Whether you’re heading there with friends, kids in tow, traveling solo, or just want to see if Dubai lives up to the hype, this list has you covered. From desert safaris to indoor ski slopes to gold-drenched facials, here’s your cheat sheet for the best things to do in Dubai.

Bonus: We’ve added tips to save cash, avoid crowds, and link you to deep dives from our Dubai travel archives.

Hit the Big Attractions (Yes, They’re Worth It)

Let’s be honest. When you land in Dubai, you’re stepping into a city that doesn’t do subtle. And that’s half the fun.

• Burj Khalifa – The world’s tallest skyscraper. It’s iconic, and yes, it’s worth standing at the base and craning your neck skyward. If you want the view, try to book your visit early in the day or around sunset for the best experience.
• Dubai Fountain Show – Located right below the Burj Khalifa, this water and light show is one of the best free things in the city. More free things to do in Dubai tips here.
• Dubai Miracle Garden – Over 50 million blooming flowers arranged in whimsical shapes, think giant teddy bears made of petals. Perfect with kids, or just if you’re craving a color overload.
• Ain Dubai – The world’s largest observation wheel. Go in the evening for glittering skyline views.

Add a Bit of Quirk (The Unusual Stuff)

Dubai is great at taking things to the extreme (in the best way).

• Ski Dubai – A massive indoor ski hill inside the Mall of the Emirates. Where else can you ski, bobsled, or hang with penguins in the middle of the desert?
• Chillout Lounge – A café built from ice, down to the chairs. They hand you a parka and serve soup, sandwiches, and steaming mocktails. It’s kitschy and fun, especially if it’s +42°C outside.
• Global Village – A seasonal multicultural theme park with food, shows, and shopping from 90+ countries. Think Epcot, but with more shawarma.

For even more unexpected adventures (zorbing, lava shell massages, and more), don’t miss 15 unique things to do in Dubai.

Things to Do with Kids (That Adults Secretly Love Too)

We’ve traveled the world with our kiddos, and Dubai makes it easy to keep everyone happy.

• Dubai Aquarium – Inside the Dubai Mall, with a massive viewing panel and walk-through tunnel.
• Adventure Zone – Ziplining, wall climbing, trampolines, basically a kid’s dream day.
• LEGOLAND Dubai – Smaller than its U.S. cousins, but full of charm.
• Desert Safari – Camel rides, henna painting, dune bashing, and belly dancing under the stars.

Get the full breakdown in our family-friendly Dubai guide.

Explore Dubai for Free (Yes, Really)

Dubai has plenty of luxe attractions, but you don’t need to empty your wallet to enjoy the city.

• Jumeirah Beach – Public, clean, and perfect for a swim or people watching session.
• Dubai Creek – Watch wooden boats glide by and wander through the charming Al Fahidi Historic District nearby.
• Alserkal Avenue – Dubai’s hippest art scene. No entry fee, but you might leave inspired.
• Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary – Flamingos in the desert? Yup. Best in winter.

Here’s our full list of the best free places to visit.

The Best Souvenirs to Buy in Dubai

Dubai is a shopper’s paradise, and yes, you can find something cool beyond fridge magnets.

• Camel Milk Chocolate – Sounds weird. Tastes amazing. Al Nassma is the go to brand.
• Pashmina Shawls – Real pashmina is super soft and lightweight (and comes with bragging rights). Watch out for fake acrylics.
• Arabic Coffee Sets – Perfect if you’ve fallen in love with cardamom laced coffee.
• Spices and Dates – Stock up on saffron, za’atar, and plump Medjool dates from the myriad of souks around the city.
• Miniature Burj Khalifas – Yes, they’re a bit touristy, but they’re fun. Especially the gold-plated ones.

You’ll find most of these in the Gold, Spice, and Textile Souks or at the massive Dubai Mall. For more ideas, check out our guide to the best things to buy in Dubai.

When Should You Go to Dubai?

Here’s the short answer: November to March. Warm days, cool nights, and everything’s open.

Shoulder seasons like April or October? Great if you like heat and shorter lines. Summer? It’s doable, but prepare for a sauna experience. A lot of outdoor attractions shut down and you’ll live in air conditioning.

We break it all down in our seasonal guide to visiting Dubai.

Bonus Tips: Quick Wins for a Smoother Trip

• Wi-Fi is everywhere, including malls, beaches, even the Metro. Bring a VPN just in case.
• Public transport is efficient, clean, and safe. Use the Metro for longer distances and ride-sharing apps for short hops.
• Dress code – Dubai’s pretty relaxed, but modest clothing is appreciated in public areas. Think shoulders and knees covered.

The Takeaway

Dubai is one of those rare cities where you can ski, shop, sandboard, and sip saffron tea, all in the same day. It’s flashy, yes, but it’s also filled with warmth, color, and creativity.

Whether you’re planning a week of family fun, a romantic getaway, or an offbeat solo trip, Dubai has something unexpected waiting for everyone.

Still planning? Save this post for later and check out these posts of ours next:

• The Best Things to Do in Dubai with Kids
• 15 Unique Things to Do in Dubai
• Things to Buy in Dubai
• The Best Places to Visit in Dubai for Free
• When’s the Best Time to Visit Dubai?

Nestled between Saudi Arabia and Iraq, the small, oil rich nation of Kuwait is packed with things to see and do.

While close enough to benefit from the busy international airplane hub of the UAE, this coastal Persian Gulf country still has plenty of attractions as well as smaller crowds to deal with than nearby Dubai.

It’s said that there’s an attraction in Kuwait for everyone. Explorers will love to wander the Corniche that connects beaches, parks and city attractions. For the city lover, there are fine museums and galleries, and plenty of interesting restaurants. Beaches and desert scenes call outdoor adventurers, while science buffs will love Kuwait City’s Scientific Center.

Places to Visit in Kuwait

There are plenty of things to do in Kuwait, whether you’re in Kuwait City or visiting the picturesque Kubbar Island.

Places to visit in Kuwait City

Most visitors to Kuwait spend most of their time in the country’s capital, the always bustling Kuwait City. It’s no wonder, as the city is packed with museums, great restaurants and art galleries as well as a host of theatres.

Known as the “Hollywood of the Gulf”, Kuwait has a lasting love of cinema, local soap operas and traditional performing arts that can all be found in Kuwait City.

Mirror House

Created by Italian-Kuwaiti artist Lidia Al Qattan, Mirror House is an artistic adventure, as a residential house covered in mirror mosaics.

Souq Mubarakiya

Kuwait City’s historic souk is bustling, and packed with locals and deals. Haggling is the norm here, on everything from aromatic spices to clothing. The Souq Al Hareem area often features Bedouin women selling charcoal kohl eyeliner and gold-spangled dresses.

If you’re shopping for gold or pearls, nearby Souq Ad Dahab Al Markazi is the place to go.

Tareq Rajab Museum

This museum is a jewel, tucked in the lower level of a large villa. The Arabic manuscripts in the Calligraphy museum are well revered internationally. Elsewhere in the museum, you’ll find Omani silver and Saudi gold jewelry, costumes, necklaces, and musical instruments.

Grand Mosque

As you may have guessed by the name, Grand Mosque is the largest of Kuwait City’s 800-some mosques. The cost to build was over 46 million, and it’s packed with opulence, including a palm tree filled courtyard, marble detailing and intricate stained glass. To enter, women must wear a head scarf and full length robe like dress.

The Corniche at Kuwait City

With ten kilometers connecting winding paths, beaches and parks, the Corniche in Kuwait City is one of the city’s most popular thoroughfares. It winds along Arabian Gulf St (also called Gulf Rd).

Scientific Center

The sail-shaped Scientific Center is home to a large aquarium, and the Discover Center contains many interactive experiments that kids will love. There’s a fun car on a pulley system that entertains young and old alike.

Kuwait Towers

The three Kuwait Towers, sparkle with distinctive blue-green sequins that are often thought of as iconically Kuwait. The largest of the three towers rises to a height of 187 meters. There’s a restaurant at the top of one tower that offers a panoramic view of the city. The entrance fee to the Tower is waived if you eat at the restaurant.

Other Regions to Visit in Kuwait

While Kuwait City gathers the majority of Kuwait’s tourists, there’s plenty to see in other regions in Kuwait, including Mutla Ridge, Failaka Island, and Mina Alzour and Al Kihran.

Hawalli

Hawalli is one of Kuwait’s six provinces, rich with culture. It’s located in the inlet of the Persian Gulf, and is one of the most popular Kuwait tourist places to visit.

Kubbar Island

If you’re looking for a beach vacation, Kubbar Island is only about 30 kilometers from the Southern coast of Kuwait. It’s a tiny island packed with sandy beaches and surrounded by crystal clear water.

Failaka Island

Failaka Island is only 20 kilometers off Kuwait City on the coast. It’s a picturesque location that draws archeology and history buffs, with a history dating back to the Mesopotamian civilization in 2000 BC.

Mutla Ridge

Multa Ridge is the highest point in Kuwait, at 461 feet ( 140 meters) high. It offers a wonderful view of the full expanse of Kuwait Bay, making it one of the best outdoor places in Kuwait to checkout.

Things to do in Kuwait at Night

Because alcohol is illegal, nightlife in Kuwait doesn’t center around bars and restaurants. Instead, night time things to do in Kuwait tend to center around food and entertainment.

In Kuwait City, Caspar and Gambini’s café is the place to gather for a coffee or tea and a chat. You can enjoy live music at Kuwait City venues like Edo or the English Tea Lounge. Kuwait Little Theater and the Kuwait Public Theater offer everything from contemporary dramas to folklore dramas.

Things to do in Kuwait Airport

Kuwait City Airport (KWI) has two terminals: the main, older Terminal 1, and a smaller, newer Sheikh Saad Terminal. There are eateries and shops in Terminal 1 , but most travelers prefer to spend time in the newer Sheikh Saad Terminal.

There are a few fee-based first class lounges in the airport, including the Al Mubarakiya Lounge and Pearl Lounge Sheikh Saad. Wi-Fi is available.

There are several hotels nearby including the Safir Airport Hotel and Continental Suite Farwaniya.

Want to explore the middle east a bit more? Read our articles on Unique things to do in Dubai, souvenirs to buy in Dubai, or things to do with kids in Dubai.

Spoiler: It’s not when you think.

Well, the truth is you can go anytime, but to really have the best experience, you want to be there when the weather isn’t too hot, so you can hit the beaches as well as the mile long designer malls.

Since air conditioning is common throughout the city, and people do in Dubai year round, it’s definitely accessible for most of the year.

However, if you really want to enjoy your trip, the best time to visit Dubai is from early November to late March. That’s when the average highs make going outdoors a joy, and give you plenty of things to see and do both inside and outside the city.

The Best Time to Visit Dubai

Already sold on booking a trip to Dubai?

Dubai’s weather

It’s no secret that Dubai is a hot place. Both figuratively and literally. Temperatures routinely go above 105°F or 40 Celsius over their summer (June to September) while daily highs during winter hit the low 80s and high 70s. That’s plenty high for hitting world famous Jumeirah Beach or spending the afternoon driving the nearby sand dunes in the adjacent desert.

If you’re still not convinced about the best time to visit Dubai, just remember that Dubai is nicknamed the Desert City for a reason. Dubai literally lies in the middle of the Arabian Desert. As such, there’s no shortage of sand, and though the days can get hot, the nights definitely stay cool outside of their hot summer season.

Dubai is also naturally a dry place, and you can expect nothing but sunshine most days of the year. That said, it does get damp in the hot summer months, so there’s another reason to go to Dubai during the winter.

Dubai’s tourist season or high season

What’s the best season to visit Dubai?

It stands to reason that Dubai’s largest tourist season coincides with the weather. Dubai’s high season runs from November to March as well.

As such, the only drawback to visiting Dubai in the winter is that it also coincides with their busiest season. With that kind of weather, and so many unique things to do in Dubai, it’s no wonder everyone wants to visit during winter.

Airfare  and hotel prices reach their peak prices during Dubai’s high season. However, the big plus is that everything is open during the winter in Dubai. Lots of shops and attractions close down during their summer months when most people aren’t willing to brave the heat.

That means that if you go from November to March you’ll get a chance to visit any of Dubai’s three3 water parks as well as the hugely popular Global Village. There’s also LEGOLAND Dubai (read our review of LEGOLAND Florida here) and the world’s largest indoor theme park, the IMG Worlds of Adventure. You can also get your Bollywood on at Dubai’s Bollywood Park!

Dubai’s shoulder season

Dubai’s shoulder seasons, which are unofficially April/May and then September/October, can get pretty warm. If you love the heat, this might be the best time to travel to Dubai, since things quiet down in the city around this time. That means shorter lineups at the attractions and better deals for flights and hotels.

It’s also a great time to enjoy mornings at the beach and early evenings walking around Dubai’s marina and boardwalks. Dubai truly comes alive as the sun sets.

Of course, it also means that certain places and attraction are either shut down or on reduced hours, so you have to weigh everything out. If you want to see Dubai in all its glory, while also working heavily on your tan, while also saving a few dollars, then Dubai’s shoulder season might be for you.

Dubai’s low season

Don’t like the outdoors anyway or just love a great deal? Then Dubai’s low season, which runs from June to September, might be for you. Sure, lots of things are closed down due to the summer heat, but the world class malls and shops are still open and you can get some killer deals on everything from flights and hotels to store wide sales.

Even better, you can often score some fantastic deals on airfare during low season.

If you’re more highbrow, Dubai has you covered as well. Dubai isn’t known as the cultural center of the Middle East for nothing. There are dozens of galleries, art exhibits, cinemas, music halls, cafes and clubs all around the city that aren’t as dependent on the weather. You can also do everything from indoor skiing to indoor skydiving in Dubai year round, and still enjoy early mornings at the beach and late nights walking along the paved paths and boardwalks along the Persian Gulf.

Best time to go to Dubai

No matter which season you head to Dubai, there’s bound to be something for you to do in this cosmopolitan, man-made marvel of a city.

In winter, you can enjoy sand boarding down the slopes of Big Red, the colorful 91 meter high sand dune just outside the city, or traveling back in time and enjoying the rich scents, sights and sounds of the ancient souks still found at the heart of Dubai.

In the shoulder season, you can visit any of Dubai’s theme parks and enjoy the empty lines, as well as carefree mornings basking in the Arabian sunshine along the miles of Persian Gulf beaches, while still enjoying the marvels of Dubai at night.

In Dubai’s hot summer season, you can forego the lines and prices and enjoy everything a cultured city like Dubai has to offer. Just realize that you’ll want to spend all your time inside to fully enjoy the city in the summer months.

In short, Dubai has something for everyone all year long and having the third busiest airport in the world means that getting to Dubai is as easy as booking your airfare.

Looking for something unique to do in Dubai? Check out our post on unique things to do in Dubai here.

Where to stay in Dubai!

The Dubai luxury hotel

If you’re looking for a luxury hotel in Dubai with a beach and Spa, you can’t do much better than the highly rated Nikki Beach Resort and Spa Dubai. It’s gorgeous, rates well, and many rooms include breakfast. Just be ready to shell out $500 a night or more.

See availability and prices.

The Affordable Alternative

The Dusit D2 Kenz Hotel Dubai is a solid budget choice. It’s got free WiFi and free parking, and often comes in at under $100 a night, and gets great ratings for staff, location, and large rooms.

See prices here.

The family hotel

The Jerimiah Creekside Hotel rates extremely well with families. It has large rooms, good staff, plus fast check in. It should run abour $150 a night.

See prices here.

The Hostel

You can’t do much better than Dubai’s At the Top Hostel. There are Privates, Twins, Quadruples as well as Female/Male/Mixed Dormitories for 2, 4, 6 & 8 guests, and it’s a few minutes walk to the public beach with famous Barasti beach bar. WiFi and breakfast are free.

See prices and availability.

Want to spend your days in luxurious pools and exploring world class aquariums while spending your evenings in some of the trendiest clubs and lounges on the planet? If so, have you considered checking out some unique experiences in Dubai? Dubai is not only one of the fastest growing cities on the planet, it’s also become a hot travel destination.

We’ve known dozens of bloggers and travelers who’ve visited this popular United Arab Emirates city and loved it so much they keep going back. They speak so highly of Dubai that we’re sorting out which one of many fantastic Dubai holidays that we want to take first.

15 Unique Things to Do in Dubai

We’ve wanted to visit Dubai for years, and every year it creeps higher on our family travel bucket list. With giant skyscrapers surrounded by the blindingly white sands of the Arabian Desert, Dubai is as unique as it is exotic and is high on our list of you-gotta-see-it-for-yourself places.

So whether you’re there for work, for play or just to take in the sheer grandeur of this desert oasis, here are 15 unique things to do in Dubai.

Go skiing in the desert

No, I’m not talking about sand skiing, though you can do that in Dubai as well. Ski Dubai, in the massive Mall of the Emirates, have built a 22,500 square meter indoor ski area complete with lifts and tubing runs.

As Canadians who live next to one of Canada’s best ski hills (Big White), indoor skiing is a strange concept. We’ve always associated skiing with big blue skies and towering mountains, but we’d love to give indoor skiing a try as well.

This has to be one of the most unique things in Dubai. You can even go zorbing on ice or race your friends down a subzero dual zipline. If that’s not enough, get up close and personal with penguins at the penguin encounter. I think our kids would go just for the penguins!

Get frosty

When we first started looking into visiting Dubai, we checked the temperature as we’d heard it can get warm. Apparently, that’s a bit of an understatement, as temperatures ranging  around 41 °C (105 °F) are quite common. Wow!

If you’ve had enough of the scorching sun, you can cool down by popping into the Chillout Lounge, which is built entirely from ice with an ambient temperature of -6 °C (42 °F). With Dubai summers hitting +42 °C (106 °F), the 36 °C (64 °F) temperature difference can be quite a shock to the system. Don’t worry, they give you warm clothes to wear and serve hot soup, sandwiches, a variety of desserts as well as some delicious mocktails.

Get wet

We love water of all kinds, and you can usually find us snorkeling, kayaking, or even boogie boarding at the beach.

The problem with Dubais is that it’s mostly all desert. That said, there are plenty of ways to keep cool in the water.

You can spend the day hydrating your skin at one of Dubai’s 3 large waterparks. From big slides to big pools, you’ll have guaranteed big fun. Just remember to bring your suncreen.

Get pampered

Need to relax after a long day of seeing the sights in Dubai? Relax in one of the many beauty spas found throughout Dubai that offer lava shell massages or facial treatments using 24k gold leaf. Yes, a facial using real gold. Don’t worry, you’re worth it.

Get unkinked

Tired of regular yoga?

Micki’s a real yoga fan (she does yoga almost every day) and suggested I add this one to our list: Swing Yoga that can be found in many fitness centers around Dubai.  If doing yoga while hanging upside down or half tied in knots doesn’t put a smile on your face, you need to re-evaluate your definition of fun!

It takes a village

Looking for something to do between November and April? Global Village might be exactly what you’re after. This huge family entertainment and cultural attraction allows you to visit the entire world concentrated into one place. Complete with kiosks representing over 30 countries, you can shop, dine and be entertained at one of the many live performances from around the world.

Milk it

Regular old water not cutting it anymore? Try a goat’s milk bath in one of the special Jacuzzi’s at the renowned Talisse Ottoman Spa. Not only will it will make your skin more beautiful than ever but you’ll be as refreshed as Cleopatra was when she first started taking milk baths a few thousand years ago.

Fly like a board?

For this next one, I’d suggest a big dollop of adventure, and some good hand eye coordination. Even Micki, who’ll try almost anything once, has some reservations about trying this next activity.

If you are a fan of waters ports and you love extremes, you can combine the two and try flyboarding over the Persian Gulf while you’re in Dubai. If flying high above the water on a board connected to a watercraft by a long hose fills you with excitement, then consider yourself excited.

Defy gravity

If flyboarding doesn’t cut it for you, you can also try indoor skydiving.

iFly Dubai is home to the very first double vertical wind tunnel in the world. Scared of heights? Don’t worry, for the majority of the time you’re only ever a few feet off the ground, however for a little more adrenaline you can go way higher.

This one honestly sounds like a blast, as I can see our oldest, who’s 11, loving the sensation!

Dune Riding

Dubai likes to do things over the top. It’s one of the reasons we think it would be a fantastic city to visit, and soon.

7 star hotel, check. Tallest building in the world, check. Giant artificial archipelago of islands in the shape of a palm tree, check. Well, Dubai is also home to a vast and sprawling desert. The Arabian Desert is just on it’s doorstep and you can go on a desert safari in air conditioned comfort as you ride the dunes while searching for Aladdin’s treasure. Feel free to imagine the vehicle as your own personal roller coaster, I would.

Be a race car driver

Fulfill your lifelong dream of driving a Formula 1 car while speeding around other super cars with the professionals at Dream Racing. Not only will you be driving a car that’s probably worth more than your house, you’ll also be going faster than you ever dreamed possible.

I think we’ll keep this one for the adults in our family.

Ice Cream Gold

If you’ve been following us for a while, you may have picked up on the fact that we love our ice cream. In fact, we’ve even visited countries based on ice cream recommendations (check out dondurma ice cream in Turkey!).

In Dubai, the city’s wealth is evident everywhere you look. As such, gold is rampant, even on ice cream. The cities most expensive ice cream dessert, at around $800 USD each, can be found at the Scoopi Cafe, one of the unique restaurants in Dubai.

The dessert is a sundae made with vanilla bean ice cream from Madagascar, saffron from Iran, rare black truffles from Italy and 23-carat gold flakes and powder. The Black Diamond might be a golden delicacy few get to savor however it doesn’t stop people from checking out what other heavenly delights can be found at this trendy ice cream boutique.

Camel ho!

After our experience riding dromedary camels in the Sahara desert of Morocco, we’ve become big fans of these gentle animals. Even our then four year old loved camel riding!

Thanks to the desert that Dubai calls home, it’s no surprise that camels played a role in Dubai’s rise to fame. Whether you’re watching a camel race complete with robot jockies, or catching an exciting match of camel polo, in Dubai, their love of camels goes beyond their love of sports. Lucky for you, you can also ride your own. and I guarantee riding one is a memorable way to spend a day.

Submerge yourself

As water lovers, we’re excited to check out some of Dubai’s best swimming pools.

With it’s taste for opulence and the fact that there’s sunshine nearly every single day of the year, it’s no surprise that Dubai is home to some of the most beautiful swimming pools on earth.  Try swimming in a pool surrounded with nothing but sand dunes as far as the eye can see, or in the shadow of the largest building on earth. You can also swim on sky high terraces or lounge in luxurious comfort only a stones throw from the sea.

Tip: Check out some of the world’s most beautiful swimming pools on our Amazing Pools Pinterest Board!

Smell the flowers

When I think of Dubai, I think of desert and scorching temperatures, but that isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, Dubai has one of the world’s most famous and beautiful flower garden.

Visiting the the worlds largest natural flower garden at Dubai Miracle Garden is a must do for anyone who loves flowers. This sprawling, ever changing flower garden featuring giant buildings covered in flowers as well as fields of mesmerizing flower patterns might make you think you’re Alice in Wonderland rather than a scorching desert.

Find yourself

Feeling a little overwhelmed by all the things there are to do in Dubai?

Well, here’s a bonus one to help get you into the right frame of mind. Dubai’s Illumination Center is the city’s premiere holistic center. From yoga to feng shui they offer classes in nearly everything to get you centered as well as counselling and therapy classes.

Things to know before you go to Dubai

The largest and most populated city in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai has become one of the premier financial as well as a transport hubs in the Middle East and it’s also home to the tallest man made structure on the planet, the Burj Khalifa at 829.8 m (2,722 ft). Just look at that view!

With over 95 shopping malls and souks, dozens of mega structures, and a plethora of award winning restaurants and some amazing beaches, Dubai makes a great stopover and an even better vacation.

From taking a 4 wheel drive offroad safari across the desert to going sailing on the Persian Sea, there’s a lot to do both inside and just outside the city.

With hundreds of flights daily going to and from Dubai, what are you waiting for? It’s time to add Dubai to your travel list too.

Have you been to Dubai? Let us know if you had any unique Dubai experiences.