Dubai is filled to the brim with endless opportunities. Home to world-famous architecture, fine dining restaurants, unrivalled retail experiences and carefully-curated cultural activities that immerse you in the UAE’s history, there is something for everyone in our Dubai travel guide. But where to begin? Here’s our pick of the best things to do in Dubai, from hot air balloon rides and desert safaris, to luxurious beach clubs and delectable restaurants. 

The desert safari: Platinum Heritage Desert Safari

Walk on Dubai’s wild side with Platinum Heritage’s plethora of premium desert safaris. The only ecotourism safari company in the city, and the only team granted access to the Sheikh’s royal reserve in the desert, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience designed for those who want to experience a more authentic side of Dubai, inspired by the native Bedouins. Adventurers are picked up from their hotel, driven to the camp in the heart of the desert (roughly 40 minutes from the city centre) and dressed in a ghutra (traditional headdress), before choosing from a fleet of state-of-the-art Land Rover SUVs or 1950s open-top trucks. From here, knowledgeable conservationists take the wheel, winding through the desert while detailing Dubai’s rare ecosystem, teaming with gazelles, lizards, and native birds. 

After a couple of hours on the road, a falcon show underneath a wooden cabana awaits, complemented by sparkling ginger juice and canapes. A caravan of Arabian camels descend onto the camp, giving guests the opportunity to hop on board and ride over the sand dunes to an outdoor, low-lit restaurant. Centred around a lake, each group is allocated their own private cabana to dine on a six-course, fine dining menu of Middle Eastern flavours, Mediterranean-inspired dishes and vegan plates. Designed by Michelin-star chef Claudio Filippone, expect refreshing burrata with watermelon, grilled seabass with octopus, lamb with saffron rice, and Arabic coffee chocolate mousse alongside an array of delectable cocktails. Accompanied by live fire performances, the evening finishes with an insightful astrology talk, where experts point out the key stars and constellations that helped the Bedouins track through the desert centuries ago. 

The Platinum Heritage ‘Heritage Safari by vintage Land Rover’ is priced from 695AED (£145) per person. 

The bucket list experience: Hero Balloon Flights Dubai

Take to the skies with Hero Balloon Flights Dubai’s signature experience, inviting guests to embark on a morning in the clouds floating over Dubai’s desert. It requires an early start (adventurers will get picked up between 3-5am) but is more than worth it, as a Land Rover seamlessly chauffeurs you across the Sheikh’s royal reserve to watch a drone show and see your designated hot air balloon inflate before sunrise. Experienced pilots fire up the hot air balloon as it ascends above the sand dunes, where you can spot roaming camels and gazelles below from the safety of the wooden basket. Reaching 4,000 feet and offering a panoramic view of the skyline, watch the sun rise over the Hatta mountains before the highlight of the experience: a rare opportunity to fly with a falcon. Hero Balloon Flights Dubai always has an experienced falconer on board, who releases a falcon while in the clouds so you can soar through the skies with one of the world’s most famous birds by your side. 

Having been tracked by a fleet of Land Rover SUVs, guides are waiting when you land to drive you to a base camp less than 15-minutes away, where you’ll be greeted with a four-course breakfast centred around the four natural elements: water, earth, fire and air. Featuring plates of seaweed-poached crab and lobster with mango, crème fraiche, and caviar (water) or smashed avocado, heirloom carrots and roasted sweet potatoes with baby beetroots (earth), also expect a choice of organic eggs, hot Arabic coffee, fresh fruit and warm pastries in your cabana on arrival. Camel riding pre- or post-breakfast is optional but highly recommended, and rounds off yet another authentic experience in Dubai’s beautiful desert. 

The Hero Balloon Flights Dubai ‘Signature Experience’ is priced from 1,995 AED (£418) per adult and 1,500 AED (£314) per child.

The beach club: Nobu by the Beach at Atlantis The Royal

The first beach club by iconic Japanese restaurant group, Nobu, doesn’t disappoint. Situated within the leafy, breezy surrounds of Atlantis The Royal, at the tip of Dubai’s Palm, Nobu by the Beach blends modern luxury with minimalistic Japanese tradition for a one-of-a-kind beach club experience. A world away from the traffic jams of The Palm and the hustle and bustle of the neighbouring hotels, this is a secluded haven for those in the know, offering a lagoon pool, Nobu restaurant, expansive outdoor bar overlooking the Dubai skyline, and doorstep access to the five-star hotel’s own slice of beach. 

Relax on a stylish sun lounger or upgrade to one of Nobu’s luxury cabanas (two of which feature their own private plunge pools overlooking the Arabian sea) before perusing the delectable menu of fresh light bites and thirst-quenching cocktails. Highlights include succulent short rib aji amarillo tacos, crispy shiitake salad with truffle dressing (an absolute must), black cod butter lettuce – a classic that has been on the Nobu menu since the beginning, featuring silky, bite-sized cod in lettuce cups – and, of course, signature sashimi, nigiri and monaka. Wash down with Nobu’s original cocktails (we love the jalapeño ginger martini) and while the hours away in peace. There’s a reason this is dubbed the most iconic beach club in Dubai. 

The restaurants: High Society, Arrazuna and Row on 45

Fancy dining with views of the Burj Khalifa? Head to the newly-opened Lana hotel in Marasi Bay to experience elegant fare with 180° views across the downtown district at its rooftop restaurant, High Society. Expect a cocktail menu informed by the Incas – South America’s indigenous people who followed the movements of the moon, sun and stars – featuring plenty of spicy serves infused with tequila and mezcal and food informed by French flavours and the Dorchester Collection’s bestsellers, including croque truffle, the McCarthy salad from the Beverly Hills Hotel and koji-marinated chicken pizza topped with smoked burrata. 

Competition at The Link at One&Only One Za'abeel – Dubai’s fine dining foodie epicentre which is home to 10 restaurants – is rather stiff to say the least given the cornucopia of celebrated chefs (think France’s Anne-Sophie Pic and Australian Michelin-starred chef Tetsuya Wakuda) that have taken up a residency here. However, do not overlook Arrazuna by Mehmet Gürs: a souk-inspired dining hall celebrating the vibrant cuisines of the Middle East and Arabian Peninsula, with eight interactive kitchens and gourmet counters where you can purchase take-home produce. Don’t skimp on the pistachio lamb kebab, çi börek – fried meat pastries with fresh coriander and yogurt – and beef short rib flatbread. You’ll be thinking about it for days afterwards, trust us. 

Meanwhile, Jason Atherton may have made his name in London but his restaurant flair has reached far and wide. His Michelin-starred portfolio includes 7Tales, City Social and Row on 45 in Dubai – and it’s the latter we recommend booking for a night to remember. Inviting guests to embark on a culinary journey that unfolds within three acts and features 17 courses, prepare to be wowed and extremely well satiated. 

The spa: Longevity Hub by Clinique La Prairie

As the UAE’s first opening by Swiss brand Clinique La Prairie, this all-encompassing, three-storey spa is, in fact, a longevity hub that does exactly what it says on the tin via the latest advancements in health science. Housed inside One&Only One Za'abeel, the 29 treatment rooms host clinical-style therapies, and for those who wish to dip their toe into the longevity-fuelled waters, book a redeemable health consultation with the spa’s army of resident experts, doctors and dermatologists to discover how your body and mind is faring – and, most importantly, how you can optimise them both. 

It would be rude not to indulge in the 60-minute revitalising massage – a signature treatment that targets energy flow in the body via precise pressures at various speeds and sequences to leave you feeling reset and rebalanced – or the pain and stress relief massage, which uses bamboo sticks to penetrate deeper into the underlying tissue to trigger tension points. Elsewhere, longevity-tailored treatments include cryotherapy and infrared, as well as neuro-wave stimulation and IV drips. Think biohacking, but make it luxury. 

The rooftop pool: Tapasake 

Atop the aforementioned Link at One&Only One Za'abeel is Tapasake, serving contemporary Nikkei cuisine against the backdrop of unobstructed views of the Dubai skyline and the UAE’s longest suspended infinity pool. Entry to the rooftop pool is priced at 250AED (approximately £54) for visitors, and grants you all-day access to the pristine, white day beds, swim-up bar and sunken seating pods in the middle of the 120-metre sparkling pool. Serviced by a refreshing menu inspired by Japanese and South American flavours, expect vibrant, refreshing plates of watermelon salad with cucumber wasabi, wagyu tataki, tiradito mango tuna and sashimi platters overflowing with the freshest fish and fruit. Pair with Tapasake’s signature serves – we love the Paloma Picante with wasabi tequila, grapefruit cordial and soda – for a relaxing day among Dubai’s clouds. 

The shopping: Dubai Shopping Festival and Deira souks

Anyone who’s been to Dubai will know one of its main draws is the unrivalled retail therapy on offer. Those looking to visit from now until January can take advantage of the 30^th edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival. Highlights include, drone shows, fireworks and light art installations, while major shopping destinations like Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates will be aglow with decorations. For something more traditional, visit the traditional souks in Deira via an abra boat ride across Dubai Creek for just 20p per person. The spice souk and gold souk are must-visits, with haggling for gold, frankincense and myrrh strongly encouraged. 

The breakfast: Riviera by Jean Imbert

Brunches are a must in Dubai – with lavish bottomless brunch offerings one of many restaurants’ key money-spinners, as residents and tourists alike book in abundance to get real bang for their buck. For a more authentic experience, head to The Lana’s Riviera restaurant by Michelin-starred French chef Jean Imbert, to get your fill of authentic Middle Eastern dishes. Book the mezze breakfast to indulge in endless portions of organic egg shakshuka, foul medames (fava dip), falafel, hummus, labneh, marinated olives and grilled halloumi, while dining on the Mediterranean-inspired terrace boasting views of the Burj Khalifa. Still hungry? Order the avocado, quail eggs and breadcrumbs, or soft-boiled eggs topped with caviar, and you won’t be disappointed. 

The attractions: Museum of the Future, Dubai Miracle Garden and boat trips on The Palm

An architectural statement in its own right, the Museum of the Future is hard to miss. Situated in Downtown Dubai and eye-catching thanks to its oval shape, it’s a must-visit for those who love futuristic design. The building ‘speaks Arabic’, with its facade acting as a canvas for poetry by the Sheikh of Dubai, while the circle form represents humanity, the green mound it sits atop represents the earth and the void in the middle highlights the unknown future. You’ll find no ancient relics here but instead forward-thinking, interactive design, machines and sculptures focusing on outer space resources, ecosystems, bioengineering and near-future technologies for health, water, food, transportation, and energy. It really does epitomise the visionary culture that has transformed the UAE into one of the world’s most advanced nations in less than 50 years. 

Dubai’s Miracle Garden is actually nothing short of a miracle considering architects, landscape artists and designers have turned this former patch of desert into a thriving floral paradise. Now the world’s largest natural flower garden, home to 150 million flowers of different species, this is a real treat for the senses. Visit early in the morning if you have kids in tow so you can beat the crowds, and don’t miss stand-out features such as the floral clock, Smurf’s village and sunflower field. 

No trip to Dubai is complete without a boat trip on The Palm – and lucky for you, booking one of these is about as easy as booking brunch here. Motor yachts are constantly in and out of the marina, and can be booked as part of a larger group (especially for late-night parties) or smaller, couples-tailored trips. Find a range of tour operators at the marina’s head desk, where boats can often be booked for the same day, and let your captain recommend the best diving, swimming and Instagrammable spots. 

The watersports: Surf House Dubai and SeaYou Watersports

For those keen to dive right into Dubai’s water sport scene, look no further than the Surf House. Established in 2005 and located near Umm Suqeim Beach, it offers an ideal setting to catch two-metre waves during the surfing season, from October to April. Surf House is Dubai’s original surf and standup paddle school, and provides a variety of options for all skill levels, from specialised private lessons to trying E-foil for the first time. 

For those who also want to try their hand at kayaking, catamaran rentals, stand-up paddle boarding, pedalos and windsurfing, look to SeaYou Watersports: one of the UAE’s leading non-motorised water sports operators. Located in the stunning Palm Jumierah, it’s the ideal spot to take advantage of Dubai’s coastline, and also hosts kid’s clubs throughout the year for youngsters to build on their sailing skills (and allows parents to have a day by the pool). 

The fitness experience: Siro and Emirates Golf Club

Fitness fanatics needn’t look further than Siro to get their endorphin fix. This 144-key hotel is part of the One&Only One Za’abeel building in Downtown Dubai, and offers a unique concept which targets athletes and avid gym-goers. Solely committed to optimising physical and mental wellbeing via a seamless fusion of science and technology, the massive Technogym-equipped gym offers an exclusive timetable of 50 classes within four exclusive studio spaces, ranging from boxing and cycling to yoga and reformer Pilates. Inside the design-led suites, expect a private workout area, king-sized beds with thermo-regulating mattresses, floor-to-ceiling windows and a recovery cabinet stocked with exercise essentials like stretch bands, meditation cushions and yoga mats. Plus, televisions have been replaced with projectors, offering access to virtual recovery sessions. Futuristic fitness at its finest. 

Located in Al Thanyah Third, the Emirates Golf Club is a 36-hole golf course renowned for being the first grass course in the Middle East. Take your pick from three courses, including the Majilis Course, famous for its lush fairways and carefully placed bunkers. Elsewhere, the Faldo Course has been designed by golf legend Nick Faldo to allow for teeing off day and night, while the Par 3 Academy course is ideal for golfers of all levels, gradually increasing in difficulty to help improve short game skills, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Dubai Marina skyline.

Visit visitdubai.com

Read more: Inside London’s Michelin Key hotels