The best things to do in Dubai for first-time visitors, according to Lonely Planet

Dubai puts a gold market and the world's tallest building within one short city break. Fitting that range into a first trip takes planning. A visitor can bargain over jewelry in Deira one evening and stand on an outdoor deck 555m above the ground the next. Desert dunes, indoor theme parks and design galleries compete for the hours in between.

Lonely Planet's guide to things to do in Dubai, updated July 16, 2025, lists 23 experiences. This slideshow covers 20 of them, in the order Lonely Planet gives them. It is a selection rather than the full list. The three entries not included here are Mushrif National Park, Al Qudra Lake and the Perfume Museum.

The picks span old and new Dubai. Al Fahidi Historic District and the Gold Souq represent the older city. At the other end stand the Burj Khalifa, which rises 828m (2718ft), and the Dubai Frame. That 150m (492ft) structure opened in Zabeel Park in January 2018. Its galleries move from the city's past to a vision of Dubai 50 years ahead.

Other entries lead out of the city or indoors. Day trips into the desert offer camel treks, sandboarding and overnight safaris. IMG Worlds of Adventure was the world's largest indoor theme park when it opened in 2016, according to Lonely Planet. Its air-conditioned hangar covers an area the size of 28 football fields. The list also takes in museums, two gardens, a mosque and a beach.

Prices quoted in the slides are Lonely Planet's figures, shown in dirhams with U.S. dollar equivalents. Lonely Planet does not date them, and they may have changed. The guide puts a ticket to the Burj Khalifa's 124th-floor deck at about Dhs179 (US$49) and up.

Each slide stands alone. A reader can jump straight to one of these Dubai attractions, such as the Museum of Illusions in Al Seef or the Dubai Butterfly Garden, without reading the others. Read together, the 20 picks help first-time visitors split a stay between heritage sites, shopping, outdoor trips and family days out.

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Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building at 828m (2718ft), has two paid observation decks for first-time visitors in Dubai. Lonely Planet lists tickets from about Dhs179 (US$49) for the 124th floor and above Dhs399 (US$109) for the 148th.

The standard deck, At the Top, sits on the 124th floor at 452m (1483ft). It is the cheaper of the two tickets.

The higher deck, At the Top SKY, is on the 148th floor at 555m (1820ft). It is billed as the world's highest outdoor observation deck. That puts it 24 floors and 103m (337ft) above the standard level. The SKY ticket starts at more than double the price of the 124th-floor ticket. In U.S. dollar terms, the gap is about US$60 at the starting rates.

Neither deck is at the summit. The SKY deck sits about two-thirds of the way up the tower, with another 273m (898ft) of building above it. The 124th-floor deck sits just past the halfway point.

A visit to At the Top starts in a lounge. From there, visitors are escorted to a dedicated elevator.

Burj Khalifa's records go beyond height. The tower holds the record for the longest elevator travel distance. It also holds the record for the highest occupied floor. The facade is clad in some 28,000 glass panels.

Lonely Planet's timing tip depends on the weather. On hazy days, the guide advises going up at night instead of during daylight.

A deck ticket is not the only way to see the city from inside the tower. Atmosphere Burj Khalifa, on the 122nd floor, serves high tea from about Dhs450 (US$122) per person, according to Lonely Planet. The restaurant sits two floors below At the Top.

Lonely Planet does not date these prices. Ticket and dining rates may have changed, and visitors should confirm current costs before booking.

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Lonely Planet's list of things to do in Dubai for first-time visitors includes Al Fahidi Historic District, in the older part of the city.

The district was once known as the Bastakiya Quarter. It has since been renovated as a heritage neighborhood.

Narrow pedestrian alleys run through the quarter. They pass between tan-colored houses with wind towers on their roofs.

Al Seef, a tourist development on the waterfront, sits next to the district.

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Dubai Miracle Garden covers some 72,000 square meters (775,000 sq ft) and is billed as the largest natural flower garden in the world. Lonely Planet likens walking in to entering an Alice in Wonderland–style setting.

The garden holds about 150 million flowers. Many are arranged into bloom-covered shapes, including peacocks, clocks and castles.

Visitors who want a break from walking can rest in a cabana. Lonely Planet describes them as fitted with billowing drapes and floor cushions.

The garden draws about 55,000 visitors a week, according to Lonely Planet. It sits next to the domed Dubai Butterfly Garden, so the two can be paired in one outing.

Food outlets, a souvenir shop and a small trampoline park are on site.

Timing matters for this stop. Lonely Planet recommends the cooler months, from November to April, when the flowers are at their best.

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Dubai Mall is the biggest of the city's shopping malls, according to Lonely Planet, with about 1,300 stores. Lonely Planet includes it among its 23 things to do in Dubai for first-time visitors.

Malls play a larger role in Dubai than shopping alone. Lonely Planet notes that locals use them to meet in cafes and restaurants, see films in multiplex cinemas and spend time at indoor theme parks and game arcades.

Dubai Mall adds several attractions of its own. They include the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo and an indoor ice rink. The mall also displays a genuine dinosaur skeleton.

Shoppers who want to time a trip around discounts can look to January. That is when the Dubai Shopping Festival takes place each year.

During the festival, souqs and malls across the city offer large discounts, according to Lonely Planet. The program also includes live concerts, fashion shows and nightly fireworks.

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The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve covers 225 sq km (87 sq miles) on the outskirts of Sharjah. That is about 5% of the Emirate of Dubai's total land, according to Lonely Planet.

The reserve was established in 1999. It has been involved in projects to reintroduce three species: mountain gazelles, sand gazelles and Arabian oryx.

Visitors can stay inside the reserve at Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa. Lonely Planet describes the resort as designed for luxury ecotourism.

The reserve is divided into four zones. The third zone is open only to resort guests. The fourth is open to a small number of desert tour operators, including Arabian Adventures.

Those tours offer a cheaper way in than an overnight stay at the resort.

Lonely Planet advises booking desert safaris and eco-tours in advance. It recommends morning or sunset tours to avoid the midday heat.

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IMG Worlds of Adventure is an air-conditioned indoor theme park in Dubai. It has more than 20 rides and attractions spread across four themed zones.

Everything sits under a single roof. The rides, the attractions and the restaurants all share the same enclosed building, so a visit does not involve moving between outdoor areas.

The park did not arrive on its own. Lonely Planet notes that it was one of four theme parks added in the year it opened.

The four zones divide the park by theme. Two take their names from entertainment brands: Marvel and Cartoon Network. The third is Lost Valley Dinosaur Adventure. The fourth is IMG Boulevard.

Meals are part of the same visit. Lonely Planet counts 28 dining outlets inside the park. Visitors can eat without leaving the building.

Tickets are worth sorting out before the trip. Lonely Planet advises buying them online in advance. In its account, booking ahead brings two benefits: better rates and shorter lines.

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The Etihad Museum in Dubai tells the story of how the United Arab Emirates was formed in 1971. It opened in 2017.

The museum traces the events that led to the union. Lonely Planet points to two in particular: the discovery of oil in the 1950s and the withdrawal of the British in 1968.

Exhibits combine documentary films, photographs, artifacts, timelines and interactive displays. They focus on milestones in the years just before and after the federation was formed.

The museum also pays tribute to the country's seven founding fathers.

Next to the museum stands Union House, a circular building where the Constitution of the United Arab Emirates was signed. Free tours of it are available, according to Lonely Planet.

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The Gold Souq in Deira is a traditional Dubai market where buyers are expected to haggle. Lonely Planet recommends the evening as the best time to watch the market at work.

The souq is part of the warren of market lanes in Dubai's historic core. Lonely Planet compares a walk through it to stepping into an Aladdin's Cave.

Haggling here follows a set pattern, according to Lonely Planet. The buyer starts with an offer below the price they are actually willing to pay.

The seller then counters. That second figure sits above the buyer's opening offer. It also falls below the price the seller first quoted.

Under this method, the seller's first price works as an opening position rather than a fixed tag. The counteroffer itself comes in below that first quote.

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Day trips from Dubai into the surrounding desert offer camel treks, sandboarding and overnight safaris. Lonely Planet says the best operators add a meeting with Bedouins and a traditional meal to the time on the dunes.

The three formats differ in how visitors spend time on the sand. A camel trek crosses the dunes on the back of an animal. Sandboarding sends riders down the face of a dune on a board. An overnight safari keeps visitors in the desert after dark instead of returning to the city the same day.

Lonely Planet's advice gives first-time visitors a way to compare tours. The guide looks past the activity to what else a trip includes. A tour description that mentions time with Bedouins and a traditional meal matches what Lonely Planet sees in the best operators.

A guided tour is not the only route into the dunes. Lonely Planet points to renting a 4WD and booking a stay at a desert resort as the alternative. Travelers $TRV who take that route set their own pace. They do not follow an operator's fixed itinerary.

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Dubai Design District is a neighborhood built around contemporary design, with galleries, showrooms, public art and restaurants. Lonely Planet points visitors to its free screenings and workshops and to Dubai Design Week in November.

Lonely Planet describes the district's architecture as edgy. Public art is placed around the district as well.

The galleries are not the only places to see art. Some building lobbies host their own exhibits.

Showrooms and pop-up spaces sit alongside the galleries. Together they put design work on show to the public.

The district also hosts cultural events. Free screenings and workshops are part of that program.

Dubai Design Week takes place in November. Lonely Planet says it brings the district's fullest program.

The district's restaurants give visitors a place to eat between gallery and showroom stops.

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Dubai Butterfly Garden keeps about 15,000 butterflies in domed indoor gardens, according to Lonely Planet. It sits next to Dubai Miracle Garden.

Visitors can follow the butterfly life cycle as well as see the adults. Caterpillars are on view as they develop into butterflies. That puts the earlier stages of development on display alongside the winged insects.

The site also houses the Butterfly and Insect Museum. Lonely Planet describes its collection as covering thousands of species. The museum takes the visit beyond the live butterflies to insects more broadly.

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The Museum of Illusions in Dubai's Al Seef district holds more than 150 illusions, including mirror rooms and rooms that distort perspective. Lonely Planet includes it on its list of things to do in Dubai.

The museum opened in 2018.

Its exhibits rely on optical tricks rather than historical artifacts. In the mirror rooms, repeated reflections make an enclosed space appear to stretch well beyond its walls.

The distorted-perspective rooms work differently. They are built so that what a visitor sees does not match the room's actual shape.

Lonely Planet notes that the museum restricts visitor numbers on weekends. That cap can mean a wait to get in. Visitors arriving on a weekend may need to allow extra time before entry.

Lonely Planet also suggests exploring Al Seef after leaving the museum. The district sets modern buildings alongside traditional architecture.

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Jumeirah Mosque is one of only a handful of mosques in the UAE open to non-Muslims, according to Lonely Planet. The guide calls it Dubai's most beautiful mosque.

The building is white and intricately detailed. Lonely Planet singles out dusk as a particularly good time to see it.

Visitors are allowed in six days a week.

One-hour guided tours are run by the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. The same organization leads tours of Al Fahidi Historic District.

Modest dress is expected, though any style is acceptable. Visitors who arrive without suitable clothing can borrow traditional garments for free.

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The Dubai Fountain sits in the middle of a large lake, with the Burj Khalifa as its backdrop. Watching it is free.

The fountain's jets move in time with classical, Arabic and world music played over speakers. At their peak, they reach as high as 140m (459ft).

Lonely Planet lists several places to watch from. A floating boardwalk brings viewers to within 9m (30ft) of the fountain.

Other viewing spots include some of the restaurants at Souk Al Bahar and the bridge linking Souk Al Bahar with Dubai Mall. The Dubai Mall waterfront terrace is another option.

Visitors can also watch from the water. A 25-minute Dubai Fountain Lake Ride takes passengers out on a traditional wooden abra boat.

Lonely Planet's guide noted that the fountain was closed for renovation, with a reopening scheduled for October 2025. Visitors should check current show times before going.

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Global Village is a carnival-style attraction that Lonely Planet likens to a world's fair for shoppers. It is on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311).

The site is organized into 30-odd pavilions. Each one showcases a single country's culture and products.

Shopping is only part of the visit. Performances range from Chinese opera to Turkish whirling dervishes.

A funfair adds dozens of rides. Lonely Planet says they run from tame to terrifying.

Global Village is seasonal. It opens between October and May and closes during the hot summer months.

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Burj Al Arab is a luxury hotel whose design mimics the billowing sail of a ship. It stands on its own artificial island, and Lonely Planet calls it the iconic symbol of Dubai's boom years.

Inside, the emphasis is on spectacle. Lonely Planet lists dancing fountains, gold fittings and shiny marble among the features.

The service matches the decor. According to Lonely Planet, guests can have a butler fill their whirlpool bath with champagne.

An overnight stay is not the only way in. Lonely Planet suggests booking cocktails or afternoon tea, or reserving dinner at the hotel's underwater restaurant.

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The Dubai Frame is a 150m (492ft) attraction in Zabeel Park that takes visitors through the city's past, present and future in one visit. Lonely Planet places it between old and new Dubai.

The attraction opened in January 2018.

A visit begins on the ground floor. Galleries there cover Dubai's past.

Visitors then move up to a platform at roof level. It shows the city as it is today.

The route ends in a final gallery. That space presents a vision of Dubai 50 years ahead.

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Kite Beach is a long, clean stretch of white sand off Jumeirah Road, next to a mosque. Lonely Planet recommends it for its range of activities.

Those activities include kitesurfing, beach tennis, beach volleyball and kayaking.

Facilities on the beach include showers, toilets, changing areas and Wi-Fi. Food trucks and cafes are also on hand.

The beach offers views of the Burj Al Arab.

Weekends are the busiest time. On Fridays and Saturdays, a seaside market selling crafts and gifts sets up and draws crowds.

Visitors looking for a quieter day can head to Jumeirah Beach, about 3 miles (5km) away. Lonely Planet says it has the same views in a more relaxed setting suited to lounging.

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The Spice Souq is a covered market in Deira, steps from the Deira Old Souq abra station on Dubai Creek. Lonely Planet describes it as filled with intoxicating sights and smells.

Vendors sell cardamom, saffron and other aromatic herbs, many of them displayed in burlap sacks.

The stalls carry more than spices. Nuts, incense burners, henna kits, shishas and dried limes are also on sale.

Lonely Planet suggests looking beyond the main thoroughfare, which caters mostly to tourists. Away from it, tiny shops sell groceries and other household goods.