01Burj Khalifa
The 828 m needle that redefined skylines, observation decks at 124/125 and 148, and the At.mosphere restaurant at 122.
Tickets from AED 15902The Dubai Mall
1,200 shops, an aquarium, ice rink and the fountain promenade, the world's most visited destination mall.
03Dubai Fountain
The 275 m fountain performs to music nightly every 30 minutes from 6 pm, free and unmissable.
04Burj Al Arab
The sail shaped icon on its own island; photograph it from Jumeirah public beach or book the inside tour.
05Palm Jumeirah
The palm shaped mega island, visit The View deck, Nakheel Mall or the boardwalk with Atlantis ahead.
06Atlantis The Palm
The crown of the Palm: Aquaventure waterpark, the Lost Chambers aquarium and Dubai's most photographed resort façade.
Aquaventure from AED 19207Dubai Marina
A forest of 200 towers around a man made marina, walk the 7 km promenade at dusk.
08JBR, The Beach & The Walk
Beachfront dining, an open air cinema and Ain Dubai views; the city's liveliest seaside strip.
09Al Fahidi Historical District
Wind tower lanes, courtyard cafés and galleries, 19th century Dubai preserved.
10Dubai Creek
The waterway where it all began; ride an abra for AED 1 between the souk banks.
11Gold Souk
Deira's glittering covered market, window shopping the ten tonnes of gold is free.
12Spice Souk
Sacks of saffron, frankincense and dried roses fill the lanes beside the Creek.
13Dubai Frame
The 150 m golden frame with old city and new city views and a glass skywalk.
14Museum of the Future
The torus of the future on Sheikh Zayed Road, book days ahead.
Tickets from AED 16915Jumeirah Mosque
Dubai's most beautiful mosque and one of the few open to non Muslim visitors on guided tours.
16La Mer & Kite Beach
Street art beachfront and the watersports beach with the Burj Al Arab backdrop.
17Miracle Garden
150 million blooms sculpted into castles and arches, open November to May.
18Global Village
90 cultures of shopping, food and shows across the winter season.
19Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Waterways, abras and Burj Al Arab views in a beautifully done modern souk.
20Bluewaters & Ain Dubai
The island neighbourhood beneath the world's tallest observation wheel.
21Expo City Dubai
The legacy district of Expo 2020, Alif and Terra pavilions and the Al Wasl dome.
22Hatta
Dam kayaking, mountain trails and a heritage village in Dubai's Hajar exclave.
FAQs
What is the most famous place in Dubai?
The Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, followed closely by the Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Al Arab.
Which places in Dubai are free to visit?
The Dubai Fountain shows, Al Fahidi district, both souks, Kite Beach, La Mer, the Marina walk and JBR are all free; the abra crossing costs one dirham.
What is the best area to stay in Dubai for sightseeing?
Downtown puts you beside the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall; the Marina/JBR suits beach focused trips. Both connect well by metro.
Ready to experience it?
See the highlights in one day with our guided city tour, or combine it with the desert safari.
Plan by area
This guide groups sightseeing places by location so you can reduce cross-city travel. It is not a duplicate activity list: use the activity hub for bookable options and the ideas guide for experience-led inspiration.