Undoubtedly, Dubai is one of the world’s top vacation destinations. Dubai features an endless list of attractions that keeps visitors returning to the city year in and year out.
Dubai is best known for so many things. While some consider it the city with astonishing engineering marvels and intricate architecture, others know Dubai for its luxury cars and high-rise hotels.
Some others love Dubai for its pristine beaches and state-of-the-art structures. But undoubtedly, Dubai is home to all of these and other things like skyscrapers, exotic hotels, and massive shopping malls.
Since the list of things to do and see in Dubai are endless, we’ve taken time to research and develop a comprehensive list of some of the best things Dubai is famous for. Below is a list of some things Dubai is famous for:
Things Dubai is Famous for
1. Burj Khalifa
What better thing to start our list than the most prominent symbol of modern Dubai- Burj Khalifa? Burj Khalifa was completed in 2009 and has since maintained its rating as the tallest construction in the world, with a height of 828 m (2,717 ft).
Burj Khalifa strongly represents Dubai’s vision that visiting the emirate without climbing to the top is like visiting Paris and not climbing the Eiffel Tower.
Looking at the features of this impressive edifice will leave you astonished. Burj khalifa has the highest number of stories and tallest elevators and boasts the world’s most elevated observation deck at 555 meters.
You’ll also find various accommodations and unique restaurants that serve delicious meals in an uber-classy setting.
2. The Dubai Mall
Visiting Dubai without stopping by the Dubai Mall is like visiting Paris without seeing Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
Situated adjacent to Burj Khalifa is one of Dubai’s most prominent attractions, the Dubai Mall. The mall has over 1200 retail outlets and over 200 dining choices.
At the mall, other amusement and edutainment attractions are perfect for all age groups.
3. Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah is another prominent possession Dubai is famous for. Palm Jumeirah is an artificial island home to various upscale hotels like Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, The Palm, The Atlantis, etc.
Aside from being just an island, Palm Jumeirah currently ranks as the most extensive artificial island in the world, a complete marvel of human ingenuity.
4. Dubai Fountain
A visit to Dubai without spending a day or a few hours at the Dubai Fountain would be incomplete.
Dubai is famous for housing one of the largest choreographed fountains shows in the world, the Dubai Fountain.
This tremendous jet stream at the base of Burj khalifa creates an overwhelming view and shoots up to 150 meters in the air.
The mall also contains several restaurants where you can dine while catching excellent shows, usually held in the evening till 11 pm.
5. Burj al Arab
Regarding world records, no city does it better than Dubai. Before Burg Khalifa became the most prominent tower in Dubai, Dubai was famously known for Burj Al Arab.
Burj Al Arab is a luxurious hotel shaped like a sail and uses real gold for its interior. The completion of Burj Al Arab in 1999 signaled the transformation of Dubai from a middle eastern pearl-diving town to a luxury and futuristic tourist hub.
For more than 20 years since its completion, there’s yet to be any hotel taller than Burj al Arab.
6. Desert Safari
Visiting Desert Safari will suffice if you are searching for an experience that will leave a lifetime impact. At Desert Safari, you can undergo an adventurous 4 X4 dune bash session and enjoy henna tattooing, camel ride, and falconry.
If you’re lucky to spend the evening or stay overnight at Desert Safari, you’ll get a chance to enjoy BBQ dining and traditional live shows.
7. Lost Chambers
If you love surfing through social media, you must have encountered the famous Lost Chambers on Instagram or Facebook.
The Lost Chamber is one of Dubai’s magnificent aquariums. The aquarium is perfect for photos, but there’s more to this fantastic aquarium than just for snaps.
Lost Chamber is home to over 65,000 marine animals. You can go scuba diving or snorkeling inside the aquarium if you want something more adventurous.
8. Desert
I know you’re wondering how a city can be famous for its desert. The truth is Dubai desert is unlike any desert in the world. It would shock you that the Dubai desert tour is the most in-demand in the emirate.
Dubai’s desert landscapes are pretty impressive, and you can’t help but fall in love with it unless you get lost. Then it can be a source of displeasure.
Dubai desert tours are another medium to appreciate the beautiful deserts as they allow you to enjoy activities like desert camp shows, camel rides, dune bashing, and sandboarding.
9. Ski Dubai
It’s not shocking that Ski Dubai makes our list of favorite things Dubai is known for, as Dubai is the only place in the entire Arab peninsula where you can go skiing.
The most fantastic thing about skiing in Dubai is that you don’t need to go to snowy mountains; you can go skiing in the mall.
Crazy right?
Dubai took the entire world by surprise in 2005 when it introduced a 242,187 sqft ski inside right inside the Mall of Emirates; This stunning tower is one of the most visited indoor activities in the entire city.
Ski Dubai also contains an 85-meter-high indoor mountain with five slopes for all snowboard enthusiasts.
10. Luxury cars
Dubai is undoubtedly famous for cars, incredibly exotic and luxurious cars. So if you have always dreamt of spotting luxurious vehicles like Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and Maseratis, Dubai is your best shot at seeing them.
Dubai is home to cars of all sorts. Some cars spotted here are not present anywhere else in the world. Gold cars and coined cars, to mention a few, are all present in this beautiful city.
Luxurious cars are a norm in Dubai, and it’s so common that the Dubai police even patrol the streets with designated sports cars and SUVs.
11. Fountains
Fountains are usually the first thing you’ll spot before seeing most attractions in Dubai. Dubai is home to several fountains, one worthy of mention is the Burj khalifa fountain.
Each night, hundreds of locals and travelers gather to watch the fountain move in sync with dramatic music and flashing lights.
12. Theme Parks
Dubai is one of the places that has fun activities for both adults and kids. Unfortunately, the city doesn’t feature any theme parks yet, but who needs themed gardens when Dubai has numerous theme and water parks?
Over here, you’ll find one of the most prestigious water parks in the world, Aquaventure. Dubai is also home to the biggest theme park in the world- IMG Worlds of Adventure, a Legoland, Motiongate, a gaming-inspired park, and a VR park. No city in the world has as many theme parks as Dubai.
13. Shopping
Shopping is another activity the city of Dubai is famous for. Whether you desire luxury or bargain shopping, Dubai has everything you need.
The city has over 70 malls where you can shop for souvenirs, bonafide Arabic merchandise, etc.
14. Museums
When we mention museums, what comes to mind is the image of an ancient structure with old exhibits that contains a region’s past culture and history.
While this is true, museums in Dubai are built distinctively from regular standard museums. Over here, you’ll find the most significant museums of illusions, a 3D World Selfie Museum, and the Museum of Future.
15. Jaw-Dropping Live Performances
If you love watching breathtaking performances, you’ll enjoy every bit of your time in Dubai. When discussing entertainment in the Middle East, Dubai is the first destination that comes to mind.
Dubai features jaw-dropping live performances like the Cirque-du-Soleil-style La Perle by Dragone and the Dubai Opera.
If you’re traveling with kids, you can take them to the Dubai Dolphinarium, where they can experience boisterous performances of dolphins and seals.
16. Hot summers
It’s no news that the weather in Dubai is sweltering. During Summer, the temperature in Dubai usually gets as high as 51°C, accompanied by high humidity.
During hot seasons like this, Dubai is usually a ghost town. You’ll rarely find people walking or sitting outdoors, as staying indoors is the only way to protect yourself against the heat.
17. Skyscrapers
Dubai is famous for housing some of the most prominent skyscrapers in the world. However, towers in Dubai aren’t just renowned for their height; they stand out for their cultural, futuristic, and innovative architecture.
You can spot most of the city’s skyscrapers, like Burj Khalifa, Cayan Tower, and The Torch, along Sheikh Zayed Road. But if you need something more panoramic, you can stop by the Dubai Frame to capture most of Dubai’s glamorous skylines.
18. Beaches
Dubai’s proximity to the coastlines makes it the perfect destination for glamorous beaches. And guess what? You can access the majority of the beaches in Dubai for free.
Incredible Right?
Dubai beaches feature numerous activities like camel rides, kayaking, and jet skiing that can keep one engaged for an entire day.
Dubai currently has about ten beaches, but you must know that most beaches are residential hotspots for most people.
19. Glitz and Glamor
It’s no doubt that Dubai is famous for all things luxurious. Dubai’s economy thrives on tourism, trade, and other natural resources and offers opportunities to anyone who wants to enjoy living in an extravagant society.
20. Plenty of Expats
As a thriving city with many natural and artificial attractions, Dubai records a steady flow of Expats yearly.
Expats comprise about 80% of the Dubai population, with the most common Nationals Coming from the Philippines, Pakistan, India, Iran, and Bangladesh. One major attraction that attracts people to Dubai is its high income and low tax.
21. Parks and Gardens
Dubai is home to several excellent parks and gardens. Some notable parks in the city include Zabeel Park, Creek Park, and Mushrif Park. Visiting these parks allows you to enjoy boat rides, cycling tracks, and horse riding.
Added to Dubai’s park are some beautiful gardens, which hold a prestigious ranking globally. For example, Dubai Miracle Garden is the most extensive flower garden in the world.
The beautiful thing about this garden is that everything here consists of flowers. In addition, the park has unique features to look out for, including Disney figures, mosques, castles, and a heart-shaped tunnel.
22. Dubai International Airport
Dubai is famous for its airport, the Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest airports.
Established in 2008, Dubai International Airport has won several awards for its efficiency and infrastructure. Since everything is luxury in Dubai, even the airport has its share of luxury as it features hotels, restaurants, lounges, spas, and free WiFi.
23. Camels
You’ll find camels in almost all deserts in Dubai. The city boasts so many camels that it’s hard to miss spotting one.
Camels are highly preserved in Dubai because they benefited the Bedouins and served as a transportation, entertainment, and food source.
Camels are no longer used for transportation in modern-day Dubai, but you can still enjoy watching a camel race, riding a camel in the desert, or savoring camel meat.
24. Emirates Airlines
No airline in the world beats Dubai Emirates Airlines regarding luxury and comfort. However, the reputation of Dubai Emirates Airlines goes far beyond the shores of Dubai, and the airlines currently sponsor a variety of sports like football, equestrian, rugby, and cricket.
Flying with Emirates Airlines is an experience of a lifeline as you’ll get access to high-quality dining, free WiFi, top-notch customer service, and entertainment.
25. Mosques
Dubai is home to some of the most beautiful mosques in the world. Notable mosques include Jumeirah Mosque, Masjid Al Rahim, and Al Salam Mosque.
Muslims visit these mosques to practice their faith and offer prayers during salat. Mosques in Dubai maintain the luxurious standards of buildings in Dubai. You’ll see this clearly in the creativity in their architecture and designs.
26. Equestrian
Like Camel riding, horse riding is essential to Dubai’s heritage. Most Emiratis enroll their kids in equestrian clubs at a tender age so that they’ll grow up to pursue it as a hobby.
27. World records
Dubai holds several world records, including the largest mall, most extensive flower garden, the largest choreographed fountain, the largest-made island, etc.
Dubai has only about 3.3 million people but holds about 425 world records. Now that’s some achievement!!
28. Medjool dates
Medjool dates are native to Morocco and come from the date palm tree. They stand out for their inherent sweetness and caramel-like flavor.
Medjool dates are usually dark and produced in warm regions of the United States, South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
29. Flavorful Spices
Meals in Dubai stand out for their nourishing flavor; these flavors are a product of Dubai spices.
The spices in Dubai would give your taste bud a flavor explosion. Dubai has numerous spices like curry, cumin, and saffron, to mention a few.
30. Traditional Souks
Shopping at Dubai’s traditional souk offers a different experience than anywhere else. Dubai’s traditional souk lies in the older part of the city and offers anything you need, from spices to gold.
You’ll find three other souks at the souk, each selling its unique product. The first is a spice souk, where you find different spices.
Also present is the texting soul, fully loaded with fabric and material, and the gold souk, which contains jewelry shops that sell gold in all forms.
31. Traditional Abra Boats
Across the globe, Dubai stands out for its traditional wooden boat named Abra. Abra is used to cross the creek that runs through the city and has stayed for centuries.
Abra boat is still very much in use at Dubai Creek, and you can opt for a ride here if you’re in the mood for an exciting tour.
32. Global Village Dubai
Credit: GlobalVillageDubai / Facebook
Your trip to Dubai will be incomplete if you fail to visit the Global Village. Dubai Global Village is one of Dubai’s priceless possessions.
The village is the world’s largest cultural and entertainment fair, featuring over 75 countries. The fair features games, rides, live entertainment, and food from all over the world.
If you need an exciting cultural experience, avail yourself of the Dubai Global Village. The fair is held from October to April.
33. Efficient Metro System
Another thing the city of Dubai stands out for is its Metro system. The Dubai Metro System ranks as one of the most efficient transportation systems in the world.
The metro is fast, clean, and an excellent way to tour the city. The prices are also affordable, plus it’s easy to use.
34. Adrenaline Sports
Dubai isn’t just famous for luxurious cars and gigantic buildings. But, aside from luxury cars and structures, Dubai stands out for its adrenaline-powered sports.
Over here in the city, you’ll find many heart-racing games like skydiving, desert safaris, helicopter rides, etc., that would give you an adrenaline rush.
35. Dubai Miracle Garden
The Dubai Miracle Garden is the last thing on our list of 35 things Dubai is known for, and here’s why.
The garden is home to over 50 million flora and ranks as the most extensive flower garden in the world. In the park, you’ll find a variety of flowers and even some sculptures made with flowers.
How amazing is that?
The garden is an excellent place to take pictures while enjoying the beautiful nature.