Things to do in Dubai — and where to stay

Do the icons — Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Fountain, the Museum of the Future — but give at least half a day to Old Dubai: an abra across the Creek, the gold and spice souks and the Al Fahidi quarter. For a first visit, stay in Downtown for the sights or Dubai Marina / JBR for the beach.

The big sights

• Burj Khalifa — the world's tallest building. Book the observation deck in advance and aim for late afternoon to see the city by day and lit up at night.
• The Dubai Fountain — the huge musical fountain at the foot of the Burj, with jets shooting up to the height of a 50-story building. Shows run in the evening and are free to watch from the promenade.
• Dubai Mall — a city within a city, with a giant aquarium and an ice rink. Even if you don't shop, it's the gateway to the fountain and the Burj.
• Museum of the Future — a silver torus wrapped in Arabic calligraphy; inside, an immersive trip into what's next. The building alone is worth the detour.
• Burj Al Arab — the sail-shaped hotel and symbol of Dubai. Best seen from a beach nearby; going inside means a restaurant or afternoon tea reservation.
• Palm Jumeirah — the palm-shaped artificial island. Ride the monorail along the "trunk" to grasp the scale; Atlantis and its huge Aquaventure waterpark sit at the tip.
• Dubai Frame — a giant golden frame with a glass floor at the top: skyscrapers on one side, low-rise Deira on the other.
• Ain Dubai — the giant observation wheel on Bluewaters Island. It has had long closures, so check that it's running before you plan around it.

Old Dubai: souks and the Creek

Deira and Bur Dubai are where the city began, and they feel completely different from the glass towers. Cross the Creek on an abra, the traditional wooden water taxi, for a coin's worth of fare. On the Deira side, the Gold Souk is a maze of jewelry shops, and the Spice Souk smells of cardamom, saffron and frankincense — haggling is part of the fun. In Bur Dubai, the Al Fahidi historic quarter has wind towers, small museums and the courtyard of the Arabian Tea House, a lovely spot for mint tea and a traditional breakfast.

Free and low-cost things to do in Dubai

• Watch The Dubai Fountain show.
• Walk the Dubai Marina promenade at night, among the yachts and neon.
• Swim at public beaches: JBR, La Mer with its street art and burger spots, or Black Palace Beach, a quiet local favorite with views of the Burj Al Arab and the Palm (no facilities).
• Run or cycle the track at Umm Suqeim with the Burj Al Arab in the background.
• Wander the souks and the Al Fahidi quarter.
• Explore Alserkal Avenue, warehouses turned into galleries, indie cinemas and specialty coffee.
• Visit The Yard, a rustic retreat with paths, a farmers' market and a "love lake", where locals escape the glitz.

Day trips: Sharjah and Hatta

Neighboring Sharjah is the region's cultural capital, more traditional than Dubai. See the Ottoman-style Al Noor Mosque on the lagoon (one of the few mosques in the area open to non-Muslim visitors), shop for carpets and antiques in the tiled Blue Souk, and walk through the Rain Room, an art installation where rain stops around you. Hatta, Dubai's mountain exclave, swaps sand for red rock: rent a kayak on the turquoise Hatta Dam reservoir. A classic desert safari is the other popular half-day trip.

Things to do in Dubai with kids

Aquaventure at Atlantis, the aquarium in Dubai Mall, the indoor ski slope at Mall of the Emirates, beach days at JBR or La Mer, and the evening fountain show cover most families' wish lists. In summer, plan outdoor time for early morning and after sunset.

Where to stay in Dubai

The quick rule: Downtown if you'll spend most time sightseeing, Marina or JBR if you want a beach holiday with city life, the Palm for a resort escape, and Old Dubai or Al Barsha for value. Quieter options include Umm Suqeim for an active, beachy vibe and the elite beachfront villas along the coast; International City has some of the cheapest and best Chinese food in the city.

What to eat and drink

• Hummus with warm bread and olive oil — Dubai takes it seriously.
• Camel milk — try it plain, in a milkshake or a latte.
• Golden cappuccino — topped with edible gold flakes in the fanciest hotels. Pure Dubai.

Practical tips

• Metro rules are strict. No eating, drinking or chewing gum on board, and fines are high. Don't sit in the women-and-children carriage (if you're a man) or the Gold Class carriage without the right ticket.
• When to go. November to March is pleasant; summer is extremely hot and humid, so most life moves indoors.
• Dress and behavior. Swimwear is for beaches and pools; cover shoulders and knees in malls, souks and mosques. Public displays of affection and public drunkenness are frowned upon or worse.
• From the airport. DXB is close to the city and on the red metro line; taxis are plentiful.

Scams to avoid

• The "free" camel ride. At some tourist spots you're offered a free ride for a photo; once you're up, you're asked for serious money to have the camel sit down.
• Fake designer goods in Deira. Touts whisper "Rolex, Louis Vuitton" and lead you to "secret showrooms" in back alleys. They're cheap fakes — just walk on.

Similar tricks in other cities are collected in common tourist scams and how to avoid them. Flying on via Istanbul? See where to stay in Istanbul.

Dubai in TripGist

In TripGist you'll find Dubai's thirteen areas on the map, from Old Dubai to Palm Jumeirah and Sharjah, plus the sights, local finds like Alserkal Avenue and Black Palace Beach, the food, the metro rules and the scams. Free and ad-free.