Dubai Tourist Attractions: 25 Top Sights & 2026 Prices

Dubai has more big-ticket attractions than almost any city its size, and new ones open every season. The hard part isn't finding them; it's knowing which are worth your money, which are closed right now, and which can be combined in one day. This guide covers 25 Dubai tourist attractions, from the Burj Khalifa to the Abu Dhabi day trips, with current prices, opening times, how long each takes, and an honest verdict on each one.

Last checked: October 2026. Prices marked "from" are the lowest adult price we found; DUBEX TOURS prices are shown where we sell the ticket. Hours change for Ramadan and public holidays.

All 25 Dubai tourist attractions at a glance

Budget key: FreeUnder AED 100AED 100–300AED 300+

Iconic landmarks and views

1Burj Khalifa

The world's tallest building has three ways up. At the Top covers levels 124 and 125 (452 m) with an outdoor terrace; At the Top SKY adds level 148 (555 m), a quieter floor with its own outdoor deck; The Lounge on levels 152 to 154 is a bar with a view. Entry is from the lower ground floor of Dubai Mall.

Book a slot 30 to 45 minutes before sunset to see the city in daylight and lit up, or after 9pm for a cheaper, calmer visit. Burj Khalifa tickets start from AED 175, and our At the Top vs SKY guide explains which level to choose.

Worth it? Yes, once. At the Top gives most of the experience; SKY is for special occasions.

2The Dubai Fountain

The fountain performs every 30 minutes from 6pm to 11pm on Burj Lake, with afternoon shows at 1pm and 1:30pm (2pm and 2:30pm on Fridays). Each show lasts about five minutes. Watch from the Souk Al Bahar bridge for the classic photo, or take the fountain lake ride (AED 25) to see it from the water. Our fountain timings guide lists every viewing spot.

Worth it? The best free attraction in Dubai. Stay for two shows.

3Dubai Frame

A giant 150-metre picture frame in Zabeel Park, with a glass-floored bridge across the top. From one side you look north to old Dubai; from the other, south to the modern skyline. It's the best-value view in the city, and much quieter than the Burj Khalifa. Dubai Frame tickets start from AED 60; our Dubai Frame timing guide covers the quietest slots.

Worth it? Yes, especially if the Burj Khalifa feels too expensive.

4Dubai Marina and JBR

A canal lined with towers and superyachts, with a promenade that leads to The Walk at JBR and its beach. Across the water sits Bluewaters Island and Ain Dubai, the giant observation wheel (check whether it's operating before planning a ride). For a view from the water, a Marina dinner cruise starts from AED 149.

Worth it? Yes, at night. In summer daytime it's too hot to enjoy.

5Palm Jumeirah

The palm-shaped island is best understood from above or from the water, but you can still drive or take the monorail along the trunk to Atlantis, then head to The Pointe, a waterfront dining strip with the best ground-level view of Atlantis. The Burj Al Arab hotel nearby is closed for restoration until around October 2027, but its sail is still visible from the Jumeirah beaches.

Worth it? For the view at The Pointe, yes. Driving up and down the trunk alone is underwhelming.

6Dubai Creek Harbour

A newer waterfront district across the Creek from Downtown, with the best free view of the whole skyline, Burj Khalifa included. Most visitors never come here, which is exactly why it's worth it. See our guide to the best free places to visit in Dubai at night for where to stand.

Worth it? Yes, for photographers and anyone who has already done Downtown.

Old Dubai, culture and museums

7Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood and Al Seef

Narrow lanes, wind towers and courtyard houses show what Dubai looked like before the oil boom, and the Al Seef waterfront next door continues the old-town look along the Creek. The Dubai Museum inside Al Fahidi Fort, the city's oldest building, has been closed for restoration since 2021; in September 2026 Dubai Culture said it would reopen "in the coming weeks or months", without a date.

Worth it? Yes. It explains Dubai better than any mall.

8The Creek abra and the Gold and Spice Souks

Cross the Creek to Deira on a traditional wooden abra for a dirham or two, then walk into the Spice Souk and the Gold Souk. Many shops take a break in the early afternoon and around Friday prayers, so morning or early evening is best. Bargain at the spice stalls; at the gold shops, it's the making charge you negotiate, not the gold price.

Worth it? Absolutely, and it's the cheapest great experience in Dubai.

9Jumeirah Mosque

One of the few mosques in Dubai open to non-Muslim visitors, with guided visits that include Emirati refreshments and time for questions. Public visits run Saturday to Thursday at 10am and 2pm, cost AED 55 and don't need booking. Dress modestly; women need to cover their hair.

Worth it? Yes, if you want to understand local culture. Ask the guide anything; that's the best part.

10Museum of the Future (temporarily closed)

The silver torus on Sheikh Zayed Road is still worth seeing from outside, especially lit up at night, but the museum is closed for an upgrade and nothing is on sale until a reopening date is confirmed. Read our Museum of the Future closure guide for the latest update and what to do instead.

Family attractions and theme parks

11Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

The huge tank inside Dubai Mall is free to look at from the shopping floor. A ticket adds the walk-through tunnel and the Underwater Zoo above it, with sharks and rays passing overhead. It opens at 11am on weekdays and 10am at weekends, closing at 9pm (last entry 8:15pm).

Worth it? Good with young children. Adults can enjoy the free view of the main tank from the mall.

12The Green Planet

A four-level indoor rainforest in City Walk, with sloths, birds and reptiles living among the trees, and you walk up through the canopy. It's fully air-conditioned, which makes it one of the best summer options. The Green Planet tickets cost AED 123.

13Ski Dubai

An indoor ski slope and snow park inside Mall of the Emirates, with real snow all year, toboggan runs and a penguin encounter. Warm clothing is provided with most tickets. It's open 10am to 11pm Monday to Thursday and until midnight from Friday to Sunday.

Worth it? Great for children who have never seen snow; skip it if you have.

14Dubai Parks and Resorts

A theme-park resort near Jebel Ali that includes Motiongate, Legoland Dubai, Real Madrid World and the free-to-enter Riverland dining district. It reopened on 7 October 2026 after being closed for more than six months, so check current prices and opening days on the official website before you plan.

Worth it? For families with a full day spare. Legoland suits children aged 2 to 12; Motiongate suits older children and teens.

15Dubai Safari Park

A large wildlife park with six zones, including African, Asian and Arabian Desert areas and a children's farm. Season 8 opened on 12 October 2026 and runs through the cooler months. The basic pass costs AED 50, and a bundle adds the explorer safari drive and the shuttle train.

Worth it? Good value for families. Go in the morning, when the animals are most active.

16Global Village

An open-air park of country pavilions, street food, shows and rides, open only in the cooler months. Season 31 opened on 14 October 2026 and runs until May 2027, from 4pm until midnight Monday to Thursday and until 1am at weekends. Last season's tickets were AED 25 on weekdays and AED 30 at weekends; Season 31 prices may differ.

Worth it? Yes, on a weekday. Friday and Saturday nights are packed.

Gardens, desert and the outdoors

17Dubai Miracle Garden

More than 200 million flowers shaped into arches, hearts, castles and a full-size Emirates A380. Season 15 has a different themed celebration every week, and the garden stays open until 9pm on weekdays and later at weekends. Miracle Garden tickets start from AED 98; our Miracle Garden guide has the full season details.

18Dubai Butterfly Garden

Climate-controlled domes full of free-flying butterflies, right beside the Miracle Garden and open all year. Combine the two in one trip. Butterfly Garden tickets cost AED 55.

19Evening desert safari

Dune bashing in a 4x4, sunset over the sand, then a camp with a barbecue dinner and shows such as the tanoura dance. It's the most booked experience in Dubai. Cheap shared safaris often use very large camps; paying a little more usually gets a smaller, calmer one.

Worth it? Yes for first-timers. Skip the dune bashing if you're pregnant or get car sick.

20Hot air balloon over the desert

A sunrise flight over the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, with breakfast in the desert. Flights run in the cooler season and depend on the wind. Our hot air balloon price guide explains what's included and how it compares.

Day-trip attractions in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is 1.5 to 2 hours from Dubai by car, and its top sights are some of the best attractions in the UAE. Choose two or three per day. Our Dubai to Abu Dhabi day trip guide compares the car, bus and new train.

21Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

White marble, 82 domes and one of the world's largest hand-knotted carpets. Since September 2026, tourists pay AED 10, and abayas are no longer lent, so bring modest clothing and a headscarf. Read our Grand Mosque entry fee and dress code guide, or see it on a Grand Mosque tour from Dubai.

22Louvre Abu Dhabi

A museum of world art under a vast domed roof that filters sunlight into a "rain of light". Open 10am to 6:30pm Tuesday to Thursday and until 8:30pm Friday to Sunday. Our Louvre Abu Dhabi guide covers what to see.

23Qasr Al Watan

The working presidential palace, open to visitors, with a vast domed Great Hall and an evening light show on the facade. It's a short drive from the Grand Mosque, so the two make an easy half day. Qasr Al Watan tickets start from AED 62.

24teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi

Immersive digital art rooms that react to light, water and movement, next to the Louvre on Saadiyat Island. Our teamLab Phenomena guide has tips on timing and what to wear.

25Ferrari World and Warner Bros. World

Two indoor theme parks side by side on Yas Island. Ferrari World is home to Formula Rossa, which reaches 240 km/h, though it lost the world speed record to Falcon's Flight in Saudi Arabia at the end of 2025. Warner Bros. World is the better choice for younger children. See the Warner Bros. and Ferrari World combo, and our Warner Bros. World ride height guide.

How to plan your visit to Dubai's attractions

If you want several of these in one day, a private car with driver removes the gaps between them, since the attractions are spread along fifty kilometres of coast.

Group attractions by area

Dubai stretches along more than 50 kilometres of coast, so plan one area per half day:

• Downtown: the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountain and Dubai Aquarium, all inside or beside Dubai Mall.
• Old Dubai: Al Fahidi, Al Seef, the abra and the souks, plus the Dubai Frame a short ride away.
• The coast: the Palm, Dubai Marina and JBR, best in the late afternoon and evening.
• Al Barsha South: the Miracle Garden and Butterfly Garden together.
• Out of town: a desert safari, Global Village, Dubai Parks and Resorts, or the Safari Park, each needing its own afternoon or day.

How many days do you need?

Three days covers the main Dubai attractions: Downtown and Old Dubai on day one, the coast and a desert safari on day two, and a seasonal park or the Miracle Garden on day three. Add a fourth day for Abu Dhabi. For a ready-made plan, see our top 10 things to do in Dubai.

When to go

November to March is the most comfortable time, and it's when the seasonal attractions (Global Village, the Miracle Garden and the Safari Park) are all open. From June to September, plan indoor attractions for the middle of the day. Our month-by-month guide has the details.

Getting around

The metro reaches Downtown, the Marina, Mall of the Emirates and Old Dubai, but not the Palm, the Miracle Garden, the Safari Park or the desert. For a day of several attractions, a private Dubai city tour or a car with driver saves time between stops.

Dubai tourist attractions: FAQs

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• Family-Friendly Activities in DubaiIdeas by age