Dubai is one of the most sought-after holiday destinations today. This city of gold, with its dazzling tourist attractions, offers travellers everything they need when on vacation. Whether you want to explore the architectural wonders or get a taste of the profound culture of the city, there is no dearth of things to do in Dubai.
This sprawling city is ideal for all kinds of holidays - be it laid-back or with fun-filled adventures. Here is a list of various activities you can choose from for your 2024 trip to Dubai.
Irrespective of whether you are visiting with family or as a couple, these Dubai activities will be more than you can ask for from a vacation.
Best Things to Do in Dubai in 2024
Dubai is known to welcome travellers from all around the world. Despite its sandy backdrop, Dubai offers an unmatched surreal holiday experience. Opt for adventure-packed activities, exciting attractions, luxury shopping or a simple tour of the city—the list of things to do in this city is endless.
Read on to discover the different activities you can engage in while touring Dubai.
Top Things to Do in Dubai
Stand at the top of Burj Khalifa
No trip to Dubai is complete without visiting this astounding architectural marvel. Renowned as the world’s tallest tower, this is a Dubai landmark that just cannot be missed. This structure can be viewed from all parts of the city.
However, the best experience comes from buying a ticket for the world’s highest observation deck, which is situated on the 125th floor of this skyscraper. Alternatively, you can opt for an open terrace view on the 148th floor or enjoy a VIP experience at the lounge on Burj Khalifa’s 154th floor.
Take a tour of the Burj Al Arab
A notable landmark of Dubai, this luxury hotel is shaped like a “sail” that symbolises the futuristic ambitions of the UAE. The impressive elegance of this hotel and the extraordinary customer service have earned it a worldwide reputation. This place is a must-visit for learning about the history and architecture of Dubai. It is also among the most photographed structures in the world.
Opt for a Desert Safari for an adrenaline rush
Opt for an off-roading adventure in Dubai to experience the thrill of driving over the Arabian Desert dunes. The Desert Experience offers sandboarding, camel rides, henna painting and an exquisite BBQ spread comprising Arabian dishes. Tickets for this activity include pick-up from the hotel, providing convenience when travelling to the desert.
Visit the largest man-made island in the world - Palm Jumeirah
This is an artificial archipelago that appears like a palm tree inside a circle when viewed from the top. It is built on the Persian Gulf and is home to a variety of villas, apartments, luxury resorts and hotels.
It is a celebration of Arabian architecture, representing the opulence and sophistication of this country. Tourists can also spend a relaxing time at the Jumeirah beach along the coast, which looks inviting with its incredible scenery.
Things to Do in Dubai with Family
Here are some fun things to do in Dubai in 2024 that are ideal for your family, especially if you are travelling with your children.
Spend a day at IMG: Worlds of Adventure
Make sure to reserve one day of your Dubai trip for a visit to the IMG: Worlds of Adventure. Covering an area of more than 1.5 million square feet, the IMG: World of Adventure serves as the world’s largest indoor theme park.
This park includes five zones that come with exciting rides, such as the “Lost Valley Dinosaur Adventure Zone”, where you will time-travel to the prehistoric era.
Additionally, children can get to meet their favourite characters from the Marvel Universe or Cartoon Network.
Get the ultimate gaming experience at Glitch Arabia
Game zones attract children and adults alike. This marvellous indoor entertainment park houses over thirty varieties of indoor games for both kids and their parents.
Be it a ninja fight for your children or a bowling match between adults, your competitive spirit will be at its highest at Glitch.
Visit the Museum of The Future
This is one of the newest masterpieces that Dubai has to offer. This attraction provides visitors with a view of what tomorrow will look like.
The mesmerising experiences that this place offers will trigger all your senses while giving you a taste of what kind of futuristic discoveries to expect. The brainchild of the leading designers of the world, this museum is an exhibition of spirituality, science and technology.
Elevate your heart rate at the Mushrif Park Biking and Hiking Trails
The enticing view of Mushrif Park, with its natural scenic beauty, is not worth missing when in Dubai. It offers great hiking and mountain biking trails that can easily test your physical endurance.
This is one of the best places to enjoy nature while getting some good physical activity for your health.
Experience snow in Dubai at the Ski Dubai - Indoor Snow Park
Can you imagine snow in the desert? Well, Ski Dubai is where this phenomenon is made possible.
Take your family to take part in various activities at this snow park, which is the first-ever indoor ski resort built in the Middle East. Meet penguins or indulge in different snowy rides to escape the heat of this city.
Must Do Things in Dubai
Take a ride on an Abra Taxi
An abra is a traditional water taxi that is not only famous but also easily affordable. To enjoy an authentic abra taxi ride, you can look for the abra station located in Deira. This will take you to the other side, called Bur Dubai.
You can either book a seat or reserve an entire abra for the ride. It is a good opportunity to click pictures of the landscape to create unforgettable memories.
Shop at Spice and Gold Souks in Deira
It is impossible to visit Dubai without shopping for gold and spices. The market in Deira offers a wide variety of clothes, souvenirs, spices, gold ornaments and rugs, among other things.
The prices of items in the souks are more affordable than those in the shopping malls. You can stroll around this marketplace, which is situated near the airport, and bargain to purchase items within your budget.
Stroll along the Dubai Marina Walk
The world-famous Dubai Marina Walk offers you the perfect opportunity to calm your mind and body. It provides over seven kilometres for pedestrians to walk and over three hundred restaurants along its beachfront for your entertainment.
Your evening walk will be the most amazing, with city lights on one end and the starry sky along the other.
Perform a deep-sea dive at Dive Atlantis
Atlantis, the luxury hotel, is home to Dive Atlantis, which offers you an intriguing deep-sea diving experience. Depending on your diving experience, you can select from among the different levels for your diving experience.
Here, you get to make contact with more than 65,000 marine creatures. Professionally trained and experienced divers will guide you all along to ensure that you get the most out of this amazing activity.
Visit the iconic Dubai Frame
One of the must-do Dubai activities, no tourist should miss a chance to take a walk through this iconic monument. This structure was built to create a link between the old and new Dubai.
3D projections start as soon as you enter this massive monument, which displays the visual transition of Dubai from yesteryears to the modern day.
Places to See in Dubai in 2024
These are some popular places that you can explore while in Dubai.
The Dubai Fountain and Dubai Mall
The Dubai Fountain is among the tallest fountains in the world. You can choose from the multiple fountain shows taking place every day, in which up to 22,000 gallons of water is shot up almost 500 feet in the air.
Another tourist spot you cannot miss is the Dubai Mall, which is recorded to be the largest in the world. It houses more than 1200 stores and welcomes a staggering 100 million visitors every year. This shopping mall is ideal for shopping for luxurious items, provided you have the budget to do so.
Dubai Crocodile Park
If you are a marine life enthusiast, then this is the place to visit. One of the newest tourist attractions, the Dubai Crocodile Park, is home to different crocodile species from around the world.
Apart from spotting these animals from a safe distance, you can also learn more about them in the Natural History Museum, located inside the park.
Sky Views Dubai
This observation deck, at 219.5 metres above the ground, offers an extraordinary view of the Dubai skyline. It is an architectural wonder that features the Glass Slide, the Observatory and the Edge Walk.
You can choose from any of these options to make your sightseeing experience memorable.
Mohammed Bin Rashid Library
This is one of Dubai's recent tourist attractions, designed similarly to the Islamic Lectern. This library contains millions of books in several languages. It features specialised collections, a bookstore, a cafe and exhibition rooms for cultural events.
Popular Food Items to Try in Dubai
One of the most interesting activities to do in Dubai in 2024 is to look for mouth-watering Emirati delicacies. The Pavilion at the Beach is a good destination if you are out for a gastronomical survey.
If you visit Dubai during Ramadan, you can also attend Iftar feasts organised by several hotels and restaurants around the city. These events serve authentic Emirati and Arabian cuisines.
Irrespective of which part of the year you visit, there is a whole combination of Lebanese, Arabic, Iranian and Dubai-based cuisines to choose from. Here are a few food recommendations for your Dubai trip:
Manousheh
Cited as local pizza, this dish is popular among locals and tourists alike. Stretched dough topped with Akkawi cheese, zaatar herbs, and olive oil is what Manousheh is all about, but the taste is something you have to experience personally.
AI Harees
It is a popular traditional cuisine with roots in Dubai that is served on Eid, at weddings, and during Ramadan. With a porridge-like texture, this dish includes meat, wheat and powdered cinnamon (a pinch). You can find it at any local restaurant.
Machboos
This is another traditional dish that includes rice, local spices such as cinnamon and cardamom, meat, and a lemon slice.
Camel milk
In comparison to cow milk, camel milk is a bit saltier, has more protein, vitamin C, and iron, and is lower in cholesterol. These nutritional benefits have paved the way for camel milk to be served at restaurants.
Falafel
For vegetarians, this is a must-try dish in Dubai. Falafel is a chickpea-based deep-fried ball served with hummus or baba ganoush and pita bread. It is one of the most popular appetisers in Dubai.
Gahwa
This is Arabic coffee, which is easily available in the city. It is consumed by all and is made using roasted coffee beans (slightly), clove and cardamom.
Tabbouleh
It is a healthy dish that includes lime juice, cucumber, fresh mint, green onions and tomatoes. This salad is a welcome change to all the meat and bread-based cuisines of Dubai.
Knafeh
An exquisite Arabic dessert, this dish is a pastry made of semolina dough, cheese (gooey) and sugar syrup (rose-scented). During the month of Ramadan, this dessert is ordered in thousands every day. It is best to ravish this dish when hot.
Activities to Do in Dubai - Festivals and Events to Witness
These are some important events and festivals held in Dubai that display its diverse culture.
Dubai International Film Festival
This festival takes place between November and December. Filmmakers and actors from across the world participate to celebrate the creation of amazing movies.
Dubai Summer Surprises
This extravagant festival is typically celebrated between July and August. It offers exciting shopping deals, concerts, and fun competitions and activities for children.
Dubai International Jazz Festival
This is a globally renowned event where jazz and other music forms are celebrated grandly. Famous musicians perform on stage, captivating audiences of all ages.
Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF)
If you want to make the most of your Dubai shopping experience, you must attend the Dubai Shopping Festival, where each store offers unbelievable discounts on its products. This event generally takes place between December and January, so plan accordingly.
Dubai Food Festival
This event celebrates Emirati cuisine for two weeks. The streets of Dubai are crowded with sellers and customers enjoying delicious dishes traditional to this region. This year, the festival took place in February. However, the announcements are made in advance, so you can book tickets accordingly.
Dubai Design Week
This is a design-centred event that celebrates innovation and creativity across various disciplines, including product design, architecture, interior design, etc. Workshops, installations, talks and exhibitions are part of this event.
Get Insured for Your Dubai Trip
One of the best ways to ensure that your Dubai trip is a successful one is by investing in
travel insurance for Dubai from India. This way, you can enjoy all you want without stressing about unexpected situations.
Reliance General Insurance's
international trip insurance policy provides you with adequate coverage so that you and your family can focus on enjoying your Dubai trip rather than fret over unnecessary hiccups.
Conclusion
A trip to Dubai in 2024 should include airy and breathable outfits, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion and hats. Stay hydrated while sightseeing, and carry water from your hotel, as packaged drinking water is expensive in this city. While Dubai is a hospitable city, you should not break the laws that are implemented for tourists.
And, of course, your international travel insurance policy will prove highly beneficial in protecting you when faced with unexpected situations like missing connecting flights, losing baggage or passport, accidents and trip cancellations due to unforeseen events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is alcohol drinking permitted in Dubai for tourists?
Serving alcohol is not common in Dubai because Islam is the city’s official religion, and alcohol consumption is banned under this religion. It is illegal to drink alcohol in public in Dubai. However, certain bars, hotels and restaurants have special licences to serve alcohol, which you can visit if required.
Which is the hottest month in Dubai?
The hottest month is August, and the temperature can rise to 43 degrees Celsius during this time. However, if you plan a trip in August, you can enjoy discounts and deals in terms of travel and accommodation.
What is Dubai’s official language?
The official language of Dubai is Arabic, but English is widely spoken across this city.
Is there a dress code for tourists in Dubai?
There is no dress code to follow when in Dubai, but it is recommended that you dress conservatively when visiting any religious centre or dining out in public.