15 Things to Do in Dubai

At 828 metres the world's tallest building needs no introduction — but the view from the At the Top observation deck on the 148th floor still takes your breath away. Pair it with the Dubai Fountain show below and the Dubai Mall beside it for the ultimate downtown evening.

An hour from the city the red dunes of the Arabian desert roll to the horizon. An evening safari packs dune bashing in 4x4s, camel rides, falconry demonstrations, sandboarding and a Bedouin camp dinner under the stars into one unforgettable night.

An artificial archipelago shaped like a palm tree, visible from space and lined with luxury hotels, beach clubs and private villas. Take the Palm Monorail across it, grab a sundowner at one of the frond-tip beach clubs, or simply walk the crescent boardwalk at golden hour.

The old Dubai lives here — wooden abras ferrying people across the Creek between Deira and Bur Dubai, spice souk lanes fragrant with saffron and frankincense, and the Gold Souk glittering with over 10 tonnes of jewellery on display at any given moment.

A 150-metre-tall picture frame with old Dubai on one side and new Dubai on the other — the concept is genius, the views are stunning, and the glass-floored sky bridge connecting the two towers is not for the faint-hearted.

A 3-km waterfront canal lined with residential towers, yachts, restaurants and the Dubai Eye Ferris wheel. The JBR Walk runs parallel — a free-to-enjoy promenade of beach, outdoor dining and weekend markets that buzzes day and night.

The world's tallest building at 828m. The observation deck on level 148 offers a 360° view across the city, desert and Gulf that makes everything below look like a model city. Book tickets in advance — sunrise slots sell out weeks ahead.

Dune bashing, camel riding, sandboarding and a traditional camp dinner under the Milky Way — Dubai's desert experience packs more into an evening than most cities offer in a week. The red dunes of the Lahbab desert are only 45 minutes from downtown.

Cross the Creek by traditional wooden abra, wander the Gold and Spice souks of Deira, and explore Al Fahidi historical neighbourhood's wind-tower courtyard houses — the authentic Dubai that existed before the towers rose.

At 250m, Ain Dubai on Bluewaters Island is the world's largest observation wheel — each cabin holds up to 40 people and the views stretch across the Palm and the Marina skyline.

A full ski resort inside a shopping mall — 5 slopes, chairlifts, real snow at -4°C and a resident colony of penguins. Completely absurd, completely Dubai.

One of the world's best waterparks, set on the Palm Jumeirah — record-breaking slides, a private beach, a marine habitat and the Aquaventure river make it a full-day event.

Dubai's oldest surviving building (1787) now houses a museum tracing the city's transformation from fishing village to megacity — remarkable context for everything you see outside.

Dubai's creative heartland in Al Quoz — converted warehouses hosting contemporary galleries, design studios, independent cafes and some of the most interesting street art in the city.

For less than ₹20, a traditional wooden boat ferries you across the Creek between Deira and Bur Dubai — the most authentic, photogenic and completely underrated experience in the city.