Things to Do in Dubai
Written by a Cura travel advisor · Checked
Short answer
Explore the best things to do in Dubai from Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Fountain, Old Dubai by abra, evening desert safari to aday in Abu Dhabi for the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre.
Dubai has no shortage of things to do. You can admire the skyline from the world's tallest building, wander through traditional souks, spend an evening in the desert or relax by the beach.
But if you're visiting for just four or five days, fitting everything in can be difficult. Some experiences deserve a place on your itinerary, while others depend on your interests, budget and how much time you have.
This guide covers the best things to do in Dubai, what each experience offers and which ones are worth prioritising.
Things to do in Dubai at a Glance
Dubai sells a ticket for everything, and most visitors overspend on attractions that look alike. This list keeps the 10 things worth your time and money, says which to book ahead, and names three we would skip. Prices are per person, checked Oct 2026 at about ₹26 to the dirham. For the whole trip, start with the Dubai trip guide.
| Attraction | Area | Time needed | Cost per person | Book ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burj Khalifa, At the Top | Downtown | 1.5 hrs | ₹4,00 to ₹5,000 non-prime; more at sunset | Yes |
| Dubai Fountain | Downtown | 30 min | Free | No |
| Desert safari | Desert, pick-up from hotel | 6 hrs | ₹5,500 to ₹6,500 shared | Yes |
| Al Fahidi and Al Shindagha | Bur Dubai | 2 to 3 hrs | Free to walk | No |
| Abra and the souks | The Creek, Deira | 2 hrs | A few rupees for the abra | No |
| Marina and JBR | Dubai Marina | Half day | Free; boat rides extra | No |
| Palm West Beach boardwalk | Palm Jumeirah | 1 to 2 hrs | Free | No |
| Global Village (winter season) | Dubailand | 3 to 4 hrs | Low; check current ticket | No |
| Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque | Abu Dhabi | 1.5 to 2 hrs | AED 10 (₹260) | Recommended |
| Louvre Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat | 2 to 3 hrs | AED 70 (₹1,800) | Recommended |
Note: The price may vary based on the seasonal experience.
Burj Khalifa
Worth it, once, at the right time. The standard ticket takes you to levels 124 and 125, and on a clear day you see the whole coast. Book online: non-prime slots in the morning or after dark cost about AED 170 to 190 (₹4,500 to ₹5,000), while sunset slots cost much more and sell out. Morning air is usually clearer. Allow 1.5 hours including the queue for the lift.
The Dubai Fountain
Free and genuinely good. The fountain on the Burj Khalifa lake runs short shows set to music, every 30 minutes in the evening. Stand on the lake promenade outside Dubai Mall, or on the bridge towards Souk Al Bahar for a side view with the tower behind. Two shows is enough.
Desert Safari
The one paid experience almost everyone loves. A shared evening safari picks you up from your hotel in the afternoon, drives over the dunes in a 4x4, stops for sunset and a camel ride, then serves a buffet dinner with a show at a camp. Expect about AED 210 to 250 (₹5,500 to ₹6,500) a person, and about 6 hours in all. Dune driving is rough: skip it if you are pregnant, have back trouble or get car-sick, and ask for a "no dune bashing" option. Ask whether dinner has a vegetarian section; most camps do.
Al Fahidi and Al Shindagha
The old Dubai most visitors skip. Al Fahidi is a quarter of restored wind-tower houses, small museums and cafes in narrow lanes. Al Shindagha, a short walk along the Creek, has the heritage museums. Go in the morning, when the lanes are cool and empty. It is free to walk.
Abra Ride and the souks
Cross the Creek by abra, the old wooden water taxi, for a fare of about a dirham or two, to Deira. On the other side are the gold souk and the spice souk. You do not need to buy anything; the gold souk windows are a sight on their own. Bargain in the spice souk, and agree a price before anyone weighs anything.
Dubai Marina and JBR
A free evening. Walk the Marina promenade under the towers, then cross to The Walk at JBR for dinner by the beach. A short boat ride around the Marina at sunset is worth more than a long dinner cruise. Book a small-boat tour on the day.
Palm Jumeirah
Take the metro and tram or a taxi to the Palm West Beach boardwalk for sunset, with the Marina skyline across the water. Atlantis sits at the far end of the Palm; its water park, Aquaventure, is a full day out for families and costs extra.
Global Village
A winter-only outdoor fair with pavilions from dozens of countries, street food and shows. It is cheesy and crowded, and families love it. It runs roughly from October to spring; go after sunset on a weekday. The India pavilion is one of the biggest.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The single best sight in the UAE, about 1.5 hours away in Abu Dhabi. Since September 2026, tourists pay AED 10 to enter; guided cultural tours are still free. Go late afternoon to see the white marble change colour at sunset. The dress code is strict: long trousers, arms covered to the wrist, and loose, ankle-length clothes and a headscarf for women. Abayas are no longer lent at the door, so dress right. On Fridays it is closed to visitors until the afternoon.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Worth it even if you are not a museum person, for the building alone: a huge dome that filters sunlight like palm leaves. Adult tickets are AED 70 (about ₹1,800). Pair it with the Grand Mosque on the same day. More on both in the Abu Dhabi guide.
What we'd skip in Dubai
- The paid aquarium tunnel in Dubai Mall. You can see most of the giant tank free from the mall floor.
- Ski Dubai, unless your kids have never seen snow. It is expensive for what is a cold room in a mall.
- Full-day "city tour" coach packages. They spend much of the day in traffic and at photo stops you can reach by metro.
And note: the Museum of the Future is closed for a refit from September 2026 and plans to reopen in early 2027. Check before you plan around it.
Things to Do in Dubai by traveller
| Traveller | Do |
|---|---|
| Couples | Burj Khalifa at night, Palm boardwalk sunset, a private desert evening, Louvre Abu Dhabi |
| Families with kids | Desert safari, Global Village, Aquaventure, the fountain |
| Families with elders | Fountain, old Dubai by abra, Grand Mosque, Global Village; skip dune driving |
| First-timers | The top 5 in the answer box aboveCura is an AI + human travel agent. When we plan Dubai, we usually book two or three paid experiences and leave the rest of the days for the free ones above. |
To fit these into days, use the Dubai itinerary. To stay close to the ones you care about, see where to stay in Dubai.
FAQ
What is the number one thing to do in Dubai?
The Burj Khalifa, then the fountain show below it. Book a morning or after-dark slot to save money.
What can I do in Dubai for free?
The Dubai Fountain, Al Fahidi and the souks, the Marina and JBR promenade, the Palm boardwalk and the public beaches. The abra across the Creek costs about a dirham or two.
Is a desert safari worth it?
Yes for most people. It is the one Dubai experience you cannot get at home. Skip dune driving if you have back trouble or get car-sick.
Is the Museum of the Future open?
No. It closed for a refit in September 2026 and plans to reopen in early 2027. Check the official site before you book.
Can I visit Abu Dhabi from Dubai in a day?
Yes. The Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque fit in one day with a car, leaving Dubai at 9 am.
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Louvre Abu Dhabi
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