From a small pearling and fishing village, Dubai has grown into one of the world’s most iconic travel destinations. With its record-breaking tallest building and one of the busiest airports, Dubai is a place of innovation and natural beauty, home to the extraordinary Palm Jumeirah, the world's largest man-made island.

The city is set in the Arabian Desert and offers an incredible diversity of experiences, from golden dunes and pristine beaches to rugged mountain scenery and historic neighbourhoods.

The guide will take you through the desert, the sea, the land and the sky, all giving you a new opportunity to experience the city.

Top Dubai Experiences You Won't Want to Miss

Here are seven unforgettable things to do in Dubai, highlighting the city’s thrilling adventures, luxurious experiences, vibrant culture and breathtaking natural beauty.

1. Desert Adventures: Multiple Ways to Ride the Dunes.

The desert is not just flat sand like in Dubai. The desert has tall, curvy dunes like frozen waves in the ocean. There are more ways to do it, so here are the most popular ways for tourists:

• Dune Bashing: Experience the thrill of driving through towering dunes in a powerful 4x4 with an expert guide who expertly navigates the ever-changing desert terrain.

• Dune Buggy or Quad Biking: Hop in the driver’s seat and explore the desert at your own pace as you ride across the rolling dunes on a powerful dune buggy Dubai or quad bike.

• Sandboarding, like snowboarding, is a sport in which you strap yourself to a board and slide down the face of a dune

• Camel Riding: Take a peaceful ride on a camel through the desert, a traditional activity ideal for enjoying the scenery and taking beautiful pictures during the golden hour.

• Desert Safari with BBQ Camp and other Activities: Spend an unforgettable afternoon and evening in the desert with thrilling dune bashing, a traditional desert camp, a delicious BBQ dinner, paired with buggy rides and quad biking and live entertainment, including belly dancing, Tanoura shows, and henna painting.

There are many photo op stops along the way, especially at sunset when the sand takes on that orange-pink hue. It’s a rough, wild ride, like a roller coaster made of sand and a favourite of thrill-seekers, older kids, and friends travelling together.

Here are some tips to make this experience better for you:

• Avoid the hottest parts of the day (midday and early evening).

• Protect your eyes and face from the sand by wearing sunglasses and a light scarf.

• Choose a licenced desert tour operator with the appropriate safety equipment and guides.

2. On the Water: Cruises, Yachts, and Coastal Views

The Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, and Burj Al Arab are just a few of the landmarks that line Dubai's coast; the best way to see them all is from the water. It may be an evening cruise or a party at sea:

• Yacht Cruise or Yacht Party: Cruise around Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah on a private or shared yacht, enjoying stunning waterfront views, with many cruises offering music, food, and even a swim stop.

• Dhow Cruise: Relax and enjoy a dinner cruise on a traditional wooden dhow, with a buffet dinner, live entertainment, and views of Dubai’s illuminated skyline.

• Speedboat Tour: Enjoy a fun and exciting sightseeing adventure as you zoom past iconic landmarks along Dubai’s coastline at high speed.

• Jet Skiing: An action-packed ride on a jet ski on the open water to get a close-up view of Dubai’s famous skyline & coastline.

The boats are big enough to accommodate friends and family and can see views of the coastline that can’t be seen from land.

Morning trips are quieter and cooler, whereas evening trips enjoy warm sunset colours reflected over the water and make an ideal trip for couples, families or anyone celebrating a special occasion.

3. Sky-High Thrills: Skydiving, Ballooning, and Aerial Views

From above, Dubai is a different world: the shape of Palm Jumeirah, the size of the desert, and the arrangement of the city’s streets can all be seen from a higher altitude.

Tandem Skydive: Jump out over Palm Jumeirah with a professional instructor. After jumping out of the plane, you parachute down. Sometimes a camera operator jumps with you and films the action.

Hot Air Balloon Ride: A slow-paced alternative to the adrenaline-pumping activities, float gently over the desert at sunrise and enjoy stunning views of the golden dunes.

Helicopter Tour: Helicopter Tour: Get a scenic overview of Dubai's famous landmarks, coastline and skyline from above with a thrilling aerial view without the jump.

The important data for the skydive:

4. Beyond the City: Hatta's Mountains and Valleys

Dubai is not just flat desert. The Hatta area is about an hour and 30 minutes away from the city, with deep valleys, rocky mountains, and pools of sparkling, fresh water, a very different environment from the dunes near the city.

• Quad Biking: One of the best ways to experience the rugged, rocky trails of Hatta and a completely different off-road adventure to the smooth sands of the desert dunes.

• Hatta Dam Visit: Visit the Hatta Dam, which has amazing turquoise-coloured water and mountains in the background.

• Kayaking or paddleboard: An easy way to explore the still waters below the dam, surrounded by beautiful mountains and peaceful natural beauty.

• Mountain Drives and Village Views: Due to the higher altitude, there are views of small villages and rocky canyons along the way. The temperature is much lower.

This activity is ideal for those who want to enjoy some adventure and a break from the busy Dubai skyline, making it a truly unique day out.

5. Step Back in Time in the Al Fahidi Historic District

Long before the skyscrapers came to Dubai, the city was a small trading town around a creek and that old Dubai is still there, in the Al Fahidi Historic District, a maze of narrow lanes and traditional buildings with the oldest air-conditioning systems and wind towers.

• Walk the Old Lanes: Stroll through narrow alleys lined with coral-stone buildings that seem to belong to another age.

• Visit Dubai Museum: It’s in an old fort, giving you a glimpse of Dubai before oil and modern buildings.

• Cross the Creek by Abra: A small traditional wooden boat used for generations to cross Dubai Creek.

• Inside the restored buildings of the district are small museums, art galleries and cafes, known as ‘browse galleries’ and 'coffee houses'.

• Emirati Cuisine: Visitors can enjoy some of the local cuisine in restaurants along the creek while learning about the cuisine's history.

It’s for the history buffs, the culture lovers and those who want to know how Dubai developed from a small port town into a global city.

6. Wildlife at Ras Al Khor Sanctuary

In the heart of the city is the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, a place of mangrove forests, salt flats and lagoons frequented by thousands of birds each year and one that many of its visitors never miss.

• Flamingo Watching: The cooler months bring large numbers of pink Flamingos coming to the area, which are the highlight of the area.

• From the Public Hides: Some of the hides are free to the public and provide an opportunity to see herons, flamingos and other migratory birds without disturbing them.

• Photography Against the Sky: The foreground is water and birds; the background is the Dubai Downtown skyline.

Entry is free, and the best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when the birds are most active, and the light is soft for pictures.

It is ideal for some time in Downtown Dubai after walking and is perfect for nature lovers, photographers, and those who want to take a break from a more active day.

7. Snow in the Desert: Ski Dubai

It is quite a different experience to spend one day in the heat of the desert and the next in the snow. Ski Dubai is an indoor snow park that has a cold temperature all year round, even when it's hot outside, and not only skiing.

• Skiing and Snowboarding: Real snow slopes for all levels, from first-time skiers who have never seen snow before.

• Tobogganing: A more subdued slide down the slope for people who like to forgo the skis.

• Snowball fights and play areas: Play areas for children and the general public in designated snow play areas.

• Chairlift Ride: A ride to the top of the slope to see the whole park.

• Penguin Encounter: Kids can come face-to-face with penguins in a separate event area.

In fact, visitors will not need to bring their winter clothes on-site, as winter wear will be available at the entrance, making it an effortless stop for families with kids of all ages, those looking to get out of the heat, or those who just want a snow photo taken in Dubai.

Comparing the Seven Expeiences

Plan Your Dubai Adventure with Esa Tours

It's challenging to try new places when you're travelling in an unknown city, and there are so many options available. That's why you need to find a tour company that can help you, such as Esa Tours.

In this guide, you can find a few examples of the tours that can be offered by Esa Tours, such as desert tours and coastal boat trips.

You don't need to spend hours researching which operator is the right fit, comparing prices, or checking the safety standards by yourself; a team will know what you are looking for and what is right for your interests and schedule.

One more advantage of being booked through a company is that there are fewer surprises. Questions can be raised beforehand, the timing and suitability of an activity can be easily ascertained, and the activity can be enjoyed without worrying about logistics.

Whether you're looking for an adrenaline-fuelled adventure or a leisurely day touring the old Dubai, Esa Tours has you covered.

Final Thoughts

Dubai is more than skyscrapers and shopping malls. Under the iconic skyline, you can find vast deserts, a lively coastline, secluded nature reserves, and neighbourhoods with a sense of the old city.

Every experience, whether it's racing across the dunes, sailing along the coast, jumping from a plane, riding down the mountain valleys, walking down old lanes, watching flamingos, or skiing down an indoor slope, is a new look at the city, sometimes with more than one way of doing it.

Next time you visit Dubai, look at the list of attractions but don't stop there. There is a call from the desert, the water, the sky, the mountains, and the old town to explore.