Discover the Highlights: These are the 10 Most Beautiful Attractions in Dubai

From gleaming skyscrapers and artificial islands to traditional markets and bazaars - in Dubai, the city of world records, contrasts, and luxurious glamour, cutting-edge architecture meets oriental charm. In this post, I'll take you to the most beautiful attractions in Dubai and reveal which highlights you should not miss in the desert metropolis!

An extraordinary journey into the future awaits at the Museum of the Future. Already from the outside, the distinctive facade with beautiful calligraphic elements will leave you in awe - a feeling that continues as you stroll through the interactively designed exhibitions inside.

You will dive excitingly into the (possible) future of humanity: this is what our life might look like if we continue to make rapid progress with our current research and technologies.

Ticket prices for the Museum of the Future start at 149 AED (approximately $39, as of February 2025). You must definitely reserve your ticket as early as possible, ideally several weeks before your planned visit.

My favorite neighborhood in the metropolis is the upscale Dubai Marina. I could stroll for hours along the beautifully designed Marina Walk nestled among the closely packed skyscrapers, admiring the expensive luxury yachts. Countless cafes, restaurants, small shops, and the huge Dubai Marina Mall line the promenade, inviting you to indulge, enjoy, and shop.

Between the harbor basin and the sea, the famous JBR Beach invites you with its luxurious beach clubs to sunbathe and plunge into the refreshing waves of the Persian Gulf. Here too, a waterfront promenade - The Walk - tempts you with a variety of shops and culinary delights from around the world.

The unbeaten celebrity among Dubai's attractions is definitely the Burj Khalifa. The majestic building, opened in 2010, stands at an incredible 828 meters and is still today the tallest building in the world and the focal point of Dubai's skyline.

It takes less than a minute for the elevator to catapult you to the 124th floor to the observation deck At the Top. The breathtaking view from 456 meters high will surely remain in your memory forever!

The cheapest tickets for sunrise cost 159 AED (approximately $42, as of February 2025) and are best booked on the official website.

After you have admired the glittering desert city from a bird's eye view, the dancing Dubai Fountains, the highest water fountains in the world, lure you back down to the foot of the Burj Khalifa.

Every evening at 6 PM, catchy tunes from around the world resonate from the speakers every 30 minutes, while the water - artfully illuminated and synchronized to the music - shoots up to 140 meters.

You can enjoy the enchanting spectacle of the Dubai Fountains for free!

One of the most famous panoramas of Dubai is the view from above on the artificially created Palm Jumeirah island, which is even visible from space. On the palm fronds and the outer ring, villa complexes, luxury hotels like Atlantis The Palm, and - brand new - Atlantis The Royal share the white sand and the turquoise sea.

On the trunk of the palm, the observation platform The View at The Palm of the Palm Towers beckons with dream views over the entire island at lofty heights. The entrance prices start at 100 AED (approximately $26, as of February 2025). For photos without reflections, it may be worth investing in the more expensive VIP ticket for the unglazed NEXT LEVEL Deck. Or - even better - spend an afternoon at the cool AURA Skypool!

The old town of Dubai is the most atmospheric corner of the metropolis. You will search in vain for gleaming skyscrapers and the openly displayed luxury in Downtown Dubai. Instead, at the shores of Dubai Creek, a fascinating mixture of the traditional life of the locals and a charming chaos of colorful market stalls awaits you in the bustling souks of the Deira district.

The Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood is the showcase of the old town. Buildings, alleys, and squares have been painstakingly restored using traditional materials from earlier times. With its art galleries, inviting boutiques, and oriental cafes and restaurants in a sand-colored alley labyrinth, Al Fahidi is a large, truly enchanting open-air museum.

7 stars would undoubtedly mark the Burj Al Arab - the most luxurious hotel in the world - if this ranking were officially recognized. With its unique sail-like architecture reminiscent of an Arab dhow and its prominent location on an artificially created island off the coast, the luxury hotel has become inseparable from Dubai's skyline.

Although access to the Burj Al Arab is only permitted for hotel guests, you can still enjoy the breathtaking views amidst gold, luxury, and glamour with the various options from Inside Burj Al Arab - without having to pay thousands of Dirhams for a suite.

In the green oasis of Zabeel Park, the Dubai Frame playfully connects tradition and modernity. Depending on which direction you look through the world's largest picture frame, either the shining sea of skyscrapers in Downtown Dubai unfolds before your eyes or the labyrinth-like tangle of the old town alleys with the historic waterways of Dubai Creek.

All the grounded will find that the museum in the lower part of the Dubai Frame tells the story of the city through the ages - from a small fishing village to a bustling megacity. For those who want to reach greater heights, the upper part of the picture frame not only offers unforgettable 360-degree panoramic views but also a dizzying view straight down through the glass floor.

Right next to the Burj Khalifa, the enormous Dubai Mall invites you to glamorous shopping experiences. With its numerous superlatives and over 1,200 stores, this shopping temple covering over one million square meters is a key attraction in Dubai.

Marvel at the fascinating underwater world in the Dubai Aquarium, skate to the lively music of a DJ on the Dubai Ice Rink, and admire the famous Diver Waterfall.

If the imposing building with its two slender minarets and the large dome in the middle seems somehow familiar, it is probably because it is depicted on the 500 Dirham note.

Dubai's largest mosque was built in the traditional Fatimid style and accommodates over 1,200 worshippers. Particularly enchanting, the sand-colored building appears after dark in the light of numerous spotlights.

Travelers are also permitted to visit the Jumeirah Mosque - with covered shoulders and legs - as part of a tour. These are available from Saturday to Thursday at 10 AM and 2 PM. As a woman, you must also wear a headscarf.