Dubai is a modern world city like no other. It is the biggest and most populated city in the United Arab Emirates. But hidden beneath its sleek, futuristic appearance is a city of contrasts – from shiny shopping malls to 5-star hotels and exotic beaches to vast desert landscapes.

Among these are some of the best Dubai tourist attractions. This guide will tell you where to go in Dubai and how to make the most of your stay.

During our 3 days in Dubai, we discovered that the people of this largest and most populous of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) strive for excellence, also in their tourism industry. It isn’t far-fetched to expect world bests around every corner.

Some of the more popular Dubai tourist attractions include the world’s tallest building (the Burj Khalifa at 828m), the tallest hotel (the JW Marriott Marquis at 355m), and the tallest residential building (the Princess Tower at 413m).

Soon, the world’s highest structure overall will be added to the list of awe-inspiring Dubai tourist spots. The Tower, an architectural masterpiece in the Dubai Creek Harbor development, is expected to rise above the city before 2020.

Based on our 3 days in Dubai, here are my recommendations for your next trip to the Emirate. I hope it will inspire you to discover the best Dubai tourist attractions that left an indelible impression on us.

The distinctive sail shape of the Burj Al Arab hotel is a famous landmark on the Dubai skyline. Built on an artificial island, Burj Al Arab is 321 meters tall, boasting the world’s tallest hotel atrium.

Jumeirah Beach is probably one of the world’s most luxurious beaches, making it one of the most popular Dubai tourist spots. The beach is named after the Jumeirah district of Dubai, stretching from the historic center to the Jumeirah Beach Residence next to the Dubai Marina.

The long stretch of soft white sand that makes up Jumeirah Beach is mostly broken up into the private beaches of the many 5-star and upmarket hotels and residential developments lining the beach. Naturally, it provides superb views of the Burj Al Arab.

Fortunately, you can still enjoy Jumeirah Beach even if you’re not staying in one of the hotels or apartments. The Jumeirah Beach Park is a public beach with impressive facilities where you can either relax on the hot sand or on one of the beautifully tended lawns. It’s the perfect place for a picnic or barbecue.

Didn’t expect one of the world’s biggest flower gardens in the middle of the desert? The Dubai Miracle Garden is another of the Dubai tourist attractions which pleasantly surprised us. Sprawled across 72,000sq/m in Al Barsha South, the Dubai Miracle Garden is a colorful fairy tale world of more than 100 million flowers.

Not only Dubai’s buildings are breaking world records. The Dubai Miracle Garden holds a Guinness World Record for the largest flower structure. You also can’t miss the Airbus A380 or the ceiling of brightly colored umbrellas – definitely a highlight of our 3 days in Dubai.

There are more than 77 flower varieties in the Dubai Miracle Garden. Whoever is responsible for the flower structures don’t only have green fingers, but red, yellow, orange, purple and pink ones too! The entry fee of AED 40 per adult is well worth it.

This huge “photo frame” of 150 meters high and 93 meters wide in Zabeel Park has been named one of the world’s best new attractions of 2017. Naturally, it is set to become one of the top Dubai tourist spots.

If you, like me, are wondering how Dubai managed to achieve so many world’s bests, becoming a playground for the rich and famous, the Dubai Frame provides all the answers. A museum on the ground floor will showcase the city’s transformation from a fishing village to a metropolis. The location was carefully chosen to give visitors the best view of old (areas such as Deira, Karama, and Umm Harare) and new Dubai (landmarks such as Burj Khalifa and Emirates Towers).

The Dubai Frame truly is a new monument in Dubai. It’s two towers are connected by a 100sq/m bridge with a 25sq/m panel at its center.  Award-winning architect Fernando Donis was responsible for the design. Admission is AED 50 per adult.

If you love bling, you’ll love the Gold Souk in Old Dubai. The traditional market in the commercial business district Deira is a dazzling labyrinth of walkways where gold, silver, platinum, and diamonds compete to catch your eye. With 3 days in Dubai, even if you don’t intend to buy anything, a visit to the Gold Souk is a fascinating experience.

Gold Souk Buying Tips:

The Old Gold Souk is open 7 days per week from 10am to 10pm. Some shops may close between 1pm and 4pm certain days.

Knowing where to go in Dubai to explore outside the city borders is easy with many tour operators offering desert safaris. We loved the contrast between the bright city lights of modern Dubai and the dunes and wildlife of the desert. Our tour with Platinum Heritage lived up to all our expectations.

The vast desert is not only beautiful, but we learned so much about the conservation efforts during our drive through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Getting to know the Bedouins and their history, interacting with them and their camels is an authentic desert experience. The desert easily deserves a place on my list of best Dubai tourist attractions.

You don’t go hungry or thirsty in the desert, either. The typical local food served in a traditional setting is something to write home about.

Tip: If you have 3 days in Dubai, set aside at least a morning or an afternoon for a proper desert experience. Afternoon tours ending with dinner next to a bonfire under the stars are also highly recommended. 

If you run out of ideas of where to go in Dubai, why not take to the sky in a hot air balloon? A hot air balloon tour will give you a different perspective of the Dubai tourist spots and the desert. And it’s much less bumpy than a camel’s back! The balloons take you up 1,200 meters above the dunes. They are also pretty to watch from mother earth, filling the skyline with their bright colors.

The cost of a hot air balloon ride over the desert, including a visit to a traditional Bedouin Camp, breakfast and a falconry demonstration starts at AED 1195 per adult.

We stayed at the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach during our 3 days in Dubai. It was so nice to come back to our lovely big room and to have direct access to 270 meters of natural beach to relax after a day of sightseeing.

We simply had to have cocktails in the Mercury Lounge, the Four Seasons Resort Dubai’s rooftop bar with magnificent views of the Dubai skyline and the Burj Khalifa on one side, and the Arabian Gulf on the other.

1. Dressing inappropriately

Remember to keep the dress code in mind when considering where to go in Dubai. Sure, you can wear a bikini or skimpy clothes when relaxing on one of the beaches, but take care to cover more body parts when moving around in other parts of Dubai.

Although female tourists are not expected to cover their entire bodies like local women typically do, avoid wearing shorts, miniskirts, low-cut dresses or shirts, and anything midriff-baring. Likewise, men are expected to wear long pants and shirts with a sleeve, even if it is a short sleeve.

2. Drinking too much alcohol

Not only is drinking and driving taboo in Dubai but also being drunk in public. Alcohol laws are strict, with alcoholic drinks mainly allowed in hotel bars and not in public at the Dubai tourist spots.

Even if you drink in a hotel bar, know when to stop. You don’t want to spend the night in a Dubai jail because you appeared drunk in public, or worse, were caught driving under the influence.

3. Not adhering to Ramadan practices

Muslims fast until sundown during the Holy month of Ramadan. This is a time when the otherwise frenetic pace of Dubai slows down and visitors can experience a more traditional side to the Emirate.

Ramadan requires that everyone, including non-Muslims, refrain from eating, drinking, or smoking in public. However, many restaurants remain open during the day, accommodating Ramadan by serving meals behind screens. The fast ends with the firing of cannons at sunset.

4. Taking pictures of people without their permission

It doesn’t matter how interesting someone looks, it’s unforgivable to take a picture of a local in Dubai without asking their permission. The chances are good they will say no and you should respect their answer. It’s especially taboo to take photos of women without their consent

5. Unacceptable public displays of affection

Kissing, holding hands, and any other form of public affection are socially unacceptable in Dubai. People have been arrested for being too lovey-dovey in public. Keep this in mind if you’re considering a romantic getaway or even a honeymoon in Dubai.

Have you been to Dubai? Any tips and recommendations?
Which was your favorite spot? Comment below!