the tip (AED 25 round trip). The public boardwalk along the crescent offers views of the Dubai Marina skyline. The Aquaventure waterpark at Atlantis costs AED 319 for a full day.
Old Dubai and Cultural Sites
Explore the Gold Souk in Deira
The covered market has over 300 gold retailers selling everything from delicate chains to extravagant statement pieces. Gold prices are government-regulated and typically 10-30% lower than Western retail. Bargaining is expected — start at 20-30% below the quoted price.
Visit the Spice Souk
Directly adjacent to the Gold Souk, this market sells saffron (AED 20-40 per gram — far cheaper than home), dried fruits, frankincense, and blended spice mixes. The vendors will let you sample and smell everything before buying.
Take an abra across Dubai Creek
These traditional wooden boats have crossed the Creek between Bur Dubai and Deira for over 100 years. The ride takes 5 minutes and costs just AED 1 ($0.27). It's the cheapest and most atmospheric way to travel between the old souks on either side.
Visit Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood
A restored quarter of wind-tower houses from the 1800s, now housing galleries, cafés, and small museums. The Dubai Museum inside Al Fahidi Fort (AED 3) covers the city's transformation from a fishing village. Free to wander; the XVA Gallery and coffee shop are highlights.
Tour the Jumeirah Mosque
One of the few mosques in Dubai open to non-Muslim visitors. Guided tours run Saturday through Thursday at 10 AM (AED 25). The 75-minute tour covers Islamic culture, prayer rituals, and architecture. Modest dress is required; abayas and kanduras are provided if needed.
Beach and Marina
Swim and relax at JBR Beach
A free public beach along the Jumeirah Beach Residence strip with clean sand, calm water, and a beachfront promenade lined with restaurants. Sunbeds and umbrellas rent for about AED 50-100/day. The water is warm enough to swim year-round (24-32°C).
Walk the Dubai Marina
A 3 km waterfront promenade lined with towers, restaurants, and yacht moorings. The evening atmosphere is best — buildings light up and the outdoor restaurants fill. A 60-minute dhow dinner cruise through the marina costs AED 150-250.
Visit Kite Beach
A more relaxed alternative to JBR, popular with kitesurfers, joggers, and families. Free entry with food trucks, a skate park, and volleyball courts. The view of the Burj Al Arab from here is one of the best in the city.
Desert and Adventure
Book a desert safari
Half-day safaris (AED 150-300) include dune bashing in a 4x4, a camel ride, sandboarding, and a BBQ dinner at a desert camp with belly dancing and henna. Morning safaris are less crowded; sunset safaris have better light. Avoid the cheapest operators — the driving can be dangerously aggressive.
Try sandboarding or dune buggy riding
Standalone sandboarding sessions cost AED 200-400 for 2 hours. Dune buggy tours run AED 400-800 depending on duration. The Al Lahbab (Red Dunes) area, about 45 minutes from the city, has the most dramatic terrain.
Visit the Miracle Garden (seasonal)
The world's largest natural flower garden, with 150 million flowers arranged in elaborate structures including a full-size floral airplane. Open November through May only. Entry is AED 75. Visit on a weekday morning to avoid crowds and midday heat.
Food and Practical Tips
Eat at a multicultural food court
Dubai's enormous expat population means you can eat authentic food from 200+ nationalities. The food courts in older malls (not Dubai Mall) have the best value — expect to pay AED 20-40 for a full meal. Areas like Karama and Satwa have excellent Indian, Pakistani, and Filipino restaurants.
Try Arabic mezze and shawarma
A shawarma wrap from a street-side shop costs AED 5-15 and is one of the best bargain meals in the city. For a sit-down experience, Arabic restaurants serve mezze platters (hummus, mutabal, fattoush, kibbeh) for AED 80-150 for two people.
Visit a Friday brunch
The Friday brunch is a Dubai institution — hotels offer all-you-can-eat-and-drink packages from AED 200-600 per person. Most run 12:30-4 PM and include international buffets, free-flowing drinks, and live entertainment. Book in advance for popular venues.
Use the Dubai Metro for transport
The Red and Green lines cover most tourist areas. A Nol silver card costs AED 25 (including AED 19 credit) and works on the metro, tram, and buses. Single rides cost AED 3-8.50 depending on zones. The Gold Class cabin at the front of each train costs double but is rarely full.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Dubai?
Three to four full days covers the highlights including iconic architecture and attractions, old dubai and cultural sites, beach and marina at a relaxed pace. Five or more days lets you dig into local neighborhoods and take day trips. Most first-time visitors find four days strikes the right balance between seeing enough and not feeling exhausted.
What is the best time of year to visit Dubai?
Spring and early autumn typically offer the best weather with manageable crowds. Summer brings peak tourism pricing and longer queues at popular spots. Shoulder season travel saves 20-30% on accommodation and gives you shorter lines at top attractions.
How much should I budget per day in Dubai?
A mid-range daily budget of $100-180 per person covers a comfortable hotel, two restaurant meals, and attraction tickets. Street food and local markets cut food costs significantly. Pre-booking tickets for popular sites online often saves 10-15% and lets you skip long queues.
What is the best way to get around Dubai?
Public transit handles most tourist routes efficiently and cheaply. Walking between central attractions is often faster than waiting for buses or trains during peak hours. Multi-day transit passes pay for themselves after 3-4 rides per day and remove the hassle of buying individual tickets.
Do I need to book attractions in advance in Dubai?
Top-tier attractions and museums frequently sell out during peak season so book 2-4 weeks ahead for guaranteed entry. Lesser-known sites and neighborhoods rarely require advance tickets. Morning time slots (before 10:00) are the most popular; afternoon slots after 14:00 often have shorter waits.