Dubai travel guide: sights, walks and things to do

Take in the skyline from an observation deck, spend an evening by the sea, explore historic neighbourhoods or devote a day to theme park rides: Dubai offers very different ways to spend a holiday. On a first visit, you need not choose just one. You can see the skyscrapers, discover a little of the city's history and still leave time to relax.

This guide will help you find the places that interest you most. Browse our Dubai attractions for a closer look, or explore the season's exhibitions, concerts and sporting events, covering 15 October 2026 to 31 May 2027, if you have specific travel dates in mind.

Burj Khalifa at sunset, 2024.Image: ECWiki1 / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY 4.0 · CC BY 4.0 · Source. Image optimized for the web.

Downtown: see Dubai from above

Start in Downtown if you want to see Dubai's most recognisable sights: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the walkways around them. You can combine an observation deck visit with lunch and a few hours in the mall without spending the whole day travelling between places.

Burj Khalifa offers a chance to see the city from above. At the Top has observation decks on levels 124 and 125; SKY on level 148 is another option. Choose the ticket and time that suit you, then leave room in your day to explore the neighbourhood at a relaxed pace.

Dubai Mall is also home to entertainment, including Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. That makes Downtown a good choice for architecture enthusiasts and families looking to combine different activities. There is no need to plan a long shopping trip: you can come for the panorama and one other experience that appeals to you.

Al Fahidi: Dubai before the skyscrapers

Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood sits beside Dubai Creek. Its narrow lanes, courtyards and traditional wind towers reveal a different side of the city, away from high-rise façades and vast shopping halls.

Come to look at the architecture, visit galleries and cultural spaces, and stop for food or coffee. It suits anyone who enjoys discovering a city through its smaller details and on foot, as well as through its famous buildings. Individual venues and exhibitions keep their own opening hours, so check their websites if you have a particular visit in mind.

You can continue along the waterfront at Al Seef. Our guide to Old Dubai, Al Fahidi and Al Seef explains what makes these places interesting and helps you choose a walking route.

Dubai Marina and JBR: waterfront walks or a day at the beach

Dubai Marina is built around a yacht harbour surrounded by high-rise buildings. Follow Marina Walk along the water to watch the boats and find a café for a break. Beside Dubai Marina Mall, Pier 7 houses restaurants with views over the marina.

JBR has a different feel. The Walk is a seaside promenade lined with shops, restaurants and cafés, with The Beach nearby. Come for time on the sand, lunch with a sea view or an evening stroll without a packed sightseeing schedule.

If you enjoy photographing cityscapes, start with the Marina; if you prefer the sea and a more leisurely beach day, start with JBR. You can combine the two, but there is no need to walk around the entire area. Choose a manageable route and stops that interest you. Our Dubai Marina and JBR guide has more ideas.

Palm Jumeirah: island views or a day at the waterpark

Palm Jumeirah offers two very different experiences. The View, on level 52 of The Palm Tower, has a panoramic observation deck overlooking the palm-shaped island, the gulf and the skyline. An interactive exhibition introduces the story of the island's creation before you go up. It is a good option for anyone interested in city views and unusual engineering projects.

Aquaventure is a choice for waterslides and time by the water. The park has thrill rides and children's play areas. If you are visiting as a family, choose activities around your child's height and interests rather than the number of slides you hope to fit in.

Read our guides to The View and Aquaventure to compare the options.

Dubai Marina's skyline at sunset, 2020.Image: «Dubai Marina Skyline.jpg» — Norlando Pobre / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY 2.0 · CC BY 2.0 · Source. Image optimized for the web.

Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, 2018.Image: «Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood (Bastakiya).jpg» — Ankur Panchbudhe / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY 2.0 · CC BY 2.0 · Source. Image optimized for the web.

A family day out: films and theme park rides

If your children love animated characters, consider MOTIONGATE Dubai. Its indoor DreamWorks area includes worlds based on Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon. Other areas draw on Columbia Pictures and Lionsgate films, and the Smurfs.

Give a theme park its own day in your holiday. Rather than visiting several parks in succession, choose one, look up the rides that interest you and allow time for breaks. Our Dubai attractions guide includes other options for walks, family days out and wildlife experiences.

Exhibitions, concerts and sport

An event can be the main reason for a trip to Dubai, rather than an addition to a holiday. GITEX GLOBAL 2026, for example, focuses on technology and artificial intelligence: the Summit takes place on 7 December at DWTC, and the Expo runs from 8 to 11 December at DEC. These are two formats within the same event, so choose according to your professional interests.

Our 2026–2027 events guide covers other trade exhibitions, concerts, cultural events and sport. Start with what interests you: an artist, a sport or an exhibition topic. You can then build a few days of leisure around your chosen date.

Arriving in Dubai and getting around

Check the airport code on your flight ticket before arranging transport: Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC) are different airports. At DXB, the Metro's Red Line serves terminals 1 and 3. For journeys around the city, compare the Metro, taxis and a pre-arranged transfer, taking the full journey from your hotel to your destination into account.

If you would like to go straight to your hotel after your flight, start with transfers from Dubai International Airport. You can also discuss your plans with Hola Taxi for trips to an exhibition, concert, beach or park, and an evening return journey. Say whether you are travelling as a couple, a family or a group, where you are staying and what you plan to visit. This gives you a starting point for discussing transport that fits your itinerary.

There is no need to fill every free minute. For a short visit, choose a few experiences you most want to have and spend the remaining time in the places you enjoy most.

Sources

Facts checked on 15 October 2026.