Things to do in United Arab Emirates

25 things to do in United Arab Emirates

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Take in the view from At the Top, Burj Khalifa

  Soar to the 124th and 125th floors of the world's tallest building for floor-to-ceiling panoramas of Dubai's skyline, desert and sea.

  Downtown Dubai, Dubai

• Marvel at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

  Wander through the vast white marble courtyard and intricately tiled prayer hall of this architectural masterpiece, capable of holding 41,000 worshippers.

  Abu Dhabi

• Explore the Louvre Abu Dhabi

  Drift through galleries under a geometric floating dome, with sunlight filtering like palm fronds, in this universal art museum on Saadiyat Island.

  Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

• Experience a desert safari with dinner and stargazing in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve

  Venture across towering dunes in a 4x4, then relax at a Bedouin-style camp with a BBQ dinner, traditional performances and dark-sky telescope viewing.

  Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, Dubai

• Walk through Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

  Stroll narrow lanes lined with wind-tower houses, art galleries and the quiet courtyards of one of Dubai's oldest heritage districts.

  Bur Dubai, Dubai

• Ride the world's longest zipline at Jebel Jais

  Soar headfirst at speeds up to 150 km/h for nearly three kilometres across the jagged Hajar Mountains on the Jebel Jais Flight.

  Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah

• Go snorkeling around Snoopy Island in Fujairah

  Slip into clear turquoise water to spot sea turtles, clownfish and reef sharks just metres off the beach of this tiny rocky islet.

  Fujairah

• Admire floral sculptures at Dubai Miracle Garden

  Wander among life-sized castles, hearts and an Emirates A380, all blanketed in over 150 million blooming flowers arranged in whimsical displays.

  Al Barsha South, Dubai

• Ski indoors at Ski Dubai

  Escape the desert heat to a 22,500-square-metre indoor snow park, where you can ski down five slopes and meet real penguins.

  Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

• Haggle for gold at the Gold Souk in Deira

  Browse hundreds of glittering shop windows along a covered arcade offering intricate jewellery, from 24-carat bangles to elaborate bridal sets.

  Deira, Dubai

• Sip traditional Emirati coffee at the Arabian Tea House

  Relax in a tranquil courtyard filled with turquoise benches and white rattan chairs while sampling gahwa, dates and local breakfast platters.

  Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Dubai

• Watch La Perle by Dragone live show in Dubai

  Marvel at aerial acrobatics, high dives and motorcycle leaps onto a flooded 270-degree stage inside a purpose-built aqua theatre.

  Al Habtoor City, Dubai

• Drive a Formula 3000 car at Yas Marina Circuit

  Get behind the wheel of a race-bred open-wheeler on the same track that hosts the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

  Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

• Experience Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest roller coaster, at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

  Blast from 0 to 240 km/h in 4.9 seconds on a coaster styled like a Ferrari race car, complete with intense g-forces and desert views.

  Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

• Kayak on the turquoise waters of Hatta Dam

  Paddle past rugged mountain scenery on a calm reservoir, a surprising water-world oasis just an hour inland from the coast.

  Hatta, Dubai

• Stroll through Al Ain Oasis, a UNESCO World Heritage site

  Walk shaded pathways beneath 147,000 date palms fed by a 3,000-year-old falaj irrigation system at this lush green refuge.

  Al Ain, Abu Dhabi

• Tour the opulent Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace

  Step inside a working royal palace to see intricate mother-of-pearl inlay, giant halls and the vast library and knowledge exhibition.

  Abu Dhabi

• Step into the future at the Museum of the Future

  Enter a gleaming torus-shaped building to explore immersive installations about space exploration, climate change and bioengineering.

  Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai

• Discover Islamic art at Sharjah Art Museum

  View a vast collection of Arab landscapes, calligraphy and contemporary works spread across multiple floors of a serene neoclassical building.

  Sharjah

• Sunbathe and swim at JBR Beach

  Relax on a wide sandy beach facing the Arabian Gulf, lined with cafés, volleyball courts and a buzzing beachfront promenade.

  Dubai Marina, Dubai

• See Dubai from above inside the Dubai Frame

  Ride a glass lift to the top of the 150-metre-tall picture-frame structure, where a transparent walkway bridges Old and New Dubai views.

  Zabeel Park, Dubai

• Witness camel racing at Al Marmoom Racetrack

  Hear the roar of robot jockeys and hooves as prized camels thunder along dirt tracks in an early-morning spectacle of Bedouin tradition.

  Al Marmoom, Dubai

• Attend a performance at Dubai Opera

  Catch ballet, opera or a world musician inside a dhow-shaped architectural icon with near-perfect acoustics in Downtown Dubai.

  Downtown Dubai, Dubai

• Watch the IMAGINE light and water show at Dubai Festival City Mall

  Stand by the waterfront to see record-breaking laser projections, fountains, fire and music splashed onto giant water screens.

  Dubai Festival City, Dubai

• Go wildlife-spotting at Al Qudra Lakes

  Cycle or stroll past desert lagoons that attract black swans, flamingos and even desert foxes, just a short drive from the city.

  Al Qudra, Dubai