Best Places to Visit in Dubai: Introducing The Top 20 Tourist Attractions in Dubai

In this article from Dubai Home website, we intend to provide you with the most complete and comprehensive information about the best places to visit in Dubai.

So, if you want to visit the best places in Dubai, stay with us in this article to visit these places with complete information.

Dubai is one of the tourist destinations. This city is full of vast and beautiful deserts. With high buildings, modern architecture, and luxurious shopping centers, it has become one of the most important emirs and a port for trade and tourism. Many people travel to this city from all over the world to do great deals and entertainment and take advantage of natural amenities such as beautiful beaches and sunshine.

The first word that comes to most of our minds after hearing the name of Dubai is modernity and tourism development. The main reason for the excellent reputation and popularity of tourism in this city is the sights of Dubai. Despite its small size, this city has more than 400 Guinness records, a significant number related to the sights of Dubai. One of the main reasons for the hot market of Dubai in different countries is the variety of attractions in Dubai.

Many people who have never traveled to Dubai or spent enough time exploring the city may have limited and wrong perceptions of Dubai’s attractions.

You can find any attraction you are interested in Dubai, from towering towers and large and glamorous shopping malls and beautiful beaches to fascinating aquariums that display the wonders of the underwater world. This city’s cultural, historical, and traditional centers showcase the cultural background of the native regions of the UAE alongside the rapidly advancing modernity of this region.

Top Best Places to Visit in Dubai

In this part of the article, we will introduce the best places to visit in Dubai.

Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa is one of the best places to visit in Dubai, known as the tallest skyscraper in the world and the most famous place in the city of Dubai, with a height of 829 meters.

The construction of this tower started in 2004 and finished in 2010. Climbing this tall tower and seeing the views of Dubai, this giant structure has its own attractions for every tourist.

From the top of this skyscraper, you can see the beautiful views of Dubai from a height much higher than usual. The high-speed elevator of this tower will take you up to the point where you can watch a view of the vast plains of the Emirates on one side and the ocean on the other side in a 360-degree tour. The view of Dubai from the top of this high building is so attractive that this tower often welcomes photographers at night who are interested in capturing attractive images of this modern emirate.

To go to the highest point of this tower and not face the limitation of choice, we recommend that you buy the Burj Khalifa entrance ticket in time. Especially if you plan to visit the biggest skyscraper in the world for the weekend.

On the ground behind the Burj Khalifa, a beautiful promenade with a wide passage surrounds the Burj. This area has a lake with a fantastic water fountain and fountains that show attractive images of the play of light and water every day at certain times for tourists who come to Burj Khalifa and its surrounding area.

Burj Khalifa is located in the center of Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Street, and its entrance is inside the Dubai Mall.

Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall is one of the best shopping centers in the world and is among the best places to visit in Dubai. It is good to know that this large shopping center is also the entrance to Burj Khalifa and Dubai Aquarium.

If you are among the group that expects more from a shopping center than a collection full of colorful shops. Dubai Mall has an ice skating rink, a playground, and a well-equipped cinema.

With luxury stores and various restaurants, the shopping and dining in this unique mall never stop. You can be sure that upon entering this fascinating land, you will almost always see various live music and fashion shows.

If you are planning to travel to Dubai and shop at this unique shopping center, you should know that the most famous shopping festivals of Dubai Mall take place in winter in January and February, and in summer in August and July.

Dubai Mall is located in the center of Dubai, on Sheikh Zayed Highway.

Dubai Museum 

The Dubai Museum, known as one of the most visited tourist centers and one of the places of Dubai, was established in 1971 in Fahidi Fort. Built-in 1787 to defend the city, the fort has walls of traditional coral blocks held together with lime mortar.

The top floor of this castle is supported by wooden beams, and its roof is a combination of palm stems, plaster, and soil mortar.

Since this building is ancient and strategic, it has long been used as the residence of rulers and the location of government forces such as prisons or barracks. This building was finally restored in 1971 and assigned to the Dubai Museum.

Of course, this museum was renovated again in 1995 and is now known as the most important and top museum in Dubai.

At the entrance of this museum, the old map of the UAE is on public view, which shows the history of this land from the time of its formation until after the discovery of oil. 

The colorful and attractive pictures you will see in this museum, along with models that look alive and sound and special effects, will make you imagine a fascinating view of people’s lives before and after the discovery of oil.

In the courtyard of this castle, you can see examples of traditional Emirati boats and houses built with palm leaves, along with the traditional windmills of this region. A collection of old military weapons can be seen in this museum’s suitable hall, and this region’s musical instruments can be seen in the left hall.

On the lower floor of this castle, attractive pictures of the traditional life of the people of the old Emirates, such as the way of fishing and the way of life of the desert dwellers, as well as the handmade pottery artifacts obtained from the excavation of the 3-4 thousand-year-old graves of the Al-Qasi ancient site, are exposed to the public.

This museum is located in the Fahidi area, Fahidi Street.

Bastakia

The old neighborhood of Bastakia, which is adjacent to the Fahidi neighborhood and was built in the 19th century, is one of the famous places in Dubai. Because of their free trade in Dubai, these merchants tended to reside in an area with easy access to the city.

Bastakia is built in the eastern area of Bur Dubai and adjacent to the Dubai estuary with walls covered with coral blocks and lime mortar. Fortunately, many of the walls of houses in this neighborhood, which have traditional windbreaks on top of them, are still entirely intact.

These wind deflectors, like the traditional wind deflectors of the desert regions of Iran, not only functioned as natural coolers but also as a means of air conditioning. Of course, this old neighborhood was the residence of Iranian immigrants, so these architectural elements were likely built with the pattern of our own traditional windmills.

The architectural decorations of this area are entirely different from the traditional architecture of the UAE. But the narrow streets of this neighborhood show the ancient history and a time beyond the history of old Dubai.

One of the most important art galleries in Dubai, Majles Gallery, which usually hosts the best works of art and artists from all over the world, is located in this area. In this gallery, you can see attractive models of Arabic ceramics and tools used in wind towers. Another gallery named XVA Gallery, with a collection of contemporary artworks is located in one of the historical buildings of this neighborhood.

Bastakia is located outside Dubai and Fahidi neighborhood.

Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum

Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum was the ruler of Dubai from 1921 to 1958 and is the grandfather of the current ruler of the UAE. His former residence has been renovated and is now one of the museums of Dubai and a unique example of Arabic architecture.

The main building of this house was designed and built by Sheikh Saeed’s father in 1896 so that he could monitor the activities of his ships from the balconies and pavilions overlooking the sea.

Although the original porches are sadly gone, the house was rebuilt on the same site as the original model, with a combination of carved teak doors, latticed windows, and stucco windbreaks decorated with floral and geometric motifs.

Like most houses suitable for the desert climate, this house has 30 rooms around a central courtyard with raised windbreaks.

Inside the museum is an exhibition of historical images and documents along with old photographs from 1948 to 1953 Dubai. A part of this museum is dedicated to images of seafaring, fishing, pearl fishing, and boat building. This building contains writings, old coins, maps, and stamps showing the UAE’s development process.

Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum Museum is located on Dubai, Al Khaleej Highway.

Dubai Creek

In fact, Dubai Creek divides this city into two parts, Deira in the north and Bur Dubai in the south. This area is considered an influential and powerful element in the growth of Dubai because the first thing that attracts immigrants to this area is fishing and pearl fishing in the Dubai estuary. 

Although the modern era of the city of Dubai is related to the previous settlement of Bani Yas in this area, the existence of small villages and their establishment on the edge of Dubai Creek goes back to 4000 years ago.

Dow’s Customs House, which used to load ships, is located along Dubai Creek just north of the Al Maktoum Bridge. Its nearly 100-year-old barges are still used for small businesses across the Gulf. You can witness the loading and unloading of cargo from these barges in this area. Most of the sailors invite the tourists who come to this area to visit the inside of the barges. This experience can be very attractive because by visiting the inside of these barges, you can get to know the traditional seafaring lifestyle of this area.

Usually, ships for trade go to Kuwait, Iran, Oman, India, and the Horn of Africa from this port. This area is a remaining part of the traditional economy of the UAE, which is still in progress, and traveling in it can be a fascinating experience.

Jumeirah Mosque

Another the best places to visit in Dubai is the ride on traditional barges that transport tourists to the other side of Dubai Creek as a pleasure boat. You can board small wooden boats called Abra and go to Deira beach from Dubai Creek dock if you like.

Many believe that Jumeirah Mosque is the most beautiful mosque in Dubai. This mosque is one of the good works of Islamic architecture and an exact copy of the Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo. Of course, it is 8 times bigger than this mosque.

The Jumeirah Mosque was built in the middle of the Fatimid caliphate. It has two minarets with delicate stone decorations, which are beautiful and spectacular, especially at night when they are illuminated with floodlights.

It is good to know that Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Cultural Center organizes tours that include cultural programs, Arabic language classes, and religious lectures in this mosque every day except Fridays at 10 AM in order to introduce Islamic culture.

This mosque is located on Jumeirah Highway.

Deira 

Deira markets are located north of the Dubai estuary. Each of its corridors represents the nationalities that live and trade in Dubai. As we said, as you see the old barges being loaded on the Dubai beach, you can see the hotels, banks, and modern buildings of Dubai in the background.

Deira Gold Market is known as the largest gold market in the world and the largest market for traditional muskets from the point of view of travelers.

You can buy any spice you can think of from the Deira spice market. You can purchase packages of coriander, cumin, paprika, saffron, sumac, and thyme, as well as all kinds of oud and rose water and all kinds of incense from the Deira spice market.

If you are very interested in local markets, We recommend that you do not miss Deira Fish Market. Although this market is more of a hangout for locals than tourists, it is a fascinating experience for seafood lovers.

Remember that if you are interested in experiencing the cultural works of any region, take advantage of two notable architectural works in this place.

The first work is an Iranian pearl merchant’s heritage house, built in 1890. Later, Sheikh Ahmed bin Delmouk (the Emirati pearl merchant) lived there. 

Today you can experience the life of a traditional family by visiting it. The second work of Al-Hamdiyeh School is the oldest school in Dubai, which was built in 1912 and has now become a famous culture education museum.

Sheikh Zayed Highway 

Sheikh Zayed Highway is actually the main highway of Dubai. This vast highway has 8 passing lanes, and a long wall of glass, chrome, and steel is stretched along it.

The main sights of Dubai are located between the square and the first intersection of this highway, and the tall skyscrapers and the famous Dubai shopping center are along the route of this highway. The World Trade Center, which is one of the skyscrapers overlooking the Sheikh Zayed Highway, has a platform on its top floor, where viewing the scenery from there is cheaper than the Burj Khalifa.

The Gold and Diamond Museum Park, with 118 jewelry workshops and 30 stores, is another attraction in Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Highway that jewelry lovers visit for shopping.

This highway is located in the center of Dubai.

Dubai Heritage and Diving Village 

Since Dubai is a coastal city, the cultural and architectural heritage of the city’s seaside is exposed to the public in an area known as the Dubai Heritage and Diving Village.

In this area, you can see shows such as the reconstruction of the stages of pearl fishing and the construction of a barge, which are actually the historical background of Dubai’s economy.

This village is actually an imitation of the life of Bedouins and residents of coastal villages with Iranian-style houses, a coffee house, and a small traditional market with pottery and weaving workshops.

Local music and dance are performed in this village from October to April. Visitors can ask traditional medicine experts about various medicines.

Heritage and Diving Village is located in Bur Dubai.

Dubai Aquarium 

The Dubai Aquarium is one of the best places to visit in Dubai, with 140 marine species suspended on the ground floor of the Dubai Bazaar. Although you can watch this view for free from the Dubai Mall, if you enter from the entrance of the underwater zoo, you can easily walk through the tunnels of the aquarium.

The various entertainment features of this aquarium, such as diving, glass boats, and protected glass cages that you can explore inside the water, will bring you a closer view of life under the sea. Among them, glass-bottom boats are the most popular means for visitors.

This aquarium is located on Sheikh Zayed Highway and inside Dubai Mall.

Burj al-Arab 

Burj Al-Arab is another landmark of Dubai. It is the tallest hotel in the world, which is built with a height of 321 meters on an artificial island that was created to build this hotel on the Dubai coastline.

This tower has a design similar to a sail raised on the mast of an Arab ship, and at night, its exterior is lit up with dancing colored lights.

This tower is known as one of the most expensive hotels in the world, with the most luxurious suites at a nightly price of more than 15,000 dollars.

Enjoying an exciting dinner at the underwater restaurant in this tower can be a full-fledged extravagance experience. This restaurant is covered from floor to ceiling with glass panels, and you can see the underwater scenery the whole time you eat.

For lunch, you can also enjoy eating at the other hotel restaurant, which is a California-style restaurant. We recommend that you reserve a table for afternoon tea at Sky View Bar, which is located on the 27th floor of this hotel and offers you a panoramic view of the city.

This hotel is located on Jumeirah Highway.

Jumeirah Beach 

Jumeirah Beach, which is stretched like a beautiful white sandy strip along the sea, is usually the first beach destination of Dubai tourists. Since there are many hotels on this beautiful beach, this beach has become one of the best places to visit in Dubai and one of the famous places for tourists to stay.

This well-known beach has many amenities, including sun loungers, restaurants, and water sports centers, and provides you with jet skiing.

On the other hand, you can visit the Al Sheef booth, which is located a few steps from the beach. Built in 1955 as the summer residence of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, this building is made of coral blocks and plaster and with a decoration inspired by nature.

It provides a better understanding of the popular lifestyle of the rulers of Dubai. The garden of this building has an Arabic irrigation system and raised date palms.

This beach is located on the edge of the Jumeirah highway.

Mall of the Emirates 

Mall of the Emirates is one of the most famous shopping centers and places in Dubai, with the possibility of skiing in a large and well-equipped artificial ski slope. This ski resort has slopes, cable cars, and penguins and is always kept at a temperature of minus 4 degrees Celsius.

This shopping center has a cinema complex and entertainment centers equipped with various facilities for adults and children. This shopping center has restaurants with different international dishes, where you can enjoy a variety of dishes while shopping.

This shopping center is located on Sheikh Zayed Highway.

IMG Worlds of Adventure 

This park, which is located near the World Village, is one of the best places to visit in Dubai that has many attractions for children and adults.

This vast park is dedicated to Marvel characters, and other parts are dedicated to dinosaurs and various cartoon networks. It can be attractive to all people of any age.

If you are looking for adventure or want to scare yourself in the haunted house, IMG Worlds of Adventure is the ideal place.

This magical park is located on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed highway.

Dubai Opera

If you want to have a different experience of Dubai nights, be sure to visit the Dubai Opera. Dubai Opera was built in 2016 as one of the sights of Dubai and the main cultural and entertainment center of Dubai.

This opera annually hosts different programs such as various famous musical theaters, music concerts, and opera, ballet, and comedy theaters.

This modern structure, which is designed similarly to the curve of traditional barges, has glass throughout and strong and stable walls and is considered one of the prominent symbols of modern architecture in Dubai.

Dubai Opera is located on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Highway.

Kite Beach 

The long and white sandy beach of Kite is located south of Jumeirah Beach. It is not only a good place for sunbathing, but it is also one of the the best places to visit in Dubai and is one the tourist attractions for those who are interested in kite riding, skydiving, and all kinds of water sports.

On this beach, you can enjoy diving and kite riding by seeing various pieces of training and getting the available equipment.

Kite Beach is located at the end of Jumeirah Highway.

Alserkal Art District 

Al Quz is an old industrial area located on Al-serkal Street in Dubai, which is being renovated to become the art hub of Dubai. This area is the center of the most important art galleries in Dubai, such as the Green Art Gallery, and Ayam Gallery. Currently, many new galleries in this city are moving to this area.

Usually, the programs of this art collection are dedicated to both famous artists and new talents of the Middle East. In this area, fashion and jewelry boutiques are also on the market. Pop-up restaurants, designer hangouts, and other cool spots make this area stand out.

Alserkal Art District is located in Al-Quz industrial area on Alserkal Street.

Ibn Battuta Mall

Ibn Battuta Mall is the world’s largest entertainment mall. It is named in honor of Ibn Battuta, the great Arab traveler. This collection is divided into 6 sections, each reflecting the architecture of the places Ibn Battuta visited.

Ibn Battuta, who died 600 years ago, is known as an Arab icon and a reminder of strong Islamic values. This large center with 275 stores, 50 restaurants, and a cinema complex with 21 screens is considered one of Dubai’s most comprehensive tourist attractions. There is also a large exhibition hall called China Court in the complex, where many events are held yearly.

This center hosts markets for particular and local goods in summer, including art, photography, and local clothes.

Dubai Parks and Resorts 

In this cultural complex, everything you need for entertainment is gathered in one place. You have to have the will to experience what you love. This complex is one of Dubai’s attractions, with three different theme parks. 

Motiongate Park, where fans of cinema, animation, and the world of Hollywood can enter the world of imagination and cinematic fantasies by entering this park and experiencing the stories of Hollywood characters.

Bollywood Parks: this park deals with the Indian cinema industry, and all its decorations and equipment are designed for those interested in Indian cinema.

Legoland: this park is the first Legoland in the Middle East and the seventh in the world. This park is designed for children from 2 to 12 years old. They can have a fascinating experience with their parents in a world full of Legos.

Another place that is expected to be built in the future is Legoland Water Park. Riverland is another place built between these three theme parks with several restaurants and entertainment centers. It is actually the entrance to these three theme parks.

Dubai Parks and Resorts is located in the Jebel Ali area, Sheikh Zayed Highway.

Aquaventure Atlantis Water Park 

Aquaventure Water Park, which is located in Atlantis Palm Jumeirah (a famous artificial island in Dubai), is one of Dubai’s attractions and a perfect place to cool off after a few days of shopping and sightseeing. This water park, also known as Atlantis Water Park, has excellent and exciting water slides of the same quality as their global counterparts. 

You can experience an exciting 9-step slide ride in this water park with the long Aquaconda slide or sail with an underwater helmet.

This park is also a suitable place for children to ride slides. If you get tired while having fun, you can rest on this complex’s 700-meter white sand beach.

Dubai Parks and Resorts 

Those who are looking for exciting and adrenaline-filled experiences should definitely visit Dubai Parks and Resorts. This large theme park is the largest in the world.

It includes several smaller parks: Legoland Dubai and Legoland Water Park, Motiongate Dubai, Bollywood Parks, and Riverland Dubai. You can access all parts of this entertainment complex by buying a ticket.

Tourists can experience a variety of entertainment in the Dubai Parks and Resorts complex and release enough adrenaline. 

There are also beautiful restaurants and foods in this complex that you must try. 

If you want to avoid buying a ticket, you can go to Riverland Dubai because there is no entrance fee in this section, and you can enjoy exploring it.

Dubai Gold Souk

Tourists and residents of this city go to one of the oldest tourist attractions in Dubai, which is also the only gold market in the town. This market is full of shops that sell jewelry and gold, and everything from rings to bracelets, etc., can be found in this market.

If you are going to buy, you should act like a local and bargain. There are more than 379 retail shops in Dubai Gold Souk, and big deals are done in this traditional market.

Wild Wadi Water Park

 Wild Wadi Water Park is one of Dubai’s most attractive water parks, both for children and adults. Tourists can surf in a pool where natural waves are simulated. You can also see a fantastic view of Burj Al Arab here.

In the summer, women who don’t like to be in mixed places can use the women’s section. This water park is built with the theme of Arabic folklore.

The Dubai Fountain 

In the Dubai Fountain, which is built in the Great Lake Tower of this city, you can witness the water dance that rises to a height of 140 meters. This fountain was made by the Californian Company WET, which also built the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas. The Dubai Fountain comprises 5 squares of different sizes and 2 central arches.

This fountain is built on a land of 18 football fields and 660 lights, and 25 projectors are responsible for lighting and making the water dance show colorful. The light is so strong that the Dubai Fountain can be recognized from several kilometers and is visible from space. This has made the Dubai Waterfront’s brightest point of light in the Middle East.

If you avoid the crowds, you can watch the fountains dance every 30 minutes from the terrace of the Thiptara restaurant at the Palace Downtown. These fountains dance to the music of Arabic, English, and Swahili songs.

Dubai Garden Glow 

Dubai Garden Glow is a garden of lights and lights that is unique in its kind. Shows and live music are usually held in this garden.

Dubai Garden Glow opens to the public at night, and visitors can watch the lights illuminate the dark sky. In Glo Garden, you can experience education and entertainment together.

The most important parts of this place are the Ice Park, Dinosaur Park, Shadi Street, Sea World, Shadi Forest, and Colorful Castle.

By visiting the complex, guests can understand why 500 artisans were employed in the construction and completion of Garden Glow, which opened in 2015.

Of course, you can try delicious international dishes here, and you don’t have to worry about food and hunger.

Atlantis, The Palm

Atlantis, The Palm is one of the best hotels in Dubai for photography. This resort is located on Palm Jumeirah Island and can be seen from different parts of the city. Guests can even dive in the hotel’s aquarium.

Famous restaurants such as Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen and Nobu work in this hotel. However, you must pay for a separate entrance to these restaurants.

If you have not booked a room in this hotel, it is worth at least going to the hotel spa. Atlantis, The Palm is also home to the Aquaventure water park, where you can see sea lions, swim with dolphins, and take helicopter tours.

Important Points Regarding Best Places to Visit in Dubai

You should pay attention to some tips regarding visiting the best places in Dubai.

Seeing the sights of Dubai: To easily visit the views of Dubai, the most suitable way is to use half-day sightseeing tours in Dubai. These tourist tours will guide you to the most famous places of interest in Dubai, including the Jumeirah Mosque, Bastakieh neighborhood, Deira Gold Bazaar, and Spice Bazaar.

In addition to urban tourism tours, you can also sign up for desert safari tours and enjoy the experience of camel riding, sand skiing lessons, and barbecuing at sunset.

Flying over the sky of Dubai: In Dubai, there is a place where you can see the beautiful scenery of this city from a higher height, observing the Palm Jumeirah area or the artificial archipelago of the world (The World), which is made in the form of a world map, from a flight. Enjoy a 15 to a 25-minute helicopter ride over Dubai.

Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting the Best Places in Dubai