Things to do in  Dubai

The Burj Khalifa soars 2,717 feet (828 meters) high with more than 160 stepped floors that narrow as it climbs syringe-like to the sky. Designed to pay homage to the complex geometry of Islamic art, the Burj Khalifa brings a new meaning to the term skyscraper and is a highlight of the massive downtown Dubai complex.

Dubai Marina is one of Dubai’s iconic leisure destinations. A purpose-built canal flowing into the Persian Gulf, its emerald-hued waters are flanked by wow-worthy skyscrapers, luxury yachts, smart restaurants, and numerous other attractions, including the high-end Dubai Marina Mall. Visitors stroll the scenic Dubai Marina Walk, enjoy sightseeing cruises and water sports, and shop and dine by the water—all in close proximity to the neighboring Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) district.

The instantly recognizable Burj Al Arab is Dubai’s poster child: a world-famous symbol of its wealth and architectural flamboyance. Rising 1,053 feet (321 meters) from a private islet, this sail-shaped icon offers luxurious all-suite accommodation, a sea-deck pool terrace, shops, and fine-dining restaurants. Uniting them like a gift bow is its lavish, gold-draped decor, crowned by a towering atrium of gilded pillars, marble, and crystals.

Jutting into the Persian Gulf from southern Dubai, the Palm Jumeirah is an artificial island in the shape of a palm tree and ringed by a crescent-shaped breakwater. The world’s biggest artificial island, it draws visitors to its palatial hotels, theme parks, and shopping malls.

Dubai’s internationally famous Gold Souk has its roots in the 1940s, when Indian and Iranian traders began setting up stalls in the area. Today, it’s one of the world’s busiest jewelry markets, with hundreds of shops and stalls selling just about everything that glitters—namely, gold. An estimated 20 percent of the world’s gold passes through the souk, with a whopping 10 tons (9,072 kilograms) for sale in the market at any given moment.

Featuring displays consisting of more than 150 million flowers, Dubai Miracle Garden is one of the UAE’s most original attractions. Branded the world’s largest natural flower garden, its seasonal gardens feature magnificent displays of blooms, including a heart tunnel, a floral clock, a fairy-tale castle, and even a flower-covered jumbo jet. Spread over an area the size of 14 football fields on the outskirts of Dubai, it’s an extravaganza of color and scent.

Located south of Dubai Creek, Bur Dubai is one of Dubai’s oldest districts, with a traditional atmosphere to match. Extending from Al Raffa in the west to Al Jaddaf in the east, it’s home to an array of sights, from the Bastakia Quarter—also called the Al Fahidi Historic District—to souks, parks, and several top museums.

The Dubai Mall is no ordinary shopping center. Sitting under the megatall Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai, this is the world’s biggest mall by land area, and a shopping, dining, and sightseeing colossus. Containing more than 1,200 shops, two department stores, and 200-plus food outlets, it also boasts big leisure attractions, including the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, Dubai Ice Rink, and the entrance to the Burj Khalifa itself.

Tucked into Dubai’s Deira district just north of Dubai Creek, the Dubai Spice Souk offers some of the city’s most rewarding shopping. Here, covered alleyways brim with stalls that sell all manner of Arabian and Asian spices, herbs, and delicacies, making the souk ideal for souvenir hunters and anyone hoping to get a sense of old Dubai.

A modern-day theme park where you can shop, dine, and be entertained all in one place, the Global Village is one of Dubai’s most unique attractions. Immerse yourself in the sights, cuisines, and creations of more than 90 different world cultures as you explore the themed pavilions, shop for traditional handicrafts, watch spectacular live performances, and have fun on the fairground rides.

The Dubai Creek (Khor Dubai) is the reason for Dubai’s existence. The waterway flows between Deira and Bur Dubai in the historic center of the United Arab Emirates city. Today, it’s full of abra (wooden water taxis) ferrying passengers between the souks of Deira on the northeastern bank and the historic district of Bur Dubai on the southwestern bank.

Set inside Al Fahidi Fort, the Dubai Museum recounts the Emirates’ history up until the oil boom, which forever altered its skyline. Dioramas and artifacts convey what daily life was like for Dubai’s earliest communities, while life-sized re-creations of the city’s early souks and wharfs bring the past to life.

Part of Dubai’s luxe Madinat Jumeirah resort, the Souk Madinat Jumeirah is a modern re-creation of a traditional Arabian souk, with an upscale touch. In place of higgledy-piggledy stalls, a web of alleyways echoes a classic bazaar filled with boutiques, souvenir shops, restaurants, and cafés.

The world’s biggest water park, Aquaventure World has something for thrill-seekers and young children alike. Part of the luxury Atlantis, The Palm hotel, the park offers more than 105 chutes, rides, and attractions, from the near-vertical Leap of Faith to coasters, a wave rider, splash pools, sea life experiences, and a private beach. Marine enthusiasts can combine their water park adventures with a visit to the Lost Chambers Aquarium.

Built from white sandstone and crowned with a central dome and two towering minarets, Jumeirah Mosque is Dubai's main place of worship and arguably one of the most beautiful mosques in the United Arab Emirates. Aside from being an extremely popular photography site in Dubai, the landmark is also notable in that it's the only mosque in the city open to non-Muslim visitors—an excellent way to gain a deeper understanding of Islam and its traditions.