Top things to do in Dubai and an event guide for 2021

See the city from above at Burj Khalifa

Also known as the Dubai Tower, the Burj Khalifa stands proudly in Dubai as the world's tallest building at 828 metres. Ride to the top to see the city from the viewing deck during sunrise or relax with a dining experience on the rooftop.

• Pocket-friendly option: Burj Khalifa Sunrise Tour with Breakfast
• The ultimate experience: Burj Khalifa Ticket with Rooftop Access and Lunch or Dinner

Go on a desert safari

Explore Dubai's desert with a camel ride or drive the ever-rolling hills of sand. Learn about flora and fauna from your local guide and indulge in local cuisine as you embrace an unforgettable desert adventure. Choose between a sunrise or sunset safari depending on if you want to start the day with an impressive adventure or bask under the stars as the sun goes down.

• Pocket-friendly option: Sunrise Breakfast Safari
• The ultimate experience: Sunset Dinner Safari

Explore Dubai's Marina

Known for its alfresco dining, luxurious shopping facilities and waterfront developments, the Dubai Marina is always buzzing with people and things to do. Whether you want to plan ahead or simply just show up and see what piques your interest, it's definitely worth a visit. For those who are looking for some excitement, head to the Marina for an exhilarating speedboat tour where you'll see spectacular views and hear commentary about the city from your guide. Looking for something to do as the day winds down? See the city lit up with a cruise after dark. Sit back and enjoy entertainment, including a traditional Egyptian dance, as you dine and take in the illuminated views of the city.

• Pocket-friendly option: Dubai Marina Speedboat Tour
• The ultimate experience: Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise

Relax at the Miracle Garden

Take a stroll through Dubai's Miracle Garden where you'll find more than 45 million flowers. A garden located in the middle of the desert, this spot has a record-breaking flower wall and creative sculptures made out of flowers. You'll likely notice it feels more like an art exhibition than a garden. You can make your own tea from the garden, keep the kids entertained in the play area and catch the magic and illusion shows that are occasionally held throughout the year.

• Pocket-friendly option: Miracle Garden Entry Ticket
• The ultimate experience: Miracle Garden and Global Village Experience

Hit up one of many theme parks

Self-proclaimed as the world's capital of fun, Dubai has a theme park for every taste. There's an indoor snow park for skiing year round, Legoland, a Ferrari theme park, Motiongate and IMG Worlds of Adventure, which is the largest indoor theme park in the world, made for daredevils looking for a thrill.

• Pocket-friendly options: Dubai Parks and Resorts: Two Park Pass
• The ultimate experience: Dubai Explorer Pass with Attractions

Brace for an unforgettable zip line experience

Accelerate up to 80km/hr while flying batman style through the air on a zip line that will lead you down to Dubai Marina. Choose to fly solo or make use us of the parallel lines so you can ride alongside a friend. Take it up a notch by plummeting 150km/hr down the Jebel Jais mountain for the ultimate thrilling experience that comes with views that will take your breath away (if 150km/hr speeds aren't already enough to get your heart racing). You will get picked up from your accommodation, so all you have to worry about is enjoying the experience.

• Pocket-friendly options: Dubai Marina Zip Line Experience
• The ultimate experience: Ras Al Khaimah Zip Line Adventure from Dubai

Be dazzled by the Dubai Fountain

At the base of Burj Khalifa lies the world's largest choreographed fountain, the Dubai Fountain. The popular light and water show uses 22,000 gallons of water that shoots up to 15 metres in the air. The water dances on beat to the music and lights up the city every day and night. Go the extra mile to see the lights up close with a day river cruise or a night cruise of the city. You're sure to be charmed by the spectacular display that lights up the city.

• Pocket-friendly option: Klook
• The ultimate experience: Dubai Fountain Lake Ride

Try your luck on the slopes

Dubai may not seem like the go-to place to ski, but you'll find indoor ski slopes in the Dubai Mall of the Emirates. Ski Dubai features 6,000 tonnes of snow, a chair lift, a T-bar and ramps, so you can learn new skills and practice your tricks. Meet Gentoo and King Penguins during a one-of-a-kind experience to make your ski adventure just that little bit more memorable.

• Pocket-friendly option: Ski Dubai Full-Day Classic Pass with Unlimited Rides
• The ultimate experience: Ski Dubai Penguin Encounter

Soak up the sunshine at a local beach

In the desert heat, you'll definitely want to cool off at one of Dubai's beaches that include Sunset Beach, Kite Beach, Jumeirah Open Beach, Black Palace Beach and Al Mamzar Beach Park. Each beach overlooks crystal clear waters and has activities for you to enjoy between dipping your toes in the ocean.

• Pocket-friendly option: Private Stand Up Paddle Boarding Session
• The ultimate experience: Parasailing and Boat Tour of Jumeirah Beach

Visit the Dubai Mall Aquarium

The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo has all you need for a day of learning and exploring. Housing over 140 species, including the largest collection of sand tiger sharks in the world, take your time making your way around the attraction and enjoy additional activities including a behind-the-scenes tour and stepping into a glass-bottom boat to see the underwater world even closer.

• Pocket-friendly option: Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo Admission Ticket
• The ultimate experience: Dubai Aquarium and Burj Khalifa Combo Tickets

Things to do in Dubai in winter

• Dubai Shopping Festival
• Dubai Jazz Festival
• Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

Things to do in Dubai in summer

• Dubai Summer Surprises
• Laughathon 3.0
• Dubai Sports World

Things to do in Dubai in autumn

• GITEX Technology Week
• Dubai Fitness Challenge
• Dubai Design Week

Things to do in Dubai in spring

• Dubai World Cup
• Festival of Taste
• Dubai Desert Challenger