What to do in Dubai

Discover atmospheric alleyways and ancient souks where you can browse for spices, antiques, handicrafts and jewels.

Visit Al Fahidi Fort and Sheikh Saeed’s Al-Maktoum’s Palace or the archaeological sites at Al Ghusais or Jumeirah to find artifacts dating from the 7th to 15th century.

Or climb atop a camel and trek into the sand dunes, discover the ancient fortressed village of Hatta or swim from Dubai’s white sandy beaches.

Golf

Choose from three championship courses. Play the verdant greens of the Majlis course, home of world-class events such as the Dubai Desert Classic and the Dubai Ladies’ Masters.

Or tee-off at the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club’s 18-hole championship golf course complete with golf academy, restaurants and bars, gymnasium, swimming pool, the Park Hyatt Dubai and a 121-berth marina.

Cruise the Creek

Cruise down the Dubai Creek or into the Gulf on a traditional dhow for a few hours or longer.

Wadi-bashing

Hire a 4WD, get off the beaten track and explore Dubai’s wadis or dry river beds. Known locally as ‘wadi-bashing’, an hour or so of rough driving will reward you with rock pools, oases and ancient stone houses.

Dune driving

Take a roller coaster ride across the shifting surface of huge sand dunes. Don’t be surprised to see wildlife - from foxes, hares and lizards to gazelles and eagles. Courses in sand driving are available.

Sand skiing

Strap on special skis and head to the interior of the Dubai desert for speed and excitement in the unusual sport of sand-skiing down the highest dunes.

Desert safari

Trek the desert atop a camel (or in a 4WD). Enjoy a spectacular desert sunset followed by a traditional Arab barbecue under the stars with music and belly dancers (optional).

Snow skiing

Go skiing in Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates indoor ski resort.

Camel races

Held in Dubai on Thursdays and Fridays during the winter months. Browse camel accessories, including blankets, rugs and beads, at the nearby market.

Fishing

Charter a boat and fish for sailfish and bottom-feeding sharks. The Gulf is rich in marine life, with kingfish, jackfish, red snapper, rock cod, barracuda and other species caught commercially but not for sport.

Horse riding

Saddle up at one of several riding centres including the Dubai Equestrian Centre and Jebel Ali Hotel Riding Stables and trek into the desert.

The sport of kings is Dubai’s most popular spectator event, with race meetings held weekly at one of the UAE’s four racecourses during the cooler months.

Bedouin Village

Take an adventurous trip to a Bedouin Village. Experience the traditional way of living in a desert and enjoy a camel riding lesson across the dunes.

Shopping

Head to the local souks for traditional leather goods, gold, brass, jewellery and silverware.

For haute-couture clothing, jewellery, electronics and sporting equipment, explore Dubai’s famous duty-free shopping at the Mall of the Emirates on Sheikh Zayed Roa or The Dubai Mall – the largest shopping malls outside North America - or Souk Madinat Jumeirah, designed to resemble a traditional souk but with the comfort of air-conditioning.