Dubai Bucket List: 40+ Best Things To Do In Dubai

Looking for epic things to add to your Dubai bucket list? Look no further! This comprehensive list has the best things to do in Dubai and you will soon see why this is a top bucket list destination for many.

From soaring skyscrapers, world islands, luxury, and desert – Dubai has something for everyone.

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Dubai Bucket List: 40+ best Dubai Attractions

1. Spend a night at Burj Al Arab

Did you know that there’s a 7-star hotel in Dubai? It’s true, which is why it deserves a spot on this Dubai bucket list! It’s the world’s only 7-star hotel, but for an incredible experience, spend the night here. It’s surrounded by water, so the views are impeccable!

2. Take in the view from Gevora

Gevora is a 4-star hotel in Dubai and is one of the world’s tallest hotels. Visitors are allowed to visit the viewing deck at the top of the hotel for some of Dubai’s best views from above!

3. Camp in the desert

There are tons of great places to go desert camping near Dubai! The best way to do it is to go through a local tour company. Some of the top-rated locations for desert camping include the Al Qudra Lakes or Al Dhafra Beach, among others.

This is one camping experience you do not want to miss.

4. Try shawarma

Dubai is known for its incredible shawarma, which can be purchased at many local restaurants. Essentially, shawarma is made up of thinly-cut meat that’s usually been slowly roasted and spun all day. It’s chopped up and added into a wrap with other vegetables.

5. Marvel at the Dubai Miracle Gardens

For genuinely breathtaking gardens, you’ll want to add the Dubai Miracle Gardens to your Dubai bucket list. This garden was created back in 2013 for Valentine’s Day and covers 46 acres. The flowers have been made into shapes, including swans, hearts, and more.

6. Go on a hot air balloon ride

To have an unforgettable experience in Dubai, you’ll want to go on a hot air balloon ride! These usually happen earlier in the morning and cost around $200 per person, but you can find them cheaper if you visit in the off-season.

7. Zipline and see the city skyline

Dubai has its own zipline right over the Dubai Marina! It’s one of the world’s only urban ziplines and will give you a truly breathtaking view of the city skyline from a unique vantage point that any adventure junkie won’t want to miss out on.

8. Ride through the sand dunes

The UAE is known for its incredible sand dunes. One of the best ways to spend a day in Dubai is to go on an offroading tour, rent a car, and drive through them for an incredible adventure! Make sure you book this in advance.

9. Learn at the Museum of the Future

This incredibly unique museum is opening to the public in 2021! The building started construction in 2015 and has been long-awaited. It’s filled with tons of exhibits about design and future thinking.

10. Attend La Perle

La Perle is the performance center in Dubai. They usually have fun acrobatic shows that last about an hour and a half and can be fun for the entire family. Unlike many other performance centers, guests are encouraged just to wear casual clothing to attend!

11. Ride an abra in Dubai Creek

One of the top-rated activities in Dubai is to ride an abra across the Dubai Creek! It’s incredibly affordable and runs very often during the day. Plus, the views of the city skyline from the creek are great.

12. Go clubbing at White Dubai

White Dubai is the club in Dubai. If you’re a fan of experiencing a city’s nightlife, then you’ll want to add this to your Dubai bucket list. It is pretty expensive to get in, but that’s because it’s a luxurious club that both locals and tourists attend.

13. Eat the best hummus

Dubai has some of the best hummus in the world, and you’ll want to try it while you’re visiting! You can buy it at any convenience or grocery store, or any traditional local restaurant.

14. See a performance at Dubai Media City Amphitheater

The Dubai Media City Amphitheater is an outdoor performance center in Dubai! It’s absolutely beautiful, and there are often shows here. Make sure you check the schedule online; you might even find that one of your favorite artists is putting on a show!

15. Visit Ferrari World

Even if you aren’t a car fan, add Ferrari World to your Dubai bucket list. It is located in Abu Dhabi but is a popular day trip. This amusement park is filled with fun Ferrari-inspired attractions and games.

16. Attend the Dubai Opera

The Dubai Opera opened in 2016 and is one of the top places to see a show in the city. They do a lot of different performances, ranging from opera to ballet. Sometimes there are even theatrical performances!

17. Visit Jumeirah Mosque

The Jumeirah Mosque is beautiful. It’s very striking because of its unique architecture, and it opened in 1979. This is one of the few mosques in Dubai that is open to the public but make sure you follow the clothing rules.

18. Explore Bastakiya Quarter

This is the historic district in Dubai! It has origins in the nineteenth century and is a great place to walk around and explore if you want to see some of the older architecture. The buildings here look very different than the rest of the city!

19. Go skydiving

If you’re ready to step out of your comfort zone and get your adrenaline pumping, try skydiving in Dubai! This is one of the most popular activities for tourists to do. Make sure you make a reservation!

20. Try camel meat or camel milk

One of the local delicacies is camel meat, as well as camel milk. It is on the menu at some of the local restaurants, and if you want to try local cuisine, be sure to add this to your Dubai bucket list.

21. Take in the views at Jumeirah Public Beach

For a relaxing time, head to Jumeira Public Beach! It’s right next to the 7th-star hotel, Burj Al Arab. The beach is right in the city and offers incredible views. Get there early for a better spot on the sand.

22. Get a henna tattoo

Many people in Dubai get henna because, for a while, people were forbidden from having tattoo parlors. You can get henna done at many different shops throughout the city and even at the mall.

23. Ski inside the Mall of Emirates

One of the only indoor ski resorts in the world is at the Mall of Emirates! For a fun indoor activity, head to Ski Dubai. Plus, it’s located in one of the world’s biggest malls, so you can shop until you drop afterward.

24. View the beautiful Dubai Fountain

The Dubai Fountain is one of the top tourist attractions in the city. It opened in 2009 and is most popular for its light show that happens at night. Music plays, and the water moves to the beat!

25. Go to Kite Beach

Kite Beach is one of the most popular places to go kayaking in all of Dubai. This beach is next to a mosque and is filled with fun activities for younger children, including a playground.

26. Visit Emirates Palace

One of the top-rated hotels in Dubai is Emirates Palace, and you don’t even have to be a guest to see the inside and check out the interior. It truly is regal, and you’ll feel like royalty even if you don’t spend the night here.

27. Try swimming with sharks

Have you ever gone swimming with sharks? Well, you can in Dubai! This is often done by booking a tour for safety reasons and is a unique way to spend some time while visiting Dubai.

28. Have fun at Wild Wadi Waterpark

For an outdoor activity, if you’re traveling with children, check out Wild Wadi Waterpark! It’s located next to Jumeirah Beach and opened in 1998. The park is filled with waterslides, pools, and even a lazy river.

29. Visit Zero Gravity

Zero Gravity is a beach club in Dubai! It’s known for its great music and often has top-rated DJs come to help the party last all night. You have to reserve a seat in advance, so if you want to add this to your Dubai bucket list, make one!

30. Go to a yacht party

Yachts are plenty in Dubai, so try to attend a yacht party! This is truly one of the most luxurious memories that you can make while visiting Dubai, and you might even be able to meet some locals.

31. Buy gold jewelry at Dubai Gold Souk

Dubai Gold Souk is a gold market in Dubai! There are more than 300 different shops here, so you honestly can spend a whole afternoon here trying to find the perfect piece of jewelry. It’s also the most popular market of its kind.

32. Attend the Dubai Shopping Festival

Do you love shopping? Well, you’re in luck! Add the Dubai SShopping Festival to your Dubai bucket list. It usually occurs over a whole month during the winter (December to January), and most places offer huge discounts during the festival.

33. Shop at the Dragon Mart

Dragon Mart is a huge mall in Dubai that is filled with almost everything you could ever want. Even if you aren’t interested in buying anything, you’ll have a fun time just looking through the store.

34. Snap a photo from the Dubai Frame

The Dubai Frame is a unique attraction in the city! This landmark is a huge frame. If you look through the center of it, you can get one of the best views of the Dubai city skyline.

35. Have fun at Legoland Dubai

Are you traveling to Dubai with children? Head to Legoland Dubai! This theme park opened in 2016 and is one of seven LEGOLAND’s around the world. It’s filled with tons of fun attractions that will keep you and your children entertained the whole day.

36. Shop at Aziz Saffron

Aziz Saffron is a market in Dubai. It’s often also called the Dubai Spice Souk and is commonly visited by both locals and tourists. Plus, it’s not that far from the Dubai Gold Souk!

37. Take a helicopter ride over the World Islands

While a helicopter ride is a great way to see Dubai from above, you can also see the World Islands! This unique set of islands is manmade to look like the world. Unfortunately, only a few of the islands are entirely built, and the rest are under construction.

38. Find the Deira Clocktower

Deira Clocktower was built in 1964 and is a sight to behold! It’s a very modern structure that is in the center of a roundabout. Even if you don’t stop to take a photo, it’s fun to see it from a car window.

39. Embrace your inner child at Worlds of Adventure

Worlds of Adventure is an enjoyable amusement park in Dubai! It’s all inside and is filled with different themed areas, including one dedicated to Cartoon Network. This is fun for both children and adults!

40. See the Dubai Garden Glow

Dubai Garden Glow is a beautiful park in Dubai. It’s only open at night because everything gets completely lit up! Throughout the park, you’ll even find light-up dinosaurs.

41. Learn at the Etihad Museum

The Etihad Museum is the perfect place to visit if you want to learn more about Dubai. It opened in 2017 and covers many parts of the local culture, so it’s a great educational attraction.

42. Shop at Dubai Textile Souk

Last but not least is the Dubai Textile Souk! It’s one of the most affordable markets to shop at for clothing, and you can purchase almost anything at a budget-friendly price. Plus, it’s a great place to support locals.

43. Go to the top of the worlds tallest building, Burj Khalifa

Over 2,700 feet in the air, you cannot miss going to the tp and getting a view of the city from below.

44. Spend a day at Atlantis

Known for its waterpark, Atlantis in Dubai sits at the front of the World Islands on the Palm Jumeriah.

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