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Top day tours in Dubai

The city I visit most often is Dubai. On my first visit, I was attracted by the sci-fi aspect of the city, being, without a doubt, one of the most modern on the planet. But I come back for the adrenaline, the beaches, the high temperatures, the frequent change of the landscape, the new and new buildings added every year, and especially new tourist attractions.

Dubai deserves to be seen at least once every two years because it will surely surprise you with news every time. Unlike the great European cities that attract with their rich history, Dubai attracts with the future it presents in all its splendor.

View of the fountains from Dubai Mall | Top day tours in Dubai

I could even say that Dubai is addictive. And not only to me but to many travelers who stop here to spend several days as a stopover or as a departure point for a luxurious cruise.

A vacation in Dubai involves many tours from which you can choose. I’m telling you, it’s overwhelming when you have so many options for Dubai tours. And because I don’t want to confuse my readers, I present below the top tours and excursions in Dubai, following my many experiences in the Emirati city. Without any further ado, these are my top day tours in Dubai:

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Desert safari

Among the most popular Dubai guided tours are those related to the desert. Leaving the hundreds of skyscrapers behind and sinking into the infinite sand is an experience that should not be missed when you visit the Emirate metropolis.

Although they are similar and offer the same things, choosing the best desert safari in Dubai is essential. Although the packages include similar activities, quality matters a lot. This is one of the top-rated desert safari tours in Dubai.

What to expect when you go on a desert safari in Dubai ? I can guarantee you a day full of adrenaline with various activities. From dune bashing, sandboarding, and camel rides (which I recommend you avoid) to dinner with traditional Arab dishes, belly dance shows, Tanura, and fire shows, all in a Bedouin camp.

Also, in these camps, you can smoke a hookah or have your hands painted with henna. These are either included, or you must pay separately for them. It’s not for nothing that I put a desert safari in Dubai in the first place on this list. It’s a tour that should not be missing from your vacation in Dubai.

→ Book here the best-rated desert safari tour in Dubai

Dubai desert safari | Dubai guided tours

Visit Burj Khalifa | Top day tours in Dubai

The 828-meter-high building is one of the main tourist attractions in Dubai. This is because it’s the tallest building on the planet, and the view you have from its upper floors is a dream.

So, don’t miss visiting Burj Khalif a during your vacation in Dubai. The view is beautiful at any time of the day, but if you can arrive just before sunset, it’s even better. You can go up to the 124th and 125th floors and admire a 360 panorama of the entire city. Because yes, you can see everything from here, especially on a clear day.

→ Book here the tour of the 124th and 125th floors in Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa | Dubai tour packages for couples

A skyline as attractive as that of Dubai deserves to be seen and admired from as many angles as possible. When possible, especially on the water. How can you do this better than on board a luxury yacht while pampering your taste buds with goodies?

The yacht will take you around some of the most beautiful places in Dubai, meaning Dubai Marina, Dubai Eye, and even in front of the luxurious and famous Burj Al Arab hotel.

The best part is that you can rent an entire yacht for the whole group of friends you are traveling with within Dubai. If not, maybe you’ll love that you’ll share the same boat with other exciting people and perhaps make new friends.

→ Book here one of the best-rated yacht tours in Dubai Marina ←

Visit the Museum of the Future 

National Geographic named the building among the most beautiful museums in the world , placing it in the top 14. Other publications even ranked it first in the list of the most beautiful buildings worldwide. Indeed, the building looks spectacular, and it’s hard to believe it houses a museum.

The crescent-shaped building is made of steel and glass and has text inscribed in Arabic, words belonging to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of the emirate of Dubai. By visiting it, you will discover a perspective of the future 50 years from now. But don’t expect to see only impressive buildings, but also all kinds of images about climate change, space travel, etc.

You should allocate about 3-4 hours for a complete visit, but make sure you buy the tickets well in advance . The museum is on the list of travelers who choose a trip to Dubai, so it’s essential to consider this aspect. You can get here by metro or car, and parking is in the basement.

→ Buy a ticket for the Museum of the Future here.

Dubai Miracle Garden | Top day tours in Dubai

You must put the largest natural flower garden in the world on the list of Dubai tourist attractions. Precisely as the name says, Dubai Miracle Garden . A magical world awaits you here, not only for flower lovers but also for all those who want to discover a true miracle in the middle of the desert.

Of course, it is a colossal investment, and the flowers need permanent watering to keep them so beautiful. There are approximately 50 million flowers throughout the garden, and half a million cover an Airbus A380, a real plane from the Emirates company .

You can find many elements wholly covered with flowers, from statues of impressive sizes to tiny houses or castles. It is worth visiting when you visit Dubai, together with the Butterfly Garden.

→ Book your Dubai Miracle Garden tour here

The View at the Palm

Several places in the city offer 360 panoramas from a height, but The View at the Palm stands out because you can see from here not only Palm Island in all its splendor but also the sea. In my opinion, it offers a unique perspective of the sea in Dubai and gives the feeling that you are flying above the luxurious villas on the island.

Basically, you are 240 meters high or 52 floors and discover a fascinating world. An enormous neighborhood of splendid houses perched on palm branches, each with access to the beach. Only here can you understand the complexity of the unique project in the world, and you can find out its history, in an interactive way, within the exhibition inside.

→ Book your tour at The View at the Palm

Palm Island & Atlantis Hotel | Top day tours in Dubai

Dubai Old Town

Add a walk in the Al Seef neighborhood to the list of day tours in Dubai. It takes place along Dubai Creek and reveals another side of Dubai that seems detached from the city’s distant past, although it’s not like that. In fact, 50 years ago, Dubai looked more like Al Seef and not like the city of the future we see today.

You can even find the coolest Starbucks here in the Al Seef neighborhood. Bonus: it also has a fabulous view of the old port. Walk through the streets of Al Seef and discover the traditional houses made of sandy clay and palm branches, the bazaar with all kinds of goods, and chic restaurants and cafes.

You must come here if you are looking for the most Instagrammable places in Dubai. The opportunities to take great pictures are many!

→ Book here a brilliant walking tour through the history of Dubai

Al Seef neighborhood | Tours of Dubai city

Ride the Hop-On Hop-Off bus

An excellent option to see most of the tourist attractions in Dubai quickly is to get on the tourist buses. They have 3 different routes and include famous sights such as Burj Khalifa, Dubai Marina, Atlantis Hotel, Mall of the Emirates, Old Souk, Dubai Frame, and many others. All you have to do is study the routes well and determine which suits you better.

The tourist bus can be the best option to see everything the most beautiful city offers without resorting to various Dubai-guided tours. You also have three options regarding the validity of the tickets in terms of time. You can choose between permanent access for 24, 48, or 72 hours.

→ Book here tickets for the bus that takes you among the best attractions in Dubai

Hop-On Hop-Off bus | Dubai guided tours

Dubai Frame | Top day tours in Dubai 

Although it was already inaugurated several years ago, more precisely on January 1, 2018, Dubai Frame still shocks any visitor who arrives here for the first time. The building has the shape of a frame with a height of 150 meters and a width of 93, a structure that beautifully frames the city from certain angles.

The exciting part and, at the same time, the real reason why it is worth adding to the list of tours and excursions in Dubai is that you can go to the top of the frame, from where you will have an incredible view. On one side, you will see the old part of the city; on the other, you will admire the concentration of skyscrapers, with Burj Khalifa in the foreground.

Also, you will get a lot of adrenaline when your steps carry you to a glass floor through which you can see the bottom of the building. Few places offer such an experience, and Dubai Frame is among the best.

→ Buy here tickets for the visit to Dubai Frame

Dubai Frame | Top day tours in Dubai

Global Village

There are places that I revisit with every vacation in Dubai, and Global Village is one of them. More than 90 countries from all over the planet gather here in an explosion of color, aromas, textures, and traditional performances.

Global Village is the most affordable way to taste a little of each culture. You can admire African sculptures, shop in China, and enjoy sweets from Thailand, all in the same place.

I love that you can find products from many countries here, but you can also take part in incendiary shows or have fun in the amusement park. It’s the perfect place to spend a whole day from your trip to Dubai. I recommend visiting Global Village with Miracle Garden, as they are close to each other.

→ You can find here the Global Village + Miracle Garden combined tour and other attractions

Fountain Show next to Dubai Mall

Among the few activities in Dubai that can be done for free is participating in the show of the dancing fountains near the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa. The crowd is entirely justified because the fountains impress with their grace and beauty. They dance to famous songs, international hits easily recognizable by everyone, but also to Arabic rhythms.

To ensure you don’t miss it, you should know that the fountains dance every day, every 30 minutes, from 6 in the evening until 11 pm, although the schedule may vary. Try to get here at least 15 minutes before the start of a program and choose the best place to admire them in all their splendor.

The cafes on the 1st floor of the Dubai Mall are also an excellent option to see without having to cut your way through the crowd.

Dubai fountains show | Tours of Dubai city

Dinner in the Sky | Tours of Dubai city

Dinner in the Sky is a concept I heard about for the first time in Dubai. It’s not a tour but an atypical experience dedicated to gourmands and thrill-seekers. In the meantime, it has expanded and exists in other places, but now we are talking strictly about Dubai.

What does this mean? Well, even the food is not what it used to be. Why have dinner in an ordinary place when you can climb 50 meters above the ground with the help of a crane? The atmosphere is maintained by the chefs who prepare the food right before your eyes, but especially by the fantastic view unfolding at your feet because Dinner in the Sky takes place on JBR beach.

→ Book the Dinner in the Sky in Dubai experience here

Dubai Parks and Resorts

This experience is especially suitable for those who come on a trip to Dubai with children. Dubai Parks and Resorts is the largest amusement park in the Middle East and includes 4 parks: Bollywood, Motiongate, Legoland, and Legoland Water Park.

You must reserve a whole day to visit Dubai Parks and Resorts because the entertainment options seem unlimited. Don’t expect only roller coasters or all kinds of rides, but also WONDERFUL shows!

I saw some unforgettable performances here and went to the 7D cinema. You have to put Dubai Parks and Resorts on the list of tours and excursions in Dubai.

→ You can find here the most profitable tickets to Dubai Parks and Resorts

Bollywood entrance at Dubai Parks and Resorts | Top day tours in Dubai

Helicopter tour

I admit that I haven’t ticked off this tour yet, but it’s been on my list for some time and will happen soon, especially since I haven’t been on a helicopter until now. It might be the only means of transport I haven’t tried yet…

It/s not a cheap experience, but I am sure it’s worth all the money. You can choose between tours that start from 12 minutes per flight and up to 45 minutes.

→ Book here a sensational helicopter tour over Dubai

View of JBR beach | Top day tours in Dubai

Ain Dubai – Dubai Eye | Tours of Dubai city

What would Dubai be without all its records? I don’t know how to answer the question, but I can tell you one more of these records: a tourist attraction that must enter the list of the most beautiful tours and excursions in Dubai: Ain Dubai or the Dubai Eye.

It holds the record for the tallest observation wheel in the world, reaching a height of 250 meters, while the London Eye is only 135. Its cabins, although small from a distance, are the size of a room. A tour lasts 38 minutes and is a unique way to observe a part of Dubai from such a height.

For example, you can choose a regular tour or one to celebrate an anniversary. You’re in Dubai!

The Dubai Eye | Dubai guided tours

One-day tour in Abu Dhabi to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque

I know we are talking about trips to Dubai, but it’s worth going on a day trip to Abu Dhabi to visit this splendid Sheik Zayed mosque . Although it’s enormous, the mosques of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia surpass it in size.

As a beauty, probably none. The materials used in its construction were brought from several countries worldwide. The chandeliers are impressive in shape and size, but also because gold and crystals were used to make them. They are a splash of color in the entire expanse of white marble, together with the reflecting pools.

The mosque, which can accommodate up to 40,000 people, was completed in 2007, and its construction stretched over 11 years. To be able to visit, you need appropriate clothing, and women must wear an abaya.

→ Book your day tour from Dubai to Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi | Dubai tour packages

Parasailing in Jumeirah Beach

Still adrenaline, but this time we changed the means of transport with a parachute. You can go parasailing in Dubai with your partner or alone. If the weather permits, you will have one of the best experiences on the water of the Arabian Gulf. You will be lifted approximately 150 meters high and pulled by a boat for 10 minutes.

→ Here you can find the parasailing experience in Dubai

JBR beach | Dubai guided tours

Dubai Garden Glow

If you need color in your life, you need to visit Dubai Garden Glow. The park includes over 500 lights and colorful animations, so you can only see it after dark. The effect is wow! In addition to these animations, you can admire replicas of 100 life-size dinosaurs at Dubai Garden Glow.

The park is close to the city center, and you can quickly reach the Al Jafiliya station on the red line by metro. To see the cost, access the link below.

→ B ook the Dubai Garden Glow tour