What are the must-visit places in Dubai in 2022?
Our selection includes attractions suitable for all age groups and interests. Options like a sea cruise, an oceanarium, the stunning Dubai Garden Glow Park with its dazzling lights, and the world's largest flower garden, Miracle Garden, are universally appealing. History enthusiasts will enjoy the Dubai Museum & Al Fahidi Fort and the charming old quarter of Al Fahidi. Families with children can have a great time at KidZania Dubai, water parks, LEGOLAND, and various amusement parks. For those seeking active recreation, Ski Dubai ski resort or scuba diving in a large aquarium filled with marine life are perfect choices.
Many of the recommended attractions, such as the Heritage & Diving Village or the famous Dubai Fountains, can be visited for free. Most of these places are easily accessible by public transportation, but you also have the option to rent a car and explore the city at your own pace.
Dubai Museum & Al Fahidi Fort, located in the Al Fahidi district, is a historic fortress that dates back to 1787.
It is the oldest building in Dubai and served as a defense stronghold and residence for rulers. In 1971, the fortress was restored and turned into the Dubai Museum. The museum offers a vast exhibition area of over 43,000 sq. ft where visitors can explore the city's history and cultural heritage. The exhibits include recreated Arab markets, dioramas, installations, mosques, houses, and even a dwelling made of palm leaves. There is also an exhibition dedicated to pearl fishermen and artifacts dating back to 3,000 BC. The museum is easily accessible by metro, with the closest station being Sharaf DG, which is a short 10-minute walk away.
Aquaventure Waterpark
Aquaventure Waterpark, located on the iconic Palm Jumeirah, is the largest water park in the world, offering an extensive range of over 100 attractions and water activities suitable for the entire family. In addition to the thrilling slides and rides, the park also boasts an impressive aquarium housing more than 65 thousand marine creatures. Visitors have the opportunity to dive underwater with scuba gear or a mask, immersing themselves in a mesmerizing world surrounded by thousands of fish, including sharks and rays. For those seeking an unforgettable experience, Dolphin Bay offers the chance to swim with these intelligent creatures.
Situated within the prestigious Atlantis resort, Aquaventure Waterpark can be accessed via the monorail, with transportation to the actual island available by metro or bus.
Dubai Creek
Dubai Creek, the main waterway of Dubai, is a natural sea bay and home to the oldest districts of the city. Along its shores, visitors can enjoy various entertainment options, including famous Arab bazaars where local goods such as perfumes, gold jewelry, and spices are sold. Take a ride on a wooden boat along the canal for a unique experience. The Deira marina offers the best view of the picturesque sunrise, adding to the charm of the area. Additionally, the canal embankment is home to the Museum Of Illusions and the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary.
To reach Dubai Creek, you can take a bus or metro depending on the specific location along the banks of the canal.
Jumeirah Mosque
umeirah Mosque, built in the 1970s using white stone, is a large mosque with two minarets. It is considered one of the most beautiful landmarks in Dubai and is even depicted on the AED 500 banknote. The mosque was constructed in the traditional style of medieval architecture during the Fatimid era. With a capacity of up to 1,200 people, it looks particularly stunning in the evenings when it is illuminated.
Jumeirah Mosque is unique in that it is accessible to people of all faiths in Dubai. It is located in the Jumeirah area, just a few steps away from the Palm Strip Center bus stop.
Please note that women are required to cover their heads and shoulders when visiting the mosque. Appropriate clothing can be obtained at the entrance to Jumeirah Mosque, but it is recommended to come prepared and dress according to the established dress code.
Isabelle van den Eynde Gallery
The Isabelle van den Eynde Gallery in the Al Quoz district is recommended for connoisseurs of modern art. It showcases works of painters and sculptors from the Middle East, South Asia, North Africa, and Iran. The gallery is a 30-minute walk from the Al Safa Metro Station or a 5-minute walk from the Al Quoz Creative bus station.
Al Fahidi Historical District or Bastakia
Al Fahidi, situated on the banks of Dubai Creek, is a historic district in Dubai that has preserved its mid-19th century architecture, including traditional wind towers. The district is home to various museums, such as the Coins Museum and the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. Additionally, there are art galleries and authentic Arabic restaurants housed in ancient buildings. Al Fahidi frequently hosts events dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of the UAE.
The district is conveniently served by two metro stations, Al Ghubaiba Metro Station and Sharaf DG, as well as numerous bus stops and a ferry pier.
Heritage & Diving Village
Heritage & Diving Village is an open–air historical and ethnographic museum complex with an area of 10 hectares that is located in the old Al Shindagha area on the west coast of Dubai Creek. Here visitors will be able to see the reconstruction of an Arab village and get acquainted with the life of Bedouins and pearl fishermen. There is also an old market with the products of local artisans on the territory of the complex.
The village is located less than a 10-minute walk from Al Ghubaiba Metro Station.
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is a popular attraction situated in The Dubai Mall, the largest shopping complex in the world, located in Downtown Dubai. The aquarium boasts an impressive volume of 10 million liters and is home to over 33 thousand marine creatures, including the world's largest population of tiger sand sharks. Visitors have the opportunity to explore the underwater world through a 157-ft transparent tunnel, dive with sharks in a special cage, and take a glass-bottomed boat ride.
Above the aquarium, the underwater zoo offers three distinct ecological zones for visitors to enjoy: a rocky shore, a tropical forest, and a living ocean.
The Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is easily accessible, only a 10-minute journey from the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station. Additionally, The Dubai Mall bus station is conveniently located nearby.
Dubai Garden Glow
The captivating Dubai Garden Glow Park is situated within the vast green expanse of Za'abeel Park, making it an ideal location. The park features stunning installations made from recycled raw materials that emit a radiant glow. It is divided into thematic zones such as ice world, underwater world, dinosaurs, and more. Dubai Garden Glow also hosts various acrobatic shows and entertainment events throughout the year.
Visitors can reach the park by metro or bus. Al Jafiliya and the World Trade Centre Metro Station 2 are within a 30-minute walk, while the 2nd Za'abeel Rd 1 stop is only a 10-minute journey away.
Note: If you are interested in investing in property in Dubai, the Za'abeel area offers exclusive residences for purchase in the prestigious One Za'abeel complex. For more information about this project and other elite complexes in the emirate, please refer to this article.
Dubai Fountain
The world's highest light and music fountains are one of the most popular landmarks in the emirate, located at the base of the iconic Burj Khalifa skyscraper in Downtown Dubai.
To witness this grandiose show, visitors can enjoy performances every 30 minutes from approximately 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Over 830 thousand liters of water rise to a height of 459 ft every second, illuminating more than 6.6K lamps and 25 projectors, creating the illusion of the water displaying a thousand different colors during the performance. The Dubai Fountain Boardwalk, a floating platform that allows viewers to experience the show from a distance of 30 ft, is one of the latest innovations for the convenience of spectators.
The fountains are conveniently located within a 15-minute walking distance from the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station.
LEGOLAND
The first LEGOLAND theme park in the Middle East region was inspired by the famous LEGO designers, and offers guests and visitors over 40 attractions and entertainment spots to enjoy. Attractions include a journey through the lost kingdom, a race track, a futuristic puppet show, a water park, and a roller coaster. The age range of each ride constitutes 2-12 years.
LEGOLAND is located near the border of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in the Park and Resorts entertainment area, and can be reached in just a 5-minute drive from the main highway of the emirate, the Sheikh Zayed Road. You can also get here by public transport by using the Dubai Parks & Resorts Bus Terminal bus stop which is a 10-minute walk away.
Travel around Dubai by helicopter or air balloon
