What to See in Dubai

Overview

Districts and Tourist Areas

Bur Dubai ★★
This is the old artisan district along Dubai Creek. In addition to cafés, restaurants, and shopping centres, you can explore the historic Al Bastakiya district.

Deira ★★
This is the old city that gradually lost its importance to "new" Dubai. Nevertheless, the district remains lively, with a large Indo-Pakistani community, several souks (spices, gold, etc.) and a few old buildings.

Dubai Creek ★
This inlet divides the city in two, with Deira (the "old town") on one side and modern Dubai on the other. You can stroll along its banks, take a ferry, or use a traditional boat (abra) to cross, or enjoy the panorama from one of the bridges spanning the Creek.

Dubai Marina ★★
Along its canal amid the skyscrapers, the marina is a lively district with plenty of cafés and restaurants. Also worth seeing for the stunning yachts moored here.

Palm Jumeirah ★★★
This artificial palm-shaped archipelago is now world-famous. In addition to luxury villas, it is home to numerous hotels, restaurants, and attractions that can be reached via the Palm Monorail, which loops around the island. Two other "palms" are awaiting construction: Jebel Ali and Deira.

Monuments and Architectural Landmarks

Atlantis, The Palm ★★
It’s both a vast hotel complex and a water park ("Aquaventure"). But above all, it’s a monumental architectural landmark built on Palm Jumeirah.

Burj Al Arab ★★
This "ultra-luxury" sail-shaped hotel, standing 321 metres tall, symbolises the city and its architecture. It isn’t truly open to the public—you’ll need a reservation (or to be a guest) even just to have a drink there.

Burj Khalifa ★★★★
You get a stunning panorama from its two viewing platforms on the 124th/125th and 148th floors. Very popular (over 2 million visitors a year), it is advisable to book in advance.

Dubai Fountain ★★
This is a fountain system located on the artificial lake of the Burj Khalifa. The system, featuring 6,600 lights and 25 color projectors, spans 275 meters and shoots water up to 152 meters high, all set to music.

Jumeirah Emirates Towers ★
With its two separate towers, this skyscraper-hotel is one of Dubai’s most distinctive buildings due to its height and design.

Shopping Malls and Markets

Madinat Jumeirah ★
This "old town" is actually a recreation (complete with a river and private beach) serving as a commercial complex and housing three hotels, restaurants, and performance venues.

Spice Souk ★★
Near Dubai Creek and the Gold Souk, this is Dubai's oldest souk. Despite its name, it doesn't just sell spices.

Gold Souk ★★
In Deira district, near the spice market, over 300 shops make up this lively souk.

Religious Buildings

Jumeirah Mosque ★★
The only mosque in the Emirates open to non-Muslims. Its style is representative of contemporary Islamic architecture. It’s especially worth seeing at dusk when its façade is illuminated.

Museums

Dubai Museum ★★
Located in Al Fahidi Fort, dating from the late 18th century, this museum houses archaeological, historical, and ethnological collections showcasing the life of the region's earliest inhabitants.

Parks and Natural Spaces

Creekside Park ★
A 100-hectare urban park along the canal, home to Children's City, a "mini science centre" for kids.

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo ★
This vast aquarium was built inside the Dubai Mall itself.

Jumeirah Beaches ★★
Well-separated and sheltered along some forty kilometres, this is a string of small beaches, some public, some private.

Ras Al Khor ★
This nature reserve is located in a marshy area on the outskirts of the city. It is home to many bird species, including large numbers of flamingos.

Zabeel Park ★
This is around fifty hectares developed in the city center in the Bur Dubai district.

Additional Resources