What to do and see in Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The Best Things to do

Described as both a ‘Vertical City’ and ‘A Living Wonder,’ Burj Khalifa, developed by Dubai-based Emaar Properties PJSC, is the world’s tallest building. Rising gracefully from the desert, Burj Khalifa honours the city with its extraordinary union of art, engineering and meticulous craftsmanship. At 828 metres (2,716.5 ft), the 200 plus storey Burj Khalifa has 160 habitable levels, the most of any building in the world. The tower was inaugurated on January 4, 2010, and is responsible for a number of world-firsts. The tower became the world’s tallest man-made structure just 1,325 days after excavation work started in January 2004. Burj Khalifa utilised a record-breaking 330,000 cubic metres of concrete; 39,000 tonnes of steel reinforcement; 103,000 square metres of glass; and 15,500 square metres of embossed stainless steel. The tower took 22 million man hours to build.

The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR) is a designated protected area for the conservation the natural inland desert ecosystem of Dubai. It spans 4.7% of the total land area of Dubai Emirate and encompasses 225km2 of sand dunes desert ecosystem interspersed with gravel plains. The DDCR is a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and has gained international recognition from the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP). The DDCR is home to 57 Plant species, over 120 birds and 43 mammals and reptiles including the iconic Arabian Oryx. The DDCR can be visited by either staying at the Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa or for day visits with one of the four concession holders; Arabian Adventures, Lama Tours, Travco and Alpha Tours.

Aquaventure Waterpark promises a world of excitement to make you feel different in water in more ways than one. Get your pulse racing on 30 slides and attractions, laugh your way down Dubai’s longest Lazy River, and relax on 500m of private beach. Thrill-seekers can scream down world-record-breaking waterslides, young families will enjoy the safety of Splashers Island, and animal lovers can get up close with dolphins, sea lions, sharks and stingrays. Whether you're here on holiday or a UAE resident looking to add a splash of adventure to your weekend, you're different in water at Aquaventure Waterpark.

This downtown mall is known for luxury stores like Cartier and Harry Winston. It also has an aquarium, ice rink, and 360-degree views of the city from the world’s tallest building, The Burj Khalifa.

Choreographed to music, the Dubai Fountain shoots water as high as 500 feet –that’s as high as a 50-story building. Designed by creators of the Fountains of Bellagio in Vegas, Dubai Fountain Performances occur daily on the 30-acre Burj Khalifa Lake.

Global Village is the first family destination for culture, entertainment and shopping in the region. It is a unique and integrated destination to enjoy the world's finest shopping, dining and entertainment experiences and offers guests a wide range of events, shows and activities that are the largest and most varied in the region. It offers many fun surprises to millions of guests in the open air. It highlights the best of culture from countries of the world in a lively festival and takes guests on a journey through a group of pavilions, each representing the richness and culture of a different country. It offers unique international cuisine and awe-inspiring entertainment experiences across a wide range of entertaining games and interesting tours. All its exceptional experiences can be enjoyed by purchasing a ticket worth only AED 15. The Global Village operating season starts in November each year and runs until April the following year.

Miracle Garden is one of a kind in the region and in the world for such a unique display and extravagant outdoor recreational destination. Miracle Garden in its first phase is providing state-of-the-art services and facilities including open parking, VIP parking, sitting areas, prayer room, toilet blocks, ablution facility, security room, first aid room, carts for handicapped visitors, retails and commercial kiosk and all other related services available to facilitate visitors.

Enjoy laid-back fun at La Mer, Dubai’s eclectic beachfront. Explore bustling backstreets, treat the kids to action-packed fun, or kick back on the beach with a breeze for company.

The UAE’s latest cultural landmark, Dubai Frame is an iconic structure that ‘frames’ impressive views of Old and New Dubai, while serving as a metaphorical bridge connecting the emirate’s rich past with its magnificent present. Offering spectacular panoramic views across the city, Dubai Frame celebrates the story of Dubai from its early establishment to its ambitious plans for future development. Launched in January 2018, the project comprises a 150-metre-high, 95-meter-wide structure being built to resemble a huge picture frame, through which landmarks representing modern Dubai such as Emirates Towers and Burj Khalifa can be seen on one side, while from the other side, visitors can view older parts of the city such as Deira, Umm Harare and Karama. Exterior design of Dubai Frame was inspired from the logo of EXPO2020. Dubai Frame is world's largest picture frame by Guinness World Records. The past, present and the future of Dubai in one destination: Dubai Frame.