10 Things To Do In Dubai

Quick answer: The top 10 things to do in Dubai are the Dubai Frame, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Dubai Ice Park, the Dubai Fountain, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, old Bur Dubai and Deira, Dubai Marina Walk, Palm Jumeirah and a desert safari. With a well-planned itinerary, you can see the best of them in just 4 days.

So you plan to travel to Dubai and back in just 4 days? Good for you! Four days might not seem long, but if you research and plan your itinerary down to the smallest detail, you can enjoy as much of Dubai’s fabulousness as possible in a short time.

Where to Stay in Dubai

Stay at a hotel as close to Downtown Dubai as possible. From there you can explore the whole city and use the Metro and buses to reach the Palm Islands, Dubai Marina and the rest.

Here are 10 top-of-the-line Dubai landmarks that are simply not to be missed.

#1 Dubai Frame

One of Dubai’s newest wonders, the picture-perfect Dubai Frame is unlike anything in any other country. Located in Zabeel Park, it consists of two 150-metre towers connected at the top by a 93-metre glass bridge. Walking along the bridge gives you a fabulous view of both old and new Dubai.

The lift that takes you up shows interactive videos of Dubai’s development and plans for the future. On the ground floor, a museum showcases the city’s astonishing transformation from a pearl-diving and fishing village into the wealthy, stunning metropolis it is today. Be sure to add it to your 4-day Dubai list.

#2 Burj Khalifa

See how the whole city, sea and desert look from the 124th and 148th levels of this majestic 828-metre tower. You enter via Dubai Mall and take a swanky lift to the 124th floor, which you reach in less than a minute. We’re not kidding!

From the top you get a stunning 360-degree view and a great photo opportunity. It also gives you a sense of the city’s magnitude and the scale of its recent development.

#3 Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall, one of the biggest malls in the world, has around 1,200 retail stores, over 1,000 eateries, a huge multiplex cinema, SEGA Republic (a gaming centre for kids) and the enormous Dubai Aquarium. It is enchanting from beginning to end.

At the aquarium you can go shark diving or walk through an acrylic tunnel under the water, coming face to face with sharks separated from you only by a sheet of tough acrylic. The mall also has a gold souk so dazzling that the reflection alone is enough to blind you.

#4 The Dubai Ice Park

A winter-themed park in such a hot place is both incongruous and charming. The Dubai Ice Park is located in the Dubai Garden Glow park area and features stunning ice sculptures, including a Burj Khalifa frozen in time, the Burj Al Arab, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, camels, the desert and futuristic creatures.

The park is kept at a chilly -8 degrees to stop the ice from melting, but coats and warm clothing are provided so you won’t freeze. The colourful sculptures are a real treat for the eyes.

#5 The Dubai Fountain

It’s true: the very best things in life are free. The Dubai Fountain, one of the world’s largest choreographed fountains, is set on the majestic Burj Lake. Several times a day the fountains come to life with performances set to songs from all over the world.

The choreography is so addictive you won’t want to leave, and the lavish scale of the water dance against the vast lake is pure magic. A boardwalk around the lake makes an ideal viewing spot.

#6 Al Fahidi – Dubai’s Historic Past

The Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood in Bur Dubai, once known as the Bastakiya Quarter, is one of Dubai’s oldest neighbourhoods. Get a nostalgic glimpse of bygone eras and explore the history of the city and the UAE at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU).

Take a guided mosque tour and a heritage tour to learn more about local culture and history. Then wander the winding alleys with their traditional wind towers, which kept houses cool before air conditioning was invented.

#7 Bur Dubai and Deira

Spend half a day exploring old Dubai in Bur Dubai and Deira and discover the culture and architecture of the city of old. Cross Dubai Creek in a traditional wooden boat called an abra, and browse the spice, perfume and gold souks and the carpet and pashmina shawl souks on either side of the creek.

A trip into old Dubai puts the new city in perspective, especially if all the glitz and glamour feels a little overwhelming. Crossing the creek by abra, you’ll feel humbled and transported back to the Dubai of over half a century ago, before oil was discovered and the development began. It’s a soothing experience we urge you not to miss.

#8 Dubai Marina Walk

The Dubai Marina Walk is a 7-kilometre pedestrian promenade around the marina and the place to see Dubai’s uber-fancy side. Super-luxurious yachts are moored against a backdrop of spectacular skyscrapers, sprinkled with malls, cafés and entertainment centres.

The ultra-rich ambience will make you want to strut a bit too. Watch the wealthy strolling with exotic pets and driving top-of-the-line Porsches, Lamborghinis, Rolls-Royces and Ferraris. At night the whole walk lights up like a scene from a glamorous old Hollywood movie. If you’re the adventurous type, there’s also a zipline overhead so you can zip over the marina instead of walking.

#9 Palm Jumeirah

Dubai loves to build the biggest, most extravagant structures and win a march over nature. Palm Jumeirah is one of its great recent achievements and still draws plenty of tourists. Built in the shape of a palm tree, the island is so large it can be seen from space, and it is home to some of the richest residences and hotels in the city.

See the Palm up close on a dhow cruise, or fly over it by helicopter or seaplane.
Visit the Atlantis hotel, check out the Lost World of Atlantis and have fun at the nearby Aquaventure Waterpark.
Ride the monorail from the base of the palm to the top for close-up views of the island.

#10 The Dubai Desert

The Arabian Desert is as much a Dubai landmark as any monument, and your trip isn’t complete without a Dubai desert safari. Choose a morning, evening or overnight safari and enjoy desert sports such as dune bashing, camel riding and quad biking. Evening and overnight safaris also include a wonderful meal and in-tent entertainment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are 4 days enough to see Dubai?

Yes. With a carefully planned itinerary and a hotel near Downtown Dubai, you can see the city’s top landmarks in 4 days.

What free things can you do in Dubai?

Watching the Dubai Fountain show on Burj Lake is free, as is strolling the Dubai Marina Walk.

How do you get around Dubai?

From a Downtown base, the Metro and buses take you to places like Dubai Marina and the Palm Islands. Cross Dubai Creek by abra in old Dubai.

Conclusion

Dubai always has new projects under development, so keep an eye out and add them to your list for your next visit. Dubai always has something new to stun you with!

Author’s Bio

Neha Singh is a postgraduate in Mass Communications who loves everything about life. Traveling is extremely close to her heart and writing came to her naturally. An avid trekker and explorer, she often takes time off from her busy life for mountaineering. She loves meeting new people and gets attached to their culture very easily. Her ambition is to explore as many places as she can in her life. She strongly believes in the Gandhian principle of “simple living, high thinking”.

10 Things To Do In Dubai

Where to Stay in Dubai