25 Best Tours in Dubai

Dubai has long ceased to be an exotic and inaccessible vacation spot for the average tourist. The brightest and fastest growing city in the Middle East can provide entertainment for almost every taste and budget. Attracting investments and guests from different countries are the main goals of local authorities. Therefore, they offer appropriate leisure.

Since the historical component is far from being in the first place here, service, comfort, modern buildings and the introduction of technologies, as well as infrastructure that the most visited cities in the world will envy will surprise in the good sense of the word. All kinds of safaris and walks, fishing and hunting, sightseeing of majestic buildings, markets and fairs – this is not a complete list of plans for a stay in Dubai.

1. Jeep safari

Conducted by experienced drivers. They send cars to the Arabian desert, giving tourists the opportunity to admire the dunes and ride along difficult routes. The tour most often includes stops at the Bedouin settlement, acquaintance with local legends and traditions. In addition, the organizers lay a rich table to treat guests with both national dishes and international products. After the safari, you can ride a camel and compare the impressions of the two trips. The trip will not do without a show program, for example, belly dancing and other colorful entertainment.

2. Abu Dhabi

While in Dubai, you can book a tour of the capital – a popular tourist destination. In addition to the offices of large companies and the business center, Abu Dhabi is also famous for its attractions. The main ones are skyscrapers. The shape of buildings is always unusual. For example, Aldar HQ is called a circular skyscraper, and Capital Gate is called a leaning tower. It also has a unique amusement park – the largest indoors – Ferrari Park. An authentic shipyard operates on the Corniche, where dhows, special Arab boats, are still being made. Nearby is Fort El Husn, preserved from the time of old Abu Dhabi.

3. Sightseeing tour of Dubai

Acquaintance with the city and the opportunity to plan for yourself a more detailed route and make a vacation plan. The tour includes visiting the most interesting places. Burj Al Arab is the famous sail hotel. Built at a distance of almost three hundred meters from the shore. Included in the hundred tallest buildings in the world. The Khalifa Tower is the tallest building in the world with 163 floors. Atlantis is a resort complex created on an artificial island. It is also worth seeing local shopping centers, singing fountains, an aquarium, fashionable areas. You can explore Dabay both by traveling by car and walking, and by climbing to the upper floors of one of the skyscrapers.

4. Sharjah

One of the emirates with the capital of the same name. Tours here from Dubai are commonplace. The most remarkable in Sharjah is the Desert Park. It is located outside the city and receives guests on an ongoing basis. Among the dunes there are several thematic zones. This is the Museum of the History of Nature, where you can study evolution, and the Botanical Garden with plants from different regions, and the Wildlife Center, which has gathered almost all representatives of the fauna living on the Arabian Peninsula. The tour is available for visiting with children, and a special farm has been organized for the youngest guests: there you can feed pets right from your hands.

5. Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi

The largest of the indoor amusement parks. Opened in 2010. Everything inside is dedicated to famous cars, racing and speed. Several exhibition areas demonstrate the evolution of the Italian company’s fleet. There is a cinema with themed films. Many attractions and miniature tracks, interactive shows, playgrounds, driving school – entertainment for every taste. Extreme lovers can ride roller coasters, including the fastest one in the world. The rest will usefully spend time looking at rarities and the latest achievements of the automotive industry.

6. 6 emirates in one day

Car tour, which takes about 12 hours. The trip allows you to see the natural areas and iconic places of the country. The tour starts in Dubai and gives you a quick look at its beauties. Then tourists move to Sharjah, which in the late 90s received the title of cultural capital of the Arab world from UNESCO. The path through the desert lies in the mountains of Fujairah. Here it is impossible to pass by the colorful market with traditional goods of the East. It is worth stopping in one of the canyons and enjoying the views from the observation deck. Swimming in the waters of the Gulf of Oman is a chance to cool off before visiting Ras al-Khaimah and Umm al-Qaiwain.

7. Burj Khalifa

Also called “Khalifa’s Tower”. Year of completion – 2010. The tallest building in the world. Located in the business center of the city. The tour consists of a visit to this majestic building. Observation decks on the 124th and 125th floors (there are 163 in total) are a great opportunity to look at Dubai from a bird’s eye view. In many ways, Burj Khalifa is a symbol of renewal and modernization of the country. Therefore, to see a skyscraper in the immediate vicinity is a “must see” for any tourist who finds himself in the AOE. Available to visit with children.

8. Dubai Markets

Shopping is a full-fledged tourist destination in the UAE and Dubai in particular. The gold market is divided into two: the old sells traditional products, the new – modern. In addition, here you can buy not only precious metal jewelry, but also precious stones, as well as jewelry from everything that is valuable to potential buyers. The textile market looks more like a shopping district than a market square. Fabrics for every taste of high quality are the basis of local trade. In addition to a large food market, there is a separate spice market and a fish market. Trade does not stop in numerous malls, trying to lure buyers with something unusual.

9. Coast of the Indian Ocean

Getting out of the big cities for a while and visiting the emirate of Fujairah is a change of exposure to relax. There is no such fuss as in Dubai, although in the local market tourists are traditionally surrounded by attention and all sorts of offers. Nearby are the Hajar Mountains and, both natural and man-made, green oases. Those who wish will visit the archaeological museum or visit one of the mosques. And the whole way here is one big impression. A picnic on the beach is the perfect end to a busy day. The coast of the Indian Ocean is a picturesque place where everyone will find something to do.

10. Dubai from above

The easiest way to see the city from a bird’s eye view is to buy a ticket to the observation deck of one of the skyscrapers. However, in this case, the panorama will be static. There are also more extreme types of excursions. For example, you can rent a helicopter, both with and without a guide talking about the sights. Over the desert, some prefer to fly in a hot air balloon, and there are plenty of such offers from operators. Also on the coast are rented seaplanes with a pilot. They land on the water at the end of the journey, which adds positive emotions to the passengers.

11. Modern Dubai

Although the city was founded in 1833, almost nothing remains of it. Today Dubai is the concentration of everything modern and advanced. At the same time, many traditions of the past have been preserved, which is important for the cultural component of the whole country. The business district is a place where majestic skyscrapers are built, looking into the sky. Many large companies have their offices here. Numerous shopping centers necessarily have some kind of trump card to attract tourists and the local public. And artificial islands near the coast show that a person is able to overcome difficulties, creating something beautiful.

12. Moroccan baths

A special relaxation program, which includes various beauty treatments. Treatment of the face and body takes place both with dry and wet steam. A visit to the bathhouse is combined with swimming in the pools. In one of them the water is fresh, in the other – salty. In addition, there are many additional services: face and hair masks, manicure, pedicure, whole body scrub. All this is part of a visit to the Beauty Palace. The atmosphere and interior decoration will not let you forget that the spa is located in an eastern country. Here, traditional methods are combined with modern developments and the secrets of the world of cosmetology.

13. Bastakia

The oldest district in Dubai. A visit here is an acquaintance with traditions and an opportunity to see the other side of the city. The tour includes a visit to a Bedouin house and breakfast with the hosts. They will not only serve national dishes, but also tell about the traditions of the region, as well as share some local legends. Narrow streets, rare old buildings and a bustling market have preserved the atmosphere of the past. All this, in contrast to the skyscrapers and lights of the rest of the city, makes a strong impression on tourists. If you wish, you can ride on an Arab boat and visit the museum.

14. Night Dubai

At dusk, everything literally and figuratively is seen in a different light. Since Dubai, following the example of many large cities, never sleeps, walking around it at night is a great opportunity to plunge into the atmosphere of the advanced east. Lots of lights and illuminated buildings make the night a comfortable time to see the main sights. In addition to the sail hotel, singing fountains and the Khilifa Tower, the Atlantis resort, located on the man-made Palm Island, is worth a visit. And some markets here work around the clock, so it will not be superfluous to go there.

15. Sea excursion

A type of sightseeing tour that allows you to get acquainted with the sights and the city as a whole from a different angle. There can be many types of such recreation. Both the route and the choice of watercraft differ. Speed ​​boats are suitable for lovers of comfort and speed, while classic dhows will appeal more to those who stand for authenticity. A cruise near the coast (nearby it will be possible to see the man-made islands) lasts about a couple of hours. Unusual views of skyscrapers, embankments, mosques and other beauties open from the water. In the evening, such excursions are also held regularly.

16. Musandam Peninsula

Located in the north of Oman. Exit excursions here from Dubai are carried out by many travel agencies. The route to the peninsula passes the eastern coast of the UAE and the picturesque mountains along the Indian Ocean. A visit to the fishing villages is an obligatory part of the program. Traditions, cultural features, familiarity with everyday life and serving national dishes are part of the entertainment. Swimming, fishing, exploring the underwater world – at the request of the guests. Fans of diving in a mask and fins will especially like it here. Sometimes dolphins swim nearby, which becomes an additional plus of the trip.

17. Private tour by car

Type of sightseeing tour. Not suitable for children. On a private car with a guide, the tourist is offered to slowly visit the main attractions and take a closer look at them. Bizarrely shaped skyscrapers rising high into the sky, man-made islands, luxury hotels, respectable areas, mosques, shopping centers, a business center, numerous markets – everything for the traveler to make his own opinion about Dubai. It will not do without a visit to places where all visitors like to take photos. During the trip, the guide will tell you the history of the city and its cultural features.

18. Night crab hunting

In the vicinity of the city of Umm al-Qaiwain, tourists are invited to catch their own dinner. Crab hunting is accompanied by a guide who speaks Russian. Nighttime is the perfect time to do this. The event lasts about an hour and turns into a dinner prepared from the catch and supplemented at the request of the guests. Nearby is a club with a full restaurant. That is, you can enjoy the atmosphere of the hall or sit comfortably on the shore (at the choice of travelers). The sommelier will recommend suitable drinks.

19. Flower Park (Dubai Miracle Garden)

The opening of the flower park took place in 2013. A real fragrant oasis, organized in the middle of the desert. There are hundreds of types of flowers here. They are put on public display as individual plants, bright flower beds, expositions and installations. Most of it is outdoors. The length of the park’s walking paths is approximately four kilometers, and walking along them, the tourist will see about 45 million flowers. Nearby is another miracle – the Butterfly Garden. These are two separate centers, but thematically they have many points of contact.

20. Big Bus Dubai sightseeing bus

Several routes are operated by open-top double-decker buses. When buying a ticket, a tourist gets the right to get off and land at any stop an unlimited number of times while his ticket is valid. The audio guide is available in several languages, including Russian. He talks about the sights that the bus is passing at the moment. You can choose a route depending on your interests. Some cover iconic buildings and objects, while others are themed and associated with a specific holiday destination (for example, beach).

21. Global Village Fair

It takes place annually, lasts from November to March. On the impressive size of the territory, many countries of the world exhibit their trade pavilions. It sells goods from all over the world. There are both industrial items and those made by hand by craftsmen and artisans. At the same time, sellers, as a rule, are not tied to the price and willingly enter into the bargaining process. Tastings of sweets and national dishes are held everywhere. In parallel, there is an acquaintance with the customs and cultural characteristics of other countries. The fair is always crowded and full of life.

22. Singing fountains in Dubai

Usually the visit to the show is reserved for the final part of the Dubai sightseeing tour, although it can also be viewed as a stand-alone performance. Performance is a composition of water, light and sound. The fountain performs both Arabic melodies and world hits. It is located in the Dubai Mall – the largest shopping center, not only in the East, but in the whole world. The best way to watch the show is from a traditional water taxi. There is a large skating rink in the same mall, and after the show, the city at dusk opens up to tourists in a new light and gives an indescribable feeling.

23. Oasis City Al Ain

The fourth largest city in the UAE and the only one that is further from the coast. Located on the border with Oman. Departures here from Dubai – regular excursions – a popular destination. Al Ain has the largest zoo in the country, there are many resort areas and recreation areas, all of which are rich in green spaces and vegetation. There are also ancient forts, various museums, mosques, small gardens scattered throughout the territory. Mount Jebel Hafeet is equipped with observation decks, and a winding road leads to its top. Part of the mountain already belongs to Oman.

24. Water parks

Since Dubai strives to satisfy all the needs of guests, such a city could not do without water parks. The most famous of them is Wild Wadi Water Park. Here you can relax calmly and comfortably, order a massage, lie on a sun lounger with a cocktail in your hands. But most people come here for impressions and extreme sports. In the wave pool of impressive size, you can get into a man-made storm and fight with a controlled element. Slides are also fraught with indescribable sensations. First of all, this applies to “Jumeirah Sceirah”: first, the pressure of water throws the daredevils up, and then the tunnel descends at an incredible speed.

25. Fishing in the Persian Gulf

The trip takes place in the company of experienced fishermen on a well-equipped vessel. The event takes about four hours. The catch can be different, depending on the weather and the fish. Some tourists manage to catch a shark or barracuda. Others are limited to tuna or something similar. Such fishing cannot be called extreme, but adventure is clearly associated with vivid memories and emotions. Such a holiday is suitable for both experienced fishermen and those who have never taken a fishing rod in their hands before. All tackle and bait are provided by the tour organizers.

Alexander Stephenson

Tourism Specialist in the UAE. Higher professional education. Paperwork and booking tours in the UAE. Professional management of clients at all stages of the journey – from the application to the return.