This interactive map of Dubai includes all of the best attractions, top-rated restaurant and stunning rooftop bars. Dubai is an incredibly modern city with so much to explore!
The blue pins point out top Dubai attractions. Including everything from museums, scenic locations, and shopping destinations. We’ve included all the best Dubai sightseeing spots. You can also expect to find parks, gardens, and mosques.
Beautiful beaches are indicated with a yellow pin. Green pins note the best places in Dubai to dine. The most lively Dubai rooftop bars (with incredible views) are shown in purple. Finally, (I’m an ice-cream-holic ) so you’ll notice the top ice cream parlors are marked with pink pins.
This Dubai tourist attractions map is downloadable! So, don’t go without it on your trip. You can also use the offline version of google maps if you won’t have access to Wi-Fi while traveling.
Tourist Map of Dubai
How to Use This Map: If you click the tab at the top left corner, you’ll be able to select specific layers. Click the checkmark to select or hide specific categories.
Save This Map: Click the brackets in the top right corner to expand the map in full view. It will open in a new tab. Under the map title, right of the map description, there is a star. Click this star and the map will be saved to your Google account in Google Maps. You can access it later from your computer or device. On desktop, go to Google Maps and click ‘Your Places,’ and ‘Maps.’ On app view, select ‘Saved, scroll down and click ‘Maps.’
Getting Around Dubai:
Dubai is a big city. While it is well-connected with highways, public transit leaves something to be desired. You won’t be able to get to the Dubai Miracle Garden or the Global Village if you are relying solely on public transportation.
It’s also important to consider location (distance) when planning. Many of the best places to visit in Dubai are somewhat far away from one another.
Find out what you should wear in Dubai.
“What is far away?” You may ask… Well, expect it to take you 20-30 minutes driving to get from one attraction to another. We ended up using cabs & Ubers to get around. The prices are reasonable (cheaper than the US) or about $10 for a 20 to 30 minute taxi.
NOTE: A 20 minute taxi route can take as long as an hour if using public transpiration instead.
Here are some driving time estimations:
Downtown to Dubai Marina 20 minutes
Downtown to Palm Jumeirah 20 minutes
Downtown to Dubai Miracle Garden 25 minutes
Downtown to Global Village 20-30 minutes
Find out the best places to stay in Dubai.
Dubai Tourist Attractions
Scenic Places
Many of the scenic places in this Dubai tourist map are man-made wonders. You’ll have to remember that paradise Dubai only sprung up from the dunes a few decades ago. These Dubai tourist places are among the most beautiful, photo-worthy, awe-inspiring attractions.
Dubai Miracle Garden
The Dubai Miracle Garden is a 30-minute drive from downtown. It features 150 million flowers arranged into beautiful characters and designs. It’s unlike any other garden in the world.
The Dubai Miracle Garden is one of the must-see tourist destinations in Dubai. It’s the perfect place for a casual stroll and 1 million photos!
I recommend visiting an hour before sunset for more relaxed lighting. There also tend to be fewer crowds around this time.
Burj Khalifa
A Dubai trip isn’t complete without a visit to the downtown area. Many of the coolest things to see in Dubai are located downtown. These include the Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world), the Dubai Mall, the Dubai Fountains and Burj Park.
The Burj Khalifa isn’t only the tallest building in the world, it’s also the tallest free-standing structure. It has the highest number of stories! Also, it has the longest elevator in the world.
No matter how much time you have in Dubai, you must visit the Burj Khalifa. The best way to visit is by booking the “At the Top,” or SKY experience. The SKY experience will give you access to the highest observation deck in the world. General admission doesn’t include this floor.
Click here to see details about the best Burj Khalifa visit.
The views from the top are incredible! It’s one of the unmissable places to go sightseeing in Dubai.
If you’re looking for a less touristy way to enjoy views from inside the Burj Khalifa, you can also book a reservation at one of the Armani hotel’s restaurants. The Armani hotel is located inside the Burj Khalifa, and it is one of the most impressive Dubai hotels! Amal is a cool Indian restaurant with an outdoor terrace.
Check out some things to do in Dubai for couples.
Dubai Fountains
The Dubai Fountains are one of the most visited tourist attractions in Dubai. They’re located at the base of the Burj Khalifa, right next to the Dubai Mall.
The Dubai Fountains are a choreographed fountain system that gives performances! Imagine, the Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas, but 100x better. Although, they were designed by the same company that brought us the Bellagio Fountains.
These fountains sit in the 30 acre man-made Burj Khalifa Lake. They include over 6,000 lights and 50 colored projectors. The Dubai Fountains can shoot water 500 ft into the air (that’s over 40 stories)! It’s no wonder that this performance holds the title of being the world’s largest choreographed fountain show.
Visit the Dubai fountains at night to catch one of the shows. You can usually expect to see the show at the beginning of every hour after 6 PM, but schedules can vary. Click here for the full schedule.
Burj Park
If you’re visiting downtown Dubai, you must visit Burj Park. It’s one of the low-key Dubai attractions for tourists. You MUST visit in the evening, or just after sunset.
Burj Park is a few minutes walk from the Dubai Fountains, so I recommend checking it out after seeing a fountain show.
The park was originally designed for hosting lavish corporate events. As you can imagine, the views from here are incredible.
It’s a small green space that’s always full of interesting art installations and instagrammable sculptures. Many of these artworks are lit up which is why I recommend an evening visit.
Palace Hotel Downtown
The Palace Hotel is one of the most beautiful hotels in downtown and one of the top tourist sites in Dubai. The Palace Hotel starkly contrasts the rest of downtown Dubai with its distinctly Arabian style of architecture. The theme is, quite literally, “1001 Arabian Nights.”
You’ll find it steps away from the Dubai Mall and the Dubai Fountains (in the heart of downtown). Make sure to stop by and have a walk around. This is one of the most beautiful places in Dubai!
If you’re in love with the Arabian vibes, there’s a lot you can experience at the Palace Hotel even if you’re not a guest. Check out the Buhayra Lounge for upscale shisha and live music. We also loved the Fai cocktail lounge. Both of these spots are poolside. The Palace Hotel’s pool deck is incredible. It features Arabian style tents adorned in rich drapery, chill music and unparalleled views of the Burj Khalifa.
Click here to see rates at the Palace Hotel in downtown Dubai.
The Palace hotel is also an excellent place to stop of Arabian style traditional gifts. Inside, you’ll find an upscale Souk (or traditional market). Only, the Palace Hotel’s version of a Souk doesn’t involve harassment, haggling and catcalling (like you might expect at the Dubai Creek).
The Arabian Desert
One of the rare natural places on our Dubai attractions map is the Arabian Desert. No visit to Dubai is complete without a trip to the Arabian Desert.
The Arabian Desert is the 5th largest desert in the world (and the largest in Asia). It’s one of the important Dubai tourist spots and it’s home to gazelles, sand cats, oryx, and some pretty cool lizards.
The best way to visit the Arabian Desert from Dubai is to take a desert safari. These usually include transportation, dinner and unique cultural experiences.
We loved this Dubai Desert Safari to the conservation reserve. During the tour, we got to see many desert creatures. We stopped and took amazing photos of the sunset and endless dunes.
Book your Dubai Desert Safari here.
I usually don’t expect much from the food on these tours, but the food on our desert safari was incredible! I also loved the henna tattooing, belly dancing, and falconry demonstration. It’s one of the more adventurous tourist attractions in Dubai.
Dubai Marina
Another one of the main tourist sites in Dubai is the Dubai Marina. During your Dubai travels, you’ve got to stop here! Enjoy the Dubai Marina Walk, the Dubai Marina Mall, and the fantastic restaurant options.
There’s also a handful of cool rooftop bars at the Dubai Marina. These include the Siddharta Lounge, Pure Sky Lounge, and Shades.
Don’t be deceived by how small this area looks on the Dubai attractions map! It can take an hour to circumnavigate the whole Marina. To get across the maria more quickly, we recommend the water taxi.
While you walk around, you’ll enjoy the stunning views of million-dollar yachts, tall skyscrapers, and the glittering waterway.
Al Fahidi Historical District
The Al Shindagha neighborhood is where you’ll find another collection of cool Dubai tourist attractions. On the Dubai city map, you’ll notice the cluster of blue pins near the Dubai creek.
These Dubai tourist spots are more representative of Old Dubai –the history and the culture of the native Emirati People. Specifically, there are the Gold & Spice Souks, the Al Fahidi Historical District, the Al Farooq Mosque and the Dubai Museum. You can knock out all these in half a day.
To get across the Dubai Creek, use the “water taxi” or abra. This is the quickest and cheapest way to cross the Dubai Creek.
The Al Fahidi Historical District is a more refined cultural experience. You can walk through here and check out local artists, crafts and events. There’s plenty of shopping opportunities from unique and ethnic artwork.
Also, the Museum of Illusions is found here. Step inside for a break from the hot desert sun.
After you’ve checked out the Al Fahidi Historical District, the Dubai Museum and the Al Farooq Mosque, you must eat at the Arabian Teahouse! It is a picturesque Middle Eastern restaurant with delicious traditional food and a large menu.
Beaches
Dubai has an arid desert climate and stretches of shoreline in the pristine Persian Gulf. This makes Dubai the perfect beach destination almost year-round!
The most iconic Dubai Beach in Jumeirah Beach, this is where you’ll find stunning views of Dubai’s famous 7-star hotel.
Jumeirah Beach
Jumeirah Beach is one of the most popular Dubai attractions for tourists. It’s a white sand beach located between the city’s old historic district and the newly built Palm Jumeirah.
Jumeirah Beach is most famous for hosting the Burj Al Arab – this is Dubai’s iconic, self-proclaimed, 7-star hotel. You can also find Wild Wadi Water Park here.
Check rates at Dubai’s famous 7-star hotel.
Staying at one of the impressive Jumeirah Beach Hotels will get you private access to a select strip of the shoreline. Although, many parts of Jumeirah Beach are free and open to the public.
Jumeirah Beach offers many fun water activities like jet skiing, windsurfing and banana boat rides. Book your parasailing experience on Jumeirah Beach.
Other interesting attractions at Jumeirah Beach include the Jumeirah Beach Residence Walk, the Grand Jumeirah Mosque and the Sheik Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding.
The Jumeirah Beach Residence Walk is another one of the top tourist attractions in Dubai. Have a walk around and appreciate the relaxed atmosphere, phenomenal views, and exciting restaurant opportunities.
We love Pappa Roti Cafe for a quick bite.
Palm Jumeirah
The Palm Jumeirah is another excellent place to enjoy Dubai’s beautiful shoreline. The Palm Jumeirah is one of the most iconic tourist sites in Dubai.
It’s a giant man-made island in the shape of a palm. It is the most famous palm in a series of palm islands. The total landmass of these palm islands adds over 300 miles of beachfront to Dubai.
The Palm Jumeirah is the premier destination for many of Dubai’s most luxurious hotels including Atlantis, the Palm.
The Atlantis Resort is famous for its Aquaventure Waterpark. They are also known for their unique underwater guest suites that offer legendary private views of the resort’s exclusive aquarium. Check out the latest rates at the Atlantis Resort.
The Palm Jumeirah is also the backdrop for Skydive Dubai’s thrilling experiences. There’s no better place to appreciate views of the Palm Jumeirah than from up above. See more details about Skydiving at the Palm Jumeirah. 
If jumping out of a plane just isn’t your thing, consider a flight in Skyhub Gyrocopter. You’ll be guaranteed an unforgettable experience unlike any other! Definitely, one of the coolest things to do in Dubai.
La Mer Beach
If you’re looking for something a little less touristy, La Mer Beach is one of the beautiful spots in Dubai that’s slightly off the beaten path.
La Mer Beach isn’t one of the main attractions in Dubai, but it’s just as glamorous as all the others. You’ll find gorgeous palm-lined boardwalks, soft white sands, and stunning modern art and architecture.
This is a great beach for tourists because you can rent lounge chairs, towels, and umbrellas. There’s also offer plenty of dining, drinking and shopping options.
There’s also plenty of water sports. Including conventional ones like paddleboarding, waterskiing, and snorkeling. Also, unconventional ones like Flyboarding. Click here to find out more about Flyboarding at La Mer.
If you are visiting La Mer, stop at Comptoir 102 for a fabulous healthy breakfast. Make sure to try the soft-serve ice cream at SALT, La Mer. This is a famous Dubai franchise and burger joint.
Shopping
Whether you’re looking for luxury designers or quirky, ethnic, trinkets… Dubai has an incredible shopping experience for you! Some of the best tourist spots in Dubai are malls.
Malls in Dubai aren’t like malls anywhere else in the world! These are the type of malls that have aquariums and ski resorts inside (seriously).
Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall is located in the heart of downtown, near the Dubai Fountains. The mall is absolutely gorgeous. It has an aquarium inside as well!
The Dubai Aquarium also offers all sorts of unique experiences like feeding sharks! Or, you can stop by just to check out their 16 foot long and over 1,600 lb King Crocodile.
It’s one of the most interesting places in Dubai!
The basement of the Dubai Mall is where you’ll find the aquarium as well as the entrance to the Burj Khalifa’s SKY experience.
The luxury designer wing of this mall is one of the unbelievably beautiful places in Dubai. It’s exceptionally glamorous. You don’t even need to shop to enjoy it!
Have afternoon tea or coffee at the Secret Garden. Or just take a billion photos. 😂
Mall of the Emirates
The Mall of the Emirates is another amazing Dubai tourist destination. It’s most well-known as the home of Ski Dubai.
Ski Dubai is probably the only ski resort you’ll ever be able to find in the desert. Your ticket includes gear rental, protective equipment and mountain wear.
So, don’t worry about packing a jacket! Click here to reserve your ski passes.
All you have to do is show up and have fun! Ski Dubai also offers meet and greet experiences with local residents (i.e. penguins) and zip-lining. Find out how you can meet penguins at the Mall of the Emirates.
With incredible activities like skiing, it’s no wonder that the Mall of the Emirates has become one of the main tourist attractions in Dubai.
The Mall of the Emirates is also a fun place to go rock climbing or visit a trampoline park.
Gold and Spice Souk
The Gold Souk and Spice Souk are markets. They’re one of the popular places to go sightseeing in Dubai because you can experience more local culture.
The Gold and Spice Souks can be found at the Dubai Creek. They’re not too far from the Dubai Museum and the Al Fahidi Historical District.
At the Souk, you can find traditional goods such as jewelry, textiles, food and other crafts. This can be a great place to get souvenirs for the family. Be prepared to haggle!
Although, I do caution against visiting the Souks. Be prepared for extremely aggressive sales techniques. It can be an unpleasant shopping experience. If you’re looking for a more relaxed and sophisticated Souk, you’re better off at the more touristy Palace Hotel.
Global Village
The Global Village is an immersive multi-cultural park. Also, it’s a great place to pick up souvenirs! This is a great activity for all ages.
The Global Village is a 15-20 minute drive from the Dubai Miracle Garden, so it makes sense to knock out these two activities in the same day.
The Global Village is only open in the evenings, its one of the unique facets of Dubai’s nightlife scene.
Museums
Dubai Museum
The Dubai Museum and Al Fahidi Fort are one of the best places to learn about Emirati culture and heritage. It’s the main museum in Dubai & it’s set in one of the oldest existing buildings in the city.
The Al Fahidi Fort was built in 1787. It was used to safeguard the settlement at the time. Inside the fort, the Dubai Museum documents general culture and history for the region.
There’s an excellent collection of 19th Century antiques and artifacts. The galleries feature important historical trades and illustrate how society would have operated hundreds of years ago.
This is a small museum. It won’t take more than 90 minutes of your time. So, I highly encourage you to go!
Etihad Museum
The Etihad Museum is the opposite of the Dubai Museum. It’s clean, modern and airy. It documents the modern history of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.
The Etihad Museum focuses particularly on the UAE’s social, political and military heritage. It outlines some of the important people and families that helped make the UAE’s achievements possible.
There are free guided tours offered daily at 12:00PM and 5:00PM. Visit the Etihad Museum website for more information.
Museum of Illusions
This small museum is located in the Al Fahidi Historical District. It’s full of captivating visual experiences and plenty of photo ops.
There’s also a lot of interactive exhibits that allow you to solve puzzles and engage your imagination.
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If you think I missed something important in this Dubai travel map, please comment below!
2 comments
Is it free to attend any of the rooftop lounges even if you aren’t a hotel guest where those lounges are located??
Hi, all of the rooftop lounges are fee to enter if you are not a hotel guest (there is no admission charges). However, if you want to stay and hangout, it is expected that you grab a table and order a drink or food. You may be able to get away with not buying anything at 23 Marina Tower…This is a private residence! Walk towards the back elevators like you belong there,and take them to the top floor!