Bucket-List Things to Do in Dubai For First-Timers

Post updated: September 23, 2026

Since I moved to the UAE in 2022, I’ve received endless questions about all of the essential places to visit in Dubai. 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 and locals know about.

From taking a carefully curated food tour in 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!

See the Burj Khalifa and Get Views from the Top

No trip to Dubai is complete without a visit to the Burj Khalifa (aka the world’s tallest building). This 160-story feat of engineering juts into the sky at a whopping 828 meters (2,716.5 feet) and it’s unreal when you see it in person. It’s easily one of the most iconic places to visit in Dubai.

There are a few ways to experience the Burj Khalifa. You can book “At the Top” tickets to take in the insane 360-degree views from the 124th and 125th floors. Or go all out on the “At the Top SKY” tickets, which allow you to skip the line and get exclusive access to the 148th floor, as well as the 124th and 125th floors.

Which tickets should you get? I recommend getting the “At the Top SKY” tickets to avoid waiting in the crazily long lines and contending with the crowds on the 124th and 125th floors.

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, I also recommend looking into taking in the view of the iconic Palm Jumeirah from The View at The Palm observation deck.

You can opt for General Admission Tickets or Fast Track + Next Level Tickets.

• The General Admission Tickets cost AED 110 for non-prime hours and AED 165 for prime hours and give you access to the 52nd floor of Palm Tower.
• The Fast Track + Next Level Tickets cost AED 185 for non-prime hours and AED 240 for prime hours and give you access to the 52nd and 54th floor of Palm Tower.

Which tickets should you get? I recommend upgrading to the Fast Track + Next Level Tickets, 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.

Explore Atlantis The Royal on Palm Jumeirah

Atlantis The Royal simply has to be seen to be believed. This modern architectural marvel opened in 2023 and stands proud as one of the most luxurious resorts in Dubai.

You can go all out and book a stay here. But even if you’re not staying here, exploring all of Atlantis The Royal’s attractions is one of the coolest things to do in Dubai.

You can have a pool day at Nobu by the Beach or the Cloud 22 infinity pool, see the hourly Skyblaze Fountain fire and water show, see stingrays in the lobby aquariums, go shopping at the designer boutiques, wine and dine at the chic restaurants, and so much more!

Take a Food Tour in Old Dubai

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.

So, if you’re looking for delicious things to do in Dubai, I personally recommend Frying Pan Adventure’s Dubai Souks and Creekside Food Walk in Old Dubai, which just happens to be one of the best places to visit in Dubai. This is where you want to be for all things street food, which is why I highly recommend taking a food tour in this area.

This company is run by two sisters who grew up in Dubai in the ’80s and are all about promoting and preserving local food culture. As always, the walk is led by a knowledgeable local who will take you to a handful of hidden gems you’d never be able to find on your own. Along the way, you’ll learn all about this unique neighborhood and get to try a range of Dubai’s best foods.

Visit the Dubai Mall

You can’t visit Dubai without spending some time exploring the Dubai Mall. This is no ordinary mall – it’s actually one of the most famous places to visit in Dubai. This megamall takes up 12 million square feet of space and has over 1,200 stores, 200 F&B establishments, dozens of cool attractions, and some of the best free things to do in Dubai!

My top recommendation is checking out Chinatown, which has all sorts of Instagrammable nooks and crannies as well as some excellent and authentic Chinese street eats. Other musts are seeing the sea creatures for free outside of the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo and marveling at the four-story Dubai Waterfall (pictured above). I’ve also written a full guide on what to see and do at the Dubai Mall!

Insider tip: If you exit the mall near the Dubai Waterfall, you’ll be able to see the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain Show at Burj Lake.

Witness the Dubai Fountain Show

When it comes to the best things to do 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 advice is to get tickets for the Burj Khalifa Lake Ride. Instead of competing with hordes of people for a prime spot to watch the show, you’ll get to take a 30-minute ride on a traditional abra (wooden boat), which will get you as close as you can possibly get to the show.

Another great option is to get tickets to access the new Dubai Fountain Floating Boardwalk. This allows you to avoid the crowds and get within 9 meters of the fountain.

Read More: A Complete Guide to Seeing the Dubai Fountain Show

Go Back in Time in Old Dubai

So many first-time visitors overlook Old Dubai in favor of more modern marvels. Old Dubai is one of my favorite places to visit in Dubai and it’s 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, but here are some of the must-do things in Old Dubai:

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 in Deira, and eat all the street food.

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.

Take in Views of the Dubai Marina Skyline

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 because there are so many things to see and do in the Dubai Marina. 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 tips: You can get great sunset photos from Al Sayorah Bridge (Google Maps location). Also, if you don’t feel like walking around the marina, you can always use the Lime app to rent an e-scooter and scoot around the marina. This is one of my favorite things to do in Dubai!

Go Ziplining Over the Dubai Marina

Better yet, if you’re feeling adventurous, why not go ziplining over the Dubai Marina? XLine is the only company that offers this activity and you can easily book tickets through the official website.

As the world’s longest urban zipline, you’ll glide over the iconic Marina for one kilometer, hitting speeds of up to 80 km/h. You’ll get insane Arabian Sea and Marina views from the top of one of the Dubai Marina’s tallest buildings before taking the plunge. Plus, you’ll get photos and videos of your ziplining adventure.

Sometimes they even throw in a free meal at Five Guys, which is at the base of the zipline!

Have a Beach Day in JBR

After you’ve explored the Dubai Marina, make the short walk over to JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence). 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 shacks, 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!

Read More: Fun Things to Do in JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence)