Things to do in Dubai
Dubai, planned before you land.
The desert at dusk, the tallest building on earth and a creek the city grew from. Dubai is built for tours, and most of them pick up at the hotel.
Opens Viator. Prices, dates and reviews are there.
Still need the flight?
An agent prices every airline flying to Dubai on your dates, with bags and seats included, and you hear the total before anything is charged.
Toll-free. No obligation.
What to do in Dubai
Dubai is a stopover that became a destination. The long-haul hubs put it one flight from most of North America, and the city is organized around visitors: the desert safaris, the Burj Khalifa decks, the creek and the souks, the marina cruises and the Abu Dhabi day trip all run daily with hotel pickup. Winter is the season; summer is for the indoor hours and the pool.
01
Desert safari with dune bashing and dinner
The classic afternoon: 4x4 over the dunes, a camel ride, sandboarding and a camp dinner with the shows as the sun goes down. Morning safaris are quieter and cooler.
02
Burj Khalifa observation decks
Timed entry to the 124th and 125th floors, or the 148th for the top deck with fewer people. Sunset slots sell out first; a guide or a bundled ticket skips the queue.
03
Old Dubai: the creek, the souks and Al Fahidi
An abra boat across the creek, the gold and spice souks and the wind-tower lanes of the old quarter, with a guide and usually a food stop. Mornings or late afternoon.
04
Marina dhow dinner cruise
A traditional wooden boat through the marina towers at night, with a buffet and the lights. Easy, two hours, good with children.
05
Abu Dhabi day trip
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the corniche, about 90 minutes each way. Dress code for the mosque is strict and the guide explains it.
06
Hot air balloon or seaplane
A balloon over the desert at sunrise with the oryx below, or a seaplane loop over the Palm and the coast. Both are early and weather dependent.
Tour links open Viator in a new tab. All Travel Fun earns a commission on bookings made through them; it does not change what you pay. Hours, closing days and drive times above are approximate; the listing has the current details.
Top-rated in Dubai right now
Live from Viator, ranked by traveler rating. Prices are per person, from the lowest option, as of the last refresh; the listing has today's.
Experience Burj Al Arab by Jetski
5.0 (255 reviews)30m
From $64 per person→
Go Fishing Dubai 5 hours Trolling & Regular Fishing
5.0 (168 reviews)5h
From $559 per person→
Dubai: 60Min Jet Ski To Burj Al Arab, Atlantis The Palm
5.0 (144 reviews)1h
From $154 per person→
1 hour Jetski Tour - Burj Al Arab Tour
5.0 (141 reviews)1h
From $165 per person→
Flyboard Experience in Dubai
5.0 (140 reviews)40m
From $90 per person→
Sandventures
5.0 (138 reviews)5h to 6h
From $84 per person→
Why book through Viator
Book the Dubai tours before you fly, without locking yourself in.
Viator lists tours and excursions from local operators in Dubai with live availability, verified reviews and 24/7 support. We send you there because it is the simplest way to compare, and it earns us a commission that does not change your price.
- Free cancellation on most experiences
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start on most listings for a full refund. Plans change; the booking can.
- Reserve now, pay later
- Many experiences let you hold a spot now and pay closer to the date, so you can lock in the popular day without paying before the flight is booked.
- Reviews from people who went
- Ratings and reviews come from travelers who booked that exact tour. Read the recent ones before you choose.
- Compare before you land
- The hotel tour desk sells what it has left that morning. Booking ahead means you pick the operator, the time and the pickup, with the price in front of you.
Cancellation and payment terms are set per listing and shown on Viator before you book. Check them for the tour you pick.
Good to know
- Dress for the place, not the weather
- Malls, the mosque and the old town expect covered shoulders and knees. Beach and hotel pools are relaxed. Carry a light layer for the air conditioning.
- November to March is the season
- Daytime highs in the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit. From June to September it is well over 100 and tours move to early morning, evening and indoors.
Before you go
The rules, the costs and the timing a first visit needs.
Questions before you book
Is a stopover long enough for a tour?
A six to eight hour layover covers the Burj Khalifa and Old Dubai with a driver, or a desert safari in the afternoon. Many airport transfers and tours are built for exactly that.
Do US and Canadian citizens need a visa?
A visa on arrival is issued at the airport for stays of up to 30 days. Check the current rules before you fly; they change.
How do I book these tours?
Each "See tours" button opens Viator's listings for that experience in Dubai, with live prices, dates, reviews and the cancellation terms. You book and pay there. All Travel Fun earns a commission on bookings made through those links; it does not change what you pay.
Can your agents book tours over the phone?
Our agents book flights. Call to price the flight to Dubai; book the tours on Viator once your dates are fixed.
More things to do in Middle East and Indian Ocean
Flying to Dubai?
One call, every airline on the route, the total with bags and seats before you decide. Nothing is charged until you say yes.
Toll-free. No obligation.