Dubai is a city like no other that has quite literally popped up out of the desert! This city is full of exciting things to do – from city experiences to desert encounters and everything in between. Here are the most unique things to do in Dubai if you’re in search of something special!
The Most Unique Things to Do in Dubai
1. Ride in a Hot Air Balloon Over the Desert
There are only a handful of experiences I would say leave me speechless – the pink sunrise over ripples of sand in the Dubai desert being one of them! Waking up to a 4:00am alarm is well worth it when you’re met with the calm serenity of the desert below as you glide over it.
2. Visit the World’s only 7-star Hotel
Although technically there’s no such thing, a step inside the Burj Al Arab will soon explain why or how this hotel has earned its reputation as the world’s only seven star hotel. Of course this kind of luxury does not come cheap, so if you’re eager to have a squiz around, book a spa appointment to enjoy the spa facilities before and/or after your treatment. Its just a bonus you will get to encounter the property on your way up to the eighteenth floor!
3. Take in the View from the World’s Tallest Building
The Burj Khalifa is currently the world’s tallest building and hosts a view that will be hard to beat! Tickets to the top sell out days in advance, so be sure to book this one in advance. The views from the top are never the same twice – on a clear day you can see all of the city, though a cloudy day will leave you up in the clouds (literally!)
4. Visit the Lost Chamber
If you’re a marine wildlife enthusiast, you’ll have plenty of encounters on offer in Dubai! Aside from the Dubai mall aquarium, there’s also the Lost Chamber at the Atlantis Hotel, located on the tip of Dubai’s iconic palm.
5. Indulge in Arabic Mezze
Nearly always my favourite aspect of travelling to different countries and cultures is to experience the food, and Arabic cuisine is no exception! Dubai is a mecca for cuisines from around the world, but my favourite to indulge in here is still traditional Arabic mezze. Think falafel, hummus, tabbouleh, fattoush salad and so much more!
6. Dune Bash in a 1948 Land Rover
One of the most popular activities in Dubai is the visit the desert and escape the hustle and bustle of the city. There are so many companies offering safaris of different calibres, but none will match the experience on offer with Platinum Heritage. Buckle up as you bash around the dunes in a 1948 Land Rover, spotting desert wildlife along the way.
7. Fly over the Iconic Dubai Palm
The palm is an icon of Dubai and is every bit impressive to see as you would imagine! Hop on board a helicopter ride to fly over the palm from the best view: over top of it.
8. Sniff out Exotic Spices at the Dubai Spice Souks
If you’re looking for more culture and history than you will find in the centre of Dubai, head on over to Old Dubai and visit the local spice market and neighbouring gold souks. Granted, it is catered towards tourists (all the key rings you could imagine), but is a great experience if you’re in search of the older side to Dubai.
9. Ski Indoors at Ski Dubai
Skiing in the desert might not be the first activity on your mind when visiting the sweltering heat of the Arabian desert, but it is still an option! Inside the maze that is the Mall of Emirates you will find Ski Dubai, an entirely man-made indoors ski resort. There’s only one slope (though you can stop halfway) but its a great activity if you want to burn some energy and experience skiing indoors.
10. Experience the Iconic Atlantis the Palm
There’s no hotel in Dubai quite as classic and iconic as the Atlantis! This impressive structure has a lot to offer visitors to Dubai beyond a hotel, with its’ own aqua adventure park, a variety of restaurants, a spa, and its’ own private beach.
11. Swim in a Glass Pool at the Four Seasons
I do love a good hotel pool and if the photo is anything to do it justice, the Four Seasons DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) is one of my favourites to date! This glass pool is open to hotel guests and has one of the most beautiful views of Dubai’s clock tower (in my opinion!)
12. Encounter Oryx and Gazelle in the Desert
Last but not least, you can’t come to Dubai without seeing the unique wildlife! Oryx and Gazelle are the most common and easy to spot in the desert (especially Oryx thanks to their colouring), but if you’re lucky you could spot all manner of desert animals!
Awesome article…you can never go wrong with the Four Seasons and that pool looks amazing. Great ideas overall! Did you go to Dubai alone? Where did you stay?
Very good article thanks for sharing.
Great ideas! Will be sure to keep them in mind 🙂
I’d love if you could include approximate pricing for these things on your website, as I’m wondering if I could budget for them all. Call me cynical, but I’m guessing most of these were supplied in order to advertise them? (Which is totally awesome that you’ve built this empire!)
Ah, Dubai! The city that sits on top of my travel list. I have no idea yet, when I finally get a chance to enjoy it (the city is not cheap for travel), but when I do visit it, I will make sure to indulge in some of these activities 🙂
Whoa!! I hope i’ll come to Dubai some day.
Hello, indeed I did do all of the above things and yes, saw Oryx and Gazelle or I wouldn’t have the photos 🙂 The wildlife were seen on my desert safari in Al Maha private reserve, owned by the royal family. The hot air balloon was the most expensive, but everything else was quite relative to other international cities. Hope this answers your questions!
Interesting. Did you truly do all of these things? It sounds insanely expensive, haha. I live in Abu Dhabi and have always been wary of Dubai because it’s Abu Dhabi’s overpriced, more-show-than-substance neighbor. What were the prices on these things? And where did you find oryx and gazelle in a desert? In all my camping trips, in all my years, I’ve seen zero in the wild. Sir Bani Yas Island, sure. Just wandering in the desert? Seems unlikely…
i am also there i love dubai
i have been there in glass swimming pool, in have lots of fun there.
Would love to visit Dubai! However, I am a bit intimidated by the heat… These look like great ideas if I do plan to go!
Spent a month in Dubai and I loved it! It really is an incredible city 🙂 I must try the hot-air balloon ride 😀
Eeeeep sorry! I do love a high res image haha! Thank you 🙂
Very true 🙂
Yeah it is 80% expats I believe (or a figure there abouts). Its a really fun city to explore, lots to do 🙂
I’ve had a few locals in Dubai tell me they hadn’t heard of it before… definitely check it out, it is beautiful up there!
I live in Dubai and didn’t know about the glass swimming pool, definitely going to check it out!
Hi Brooke,
Fabulous post and superb photos, Dubai is definitely on the bucket list. Quite a few expats living there right? The sand bash adventure in that vintage Land Rover=Perfection!
I think it is a very paceful country in the world. It has no political disterbence and also the people are very soft-minded.
The article is really good … The site looks good but it takes time to load images 🙁
And Yes So many hings to do in Dubai. Thanks for sharing this nice..
You have incredibly shared your experience, this Dubai that shown in your post is really very charming and I would like to explore it. Thanks for sharing this post.
Waw! Nice pictures, Dubai is really a incredible city.
Sorry for the typo 😀
so many things to do in Dubai. Amazing post!
Hi, The Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building. The Burj Al Arab is the one that looks like a sailboat.
This is so stunning!! Wow!! I think I will never get there but I enjoy seeing your photos. Thank you for sharing! The view from the tallest building looks like future city in movie.