Dubai turned a stretch of Gulf coastline into a showcase of engineering superlatives — the tallest building, an artificial island shaped like a palm, an indoor ski slope — while Old Dubai's creek and souks still hint at the trading port it was before the oil boom. It's best visited outside the brutal summer heat.
Good to know
- Dress modestly in public areas outside beach and pool zones; shoulders and knees covered is respectful.
- Summer (June–September) is brutally hot and humid — plan indoor activities or visit in the cooler months.
- The metro is clean, cheap and air-conditioned — a Nol card covers metro, tram and buses.
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Places the planner can use
Mark places as a must or something to skip. The itinerary is built only from this list; ★ marks the destination’s highlights.
The tallest building in the world, with observation floors around the 125th and 148th levels looking out over the whole city and Gulf.
One of the world's largest malls, with an aquarium and ice rink inside, next to a choreographed fountain show set to music each evening.
High-rise rooftop bars looking straight at the Burj Khalifa, busiest and priciest on weekend nights.
A striking torus-shaped building of immersive exhibits imagining technology, cities and ecosystems decades from now.
A 4x4 ride over the dunes outside the city, followed by a camp dinner with camel rides and folk dancing under the stars.
Wind-tower courtyard houses in the old quarter, and a short abra boat ride across the Creek to the souks on the other side.
Narrow covered markets glittering with gold jewellery on one side and stacked with saffron and spices on the other.
A canal-side promenade lined with skyscrapers, restaurants and yachts, especially pleasant after sunset when it cools down.
A public stretch of white sand with a classic view of the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel down the coast.
The palm-shaped artificial island, home to a monorail, a waterpark and the Atlantis resort's aquarium.
Traditional Emirati dishes like machboos and harees, served in a restored courtyard house in the old quarter.
One of the world's largest mosques, its white marble courtyard and the world's largest hand-knotted carpet an hour from Dubai.