If you are planning a trip to Dubai with your significant other, you’ve got to see this list of things to do in Dubai for couples. We’ve included all the best Dubai attractions geared towards adults. Including adventurous things to do in Dubai & romantic things to do in Dubai. We’ll help you figure out where to stay in Dubai, how to get around Dubai and how to plan your trip to Dubai seamlessly.

Couples Activities in Dubai

20 Things to do in Dubai for Couples

1. Experience SKY at Burj Khalifa
2. Shop at the Dubai Mall
3. See the Dubai Fountains
4. Walk around Burj Plaza
5. Tour the Dubai Miracle Garden
6. Visit the Global Village
7. Lounge at La Mer Beach
8. Learn about Emirate history at the Etihad Museum
9. Take a Desert Safari
10. Get lost in the Al Fahidi Historical District
11. Shop at a traditional Souk
12. Walk around the Dubai Marina
13. Dine at fancy restaurants
14. Take an excursion out to the magical Grand Mosque
15. Ski on Dubai’s indoor mountain
16. Enjoy the views at rooftop bars
17. See the city from a hot air balloon
18. Ride horses side by side
19. Jump out of the sky together
20. Have a relaxing spa experience

1. Experience SKY at Burj Khalifa

There are a few different experiences offered at the Burj Khalifa, but we’ll make it easier for you and tell you which one you need to get. SKY, or “At the top,”at Burj Khalifa is one of the top activities in Dubai for adults.

The SKY experience gives you access to level 148 which is NOT included in the general admission ticket. Level 148 is far superior to floors 124 & 125. Also, the glass was cleaner on 148 which allowed for better photos. Click here to see the latest prices for SKY. Click here to see the latest prices for SKY.

With SKY, you’ll also get access to 124 and 125, so you’ll see what we mean. Usually, these lower floors are a lot busier.

PRO TIP for SKY: Check the time of sunset when you are traveling. Book your SKY experience to start 1 hour prior to sunset.

Don’t bother with any of the Lounge experiences (floors 154, 153 and 152). The Burj Khalifa is cool, don’t get me wrong…but, I’d rather be at some awesome bar or restaurant than having tea or drinks at a tourist attraction.

Read more about the best hotels in Dubai. 

2. Shop at the Dubai Mall

The Dubai Mall is beautiful. It’s one of the best places to visit in Dubai! Plenty of photo opportunities here. The mall offers unlimited shopping options within any price range. However, the most beautiful parts of the mall are located adjacent to the luxury brand stores. Make sure to stroll through here.

The basement of the Dubai Mall is where you’ll find the world-famous aquarium, access to SKY at the Burj Khalifa and the food court. You can also exit the mall here and access the Dubai Fountains.

The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is a sight to behold. Their newest and most exciting inhabitant is a 750 km, 2.4 meter, King Crocodile. What a beast! Interestingly, he’s even expected to grow bigger over the next few decades. Click here to get your tickets to the Dubai Aquarium. 

The Dubai Aquarium also offers a unique experience that lets you dive with sharks & help to feed them!

Just outside the Dubai Mall, there’s a great Lebanese restaurant called Em Sherif. We recommend stopping here for lunch.

3. See the Dubai Fountains

Don’t be fooled into purchasing tickets to “The Dubai Fountain.” This is a tourist trap. You can see the Dubai Fountain show perfectly clearly from outside. The show is cool, but not long enough to justify paying for it and getting on a boat.

Overall, this seems like overkill and a waste of time. We would recommend, if possible, you see the fountain show from further away! The further you are, the more impressive the scale is. You’ll be able to see how tall the fountain show is compared to the Burj Khalifa.

4. Walk around Burj Plaza

A good place to watch the fountain show from afar is Burj Park. We recommend walking from the Dubai Mall to Burj Park and then continuing to the Burj Plaza. The Burj Plaza offers a wonderful romantic vibe at sunset.

There’s beautiful lights and colorful art installations.  Walking through this lovely downtown neighborhood is one of the top things to do for couples in Dubai.

Find out what you should wear in Dubai. 

Also, you can capture cool photos of the Burj Khalifa here (and capture it completely).

5. Tour the Dubai Miracle Garden

This is the furthest attraction from Downtown Dubai, but it’s also one of the best places to visit in Dubai! It is another great place to visit around sunset for soft lighting and colorful skies. The Dubai Miracle Garden is open form mid-November to mid-May. There are said to be more than 150 million flowers here! It’s romantic as hell.

If you haven’t rented a car, it might be useful to visit the Dubai Miracle Garden and Global Village with a tour. Check out this great combo package. 

6. Visit the Global Village

The Global Village is an enormous multi-cultural park. Open from October to early April, it features shopping, dining and entertainment. The park is only open in the evenings, so this is a great place to visit before your dinner reservation and after the sun has gone down.

The layout is a giant circle with green space in the center and different cultural nooks lining the outside. Each nook represents a different nation. You can enter the nook and be transported into that country’s culture. Each cultural hub offers food, clothing and region-specific crafts.

The Global Village is one of the most unique things to do in Dubai! It’s a fun place to visit for families, couples and solo explorers. Also, its a great place to stock up on souvenirs for the family!

The Global Village is also a great place to stock up on souvenirs for the family!

7. Lounge at La Mer Beach

La Mer Beach is our favorite beach in the UAE and one of the top tourist attractions in Dubai. It’s particularly convenient for tourists not staying at a beach hotel. At the beach, you’ll find lounge chairs, umbrellas and even towels for rent. So, don’t worry about bringing anything with you!

Like everywhere else in Dubai, La Mer Beach is clean, beautifully designed and highly commercialized. There’s plenty of shopping and dining here. We highly recommend the soft-serve ice cream at Salt. Before you head to the beach, stop at Comptoir 102 for a healthy, delicious and super trendy breakfast.

8. Learn about Emirati History at the Etihad Museum

Located a short walk from La Mer Beach, is the Etihad Museum. This museum takes you through the contemporary history of the United Arab Emirates. This museum has a lot of interesting films and interactive exhibits. It is one of the culturally important places in Dubai.

The Etihad Museum is also a short walk from the beautiful Jumeriah Mosque. While you may not be able to enter the Mosque, it is stunning and worth seeing.

9. Take a Desert Safari

One of the most iconic attractions in Dubai is the desert safari. It’s considered one of the special things to do in Dubai, and a bucket list must! There are many different options for this. Overall, the different activities include dune bashing, desert photos, camel rides, Middle Eastern food and Middle Eastern cultural activities.

Our desert safari included a trip to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Check out the details here. 

The cultural specific activities at our desert safari included a falconry show, belly dancing, and henna tattooing. The desert safaris provide a unique opportunity to experience a lot of middle eastern culture in one evening.

The food at our banquet was really good! You’ll get the opportunity to sample lots of different Middle Eastern flavors and dishes.

10. Get lost in the Al Fahidi Historical District

The Al Fahidi Historical District is one of the best places to go in Dubai. It’s a beautiful area to walk through and get a glimpse of Emirati history and culture. There’s great art installations, cultural events and activities here.

If you are looking to learn more about the Al Fahid neighborhood, there’s an excellent walking tour available. This tour is reasonably priced and lasts under 2 hours. Al Fahid is one of Dubai’s oldest neighborhoods and it has it’s own distinct culture and traditions.

Check prices on the Al Fahid walking tour. 

A cool little-known attraction in the historical district is the Museum of Illusions. This place is interactive, photogenic and weird. It’s a good place to stop in and take a break from the sun.

The museum is pretty small, so you won’t need more than 45 minutes here. The below image was taken at the Museum of Illusions. This is certainly one of the unusual things to do in Dubai, but another good activity for couples.

If you love art, check out Dubai’s hidden gems. 

It’s located near the Dubai Museum and the Souks. To get to the gold and spice souks, it is cheaper and more convenient to take the water taxis. A cab ride that gets you across the river will shockingly take 20 minutes. While on the south side of the river, make sure to stop and eat at the Arabian Tea House.

11. Shop at a traditional Souk

I recommend the Souks with reservations and caution. While they offer a unique and interesting cultural experience, it is also unbelievably annoying to walk through here! I wish someone had warned me…

The Souks are local markets where traditional goods are sold. Some of the products are quite nice and make excellent souvenirs. However, the vendors are extremely aggressive and frankly, irritating! They will touch you, place their scarves around you, and call you names like “Shakira” or “Wiz Khalifa.” I don’t get the Shakira thing, but you’ll see.

Some areas are more walkable than others, some vendors less aggressive than others. Overall, though, it’s hard to even look at their products without falling prey to the overwhelming and extremely unpleasant sales tactics. Proceed at your own risk.

Shopping at a traditional Souk is one of the things to do in Dubai, but you don’t have to go to the Dubai Creek. You can visit the upscale souk at the Palace Hotel for a more refined experience. While this may be less “traditional,” you’ll still see a lot of the same products wherever you go.

12. Walk around the Dubai Marina

The Dubai Marina is another one of the top sights in Dubai that is completely free to visit. It’s a great place to walk around, take in the skyscrapers and snap photos.

It’s near to the Jumeirah Beach Residences which are worth checking out. The Dubai Maria mall is also impressive and close by. Stop at Pappa Roti Café for a famous butter bun while in the Jumeirah Beach Residence area. The one pictured below is made with hazelnuts and Nutella 🙂

13. Dine at fancy Restaurants

Dining out is one of the best activities in Dubai for couples! Dubai is an international city. Only 20% of the total population is Emirati! Dubai has one of the world’s highest percentages of immigrants. It’s home to over 200 nationalities. My point is … it’s a great place to try global cuisines.

Here are some of our favorites:

• Zheng He’s (Chinese)
• Treehouse (Mediterranean)
• Arabian Tea House (Middle Eastern)
• Em Sherif (Lebanese)
• TOMO (Japanesee)

14. Take an excursion out to the magical Grand Mosque

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is located in Abu Dhabi. While it’s technically not one of the Dubai sightseeing places, it shouldn’t be missed. It’s in Abu Dhabi, and Abu Dhabi can be reached in an hour driving from Dubai. Most cab drivers don’t mind taking tourists there.

Although, it’s easier to go with a tour group. Check out this highly-rated trip to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque from Dubai.

It is an impossibly lavish and beautiful mosque. Also, it’s one of few mosques that allows non-Muslim visitors. The Grand Mosque has many unique design features including the world’s largest carpet. It’s Swarovski crystal-studded chandelier is the third-largest in the whole world.

Not to mention the marble construction, gemstone detailing and beautiful reflecting pools… It is also especially beautiful when lit up at night. If you and your partner can spare a day to drive out to Abu Dhabi, you won’t be disappointed.

15. Ski on Dubai’s indoor mountain

Ski Dubai is an indoor Ski Resort in the middle of the Arabian Desert. It is located in the Mall of Emirates –another one of the popular Dubai shopping malls. The Mall of the Emirates is also one of the largest malls on the globe. This is certainly one of the fun places to go in Dubai with your significant other.

Grab your ski tickets here. This great package includes a thermal suit, ski or snowboard gear, and lift tickets! So, don’t worry about lugging around extra layers. This experience includes 2 hours worth of snowy adventures.

A lesser-known activity offered at SKI Dubai is the penguin meet & greet. With this activity, you’ll also get a thermal suit. You’ll have 40 minutes to hang out with penguins in their natural habitat. Read more. 

16. Enjoy the views at rooftop bars

Rooftop bars are great places to have a cocktail (or mocktail) and take in the scenery. You can’t visit Dubai without enjoying the rooftop scene!

Many restaurants in Dubai also have rooftop terrace seating. One of these is TOMO, a Japanese restaurant at the Raffles Hotel in Dubai.

Here’s a list of some great rooftop bars in Dubai:

• Shades
• Uptown Bar
• Tamanya Terrace
• 40 Kong
• Asia Asia
• Pure Sky Lounge
• Siddharta Lounge

This photo was taken at Uptown Bar at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. We loved this place because it had tremendous views of the entire Dubai skyline.

`17. See the city from a hot air balloon

Hot air balloon tours are one of the most amazing things to do in Dubai. You’ll get to view the city in a completely different light. See the vast deserts, the tiny skyscrapers and the bright blue waters of the Persian Gulf all at the same time.

View the best rated hot air balloon excursion. It includes an extra special sky-high falconry show!

18. Ride horses side by side

Horseback riding is one of the popular couples activities in Dubai. We recommend the Al Ahabi Dubai City Stable or Winners Equestrian Club.

Another great place to ride horses in Dubai is the beautiful Mushrif Park –it’s a woodland oasis surrounded by stunning sand dunes of the Arabian Desert. Check the latest prices here.

19. Jump out of the sky together

There are two types of skydiving experiences you can have in Dubai —indoor or outdoor. Obviously, the indoor option is a lot less scary. Visit iFly Dubai! Alternatively, if you’re looking for crazy things to do in Dubai, outdoor skydiving is for you…visit Skydive Dubai.

20. Have a relaxing spa experience

Dubai is the ultimate destination for luxury experiences. Whatever hotel you decide to stay at, make sure that you can enjoy their spa! Book a couples massage and let your worries slowly slip away. Some of the best activities in Dubai involve splurging on stellar service and enjoying experiences of excess.

Why Dubai

Dubai is an excellent place to visit from a tourist perspective. It’s easily accessible from many countries all over the world via the Emirates airline. Not to mention that Emirates airline is highly reliable, offers spacious cabins and above-average luggage allowances! Also, the DXB airport is only a 15-minute drive from Downtown Dubai, which allows for easy layover sightseeing.

In Dubai, English is widely spoken by residents, on street signs, receipts, and menus. It makes getting around stupid simple! Furthermore, there are so many exciting things to do in Dubai.

Beyond the Dubai tourist places, there’s also a delicious restaurant culture, a stellar service industry and booming a luxury experience market. A vacation in Dubai is the perfect idea for affordable luxury travelers. See this tourist map of Dubai. 

Where to Stay in Dubai

The three best areas to stay in Dubai are Dubai downtown, the Dubai Marina and on the beach. Each of these areas offers a different appeal and great dining opportunities.

Many of the top couple activities in Dubai can be found in the downtown area. These include the Burj Khalifa, Burj Park, the Dubai Mall and the Dubai Fountains. Skybridges and walkways link these Dubai tourist spots to best hotels. The most impressive hotel in downtown Dubai is the Palace Downtown.

It is a luxury 5 star hotel with impeccable Arabian style architecture and an upscale Souk inside. It impressively contrasts the glass skyscrapers that make up the downtown cityscape.

The best affordable luxury option in downtown Dubai is Sofitel Downtown Dubai. For a mere fraction of the cost of the Palace Hotel, Sofitel offers an appealing alternative 5-star experience in the heart of downtown. Sofitel also boasts an infinity pool, a rooftop bar & an occasional harpist in the lobby. You can get to the downtown Dubai sightseeing in 15 minutes walking from Sofitel.

Sofitel Downtown Dubai

The Dubai Marina is also an excellent place to stay. Things to do in the Dubai Marina include the Dubai Marina Walk, the Dubai Marina Mall and Jumeirah Beach. An impressive hotel at the Dubai Marina is the Address Hotel. A great affordable luxury alternative is the Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort. The most luxurious hotel on the beaches of Dubai, without a doubt, is the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah (the world’s only self-proclaimed 7-star hotel).

Getting Around Dubai

Dubai is an enormous city. Getting around to the various Dubai tourist attractions can be frustrating at times. Dubai offers many transit options. Including cabs, Ubers, public transit and pedestrian walkways. However, the paths and highways are very rarely direct and almost always convoluted.

If your destination is 0.6 miles away…this may be a 25-30 minute walk! There are many highways, and thus tons of looping around when driving.

The other important consideration is distance. Most of the places to see in Dubai are spread all throughout the city. So, it could take 30 minutes (or more) of driving to get from one destination to another.

For example, it takes 25 minutes driving (or 1 hour using public transit) to get from the Burj Khalifa to the Dubai Miracle Garden. While few Dubai sightseeing spots are clustered together, expect many to be distant from one another.

We ended up using a lot of cabs and Ubers during our trip because we didn’t want to waste time using public transportation. Although, coming from a couple who loves to be on their feet, it was frustrating that nothing seemed walkable! Also, it is important to note that cab rides are reasonably priced in the UAE. You might expect to pay 10-14 USD for a 25-30-minute cab ride. Some of the cabs are even equipped to host Wi-Fi!

Dubai Etiquette

Make sure to dress modestly while in Dubai, as it is a Muslim country. You don’t want to be that person in short-shorts. In general, try to keep your shoulders and knees covered. Although, dresses that fall just below the knees won’t raise any eyebrows. Cleavage is a big no-no. Brazilian style bikinis should be avoided on public beaches. While at your hotel, or if you’re going to a nightclub, it is understood that the morality code does not apply. Western style dress is commonplace here.

In regards to tipping, the average is 10% at restaurants. While there will be a service charge included into your bill, it is common to tip 10-15%. It is also customary to round up to the nearest note when paying for cabs.

Looking for fun couples activities in Abu Dhabi?

Check out this incredible Abu Dhabi tourist attractions.