Things to do in Dubai for self travelers
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appTop sights in Dubai
All self-guided activities
Located more than 200 meters above Dubai, Sky Views Observatory features a 25-meter-long glass floor, giving you clear views of the Burj Khalifa and the city below. Walk on the clear walkway and take in the views. A glass elevator takes you up, with three sides offering panoramic city views that are unforgettable. Take an exciting trip on the Glass Slide, a see-through tube wrapping around the tower's exterior and connecting level 53 with level 52. Made in Germany, the slide is crafted from 12m-long sheets of quadruple-laminated glass, supported only at the top and bottom for an uninterrupted ride. You can see the city below if you dare to open your eyes. After, when you need a break, the Panorama restaurant is available for a refreshing drink.
Dubai's gone and done it again - opened another biggest and best attraction! Enter IMG Worlds of Adventure, the world’s largest indoor theme park. It boasts five action-packed zones and a lot of rides, shows, and characters from Cartoon Network and the Marvel Universe!
If you're fluttering around Dubai with no plan, get yourself some tickets to Dubai Butterfly Garden. Conveniently located right next to Dubai Miracle Garden, you can head to the world’s largest covered butterfly garden right after. You'll see more butterflies than empty airspace as you wander around ten huge custom-built domes, each filled with thousands of beautifully winged creatures. There are over 45 species to try and spot here, all in different sizes and colors. Learn what they eat, how the butterflies evolve through each stage of their life, and what one feels like when it lands on your shoulder! Little kids and big kids alike will remember this experience forever.
As grown-ups, we call this 'the daily grind' or 'life', but kids are fascinated by it. And if you've ever hoped your children could learn the value of working an honest day to make a buck, KidZania Dubai will make your dream come true for you. Brilliantly executed, KidZania Dubai is a kid-sized minicity, complete with buildings, paved streets, vehicles, and even familiar shops and offices. Children can have fun trying the jobs they're curious about. Store clerk, mechanic, doctor, chef... there are more than 80 professions for them to try here. Once they've worked, they can spend the money they've earned and try doing the shopping or booking a flight! Meanwhile, you'll be enjoying food, drinks and free WiFi in the Adults Lounge (or spending real money in the Dubai Mall).
Treat yourself – and those you're with – to something truly special with Burj Khalifa tickets. From the dizzying heights of the 124th and 125 floors, you'll enjoy spectacular views of Dubai as you literally live the high life. With panoramic views from the world's highest building, this is a true bucket-list experience.
Step into a world of architectural marvel and breathtaking heights with this ticket to Burj Khalifa, the iconic skyscraper that pierces the Dubai skyline. Get ready for an extraordinary journey as you ascend to the pinnacle of modern engineering, immersing yourself in the splendor of this record-breaking structure. The observation deck of Burj Khalifa offers an unrivaled experience of Dubai's cityscape. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows provide uninterrupted views, allowing you to gaze upon the city's iconic landmarks with awe. Whether it's the palm-shaped Palm Jumeirah, the majestic Burj Al Arab, or the sprawling Dubai Marina, every angle reveals a new perspective, unveiling the true grandeur of this bustling metropolis. A ticket to Burj Khalifa is an invitation to witness the limits of human ingenuity and creativity. Traverse the heights of modern engineering, immersing yourself in a symphony of steel and glass that showcases Dubai's ambition and vision. Prepare to be mesmerized by the panoramic vistas, the meticulous design, and the sheer magnificence of this iconic landmark.
If you want to see the best of Dubai in one day and experience its grandeur, beauty, and uniqueness, join this self-guided audio tour that will serve you as a private tour guide. You will start your program with visiting the observation decks on the 124 & 125 levels of Burj Khalifa, an icon of Dubai representing its power, development, and ambitions. The views will seem surreal and otherworldly, one-of-a-kind, and it's worth watching the cityscape from more than 400 meters above the ground. You will continue the tour in Downtown Dubai, showing you famous attractions like the Dubai Fountain, the Dubai Mall, and Souk Al Bahar. This part is the unofficial heart of the city, as it is well-connected to both Old and New Dubai. Before you get immersed in Old one, you will visit Business Bay, a business hub with a futuristic skyline and commercial spirit. From there, you will take a metro (it's easy!) to the area considered a heritage as it is the oldest area in the city. You will walk the streets of Al Shindagha and Al Fahidi historical districts by Dubai Creek and be surrounded by traditional architecture, a variety of Arabic street arts, and the atmosphere of the 19th century. After Old Dubai, you will travel to New Dubai with its famous Dubai Marina, a luxury and posh area that has it all — shopping, restaurants, beaches, residences, and entertainment. Take a stroll around this world-class neighborhood and end your day together with the cozy sunset.
Stand 240 meters high on Palm Tower's 52nd floor with The View. See the Arabian Gulf, Palm Jumeirah, and the city from the terrace and lounge. Spot iconic landmarks and hidden treasures. Hop on board our tailored transportation service with friendly chauffeurs and well-kept vehicles to ensure a safe and comfortable ride.
Get close to your favorite celebrities and take selfies with 60 wax figures, including 16 new ones from the Middle East. See the stars in six themed zones: Leaders and Royals, Fashion, Film, Bollywood, Sport, and the A-List Music Party. Check out the Wax Hand experience at Madame Tussauds Dubai. Create a wax model of your own hand and decorate it as a souvenir to take home. The process is simple and safe. Take home a unique memento from your visit to Madame Tussauds Dubai.
Visit OliOli® for a family-friendly indoor space filled with hands-on activities. Kids can explore areas designed to spark creativity and curiosity. Each visit offers new opportunities for all ages to play and learn together. Enjoy nutritious food anytime at La Petite Treehouse Cafe, known for its welcoming environment.
Cities in United Arab Emirates
About Dubai
The best tours to do in Dubai with kids are:
The must-see attractions in Dubai for a first visit are:
Insider tips for visiting Dubai
Ольга Сафронова2022When I’m in Dubai on my own, I always head to Al Fahidi at golden hour and then take the old abra across Dubai Creek for 1 dirham. For solo travelers, this is one of the most rewarding things to do in Dubai because you get history, people-watching, and a real sense of the city without feeling awkward alone. I usually wander the lanes, stop for karak, then cross to the spice and textile souks before dinner by the water in Al Seef. If you’re deciding what to see in Dubai, these are the attractions in Dubai that feel most personal. Even among flashy tours in Dubai, this old-core route is my favorite.
When friends ask me what to eat when they visit Dubai, I tell them to skip the hotel buffets and go for Emirati and long-loved local staples. I always look for machboos, a fragrant rice dish with dried lime, and luqaimat, warm dumplings drizzled with date syrup. In Dubai, I also crave regag bread with egg and cheese at a neighborhood café, plus a strong cup of karak. If you visit Dubai, eating in Al Khawaneej or around Satwa gives you a more honest taste of the city. In my travel guide Dubai notes, this is one of the best things to do in Dubai because food tells you how Dubai really lives.
When I want to feel the real texture of Dubai, I split my time between Al Fahidi, Jumeirah, and Satwa. Al Fahidi is one of my favorite attractions in Dubai for quiet courtyards, wind towers, and the short abra ride across the creek. In Jumeirah, I like the older villa streets near Jumeirah Beach Road, where independent cafés and mosques give you a softer side of Dubai. Satwa is where I go for late-night shawarma, tailoring shops, and everyday city life. If you’re choosing what to see in Dubai, these areas show more character than polished towers. Even with so many tours in Dubai, I find neighborhoods tell the story best.
In my travel guide Dubai notes, I usually suggest four to five days. That gives you time to see both sides of Dubai without rushing: one day around the creek and Al Fahidi, one for Jumeirah and the beach, one for modern Dubai, and one slower evening for desert light or a long dinner. If you only visit Dubai for two days, you’ll catch the highlights but miss the rhythm of the city, especially after sunset when Dubai feels more local. For me, the best things to do in Dubai are spread out, so a few extra days make the experience smoother and far more memorable.
When I want a romantic side of Dubai, I recommend a slow evening that starts with an abra ride on Dubai Creek just before sunset, then a walk through Al Seef when the lanterns come on. For couples, this is one of my favorite things to do in Dubai because it feels intimate without trying too hard. I usually pair it with dinner in a courtyard restaurant in Al Fahidi, where the wind towers and low light make Dubai feel surprisingly gentle. If you’re deciding what to see in Dubai, these older waterfront corners are some of the most memorable attractions in Dubai, far more personal than flashy tours in Dubai.
When I want shopping with character in Dubai, I usually choose three areas: Deira, Satwa, and Jumeirah. Deira is where I go for gold, spices, perfume oils, and small fabric shops tucked behind the main souks. Satwa is excellent for tailoring, abayas, shoe repairs, and the kind of practical stores locals actually use. In Jumeirah, I browse independent concept shops and homegrown fashion brands along Jumeirah Beach Road. If you visit Dubai, these neighborhoods show a more layered side of retail than the big malls. In my travel guide Dubai notes, exploring them is one of the most revealing things to do in Dubai, especially if you want to understand how Dubai shops day to day.
When I want to show the quieter side of Dubai, I take people to the Creek at sunrise, when the abras are full of workers and the city feels honest and unpolished. Another favorite is Alserkal Avenue on a weekday afternoon, when you can drift through galleries and coffee roasters without the weekend crowd. In Dubai, I also love the fishing harbor near Jumeirah 1 for a seafood lunch and a view of everyday coastal life. These are the attractions in Dubai that locals return to. If you’re deciding what to see in Dubai, I’d choose places like these over packaged tours in Dubai, because they reveal how Dubai really breathes.
In my travel guide Dubai notes, I always suggest late November through March. That’s when I can actually enjoy Dubai outdoors: morning walks along Jumeirah, dinners by the creek, and desert sunsets without the heavy summer heat. January is especially good if you like clear evenings, but I personally love late February, when Dubai feels lively yet a little less hectic. If you visit Dubai in summer, plan your days around early mornings and after dark, because the heat changes how you experience the city. For me, the best things to do in Dubai are the ones that let you be outside, and winter makes that easy.