Need help planning your trip to Dubai? Look no further, here are the best 9 fun and unforgettable things to do in this iconic city.
Dubai has successfully rocketed up its popularity rankings since the turn of the 21st century. This unique city has implemented a smart tourism strategy in order to attract 25 million tourists a year by 2025, and it’s already close to achieving this goal.
With its unrivaled adventure activities, iconic skyscrapers, exquisite tourist attractions, exclusive experiences and world-class entertainment, Dubai has built itself as a global leader in tourism, technology and innovation. The City of Gold is extremely rich in vibrant culture and history, which complements its modern flare to perfection. Dubai is home to some of the best-known tourism in the Middle East.
Continue reading to find out a list of fun and unforgettable things to do in Dubai.
1. Swim at Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
Dubai Aquarium is situated on the main floor of the famous Dubai Mall, it houses around 10 million liter water tanks full of more than 33,000 diverse aquatic animals, and it also includes one of the world’s most giant crocodiles.
If you’re brave enough, you can swim with rays and sharks and even feed them! Be close to one of the most dangerous sea creatures, all while you’re safe inside a dive cage.
To get the best bang for your buck, we advise you to grab a ticket that combines both the aquarium and a trip to Burj Khalifa’s viewing platform. In addition, you can enjoy admiring different marine creatures of all sizes from the surface of the 48-meter long and 11-meter high tunnel. Take your experience to the next level and get behind the scenes of the Underwater Observatory, with Researcher Experience, or simply go on a tour in a glass-bottom boat for a dreamy experience.
2. Go Gold Shopping In Dubai’s Gold Market
It’s not logical to visit the City of Gold without gold shopping. Dubai Gold Souk, also known as Gold Market, is one of the most important places to visit in the UAE. If you’re travelling to the city, visiting this exquisite gold Market should definitely be on the top of your list.
It’s one of the most famous Dubai markets, as it is considered as one of the best places to find various gold shops in the world. This bustling bazaar is the perfect destination for visitors who want to buy the best gold jewellery, or even those who want to simply admire the dazzling gold jewellery of the market.
The Gold Market in Dubai contains hundreds of gold shops, including shops that have been there for over four decades. For gold jewellery lovers, this gold market will definitely exceed their wildest gold dreams. Go for a walk along the covered labyrinth of shining showcases and retail stores and enjoy exploring one of the oldest traditional markets in the Emirates, with its large selection of unique gold jewellery pieces with exquisite designs from around the world. When you visit any gold shop in the Gold Souk, expect to find from 18K gold jewellery and up to 24K gold jewellery. Bear in mind that the weight price usually depends on the gold rate of the day, therefore, it is prudent to know how much it goes in the market.
By knowing the market price, you will be able to negotiate with the gold shop sellers. When it comes to haggling with the vendors, remember that they might set high prices at first, so do not hesitate to bargain to get a better price if you intend to buy from them. Another important tip when buying gold jewellery from the Dubai market is to go around different shops. Before settling for any gold piece, make sure that you already visited other gold shops, as they might have gold jewellery pieces with better designs and cheaper prices.
In addition, choose the karat of your gold jewellery carefully. Keep in mind that the higher the karat, the purer the gold. Another recommended place to buy Gold from in the UAE is Al Romaizan Gold and Jewellery, you can never go wrong with their aesthetic jewellery collection.
3. Have a Great Time at IMG Worlds of Adventure
IMG Worlds of Adventures is one of the largest indoor theme parks in the whole world, it is known for boasting hair-raising thrill rides. It’s no surprise that over 20,000 people visit it every day.
This glorious park has four “Epic Zones” that have rides centered on famous Cartoon Network characters, dinosaur adventures and MARVEL superheroes. The best thing about visiting this theme park is testing your courage at the Haunted Hotel, having fun trying to find the exit from a maze of scary spaces. Another great thing to do here is taking the youngsters to the newest attraction, IMG Kids Zone, which is an inflatable playground with an area of 17,000 square feet. Parents can enjoy watching their children unleash their energy climbing walls, laying in the slides and bouncing. You can also engage in an exciting 3D experience at the “Novo Cinemas” zone with VIP service and reclining seats.
4. Soar Above Dubai desert in a Hot Air Balloon
Nothing is more exciting than soaring over the radiant Dubai desert at sunrise in a hot air balloon. This activity manages to be simultaneously exhilarating and relaxing. Such flights include open-air transport in beautiful vintage Land Rovers. Admire the desert beauty from the air on this hot air balloon ride in Dubai. You can travel by air-conditioned minibus to the launch site, and get to the billowing dunes of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve with your pilot. Remember to watch falcons fly up to 1,219 meters above earth in a breathtaking trained demonstration as the sun beautifully rises over the Hajar Mountains. Conclude your experience with a gourmet breakfast back on the ground.
5. Take A Helicopter Flight Over Dubai City
The world’s most breathtaking skyline is no longer New York City, it belongs to Dubai now. While harbourside views are beautiful, there’s no perspective more breathtaking than that of a bird’s-eye view. During your once-in-a-lifetime helicopter flight over Dubai City, you’ll soar over incredible landmarks like Burj A Arab hotel, Ras al Khir wetlands and the Palm Jumeirah islands. Enjoy hovering above The World Islands on the Persian Gulf and admire the live satellite view of Dubai city.
6. Take A Speedboat Tour Around Palm Jumeirah
The Palm Jumeirah archipelago are the most iconic man-made islands on Earth, and there’s no better way to admire them up close than onboard a high-octane speedboat. The Palm Jumeirah speedboat tour in Dubai is an amazing way to get to see the main icons of Dubai City from a unique perspective.
Enjoy seeing the sublime views of Dubai’s top landmarks and skyline. We are certain that everyone will enjoy the scenery whilst speeding over the waters of Dubai and the glorious view of Dubai Eye Wheel, imperial hotel Atlantis, the Palm and Burj Al Arab. If you want to learn some interesting information and details about the city, ask the English-speaking guide on board about these famous sights.
7. Go Scuba diving Indoors At Deep Dive Dubai
Deep Dive Dubai is the world’s deepest pool at 60 meters. It offers the best diving experience in an extraordinary underwater world that looks exactly like a sunken city.
If you are a First-Timer, you can learn free diving or scuba diving in this safe environment where there’s purified freshwater with sophistication, and it is maintained at 30 degrees Celsius.
The indoor pool is completely safe, with professional and advanced scuba instructors for diving workshops and courses. In addition, there are 56 underwater cameras specially for monitoring and a compression chamber dedicated to treat divers in case of any accident.
If you are a certified diver, what are you waiting for? This is a perfect place to upgrade your skills and master your techniques without the risks of diving in rough waters and open seas. You can take your friends or family to watch you dive through glass windows or the screens. There’s also a restaurant here to conclude your day with a delicious dinner.
8. Have a Gourmet Meal At Dinner In The Sky
Dinner in the Sky is one of the best dining experiences on the planet. As long as you do not have acrophobia, make it an essential addition to your bucket list. Enjoy Indulging in a sumptuous supper while you’re suspended 50 meters in the air. You can have dinner, lunch, or afternoon tea with menus perfectly prepared by the Le Meridien and The Westin Mina Seyahi Marina. You will have a variety of choices from Tortellini Pasta, Oriental Beef, Corn Fed Chicken or King Fish. Dessert can be fruit salad, ice cream or chocolate cake.
9. Visit Dubai VR Park
VR Park at Dubai mall is the world’s largest virtual reality park, it holds the important title as the first VR experience in the Middle East. More than 25 attractions centre on the theme of “Challenge reality,” encompassing both multiplayer and single-player experiences. Don’t miss the chance to take part in a VR heist, enjoy the spacecraft and walk down the walls of the Burj Khalifa. Feel that adrenaline rush as you fearlessly fly through the sky virtually riding the Flying Chairs, paragliding or the Magic Bikes over the Middle East. It has over 30 virtual reality and augmented reality games, the best thing about this park is that it has entertainment for all ages.
