Bucket List Things to Do in Palm Jumeirah (By a Local!)
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of these links, I may earn a small commission (which I’m so thankful for!) at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting me here at Travel Lush!
Palm Jumeirah really needs no introduction. Aside from the Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building), this palm tree-shaped cluster of islands is the most famous Dubai attraction. And with so many things to do in Palm Jumeirah, you’re going to want to carve out some time to explore this engineering marvel.
If you’re looking for the very best things to do in Palm Jumeirah and you’re not sure where to start, I’ve got you covered with all the essentials. You can easily spend a day or an entire week ticking off all of these Dubai bucket list attractions and activities!
From seeing how the rich and famous vacation at the exclusive Atlantis The Royal to drinking and dining at a chic beach club on Palm West Beach or taking in bird’s-eye views of Palm Jumeirah and the Arabian Gulf while swimming in the world’s highest 360° infinity pool, you’re going to love checking out all of the top Palm Jumeirah attractions.
Dubai Travel Planning Tips
Exchange rate: At the time of writing the exchange rate is AED 3.67 to USD $1. For an easy conversion calculator, XE is an easy option.
Arrange an eSIM: Airalo is my go-to when purchasing eSIMS for my travels, and they have plenty of different eSIM options for the UAE. That way, you can be connected the moment you land. The cheapest 7-day plan gives you 1GB for AED 17, while the biggest 30-day plan gives you 20GB for AED 129. Do note that you will want to purchase your plan and install the app before you get to Dubai.
Airport pickup: If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of getting a taxi at Dubai International Airport, you can easily arrange a driver to pick you up at the arrivals area and whisk you away to your hotel in Dubai (rates starting at AED 113). Otherwise, just follow the “Taxi” signs and queue for a metered taxi.
Booking hotels: When it comes to booking hotels in Dubai and the UAE, I always use Booking.com. This site will list all of the hotels in the area you want to stay. Plus, you’ll often get great discounts compared to booking directly through the hotel.
Booking tours and attractions: When it comes to booking tours and tickets to Dubai’s top attractions (like the Burj Khalifa), you’ll find endless options on Get Your Guide and Viator. This is the easiest way to book tours and tickets. Plus, you can see which options have the best reviews and compare and contrast costs, so you can have peace of mind that you’re booking a quality option.
Helpful posts:
Bucket List Activities in Dubai: An Expat’s Guide
Where to Get the Best Views in Dubai + My Insider Tips
3 Days in Dubai: The Ultimate Itinerary
14 Must-Have Apps in Dubai for Tourists
Things to Do in Palm Jumeirah
Get Bird’s-Eye Views from The View at The Palm
If you’re going to splurge on tickets for the best view in Dubai, I highly suggest taking in the bird’s-eye views of Palm Jumeirah and the Arabian Gulf from The View at The Palm. The General Admission Tickets allow you to take in this famous vista from the 52nd floor of Palm Tower starting at AED 110 (US $30).
Or, pay a bit more for the “Fast Track + Next Level Tickets” (AED 183 (US $50)), and not only will you be able to skip the line, which can get long, but you’ll get exclusive access to the 54th floor. Access to this VIP floor means you have fewer visitors to contend with and the viewing area doesn’t have those pesky glass windows, meaning this is a must if you plan on doing a little photo shoot while you’re there!
Take a Dip in the World’s Highest 360° Infinity Pool
Also located in Palm Tower, AURA SKYPOOL is one of the most iconic Palm Jumeirah attractions. Dubai is all about cool pool clubs and this is arguably the most unique one.
You can book a sunrise, morning, afternoon, or evening “pool experience.” Each comes with its perks and gives you either 3 or 4 hours, depending on the experience, to chill by the pool and take in the unreal views of the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Arabian Gulf. Or, if you want to make a day of it, you can go big on the Full Day Pool Experience.
There are plenty of cool events going on at this sky-high infinity pool too. From Friday morning Water Yoga sessions to cool New Year’s Eve pool parties, it’s well worth seeing what special events are going on during your visit. Whatever you decide, be sure to book well in advance.
Check Out Atlantis The Royal
A new fixture on the Dubai skyline, Atlantis The Royal stands proud as one of the newest and most luxurious hotels in the city. With its six towers comprised of staggered blocks, a 1,350-meter sky bridge, and a 90-meter infinity pool, this architectural marvel is now one of the most iconic Palm Jumeirah attractions.
Beyoncé was paid a whopping $24 million to perform at the launch of Atlantis The Royal in 2023. So as you can imagine, the luxury rooms are pretty incredible. But even if you’re not staying here, it’s possible to experience Dubai’s hottest new hotel!
Pay a visit to Atlantis The Royal and you can see the nightly Skyblaze Fountain fire and water show, have an exclusive pool day with sky-high Palm Jumeirah views at Cloud 22, snap a selfie in front of the 11.5-meter-tall “Droplets” sculpture, see stingrays and tropical fish in the lobby aquariums, and so much more.
It’s well worth meandering around this spectacular property just to get a glimpse of it! Or, if you want to stay here, book a room at Atlantis The Royal.
Have a Poolside Brunch at Nobu by the Beach
While you’re at Atlantis The Royal, you might as well splurge on brunch at the world’s first and only Nobu by the Beach – better yet, enjoy your sushi brunch poolside!
This high-end pool and beach club and Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant features a huge lagoon-style pool area – lined by loungers, day beds, and exclusive air-conditioned cabanas (if you can swing the high price tag!).
Make an afternoon of it while listening to live DJs, soaking up the Dubai sun, sipping on cocktails, and noshing on Nobu’s signature Nikkei creations!
Drink and Dine at Palm West Beach
If you’re looking for things to do in Palm Jumeirah, you’ve pretty much got to spend some time at Palm West Beach. There’s just so much going on here!
Take a stroll along the 1.5-kilometer palm-tree-lined beachfront promenade, go swimming in the Arabian Gulf, take your dog for a walk on the beach (yes, Palm West Beach is super dog-friendly!), play a game of beach volleyball, do all manner of watersports – you get the idea.
If you’re feeling peckish, you’ll be spoiled for choice with all the beachfront options. Think breakfast at Jones the Grocer, brunch at KoKo Bay, or dinner at Señor Pico, to name a few of the many options.
If you’re looking for more of a party vibe, you’ll find that here too. Head over to one of the many Palm West Beach beach clubs – like Beach by FIVE, February 30, and Surf Club – to sip sundowners and groove to live DJ beats while looking out over the magical view of the Dubai Marina skyline in the distance.
Get Wet at Aquaventure Waterpark
When it comes to fun things to do in Palm Jumeirah, a trip to Aquaventure World is always a good idea. This is the world’s largest waterpark, featuring 100+ slides, rides, attractions, and experiences.
Test your limits with Leap of Faith’s near-vertical drop through a shark-infested lagoon, get serious speed on the world’s tallest waterslide, go on a rafting journey on the world’s longest family water coaster, or hang ten on the Surf’s Up wave simulator. But don’t worry – if it’s not thrills you’re after you’ll find plenty of laid-back and kid-friendly options too.
Insider tip: Register your birthday on the website and you’ll get an Aquaventure Free Birthday Pass!
Ride the Monorail
Not only is the monorail a super convenient way to get around Palm Jumeirah but the journey will give you some of the coolest views of the palm-tree-shaped island and the Arabian Gulf. The monorail runs for 5.5 kilometers along the “trunk” of the palm tree, taking you from the Gateway Station, at the entrance to Palm Jumeirah, to Golden Mile Galleria, Al Ittihad Park, Nakheel Mall, and, finally, the Atlantis Aquaventure station.
The cost to ride on the monorail is only AED 20 (one-way), AED 30 (round-trip), or AED 35 for this full-day pass, making this one of the best cheap things to do in Dubai. Plus, if you opt for the full-day pass, you can hop on and off whenever you want to explore all of the top Palm Jumeirah attractions!
Get Epic Views from the Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk
If you feel like getting some exercise, taking a walk or jog along the Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk is one of the best things to do in Palm Jumeirah. Located on the palm’s crescent, this 11-kilometer pedestrian-only pathway stretches from the Rixos Hotel on the east side to One&Only The Palm on the west side.
Along the way, you’ll get amazing views of Atlantis The Royal, Atlantis The Palm, the Burj al Arab, the Dubai Marina skyline, the Ain Dubai on Bluewaters Island, and the seemingly endless Arabian Gulf.
