United Arab Emirates: must-do activities in Dubai

In this article, I won’t talk about restaurants, cafés, clubs or hotels in particular: there’s something for every taste and budget! I assure you.

Here’s a tour of the city’s main districts and must-see sights, as well as activities to suit your travel profile for an unforgettable experience.

Al Seef is a modern representation of the ancient city. The walk is well laid out and pleasant under the stretched canvases, where you can take a break from the heat. It’s possible to hop on a boat for a cruise on Dubai Creek or simply browse the pretty stores and enjoy the views over the creek. Looking for a fun activity for just an hour? You can have fun at the Museum of Illusions.

The Dubai Frame was designed by architect Fernando Donis to bridge the gap between old and new Dubai. So, when you look at one side of the frame, you see the more historic area of Dubai, while on the other side you see impressive modern skyscrapers. The Dubai Frame tour is quick (30-45 minutes), but I really enjoyed it, especially the 4-minute film on the future of the city at the end of the tour. Magnificent and impressive! Get your tickets in advance to make sure you can visit.

Let’s move on to the best-known district, home to the famous Burj Khalifa. If you’ve come from far away, you’ll want to admire it from all angles, so impressive is this skyscraper!

On a first visit, a visit to At The Top is almost essential, to get a panoramic view of the city from the top of the 125th floor of the Burj Khalifa or the 148th floor. For a different experience, a lounge at levels 152,153 and 154 allows you to have brunch or tea in the clouds or an evening drink under the stars.

Continue with some window shopping in the Dubai Mall. You’ll also find a host of activities: a haunted house, an aquarium and underwater zoo, virtual reality activities, go-karting, ice skating, and a flight simulator aboard an Emirates A380.

Finally, take an evening stroll outside along the artificial lake, where 24 fountain shows take place every 30 minutes between 6pm and 11pm. Climb aboard a boat for an even more unique experience, or take a seat at one of the nearby restaurants to make sure you don’t miss any of the action.

I love this area because it offers magnificent views of the Burj Al Arab. It is close to the shops, the Marina and the Jumeirah palm tree. And the beach is big and public. Cafés and restaurants also offer a simple, summery and relaxing atmosphere for the whole family.

Dubai has a number of amusement parks for families, including the Wild Wadi water park, outdoor games on the beach and a skate park. Others will enjoy kite surfing, kayaking or running. A few minutes away, take a stroll to the Madinat Jumeirah, another neighborhood built in the style of traditional bazaars. We’re going back in time here!

At the end of the day, let yourself be seduced by a memorable sunset on the beach.

The Marina impressed me with its multiple skyscrapers built around an artificial canal. The walk along the riverbank is a pleasant one, but I suggest you take it in the evening when it’s cooler. Why not have dinner on one of the pleasure boats that will take you on a tour of the Marina in the middle of these tours?

Stroll through the new Bluewaters district and climb to the top of the world’s largest Ferris wheel, the Dubai Eye. You will have a breathtaking view of the Marina and JBR as well as the Jumeirah palm tree. The shops and the wheel opened in the year 2020.

There are a few cafés, restaurants, bars, clubs, shops, a grocery store, etc. It’s a place that hasn’t yet been discovered by tourists.

Over the years, Dubai has built 3 artificial archipelagos in the shape of palm trees:

• Palm Jebel Ali: a project one and a half times the size of Jumeirah – unfinished.
• Palm Jumeirah: home to Atlantis and the smallest archipelago – completed.
• Deira Islands: the largest of the three – unfinished.

The first activity that comes to mind when you arrive as a couple is booking a desert safari. You could also link this with a dinner in a Bedouin tent like the old-fashioned way. Nothing could be more romantic, you’ll see!

Visitors are often offered the chance to surf the dunes, ride a quad bike, or even enjoy a magical morning with hot-air balloons! Orient Tours, whose services are described below, can help you plan to suit your tastes.

Treat yourself to a helicopter or plane ride over the city, the Jumeirah palm tree or The World, a project of 300 artificial islands representing the world.

A feet-in-the-air meal at Zero Gravity or a dinner cruise on a Marina boat is another idea.

Sunsets in Dubai are fabulous and very romantic. So here are a few suggestions:

• Make your way to Dubai Creek Harbour at the end of the day to watch one of the most beautiful sunsets over the city of Dubai. A very pleasant walk along the marina dock. This is also where work has begun on the world’s next tallest skyscraper, the Dubai Creek Tower. In the future, it will be possible to stroll around Dubai Square, inspired by the world’s most beautiful neighborhoods.
• Before heading to the Dubai Opera House, I suggest you watch the sun set over the Burj Khalifa as you leave the Dubai Mall.
• Make a reservation at Shimmers restaurant, just a few steps from the Burj Al Arab, and enjoy a moonlit stroll across the sand before leaving. Magic.

Finally, for those who just want to relax and enjoy the breathtaking views, or surprise a partner, you can book a cabana during the day, sip a nice cocktail and enjoy the heated pool at the Aura Skypool.

If you’re looking to have fun with the kids, you’ll have no trouble in Dubai! Here are a few ideas for outings that might appeal to them and make a change from conventional tours:

• Kidzania is a leisure centre for children allowing them to discover a multitude of jobs through role-playing games. For a day or a few hours, they can be surgeons, firefighters, cashiers, cameramen and more.
• The center OliOli is an experimental museum for children to awaken them to science and inventions. I love this type of museum!
• Children’s City is a theme park located in Creekside Park, one of the city’s largest parks. Activities include a planetarium, a nature centre and workshops to discover the human body.
• The IMG Worlds of Adventure is an indoor theme park with lots of rides. It features dinosaurs, Marvel and cartoon characters.

For sports enthusiasts, Dubai boasts a number of golf courses, including Dubai Creek near DXB International Airport, Dubai Hills and the Emirates Golf Club and Topgolf Dubai near the marina.

Just 20 minutes from Dubai, watch a cricket tournament at the Dubai International Stadium. There are also regular shows. Nearby, for F1 and thrill-seekers, try your hand at driving a race car or racing a go-kart on a professional rally circuit, or watch one of the races.

For those who like to run, cycle or simply walk, the walk along the Dubai Water Canal (between the Bay of Business and Jumeirah Beach) is perfect and offers beautiful views of Dubai’s skyscrapers. Next, join Safa Park, a large green park offering beautiful views of the skyscrapers of the downtown district.

For speed freaks, head to the autodrome, a racetrack where you can drive a racing car, go-kart or even a retro car!

Once a year is held the Desert Warrior Challenge, an event for those who love obstacles and racing all in an exceptional setting.

If you’re in the mood for a game of tennis, badminton, squash and more, head to Dubai Sports World in the World Trade Centre district.

For those who would like to jump… into the void by parachute, take the plunge with Skydive Dubai and experience an intense and unforgettable moment.

Snow-starved Canadians? The Emirates Mall has ski slopes! Ski lessons are available, as well as sledging and penguin encounters.

For golf lovers, there is no lack of choice, there are courses everywhere! And if you’re looking to improve your swing, why not take a one-to-one lesson with a professional?

Finally, in a different spirit, you could go horseback riding in one of the many riding schools or attend a horse or camel race!

How can you not talk about shopping when you talk about Dubai? It contains centers commercial and shopping areas, some of which I can’t talk about.

For a traditional walk, visit its souks. Between spices, gold, fabrics, souvenirs, you will find everything. You can do business in Bur Dubai or Deira. But also at the Médinah Jumeirah under beautiful modern wooden arcades (less racy). Finally you also have the luxurious souk Al Bahar near the Dubai Mall, far from the traditional ones.

When it comes to shopping, I recommend you visit the classics: the Dubai Mall, but also the Emirates Mall, even if it’s just for window shopping, and finally the IBN Battuba Mall. The latter has been decorated on the theme of travel, to see!

I know that for some people it’s a bit crazy to want to visit a shopping mall, but sometimes the architecture is crazy and worth a look, especially for this one!

Last but not least, the Dubai Festival City center also offers a multitude of activities.

Dubai is no stranger to art lovers. I’m thinking of several places in particular that offer art galleries, exhibitions or events:

• the Jamel Art Center.
• Foundry space in Downtown Dubai
• Aserkal Avenue at Al Quoz
• the Dubai Design District

Each of these squares offers free exhibitions, stores, cafés and libraries. You may even come across some beautiful vintage cars on Aserkal Avenue.

You can visit Dubai on your own, or with the services of an agency. On one of my previous trips, I enjoyed those of Agence Orient Tours, recommended by Tourisme Dubaï and one of today’s leading tourism agencies, specializing in all kinds of tailor-made experiences. In particular, it offers :

• city tours,
• desert and mountain safaris,
• hot-air balloon, seaplane and cruise tours,
• attractions.

Last but not least, any host will offer you a taste of the country’s dates, accompanied by an Arabic coffee or tea. And don’t forget to try the delicious Arabic pastries.

Enjoy your trip to the United Arab Emirates! If you like our suggestions, please feel free to share this article with others.