21 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Dubai

Dubai is the most modern city in the United Arab Emirates. It is a very popular destination for tourists. Dubai has the world’s tallest building, large shopping malls, theme parks, museums, and beautiful beaches. Along with modern buildings, there is a touch of old Arab culture and tradition. The city is clean, safe, and travel-friendly. Dubai’s tourist attractions include Burj Khalifa, Desert Safari, Dubai Mall, and Al Fahidi Heritage Village. For children, there is Legoland and Motiongate. For nature lovers, there is Dubai Miracle Garden, and if you love the sea, Jumeirah Beach is suitable.

In this blog, we will highlight 21 places that are really worth a visit in Dubai. Not only in terms of popularity, each place has been analyzed based on its uniqueness, historical importance, entertainment quality, and traveler experience. This guide will be a helpful list for those planning a trip to Dubai.

1. Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world. It is located in the downtown area of Dubai. The construction of the building began in 2004 and was completed in 2010. It was built by the South Korean Samsung Engineering Company. The building was designed by American architect Adrian Smith. The total height of Burj Khalifa is 828 meters or 2717 feet. It has 163 floors. The building has offices, hotels, residential apartments, and a viewing deck for tourists. The Armani Hotel is located on the 1st to 39th floor of the building. There are luxury residential flats on the 40th to the 108th floor.

The most popular place is the observation deck called ‘At The Top’. It is located on the 124th and 125th floors. From here you can see the entire city of Dubai, the desert, and the Persian Gulf. For those who prefer more height, there is ‘At The Top SKY’ on the 148th floor. This is the highest observation deck in the world. The best time to visit Burj Khalifa is from 4 pm to 7 pm. Then you can see the sunset.

2. The Dubai Mall

The Dubai Mall is one of the world’s largest and most popular shopping and entertainment destinations. It is located in the downtown area of Dubai, right next to the famous Burj Khalifa. The mall was opened in 2008 by the EMAAR company. Its area is about 1.2 million square meters, which is like a full-fledged city. There are more than 1,200 international and local brand stores, more than a hundred restaurants, cafes, and many entertainment facilities.

Outside the mall is the famous Dubai Fountain, which puts on a fascinating fountain show with music and light every half hour from dusk. Many people rest here after getting off the Burj Khalifa and enjoy this show. There is no ticket required to enter the Dubai Mall, but separate tickets are required for some special attractions. The mall is open daily from 10 am to 12 midnight

3. Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah is one of Dubai’s most unique and luxurious tourist destinations. It is an artificially created island, shaped like a palm tree. In fact, it is one of the largest man-made islands in the world. Its construction began in 2001, and it was opened to tourists within a few years. This huge project in the sea was built by a Dubai-based developer company called Nakheel. This island has luxury resorts, hotels, villas, apartments, and entertainment facilities. The most popular hotel is Atlantis, The Palm. This hotel has Aquaventure Waterpark, Lost Chambers Aquarium, and several mixed-cuisine restaurants. Tourists can walk through underwater tunnels here, see sharks and various marine animals.

Palm Jumeirah has a monorail train, which provides great convenience for visiting different parts of the island. In addition, for those who want to see the island by sea, there are yacht tours and speed boat rides. Many tourists enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the Palm Jumeirah by skydiving, one of Dubai’s most popular adventures. There’s an open-air dining and entertainment spot called The Pointe, from where you can enjoy views of the Atlantis Hotel and the water fountain show in the evening.

4. Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina is a modern waterfront area, one of the most popular tourist and residential areas in Dubai. It is located on the shores of the Persian Gulf and is artificially created. It has skyscraper residential towers, luxury hotels, restaurants, shopping spots, and waterfront walkways. The area began to be built in 2003 and gradually became a symbol of Dubai’s high-end lifestyle. The most interesting place is the Dubai Marina Walk. It is a 7-kilometer-long walkway that goes around the marina. Tourists walk, ride bikes, or sit in coffee shops and enjoy the sea view.

Boat rides and yacht tours are very popular in Dubai Marina. You can see the city from the entire marina and the surrounding waterways by booking a dinner cruise, sunset cruise, or private yacht. Many people choose Dhow Cruise Dinner, where you can enjoy a pleasant trip with Arabic music and food. There is Dubai Marina Mall, a medium-sized modern shopping mall. There are fashion brands, food shops, and entertainment facilities here.

5. Dubai Fountain

It is located in the Downtown Dubai area, between the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall. The fountain is 275 meters long and is built on a large lake (Burj Lake). It was officially opened in 2009 and has since become one of the most visited attractions in Dubai. Every evening, the fountain puts on a spectacular show of light, music, and water. The water in the fountain can shoot up to 500 feet, which is the height of a 50-story building. It uses powerful lights, color projections, and high-power water pumps. Each show features songs in different languages, Arabic, English, Hindi, classical, pop, and more.

The fountain show starts at 6 pm, and occurs every 30 minutes. It runs until 11 pm. Each show is about 3–5 minutes long. If you want to get a closer look, you can opt for the Dubai Fountain Boardwalk or Lake Ride. The Boardwalk is a floating road on the water, where you can stand and enjoy the show from just 9 meters away from the fountain. You can also buy a ticket and watch the show from above the water on a boat.

6. Burj Al Arab

Burj Al Arab is one of the most famous and luxurious hotels in Dubai. It is built on an artificial island, near Jumeirah Beach. It is connected to the main city by a special bridge. The hotel opened in 1999 and is known as the world’s first “7-star” hotel, although this is not official. Its height is 321 meters and it resembles a sailboat, which has become one of the symbols of Dubai’s architecture.

Inside the hotel, there are luxury suites, personal butler service, helipad, private beach, and car service (including Rolls-Royce). There are no ordinary rooms; all rooms are duplex-style suites. Each suite has a gold-colored interior, marble bathrooms, and state-of-the-art technology. The largest suite is over 7,800 square feet.

Burj Al Arab is not open to the general public. If you want to go inside, you must stay at the hotel or go to the restaurant with an advance reservation. There are some famous restaurants here like Al Muntaha (located on the top floor), Al Mahara (underwater theme), and Skyview Bar, which offers a view of the entire city of Dubai. The food is expensive, but the experience is simply amazing.

7. Jumeirah Beach

Jumeirah Beach is one of the most popular public beaches in Dubai. It is located on the shores of the Persian Gulf and is very close to the Burj Al Arab hotel. The beach is famous for its white sand. It offers a wonderful view of the Burj Al Arab and the sea. This beach offers opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, walking, or kayaking. Jumeirah Beach is clean, spacious, and family-friendly. It has changing rooms, free showers, public toilets, and a play area. Lifeguards are always on duty for safety. There are small cafes, ice cream corners, and mobile food stalls around the beach.

Entry to Jumeirah Beach is absolutely free. You can ride a bike or go to the children’s play park if you want. Nearby are Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Wild Wadi Waterpark and Sunset Beach. The best way to get to the beach is by taxi or bus.

8. Dubai Creek

It is a natural canal that divides the city into two parts, Deira and Bur Dubai. In ancient times, Dubai’s trade began here. Pearl and fishing were carried out on sailing boats along the creek. Even today, traditional wooden boats ‘Dhow’ operate here, which bear the identity of Dubai’s heritage. The most popular way to travel here is the Abra ride. This is a small wooden boat that takes you across the creek for just 1 dirham. Especially in the evening, when you travel by Abra, you can see the water, lights, and the old city view together.

There are many places to visit around Dubai Creek. In the Bur Dubai part, there is the Al Fahidi Historical District, where old Arab houses, museums, and cultural centers can be seen. On the other hand, in the Deira part, there are the Gold Souk and the Spice Souk. There are many restaurants in the creek area, where you can enjoy the view of the water while sitting and enjoying Arab food. You can also take part in a Dhow Cruise Dinner, where dinner is accompanied by music and dancing. This is one of the most popular romantic and cultural experiences in Dubai.

9. Dubai Museum

Dubai Museum is the oldest and most historic museum in the city. It is located inside the Al Fahidi Fort, in the Bur Dubai area. The fort was built in 1787, making it the oldest building in Dubai. It was once a defensive fort, later a palace, a prison, and now a museum.

In this museum, you will see the past lifestyle of Dubai. Bedouin life, pearl hunting, desert life, traditional houses, old boats, and market scenes are vividly presented here. There are handicrafts, weapons, ancient costumes, and photographs. History is shown through 3D displays and models using modern technology. The museum is open daily from 8:30 am to 8 pm (from 2 pm on Fridays).

10. The Dubai Frame

Dubai Frame is a unique and impressive architectural in Dubai. It looks like a huge picture frame, 150 meters high and 93 meters wide. It is located next to Zabeel Park. Through this frame, old Dubai (Deira, Al Fahidi) can be seen on one side, and new modern Dubai (Downtown, Burj Khalifa) on the other. That is why it is called—“the connection point of old and new Dubai”. There is a glass bridge between the two towers of the building, which is located on the 48th floor. From this Sky Deck, the entire city of Dubai can be seen in 360 degrees. Standing on the glass floor in the middle and watching the view below is an exciting experience. This is a great place for those who love heights.

On the ground floor is the Dubai Past Gallery, where the history, culture, and lifestyle of old Dubai are highlighted. The Sky Deck has videos and digital displays of the modern city. There is the Future Dubai Gallery, where future Dubai is shown through virtual reality.

11. Mall of the Emirates

Mall of the Emirates is located in the Al Barsha area of Dubai. It was inaugurated in 2005. This shopping mall is located next to Sheikh Zayed Road and is connected to the metro station. It is one of the largest and most popular shopping destinations in Dubai.

This mall has more than 630 stores. Here you will find luxury brands like Gucci, Dior, Chanel. There are also famous stores like Marks & Spencer, Carrefour, and Harvey Nichols. Apart from shopping, there are more than 100 restaurants and cafes. From food courts to international cuisine options, various options are available here. Mall of the Emirates is also famous for entertainment. It has an indoor ski resort called ‘Ski Dubai’, which is an attractive place covered in snow in the desert. There is also a cinema theater, a play area for children, and an art gallery.

12. Dubai Miracle Garden

Dubai Miracle Garden is the world’s largest natural flower garden. It was inaugurated on February 14, 2013 (Valentine’s Day). The garden is located in the Al Barsha area of Dubai and covers an area of about 72,000 square meters. About 50 million flowers are planted here every year, which are of different species and colors. These flowers are used to create various interesting designs, including houses, cars, animals, clocks, and heart shapes. There are well-groomed paths for walking, seating areas, and great spots for taking photos.

Among the most popular attractions in this garden is the giant Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft made of flowers, which has achieved a Guinness World Record. About half a million flowers were used to create it. There is also an 18-meter-high Mickey Mouse topiary, which is also a Guinness World Record. The garden is decorated with a new theme and new design every season. Inside the garden is the ‘Butterfly Garden’ where 15,000 butterflies can be seen. This garden is open only during the winter months (November to May) each year. It is closed during the summer due to the extreme heat.

13. Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood

Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood is located in the old Creek area of Dubai. It is formerly known as “Al Bastakiya. It was established in the late 19th century by Persian traders. The area is home to ancient Arab architecture, mud houses, wooden doors, and the famous wind towers (barjil). These helped keep the house cool in hot weather. More than 50 historical buildings are still preserved.

The area is home to many museums and galleries. The Dubai Museum, Coin Museum. The Coffee Museum is also a popular place to learn about Arab coffee culture. There is also the XVA Art Gallery, which exhibits the work of local and international artists. The Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) is located in the Al Fahidi area. It organizes guided tours, traditional food, and cultural talks for visitors. The area hosts the “Sika Art Fair” and other cultural festivals every year.

14. Ski Dubai

Ski Dubai is an indoor ski resort. It is located inside the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. The resort opened in 2005. Ski Dubai covers an area of approximately 22,500 square meters. There are five ski slopes, one of which is 400 meters long. The temperature is always kept between −1°C and 2°C, so that the snow does not melt. The place is very popular for skiing and snowboarding.

Ski Dubai has a large snow park. This park is suitable for children and families. There are snow games, tube slides, ice caves, and hanging cable rides. All skiing clothing and equipment are available for rent. Those who do not have any skiing experience can take lessons with a trainer. The ski academy teaches beginners to advanced skiing. A special attraction of Ski Dubai is the Penguin Encounter. Here you have the opportunity to meet and take pictures with king and gentoo penguins.

15. Dubai Opera

Dubai Opera is located near the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It is a world-class performing arts center. The building is shaped like an Arabian “dhow” boat. It opened in 2016. Opera, ballet, concerts, theater, musicals, and comedy shows are regularly held here. The seating capacity is about 2,000. The architecture of the building is very impressive. It has a beautiful design of chandeliers, marble, and glass. The inner auditorium can be used as a theater, concert hall, or banquet hall. The huge chandelier called “Symphony” attracts visitors here. There is a beautiful rooftop restaurant on top of the opera house. Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain can be seen from here.

16. Global Village

Global Village is a cultural and entertainment park. It is located in the Dubailand area of Dubai. It is open from October to April every year. There are pavilions from more than 90 countries. Each pavilion displays the culture, clothing, food, and handicrafts of that country. There are more than 200 restaurants and food stalls here. You can enjoy traditional food from different countries in one place. There is live music, dance performances, street shows, and special festival events. There are carnivals, rides, games, and thrilling attractions for children. The park opens every day from 4 pm and remains open until 12 am or 1 am.

17. IMG Worlds of Adventure

IMG Worlds of Adventure is the largest indoor theme park in Dubai and one of the largest in the world. It opened in 2016 and covers an area of about 1.4 million square feet. The park can accommodate about 20,000 visitors a day. It is located in the City of Arabia in Dubai. The park is fully air-conditioned, so it is comfortable to visit at any time of the year. It is operated by the IMG Group and is divided into different theme zones.

The park has four main theme zones: Marvel, Cartoon Network, Lost Valley – Dinosaur Adventure, and IMG Boulevard. In the Marvel Zone, you will find action rides themed with Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor, and Hulk. In the Cartoon Network Zone, there are fun rides and games for children with Ben Ten, Gumball, the Powerpuff Girls, and many other characters. Lost Valley is a dinosaur-themed area where the roller coaster “Velociraptor” is one of the attractions. IMG Boulevard has a ghost hotel,  cinema hall, food court, and souvenir shops. IMG Worlds is open daily from 12pm to 10pm, and on weekends (Friday and Saturday) until 11pm. You can get there by taxi, private car, Dubai Metro, and bus.

18. Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is located on the ground floor of the Dubai Mall. It is made up of a huge tank of 10 million liters of water, which is one of the largest indoor aquariums in the world. It is home to more than 33,000 marine animals of more than 140 species. Walking through the 48-meter-long and 11-meter-high underwater tunnel, you can see sharks, rays, various types of fish, and marine life.

Above the aquarium is the Underwater Zoo, which is divided into three theme zones – Rainforest, Rocky Shore, and Living Ocean. The Rainforest Zone has piranhas, snakes, frogs, and aquatic insects. The Rocky Shore section has crabs, starfish, and small sharks that visitors can touch. The Living Ocean has a huge crocodile, “King Croc”, otters, penguins, and various species of fish. There are interactive displays and live feeding sessions for children to learn. The aquarium is open daily from 10 am to 11 pm.

19. The Green Planet Dubai

The Green Planet is an indoor rainforest. It is located in the City Walk area of Dubai. It is home to over 3,000 trees and animals. Inside is a giant artificial tree. It is divided into four levels – canopy, mid-story, forest floor, and flooded forest. Visitors can walk around the trees.

Here you can see a variety of birds, sloths, snakes, bats, fish, and insects. Children can touch the animals here. Special experiences include “Sloth Encounter”, “Piranha Feeding”, “Creatures of the Night”, and “Bat Cave”. Waterfalls cascade overhead, and artificial rain falls. It is an educational and fun place. The Green Planet is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. It is an ideal destination for families and children.

20. Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary

Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is a natural bird sanctuary. It is located just 15 minutes from the city center of Dubai. The area is spread over 10 square kilometers. It has mangrove forests, mudflats, salt marshes, and small lagoons. It was recognized as an international Ramsar site in 2007. It also carries out climate and environmental conservation work.

It is a popular place for bird watching. During the winter (November to March), more than 20,000 migratory birds come here. The biggest attraction is the pink flamingos, which can be seen from afar. Also seen are the grey heron, black stilt, kingfisher, osprey, and various waterfowl. There are three viewing points for bird watching: the Flamingo Hide, the Mangrove Hide, and the Lagoon Hide. The sanctuary is open from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm (winter). It is open from 6 am to 6 pm during the summer. Entry is absolutely free. Parking facilities are also available. No tickets are required.

21. Atlantis, The Palm

Atlantis, The Palm is a luxury hotel and resort. It is located on the Palm Jumeirah island in Dubai. The hotel opened in 2008. It has more than 1,500 rooms and suites. The hotel’s design is inspired by the maritime legend of Atlantis. It is located on the seashore and its view is very beautiful. The resort has the Aqua venture Water Park. It is one of the largest water parks in the world. It has more than 100 rides. The “Leap of Faith” is a famous ride. There is also The Lost Chambers Aquarium. Here you can see 65,000 marine animals.

The resort has more than 30 restaurants. Famous restaurants such as Gordon Ramsay, Nobu, and Oceano are here. There is a spa, swimming pool, game zone, and private beach. Admission to the water park and aquarium is free for hotel guests.