Dubai is a city of big contrasts. In the morning you can ride a camel across silent golden dunes, and by sunset you can stand 452 metres up the world’s tallest building. With so much on offer, planning your trip can feel overwhelming, so our local team has picked the 10 best things to do in Dubai, the ones we’d recommend to a friend visiting for the first time.
For each one, you’ll find what to expect, how long it takes, the best time to go and our starting price, plus a sample itinerary and answers to the questions visitors ask us most.
Quick answer: The best things to do in Dubai are a desert safari, the Burj Khalifa observation deck, a sunrise hot air balloon flight, a dhow dinner cruise and a day trip to Abu Dhabi. Three days covers the highlights. For outdoor trips, November to March is the most comfortable time to visit.
The Best Things to Do in Dubai at a Glance
| # | Experience | Best for | Time needed | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Desert safari | First-time visitors, families | About 6 hours | AED 79 |
| 2 | Burj Khalifa At The Top | Everyone | 1 to 1.5 hours | AED 165 |
| 3 | Hot air balloon ride | Couples, photographers | 4 to 6 hours | AED 1,350 |
| 4 | Dhow dinner cruise | Couples, families | About 2 hours | AED 99 |
| 5 | Dune buggy or quad bike | Thrill-seekers | Up to 4 hours | AED 150 |
| 6 | Dubai Frame | Families, photographers | 45 to 60 minutes | AED 65 |
| 7 | Abu Dhabi day trip | Culture lovers | Full day | On request |
| 8 | Helicopter tour | Special occasions | About 1.5 hours | AED 650 |
| 9 | Skydive over Palm Jumeirah | Adrenaline fans | 3 to 4 hours | AED 2,199 |
| 10 | Lost World Aquarium | Families, hot days | 1.5 to 2 hours | AED 129 |
Starting prices with Wonder Star Tourism in October 2026. Prices can change, so check each tour page for today’s price.
1. Watch the Sunset on a Desert Safari
If you only do one thing outside the city, make it a desert safari. About 45 minutes from Downtown, the towers give way to red-gold dunes, and the afternoon turns into a ride you’ll talk about for years. An experienced driver takes you dune bashing in a 4×4, you’ll have time for sandboarding and a short camel ride, and the evening ends at a desert camp with a BBQ dinner and live shows under the stars.
Choose a Standard Desert Safari for the best value, a Premium Desert Safari for a more comfortable, upgraded evening, or a Private Desert Safari with your own car and guide. Prefer to beat the crowds? A Morning Desert Safari gets you into the dunes while it’s cool and quiet.
New to safaris? Our Dubai desert safari guide explains what each option includes and what to wear.
- Time needed: about 6 hours, afternoon to evening, including hotel pick-up
- Best for: first-time visitors, families and groups of friends
- Price from: AED 79 per person
- Local tip: dune bashing isn’t recommended during pregnancy or for anyone with back problems. Tell us when you book and we’ll suggest a gentler option.
2. Go to the Top of the Burj Khalifa
At 828 metres, the Burj Khalifa has been the world’s tallest building since it opened in January 2010. At The Top takes you up one of the world’s fastest lifts to Levels 124 and 125, about 450 metres up, where an outdoor terrace looks out over Downtown, the Arabian Gulf and the desert beyond. For an even higher view, At The Top SKY adds Level 148, at 555 metres.
Sunset is the most popular time to go, and those ‘prime hour’ tickets cost more and sell out first. A morning or after-dark visit is cheaper and quieter, and the city lights are just as impressive. When you come back down, stay for the Dubai Fountain show on the lake outside Dubai Mall. It’s free and runs every evening.
For every ticket type and the best time slots, read our Burj Khalifa tickets guide.
- Time needed: 1 to 1.5 hours
- Best for: everyone, especially first-time visitors
- Price from: AED 165 per person
- Local tip: from November to March, book sunset slots 2 to 3 days ahead.
3. Float Over the Dunes in a Hot Air Balloon
For a calmer kind of adventure, watch the sun rise over the desert from a hot air balloon. Pick-up is before dawn, and you’ll lift off in near silence as the dunes turn from grey to gold beneath you. Flights last 45 to 60 minutes and climb as high as about 4,000 feet, often over the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, where Arabian oryx and gazelles roam.
The balloon season runs mainly from October to May, when mornings are cool and winds are light, and flights only go ahead in safe weather. It’s a favourite for couples, birthdays and proposals.
- Time needed: 4 to 6 hours including transfers, back by mid to late morning
- Best for: couples, photographers and early risers
- Price from: AED 1,350 per person
- Local tip: book it early in your trip, so there’s time to reschedule if the weather isn’t right.
4. Cruise Dubai Marina or Dubai Creek on a Dhow
A dhow cruise is the easiest way to enjoy Dubai from the water, with dinner included. On a Dhow Cruise Deira, a traditional wooden boat sails along Dubai Creek, past the old souks of Deira and the wind-tower houses of Bur Dubai, where the city began. On a Dhow Cruise Marina, you’ll glide between glass skyscrapers and out past JBR and Ain Dubai, the world’s tallest observation wheel. Both last about 2 hours, with an international buffet and a Tanoura dance show.
Before or after the Creek cruise, cross the water on a traditional abra boat. It costs just AED 1 and is one of the best-value experiences in Dubai.
- Time needed: about 2 hours, in the evening
- Best for: couples, families and budget travellers
- Price from: AED 99 per person (Deira Creek) or AED 195 (Dubai Marina)
- Local tip: choose the Creek for old Dubai and value, and the MarinLocal tip: choose the Creek for old Dubai and value, and the Marin
5. Drive Your Own Dune Buggy or Quad Bike
If you’d rather drive than be driven, a dune buggy tour puts you behind the wheel of a powerful off-road buggy. After a safety briefing, you’ll follow your guide in a convoy across the red dunes, with photo stops along the way. It feels completely different from a standard safari, and it’s hard to stop smiling.
Want something simpler? A quad bike ride is a cheaper way to try driving on sand, and it’s easy for beginners.
- Time needed: up to 4 hours including transfers
- Best for: thrill-seekers and groups of friends
- Price from: AED 800 for the buggy tour, or AED 150 for a quad bike ride
- Local tip: wear closed shoes and bring a scarf or buff to keep the sand off your face.
6. See Old and New Dubai From the Dubai Frame
The Dubai Frame is exactly what it sounds like: a 150-metre golden picture frame in Zabeel Park, named the world’s largest frame by Guinness World Records. From the sky bridge at the top, look north to old Deira and Bur Dubai, then turn around to see the towers of Sheikh Zayed Road. The highlight is the glass floor, which looks frosted until you step on it, then turns clear to show the park 150 metres below.
- Time needed: 45 to 60 minutes
- Best for: families and photographers
- Price from: AED 65 per person
- Local tip: go in the late afternoon to see the city in daylight and then at sunset.
7. Take a Day Trip to Abu Dhabi
The UAE capital is about 1.5 to 2 hours from Dubai by road, and it’s worth a full day. The highlight of most Abu Dhabi tours is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, with its white marble domes, reflecting pools and one of the world’s largest hand-knotted carpets.
As of September 2026, tourists pay a small entry fee: AED 10, or AED 8 when you visit with a tour operator. Book your time slot on the official website, up to one month ahead. Visitors aged 60 and over, children under 3 and people of determination enter free. Dress modestly, as women need to cover their hair, arms and legs with loose clothing, and the mosque no longer lends abayas. Check the official mosque website for the latest rules.
Many day trips also stop at Qasr Al Watan (the Presidential Palace), the Abu Dhabi Corniche and Heritage Village. Or swap culture for speed at Ferrari World on Yas Island, home to the 240 km/h Formula Rossa roller coaster.
- Time needed: a full day
- Best for: culture lovers and families
- Price: message us for a quote for your group
- Local tip: on Fridays the mosque closes to visitors from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM for prayers, so plan your day around that gap.
8. Fly Over Palm Jumeirah on a Helicopter Tour
Seeing Dubai from the air puts the whole city into perspective: the palm-shaped island, the sail of the Burj Al Arab and the skyline rising out of the desert. Helicopter tours last 12 to 30 minutes. Shorter flights cover Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Al Arab, while flights of 22 minutes or more also take in Downtown and the Burj Khalifa.
- Time needed: about 1.5 hours, including a 45-minute check-in
- Best for: special occasions and photographers
- Price from: AED 650 per person
- Local tip: bring your passport or photo ID. Seats are assigned by weight, so you can’t choose the front seat.
9. Skydive Over Palm Jumeirah
For the ultimate rush, jump from about 13,000 feet over Palm Jumeirah, attached to an experienced tandem instructor. You’ll free fall for around 60 seconds at roughly 200 km/h, then glide down under the parachute for 4 to 5 minutes and land beside the beach in Dubai Marina. No experience is needed.
- Time needed: 3 to 4 hours at the drop zone
- Best for: thrill-seekers aged 18 to 75
- Price from: AED 2,199 per person
- Local tip: Palm slots often sell out 1 to 3 months ahead, and strict weight and BMI limits apply, so check them before you book.
10. Explore the Lost World Aquarium at Atlantis
Inside Atlantis The Palm, the aquarium once known as The Lost Chambers reopened in October 2025 as the Lost World Aquarium. It’s home to around 65,000 sea creatures, from sharks and rays to a Giant Pacific Octopus, spread across 14 immersive rooms inspired by the legend of Atlantis. Time your visit to catch the live mermaid show in the Ambassador Lagoon.
- Time needed: 1.5 to 2 hours
- Best for: families, and hot or rainy days
- Price from: AED 129 per person
- Local tip: children’s tickets are based on height: anyone under 1.2 m pays the child rate.
More Ideas If You Have Extra Time
Dubai has far more attractions than one list can hold. If you have an extra day, these are worth adding:
- IMG Worlds of Adventure: one of the world’s largest indoor theme parks, with Marvel rides and life-size dinosaurs. Perfect for summer. From AED 355.
- Jet ski at Dubai Marina: ride past JBR, Ain Dubai and Atlantis The Palm with a guide. From AED 350.
- Museum of the Future: closed for a major revamp since 1 September 2026, with all-new experiences due in 2027. You can still photograph its striking exterior on Sheikh Zayed Road.
A Sample 3-Day Dubai Itinerary
Short on time? This plan fits the top places to visit in Dubai into three days, with an optional fourth for adventure seekers.
Day 1: Old and New Dubai
Start at the Dubai Frame in the morning, then cross Dubai Creek by abra and explore the Gold and Spice Souks. End the day at the Burj Khalifa at sunset, followed by the Dubai Fountain show.
Day 2: The Desert
Early risers can start with a sunrise hot air balloon flight and rest at the hotel afterwards. In the afternoon, head out on an evening desert safari with dune bashing, a camel ride and a BBQ dinner.
Day 3: Abu Dhabi
Spend the day in the capital, visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan and the Corniche, or Ferrari World if you’re travelling with thrill-seekers.
Day 4 (Optional): Sky and Sea
Skydive or take a helicopter tour in the morning, relax on JBR beach in the afternoon, then end your trip with a dhow dinner cruise in Dubai Marina.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Dubai?
November to March is the most comfortable time to visit, with warm days and cool evenings that are perfect for desert safaris and outdoor sightseeing. From June to September, temperatures often climb above 40°C. If you visit then, plan outdoor activities for early morning or evening, and spend the middle of the day at indoor attractions like the Lost World Aquarium or IMG Worlds.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions travellers ask us most when planning their first trip to Dubai.
What is the best thing to do in Dubai for first-time visitors?
A desert safari and a visit to the top of the Burj Khalifa are the two classic Dubai experiences. If you have more time, add a dhow cruise and the Dubai Frame.
How many days do you need in Dubai?
Three days covers the essentials, while 4 to 5 days lets you enjoy everything in this guide, including a day trip to Abu Dhabi.
Can I do the Burj Khalifa and a desert safari on the same day?
Yes. Visit the Burj Khalifa in the morning, as most evening desert safaris pick you up in the afternoon. Just remember that both are best at sunset, so choose one for the sunset slot.
Is the Museum of the Future open?
No. The Museum of the Future closed temporarily on 1 September 2026 to build all-new experiences, which are due to open in 2027. You can still see and photograph the building from outside.
Do you have to pay to visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque?
Yes, as of September 2026. Tourists pay AED 10, or AED 8 when visiting with a tour operator, and Emirates ID holders pay AED 5. Worshippers, visitors aged 60 and over, children under 3 and people of determination enter free.
What are the best free things to do in Dubai?
Watch the Dubai Fountain show, walk the Dubai Marina promenade and JBR beach, and explore the old souks of Deira. Crossing Dubai Creek by abra costs just AED 1.
When is the best time of year to visit Dubai?
November to March, when the weather is warm but comfortable. Summer is very hot, so plan outdoor activities for early morning or evening.
Plan Your Dubai Trip With Wonder Star Tourism
If you only have time for three things to do in Dubai, make them these:
- An evening desert safari, for the dunes, the sunset and dinner at the camp.
- The Burj Khalifa, early in the day or after dark if sunset slots are gone.
- A day trip to Abu Dhabi and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
The hardest part of visiting Dubai is choosing what to do first. Our local team can help you build the right plan, whether you want one unforgettable experience or a full week of adventures. Browse our Dubai city tours, desert safaris and Abu Dhabi day trips, or message us on WhatsApp and we’ll put together your itinerary.
