Essential Dubai Bucket List Activities For First-Timers
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Since I moved to Dubai in 2022, I’ve received endless questions about how to craft the perfect Dubai itinerary. This is tough since everyone should tailor their trip to their wants and needs. But I will say that whenever I find myself giving anyone advice on the best things to do in Dubai, I always end up giving the recommendations, tips and tricks you’ll find below.
What you’ll find in this guide is a list of the can’t-miss things to see and do in Dubai for first-timers. I also included my tips for specific tours and tour companies that I recommend and some sightseeing tricks that only expats know about. From taking a carefully curated food tour of Old Dubai to finding the best view in Dubai (nope, it’s not from the top of the Burj Khalifa!) to going on a sustainable desert safari, you’re going to have a blast ticking off all of these Dubai bucket list activities!
Oh, and if you’re traveling on a budget, be sure to check out my guide to all of the free (yes, free!) things to do in Dubai.
Essential Dubai Bucket List Activities for First-Timers
Get High On the Ain Dubai
When it comes to essential Dubai bucket list activities, taking a spin on the Ain Dubai is an absolute must. After years of renovation, the Ain Dubai finally reopened in December 2024 and it’s easily one of the coolest things to do in Dubai.
Towering at a height of 250 meters (820 feet), the Ain Dubai is the largest observation wheel in the world. It takes a whopping 38 minutes just to make one revolution, and during your journey, you’ll get incredible views of the Dubai Marina skyline, the Palm Jumeirah, and the Arabian Gulf.
General tickets go for AED 145 (adults 12+) and AED 115 (kids 3+) and give you access to a shared cabin with glass walls, perfect for taking endless photos. There are plenty of VIP options, including drinks packages, if you’re in town for a special celebration. Just visit the website to peruse your options.
If there’s one thing I recommend doing during your visit to Dubai, the Ain Dubai is it!
Take a Frying Pan Adventures Food Tour
If you ask me, taking a food tour is always a great introduction to a new city. And this is especially true for Dubai because the food here is diverse, delicious and totally underrated.
I personally recommend doing a tour with Frying Pan Adventures. This company was created by two local sisters and I absolutely love their dedication to promoting and preserving food culture and history here in Dubai. They put so much love and research into all of their tours, which is what makes this independent company stand out from the rest.
They offer a few different food tours but if this is your first time in Dubai, I highly recommend their Dubai Souks and Creekside Food Walk. The cost is AED 435 per person and the tour will take you through the souks of Old Dubai, where you’ll learn all about Dubai’s culture and history while sampling local foods – from freshly baked flatbreads to sweet Iranian desserts.
This carefully curated food tour not only takes you off the beaten path but you’ll get the rare chance to delve beneath the city’s surface and get a better understanding of Dubai’s fascinating culture, history and cuisine.
Get 360° Views of Palm Jumeirah
It seems like going to the top of the Burj Khalifa is at the top of every traveler’s Dubai bucket list. And while I do highly recommend doing this (get the Sky Level Tickets to skip the line – you’ll thank me later!), I also recommend looking into taking in the view of the iconic Palm Jumeirah too!
To be honest, if I personally had to choose one viewpoint to pay for in Dubai, it would be the observation deck of The View at The Palm.
You can opt for General Admission Tickets or Fast Track + Next Level Tickets. The General Admission Tickets cost AED 100 for non-prime hours and AED 158 for prime hours and give you access to the 52nd floor of Palm Tower.
If you don’t mind spending a bit more, I do recommend upgrading to the Fast Track + Next Level Tickets (AED 175 for non-prime hours and AED 275 for prime hours), which allow you to skip the lengthy line and give you VIP access to the 54th floor. Not only does the observation deck on the 54th floor get far fewer visitors but there’s no glass wall, making the photo ops way better.
Go On a Sustainable Desert Safari
A lot of first-time visitors to Dubai choose to go on a safari tour, many of which offer dune bashing as part of the experience. But did you know that dune bashing is detrimental to the natural desert environment and local wildlife?
That’s why I suggest booking a desert safari with Platinum Heritage, a local company that offers sustainable and ethical desert tours. This is the only tour company that is allowed to operate in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, which makes it stand out from other companies.
The Heritage Desert Safari is one of the most popular options. I love this tour because you get to cruise through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve in a vintage Land Rover, where you’ll glimpse sand dunes galore, as well as native plants and animals. Plus, the vintage car makes the photo ops even more spectacular!
You’ll also get the chance to visit a Bedouin-style camp, where you’ll meet the people and learn about Bedouin lifestyle, history and culture. And don’t worry — you’ll have the chance to ride a camel, get a henna tattoo and much more. You’ll even be served a traditional Emirati dinner while you enjoy cool cultural performances and an unforgettable desert sunset.
Have Dinner & Drinks at Time Out Market
I’ve lived here for three years and I still love dropping by Time Out Market whenever I’m in Downtown Dubai. This space is the epitome of cool. When it comes to must-do things in Dubai for first-timers, Time Out Market is a very fun place to go to get a feel for the expat scene.
Like other Time Out Markets around the world, this place is a buzzing food hall that’s home to some awesome foodie concepts that were born and bred right here in the UAE. There’s a lot to choose from at Time Out Market but I personally love the burgers and fries at Pickl, the pizzas at Pitfire and the Lebanese mezze at Liban.
You’ll find two bars on-site, too, for anyone who wants to imbibe. Local tip: get here early and snag a coveted seat on the terrace for unreal views of the Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa!
Escape the Crowds at the Dubai Fountain Show
When it comes to must-do things in Dubai, seeing the Dubai Fountain Show is another big one. If you’ve seen the fountain show at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, it’s got nothing on Dubai’s fountain show. That’s because, like so many things in Dubai, the Dubai Fountain Show is the largest of its kind in the world.
I personally love watching the show – it really never gets old, if you ask me. But one major complaint that I’ve gotten from friends who have come to visit is that the show is just overwhelmingly crowded.
This is very true. Because the Dubai Fountain Show takes place right outside of the Dubai Mall and at the base of the Burj Khalifa, it does get insanely crowded, especially on weekends and during the peak tourist season.
So, if you want to see the show but want to avoid the crowds, my insider’s advice is to get tickets to the new Dubai Fountain Boardwalk. Instead of competing with hordes of people for a prime spot to watch the show, you’ll get access to the 272-meter (892-foot) floating boardwalk on Burj Lake, where the show takes place.
The boardwalk will put you just 9 meters (30 feet) from the fountain and it only costs AED 20 ($5.50), which is a total bargain to beat the crowds and get a prime view of the show. Do note that on certain parts of the boardwalk, it’s possible you may get a little wet!
Don’t Skip Over Old Dubai
So many first-time visitors overlook Old Dubai in favor of more modern marvels. But if you ask me, Old Dubai is where you’ll find the heart and soul of the city. Trust me when I say it’s well worth spending at least a few hours walking around and soaking it all in. There are a lot of attractions in Old Dubai, but here are some of the must-do things:
You’ll want to check out the heritage-style buildings in Al Seef, explore one of the oldest neighborhoods in Dubai in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, take an AED 1 abra ride across Dubai Creek and explore the Spice and Gold Souks.
If you want to wander around on your own, you definitely can! All of these attractions are easily findable on Google Maps and you can walk/take a short boat (abra) ride to reach all of them. There are also plenty of cool tours of Old Dubai if you’d rather have a local expert shed some knowledge on this historically rich part of Dubai.
Visit Dubai Marina & JBR
A trip to the Dubai Marina is an absolute must on any list of things to do in Dubai. This is where I live and I absolutely love this part of the city. The marina area boasts a 7-kilometer pedestrian-only walkway and it is well worth strolling or biking along it to get some of the best views of the Dubai Marina’s luxury yachts and towering skyscrapers.
Insider tip: You can get great sunset photos from Al Sayorah Bridge (location is accurate on Google Maps). After that, make the short walk over to JBR. This is where you’ll find one of the most popular beaches in Dubai. It’s also where you’ll get the best views of the Ain Dubai over on Bluewaters Island.
JBR is crowded and touristy but it’s always hopping. Plus, you’ll find tons of shops, international restaurants, cool beach clubs, beachside food trucks, fun bars and family-friendly carnival games lining the beach. If you’re looking for entertainment, JBR is definitely one of the must-do things in Dubai for first-timers!
Take a Day Trip to Abu Dhabi
The capital city of Abu Dhabi is just an hour from Dubai, making it a must-visit. Don’t worry if you’re short on time because it’s easy enough to hop on a day trip that will take you from Dubai to see some of the best sights in Abu Dhabi.
This full-day tour of Abu Dhabi will take you to check out the incredible Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which should be at the top of every Dubai bucket list, as well as the 74th-story Observation Deck at Etihad Towers, the stunning Qasr Al Watan Royal Palace (which rivals the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in its grandeur) and the gorgeous Cornish (Abu Dhabi’s main beachfront promenade).
