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• Visit Dubai
• Places to visit

Burj Khalifa

Sights & Attractions

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Frequently asked questions.

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1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Downtown Dubai

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Observation Decks

Ready to experience record heights!

At the Top, Burj Khalifa

You may choose between : (L125.L124)

• Be thrilled by the world's fastest double-deck elevators, cruising at 10m/s.
• Take a closer look at the world below through avant-garde, high powered, telescopes.
• Step out onto the public outdoor observation terrace overlooking the ever-growing skyline.
• At 456 meters, Level 125 offers a spacious deck tastefully decorated in Arabic mashrabiya for stunning 360-degree views.
• Capture your Burj Khalifa moments forever and integrate reality and special effects with green screen photography.
• Set off on a virtual reality experience to the pinnacle of Burj Khalifa.
• Enjoy a new immersive experience; step on an inspired glass-floor with a twist. Feel the glass crack underneath your feet, as you explore the lofty heights from 456 meters in the air.

The History of Burj Khalifa: An Icon of Modernity

The History of Burj Khalifa: An Icon of Modernity in Dubai

The Burj Khalifa stands as a towering testament to human ingenuity and architectural marvel in the heart of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This iconic skyscraper has captured the world's attention, not only for its impressive height but also for the remarkable story of its construction and the impact it has had on Dubai's skyline and global perception.

Designed by the renowned architect Adrian Smith, the Burj Khalifa's construction began in 2004 and was completed in 2010, officially opening its doors to the public on January 4, 2010. The skyscraper reaches a staggering height of 828 meters (2,717 feet) and boasts 163 floors. It has firmly established itself as the tallest man-made structure globally, overshadowing other famous landmarks like the Taipei 101 and the Shanghai Tower.

The inspiration behind the Burj Khalifa's design draws heavily from Islamic architecture and the regional culture. The tower's sleek, modern appearance features a combination of traditional Middle Eastern elements, such as the stepped design resembling a minaret and the use of intricate patterns in its exterior cladding.

One of the most remarkable features of the Burj Khalifa is its observation deck, At the Top, located on the 148th floor. Visitors can experience breathtaking panoramic views of Dubai's skyline and the surrounding Arabian Gulf from this vantage point. It's a testament to the tower's commitment to offering a unique and awe-inspiring experience to all who visit.

Behind the grandeur and engineering marvels, there is a fascinating story of how the Burj Khalifa came to be. Its construction required the dedication of thousands of workers, with some estimates suggesting that over 12,000 workers from various countries played a role in its realization. The tower's construction materials include over 103,000 cubic meters of concrete and 15,500 square meters of embossed stainless steel.

One of the defining moments in the tower's history was the renaming of the Burj Khalifa during its grand opening. Originally called the Burj Dubai, it was renamed in honor of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates, and the ruler of Abu Dhabi, who played a crucial financial role in the tower's construction, providing vital support during the global financial crisis.

Aside from being a global architectural marvel and a symbol of Dubai's modernity, the Burj Khalifa houses luxury residential apartments, corporate suites, world-class restaurants, and a high-end hotel, the Armani Hotel Dubai. It has become a hub for both residents and tourists, offering a luxurious and integrated lifestyle within its walls.

The Burj Khalifa has also played a pivotal role in attracting international attention to Dubai. It has become a symbol of the city's ambition and a key driver of its tourism industry. Tourists from all over the world flock to Dubai to witness this monumental structure and experience its grandeur.

In conclusion, the Burj Khalifa is not just a skyscraper; it is an architectural masterpiece, a symbol of modernity, and a testament to Dubai's ambition. Its history is intertwined with the growth and development of the city, and it continues to stand as an iconic structure that captures the world's imagination.

Dubai: Aquarium & Burj Khalifa Combo Ticket

Explore two of Dubai's iconic attractions with a unique combo ticket that grants access to both the Dubai Aquarium and the Burj Khalifa. Elevate your experience as you ascend to the 124th or 125th floor of the Burj Khalifa, enjoying breathtaking panoramic views of the city, desert, and Gulf.

Embark on an enchanting journey through the underwater tunnels of the Dubai Aquarium, home to 485 aquatic species, including rare creatures like the King Crocodile and Sand Tiger Sharks. Immerse yourself in three distinct ecological zones: Rainforest, Rocky Shore, and Living Ocean.

Save time and energy by visiting both attractions on the same day, making the most of your Dubai adventure. From the depths of the ocean to the heights of the skyline, this combo ticket promises a seamless and unforgettable experience.

Experience Highlights:

• Fast-track elevator ride to the 124th or 125th floor of the Burj Khalifa
• Exploration of the underwater tunnels at the Dubai Aquarium
• Panoramic views across Dubai city and the surrounding desert
• Encounter with rare marine species and one of the world's largest reptiles

Make the most of your Dubai adventure with this combined ticket, offering a perfect blend of architectural marvel and marine wonders.

Meeting Point

Please visit the Burj Khalifa during your selected time slot. For those starting at the Dubai Aquarium, collect your ticket at the Will Call counter of At the Top Burj Khalifa. The Dubai Aquarium is on the ground floor, and the Underwater Zoo is on the second floor of the Dubai Mall.

Important Information

• Both tickets must be used on the same day
• Entry to the Burj Khalifa is valid only at the selected time on your booking
• Visit to the aquarium can be taken at any time on the same day
• Infants aged 0-3 are free of charge and don't require a ticket

Experience the magic of Dubai with this seamless combo ticket, offering a day filled with awe-inspiring views and fascinating marine life.

Construction and Innovations in Dubai

Dubai, a city known for its remarkable skyline and innovative architectural marvels, is a global hub for construction and innovation. The rapid growth and development of this city have been nothing short of astonishing, with ambitious projects continuously shaping its landscape.

One of the key factors driving the construction boom in Dubai is its visionary leadership and strategic planning. The government and private sectors collaborate to develop state-of-the-art infrastructure, residential complexes, commercial buildings, and iconic landmarks that showcase the city's futuristic vision.

Innovative Architectural Designs

Dubai is synonymous with groundbreaking architecture and unique designs. The city is home to the world-famous Burj Khalifa, the tallest building on the planet, standing as a testament to human engineering and architectural excellence. The Palm Jumeirah, an artificial archipelago, is another engineering marvel that has captured global attention.

Architects and engineers in Dubai constantly push the boundaries of what's possible. Futuristic designs blend seamlessly with traditional Arabic influences, creating a distinctive aesthetic that sets Dubai apart from other cities.

Sustainable Development Initiatives

With a growing emphasis on sustainability, Dubai is investing heavily in green building technologies and eco-friendly practices. The city aims to reduce its carbon footprint and promote energy efficiency in all its construction projects. Buildings are designed to meet stringent sustainability standards, integrating renewable energy sources and efficient waste management systems.

Furthermore, Dubai is embracing smart technologies to optimize resource usage, monitor energy consumption, and enhance overall environmental performance. This commitment to sustainability ensures that the city grows responsibly while preserving its natural surroundings.

Infrastructure Development

Dubai's infrastructure development is nothing short of extraordinary. The city boasts an extensive network of modern roads, bridges, tunnels, and public transportation systems that facilitate smooth connectivity and accessibility. The Dubai Metro, an advanced rail network, is a prime example of the city's dedication to providing efficient transport solutions.

The Al Maktoum International Airport and the Dubai International Airport are among the busiest in the world, supporting the city's position as a major global hub for trade, tourism, and commerce. These world-class facilities underline Dubai's commitment to maintaining its status as a premier business destination.

The Future of Construction in Dubai

The future of construction and innovation in Dubai is incredibly promising. As the city continues to evolve and expand, it's likely that we'll witness even more audacious projects and groundbreaking designs. With sustainability at the forefront, Dubai will pioneer eco-friendly practices that set new standards for urban development.

In conclusion, Dubai's construction and innovation sector is a shining example of what human ingenuity and determination can achieve. The city's skyline stands as a tribute to the visionary leaders, skilled professionals, and relentless pursuit of excellence that define Dubai's growth story.

Description of Burj Khalifa Level 124 and 125 Entry Experience

Ascend the iconic Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, to the 124th and 125th floors for an unparalleled panoramic view of Dubai and the Arabian Gulf. Marvel at the awe-inspiring architecture and technology behind this Middle Eastern icon as you stand on the observation deck balcony. Admire Dubai from the highest skyscraper on the planet and enjoy 360-degree views, all facilitated by the world's fastest elevator ride to the top.

While on the observation deck, immerse yourself in the city's beauty, witnessing the sun setting over the skyline. Gain insights into the Burj Khalifa's engineering marvel through telescopes available on the deck. Capture the memories with a souvenir photograph available for purchase. Experience the Dubai Fountain show with synchronized music playing from the observation decks, adding a touch of magic to your visit.

This entry ticket provides a window to the extraordinary, allowing you to use viewing telescopes and access Wi-Fi. Be captivated by the world's largest dancing fountain, set on the Burj Khalifa Lake, during your visit.

Important Information and Tips

Before you go, ensure you have your passport or ID card for entry. Remember, the Burj Khalifa entry ticket is valid for the booked time slot only. Children under 4 years old enter free of charge. Be sure to check the Dubai Fountain schedule for an enhanced experience, and consider booking 30 minutes before the show to secure a great spot.

Your journey to the top may include some waiting time at the observation deck exhibits, particularly during peak hours. Despite this, the unparalleled views and the overall experience make it a must-visit when in Dubai.

Reviews and Recommendations

Visitors consistently rate this experience highly, with an overall rating of 4.5 based on 46,264 reviews. Travelers appreciate the efficient transportation, good value for money, excellent service, and smooth organization. Some suggest planning the visit during less busy hours to fully enjoy the experience without the crowds.

For many, this is a must-do activity during a stopover in Dubai, offering spectacular views and a well-organized visit. However, a common point of feedback is the optional but persistent photo opportunity, which some visitors find interruptive to the flow of the experience.

The View from the Top: Exploring Dubai's Skyline

Dubai, a city known for its opulence, innovation, and breathtaking architecture, offers a view from the top that is nothing short of extraordinary. The Dubai skyline is a testament to human achievement, showcasing some of the world's tallest and most iconic skyscrapers. In this article, we will take you on a virtual journey to explore the mesmerizing view from the top of Dubai's towering structures.

The Burj Khalifa: Reaching for the Stars

Our adventure begins at the pinnacle of Dubai's skyline - the Burj Khalifa. This architectural marvel stands as the tallest building globally, soaring to a staggering height of 828 meters. Visitors can experience a view that seems to touch the heavens from its observation decks on the 124th and 148th floors. The panorama from the top of the Burj Khalifa offers a 360-degree spectacle of Dubai's modern metropolis, the Persian Gulf, and the surrounding desert landscape.

As you stand atop this skyscraper, the city's hustle and bustle seem to fade into a distant hum. The skyscrapers below appear miniature, and the intricate design of Palm Jumeirah and the World Islands becomes clear, showcasing Dubai's ambition to reshape its geography.

The Palm Jumeirah: An Island of Luxury

Descending from the Burj Khalifa, we turn our gaze toward the Palm Jumeirah. Shaped like a palm tree, this man-made island is home to some of Dubai's most luxurious resorts and residences. As you look down from above, the fronds of the palm reveal a mosaic of swimming pools, beaches, and exclusive properties. The view from the top highlights the architectural brilliance of human ingenuity in creating this island paradise.

At night, the Palm Jumeirah is a sight to behold, with its illuminated shoreline forming a radiant jewel in the Arabian Sea. The glittering lights reflect off the calm waters, creating a surreal atmosphere that's truly enchanting.

The Dubai Marina: A Modern Urban Wonderland

Leaving the Palm Jumeirah behind, we head to the Dubai Marina, another iconic destination in Dubai. From a high vantage point, you can witness the intricate waterways, impressive yachts, and a forest of towering skyscrapers that define this vibrant district. The Dubai Marina is a testament to Dubai's commitment to modern urban planning and innovative architecture.

The view from above showcases the city's blend of traditional Arabian design with futuristic structures, creating a captivating skyline that represents the city's cosmopolitan spirit.

The Dubai Fountain: A Choreographed Water Symphony

Our journey wouldn't be complete without a visit to the base of the Burj Khalifa, where the Dubai Fountain puts on a mesmerizing show. As the world's largest choreographed fountain system, it shoots water jets as high as 150 meters into the air, perfectly synchronized with music and lighting. From the top of the Burj Khalifa, this aquatic spectacle takes on an almost magical quality, as the water dances in harmony with the city's rhythm.

Whether you're watching the fountain from a distance or from the observation decks of the Burj Khalifa, the view of this water symphony is bound to leave you in awe.

The view from the top in Dubai is a sensory overload of architectural marvels, natural beauty, and urban sophistication. From the Burj Khalifa to the Palm Jumeirah, the Dubai Marina to the Dubai Fountain, each vantage point offers a unique perspective on this dynamic city. Dubai's skyline is a testament to human ambition and creativity, and it's a view that will leave you with lasting memories of this extraordinary city.

Unforgettable Experience at Dubai Aquarium and Burj Khalifa

Explore two of Dubai's most iconic attractions with a combined ticket to the Dubai Aquarium and Burj Khalifa. Take in breathtaking panoramic views from levels 124 and 125 of the Burj Khalifa and immerse yourself in the fascinating marine life from around the world as you walk through the unique underwater tunnels of the aquarium.

Discover Dubai from Above: Helicopter Tour Over The Palm

Soar over iconic sights like Atlantis The Palm, Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa, The World Islands, Dubai Frame, and Dubai Marina. Choose your preferred flight start time and duration.

Dubai Burj Khalifa Tickets & Tour: Levels 124, 125, and 148

Avoid waiting in lines and experience the breathtaking views of Dubai from the 124th, 125th, and 148th floors of the Burj Khalifa. Gain access to exclusive observation decks and enjoy personalized attention.

Dubai: Glimpse from Burj Khalifa’s 124th and 125th Floors

Experience Dubai from the vantage point of Burj Khalifa's observation deck. Rise to levels 124 and 125 and immerse yourself in a sweeping view over the vast Arabian Gulf.

Dubai’s Most Iconic Attraction

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Dubai City Tour

Tour Information

Whet-your-appetite city tour (5-6 hours) | dubai city tour (full day).

If you want to soak in all its historical glory along with its fancy new development, then this is the perfect tour for you. With in-depth walking and quick efficient stops to major highlights and sightseeing spots of Dubai, this rather compact Dubai City Tour is designed to give you a good sense of this fascinating city, or shall we say whet-your-appetite. A traditional Emirati meal is covered in the tour.

See Dubai like a Pro in one-day on this all-encompassing and perfectly curated tour that mixes old with the new. Some walking with some driving, a traditional lunch in addition to plenty of stunning selfie opportunities! This tour incorporates everything of the short-tour described above with much more! This tour helps our guest enjoy both Old and New Dubai in significant detail. This tour can also be customized for those at the airport, to suit a stopover or a layover between two flights. 

Whet-Your-Appetite City Tour lasts for approximately 5-6 hours. The tour starts with an engaging walk through the old historic neighborhood with our world-famous guides. Old Dubai is the center of local trade in Dubai hence there will be plenty of shopping opportunities in the traditional souks. Furthermore, expect a fun Abra ride across the Dubai Creek and a lunch break with local Emirati Food.

Kite Beach, Dubai

We then head to the modern developments in Dubai, driving through the coastline, the beaches, the fancy hotels, the Marinas to the Palm Islands. The tour concludes at the Dubai Mall – the hub for many fun-filled evening activities. There is also time planned for shopping or a visit to the Burj Khalifa. 

Jumeirah Mosque, Dubai

At the end of the day, you will have so much insight on the city that therefore you will feel like you own this town!

Itinerary for the Tour:

• Meet at Bastakiya Neighbourhood in Al Fahidi District
• Dubai Museum
• Old Textile Souk
• Traditional Abra Ride across the Dubai Creek
• Spice & Gold Souks
• Traditional Emirati Lunch
• Jumeirah Mosque
• Kite Beach & Burj Al Arab
• Jumeirah Palm Island with selfie stop outside the Atlantis
• Drop off at Dubai Mall & Burj Khalifa (with the opportunity to visit the top of the Burj Khalifa/view the Dubai Fountain Show.

*We do not provide Hotel pick up or drop off for this tour. You must reach the starting point by metro/ cab and the tour ends in the Dubai Mall.

For more details, customized tours and reservations, you can drop us an email on [email protected]

Come to join us in discovering Dubai like never!

Tour Information:

Whet-Your-Appetite Dubai City Tour (5-6 hours). Minimum of 2 guests.

AED 640/person

Approximately 6 hours

Tour Schedule:

The start time of the tour is at 10 AM but we are flexible.

Departure point:

Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

Reservations:

Book online or contact us at [email protected] for more information.

And much, much more

North america, united kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.

The 10 best things to do in Dubai

P repare to be overwhelmed with superlatives while in Dubai – an emirate defined by its ability to evolve and astound. Even regular visitors will be tempted by something new every time they arrive – a record-breaking museum perhaps, or maybe an entire hipster neighbourhood that seemingly sprang up overnight. So, tick the must-dos off your list – attempting to squeeze all 2,722 feet (828 metres) of the Burj Khalifa into one photograph and sailing a traditional abra (wooden boat) across Dubai Creek, for example – but don’t ever think you’ve done Dubai, because Dubai is always on a mission to outdo itself. Here are the best things to do in Dubai.

For further Dubai inspiration, see our guides to the city's best  hotels ,  restaurants ,  shopping ,  nightlife  and  family-friendly things to do . 

Find things to do by area

Al fahidi historical district, jumeirah and umm sequim, zabeel park, downtown dubai, al barsha south.

• Dubai Marina and Bluewaters Island 

Follow your tastebuds in the souks

Dubai's souks are best explored on a guided walking tour and the most locally renowned of them are hosted by Frying Pan Adventures. Founder Arva Saleem Ahmed and her growing team curate culinary walks peppered with Arabian, Indian and Iranian food tastings, while covering the 'Old Dubai' essentials of being ferried across Dubai Creek on a cheap-as-chips abra, shopping at the spice and textile souks and exploring the historic Al Fahidi neighbourhood. The 'Dubai Souks and Creekside Food Walk' lasts around four hours and is the most comprehensive tour offered. 

Insider’s tip: Tours require a minimum of four guests. Bring your own earphones for the audio guide and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Contact: fryingpanadventures.com

Nearest metro: Sharaf DG

Enjoy water sports in the Arabian Sea

The Arabian Sea is a stunning azure playground serviced by several equipment rental companies. Hire stand-up paddle boards or kayaks on beautiful Kite Beach at Kite N Surf, where you can also learn the art of kitesurfing, or pick up a jet ski at JetSki Dubai at Umm Sequim. The company offers guided tours along the shoreline, as well as flyboarding and parasailing sessions.

Insider’s tip: If you want to feel like a celebrity at sea and have fellow tourists stop to take your photo, hire JetSki Dubai’s jet car, which works like a jet ski but looks like an Aston Martin. "Shagadelic, Baby!" 

Contact: kitensurf.ae / jetskiingdubai.com

Get the picture at Dubai Frame

At ground level in Zabeel Park, circumnavigate Dubai Frame to see the contrasting faces of this emirate – ‘Old Dubai’ is framed from one direction and ‘New Dubai’ from the other. Inside, it’s essentially a footbridge with a glass floor, 500 feet (150 metres) up in the sky, giving guests a vertiginous thrill as they look down and a 360-degree view of Dubai as they look out.

Insider’s tip: Once you’ve seen the old and the new through the Frame, visit the Future Dubai Gallery on the mezzanine floor to find out what tomorrow looks like for this fast-paced metropolis.

Contact:   dubaiframe.ae

Nearest metro:  Max

Book tickets

Light-up nocturnal outings at Dubai Garden Glow

As romantic as it is family-friendly, Dubai Garden Glow is the world’s largest glow-in-the-dark theme park featuring 10 million energy-saving bulbs in fanciful illuminated formations of giant coral reefs filled with delightful Disney-esque jelly fish, exotic birds perched in gilded aviaries, Seventies-worthy disco tunnels and glistening models of local landmarks. There are also 100 animatronic dinosaurs for budding paleontologists to walk among.

Insider’s tip: Cool down at the on-site Ice Park where 5,000 tonnes of ice have been fashioned into a small airplane, a winged horse and carriage and a miniature Burj Khalifa, among other things.

Contact: dubaigardenglow.com

Tick off the major Downtown highlights

The world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, neighbours the sprawling, designer label-filled Dubai Mall and the dancing Dubai Fountain, and between them they share a patch of Downtown Dubai famed for prestige, evident right down to the parking lots lined with Maseratis and Lamborghinis. Sheikh Mohammed, Ruler of Dubai, owns a penthouse in the tower, which also houses the  At the Top observation deck  and  Armani Hotel Dubai .

Insider’s tip:  The Dubai Fountain is best viewed by night when laser and light shows accompany the music. Also note that the Dubai Mall is equivalent in size to 50 football pitches, so you should wear comfortable shoes.

Contact: burjkhalifa.ae ; thedubaimall.com

Nearest metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall

Price: £-£££

Book tickets: Burj Khalifa ; Dubai Mall

Enjoy an alternative night at the opera

Dhow-shaped in a nod to traditional Arabian ships, the 2,000-seat Dubai Opera opened with a promise to bring cultural diversity to entertainment in the region, and delivers shows that range from music by Morcheeba and comedy by Al Murray (The Pub Landlord) to ballets of the Swan Lake variety and the BBC Proms. Plus, Antipodean super-chef Sean Connolly has a seafood and steak brasserie on the top floor.

Insider’s tip: Head to the nearby  Armani/Ristorante  for refined Italian pre-theatre menus, served from 5.30pm at AED 250 for two courses and AED 300 (£64) for three.

Contact: dubaiopera.com

Nearest metro:  Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall

See 100 million flowers in one day at Dubai Miracle Garden

Imagine a universe made of flowers and you’re picturing Dubai Miracle Garden, winner of a Guinness World Record for the largest floral arrangement ever created, which takes the form of a 70-metre-long A380 airplane resplendent in a rainbow of petals. Stroll beneath heart-shaped trellises swollen with petunias along the Avenue of Love, the most photographed display at the attraction, and see houses, windmills and even a Mercedes, all repurposed as planters for marigolds, roses, calendulas and tulips.

Insider’s tip: The Butterfly Garden, enclosed and aflutter with myriad species, is popular with children; visit during school hours if you want the winged beauties all to yourself.

Contact: visitdubai.com

Dubai Marina and Bluewaters Island

Spend an afternoon at the beach jbr.

At The Beach JBR, prove to the kids you’ve still got what it takes to make it around an inflatable floating assault course at sea (Aqua Park, AED 150/£30 for adults; AED 120/£25 for children), then refuel at one of the many restaurants on the strip. As night falls, potter among the market stalls, where you can learn how to create bottled sand art and pick up customised flip-flops.

Insider’s tip: Try the succulent peppered clams at Aprons & Hammers , but note that restaurants at The Beach don’t serve alcohol unless they’re part of a hotel complex.

Contact: thebeach.ae

Nearest metro:  DMCC

Jump out of a plane

You’ll never forget Dubai after you’ve seen it hurtling towards you as you fall from the sky. This is the feeling you’ll experience on a tandem jump with SkyDive Dubai. Planes take off from the runway located on the shores of Dubai Marina, ascending above Palm Jumeirah before instructors strap on their passengers and coax them out the door. If you’re brave enough to try it, you’ll be replaying the GoPro video for years. 

Insider’s tip: If the thought of jumping out of a plane makes your stomach do somersaults, take SkyDive Dubai’s less queasy two-seat gyrocopter aircraft ride with a qualified pilot instead. No jumping required. 

Contact: skydivedubai.ae

Set your heart racing at supersized Dubai Parks and Resorts

Mix international movie park Motiongate with the world’s first football theme park, throw in a Polynesian-themed hotel and a Legoland hotel and theme park, and what have you got? Dubai Parks and Resorts. This multiplex of amusement offers high-speed rides, a village of Smurfs, theatre productions and parades, and a primary-coloured world made of kids’ building blocks.

Insider’s tip:  If your clan is mad about parks, check into the on-site  Lapita Hotel  and receive unlimited multi-park access and complimentary Q-fast to Motiongate for the duration of your stay.

Contact: dubaiparksandresorts.com

Nearest metro: UAE Exchange (from here a taxi will cost around AED 40/£8)

Price: ££-£££

How we choose

Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.

Play The Telegraph’s brilliant range of Puzzles - and feel brighter every day. Train your brain and boost your mood with PlusWord, the Mini Crossword, the fearsome Killer Sudoku and even the classic Cryptic Crossword.

Burj Khalifa

Montez au sommet de la plus haute tour du monde..

Ne manquez pas cette expérience incroyable lors de votre voyage à Dubaï !

Empruntez l’ascenseur et profitez d’une vue à 360° sur Dubaï

Depuis son inauguration par le premier ministre Mohammed ben Rachid Al Maktoum en janvier 2010, le Burj Khalifa est officiellement la plus grande tour du monde : elle mesure  828 mètres de haut !

Visible à près de 100 kilomètres à la ronde, l’édifice est situé dans le quartier commerçant Downtown Dubaï, au centre de Dubaï.

Projet fou d’un émir visionnaire, il est devenu au fil des années une véritable icône touristique.

Avec son design inspiré de la fleur du désert Hymenocallis (un noyau central et 3 « pétales » en guise de contreforts), Burj Khalifa offre à son sommet une vue imprenable sur la cité dubaïote, le désert du Rub al-Khali et le golfe Persique. Tout simplement le meilleur point de vue du Moyen-Orient, d’après une étude de Remitly de mai 2022.

Si vous voulez faire partie des 10 000 touristes qui montent chaque jour sur la plateforme d’observation panoramique de cette merveille vivante, plusieurs options s’offrent à vous… mais la réservation est absolument obligatoire !

Avant d’acheter votre précieux sésame, prenez donc le temps de parcourir notre guide de visite de Burj Khalifa .

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Les bus à Dubaï : on vous explique tout !

Burj Al Arab : l’hôtel 7 étoiles de Dubaï !

XLine Dubai Marina, l’incroyable tyrolienne de Dubaï

Les jours fériés à Dubaï

Les taxis à Dubaï : tout ce que vous devez savoir

Questions fréquentes, 1. le burj khalifa est-il la plus grande tour de dubaï .

Oui. Avec une hauteur de 828 mètres , le Burj Khalifa est actuellement le plus haut bâtiment de la ville de Dubaï. Il devance Marina 101 (425 mètres, 101 étages — actuellement abandonnée), Princess Tower (414 mètres, 101 étages) et 23 Marina (395 mètres, 89 étages).

2. Le Burj Khalifa est-il la tour la plus haute du monde en 2024 ?

Oui. Depuis son inauguration en 2010, le Burj Khalifa est la plus haute tour du monde , devant le Merdeka 118 (679 mètres, Malaisie). Il a détrôné Taipei 101 (Taïwan), qui était jusqu’alors le plus grand gratte ciel du monde avec ses 508 mètres et ses 101 étages.

Sa qualité de numéro 1 a été officiellement validée par le  Guinness World Records . Notons toutefois que sans les 244 mètres constitués par sa flèche en acier, Burj Khalifa perdrait son leadership et retomberait alors à « seulement » 584 mètres.

À titre de comparaison, la taille de Burj Khalifa est 2 fois supérieure à celle de l’Empire State Building à New York ou de l’International Finance Centre de Hong Kong, et presque 3 fois supérieure à celle de la Tour Eiffel à Paris, ou de The Shard à Londres.

En juillet 2023, l’homme d’affaires Farhad Azizi (Azizi Developments) a annoncé la construction d’une nouvelle tour à Dubaï, en bordure de la Sheikh Zayed Road. Elle est annoncée comme la seconde tour la plus haute du monde.

3. Quelle est la surface au sol de Burj Khalifa ?

Sa superficie totale est de 309 473 m² .

4. Quel est le poids de Burj Khalifa ?

La tour « vide » pèse  500 000 tonnes . 330 000 m 3 de béton armé et 39 000 tonnes d’acier ont notamment été nécessaires à son édification.

5. Quelles sont les dates de début et de fin de construction de Burj Khalifa ?

Les travaux de terrassement ont débuté en janvier 2004 . L’ouverture du chantier a eu lieu le 21 septembre 2004. Les travaux se sont achevés le 2 décembre 2009, soit près de 6 ans plus tard.

Le bâtiment a ouvert ses portes en grande pompe le 4 janvier 2010 , date anniversaire de l’accession au pouvoir de l’émir de Dubaï.

6. Où en est la construction de Dubai Creek Tower ?

Dévoilé en 2016, le projet Dubai Creek Tower devait initialement voir le jour en décembre 2020. Toutefois, suite à des retards dans les travaux liés à la pandémie de COVID 19, à la récession et à des exigences en matière de développement durables toujours plus fortes, l’achèvement de la tour a été reporté à 2025 . À l’heure actuelle, seules les fondations sont terminées.

La Dubai Creek Tower, conçue par l’architecte hispano-suisse Santiago Calatrava, adoptera une forme de lys et sera dotée d’un réseau de 200 câbles d’acier pour assurer sa stabilité. Elle sera habillée d’une façade en verre et éclairée de jour comme de nuit.

Elle sera située à 8 km du Burj Khalifa, dans un nouveau quartier de 6 km 2 (l’équivalent de 2 Central Parks !) construit au bord de l’eau et nommé Dubai Creek Harbor.

Sa hauteur est tenue secrète mais elle devrait dépasser la tour Burj Khalifa  de près de 200 mètres (certaines rumeurs avancent même une hauteur finale de 1 345 mètres). Elle deviendrait alors, selon toute vraisemblance, la plus grande structure autoportée du monde.

Elle devrait contenir une vingtaine d’étages habitables (restaurants, hôtels, résidences) ainsi que d’une dizaine de ponts d’observation, dont la « Pinnacle Room » qui offrira une vue à 360° sur la ville.

Le bâtiment produira lui-même l’énergie dont il a besoin grâce à des panneaux solaires et utilisera des systèmes complexes de récupération d’eau de pluie.

Le coût du projet est estimé à plus d’1 milliard de dollars.

7. Burj Khalifa va-t-il être détrôné par Jeddah Tower ?

La Jeddah Tower (tour de Djeddah en français) est actuellement en construction en Arabie saoudite. Le projet a démarré en 2013. À l’arrêt depuis 2018, le chantier a semble-t-il repris en octobre 2023 .

Il est prévu que Jeddah Tower culmine à plus d’ 1 kilomètre de hauteur , ce qui ferait d’elle la plus haute tour du monde !

8. Qu’y a-t-il à l’intérieur de Burj Khalifa ? À quoi sert-elle ?

Au sein de cette construction hors norme, on retrouve :

• un hôtel ultra-luxueux ( Armani Hotel ) ;
• plus de 170 000 m² d’appartements résidentiels (étages 19 à 108) ;
• plus de 28 000 m² d’espaces de bureaux (étages 108 à 150) ;
• le restaurant le plus haut au monde ( At.Mosphere , situé au 122 ème étage, à une hauteur de 441,3 mètres) ;
• un centre fitness avec spa (Burj CLub) sur 5 étages ;
• une bibliothèque ;
• 4 piscines, dont la plus haute se situe au 76 ème étage

9. Pourquoi la tour s’appelle-t-elle « Burj Khalifa » ? Qu’est-ce que cela signifie ?

Le nom de « Burj Khalifa » (Tour de Khalifa en français, برج خليفة en arabe) a été donné en hommage à l’émir d’Abu Dhabi et Président des Émirats arabes unis, le cheikh Khalifah Ibn Zayid Al Nahyan.

Il s’agit d’un témoignage de reconnaissance envers celui qui a contribué à rembourser les dettes de Dubaï lors de la crise financière de 2009.

10. Combien a coûté Burj Khalifa ?

La construction de Burj Khalifa a coûté  1,5 milliard de dollars et a nécessité 22 millions d’heures de travail.

11. Qui est le propriétaire de Burj Khalifa ?

Burj Khalifa appartient à Emaar Properties , l’un des plus grands groupes immobiliers des Émirats arabes unis.

12. Comment monte-t-on au sommet de Burj Khalifa ?

L’édifice est ouvert au public. Toutefois, pour monter au sommet, il faut réserver un billet en ligne . Une fois sur place, un ascenseur vous emmène sur le pont d’observation à une vitesse de 10 étages par seconde.

Il existe différentes options pour visiter la tour :

• 124 ème et 125 ème étages (At The Top) ;
• 148 ème étage (At The Top Sky) ;
• 152 ème , 153 ème et 154 ème étages (The Lounge).

13. Combien d’étages comporte le Burj Khalifa ?

Le Burj Khalifa est construit sur 163 étages , dont 160 étages habitables et 3 étages réservés aux appareillages techniques.

14. Combien d’ascenseurs et d’escaliers le Burj Khalifa possède-t-il ?

Le Burj Khalifa dispose de 57 ascenseurs et de 8 escaliers mécaniques , pour un total de 2 909 marches.

15. Combien de temps met l’ascenseur pour atteindre le sommet de Burj Khalifa ?

Deux des 57 ascenseurs montent à 425 mètres en moins d’une minute, soit 36 km/h , ou 10 m/sec. Il faut donc moins d’1 minute 30 pour atteindre le sommet.

Les cabines à deux niveaux sont tellement rapides qu’il a été nécessaire de les pressuriser pour protéger les tympans des visiteurs.

À noter toutefois que c’est la Tour Shanghai , et non le Burj Khalifa, qui possède les ascenseurs les plus rapides avec une vitesse éclair de 72km/h !

16. Y a-t-il eu un incendie à Burj Khalifa en 2020 ?

Le 5 mai 2020, c’est la tour Abbco qui a pris feu, et non Burj Khalifa. Il s’agit d’une tour résidentielle de 190 mètres située à Sharjah, au nord de Dubaï.

À noter en revanche qu’en décembre 2015, un hôtel de luxe situé à proximité de Burj Khalifa a été touché par un incendie qui a failli embraser la tour. Bien que l’incident ait causé d’importants dégâts sur plusieurs étages, il n’y a pas eu de pertes humaines.

Enfin, dans la nuit du dimanche 6 au lundi 7 novembre 2022, un incendie d’une rare violence s’est également propagé dans la Tour Emaar , un gratte-ciel résidentiel situé près du Burj Khalifa. Grâce à l’intervention des pompiers, le feu a été circonscrit en moins de 2 heures et il n’y a eu aucune victime, ni aucun blessé.

17. La tour peut-elle résister à un séisme ?

Oui, la tour Burj Khalifa a été conçue pour résister à une secousse sismique de magnitude 6 sur l’échelle de Richter.

18. Est-il possible de diffuser de la publicité sur la façade de Burj Khalifa ?

Oui, il est possible d’utiliser la façade du Burj Khalifa à des fins promotionnelles.

Le coût d’une publicité, d’une bande-annonce ou d’un message personnel de 3 minutes projeté sur la tour est de 250 000 AED (environ 63 000 €) en semaine et peut monter jusqu’à 350 000 AED (environ 88 000 €) le week-end.

Il faut s’y prendre au minimum 4 semaines à l’avance pour formuler sa demande.

En mars 2018, Samsung a ainsi retransmis la présentation de son nouveau smartphone sur les écrans LED du bâtiment.

19. Le Burj Khalifa est-il relié au tout-à-l’égout ?

Non, le Burj Khalifa n’est pas connecté aux égouts de la ville.

Les eaux usées du bâtiment sont collectées chaque semaine par des camions-citernes qui les transportent vers une station d’épuration.

20. Quelle est la consommation énergétique du bâtiment ?

Le fonctionnement des ascenseurs, de la climatisation et des éclairages nécessite une puissance de 36 MWh en période de pointe, soit la consommation d’une ville moyenne de 80 000 habitants, alors que le bâtiment n’a qu’une capacité d’accueil maximale de 35 000 occupants.

Plongez dans le vide !

En février 2022, l’artiste norvégien André Larsen a envoyé son drone au sommet du Burj Khalifa et a filmé sa plongée vertigineuse.

Une séquence qui donne l’impression de tomber tête la première dans le vide, et qui a permis à Larsen de remporter le célèbre concours Million Dollar Challenge organisé par GoPro !

👉 Jusqu'à 50% d'économies sur vos tickets avec le Dubai City Pass !

25 Best Things to do in Dubai

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: February 14, 2024

Looking for thing things to do in Dubai? Beyond the skyscrapers and shopping malls, there are many Dubai attractions that will surprise you. Albeit, the malls, and skyscrapers are very impressive. From desert adventures to cultural encounters, beach escapes, and luxury experiences, Dubai has it all! Dubai is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates and is one of the most exciting cities in the Middle East to visit.

Dubai is a city of the future, to say the least. Dubai has the world’s tallest building, the world’s tallest hotel, and the world’s tallest residential building. It houses the largest shopping mall in the world, the world’s largest aquarium, and the second-largest man-made marina on earth. Dubai is a city that people should see once in their lifetime but there are plenty of things to do in Dubai that will surprise you beyond the megacity malls and skyscrapers.

Table of Contents

Top Things to do in Dubai

Dubai has beaches, desert safaris, adventure, and activities. We think that Dubai is definitely a city built for the future of tourism . It is leading the way with seven-star and other luxury hotels attached to super malls where families can do everything they want on their vacations without leaving the complex.

But there is much more to Dubai than just the shopping and the manufactured experiences. We spent a week exploring and found that there were plenty of things to do in Dubai that were actually entertaining, exciting, and a lot of fun.

1. Go Up the Burj Khalifa

Whenever we have the chance to go somewhere high, we take it and you cannot miss going up the world’s tallest building for a view of the city. The Burj Khalifa is at the top of all Dubai attractions. It is located in the heart of the city with gorgeous views. Take the high-speed elevator up 160 stories to see awe-inspiring views of Dubai. Be warned though, it’s crowded and once you’ve had a look at the city, there’s not a lot more to do up there.

It is that famous building that Tom Cruise climbed during Mission Impossible and while standing outside the viewing platform, you gain a lot of respect for the man. That takes a lot of nerve. While the experience isn’t as good as other high-rise attractions we’ve taken around the world, you can’t visit Dubai without going up the elevator. Get your skip-the-line tickets to the 124th, 125th, and 148th floors of the Burj Khalifa. Zip past the security lines for optimal timing. This tour offers easy cancellation within 24 hours of departure. Purchase refundable tickets here.

The Burj Khalifa doesn’t have the wow factor of Toronto’s CN Tower  or even the Calgary Tower glass floor but if there is one thing to do in Dubai it is ticking off the bucket list of going up the world’s tallest building.

2. Explore the Dubai Marina

Downtown Dubai isn’t much of a walking city, but when you make your way to the Dubai Marina, it’s your chance to stroll along the promenade. There are coffee shops and restaurants surrounding the second-largest man-made marina in the world where you can book boat tours and dinner cruises from here. It was definitely our favourite place to hang out in the evening in Dubai.

Like all things in Dubai, it too is surrounded by mammoth skyscrapers and shopping malls that take your breath away. For one of the more thrilling things to do in Dubai, make your way to the Amwaj Towers to take a zip line over the marina to the Dubai Marina Mall. Dubai does everything bigger and better and this zipline is one of the steepest and fastest in the world. Reaching speeds of 80 km an hour, you’ll soar through the air for one kilometer.

This breakfast yacht tour is a great way to experience the decadence of travel in Dubai at an affordable price where you’ll enjoy a morning cruise with breakfast. (also available for a sunset bbq cruise). You’ll sail from the marina to Blue Water Island, the Dubai Eye, and views of Jumeira Beach, The Palm Jumeirah, and the Burj Al Arab.

3. Go to the Beach 

Dubai has fabulous sandy beaches. Like all beach destinations, there are a lot of watersports to choose from and many beach chairs or free patches of sand to set up shop for the day to catch some rays. The famous Burj Al Arab towers over a public beach. If you are rich enough to stay there, go for it! It’s Dubai’s most luxurious accommodation being a 7-star hotel. You can actually book a stay at this hotel on TripAdvisor . It is cheaper than you think!

Habtoor Grand Resort

We booked a hotel directly on the beach and quickly learned that Dubai is an amazing beach vacation. Located on the Persian Gulf the waters are warm and welcoming.

The Habtoor Grand Resort Autograph Collections has a private beach and is within walking distance to the Dubai Marina and The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR). This hotel has a private beach, infinity pool, and plenty of amenities, but there is plenty of public access as well. See rates for this resort on TripAdvisor.

4. Explore the Dubai mall

I know we didn’t rave about the malls in our opening paragraph, but it is a spectacle to see them. In fact, the malls are definitely the top Dubai attractions to add to your list. The Dubai Mall is the largest shopping mall in the world with so much more than clothing stores and boutiques.

The Dubai Mall houses the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo where you can even go diving with sharks, there’s a skating rink, waterfalls, and top-name brand clothing outlets where you can get lost for the day. You can even have a shark or maYou can even take a gondola ride around Dubai lake just like you are transported to Venice .

5. Mall of the Emirates

If you go to the Mall of the Emirates, you can go snowboarding or skiing at Ski Dubai, catch a movie or do some shopping. There are malls galore in Dubai and many hotels offer free shuttles to visit them where you can freely spend your hard-earned money. One of the coolest things we saw before going to Dubai was Ski Dubai – an indoor ski resort. Coming from Canada, it is totally a novelty to be able to ski indoors.

Dubai takes everything to the next level and the malls of Dubai have everything you could possibly want in a holiday destination. From skiing to ice skating, water parks, and even scuba diving in a massive fish tank, you name it, Dubai has thought of it. You never have to leave the mall! Plus, you can relax in air conditioning to escape the Dubai heat as the desert temperatures soar outside.

6. Dubai Fountain Show

Just like the Bellagio in Vegas, Dubai has its own waterfall show at the Dubai Fountain. Only the fountain show in Dubai is bigger and better making it the top of all fountain shows in the world. Make sure to add going to the Dubai fountain to your list of must-see Dubai attractions.

Each night a display of water and light runs for 10 minutes every half an hour until midnight. The songs, light show, and choreography change again and again so you never have to see the same show twice. Pick a seat and have a drink at one of the restaurants on the lake where the show is located or get there 10 minutes early for a front-row premium spot right at the fence. I really enjoyed the show myself.

7. Take a Scenic Flight

A scenic flight also offers amazing views of the Dubai skyline and the Persian Gulf coast. We found that Dubai was so spread out it was difficult to really take in the views of the skyscrapers from different vantage points, but a flight fixed that problem. Being on a scenic flight allowed me to see all of the magnificent modern architecture in the city. Watch or Scenic flight of Dubai on YouTube

8. Palm Jumeirah

Dubai is a city that’s definitely meant to be seen by air. A bird’s eye of The Palm Jumeirah is astounding. This engineering feat is difficult to comprehend as Dubai has built an extra 650km of coastline for its residents to work and play. There’s also a map of The World with hundreds of man-made islands waiting to be developed 14 km off the shore of Dubai. The Palm Jumeirah is a wonder of the modern world. This archipelago of islands juts out into the Persian Gulf and is completely man-made.

9. Atlantis The Palm Dubai

The Palm is a tourist destination unto itself with the famous Atlantis – The Palm occupying its shores. There are jet boat rides, paddling, and plenty of water sports but one of the bucket list extreme adventures to be had in Dubai is to skydive over The Palm. You can stay at the Atlantis – The Palm. It has all the amenities you could want in a five-star resort for both families and couples. Skydive Dubai offers tandem skydiving over Dubai. Visit their website for more extreme adventures in Dubai.

10. Aquaventure Waterpark

Everyone wants to catch a glimpse of Atlantis Dubai, but you don’t have to break the bank to stay there. Visitors can buy a pass to play in Dubai’s top-rated attraction. It is the world’s largest waterpark with world-record-holding waterslides for thrill-seekers, and it houses Dubai’s largest aquarium. Just make sure you DON’T swim with the dolphins. That’s not cool. The Lost Chambers Aquarium houses 65,000 marine animals.

Dubai Water Parks

Dubai is the epicenter of water parks. Perhaps it’s the hot Dubai heat or just the sheer amount of money that goes through the city, but each water park keeps getting bigger and better. Here are a few of the top water parks in Dubai.

• Wild Wadi – This is the original Dubai water park located beside Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Burj Al Arab
• Laguna Waterpark – Located on the beach in La Mer it Laguna Water Park has four zones for fun, relaxation, slides, surf and splash.

If you aren’t staying at the Atlantis, you can book this Speedboat tour to take in the skyline as you cruise along the Persian Gulf to see Palm Jumeirah and Atlantis Hotel, and Bluewater Island.

11. Wander Through the Souks

Dubai is a new city and it’s difficult to believe that there is somewhere that feels old, but the souks located in the old town actually do feel a lot like other souks we’ve visited in the Middle East. The Souks are divided up and if you take a tour of Dubai, you will easily be able to visit many Dubai attractions in the old city including the gold souk, and the spice souks, and pick up some fantastic souvenirs.

The souks were fascinating to visit. They are busy and filled with shoppers. We were told that 20% of the world’s gold passes through the Gold Souk. I can only imagine how rich the people were walking these alleys. Get lost in the alleyways and streets that you can get lost in while shopping and exploring your way through a fast-disappearing Middle Eastern culture in Dubai.

12. Jumeirah Mosque

Jumeirah Mosque is the only mosque open to non-Muslims in Dubai making it one of the top Dubai attractions. We visited this on an organized tour, but you can book one of the guided tours that happen daily at 10 and 2 pm. (It is closed on Fridays). Make sure you are properly dressed when visiting any mosque or place of worship keeping legs and shoulders covered. Read more: Etiquette in the Middle East- Travel for Men and Women

13. Dubai Creek

Make sure to take the water taxi along Dubai Creek, it’s a great affordable way to explore the old part of town. Dubai Creek is divided into two parts, Deira and Bur Dubai.  We took a full-day tour of Dubai and it really allowed us to see a lot of the highlights of the city and the top Dubai attractions including this historic part of the city. Our favorite part of Dubai was going into the historic city.

From Mosques to the Dubai Heritage Village, to river cruises and Bazaars, it is a great place to spend an afternoon. This guided walking tour allowed us to discover Old Dubai, the Spice Souk, Bur Dubai Souk, and the Fahidi district. We also had the chance to take a boat ride an abra boat, the oldest transportation in Dubai.

14. Al Fahidi Historical District

For more of Old Dubai, you must visit the Al Fahidi Historical District. Dating back to 1900, this district was built by the Persians who settled in Dubai after doing trade.

Thanks to efforts by locals and even now King Charles, the area was saved from demolition. It’s a good thing because, with all the modern skyscrapers and buildings of Dubai, there is now a historical district to glimpse into Dubai’s past. This Old Dubai Tour took us through many of the top Dubai attractions including the Grand Souk, a cruise along the water a visit to the Spice Souk, and the Gold Souk while sampling traditional street food.

15. Visit the Dubai Museum

We thoroughly enjoyed the Dubai Museum located in the old part of the city. As the call to prayers rang over the loudspeakers from nearby mosques we strolled through a display of Dubai’s early days and humble beginnings. Follow the journey from its foundation as pearl divers.

Pearl diving was prosperous for the people of Dubai and many in the United Arab Emirates can trace their fortunes back to their pearl diving routes. The UAE was also prosperous during the silk route trading times to the discovery of oil. Today, the city is an example of the extreme wealth and flash of the 21st century. It’s a fascinating display.

16. Visit the Desert

If you’ve never been to the desert, this will be an exciting excursion for you. Not all Dubai attractions are located in the megacity. Visiting the desert and getting out of town just might be the best thing to do in Dubai! The Dubai Desert is part of the world’s largest sand desert and there are countless desert safaris offering fun and fabulous experiences.

We took two desert excursions that were vastly different.

17. Dune Buggy Tour

We love a dune buggy adventure. There’s nothing better than suiting up and hightailing it over sand dunes. Our sunset excursion took us out on a dune buggy where we enjoyed panoramic views of the desert before having a traditional Bedouin meal while watching belly dancers and the mesmerizing Tanoura dancer twirl and twirl before our eyes. You can book your Dune Desert Safari tour here where you’ll have a thrill in the desert that includes a 4WD adventure, sandboarding, and camel riding.

18. Desert Conservation Reserve

If you want to see some wildlife, you are almost guaranteed to see Arabian oxen (oryx) gathering at the watering hole on a Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve Tour. There are plenty of camels walking through the desert (all are domesticated) but they are still amazing to see, and you may catch sight of birds of prey. The tour we took offered a birds of prey show in the desert. We didn’t love this part of it as we aren’t fans of birds in captivity, but we did love seeing the animals in their natural habitat.

19. Falcon Show

We did not enjoy the birds of prey show learning how they raise falcons. Using falcons is an extinct way of hunting in Dubai and is simply cruel to keep birds locked in a cage with a bag over their head simply for the pleasure of watching them catch pieces of meat that they throw in the air. It’s not my idea of fun and I wouldn’t recommend it. But the conservation area alone was fantastic. Watch our video of our time in the desert of Dubai

20. Bedouin Dinner Show – Al Jabal Village

The best part of our desert Experience was the Al Jabal Village where we enjoyed dinner and a show filled with local cultural experiences. Seeing belly dancers, and the spectacular Tanoura Dancing was definitely a highlight.

21. Take a Camel Ride

We’re not huge fans of cheesy camel rides, but if you have never ridden a camel, getting on one to go for a short walk in the desert just might be the thing for you. This highly-rated tour takes you on a camel ride across the desert dunes to an oasis where you’ll enjoy the Al Marmoom Reserve and ancient Bedouin Village. Enjoy Arabic coffee, watch traditional dance and enjoy a traditional meal.

If you are looking for a memorable excursion in Dubai, book a hot air balloon ride over the desert. Imagine taking a hot air balloon ride over the Arabian Desert. What makes a hot air balloon ride unique in Dubai is you will see the desert and the Dubai skyline since the city is right beside the desert. You may also see wildlife like gazelles, camels, and birds of prey.

22. Dubai Frame

Want to see the most Instagrammable spot in Dubai? Be sure to check one of the newest Dubai attractions when you visit the city. The massive picture frame stands 500 feet tall and is the highest picture frame in the world. Guests can take an elevator up to the top for panoramic views of the city as they walk along the clear glass bridge that spans 313 feet. Book your tickets here to the Dubai Frame for incredible views of the skyline.

The tour includes stops at The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, and Atlantis plus the Blue Mosque. You’ll also explore the gold and spice souks allowing you to experience views of both the old side and new side of the city from the Dubai Frame.

23. Dubai Theme Parks

Dubai has many attractions to keep families busy. Here are a few Amusement parks that are fun for the whole family.

• IMG World of Adventure is the world’s biggest indoor amusement park
• Dubai Parks and Resorts is the largest integrated amusement park in the Middle East with four themes. Motionland combines DreamWorks Animation, Columbia Pictures and Lionsgate for a movie-themed park, Bollywood Parks highlights the best from Bollywood Theater, there are Lego Water Parks and Legoland.
• Families may want to book a day at Legoland Dubai. This pass offers entrance to Legoland where you’ll enjoy 40 LEGO-themed rides, LEGO models, and 6 themed lands.
• Global Village is an entertainment complex and amusement park featuring cultures from around the world. At Global Village there’s no need to travel the world, you can visit 90 countries all in one place.

24. Dubai Miracle Garden

Botanical Garden lovers will love the Dubai Miracle Garden which displays millions of flowers and plants. 150 million flowers to be exact. Like everything in Dubai, this garden is over the top spanning 72,000 square meters of displays from the floating lady to the floral clock. Umbrella Tunnel will get your Instagram mojo running or you may want to visit the sunflower field. The Dubai Miracle Garden is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest flower garden in the world. What doesn’t Dubai have that’s the biggest and best?

25. Day Trip to Abu Dhabi

It’s easy to visit Abu Dhabi from Dubai. You can book a day tour to see the capital of the United Arab Emirates. This tour takes you along the Persian Gulf Coast to explore Abu Dhabi’s top landmarks including:

• The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – One of the world’s largest mosques
• The Observation Deck of Etihad Towers
• And Arabian heritage Qasr Al Watan Palace

For something truly unique, book this highly rated tour to Abu Dhabi including Sheikh Zayed Mosque, The Emirates Palace, and other attractions in the morning before spending the afternoon at Ferrari World. Ferrari World is a Ferrari-branded theme park housing the fastest roller coaster in the world, the world’s highest non-inverted loop roller coaster, and the world’s largest indoor amusement park.

The countries of the United Arab Emirates certainly love to be number one in things, don’t they? (both Ferrari World and IMG World of Adventure claim to be the world’s largest indoor theme parks. Who am I to argue? They are both big)

Watch our Video of all our favorite things to do in Dubai

Dubai is a dream destination and we could go back again and again (if our bank accounts allowed) Watch our video of the best things to do in Dubai here.

Where to Stay in Dubai

When visiting Dubai, choose your hotel wisely. There are hundreds to choose from and the city is very spread out. The three main areas to stay in Dubai are:

• The financial district is located in downtown Dubai in the heart of the shopping malls and skyscrapers
• The marina is perfect for beach lovers and is close to the Marina
• Old Dubai gives you that more authentic feel. They are all very far apart but reachable by Skytrain or taxis.

Taxis are surprisingly very reasonable in Dubai and we used them often to get around.

JW Marriott in the Financial District : The JW Marriott in the Financial District is the tallest hotel in the world and this is one luxurious hotel. We loved staying at this resort. We had an amazing view and a modern upscale suite. There are shuttles to the Dubai Malls and Beaches. Book this hotel on TripAdvisor.

Habtoor Grand Resort – The Marina The Habtoor Grand is located right on the beach and just a short walk from the Marina. It’s an excellent location for a beach vacation and there are shuttles to the Dubai Malls and metro. Check it out on TripAdvisor

Dubai is massive we have barely scratched the surface of this exciting city in the United Arab Emirates. This city continues to change and grow at breakneck speeds offering new Dubai attractions with each visit. If you are looking for an escape from the ordinary, consider a trip to Dubai for your next Middle East adventure.

Read More About the Middle East

• Travel to Beirut – The Paris of the Middle East
• Etiquette in the Middle East- Travel for Men and Women
• Wadi Rum a Bedouin Experience
• 13 Exciting Things to Do in Jordan To Make You Pack Your Bags
• Petra Jordan – Tips for Visiting and Things to See

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Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Book Your Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner. We have used them for years and have found that they have the best flight deals.

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor.

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

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About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine , the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

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22 thoughts on “25 Best Things to do in Dubai”

Thank you for sharing here for us.Nice Information and good Article in this blog and keep it up this more and more good luck……

Hi Dave and Deb, thanks for sharing the nice article and your work for travel community, if you ever have plans to visit Dubai again, please do contact me, we will arrange some local tours for you without cost. Thanks

Dubai is the best place for traveler around the world.

Nice Information about 10 Fun and Fabulous Things to do in Dubai. This really helps us.

Very interesting and helpful post. Actually i was planning a family trip in Dubai.

Thank you so much!!

Wonderful to browse a travel piece that truly considers the ethics of visiting a given country and not simply however nice the food and beaches area unit

Thanks for sharing information.i am going to Dubai in August for a week and the information in article is very helpful for me.Keep it up

The main reason why there are so many people is quality of life. We were in Dubai for some time and i still dream to return there. What a STUNNING place!

Thank you for writing on Duba. I have been living here and started my own travel blog. Can I catch you for an interview on my blog/

Amazing Post! It is a beautiful country. I have appreciate with getting lot of good Top things to do in UAE information…

Wow – what a great blog and set of photos to match! 🙂 I never got to go in a dune buggy when I visited Dubai. but I must when I return next year. Thanks for sharing!

Hey this is an incredible list of things to do, loved it! I think this calls for a trip soon. Loved the photographs as well, they are all stunning and lively 🙂

Thanks Shivya. Dubai is a place that is worth visiting once. It’s so out of this world. It actually surprised us with all the things there are to see and do.

I think renting a chopper is a good idea to view skyscraper in Dubai!

Dubai is an incredible beauty, also the fastest growing city in the world

Dubai is a Awesome city to explore the vacation, but you given the shortlisted and mind blowing places with amazing pictures. Nice post.

Wow..! Amazing destination for tourism.all Things to do in Dubai is the nice.i visit Dubai very soon.and great post.. thanks for sharing.

hello, Dubai,The city of great hospitality.

Dubai is an incredible beauty , also the fastest growing city in the world ,but has double face ! the most luxury and top technology and desert and poor . Amazing photos !

Amazing post!

Wow amazing view from Burj khalifa….Thanks for sharing such a valuable information about things to do in Dubai.Appreciative work!!

I’m so much awe-struck with these pictures. Simply fabulous. Would love to explore the glitz city.

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Dubai Travel Boom: Why Is It So Popular & Is It Worth Visiting?

• Destinations
• Hotels and Resorts
• Luxury Travel
• Middle East
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• United Arab Emirates

Dubai has quickly (and mostly quietly) become one of the world’s most luxurious and sought-after travel destinations.

The Department on Economy and Tourism for Dubai reported around 17.15 million visitors passed through the desert city in 2023. For context, London welcomed around 38 million and Tokyo around 25 million.

So how did Dubai become such a global force in tourism ?

It all started with an idea from the Dubai Commerce and Tourism Promotion Board back in 1998. The goal? To create a high-class city for the world’s elite to rub elbows and unwind.

Only fifteen years after plans were hatched, headlines around the world were raving that the shiny new city of Dubai had welcomed over 13 million visitors.

Since then, the city has achieved many feats, from completing the world’s tallest building (The Burj Khalifa) to nabbing attention from Hollywood studios (we won’t talk about Sex & the City 2 ).

Thanks to incremental and focused efforts, Dubai has taken its place among the world’s classiest destinations. But if you’re still a little baffled about how we got here and whether Dubai actually meets the hype, you aren’t alone.

Let’s take a closer look at the Dubai travel boom, covering what there is to do in the city and whether it’s worth visiting.

A closer look at Dubai’s travel boom

As mentioned above, much of Dubai was built with tourism in mind.

Specifically, high-class tourism.

Despite the fact that the city sits in a largely inhospitable desert, you can find things like full-sized ski slopes, scuba diving reefs, underwater theatrical shows, and similarly unfathomable spectacles.

But it’s not solely about the spectacle—it’s about an ultra-lush and modern spectacle. Not only did the UAE want to build a city that tourists would gush over, but they wanted to appeal to a certain echelon of tourists.

Specifically, those with deep pockets.

Yes—Dubai has a historic district where you can explore the city’s history and identity. But this is usually a pretty short day trip experience for tourists.  The core focus for visitors is luxury shopping, not free tours.

What is there to do in Dubai?

Name-brand shopping abounds. The Dubai Mall is one of the most expensive shopping districts in the world with a long list of luxury brands.

Think: Bulgari, Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Louboutin, and many more.

Keep in mind that many luxury brands represented in Dubai come from the Middle East and Asia. In other words, Dubai isn’t only interested in meeting the brand interests of Westerners, but rich and wealthy vacationers from all across the world.

Aside from luxury shopping, visitors can also spend big on things like glamorous hotels , spa treatments. yacht tours, helicopter tours, hot air balloon experiences, PGA-caliber golf courses (or, more appropriately, LIV-caliber courses), and an almost endless list of fine dining options. As of 2023, Dubai is home to 86 Michelin-star restaurants.

There’s also a lot of emphasis on nightlife. However, I’m a little unconvinced about the nightlife.

The city is home to many big-name clubs with sparkler-heavy bottle service and tiered VIP areas. That sounds like a hellscape to me—but if you’re into the traditional clubbing experience, it’s probably an unforgettable experience.

What do travelers think of Dubai?

Clearly, Dubai wants to attract wealthy travelers who will open their wallets to its many experiences . That means that shoestring budget travelers, like backpackers or hostel-happy wanderers, are pretty much immediately priced out.

But what do travelers with funds think of the city?

Many report that they’re offered a high-class experience that’s well worth the value. In other words, the prices aren’t too exorbitant, while the level of service, cleanliness, and convenience is unmatched.

For those who aren’t shy about spending, Dubai meets the hype.

In addition to next-level service, visitors also report feeling very safe and that they were treated politely by everyone they encountered, from taxi drivers to receptionists. Apparently, even the airport offers a fulfilling experience.

Oh, and people also seem to love the guaranteed sunshine. Based on the many reviews I’ve read, it almost seems like a top-tier resort experience spread across a whole city.

Is Dubai worth visiting?

Dubai is geared toward wealthy visitors who want access to world-class shopping, dining, and nightlife. But there’s a lot more than what meets the eye here.

While I’ve never personally considered heading to Dubai, there’s a reason it’s remained one of the world’s top tourist destinations for so long.

To be honest, that uncertainty is part of the appeal for me. I want to see whether my expectations are accurate, and whether it’s been fair to write off Dubai.

However, it’s not something I’d be willing to fork over thousands to find out.

So, here’s my verdict: go to Dubai if you have the money . It seems like a place where what you spend directly correlates to how much fun you have.

Tay Belgeri is a content writer with global experience. She writes for brands like Santander Bank, PokerStars, DraftKings, and OddsChecker. Her affiliate posts have appeared on AP News, Ranker, Notion, OK! Magazine, and other major sites. She writes about a variety of cultural topics (from sports to high fashion) but specializes in travel. Originally from Missouri, she now lives in Spain. In a few years, she will have spent more time outside the US than inside it. Career highlights: • Selected to present research by the National Council of Undergraduate Research (2014) • Acquired grants for New York City’s first Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration (2015) • Joined OddsChecker’s US Launch team (2020) • Shortlisted for the Foreword INDIES (2021, 2023)

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Watch: How Vijay Sethupathi went from Dh1,300 Dubai job to Tamil superstar

Entertainment bollywood.

Indian actor talks about his rags-to-riches life story that will rival a movie script

South Indian actor Vijay Sethupathi, who had just witnessed the trailer of his new film, ‘Maharaja’, light up the Burj Khalifa among a sea of screaming fans, looked out of the window, pointing to the buildings dotting Shaikh Zayed Road.

“I remember distributing free ad [pamphlets] every Thursday morning to those in the building,” said Sethupathi in an interview with Gulf News. The year was 2000 when he worked as an accountant in a UAE-based firm and was learning how to hustle in this bustling metropolis.

“I had come to Dubai to earn money, and my salary was around Dh1000, plus Dh300 for my food and accommodation. That was not enough for my family, and so I kept asking everyone for part-time jobs … any part-time job to keep things going,” he added.

But a lot has changed in Sethupathi’s life in 24 years. The 46-year-old actor has become one of Tamil cinema’s most bankable and highest-paid talents. With blockbusters like ‘Super Deluxe’ and Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Jawan,’ Sethupathi, who’s fondly called ‘Makkal Selvan’ (People’s Treasure), enjoys a cult status among his rabid fans. He began his career with minor roles, but courted fame with critically acclaimed performances in films like ‘Pizza’ and ‘Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom.’

So how did it feel to come to Dubai as a superstar who got the red carpet welcome and didn’t have to worry about where the next dirham was coming from?

“More than proud, I feel happy because it’s not necessary that all your dreams come true in your life … But there was a time in my life where I had only dreams … But now when I think of my old times, I marvel at how I was focused on my life and that gives me hope even now. It feels great to know I was right in my past days,” said Sethupathi. He believes his life, which will rival any rags-to-riches movie spectacle, might prove inspiring to all those who are working hard in the UAE.

“I just pray that they all have the strength to understand and pursue their dreams … While I was watching my film teaser on the Burj Khalifa, I remembered how that if you wish for something, life will design something for you as long as you are sincere … Working with Shah Rukh sir, Kamal sir, Rajini sir, and Chiranjeevi [big stars] is not an easy thing and you just can’t plan for these things,” said Sethupathi. He lets us in on a secret.

“Honestly, when I was in Dubai, my plan was to become a serial actor and earn at least two or three lakhs (Dh10,000 to Dh15,000) a month. All I wanted was to buy an old apartment and an old car … But life designed something big around my dreams and gave it to me.”

Reaching a career milestone:

This Eid, his career hits a significant milestone. His latest film, ‘Maharaja,’ directed by Nithilan Swaminathan of ‘Kurunga Bommai’ fame, is his career’s 50th film. In this thriller, Sethupathi plays a helpless barber who claims that his home was burgled and his “lekshmi” has gone missing since that traumatic episode. But he doesn’t dwell on that 50th film career milestone.

“50th isn’t a landmark milestone as such. It’s just a number which tells me that I have come this far. This means that I have listened to 400-500 stories and out of those stories, I chose to act in 50 films … I still have a long way to go,” said Sethupathi. He’s the kind of actor who has no qualms about admitting that he went up to Shah Rukh Khan during Nayanthara and Vikki’s wedding, telling the Bollywood superstar that he would love to play a baddie opposite Khan in ‘Jawan.’

He says he’s the kind of actor who doesn’t shirk from going after roles. But what surprises and irks him are the gossip mills that inflate his star status.

“People keep imagining the most bizarre things in this industry … I hear so much gossip around me. But to clarify, I am not building any Rs200 crore [Rs2 billion] mall near Chennai. In so many years, I haven’t earned that much money nor am I giving tourists a tour of Rs25 crore [Rs250 million] home. I live in a 1,300-square-foot apartment with my wife and kids,” said Sethupathi. He wants all his loved ones within his grasp.

“I don’t even have a dining table in my house and I still eat on the ground … I like a small house because I want my kids and wife to be reachable … But I do have four or five expensive cars,” said Sethupathi, displaying a hint of guilt that people who have worked from the ground up feel.

Interestingly, his wife isn’t very gung-ho about him being a top actor in Tamil cinema. But his kids are chuffed about him being in the world of movies. His son, Surya, who’s also an aspiring actor, wants him to take on more “masala” entertainers that appeal to the masses. So what kind of dad is he? When we asked him if he was a hands-on dad, he looked thoroughly perplexed at that label.

“I don’t know … I teach them about life. I share my experiences in life with them. I tell them about where I was an idiot or how stupid I was or where I was wise in life. I tell them about the cheap things I did in life … I try to teach them about the purpose of money and how human beings tend to behave. I teach them the importance of how to survive.”

And who else other than Sethupathi to arm his children with tools to survive? He’s what you call an extraordinary hustler who believes that the knowledge that you gain from living a life is true power. He doesn’t shirk from giving auditions if his director seeks it. In ‘Maharaja,’ also starring Bollywood director and producer Anurag Kashyap and Mamta Mohandas, Sethupathi wasn’t asked to audition. He was confirmed based on his robust body of work in Tamil cinema.

“I surrender myself to my director and then I come up with ideas. But my ideas are taken only if my director chooses to accept it … In ‘Maharaja,’ I play a common man who’s silent and introverted. It’s difficult to engage or entertain the audience based on my behaviour, but the audience will look at the plot and the script to immerse themselves.”

Sethupathi, who has just finished watching Anurag Kashyap’s gritty crime saga, Gangs Of Wasseypur, remembers a time when he met Kashyap to discuss a Bollywood film which never got made.

“I met him in 2016 in Chennai for a Hindi film and I was shocked to know that he respected my work and films … Anurag Kashyap is a great personality … He’s crazier and wackier than me,” said Sethupathi with a laugh. His philosophy in life and career is pretty simple, just like the man he seems to be. At the time of meeting, Sethupathi was dressed in a casual short-sleeved shirt and pants with open-toed sandals. Unlike the conventional heroes, his hair wasn’t carefully styled nor was his beard perfectly trimmed.

“I explore and I don’t experiment in cinema. Experiment sounds very serious and you are worried about whether it will work or not … But explore is a more colourful way to live. Experimental films make it sound like those foreign films that not everyone can understand. I want to do films which everyone can watch. I want to be a common man’s hero.”

Don’t Miss It!

‘Maharaja’ is out in UAE cinemas on June 14.

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What’s on TV This Week: Celine Dion and the Stanley Cup Finals

The pop star does her first interview on NBC since her stiff person syndrome diagnosis. And the Oilers and the Panthers compete in the pro hockey championship.

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By Shivani Gonzalez

For those who still enjoy a cable subscription, here is a selection of cable and network TV shows, movies and specials that broadcast this week, June 10 — 16. Details and times are subject to change.

THE STANLEY CUP FINALS GAME 2 8 p.m. on ABC. Hockey season is ending with a championship between not just two teams but two countries: the Edmonton Oilers (Canada) and the Florida Panthers (U.S.). The last time the Oilers won the silver cup was in 1990, three years before the Panthers’s team was even formed. The Panthers have never won the cup but were in the finals in last year. Either way, one of the teams will celly in the barn after a gino, eh?

SIX SCHIZOPHRENIC BROTHERS 8 p.m. on Discovery. Based on the 2020 nonfiction book “Hidden Valley Road” by Robert Kolker, this documentary series follows the Galvin family, whose six of the 12 siblings developed schizophrenia. Over four episodes, this documentary details the family life, casting it as a case study of how the psychotic disorder runs in families.

THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF DUBAI 8 p.m. on Bravo. The reality network’s first international iteration of the Housewives franchise is back for a second season. Taking place in Dubai, this series ups the stakes, and the drama, of course, with fights and parties taking place on private islands and private planes. With Nina Ali not returning for a second season, though, we won’t get to hear as many tales about the Burj Khalifa.

CELINE’S STORY: AN NBC NEWS SPECIAL WITH HODA KOTB 10 p.m. on NBC. In a 2022 Instagram post , the Canadian singer revealed she had been diagnosed with stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that causes muscle stiffness, painful muscle spasms and slurred speech. Because of this, Dion canceled the rest of her 2023 tour and made her first post-diagnosis public appearance at the 2024 Grammy Awards. Now, she gives an in-depth interview, revealing she almost died amid this diagnostic process.

GHOST ADVENTURES 10 p.m. on Discovery. It’s always spooky season if you’re Zak Bagans, the host of this long-running paranormal reality show. On the finale of this season, Bagans and the crew head to Nevada to find a Wild West town were a courthouse is haunted by an injustice that occurred there, and where the Manson family once camped out.

PATTI STANGER: THE MATCHMAKER 8 p.m. on The CW. Patti Stanger first made her name starring in and producing Bravo’s “The Millionaire Matchmaker,” but after a hiatus away from television, she has come back with another matchmaking show, now wrapping up its first season. With the help of Nick Viall of “The Bachelor” fame, the two help clients conquer their fears, unpack emotional baggage and put themselves out there in the dating scene.

THE BIG BAKEOVER 8 p.m. on The CW. You might recognize Nancy Birtwhistle from the fifth season of “The Great British Bake-Off” where she took home the winner’s prize (a bouquet of flowers and a branded cake stand). But now, shes traveling around to independently owned bakeries to lend her business and baking advice to help them succeed.

SUMMER OLYMPIC TRIALS, SWIMMING 8 p.m. on NBC. The 2024 Paris Olympics are right around the corner, starting July 26. You can pregame with the swimming trials that determine which swimmers will be packing their bags and headed to France. Held at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianpolis, swimmers will have eight days to compete in different specialty rounds.

THE TONY AWARDS 8 p.m. on CBS. This year, 12 Broadway shows opened nine days before the deadline for nominations, but as they say, that’s showbiz, baby! The biggest night to celebrate the theater is airing live from Lincoln Center in Manhattan. “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Stereophonic” have the most nominations , with 13 each, and Daniel Radcliffe, Jeremy Strong, Rachel McAdams and Sarah Paulson are among the stars for awards. Ariana DeBose returns as host, for the third year in a row.

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON 9 p.m. on HBO. “Game of Thrones” has been off the air since 2019, but in 2022 HBO took a gamble with a spin-off the wildly popular show, and they were successful — the show averaged 29 million viewers across platforms in the first season. Now, as it returns for a second, the actor Tom Glynn-Carney told The New York Times that it starts with everything hitting the fan.

Shivani Gonzalez is a news assistant at The Times who writes a weekly TV column and contributes to a variety of sections. More about Shivani Gonzalez

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