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Atlantis The Palm, Dubai

Things to do guide

The best things to do in Dubai

Updated 1 October 2026 · 16 things to do

Pictured: Atlantis The Palm

Dubai is a city that goes out of its way to be superlative: the tallest tower on the planet, an island shaped like a palm tree, a ski slope inside a shopping mall. Take it on its own terms and it's enormous fun. But the best trips mix the show-off bits with the other Dubai: wooden boats crossing the Creek for pocket change, spice sacks in the souks, and dunes where the city simply stops.

Distances are bigger than they look on the map and the heat is real for much of the year, so plan around it. Do the outdoor sights in the morning or at sunset, save malls and aquariums for the middle of the day, and pick a hotel near the Metro or the area you'll spend most time in.

Don't miss

  1. 1Burj Khalifa
  2. 2Burj Al Arab
  3. 3Dubai Creek and the abras
  4. 4The Gold Souk
  5. 5A desert safari

The big sights

The skyline that put Dubai on the map.

  1. Burj Khalifa

    Landmark

    The Burj Khalifa rising above the Dubai skyline
    Photo: Aheilner, CC BY-SA 3.0

    At more than 800 metres, it's the tallest building in the world, a silver spire that seems to keep going after your neck gives up. Take the lift to the observation decks for a view that stretches from the Gulf to the desert, or just admire it from the ground.

    Tip: Book the viewing deck ahead and aim for sunset, when the light is best and you can watch the city switch on.

  2. The Dubai Mall and the Dubai Fountain

    Activity

    The lake at the foot of the Burj Khalifa where the Dubai Fountain plays
    Photo: Citizen59 from Tunis, Tunisie, CC BY-SA 2.0

    The mall at the foot of the Burj Khalifa is less a shopping centre than a small town, with an ice rink, an aquarium and hundreds of shops. Outside, the Dubai Fountain shoots water high into the air in the evenings, set to music, across the lake below the tower.

    Tip: Walk out onto the lakeside boardwalk for the best view of the fountain show.

  3. Burj Al Arab

    Landmark

    The sail-shaped Burj Al Arab seen from Jumeirah Beach
    Photo: Yacine Hary, CC BY 2.0

    The sail-shaped hotel on its own artificial island is Dubai's most recognisable building and the one that made its name. You can't wander in unless you have a booking, but you don't need to: the best views are from the public beach and from the Jumeirah coast road.

    Tip: Kite Beach and Jumeirah Beach Park give you the classic photo without any fuss.

  4. Palm Jumeirah

    Landmark

    An aerial view of the Palm Jumeirah and its fronds
    Photo: Imre Solt, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The man-made island shaped like a palm tree is best understood from above, but it's worth a visit from the ground too. Ride the monorail along the trunk to the Atlantis hotel at the top, or stroll the boardwalks and beach clubs on the crescent.

  5. Museum of the Future

    Museum

    A hollow silver ring covered in Arabic calligraphy, which looks like nothing else on Sheikh Zayed Road. Inside, exhibitions explore technology and ideas about what comes next. The building alone is worth a look, and it's very well lit after dark.

    Tip: Tickets sell out on busy days, so book in advance.

Old Dubai

Cross the Creek and the city feels like a different century.

  1. Dubai Creek and the abras

    Activity

    Wooden abra ferry boats moored on Dubai Creek
    Photo: Jpbowen, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The Creek is the saltwater inlet that Dubai grew up around, and the wooden abra boats still ferry people across between Bur Dubai and Deira. It's a short, cheap and utterly authentic ride, with traders' dhows moored along the quay and the old city at eye level.

    Tip: Go in the late afternoon, when it is cooler and the light turns golden.

  2. Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

    Neighbourhood

    Sand-coloured houses in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
    Photo: Ankur Panchbudhe, CC BY 2.0

    Sand-coloured houses with windtowers, narrow lanes and quiet courtyards give you a glimpse of Dubai before the skyscrapers. It's home to galleries, small museums and cafés, and a calm break from the glass towers.

  3. The Gold Souk

    Market

    The entrance to the Gold Souk in Deira
    Photo: HighKing, Public domain

    A covered arcade in Deira lined with shop windows glittering with gold, from wedding sets to chunky chains. Wander through, admire the sheer quantity, and haggle if you decide to buy. Next door, the Spice Souk smells of saffron, cardamom and dried lime.

    Tip: Take an abra across the Creek and walk straight in.

Beaches and the coast

  1. JBR and The Walk

    Beach

    Jumeirah Beach Residence has a wide, free public beach with the skyscrapers of Dubai Marina behind it and a seafront promenade lined with cafés. Hire a lounger, swim, then stroll The Walk for ice cream and people-watching as the sun drops.

  2. Jumeirah Mosque

    Landmark

    One of Dubai's best-known mosques, built in a traditional style with twin minarets and pale stone. It sits on the Jumeirah coast road and is a pretty stop on the way between the Burj Al Arab and the city centre.

Desert and days out

  1. A desert safari

    Activity

    A 4x4 cruising over the dunes on a Dubai desert safari
    Photo: Self, Public domain

    Dubai's classic excursion: a convoy of 4x4s heads into the dunes in the late afternoon, then stops for sunset, a camp with Arabic coffee and a barbecue dinner. It's touristy and fun, and the red-gold dunes at sunset are the real star.

    Tip: If you get carsick, say so beforehand and ask for a calmer driver.

  2. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi

    Day trip

    The white domes of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi
    Photo: Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France, CC BY 2.0

    The capital of the UAE is a straightforward day trip. Its showpiece is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a vast white-marble complex with domes, reflecting pools and some of the world's biggest hand-knotted carpets. Visitors dress modestly, and abayas can be borrowed at the entrance.

  3. Aquaventure at Atlantis

    Water park

    The water park at Atlantis on the Palm is built for thrill-seekers, with towering slides, a river ride and a long private beach. It's a sure-fire family favourite on a hot day.

  4. Ski Dubai

    Activity

    The indoor snow slope of Ski Dubai at the Mall of the Emirates
    Photo: Davide Mauro, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A real indoor snow slope inside the Mall of the Emirates, complete with chairlifts and a snow park. It sounds ridiculous, and that's precisely why it's fun, especially on a 40-degree day.

Eat and drink

  1. Shawarma and Emirati food

    Food

    Dubai eats brilliantly at every price. Grab a shawarma from a busy street stall in Deira or Satwa, then try a table of Emirati dishes such as machboos, spiced rice with slow-cooked meat, at a traditional restaurant in the old quarter.

  2. Luqaimat

    Food

    Little fried dough balls drizzled with date syrup, crisp outside and soft inside. They're the local dessert to order with a glass of karak, the strong, sweet, spiced tea you'll find at every roadside café.

Where to stay in Dubai

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay in Dubai →

Getting around

The Metro runs along the main spine from the airport past Downtown and the Marina, and taxis are plentiful and sensible value. Old Dubai is easy on foot, and abras cross the Creek. Distances between the beaches, Downtown and the Palm are bigger than they look.

When to go

Winter, roughly November to March, is the pleasant season for beaches and sightseeing. Summers are extremely hot, so time outdoor sights for early morning or after sunset and use the malls and indoor attractions in between.

Questions about visiting Dubai

What is Dubai best known for?
The Burj Khalifa, the Palm Jumeirah, the Burj Al Arab, enormous malls, desert safaris and its blend of ultra-modern skyline and old souks along the Creek.
How many days do you need in Dubai?
Four or five days is a comfortable first visit: a day for Downtown, a day for old Dubai and the souks, a day on the beach or Palm, and a desert evening. Add a day for Abu Dhabi.
What is there to do in Dubai with kids?
Aquaventure at Atlantis, Ski Dubai, the Dubai Mall and its fountain show, the beach at JBR and a desert safari are all popular with children.
Do you need a car in Dubai?
No. The Metro, trams and taxis cover most visitors, and ride-hailing is easy. A car is only handy if you plan to explore the wider emirates on your own.

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