One word that can easily describe the essence of Dubai is “blend”. It is a harmonious blend of cultures. It showcases a blend of architectural styles- from sand brick walls to futuristic skyscrapers. Its culinary scene has the right blend of native and international cuisines. Even the locals manage to strike a perfect blend between their traditional values and modern etiquette. What’s not to love about Dubai?
I’m pretty sure it would be an impossible task to find even one thing that you don’t like about Dubai. But, that UAE Visit Visa that just got approved is your key to unlocking the many possibilities that make Dubai a highlight of the world’s top travel destinations. Here is a compiled list of the top 10 things to do in Dubai in summer that will make you love the city even more.
1. Experience the World’s Cultures in the Global Village
Opening Times:
Saturday to Wednesday: 4.00 PM – 12.00 AM
Thursday and Friday: 4.00 PM to 1.00 AM
Ticket Price: Details can be found on their official page.
Situated in: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road E 311 road
Choose from over 40,000 spectacular shows and special events, kids can enjoy a variety of live performances from famous characters like care Bear, ben and holly, while adults can experience clarinet music performances and violin performances to name a few. Selfie lovers can bump up the aesthetic of their feed with photo stops like the dry fountain, Arabian square and celebration walk to name a few.
The ambience At night is very exciting as the entire village lights up in colourful and decorative colours exuding a carnival vibe and a lively aura which makes it one of the favourite places to visit in Dubai. Drop by at any of the 26 pavilions that represent 60 countries from around the world with their cuisines, retail items, cultural experiences and more. This is a great place to get away from the summer heat.
2. Admire Floral Masterpieces in the Dubai Miracle Garden
Opening Times:
Weekdays: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Weekends: 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Ticket Price: Adults: AED 40 and children: AED 30
Dubai Butterfly Garden 50 AED
Location: Al Barsha South 3, Dubailand.
The Dubai Miracle Garden was opened in 2013 and displays over 50 million flowers and 250 million plants, making it the world’s largest natural floral garden.
The Dubai Butterfly Garden, the world’s largest and the region’s first indoor butterfly garden and sanctuary, opened housing approximately 15,000 butterflies from 26 species.
With unique 3D floral designs, it has indeed cemented its place as the best floral garden in the world with works like the Floating Lady, the Emirates A380, the Floral Clock and so much more. Please visit their official website for additional details.
3. Visit Dubai’s Oldest District At Bastakiyah
Opening Times:
Weekdays: 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Weekends: 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Ticket Price: Free entry. However, things like shopping inside Bastakiya are not.
Location: Bur Dubai – Al Hamriya, Dubai.
Built in the 1890s, the district of Al Bastakiya was named after the southern Iranian town of Bastak and was predominantly established by affluent Persian merchants.
Enjoy breakfast or refreshments at the lovely Arabian Tea House. Relax on the patio with a date cake and fresh lemon and mint juice (a Dubai favourite). Alternatively, choose from 150 different types of tea and a light Western or Arabian lunch.
Bastakiya also houses many Galleries, the Shaikh Muhammed Center for Cultural Understanding and the Coffee Museum. This is one of the top places to visit in Dubai for history enthusiasts.
4. Shop the Traditional Style, in the Deira Souk
Opening Times:
Saturday to Thursday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (Some close between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM)
Fridays: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Ticket Price: Entry to the Souks is free.
Location: Deira – Al Sabkha, Dubai.
The Grand Souk Deira, located just steps from the Spice Souk’s entrance, is a great place to go shopping for presents and traditional Arabian items.
Toys, home items, and a range of presents are among the items available at the market. Items sold at Deira Souk are of high quality and very affordable.
The Deira Souk is one of the most popular souks. The feeling of walking in the streets of Deira Souk with so many beautiful things on sale and the aroma of spices in the atmosphere is unmatched. You can’t miss the opportunity to visit Deira Souk when you travel to Dubai in summer.
5. Walk Under the Fish In the Dubai Aquarium
Opening Times:
Weekdays: 10.00 AM to 10.00 PM
Weekends: 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Ticket Price: Ranges from AED 100 to AED 300 depending on the encounter type
Situated in: Ground & Level 2, The Dubai Mall
There is no point in your UAE visa if you don’t stop by here. Located on the Ground Floor of The Dubai Mall, the 48-metre long Aquarium tunnel takes you 11 meters under the surface and gives you the opportunity to observe some of the 140 varieties of aquatic species. An Aquarium Educator will share some secrets about the amazing underwater animals.
To feed the adventurer in you, the aquarium offers amazing experiences like cage snorkelling, shark dive or shark walker encounters for an additional fee. Kids and adults alike can learn a lot from the Australian saltwater crocodile encounter, the otter encounter, ray and penguin encounter. You can also give scuba diving a try if you are up for it! For a list of their activities, ticket details and other information visit their official site.
6. Spot Some Desert Dwellers in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR) is one of the United Arab Emirates’ largest protected nature reserves and is gated off to protect the flora and wildlife that develop naturally in the area.
The reserve has become home to more than 50 plant species, 120 birds, and 43 animals and reptiles since it was established in 2004.
On the reserve, you can take part in one of the numerous exciting treks and desert activities designed to avoid habitat damage. Treks, safaris, falconry, horse and camel riding, camping, sandboarding, and eating are just a few of the activities available.
7. Chill in the Alserkal Art District
Opening Times:
Weekdays: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Weekends: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Ticket Price: No entry fee.
Location: Al Quoz industrial area of Dubai.
Alserkal Avenue has the highest concentration of art galleries in the region. There’s always something fresh and inventive going on, so you’ll want to keep coming back. This now four-decade-old gallery is your best bet for works of artistic brilliance from the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and beyond. It serves an important role in introducing contemporary Arab art throughout the year, with a focus on important issues in the Arab world.
8. Admire the gold plated pillars of the Bur Dubai Grand Mosque
Opening Times: Opens 24 hours.
Ticket Price: Entry is Free.
Location: Opposite Dubai Museum, Near Rulers Court Office – Ali Bin Abi Taleb, Al Fahidi, Dubai
The Bur Grand Mosque, which was established in 1900 and rebuilt in 1960, is the centre of Dubai’s religious and cultural life. The mosque’s biggest feature is the 70-meter (230-foot) minaret, which resembles a lighthouse and is the tallest in Dubai.
The hand-crafted stained-glass windows merge very well with Bur Dubai’s ancient town, and the minaret is fashioned in an Anatolian architectural style. Visitors are advised to dress conservatively when visiting the mosque. The mosque’s five entry columns are embossed with Quranic inscriptions that are admirable.
9. Delve into the Bygone Era of UAE at the Dubai Museum
Opening Times:
Saturday to Thursday: 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM
Fridays: 2:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Ticket Price: AED 3 for Adults and AED for Children (below 6 years).
Location: Al Fahidi Fort, Al Fahidi, Dubai.
The Dubai Museum was built in 1787 in the Al Fahidi Fort, which is Dubai’s oldest structure. Visitors to the Dubai Museum may learn more about the city’s rich history and traditions. With the old-styled Al Fahidi Fort, this location is also ideal for those who enjoy old-style Emirati architecture. The fort was previously the rulers’ headquarters, a prison, and a weapons storage facility. The majority of the antiquities on display are from the 1800s, with some reaching as far back as the nineteenth century.
10. Enjoy a Performance at the Dubai Opera
Opening Times:
Weekdays: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Weekends: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Ticket Price: Prices differ with each show.
Location: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Downtown Dubai, Dubai.
If you are into performance arts, this is one of the compulsory places to visit in Dubai. The Dubai Opera is a multi-format, 2,000-seat performing arts centre located in Downtown Dubai’s Opera District and accommodates a wide range of performances and events, including theatre, opera, ballet, concerts, conferences, and exhibitions. A rooftop restaurant with views of the Burj Khalifa is located on the premises. For enquiries on upcoming shows and other information visit the official website.
Like it? Pin it!
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this website are “affiliate links.” This means that if you click on the link and do a purchase, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost for you. This helps me keep my website running and continue to share my travelling knowledge with you. I thank you for booking your flights or hotels using the links on my website. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.
Wow what an amazing guide and there is so much to see and do for sure. The Globa village looks like a fab place to hang out
Ok these look like really fun suggestions. I would love to go to the conservation reserve and the aquarium. Maybe one day!
I’d love to go to Dubai one day, and it seems like a popular destination at the moment; I know of a few people who have been recently.
I’ve heard so many great things about the global village, and Dubai in general but it’s somewhere I’ve not yet been but I’d love to go x
Dubai is on our travel bucket list next year so definitely bookmarking this, thanks for tips & guide 🙂
you have complied some of the most amazing places to visit. Definitely an article to bookmark and keep
I’ve always wanted to go to Dubai and see a show at the Opera!
This is definitely going to be on the top of my go-to travel list!!! It just seems to amazing not to go