Notable places

The tallest building in the world — 828 metres. At the Top observation decks on floors 124, 125 and 148.

★ Tip: Buy sunset tickets in advance — on-site they cost noticeably more.

A sail-shaped hotel on its own island, the symbol of Dubai luxury. One of the city's most recognisable silhouettes.

★ Tip: The best shot is from Kite Beach or Umm Suqeim Beach.

An artificial archipelago shaped like a palm tree. From above you can see it in full — the fronds, the trunk and the crescent breakwater.

★ Tip: Ride the monorail along the trunk to Atlantis Aquaventure — the end of the line and the best view of Atlantis.

One of the largest shopping centres in the world, with an aquarium, an ice rink and a waterfall.

★ Tip: The entrance to the fountains is on the Dubai Fountain waterfront side.

Musical fountains on the Burj Khalifa lake. Jets rise up to 150 metres high to music and light.

★ Tip: Shows run every 30 minutes in the evenings. Arrive 15 minutes early for a spot at the railing.

A ring-shaped building with Arabic calligraphy on its facade. Inside — immersive exhibitions about the future.

★ Tip: Tickets sell out days ahead — book online.

A giant golden frame 150 metres high in Zabeel Park — a bridge between old and new Dubai.

★ Tip: From the upper gallery you can see the contrast: the old city on one side, skyscrapers on the other.

The tallest observation wheel in the world — 250 metres — on Bluewaters Island next to JBR.

★ Tip: An evening session gives the best view of the illuminated marina.

A historic sea artery dividing Deira and Bur Dubai. This is where the city began.

★ Tip: Crossing the creek by abra boat costs a symbolic 1 dirham.

The world's largest flower garden, with millions of plants formed into arches, hearts and figures.

★ Tip: A seasonal garden: the 2026/27 season opens on 8 October 2026 and runs into spring.

A seasonal fair-park with pavilions of countries from around the world, cuisines, crafts and rides.

★ Tip: The 2026/27 season opens on 14 October 2026 and runs to May 2027. Best to arrive towards evening.

A wetland sanctuary within the city, where thousands of pink flamingos spend the winter.

★ Tip: Entry is free, and there are three observation hides with binoculars.

A famous resort at the top of the palm island, with the Aquaventure water park and an aquarium.

★ Tip: Hotel guests usually have water park and aquarium entry included — check when booking.

An observation deck on the 52nd floor of Palm Tower — the only spot from which you can see the entire palm island.

★ Tip: Come closer to sunset, when the water and the palm's quarters are bathed in soft light.

One of the city's largest shopping centres, with the Ski Dubai indoor ski complex under its roof.

★ Tip: Combine shopping with a visit to Ski Dubai — snow and penguins in the heart of the desert.

One of the city's most beautiful mosques and the only one open to non-Muslims as part of guided tours.

★ Tip: Modest, covered clothing is required; a headscarf is provided to women on site.

A stretch of coast in Jumeirah 1. The southern part was demolished and reopened as J1 Beach — a strip of restaurants and beach clubs; the northern part of La Mer still operates in its older, simpler format.

★ Tip: Older advice about a free beach with street food and street art describes the old southern part. Check which part you are heading to.

A popular free beach in Umm Suqeim with kitesurfing, sports, food trucks and a view of Burj Al Arab.

★ Tip: The best view of the sail-shaped hotel and an active, sporty atmosphere — come in the morning or around sunset.

A famous gold market in Deira with hundreds of jewellery shops, where haggling is the norm.

★ Tip: The price is made up of the weight of the metal plus the workmanship — haggle, the first price is always inflated.

A colourful spice market in Deira with saffron, tea, incense, nuts and dried fruit.

★ Tip: Taste before you buy and haggle — it is perfectly normal here.

A resort complex styled as an old Arabian town, with canals, the Souk Madinat market and a view of Burj Al Arab.

★ Tip: Take a traditional abra ride along the complex's canals — especially beautiful in the evening.

An arts cluster in industrial Al Quoz: contemporary art galleries, studios and cafes in former warehouses.

★ Tip: Check the exhibition listings in advance — shows and events change regularly.

A giant aquarium with an underwater zoo inside The Dubai Mall — sharks, rays and a glass tunnel.

★ Tip: Part of the aquarium is visible from the mall for free; you need a ticket for the tunnel and the zoo.

An observation deck in Downtown with a glass bridge and a glass slide on the outside of the building.

★ Tip: You are given special footwear to walk across the glass bridge — it is part of the experience.

An artificial island next to JBR with the Ain Dubai wheel, restaurants, shops and a view of the marina.

★ Tip: You can walk to the island across the bridge from JBR — especially beautiful in the evening.

The famous red Al Lahbab dunes by the road towards Hatta — the prime spot for jeep safaris, sandboarding and quad bikes.

★ Tip: Take a tour with a transfer from the city — there is no public transport here, and it is about an hour's drive.

The largest desert reserve in the UAE — dunes, lakes, wildlife and eco-friendly recreation not far from Dubai.

★ Tip: The focus here is eco-friendly recreation: photo safaris, wildlife and starry skies instead of noisy quad bikes.

The UAE's first national reserve — protected desert with oryx and gazelles, accessible only on licensed tours.

★ Tip: You can only enter with an accredited operator — independent access is closed.

One of the world's largest indoor theme parks — Marvel superheroes, Cartoon Network, dinosaurs and roller coasters all under one air-conditioned roof.

★ Tip: Fully indoor and air-conditioned — the perfect option for a hot day when it is over 40°C outside.

The region's largest theme park complex — Motiongate, LEGOLAND, Real Madrid World, the LEGOLAND water park and the Riverland district. Closed since March 2026; the season opens on 7 October 2026.

★ Tip: The complex has been closed since March 2026; the season opens on 7 October 2026. For several days, a combo ticket is better value.

A quiet free beach between Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah, known as the 'secret' beach — a postcard view of Burj Al Arab without the crowds or facilities.

★ Tip: Bring water, food and an umbrella with you — there are no cafes, rentals or showers on the beach.

A modern driverless metro: the Red and Green lines link the airport, Downtown, Business Bay and Dubai Marina.

★ Tip: Buy a nol card — you cannot enter the metro without one, and a single card works on the metro, the tram and the buses.

A large military air base in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, south-west of the city of Abu Dhabi. Used by the UAE Air Force and a US contingent. It is a closed facility, not a tourist site.

★ Tip: The site is closed: you cannot go inside, you can only look at where it sits on the satellite map.

An indoor ski resort with real snow all year round, tucked inside the Mall of the Emirates.

★ Tip: A warm jacket and boots are included in the ticket, but bring your own gloves and hat.

One of the world's largest water parks, at the Atlantis resort on Palm Jumeirah, with dozens of slides, record-breaking drops and a lagoon of marine life.

★ Tip: Arrive at opening: by midday the queues for the headline slides grow noticeably.

An Arabian-legend themed water park with dramatic slides and a view of the famous Burj Al Arab hotel.

★ Tip: Bring a camera: the upper slides give the best shot with Burj Al Arab in the background.

An indoor biodome with a recreated tropical rainforest, home to more than three thousand plants and animals across several levels.

★ Tip: Work your way up through the levels — the route is designed to run from the forest floor to the treetops.

An interactive museum of optical illusions and puzzles in the historic Al Seef area by Dubai Creek.

★ Tip: Bring a phone or a camera — almost every exhibit is built for entertaining photographs.

Dubai's oldest surviving quarter: a maze of narrow lanes, houses built of coral and clay, and the distinctive wind towers (barjeel).

★ Tip: Come early in the morning or towards sunset — by midday the narrow lanes are hot and there is almost no shade.

A modern museum about the founding of the UAE, next to Union House where the agreement creating the country was signed in 1971.

★ Tip: Take the audio guide or join a tour — the exhibition gains a great deal from context about the events of 1971.

The legacy district of the Expo 2020 world fair, with futuristic architecture, parks and the landmark Al Wasl Plaza dome.

★ Tip: Wait for the evening — the giant Al Wasl dome becomes the screen for striking 360-degree light shows.

A modern waterfront district on Dubai Creek with a panoramic promenade, views of the city skyline and the site of the future Dubai Creek Tower.

★ Tip: Come to the Creek Marina promenade at sunset — it offers one of the best views of the Dubai skyline with Burj Khalifa in the distance.

A themed shopping centre divided into six courts after the countries visited by the medieval Arab explorer Ibn Battuta.

★ Tip: Look into the Persia and India courts for the most striking interiors and the painted dome — the mall's best photo spots.

Dubai's mountain enclave in the Hajar range, with a turquoise dam, kayaks and hiking trails roughly 130 km from the city centre.

★ Tip: Arrive at the dam early in the morning: by midday the water and the mountains heat up and the car park by the kayak area fills.

A modern open-air pedestrian quarter and mall in the Al Safa area, with boutiques, restaurants and European-style street frontages.

★ Tip: Come in the evening: the lit façades, the fountains and the restaurant terraces only come alive after sunset.

The two-kilometre The Walk promenade and the city beach at Jumeirah Beach Residence next to Dubai Marina, with restaurants, shops and views of Bluewaters Island.

★ Tip: Combine a stroll along The Walk with The Beach at JBR — from there you get a clear view of Bluewaters Island and the Ain Dubai wheel.

A 2,000-seat multi-format concert hall shaped like a traditional dhow, in Downtown at the foot of Burj Khalifa.

★ Tip: Book tickets online in advance and arrive an hour early to walk the Opera District with its view of Burj Khalifa and the fountains.

One of Dubai's largest city parks, in the Zabeel area, with lakes, picnic zones and the famous Dubai Frame viewing landmark.

★ Tip: Combine a walk in the park with going up Dubai Frame — the best views and photographs come closer to sunset.