Things to do alone in Dubai

With so many record-breaking super-structures in downtown Dubai, this part of the city deserves more than just a quick glimpse from a moving metro train window. Safe – like all of central Dubai – to explore even without travel companions, it’s an area that glitters by day and glows by night. Hop on the Dubai Big Bus for a sightseeing tour that takes in the best of downtown and gives a great intro to the city that’s ideal for solo explorers, especially first-timers.

Its biggest attraction – in every sense of the word – is the Burj Khalifa. Rising to the dizzying heights of around half a mile, the tallest building in the world is a sight to behold, especially when viewed from behind the choreographed dancing jets of the magnificent Dubai Fountain. But the best way to get a sense of just how tall the thing really is, is to head to the ‘At The Top’ observation decks on the 124th and 125th floors. Not quite at the top, but still a rather staggering 1,483 feet above terra firma, the decks boast panoramic views from the Persian Gulf to the desert – and beyond.

Slip through the entrance of the cavernous Dubai Mall, where spending just five minutes in each of its 1,000+ stores would require you to have at least two weeks to spare. But it’s not just about shopping here. This is Dubai after all, where it’s perfectly normal to find a huge aquarium and underwater zoo in the mall, as well as an ice rink, a trampoline park, a cinema megaplex and – because of course – an actual diplodocus skeleton. Pro-tip: whiz along Sheikh Zayed Road to the similarly massive Mall of the Emirates, where you can ski, snowboard and say hey to the resident penguins at Ski Dubai, over 20,000 square meters of indoor ski resort. Pretty cool, huh?  

If the views from the Burj Khalifa – and maybe your time at Ski Dubai too – leave you yearning for time in the desert, the good news is that you can take yourself out to Dubai’s deserts alone – although we’d certainly recommend using a trustworthy tour operator if hiring your own set of wheels sounds too much like hard work.

A morning safari allows those on solo Dubai trips to surf the dunes in a 4x4 before turning your attention to more traditional means of traversing the desert with a good old-fashioned camel ride. You’ll also get the chance to give sandboarding a go before returning to the bright lights of central Dubai.

Alternatively, you could opt to experience a desert sunset with a safari and BBQ dinner, watching how the shadows shift and colors change as the sun sinks beneath the horizon. But the fun doesn’t stop there, with a meal at a Bedouin camp incorporating henna painting, shisha pipes, belly dancing and more.

Visiting the beach on your own can feel a little out of place in some destinations. No so Dubai where some, including Marina Beach, even have lockers to shut away your stuff should you be concerned about leaving it unattended when you hit the surf for a swim or a little jet skiing action.

Hotel pool terraces are another good option if your main aim is to relax with some sun followed by a quick dip, although you’ll then miss the various opportunities presented by the big blue. We’re talking dhow dinner cruises on Dubai Marina, kayaking around the Palm Jumeirah, water scooters, speedboat excursions and… breathing underwater.

You could also combine your beach day with a few water-based thrills, spills and chills at the mighty Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm. At a whopping 55 acres, this is the largest waterpark on Earth. There are more than 100 rides, slides and other attractions to choose from. Plenty, in other words, to keep you and your crew all day long. Brave the near-vertical Leap of Faith, ride two kilometers of wild river rapids, relax on the lazy river and let loose with the kids in the splash zones. And, when it all gets too much, there’s a kilometer-long sandy beach to flop on, too.

One of the oldest parts of Dubai, the Al Fahidi neighborhood seems tailor-made for dreamy solitary strolls. Its narrow, shaded alleys give a good impression of what Dubai would have been like before the jungle of super-skyscrapers took over the skyline.

The neighborhood’s coral stone and gypsum buildings date back to the late 1800s, and now comprise a selection of heritage museums, tea houses and contemporary art galleries. If you’re concerned about getting lost between the high walls of its buildings, stick to the waterfront on Dubai Creek, where many of the most historic structures stand.

You’ll also find yourself just a block or two away from Dubai’s only Hindu temple and Dubai Museum. Located within Al Fahidi Fort, the museum features a wide ranging collection that tells the story of the city via prehistoric pottery shards, full-sized dhows and more.

Just a couple of hours from the hotels of downtown Dubai lies Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It’s a surprisingly easy day trip option for solo explorers: all you need to do is hop on a bus from Dubai's Al Ghubaiba Bus Station and you’ll be in the heart of the Abu Dhabi action before you know it – you won’t even need to show your passport!

If you’re coming for just the day, Abu Dhabi’s Big Bus tour takes all the stress out of sightseeing. Its two routes link up top attractions including the vast Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and the Abu Dhabi branch of the Louvre Museum, with works spanning the centuries from 1,000-year-old works of Islamic art to the modern abstract paintings of Piet Mondrian. You can also stop by the gleaming Qasr Al Watan palace, official residence of the President of the United Arab Emirates (who you probably won’t see), and extraordinary architecture, art and exhibitions which you can ogle at your leisure.

Sticking around for the evening? As in Dubai, there’s a desert safari and dinner experience in Abu Dhabi, with entry also included with a Go City attractions pass.