20 Interesting places to visit in Dubai

Entry Conditions to Dubai 2021 (15.12.2021)

To enter the UAE, you need:

• An international health insurance policy that covers expenses related to COVID-19 treatment and isolation in the UAE;
• A completed and printed PCR test for COVID-19 in English, with a negative result.

The certificate must be issued no more than 72 hours before arriving in the UAE and must be provided only by accredited medical institutions. This requirement does not apply to children under 12 years old and passengers with moderate or severe disabilities. In the absence of this certificate or insurance policy, the airline may refuse to transport the passenger.

It should also be noted that airlines have the right to refuse boarding to passengers showing symptoms of COVID-19.

Upon arrival in Dubai, you must undergo another COVID-19 test, which is done directly at the airport, and download the "COVID-19 DXB" app to register for possible further communication with UAE health authorities. The test result will be sent via SMS within 24 hours. Until the test result is received, you must stay in self-isolation at a hotel or other residence.

People who test positive, as well as those who have been in contact with someone who tested positive, will be isolated for 10 days in specially designated facilities at their own expense.

Find out what to see and where to go in Dubai to get a full impression of the city in our article below.

Burj Khalifa

Dubai is famous primarily for its skyscrapers and futuristic architectural structures. One of the most famous buildings is the Burj Khalifa, the tallest in the world (828 meters).

The observation deck on the 124th floor (at a height of 472 meters) offers a dizzying (literally) and magnificent view of the city.

Tip: check the weather forecast before visiting — Dubai often has haze that can spoil the view from the deck.

Prices: You can order a ticket to the deck on the first floor or online in advance (at least a few days before the visit), which we strongly recommend. The price will be 125 dirhams ($34) instead of 400 ($109) if you decide to go up immediately.

Hours: The deck is open until 23:00.

Address: 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd.

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

The world's largest aquarium, listed in the Guinness Book of Records, is located in Dubai Mall. You must visit it.

It houses more than 33,000 marine animals and fish! You can see this beauty by walking through the tunnel that runs the entire length of the aquarium. The view is fantastic — 270 degrees! — and you can take as many photos as you want.

Location: The aquarium is located in the Dubai Mall shopping and entertainment center.

Prices: Entrance + visit to the educational center costs 50 dirhams, but even without going inside, you can observe the huge aquarium and many fish from the shopping area for free.

The Dubai Fountain

Even in the extraordinarily expensive Dubai, you can find free entertainment. One of the most interesting places to see for $0 is the dancing and singing fountain next to the Burj Khalifa skyscraper.

Every evening, the fountain jets are illuminated by lights accompanied by the best classical, national, and modern musical works.

National Museum of Dubai at Al Fahidi Fort

Dubai is not only about ultra-modern hotels, luxury boutiques, and futuristic architecture. To see for yourself, visit the National Museum of Dubai in the ancient Al Fahidi Fort. You'll learn about the emirate's history from ancient times to the present. The exhibits include trading ships, dhow and shasha boats, pearl divers' tools (including shark protection devices). There are also incredible collections of jewelry, expensive fabrics, and tableware. A tour of the museum takes about an hour, so it won't tire even young children.

Address: The museum is located in the Bur Dubai area.

Hours: Saturday to Thursday from 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday from 2:00 PM to 8:30 PM.

Prices: Entrance costs 3 dirhams ($0.8).

How to get there: The nearest metro station is Al Fahidi, from which you can walk to the museum in 10 minutes.

Book a hotel in Dubai with up to 65% discount here.

Historical District of Bastakiya

In the past, this area was inhabited by wealthy merchants and pearl divers. Today, you can see houses from the 19th-20th centuries with the famous "wind towers", the ancestors of modern air conditioners. Notable historical buildings in Bastakiya include Al Fahidi Fort, Majlis Gallery, and the first office building, Bait Al-Wakeel. If you want to get closer to Dubai's historical districts, take a tour of Bastakiya, Al Fahidi Fort, the Old Market, and other interesting places.

Location: Bastakiya is located on the shores of Dubai Creek.

How to get there: The nearest metro stations are Al Fahidi and Ghubaiba.

Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House

Here you will learn not only about the history of the ruling Al Maktoum dynasty but also about the beautifully traditional architecture and the interiors of the rooms of Arab nobility. Additionally, you can enjoy a luxurious view of the city and the creek from the balconies on the second floor.

Location: Bur Dubai.

How to get there: By bus No. 61D, 66, 67 (Wasl stop).

Hours: The museum is open Saturday to Thursday from 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and on Friday it opens at 3:00 PM.

Prices: Entrance costs 6 dirhams ($1.7).

Jumeirah Mosque

An excellent example of Arabic religious architecture and the only mosque in the country that non-Muslims can enter. Make sure to visit, and you'll see how traditional Eastern mosques were built and decorated.

Guided tours are conducted by the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding as part of the "Open Doors. Open Minds" program. Jumeirah Mosque was opened to non-Muslims after the events of September 11, 2001, to inform tourists about Islam and the culture of the Arab Emirates.

Note: There is a strict dress code in the mosque — covered shoulders, legs, and a headscarf for women, a t-shirt/shirt with trousers for men.

Address: Jumeirah Road, 1 (opposite Palm Strip Mall).

Hours: Sat - Thu, 9:45 AM to 11:15 AM.

Tours: start at 10:00 AM and are conducted in English.

The Green Planet Zoo Museum

If you are planning to visit Dubai with children, add the zoo museum to your travel plan. It is a small but impressive indoor complex with over 3000 plants and animals. It is a real tropical forest under a roof: birds fly overhead, an iguana wanders underfoot, and a sloth hangs right on the railings! Touching the plants and feeding the animals is prohibited, but you are always welcome to admire this exotic beauty.

Location: City Walk, Al Wasel Road.

Hours: Sunday-Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Thursday-Saturday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Prices: Entrance costs 90 dirhams ($24.5).

Schedule: from 18:00 to 22:00 on weekdays and from 18:00 to 23:00 on weekends, with an interval of 20 minutes. Afternoon sessions at 13:00 and 13:30.

How to get there: by buses No. 27, 29 and F13 to the Dubai Mall Terminus and Burj Khalifa stops, by metro to Burj Khalifa or Dubai Mall Metro Station.

Wild Wadi Water Park

Perfect for thrill-seekers. There are 30 non-trivial attractions here. For the bravest — dizzying slides with a free-fall effect and storm-effect pools. Of course, there are also calmer but equally interesting slides in the water park.

Hours: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Ticket Price: for one person — 235 dirhams ($64). Ticket for a child (up to 110 cm tall) — 175 dirhams ($48).

Location: The water park is located between the Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach hotels.

How to get there: You can take bus No. 8.

Dubai Creek Canal

A great opportunity to see the city from the water and additionally take a ride on a colorful boat along the Dubai Creek canal. We recommend going for a sea trip in the evening when the city is lit by millions of colorful lights reflecting in the water.

During the day, you can take a leisurely walk along the promenade to admire the canal, moored ships, and yachts.

Note: Don't confuse the small shuttle boats with the special tour boats (they are larger) — the price for a trip on the latter is much higher.

Address: Dubai Creek near Dubai Creek Park (boarding point — near the Coffee Museum on the promenade).

Ticket Price: 1 dirham ($0.27).

Al Mamzar Beach Park

Al Mamzar is a great choice for those who want to spend a day by the sea. The park (entrance fee required) has five beaches equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay, with playgrounds, exercise equipment, and pools. In front of the park, there is a public beach with free entry, but the conditions there are simpler.

Prices: Entry to the beach at Al Mamzar costs 5 dirhams ($1.36), but you will need to pay extra for the pool, sunbeds, and umbrellas.

How to get there: Take bus C28 from the Gold Souq Bus Station (get off at Al Mamzar Beach Park).

Ski Dubai

Dubai has everything. Proof of this is the Ski Dubai ski complex in the Mall of the Emirates. Here you can ski or snowboard at any time of the year, with excellent ski lifts and tubing tracks. Visitors are provided with not only equipment but also winter clothing (except gloves and hats).

Prices: A full-day ticket costs 300 dirhams ($82), for 2 hours — 180 dirhams ($49). For children — 240 ($65) and 150 ($41) dirhams respectively. Equipment rental is included in the ticket price.

Hours: Ski Dubai is open weekdays from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM, on Thursdays — from 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM, on Fridays — from 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM, and on Saturdays — from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

How to get there: Take the metro to the Mall of the Emirates station, then follow the signs inside the mall.

Palm Islands

This is a true marvel of engineering. The Palm Islands are the second structure after the Great Wall of China that is visible from space.

This archipelago is shaped like a date palm with sixteen fronds, surrounded by giant sandy banks. The islands are home to hotels and entertainment complexes, and on the breakwater reefs that protect the islands from the water, quotes from the poems of Sheikh Mohammed, the current ruler of Dubai, are carved.

How to get there: You can take the metro or use the monorail.

Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

A must-visit for anyone interested in the culture and history of different countries. At the Centre for Cultural Understanding, you will learn and see how ancient Arab nomads lived, get acquainted with their life and traditions. Here, you will learn about the history of Dubai and the UAE, get to know (virtually) the ruling dynasty of the emirate, and have the opportunity to attend a real Islamic prayer.

The Centre offers various tours: a cultural tour, a gastronomic tour, or a visit to the Jumeirah Mosque.

Address: Al Mussallah Road, House 26, Al Fahidi district.

Cost: For tour prices and more detailed information, visit the Centre's website.

Ras Al khor flamingo sanctuary

This little-known but very interesting place in Dubai is located on Oud Metha Road. Here, you can see real flamingos and other waterfowl — all within the city limits! Visitors do not disturb the birds. You can observe the feathered inhabitants through binoculars from a special hut. The Dubai Flamingo Sanctuary is an excellent and unusual place to diversify your visit to Dubai.

Important! You can only get here by taxi, and it's best to ask the driver to wait — it will take you about 20 minutes.

Hours: The "Bird Oasis" is open daily except Friday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Cost: Free entry.

Spice Souk

To experience the oriental charm and dive into the unique atmosphere of a bustling bazaar, head to Dubai's Spice Souk. Here, you can buy authentic Arabian spices and sweets: Algerian dates, vanilla, turmeric, saffron, dried rosebuds — the list goes on!

Tip: Be sure to haggle, you can cut the price in half or even by two-thirds.

Address: Sikkat Al Khail Road, Al Ras (near Nasser Square).

Dubai Butterfly Garden

If your travel schedule allows, visit the Dubai Butterfly Garden. In the greenhouses, among palm trees and bright flowers, hundreds of butterflies of all kinds and colors flutter. Missing such a spectacle would be a real crime! Moreover, the butterflies here love to pose, so don't miss the chance to take some great shots.

Prices: Entry to the garden costs 50 dirhams ($14), free for children under 3.

Tip: It is better to plan your visit on weekdays when there are fewer visitors.

Location: Al Barsha South 3 | Dubailand Area.

Bait Al Banat Women's Museum

Everyone has heard about the strictness in which modern Arab women live. To find out if it has always been this way, visit the Women's Museum in Dubai (Al Sabkha, Gold Souq, Deira, Dubai).

Here, an exhibition is dedicated to the role of women in the Islamic world, their importance in the family and public life. The museum also features a collection of creative works by contemporary women of the UAE. Very impressive.

Hours: Saturday to Thursday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Prices: 20 dirhams ($5.4).

Location: In the Deira area, near the fish market.

Coffee Museum

Arab culture is not only about purebred horses and gold, but also excellent coffee. If you are a fan of this invigorating drink, visit the Coffee Museum in Dubai.

Here, you can see various tools for making coffee, learn traditional recipes, and buy beans in the museum shop. You can try the local coffee in the café at the museum, where it is prepared according to the best Arabian recipes.

Address: 69 - 69 Al Fahidi, Dubai, UAE.

Entry: Free.

Zabeel Park

Zabeel Park will save you if you get tired of the noise of Dubai's capital. Here, you can not only walk along shady paths or sit under a sprawling palm tree, but also take a boat ride or watch a cricket game. There are also barbecue areas, so feel free to have a picnic.

Address: Sheikh Rashid Road, 1/9, Al Kifaf.

How to get there: The D88 bus stops near the park, and the nearest metro station is Al Jafiliya.