Things to do in Dubai

Discover Dubai, the Golden City | City tour guide

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Dubai has emerged as a thriving metropolitan city that has become the most popular tourist destination in the Middle East. The mega city has earned the title of being the land of superlatives because of its affinity to have the best of everything. From infrastructure to lifestyle, every day, the capital city of Emirate of Dubai sets a new example of excellence for the world.

Dubai’s humble beginning as a fishing village keeps the city grounded, and stands in sharp contrast with the level of advancement it has achieved. The metamorphosis of cultural heritage and modernity lends Dubai a unique identity that is characterised by the treasure trove of experiences it offers that appeal to its diverse populace and the many tourists. The best way to experience what the city has to offer is to go for a Dubai city tour. In this guide, we will tell you all about the best Dubai City Tours, and what factors to consider before making your choice.

dubai-city-tour

Why go for a Dubai City Tour?


Dubai is an ever evolving city. The prosperous city of Dubai has developed on either side of the Dubai creek with Deira on one side and Bur Dubai on the other. The newest addition to the city’s ever-expanding cityscape is Jumeirah which is known to the world because of the engineering marvel that is the Palm Jumeirah.

No matter your age or interests, the forever alive Dubai has something for everyone. One moment you could be among the clouds as you zip through Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, and the next you could be sailing through the bustling waterways of Dubai in a traditional Dhow Cruise. The adventure of exploring only begins with these must-do activities. There are the flourishing spice and gold souks that you must visit to get a glimpse of the city’s past. Dubai has also evolved to be a shopping destination and everyone visiting the city makes a beeline for the Dubai Mall to buy souvenirs and the latest fashion stock.

With so much to see and do, you can make the most of your time in Dubai by booking yourself a place on a Dubai City Tour. It will take you to all the famous, and some not so known places, without you having to worry about the logistics. It is one of the best way to explore the various shades of the golden city.

How to Pick the Best Dubai City Tour?


  • Duration Of Tour : There are half-day and full-day Dubai City Tour options, and depending upon how much time you have or how much you want to see in a day, you can choose between the two. A half- day tour may speed things up but might seem a little hurried. So, if you want to explore the city in little more detail, going for a full-day tour might be a better idea.
  • Time of Day : Dubai in the day light is quite different from what it is at night. If you want to live Dubai in all its entirety, then it would be ideal to book a day, and night city tour with different routes. But it may pinch your pocket a bit. So, go for the day-time tours if you want to go inside the mosques and museums. But if you are more interested in witnessing the glittering nightlife of Dubai, then consider booking an evening or night city tour.
  • Guided Tour Or Not : If you much rather prefer listening to the audio guides, and get on and get off as you wish, then you can go for the 24-hour pass, or a 48-hour pass. There is also an option of a hop-on-hop-off pass with a validity of 7 days- which is perfect for those of you with more time on their hands. If you prefer a structured tour, then going for one of the guided tours will be best for you. These tours follow a set schedule and offer variety of experiences.
  • Day Trip or within Dubai limits : As you will discover in the next section, there is a lot more you can do in Dubai than just roaming about the city. If you want to experience something different, and are open to venturing out of Dubai for a day or two during your trip, then consider the day tour options that will take you to nearby destinations like Abu Dhabi, Al Ain or Musandam.

11 Best Dubai City Tours


Wondering which Dubai City Tour to choose?Here's out curation of the 11 Best Dubai City Tours at the best prices on the internet. From boat tours to combo deals and no-frills bus tours, we have it all in one place for you. Simply choose the one that you fancy and get upto 60% discount on certain tours!

Dubai City Tours


Below are the Top 5 Dubai City Tours, mostly bus tours. Sit in the comfort of a bus and explore the Golden City!

1

Dubai City Tour

Run Time

Monday-Sunday

Duration

5 Hours



46% Discount

Family Friendly

Best of Dubai

Hotel Transfers

dubai city tour

In five hours, the Dubai City Tour will take you to all of the city’s landmarks. The first stop, after you board the vehicle from your hotel, will be the Dubai Museum to give you an insight into the city’s history. You will go on to marvel at the modern Islamic architecture of the Jumeirah Mosque, followed by some quiet time at the Jumeirah beach. Once you get over the shock of witnessing the grandeur of Burj Al Arab and the Atlantis Hotel (and Aquaventure), you will be in for another dose of outstanding engineering feat with a visit to the Burj Khalifa. The tour then ends with a drop-off at your hotel.

This can be the ideal choice if you are short on time and still don’t want to miss out on anything that Dubai has to offer.


Highlights Of Dubai City Tour

• Dubai Museum
• Dubai Creek
• Jumeirah Mosque
• Jumeirah Beach
• Burj Al Arab
• The Palm- Atlantis Hotel
• Dubai Marina
• Mall of Emirates
• Dubai Mall
• Burj Khalifa

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ↓

2

Dubai City Night Tour

Run Time

Monday-Sunday

Duration

4 Hours



55% Discount

Guided Tour

Dubai at Night

Hotel Transfers

dubai city tour

The guided Dubai Night Tour is a six-hour foray that begins with a pick up from your hotel. The first destination you will experience is the Souk Madinat Jumeirah. From here, you will head to the luxuriously designed Dubai Marina and walking port where you will have the best view of the yacht club, and Dubai’s numerous skyscrapers. You will then head to the world’s largest shopping mall, the Dubai Mall, via the Sheikh Zayed Road which is the lined by the tallest and the most sophisticatedly designed buildings in town. At the mall, you can relax and enjoy the fountain-light show and exquisite dance performances.

You should opt for the Dubai Night Tour if you wish to witness Dubai’s glittering night life and, how the city’s tall skyscrapers reflect the desert sun set.


Highlights Of Dubai City Night Tour

• Madinat Jumeirah
• Sheikh Zayed Road
• Dubai Marina
• The Arabian Resort
• Dubai Mall

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ↓

3

Traditional Dubai City Tour

Run Time

Monday-Sunday

Duration

4 Hours



20% Discount

Guided Tour

Abra Ride

Hotel Transfers

dubai city tour

Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of Dubai with this tour that will not only help you learn about the city's history with a visit to the Dubai Museum but will also help you experience daily life in the desert city. Starting with the Al Bastakiya village and the Al Fahidi cultural neighborhood, witness one of the oldest residential areas in Dubai. Though parts of it were destroyed, much remains the same as it was when the village was first built in the 1690s. Continue on to the Dubai Museum, where you will learn about the historic significance of the city in the Middle East and how it came to be the way it is now.

Then make your way to the historic Dubai Creek so you can cross over to the Deira side of the creek in a traditional abra or water taxi. Follow your professional tour guide through the winding lanes of the gold, spice and textile souks of the city to conclude your tour.


Highlights Of Traditional Dubai City Tour

• Dubai Creek
• Bastakiya Quarter
• Al Fahidi Cultural Neighborhood
• Al Fahidi Fort
• Dubai Museum
• Abra Ride
• Dubai Gold Souq
• Dubai Spice Souq

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ↓

4

Big Bus Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour

Run Time

Monday-Sunday

Duration

Flexible Hours



9% Discount

Guided Tour

Freebies

Night Tour & Dhow Cruise

dubai city tour

Go around the city of Dubai in bright red Hop-On Hop-Off double-decker buses with an open top, and can discover the numerous sights of the city from your unique vantage point. With the Hop-On Hop-Off Dubai Tour, you can board and deboard the city sightseeing buses as many times as you'd like, at your own convenience. This gives you the flexibility to spend as much time as needed at each of the attractions. The buses cover three routes and have over 30 stops, including major attractions such as the Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Mall and more.

The buses run at a 20-minute frequency between 8:50 AM and 6.00 PM. You can plan your day and explore it at your own pace with ease. There will be a live, English-speaking tour guide on the Red Route, and pre-recorded commentary in 12 languages on the Green Route and Blue Route.


Highlights Of Big Bus Hop on Hop off Dubai

• 1-Day Hop-On, Hop-Off tour in a double-decker, air-conditioned bus.
• Night tour.
• Free Dhow Cruise.
• Free entry to 7 museums (including Dubai Museum and Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum's House).
• Guided walking tours.
• Live, English-speaking guides on the Red Route.
• Pre-recorded commentary in 12 languages on the Green and Blue Routes with complimentary headphones.
• One mobility impairment access seating per bus.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ↓

5

Dubai Wonderbus Tour - Sea & Land Adventure

Run Time

Monday-Sunday

Duration

1.5 Hours



Free Cancellation

Guided Tour

Kid-Friendly

Popular Choice

dubai city tour

Hop aboard this amphibious bus that travels on both land & water so you can take in the sights as you drive by and from the creek! This one-of-a-kind tour is a unique way to explore the wonderful city of Dubai with stops that allow you to explore local hotspots like the Al Fahidi Fort, the spice market, gold souq etc. With a well versed guide on board, you will gain fascinating insights into the crown jewel of the Emirates.

At one point, the bus turns into a boat and drives into the creek so you can enjoy Dubai from the waters as well!


Highlights Of Dubai Wonderbus Tour

• 90-minute Wonderbus tour.
• English/Arabic speaking tour guide.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ↓

Dubai Boat Tours


If you're an aquaphile, Dubai has a great selection of Boat Tours that will take you through the glam of the city from the comfort of a boat! From love boats to yellow boats to speed boats, Dubai has it all and more.

6

Love Boats: 45 Minutes Marina Tour

Run Time

Monday-Sunday

Duration

45 Minutes



10% off

Guided Tour

Kid-Friendly

Sightseeing from Sea

dubai city tour

This boat ride starts from the Dubai Marina Lagoon. Swoosh out of the narrow Llgoon and pass by a number of famous buildings to reach the endless sea, spread vast in front of you. From here, make your way to the tip of the Palm Jumeirah and catch sight of the world-famous Atlantis the Palm Hotel. Then move onto the catch a glimpse of the world's only 7-star - Burj Al Arab. Although situated almost half a kilometer away, the unique sail shape of the hotel is quite visible. It is located on an artificial island, and nearly a 1000 feet away from the Jumeirah Beach.

Don’t forget to bring your camera, since there are numerous remarkable sights on the way that you would surely want to cement in your memory. Panoramic views of the city are possible from here, and are guaranteed to be etched in your mind forever!


Highlights Of Dubai Love Boats Tour

• 45 minutes Boat Ride
• Boat driver cum guide

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ↓

7

Yellow Boats: 60 Minutes Marina Boat Tour

Run Time

Monday-Sunday

Duration

60 Minutes



25% off

Guided Tour

Kid-Friendly

Evening Only

dubai city tour

This sightseeing cruise begins at sundown, once the city and waters have cooled down. You will see the Marina come to life in all its glory with its lights and late-evening activities. Immerse yourself in the urban lifestyle of another wildly ambitious Dubai project. From the Twisted Tower to the and other fabulous structures like the Address Hotel, Al Fattan Towers, and the Jumeirah Beach Residence ; see it all from your very own Yellow Boat.


Highlights Of Yellow Boat Tour

• Yachts in top-notch conditions
• Guided cruise through the Marina district
• Life jackets

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ↓

8

RIB Speedboat Tour: Atlantis, Burj Al Arab, Palm & more

Run Time

Monday-Sunday

Duration

1.5 Hours



25% off

Guided Tour

Kid-Friendly

Evening Only

dubai city tour

The serenity of the peaceful Dubai Marina is just the right prelude to the exciting and memorable ride to follow. After a quick safety briefing, hop onboard and brace yourselves!Choose between a 90 minute, 75 minute and 60 minute sightseeing tour and depending on the one you select, your tour will take you from Dubai Marina towards Palm Jumeirah and Burj Al Arab and back, stopping by some well-known hotels and mini-islands along the way.

You will also enjoy multiple photo ops to take back memories of this memorable experience. Head out to the open sea for an adrenaline rush!


Highlights Of RIB Speedboat Sightseeing Tour

• Cruise tickets
• Red carpet entrance
• Live commentary from an English-speaking guide
• Complimentary chilled bottled water
• State-of-the-art vessels (2016 models)
• Lightweight life jackets

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ↓

Dubai City Combo Tours


The below Dubai City Tours are for those who want to do more for less. Save huge bucks with these combo deals that gift you a city tour along with entry tickets to an attraction or experience. This way, you can explore more of Dubai without the hassle of purchasing multiple tickets. Sounds like a great idea right?

9

Dubai City Tour & Dubai Frame Tickets Combo

Run Time

Monday-Sunday

Duration

5.5 Hours



52% off

Value Deal

Dubai Frame Tickets

Best of Dubai

dubai city tour

Board a comfortable coach and explore the modern, sleek city of Dubai on this tour. Your tour begins with a guided tour of the Dubai Museum after which you'll make your way to the Gold souq, Jumeirah, La Mer Beach, Atlantis the Palm and much more! With several fascinating stops, you will truly realise how this sprawling acropolis of the Middle East is home to some of the finest landscapes and architecture.

After your sightseeing stops, you will conclude your tour at the highly popular Dubai Frame.Walk upto the world’s largest photo frame and take in the most stunning views of the iconic skyline within a single structure.


Highlights Of Combo Deal

• Half day tour of Dubai.
• Entry to the Dubai Frame.
• Entry to the Dubai Museum.
• Complimentary bottles of water.
• Transfers from 5 designated stops & return drop off.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ↓

10

Dubai City Tour & Desert Safari Combo

Run Time

Monday-Sunday

Duration

Flexible Hours



60% off

Value Deal

Transfers Inclusive

Best of Dubai

dubai city tour

City Tour
You will first be driven from your hotel to the Al Fahidi Fort, an 18th Century monument that houses the Dubai Museum. Once you learn all about the region’s history and culture, you will be taken to the next stop- the magnificent Jumeirah Mosque. As the city tour progresses, you will witness the beauty of Burj Al Arab and the Palm Islands. Towards the end of the tour, you will go to the varihued textile market, and the ancient gold souk.

Evening Desert Safari
The Evening Desert Safari begins as the sun starts its descend at the horizon. Your 4X4 pick-up car will take you to the Arabian Desert from your hotel, and then, your adventurous evening will begin. From dune bashing to camel rides, the adrenalin pumping activities will enliven your soul. The evening takes on a mesmerising mood as local dance groups perform the Tanoura and Belly dance. Your day will then wrap up with a delicious buffet of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.


Highlights Of Combo Deal

• Hotel pick-up and drop-off for Dubai City Tour
• Al Fahidi Fort
• Jumeirah Mosque
• Burj Al Arab
• The Palm Island
• Atlantis Hotel
• Dubai Museum
• Gold Souk

Highlights Of Dubai City Tour

• Hotel Pick-Up and Drop-Off for Desert Safari
• Desert Dune Bashing
• Belly Dancing Show and Tanoura Dance Performance
• Short Camel Ride
• Unlimited Soft Drinks, Water, Tea and Coffee
• Unlimited Shisha
• Arabic Dress Photography
• Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian BBQ buffet Dinner

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ↓

11

Dubai City Tour & Burj Khalifa Tickets Combo

Run Time

Monday-Sunday

Duration

Flexible Hours



27% off

Value Deal

Burj Khalifa Tickets

Best of Dubai

dubai city tour

Your tour begins at the Dubai Creek, where you can get a ride in the traditional water taxis or abras. Head to Dubai's world-famous gold and spice souks after the ride and shop to your heart's content before heading to the beautiful Jumeirah Mosque, where you will be in awe of the architecture and the positive, open atmosphere. Enjoy great photo-ops of the Palm Islands and the impressive Burj Al Arab as you make your way to Atlantis: The Palm Hotel. Zip down the famous Sheik Zayed Road and take in memorable views of this futuristic city.

Lastly, coming to the highlight of this tour - a Falcon's eye view of the Golden city from the observation deck of Burj Khalifa. As you zip up to 456 meters above the ground in the world’s fastest elevator, you will be awed by the projections that will have you flying over the world’s most famous landmarks. The spacious deck provides an unobstructed view of the sprawling Dubai city.


Highlights Of Combo Deal

• Pick-up and drop-off for the city tour
• Sail in the Dubai Creek aboard an Abra
• See the Gold and Spice Souks, Jumeirah Mosque, Burj Al Arab, Atlantis at The Palm
• Admission ticket to the 124th & 125th floor Burj Khalifa - At The Top
• Wi-Fi Access at Burj Khalifa

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ↓

You can discover many more exciting Dubai city tours deals at Headout and make your Dubai holiday one to remember.

Know Before Going On A Dubai City Tour


Here are some handy tips that may help you make the most of your Dubai City Tour:

Make bookings in advance
Dubai is the most visited city in the Middle East by travellers and tourists from across the globe. It might be a good idea to book a city tour of your choice well in advance to avoid last-minute hassles.

Consider the weather
The sun is always shining here in Dubai, and so, wear light cotton clothes and always keep yourself hydrated. If your travel plans include a lot of day-time sightseeing, then make sure you cover yourself up to avoid sun burns. Also, it would be a good idea to apply sun screen lotion.

Combos
Dubai has a lot more to offer than just its cityscape and depending the kind of things you like, you can customise your trip to the city by opting for one of the combos.

Make use of the audio guides
If the tour you have chosen is equipped with an audio guide, make good use of it as they usually are a comprehensive source of information, and are available in multiple languages.

So, there you have it- all that we had to tell you about choosing the perfect Dubai City Tour. Now it’s your turn to start planning the perfect trip to the futuristic city of Dubai.

More Dubai City Guides


Need help planning your Dubai vacation? Here are a few detailed guides that could come handy!