Dubai is a fascinating travel hub that never fails to spark wonder. It’s a destination steeped in centuries-old culture and traditions, but that also offers a distinctive glimpse into the future of tourism.
A trip to this bustling metropolis means you will never be short on things to see and do. While it has no shortage of impressive skyscrapers, world-class malls, luxury hotels, and blissful beaches, Dubai is also filled with many unique attractions for curious travellers like yourself. In the mood for a live acrobatics show? Or maybe you’re keen to learn about the city’s history while cruising past its iconic landmarks? If so — and if you’d also like to avoid long queues and save a little money in the process — book your visit with our partner Tiqets for an exclusive 7.5% discount (applied at checkout) when purchasing via the links in this article.
Best places to visit in Dubai
To help you plan your next holiday, here are some of our top picks for the best activities and sightseeing in Dubai.
Museum of the Future
Price with exclusive discount for Skyscanner readers: From £32.88*
Located in the heart of the Financial District in downtown Dubai, the Museum of the Future is a one-of-a-kind attraction — a wholly immersive experience that offers a great time for kids and inquisitive adults alike.
The museum consists of five floors for guests, including a children’s area on the first level, with the goal of showcasing technology’s role in shaping our future. The “Tomorrow Today” exhibit focuses on the impact of technology and how it can be used to tackle the present day’s biggest challenges. The kid’s level is called “Future Heroes,” an educational play area with a name to symbolize how the younger generation will play a vital role in helping to solve our current climate crisis.
Even though the museum isn’t as tall as the surrounding skyscrapers of Dubai’s sleek and stylish Financial District, you can’t miss it. Built with sustainability in mind, this gorgeous and eclectic 252-foot-tall structure stands as a prime example of design-forward architecture. Make sure to check out the outdoor garden during your visit, as the museum’s exterior is surrounded by an impeccably-designed green space that features a wide array of plants native to the UAE.
Museum opening times: Open every day from 10:00 am to 9:30 pm
Looking for Museum of the Future Dubai tickets? If you book here via Tiqets, you’ll receive an exclusive 7.5% discount on general admission.
For a swanky and stylish yet affordable hotel stay near the MOTF, check out Conrad Dubai. Offering an on-site fitness centre, restaurant and bar, and a fabulous outdoor pool, you’ll only be a short walk from the major attractions in the Financial District.
Sky Views Observatory Dubai
Price with exclusive discount for Skyscanner readers: From £19.86
Head to the Address Sky Views Hotel for a jaw-dropping panorama of the Dubai skyline and coastline. Located in the city centre, this attraction is not only an observatory, but also boasts a Sky Walk, Edge Walk, clear-glass Sky Slide, and a restaurant where you can dine in the sky.
The Sky Walk experience will have you strolling across a 25-metre-long glass floor between the two Sky Views Towers, all while soaking up 360-degree views of Dubai from 53 floors up (over 200 metres). Sound thrilling? There’s more. Entrance to the observatory and Sky Walk also includes admission for one trip down the Sky Slide, which is a clear, quadruple-laminated, all-glass capsule that takes thrill-seekers from the 53rd to 52nd floor of the tower. And if that’s still not enough, all you daredevils out there can upgrade your ticket to include the Sky Views Observatory Edge Walk, where you’ll get a hands-free walk along the Observatory edge: no barriers here – just yourself, protective gear, and unforgettable views.
This is the ultimate Dubai experience to plan for sunset, and you can book your time slot beforehand to guarantee the best panoramic views of Dubai during magic hour.
The walk is available to all persons aged 12-65, and you can read the more specific terms and conditions on the official website.
Opening times:
- Observatory: Every day from 10 am until midnight
- Edge Walk is open every day from 2 pm to 9 pm
Want to visit? Book with Tiqets to receive an exclusive 7.5% discount on your Sky Views Observatory ticket, which includes access to the Sky Walk (30 minutes) and a one-time slide down the Glass Slide (with additional slides for 25 AED, about £5.50).
For a 5-star stay right by Sky Views, the Paramount Hotel Midtown truly delivers. Enjoy the hotel’s indoor and outdoor pool, sauna, and fully equipped fitness centre when you’re not living it up at Dubai’s top attractions.
Burj Khalifa
Price with exclusive discount for Skyscanner readers: From £37.29
If you’re looking for prime sightseeing in Dubai, a trip to the Burj Khalifa won’t disappoint. Inaugurated in 2010, it claims the title of the tallest tower in the world, standing at 829.8 metres high. Witness the city skyline and beyond from the ultimate vantage point on the 124th and 125th floors of the structure, where travellers can visit throughout the day. How does one climb this high, you ask? The building happens to have a lightning-fast elevator that will transport you to your destination 452 metres above the Earth (the 124th floor). And though it can be seen from just about anywhere in town, the Burj Khalifa is smack dab in the city centre, which means it’s an ideal spot to visit when touring downtown Dubai.
If you can, time your visit for sunset to really see the City of Gold shine. In fact, the Burj Khalifa is so tall that you can actually watch the sunset from sea level, and then take that super speedy elevator ride to the top of the Burj to see the setting sun for a second time. Two sunsets in one day? Sign us up.
Opening times: 9 am to 11 pm every day
Still need your tickets to this quintessential Dubai attraction? Book via this Tiqets link to get an exclusive 7.5% off an ultra-fast elevator ride and full access to the Burj Khalifa’s 124th and 125th floors, where you’ll experience some of the best panoramic views you may ever take in.
Looking for another hotel recommendation? Stay in the heart of downtown Dubai at Vida Downtown. Enjoy air-conditioned rooms and a private outdoor pool with sun loungers so welcoming that you’ll never want to leave.
Yellow Boats
Price with exclusive discount for Skyscanner readers: From £65.98
See and experience Dubai from another angle, and escape that desert heat for a hot minute! Book The Yellow Boats tour, a fun and crowd-pleasing activity for any traveller. You’ll sail along the Arabian Gulf with the help of your experienced boat captain and be treated to unique views of Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach, Bluewaters Island, Ain Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis, and Burj Al Arab.
Choose from 45, 60, 75 or 99-minute boat tours. Boat captains double as star tour guides, so you’ll get an in-depth rundown of the best attractions in Dubai while viewing them from the water. The views from the Yellow Boats are some of the best ways to observe the lavish lifestyle of Dubai, as you’ll pass ultra-posh yachts and residents’ luxury abodes during the tour.
Opening times: 8 am until 8 pm
Book this experience with Tiqets to receive your exclusive 7.5% discount on a 99-minute Premium boat tour that includes all of the above sites, a bottle of water, numerous photo opportunities, and a 10% discount on the Yellow Boats deep sea fishing tour package.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in the vicinity, Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach is a 5-star hotel near the Dubai Marina that won’t break the bank. The hotel gets rave reviews for its excellent service and amenities.
La Perle by Dragone
Price with exclusive discount for Skyscanner readers: From £57.15
Relax and be invigorated at La Perle by Dragone, a live professional acrobatics show with mesmerizing visuals that you’ll be talking about for weeks, maybe even months, afterwards. La Perle by Dragone is Dubai’s first permanent artist-in-residence show that features performers from across the globe, including the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil.
What makes this 1.5-hour performance really stand out is the on-stage pool, or “aqua theatre”, which uses 2.7 million litres of water. Let yourself be amazed in the 1,300-seat auditorium, where you’ll see the artists perform underwater and aerial stunts, including swan dives at 35-metre heights and leaps at speeds of 15km/hour. Safe to say, this is a must-do when visiting Dubai.
Show times: Monday to Friday with performances at 6:30 pm and another at 9 pm
Book via Tiqets to receive an exclusive 7.5% discount on your show ticket. Food and drinks are also included for Platinum and VIP ticket holders.
You can’t get much closer to La Perle DXB than the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City. This family-friendly hotel features an outdoor pool, terrace, an on-site restaurant and bar, airport shuttle service, and much more.
*Please note that ticket prices may change due to demand and availability. Prices are accurate at the time of publication, February 8th, 2023. Also, when you purchase a ticket for a Tiqets attraction through our site, we earn a commission. But rest assured, this does not affect our views on the quality of these activities!
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