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9 Incredible Things You Can Only Do in Dubai
Written by Gemma Music
Embrace an exciting itinerary of one-of-a-kind experiences with our guide to things to do in Dubai.
Dubai: a one-of-a-kind destination where indulging in the excessive is wholeheartedly encouraged. In just one day, you could wake up in a five-star hotel, spend your morning haggling at the souk, whip across desert dunes, shop like no one is watching in some of the world’s biggest malls and visit audacious, record-breaking attractions along the way. When it comes to unique experiences, you won’t run out of things to do in Dubai.
Ready to explore this multifaceted playground, where everything is bigger, better and more spectacular?
Raise a glass in the world’s highest lounge bar
The Burj Khalifa – an iconic silhouette of the Dubai cityscape – boasts a staggering number of world records: tallest building, tallest free-standing structure, tallest elevator and, most importantly, the world’s highest lounge bar. Take a seat amid the clouds, 585 metres above the ground, at The Lounge, spread across levels 152, 153 and 154, and nibble on gourmet canapés while sipping champagne.
If you’re lucky enough to score a window seat on the flight over, you’ll see this engineering marvel from a birds-eye perspective, setting the tone for your Dubai stays.
Escape the desert heat and hit the ski slopes
Yes, you read that correctly… The coolest place to be? Ski Dubai – a winter wonderland in the Mall of the Emirates. You can see the giant slope jutting into the air as you drive along the 14-lane Sheikh Zayed Road, leading to 4,500sqm of snow-filled fun.
Jump on the ski lift and carve your way down the slope, visit the resident penguins, hold tight on the twin-track bobsled experience, explore the impressive indoor ice cave, and then warm up with a hot chocolate at the alpine-inspired North 28 restaurant.
Plunge to record-breaking depths in the world’s deepest swimming pool
Deep Dive Dubai is a newly opened aquatic attraction and holds the Guinness World Record for the deepest swimming pool at an eye-watering 60.02 metres.
This oyster-shaped structure pays homage to the Emirate’s pearl-trading past and holds 14 million litres of water – equivalent to six Olympic-sized swimming pools. Throw yourself in at the deep end with scuba diving, snorkelling and freediving, all safely guided by experienced instructors.
Take to the sky with a helicopter flight
Soar high over Dubai to take in the city’s stunning landscapes from a different perspective. Marvel at the captivating contrasts of the mammoth metropolis, where a sleek modern skyline meets a picturesque coastline and vast desert expanse. Unlike a skydive, a helicopter adventure allows time, and unlike a plane window, it provides the proximity need to fully appreciate the snaking Dubai Water Canal, the man-made World Islands archipelago and the iconic Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.
Make the desert dunes your playground
When you’re standing in the shadow of towering skyscrapers, it’s easy to forget that Dubai is encircled by fiery red, rippled desert dunes. Once the hum of the city fades into the distance, you will feel as though you’ve been transported to a whole new world.
Top of your list should be a 4WD safari. Hold on tight as you go flying up, down and around to reach Dubai’s tallest sand dune, Lahbab, known as ‘Big Red’.Hungry for more? Switch up your mode of transport to a quad bike or dune buggy. If you want to move at a slower pace, hop atop a camel for a guided walk or get in touch with your romantic side with a candlelit dinner on the sand.
Immerse yourself in an indoor vertical rainforest
Nestled in the heart of Dubai, The Green Plant stands as a breathtaking urban oasis. The fully immersive, indoor tropical rainforest is home to over 3,000 plants and animals, with visitors encouraged to get up close and personal with exotic animals, including sleepy sloths and prickly porcupines. Be a zookeeper for the day and learn from the expert team about some of the planet’s most endangered species, then venture behind the scenes to the laboratories to discover how biologists care for these exotic animals.
Take your time wandering through this lush haven, listening to the sounds of the hyacinth macaw and toco toucan. Don’t forget to gaze up at the man-made kapok tree for glimpses of anteaters, cotton-top tamarins, lizards and anacondas.
Experience a reimagined trip to the mall
You may have noticed a theme here… Dubai takes a typically mundane activity, building or experience, then elevates it to a level beyond comprehension – and Dubai Mall is no exception. The high-end boutiques, from the likes of Chanel, Cartier and Louis Vuitton, on Fashion Avenue draw in over 100 million shopaholics annually, but this mall is more than just designer threads.
Inside this ever-expanding precinct, you can visit the newly opened VR Park to get lost in a virtual world, discover digital art galleries such as ‘Infinity des Lumières,’ dedicated to the work of Van Gogh, hit the Dubai Ice Rink, where everyone from beginners to pros is welcome, and bounce your way through Trampo Extreme trampoline park, where children (over three years) can jump, flip and climb to their heart’s content.
Travel back in time to Old Dubai
Dubai is the gift that keeps on giving. This spirited metropolis upholds an appearance of glitz and glamour, but once you dig a little deeper, you’ll find centuries of rich history, tradition and charm mere moments from some of the world’s greatest architectural feats.
Venture to the neighbourhoods of Bur Dubai, Deira, Karama and Satwa, collectively known as Old Dubai, to experience a different side to your stay. Float between Bur Dubai and Deira along Dubai Creek in an abra, a traditional, Emirati-style gondola, then wind through the marvellous souks to find one-of-a-kind gold or silver pieces, fragrant spices so you can cook up a storm back home, or colourful rugs and richly patterned textiles.
Stay in five-star style at Atlantis, The Palm with an exclusive Luxury Escapes discount
Jaw-dropping in size and beauty, Atlantis, The Palm is the ultimate Dubai resort. There are 32 exquisite dining venues, bars and lounges – including Nobu Dubai and Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen & Bar. Plus, you can make your way through the Raging Rapids and relax on 1km of private beach at the world’s largest waterpark, Aquaventure Waterpark, with 105 slides and attractions. Discover 65,000 marine animals at The Lost Chambers Aquarium and indulge in luxurious treatments at ShuiQi Spa (and that’s just the beginning).
With an unbeatable location at the apex of Palm Island and a wide range of restaurants, bars and clubs just 10 minutes’ drive away, Atlantis, The Palm is your key to the glitz and glamour of Dubai.
Discover Dubai
Looking for more things to do in Dubai? Read Where to eat and play in Dubai.
