How well do you knowDubai?

Ski Dubai

Sledging, tubing and a chairlift on real snow, right inside the Mall of the Emirates. Add the penguin encounter if you like.

🕘 Best time

Weekdays at the 10 am opening is quietest. Weekends and school holidays are busy.

📍 Where

Mall of the Emirates, Mall of the Emirates metro station (Red Line).

💡 Tip

Jacket, trousers and boots come with the ticket. Beanies are not included, so bring one from home. Under-thirteens wear helmets.

half a dayage two and up€€€book aheadSource

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

Walk through the glass tunnel while sharks and rays glide overhead. Upstairs, the zoo has crocodiles and penguins.

🕘 Best time

Weekends from 10 am, weekdays usually from 11 am; mornings are quieter. Last entry is usually in the evening.

📍 Where

Inside The Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall metro station.

💡 Tip

You can see the giant tank free from the mall. Check feeding times on the website first.

two hoursall ages€€escape the heatSource

Global Village

A huge evening fair with pavilions from many countries, rides, stage shows and food from around the world.

🕘 Best time

Only in season, mid-October to May. Usually opens from 4 pm, best after dark.

📍 Where

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road; buses from Union, Centrepoint and Mall of the Emirates metro stations.

💡 Tip

Go on a weekday rather than the weekend for shorter ride queues. Wear comfy shoes, it is a lot of walking.

eveningall ages€winter onlySource

Palm Monorail

Glide along the trunk of the artificial palm on the driverless monorail to Atlantis at the tip.

🕘 Best time

In the morning, when the sun lights up the palm. Running again since summer 2026 after a maintenance break.

📍 Where

Starts at Palm Gateway station, linked to the tram; ends at Atlantis Aquaventure station.

💡 Tip

Board at the front for a view down the palm. You can hop off at Palm Jumeirah Mall on the way.

one hourall ages€Source

Burj Khalifa – At the Top

One minute in the lift, then look out over desert, sea and city from the world's tallest building.

🕘 Best time

Weekday mornings between 9 am and noon: fewer crowds and cheaper than at sunset, when queues are longest.

📍 Where

Entrance via The Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall metro station.

💡 Tip

Book a time slot ahead. In the evening watch the fountain show on the lake; it usually runs every half hour from 6 pm and is free.

two hoursall ages€€€book a slotSource

Dubai Frame

Ride up inside the giant golden picture frame to the glass bridge a hundred and fifty metres up: old Dubai on one side, new Dubai on the other.

🕘 Best time

Mid-morning right after opening, when the air is clear. Entry is by time slot with limited numbers.

📍 Where

Zabeel Park, Al Jafiliya metro station (Red Line).

💡 Tip

Book a timed ticket ahead. Afterwards, the playground in Zabeel Park.

one hourall ages€€time slotSource

Al Fahidi (Bastakiya)

Wander shady mud-brick lanes under wind towers, pop into small museums and galleries, rest in a courtyard.

🕘 Best time

Mornings until about 11 am or late afternoon, when the lanes are cool and quiet.

📍 Where

Bur Dubai on the Creek, Al Fahidi metro station (Green Line).

💡 Tip

Show the kids a wind tower and let them feel the draught inside. Cover shoulders and knees.

two hoursall agesfreeSource

Abra across the Creek

Rock across from Bur Dubai to the Deira souks in an open wooden boat for a single coin.

🕘 Best time

Late afternoon, when the light turns golden. Boats leave every few minutes from early morning.

📍 Where

Bur Dubai abra station at the edge of Al Fahidi, arriving at Old Souk station in Deira.

💡 Tip

Have small change ready, you pay the boatman. Sit at the edge for a little spray.

five minutesall ages€Source

Dubai Miracle Garden

Stroll through a garden of millions of flowers shaped into hearts, tunnels and a life-size aeroplane.

🕘 Best time

Only in season, October to the end of May, usually from 9 am. Mornings are still cool.

📍 Where

Al Barsha South, easiest by taxi.

💡 Tip

Arrive in the morning before the coach groups. Bring sun hats and water, shade is scarce.

two hoursall ages€€winter onlySource

Heritage desert safari (Platinum Heritage)

Drive slowly through a private desert reserve in a restored Land Rover, spot wildlife, watch falconry and dine under the stars.

🕘 Best time

Leave in the afternoon; winter sunset in the dunes is around 5:30 pm.

📍 Where

Hotel pick-up, about an hour into the desert.

💡 Tip

This operator does gentle wildlife drives, no dune bashing, so it works for small kids. Pack a jacket, desert nights get cool.

half a dayall ages€€€book aheadSource

Kite Beach

A wide public beach facing the Burj al Arab: swim, watch the kitesurfers, use the running track and beach snack bars.

🕘 Best time

Swim in the morning; come back late afternoon for sunset behind the Burj al Arab.

📍 Where

Jumeirah, just north of Umm Suqeim, easiest by taxi.

💡 Tip

Bring your own spades and a parasol. Only swim in the sections watched by lifeguards.

half a dayall agesfreeSource

Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary

Watch thousands of pink flamingos in the lagoon from a bird hide, right in the middle of the city.

🕘 Best time

Early morning or late afternoon; in winter migrating birds such as storks join them.

📍 Where

At the inner end of the Creek; take a taxi to the Flamingo Hide.

💡 Tip

Families can walk in without booking but must register on site. Bring binoculars.

one hourall agesbinocularsSource

Spice and Gold Souks

Sniff your way past sacks of saffron, frankincense and cardamom, then gaze at the glittering gold windows next door.

🕘 Best time

Late afternoon and early evening, when it is cooler and the lanes come alive.

📍 Where

Deira, Al Ras; right by Old Souk abra station.

💡 Tip

Haggling is expected. Kids may smell the spices, just ask the trader.

one hourall ages€ to €€€Source

Arabian Tea House

An Emirati breakfast in a white courtyard under a big tree, with karak tea and luqaimat in date syrup.

🕘 Best time

Breakfast in the morning, before the lunch crowd.

📍 Where

Al Fahidi (Bastakiya), a few steps from the Creek.

💡 Tip

Order luqaimat and balaleet, the sweet vermicelli breakfast. An institution since 1997.

one hourall ages€€Source

Al Fanar Restaurant

Emirati home cooking in a recreated old-Dubai setting: machboos, fish and breakfast platters.

🕘 Best time

Lunch or an early dinner; book for weekend evenings.

📍 Where

Dubai Festival City Mall on the waterfront; also at Al Seef and Al Barsha Pond Park.

💡 Tip

Share a chicken or shrimp machboos, the national dish of spiced rice.

ninety minutesall ages€€bookSource

Ravi Restaurant

Pakistani curries, fresh naan and grilled skewers at simple tables where taxi drivers and families eat side by side.

🕘 Best time

Dinner, when tables spill onto the pavement.

📍 Where

Satwa, by taxi; the original has been there since 1978.

💡 Tip

Make sure it is the original in Satwa. Share dal and butter chicken with naan, mango lassi for the kids.

one hourall ages€Source