1
Viewpoints & Sunsets
Burj Khalifa
At 828 metres the tallest building in the world, with observation decks on levels 124, 125 and 148.
₹169
entry
Details
Dubai
A city that built a skyline, a shoreline and a shopping habit in fifty years.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Ideal 3–5 days
Best Nov–Mar
From AED 350/day
8 places mapped
Overview
What Dubai is really like
Burj Khalifa
Desert safari
Gold Souk
Shopping malls
Beaches
Modern Dubai is Downtown — Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall and the fountain — plus Marina and Palm Jumeirah along the coast. Old Dubai is the creek: Deira's gold and spice souks, the Al Fahidi wind-tower district, and abras that still cross the water for one dirham.
Most visitors do both plus a desert evening, and three days is enough for that. Everything runs to time, the Metro is clean and cheap, and English is universal.
The two things that shape a trip are heat and money. From June to September the temperature sits above 40°C and life moves indoors. And Dubai will take as much money as you offer it — but public beaches, the creek, the souks and the Metro cost very little.
- Ideal length
- 3–5 days
- Peak season
- November to March, peaking over Christmas and the Dubai Shopping Festival in January
- Languages
- Arabic, English, Hindi
- Currency
- AED (AED)
- Altitude
- 5 m
- Timezone
- Asia/Dubai
- Population
- 36L
- Nearest airport
- Dubai International (DXB), 5 km from Deira; Al Maktoum (DWC) for some carriers
Attractions
What to see in Dubai
Ranked by how much each place adds to a visit — not alphabetically, and never paid for.
1
2
Entertainment & Leisure
Dubai Fountain and Dubai Mall
The world's largest choreographed fountain performing on the Burj Lake every half hour after dark, beside a mall with an aquarium and an…
Free
no ticket
Details
3
Adventure & Outdoors
Desert safari
An afternoon of dune driving in the Al Marmoom or Lahbab desert, ending with a camp dinner, camel rides and a show under the stars.
₹180
entry
Details
4
Beaches & Waterfront
Palm Jumeirah and Atlantis
The palm-shaped reclaimed island, with a monorail along the trunk, a waterpark at the crown and public beaches with a Burj Al Arab view.
₹100
entry
Details
5
Historic & Heritage
Al Fahidi Historical District and the creek
The restored wind-tower quarter of old Dubai, with courtyard houses, small museums and an abra crossing to the Deira souks.
Free
no ticket
Details
6
Museums & Art
Museum of the Future
A torus of stainless steel and Arabic calligraphy on Sheikh Zayed Road, with immersive floors on space, ecology and wellbeing.
₹149
entry
Details
7
Markets & Shopping
Gold and Spice Souks, Deira
Hundreds of jewellery shops with windows of 22-carat gold sold by weight, and a spice lane of saffron, frankincense and dates alongside.
Free
no ticket
Details
8
Viewpoints & Sunsets
Dubai Marina and JBR Walk
A canal city of towers with a beachfront promenade at The Walk, plus dhow dinner cruises and a zipline across the water.
Free
no ticket
Details
Nothing in this category is in the top list — open all places to see the full set.
Orientation
Full screen map
Everything on one map
Distance is what breaks itineraries. See how the city actually lays out before you commit to a day.
Viewpoints & Sunsets
Historic & Heritage
Entertainment & Leisure
Adventure & Outdoors
Museums & Art
Beaches & Waterfront
Local directory
Open directory
Where to stay, eat and get help
Resorts
Atlantis The Palm
Resort at the crown of the Palm with the Aquaventure waterpark and the Lost Chambers…
₹1,400+
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Hotels
Rove Downtown
Well-run mid-range hotel walking distance from the Dubai Mall and the fountain.
₹400+
MG-B000108
Restaurants
Al Fanar Restaurant
Emirati home cooking — machboos, harees and luqaimat — in a recreated 1960s Dubai setting.
₹180+
MG-B000110
Restaurants
Ravi Restaurant
Satwa institution serving Pakistani food to everyone from taxi drivers to visiting chefs…
₹35+
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Getting there & around
How to reach Dubai
By air
Dubai International (DXB), 5 km from Deira; Al Maktoum (DWC) for some carriers
DXB is one of the busiest international airports in the world and is 15 minutes from the creek by Metro. Visa on arrival applies to many nationalities.
By rail
No intercity rail; the Dubai Metro serves the city
There is no intercity passenger rail yet. Intercity buses connect Abu Dhabi (2 hours) and the northern emirates.
By road
Abu Dhabi is 90 minutes to two hours, Sharjah 30 minutes without traffic, Hatta 90 minutes.
Getting around locally
The Metro's Red and Green lines cover Downtown, Marina, the airport and Deira — buy a Nol card at any station. Taxis are metered, plentiful and reasonable. Abras cross the creek for AED 1. Traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road peaks 7–9am and 5–8pm.
Money
What Dubai costs
Per person, per day, excluding travel to the destination. A three-day trip for two is shown for comparison.
Economy
AED 350 / person / day
Clean budget stays, local food, shared or public transport.
3 days · 2 travellers
AED 1,950
Business
AED 1,100 / person / day
Well-rated 3–4★ hotels, sit-down dining, private cabs.
3 days · 2 travellers
AED 5,940
Practical
Before you go
Best time to visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
June to September is extreme — 40 to 48°C with high humidity, and outdoor sightseeing is genuinely uncomfortable. November to March is warm, dry and perfect. Rain is rare but can flood roads when it comes.
Food & drink
Everything, because everyone lives here: Emirati machboos and luqaimat, Lebanese and Iranian grills, South Indian canteens in Karama and Bur Dubai that feed the city cheaply, and a fine-dining scene with serious money behind it.
Shopping
Malls for brands, the Gold Souk for jewellery sold by weight plus making charges, the Spice Souk for saffron and dates, and Karama for the honest version of everything else.
After dark
Licensed venues are attached to hotels. Brunch on Friday or Saturday is a Dubai institution. Dress codes apply and are enforced.
Safety
Crime is very low and the city is safe at all hours. The laws are strict: public drunkenness, drug possession (including trace amounts and some prescription medicines), public displays of affection and rude gestures can all lead to arrest. Check whether your medication is restricted before flying.
Local tips
Book Burj Khalifa tickets online for a timed slot — sunset slots cost the most and sell out. The Dubai Fountain runs every 30 minutes each evening and is free. Ramadan changes opening hours and eating in public during daylight is not permitted; the city is quieter and hotels are cheaper.
Etiquette
Dress modestly away from beaches and pools — shoulders and knees covered in malls, souks and public areas. Ask before photographing local people, particularly women.
Questions
People also ask about Dubai
How many days do I need in Dubai?
Three days covers Downtown and the Burj, Old Dubai and the souks, and a desert evening. Four or five if you want the waterparks, Abu Dhabi as a day trip or serious beach time.
When is the cheapest time to visit Dubai?
June to September, when temperatures pass 45°C and hotel rates fall sharply. It is a genuinely indoor holiday at that time. Ramadan is also quieter and cheaper, with adjusted opening hours.
Do I need to book Burj Khalifa in advance?
Yes. Timed slots sell out, especially around sunset, and walk-up prices are much higher. Level 124/125 is the standard ticket; 148 costs considerably more for a smaller crowd.
What should I know about Dubai's laws?
Alcohol only in licensed venues, no public drunkenness, no public displays of affection, and modest dress in public areas. Some common prescription and over-the-counter medicines are controlled substances — check before you fly.
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