Visiting Dubai for the First Time? Here's What to See and Do

Dubai’s sights are widely dispersed, so they can be difficult to cover without car rental, planning, and long walks in the sun. With a hop-on hop-off-bus tour, you can check off sites including the Burj Al-Arab and jump off to explore as you wish. Alternatively, take a group or private city tour that whisks you around the landmarks in the comfort of an air-conditioned minivan or coach.

Dubai’s Burj Khalifa is the world’s highest tower, so a must-visit for newbies. Choose a tour that includes a visit to this soaring skyscraper or prebook entry to go independently. Ride the high-speed elevators to the At the Top or higher observation levels, and marvel at the 360-degree views.

Dubai’s skyline is truly Instagram-worthy, so be sure to see it in full wide-screen mode from the water. Options include a RIB or yacht trip along the tower-lined coast or a Dubai Creek dinner cruise to sail by old Dubai’s minarets, bridges, and wind towers aboard a traditional Arabian dhow boat.

A journey into the desert is almost obligatory for Dubai newcomers. Book a tour and head into the sands for a full lineup of desert activities, from dune bashing, camel riding, and sand boarding to dinner and shows at a Bedouin-style camp.

Take a break from new Dubai’s skyscrapers to discover old Dubai, whose scented souks, museums, and historical buildings are best explored with a guide who’ll share their stories. Many tours showcase Al Fahidi—sometimes called Al Bastakiya—a charming quarter of shady lanes, courtyards, and 19th-century wind-tower houses built for Persian pearl merchants.

If you have children with you, don’t miss a day at Aquaventure, the Middle East’s biggest water park. Plunge down Poseidon’s Revenge, brave water coasters, enjoy the kid-friendly Splashers zone, and enjoy included entry to the Lost Chambers Aquarium at the Atlantis hotel.