Dubai has a reputation as one of the most luxurious cities in the world, and it’s well earned. With extravagant souks, modern shopping malls, beautiful beaches, fabulous weather, and lavish hotels. Though luxury is not all Dubai has to offer. For the adventurous travellers the vast desert sands have plenty of thrilling excursions, from dune bashing to camping out under the stars.

Dubai is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations and as such demand is high for holidays to Dubai with many of the hotels in Dubai selling out months in advance. For that reason, we’ve compiled our favourite things to do below.

Dhow boat cruise

Discover the beautiful city from the sea on board a traditional wooden boat. It’s always exciting being in the thick of the hustle and bustle of a city, but sometimes it’s nice to take a step back and take in the sights from a distance. Step on board a traditional Dhow for a relaxed cruise and dinner, or a lively evening party boat.

Dune Bashing

For the thrill seekers dune bashing is a must. It’s a great way to explore the vast desert and have some fun. Climb in to a specialised SUV driven by an expert. Slipping, sliding, skidding, and spinning around the ever shifting sands. Drifting over the soft dunes of Dubai is top of many travellers’ buckets and is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.

Desert Safari

Less than 20 minutes away from the bustling city streets of Downtown Dubai lies the majestic Arabian desert. Whether you’re looking for luxury or adventure, there’s plenty of tours to suit every traveller.

City tour

Dubai has a whole host of awe-inspiring landscape and attractions, so it’s definitely worth spending a day on a guided tour to make the most of it. Our top picks include the Dubai fountain located at the base of Burj Khalifa. It’s one of the world’s largest choreographed fountain displays where powerful jets shoot 150m in the air and sway to music. It’s ideal for that perfect Instagram moment. Second is the historical neighbourhood of Al Fahidi in Bur. Best seen on foot, it offers nostalgic views of a bygone era with traditional windtowers and a maze of winding alleyways, positioned along the historic waterways of Dubai Creek.

Burj Khalifa - the world's tallest building

Standing 828m high, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world, and one of Dubai’s must-visit attractions. The majestic building is located in the heat of the city and is a hub of activity day and night. Capture perfect views of the city landscape from the observation deck at level 124 and have a bite to eat at the ‘At the Top Sky Lounge’.