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Burj Khalifa rising above the Dubai Fountain lake at dusk
Emirate guide

Dubai

The towers, the old Creek, seasonal parks and the mountains at Hatta.

Photo: Christian Raggini, CC0

Dubai is the UAE's most visited city and also its most seasonal: Global Village, Dubai Miracle Garden and Dubai Safari Park all reopened in October for the cool season, and the Shopping Festival (4 December to 17 January) and the Dubai World Cup (27 March) fall within it. It is a city of big set-pieces, from Burj Khalifa to the Marina, but its quieter side, the old Creek, Al Fahidi and the mountains at Hatta, is where visitors tend to say they enjoyed it most.

Where to start

Experiences in Dubai

A castle made of flowers at Dubai Miracle Garden
Dubai
Family · Romance

Dubai Miracle Garden, Season 15

Over 200 million flowers, a floral Emirates A380 and weekly themed celebrations.

2 to 3 hours$$$$
Baobab sculptures on the main plaza at Dubai Safari Park
Dubai
Family · Adventure

Dubai Safari Park, Season 8

A walk-through wildlife park, back for its eighth season.

3 to 4 hours$$$$
Burj Khalifa rising above the Dubai Fountain lake at dusk
Dubai
Big Moments · Romance

Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain

The tallest building in the world, and a free fountain show at its foot.

2 to 3 hours$$$$
Wooden abra water taxis lined up at a station on Dubai Creek
Dubai
Heritage & Culture · Food & Markets

Old Dubai: the Creek, abras and Al Fahidi

Wooden boats, spice stalls and the wind towers of the old town.

Half a day$$$$
A wooden trading dhow being loaded at night on Dubai Creek
Dubai
Romance · After Dark

Dhow cruise in Dubai: which one is worth it

Two-hour dinner cruises on a wooden boat. Choose the route, not the buffet.

2 hours$$$$
Hatta Dam reflecting the Hajar Mountains
Dubai
Adventure · Family

Hatta: mountains, a dam and a wadi park

A cooler, greener hour and a half from the Dubai skyline.

A full day$$$$
Flamingos on a lake at Al Qudra, Dubai
Dubai
Slow & Wellness · Adventure

Al Qudra: lakes, cycling and dark skies near Dubai

Birdlife by day, a long cycle loop and the closest dark sky to the city.

Half a dayFree
Rippled red-gold dunes in the UAE desert
Dubai
Adventure · Romance

Hot air ballooning over the UAE desert

A sunrise launch, an hour above the dunes and a desert breakfast.

3.5 to 4.5 hours including transfers$$$$
On this season

Events in Dubai

Full calendar
Oct8to 30 Apr
On nowFamily

Dubai Miracle Garden reopens, Season 15

8 Oct 2026 to 30 Apr 2027 · Al Barsha South, Dubai
Oct12to 30 Apr
On nowFamily

Dubai Safari Park reopens, Season 8

12 Oct 2026 to 30 Apr 2027 · Al Warqa 5, Dubai
Oct14to 30 Apr
On nowFamilyMajor

Global Village Dubai, Season 31

14 Oct 2026 to 30 Apr 2027 · Global Village, Dubai
Oct22
Concert

Gipsy Kings by André Reyes

22 Oct 2026 · Dubai Opera, Dubai
Oct24
ConcertMajor

Nancy Ajram Live

24 Oct 2026 · Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
Oct25
Concert

Blue Live

25 Oct 2026 · Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre, Dubai
Oct31to 29 Nov
Sport

Dubai Fitness Challenge (10th edition)

31 Oct to 29 Nov 2026 · Across Dubai, Dubai
Nov1
Concert

Benjamin Clementine at Dubai Opera

1 Nov 2026 · Dubai Opera, Dubai

Dubai: common questions

What is open in Dubai in winter that is closed in summer?+

Global Village (opened 14 October), Dubai Miracle Garden (8 October) and Dubai Safari Park (12 October) are seasonal and reopen each autumn.

When is Dubai Shopping Festival 2026-27?+

4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027, according to Trade Arabia.

Is Dubai worth a day trip from Abu Dhabi?+

Yes. The train between the two takes about an hour and the road about 90 minutes.

Nearby

Next door

The Central Souk (Blue Souk) in Sharjah lit up at night
1 events · 5 places

Sharjah

The cultural capital: forts, museums, a book fair and a safari park.

Dubai Marina towers reflected in the water at night
0 places

Ajman

The smallest emirate: a fort-museum, dhow yards and a quiet corniche.

The summit of Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah
1 events · 2 places

Ras Al Khaimah

The highest peak in the UAE, a hilltop fort and the longest zipline in the world.

Part of the Hadath guide to Dubai and its neighbours.