Dubai · 26 Citorah Picks

Things to do in Dubai

In the order Citorah recommends them: the order the guides rank them, and never by commission. How Citorah is paid

Sights

  • Citorah PickSight · Downtown Dubai

    Burj Khalifa

    Citorah says The Burj Khalifa’s observation deck, At the Top, is on Levels 124 and 125, and you go in from the lower ground floor of Dubai Mall.

  • Citorah PickSight · Old Dubai

    Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

    Citorah says Its wind-tower houses, alleys and squares reflect the way people lived in Dubai from the mid-19th century to the 1970s, according to Dubai Culture.

  • Citorah PickSight · Downtown Dubai

    Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

    Citorah says Visit Dubai says you can see the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo for free from inside the mall. A ticket takes you further in.

  • Citorah PickSight · Downtown Dubai

    The Dubai Fountain

    Citorah says The Dubai Fountain plays on Burj Lake, at the foot of Dubai Mall, every 30 minutes from 6 PM to 11 PM. Each show lasts about five minutes, and it’s free to watch.

  • Citorah PickSight · Old Dubai

    Al Seef

    Citorah says Close to Al Fahidi, Al Seef is a redeveloped creekside district that Visit Dubai calls one of Bur Dubai’s culinary hotspots, with views over the water.

  • Citorah PickSight

    Sky Views Observatory

    Citorah says The glass slide at Sky Views Observatory (AED 89 on At the Top’s site, October 2026)

  • Citorah PickSight · Jumeirah

    City Walk

    Citorah says City Walk, a district of shops, restaurants and entertainment five minutes’ drive from Dubai Mall.

  • Citorah PickSight · Palm Jumeirah

    Aquaventure World

    Citorah says Swap the nightlife for the aquarium and theme parks such as Aquaventure World, IMG Worlds of Adventure and Dubai Parks and Resorts.

  • Citorah PickSight

    IMG Worlds of Adventure

    Citorah says Swap the nightlife for the aquarium and theme parks such as Aquaventure World, IMG Worlds of Adventure and Dubai Parks and Resorts.

  • Citorah PickSight

    Dubai Parks and Resorts

    Citorah says Swap the nightlife for the aquarium and theme parks such as Aquaventure World, IMG Worlds of Adventure and Dubai Parks and Resorts.

  • Citorah PickSight · Downtown Dubai

    Dubai Mall

    Citorah says Visit Dubai calls Dubai Mall “the world’s largest destination for shopping, entertainment and leisure”.

  • Citorah PickSight · Dubai Marina / JBR

    The Walk

    Citorah says Its promenade, The Walk, is a 1.7 km strip of shops, restaurants and cafés by the sea.

  • Citorah PickSight · Business Bay

    Dubai Water Canal

    Citorah says The Dubai Water Canal, an extension of Dubai Creek, runs through it, with a 6.4 km footpath along both banks.

  • Citorah PickSight · Dubai Marina / JBR

    Marina Walk

    Citorah says Marina Walk, a pedestrian promenade, runs 7 km along both sides of the marina.

  • Citorah PickSight · Dubai Marina / JBR

    Ain Dubai

    Citorah says From The Beach at JBR, a walk of less than 300 metres takes you across to Bluewaters Island, where Ain Dubai, the giant observation wheel, is the centrepiece.

  • Citorah PickSight · DIFC

    Gate Avenue

    Citorah says Gate Avenue, which runs from The Gate building to Central Park Towers, is an 880-metre walkway of shops and places to eat.

Venues

  • Citorah PickVenue · Downtown Dubai

    Dubai Opera

    Citorah says From the mall’s waterfront, it’s a walk of under 10 minutes, past the fountain, to Dubai Opera, which anchors the Opera District.

Beachs

  • Citorah PickBeach · Jumeirah

    Kite Beach

    Citorah says Kite Beach and Sunset Beach, in Jumeirah, are free and need no booking.

  • Citorah PickBeach · Palm Jumeirah

    Palm West Beach

    Citorah says Palm West Beach, on the trunk, has a 1.6 km promenade lined with restaurants, cafés and beach clubs.

  • Citorah PickBeach · Jumeirah

    Sunset Beach

    Citorah says Sunset Beach, beside the Burj Al Arab, is free, and has the classic view of the hotel.

  • Citorah PickBeach · Jumeirah

    Nessnass Beach

    Citorah says Its public beaches, Kite Beach, Sunset Beach and Nessnass Beach (also called Jumeirah Open Beach), are free.

Day trips

  • Citorah PickDay trip

    Abu Dhabi

    Citorah says Want to see Abu Dhabi? Since 30 September 2026, Etihad Rail’s trains have run from Dubai Station, in Jumeirah Golf Estates, to Abu Dhabi in 64 minutes, with fares from AED 39. Swap it for Day 4, or add a fifth day.

  • Citorah PickDay trip

    Hatta

    Citorah says Hatta, 90 minutes away in the Hajar Mountains, where you can kayak on Hatta Dam.

    The catch Visit Dubai says many of Hatta’s attractions close from mid or late May to September or October, though kayaking on the dam stays open.

Experiences

  • Citorah PickExperience · Old Dubai

    Abras

    Citorah says The traditional wooden boats cross Dubai Creek between Bur Dubai and Deira Old Souq, and between Dubai Old Souq and Al Sabkha, for AED 1, paid in cash.

Plan the trip

Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them, Citorah may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what the guides recommend. How Citorah is paid