10 Can't-Miss Places to Visit in Dubai

Dubai has tons of things to see and do, so it can be hard to know where to start! As the best place to visit in the UAE, you're sure to find something here that will delight you and your loved ones, whether you're into shopping, architecture, or museums. Here are 10 places in Dubai that everyone needs to visit at least once!

1) Dubai Creek

You could easily spend a few days exploring Dubai Creek, as there is so much to see and do. Take a ride on a traditional dhow boat, explore a water village or head over to Deira for some shopping and dining. There are several historical sites worth seeing as well, including Al Fahidi Fort (the oldest building in Dubai), Bastakiya House (an 18th century house with traditional wind towers) and Al Shindagha Tunnel (which connects two parts of Deira). The Muscat Port at Mina Zayed port is also worth a visit—just beware of some aggressive salespeople when you get off your boat! Soak up these sights while enjoying great shopping, food and plenty of activities.

2) Hatta

With a population of approximately 2,500 people, Hatta is a small town that sits between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. What makes Hatta special is its location. Visitors can enjoy scenic views from atop surrounding cliffs or explore caves dug into mountain sides dating back thousands of years. The area also includes Bedouin settlements where residents still dress and live as they did hundreds of years ago. Hatta is accessible by car, but visitors who want to get out on foot should consider taking a desert safari tour before exploring on their own.

3) Burj Al Arab

The Burj Al Arab is a luxury hotel located on an artificial island off of Jumeirah beach in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The only seven star hotel in the world, its construction was completed on 1 January 1999 and opened on 1 January 2000. The hotel has what is considered to be one of world's most luxurious hotels: only 18% of all available rooms are suites while no room is priced under $1500/night. Due to extreme popularity, reservations at Burj Al Arab must be made up to three years in advance by invitation only. But there are many other options for accommodation across Dubai, especially at other luxury hotels such as Emirates Towers or Dusit Thani Hotel.

4) Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House

If you want a sneak peek into daily life for an Emirati family, Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House is a great place to visit. Located along Shindagha waterfront and surrounded by water on three sides, it offers glimpses of old traditions while also showcasing modern architecture. Don’t miss out on taking some time to just sit back and enjoy life here—it’s peaceful and tranquil, with boats passing by every so often (the sheikh is known for his love of boats). You can spend hours just sitting here watching people walk by or meditating quietly in one of the gardens. Whether you live near or far away from Dubai, visiting Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House is an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed.

5) The Palm Jumeirah

If you’re looking for something serene and low key, consider a visit to The Palm Jumeirah. Located on an island connected by bridge to mainland Dubai, The Palm offers an urban oasis with two theme parks, six hotels, four residential areas, shopping centers and more. Whether you walk along its manmade beaches or take a one of its numerous bicycle tours through its botanical gardens, there’s plenty of sights and fun things to do at The Palm Jumeirah. You can also get out onto open water from here; just make sure you rent a boat from someplace reputable—the ocean can be a dangerous place for amateurs!

6) Historic Buildings and Villages

Take a tour of one of Dubai's historic buildings and villages, like Jumeirah Mosque, which dates back over 200 years. Or visit Al Fahidi Fort, a massive structure that overlooks Bur Dubai and is where Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum—Dubai’s ruler—is thought to have been born. It was originally built in 1787 as a lookout point for travelers from India; today it's a popular tourist attraction full of shops, restaurants and museums. If you'd like something more offbeat, try exploring Umm Hurair 1 near Jumeirah; it's comprised entirely of residential tower blocks dating back nearly 100 years.

7) Downtown Dubai

Downtown is a chaotic but exciting area of Dubai, filled with skyscrapers and hotels. It's also home to a number of attractions, including Souk Al Bahar (an indoor marketplace), The Heritage Village (which recreates life as it was lived in Dubai during various eras), The Dubai Mall (the world’s largest shopping mall) and Burj Khalifa, aka The Burj (the world’s tallest structure). There are plenty of cultural activities downtown as well; you can catch a performance at one of several theaters or visit Spice Souk for some food and souvenirs. Downtown is easily accessible via metro and tram; there's also an extensive bus service that connects downtown with other parts of town. Plan your trip here .

8) Heritage Village

Heritage Village, a replica of an ancient Arab city, features life-size replicas of famous buildings and landmarks. The complex is located in Al Warqa’a, about 20 minutes from downtown. It includes 17 detailed miniatures of well-known structures including: Burj Khalifa, Miracle Garden and Souk Madinat Jumeirah. Make sure to visit at night, when Heritage Village becomes a multi-colored spectacle that's bright enough to be seen from space!

9) Emirates Palace Hotel

Emirates Palace Hotel is one of the most beautiful hotels in Dubai. If you are looking for a unique experience, then it is necessary that you visit Emirates Palace Hotel. It has been voted as one of The Best Hotels In The World and it won many awards too. You will enjoy your stay at Emirates Palace Hotel since its interior decoration is breath-taking and exquisite. It was designed by Tom Wright, who has also designed other amazing hotels such as Burj Al Arab Hotel and Jumeirah Beach Hotel. With modern technology and comforts, its facilities are incomparable which is why people from all over can’t wait to spend some time inside it.

10) Mall of the Emirates

If you're looking for a quintessential Middle Eastern shopping experience, your first stop should be Mall of Emirates. The mall is so huge that it has its own indoor ski slope, ice skating rink and aquarium! It’s also got more than enough shops to keep even your finickiest retail pal satisfied. Best of all, there are outdoor attractions like an upscale theme park as well as a manmade beach perfect for sunbathing and swimming. You can get just about anything at Mall of Emirates, including food from all over Asia, making it one place you shouldn’t miss when visiting Dubai.