Things to do in Dubai for a Birthday

UPDATED NOVEMBER 2024
By Dom Bewley
Things to do for your birthday in Dubai

Birthday person! Your time is nigh. The big day approaches, and you've decided to travel to magical Dubai to enact your birthday celebrations. But what wonderful wonders await you in this desert paradise? Time to find out. Put on your birthday helmet, and strap up your birthday boots, because we're about to tell you about the best things to do in Dubai for a birthday! Are you ready? Let's go.

Including:

  • Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm
  • Ski Dubai - Snow Classic
  • Black Pearl Sightseeing Cruise
  • 4x4 Quad Bike Tour in the Desert
  • iFly Dubai Indoor Skydiving
  • and more!

Go on an underwater adventure

Things to do in Dubai for a Birthday

Want to spend your birthday frolicking under the ocean? Of course you do, birthday person. And now you can, thanks to the Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm. While it's geared to thrill seekers of all ages, that doesn't mean you can't live out your inner kid on one of the many slides, rides, and other experiences!

Do you have the steel to ride the Leap of Faith? This speedy slide plummets straight through a shark-filled lagoon at a breakneck pace. Will the sharks get you? We know they have a taste for birthday people.

Or date to challenge the god of the sea himself at Poseidon's Revenge. Enter one of his devious capsules and prepare to plummet down at speeds of 60mph.

And after all the excitement, you can go and lounge at one of the many relaxation stations, and grab a bite to eat should you need to refuel.

The perfect answer to cooling off in Dubai's famous heat, Aquaventure Waterpark is easily one of the best things to do in Dubai for a birthday!

 

There's snow way

Things to do in Dubai for a Birthday

Skiing is generally undertaken in colder environments, so it may surprise you to find out that Dubai has its very own winter paradise, thanks to Ski Dubai Snow Classic. There are even penguins, if you can believe it.

At the world's largest indoor ski park - because of course it's indoors - you'll be free to ski, board, or sled down its multiple courses and over its many snowy hills. You can even ride inside a giant snowball, which needs to be seen to be believed.

Test your mettle on the Mountain Thriller toboggan experience, and even ride a chairlift up to the top to see amazing views of the entire complex. And then there are the penguins, who you can admire from a distance.

And if you're not a pro, or don't fancy lugging your kit abroad, do not worry a bit. All the gear, from the jackets to the boots, is provided on entry.

So, go tear up the slopes, you legend.

 

Welcome to the Caribbean, love

Things to do in Dubai for a Birthday

Want to sail the seven seas and live the pirate's life on your birthday, birthday person? Well, now you can, thanks to Captain Jack Sparrow himself! The darling, and the only real reason to watch any of the Pirates movies, is back and ready to steer your birthday towards treasure. Yarr!

Hop aboard the Black Pearl herself and take a tour of the waves around Dubai. You'll travel through the stunning Ras al Khor (Dubai Creek Harbour) and on to Mohamed Bin Rashid, where you'll pause to marvel at the views of the Burj Khalifa. Each provides the perfect picture opportunity should you wish to make your colleagues back home jealous. Plus, ask nicely enough, and maybe even Captain Jack himself will take some time away from his vocal guiding to pose with you.

Swashbuckling fun and a delightful ride, this tour is definitely one of the most pirate-y things to do in Dubai for a birthday!

 

On all 4's

Things to do in Dubai for a Birthday

Calling all speed freaks out there. Yes, even you, birthday person! Ever wanted to live out your wildest desert fantasies that include camels? Well, now you can, thanks to this camel, sandboarding, and quad biking adventure over Dubai's dunes.

It all starts at your hotel, where you'll be picked up and driven to base camp (very cool). Then, you'll hop on a camel for a morning ride through the desert (super cool). Once you're done channeling your inner Lawrence of Arabia, you'll sand cruise through one of the biggest dunes in the region (really cool). And finally, you'll end your adventure by riding freaking quadbikes on a specially designed track (mega cool).

So go get sandy. It may be coarse, rough, and irritating, and get everywhere, but that doesn't mean it can't make for some rip-roaring birthday fun.

 

I fly, you fly, everybody flies

Things to do in Dubai for a Birthday

Ever wanted to jump out of a plane and feel the wind blast against your body as your plummet towards the Earth? Perhaps the whole 'risking your life' bit might put a spanner in the works? Well, spanner no more, birthday friend, because iFLY Indoor Skydiving takes the fear out of flying!

As the name suggests, this indoor skydiving center specializes in indoor thrill-seeking experiences. Prepare to be suspended in mid-air with constant wind speeds of up to 200 kph, which is a lot of kph. You'll have the chance to try 2 one-minute flights, and it's perfect for newbies and experts alike. New to this skydiving game? Learn how to control your body and make the most of it. Been there, done it before? Feel free to go wild and pop some shapes, you absolute unit.

Either way, a certified flight instructor will be on hand to give you tips, and all the equipment is included. So what's your excuse? You have no excuse.

Ride for your life

Things to do in Dubai for a Birthday

Ever watched racing and thought you could do better? Put your money where your mouth is, birthday person, and hop into an E-Kart for some heart-pumping racing! Yeaaah!

In the future, all products will have e's in front of them. Finish your e-toast before heading to work. And don't forget your e-umbrella, because it's forecast to e-rain. Well, that future is partly here, thanks to E-Karts, the latest generation of electronic go-karts.

Take your positions, wait for the green lights, and then pulverize your friends as your race for the finish line in a 7-minute race. Then gloat when you win; the perfect birthday gift.

 

And that's our list of the best things to do in Dubai for a birthday! Wondering what to do with the rest of your vacation? Why not check out Go City? With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want. There's so much to do, see, and experience that no matter what you decide to do, you'll love your time in the city! So grab a Dubai attraction pass and get exploring!

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Sunset over Dubai Creek
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Things to do in Bur Dubai

Contradictorily meaning ‘mainland Dubai’, Bur Dubai is an island separated from the rest of the emirate by Dubai Creek. The term can be used to describe the entire island that results – stretching across to the At the Top observation decks of the Burj Khalifa in downtown. However, it’s more generally used to describe the area immediately opposite the Deira neighborhood around the Al Fahidi Historic District. You’re sure to find yourself here at some point, so what are the main things to do in Bur Dubai? Site of the original settlement that developed into the modern day city, Bur Dubai has plenty of history and atmosphere. Still an important hub for everything from culture to commerce, you won’t want to miss this neighborhood when visiting the region. Grab a bird’s eye view Whilst Dubai as a whole isn’t short of lofty panoramas, the historic nature of Bur Dubai means most of its structures only rise to three or four stories. One way to take in the mix of old and new is at Dubai Frame, whose upper reaches stand 150 meters over Zabeel Park. Forming a physical link between the historic and the contemporary, the frame’s interior contains a museum detailing the city’s past, and features suggesting how it may develop in future. Its upper levels have the expansive vistas you would expect alongside glass-bottomed floors so that visitors can look roughly 40 stories directly down. Described as the world’s largest picture frame, it may be better to think of it as a magical door between one world and another... Explore the quiet streets of Al Fahidi The Al Fahidi Historic District, lining the northernmost parts of Dubai Creek, takes visitors back to Dubai’s humble origins as a trading post between the sea routes of the Middle East and the home of pearl divers. An unofficial living museum, its alleyways are a huge contrast to the thoroughfares of downtown Dubai, whilst many of its structures date back to the nineteenth century when barjeel wind towers provided cooling air currents in homes long before the advent of modern air conditioning. Although home to important historic documents and photographs, it’s the structure itself of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House which holds our fascination, being the residence of one of Dubai’s most important rulers from 1912 until his death in 1958. However, the district’s oldest structure is Al Fahidi Fort, now Dubai Museum. Perhaps best reached as part of a Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing bus tour, it is Dubai’s oldest surviving structure, dating from 1787. As well as slightly twee dioramas of everyday life before the oil boom, there are some real treasures worthy of any museum in the world. Delve into the culture of Bur Dubai If your visit to Dubai Museum has you yearning to discover more about Emirati culture consider making your next stop the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU). Established in 1998 to foster cross-cultural comprehension, it organizes a range of events designed to bridge the gap between Dubai’s traditions and visitors’ understanding of them. There are regular visits to Jumeirah Mosque whatever your religious beliefs, as well as the chance to take part in a traditional tea ceremony or Emirati meal, with a host of dishes laid out on the floor in the time-honored manner. For dining with a view, we’d instead recommend a dhow dinner cruise of Dubai Creek. Taking place as the sun sets and the lights flicker on over landmarks including the National Bank of Dubai building, you can tuck in to an all-inclusive buffet dinner of international scope. Hit the shops For shopping in Bur Dubai with a touch of the OTT it’s difficult to beat the ancient Egyptian theme of WAFI Mall. Its name means trustworthy in Arabic, and there are few more trustworthy places to laden your arms with shopping bags than here. Passing the ranks of Anubis sculptures, obelisks and giant pharaonic statues you’ll enter a space that’s home to 350 stores and stained glass pyramids decorating the interior with splashes of color. If money’s no object, check out the designer stores, which include Burberry. They stand beside a range of smaller independent boutiques with just as much to recommend them. The same can be said for the Textile Souk back beside Dubai Museum. Each trader’s wealth of silks, cottons, damasks and colorful linens are ideal for anyone planning some interior design or looking for the next viral post on Instagram – in which case why not share them with @GoCity? Pay a visit to Dubai’s ‘Little India’ Bur Dubai has long been a bastion of the emirate’s Indian diaspora. Al Nahdha Street’s Meena Bazaar will whisk you away to the subcontinent, with a blend of wedding jewelry, ceramics and spices forming the stock of the hundreds of merchants eager to sell their wares. Shopping aside, there’s a choice of spots to satisfy your hunger, from stalls selling takeaway samosas for a few dirham to restaurants serving up authentic curries originating as far afield as Kathmandu in Nepal and Karachi in Pakistan. Keep a look out for the too-good-to-be-true prices of some goods, and thanks to its ambience, there’s a good chance you’ll consider it one of the best places to visit in Bur Dubai! How to visit Bur Dubai When it comes to things to do in Bur Dubai visitors aren’t limited in choice. Though it may not offer the beach vibes of other neighborhoods, it’s one of the easiest places to discover Dubai’s often forgotten history, as well as the culture of the emirate and the people who call Dubai their home. Remember too that the rest of Dubai is only a short metro, boat or taxi journey from Bur Dubai, and there’s no reason you can’t explore Bur Dubai one morning or afternoon before heading to Deira, downtown or Dubai Marina. But whatever you decide to do with your time in Dubai, be sure to do it with Go City. That way you’ll get reduced admission to many of the region’s top attractions, meaning more cash for shopping at WAFI Mall or dining at Meena Bazaar!
Ian Packham
Dubai Marina by night
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Things to do in Marina, Dubai

A city within a city, Dubai Marina lies to the southwest of the Palm. Built around an entirely artificial three kilometer waterway and eight kilometer promenade, the marina is just a couple of decades old, yet already around 50,000 people reside in its waterside apartments. But visitors will find plenty of things to do in Marina, Dubai too. The long stretch of sand at Jumeirah Beach Residence is a favorite haunt of beachgoers, Dubai Marina Mall has 140 stores for all day shopping and the marina’s waterways are similarly inviting. Here’s our guide to the attractions of Dubai Marina! Take your pick of the views Lined with stunning glass and steel towers to one side and gleaming private yachts bobbing on the gentle swell of this inlet of the Persian Gulf on the other, there’s so much to look at it can leave your head in a bit of a spin. Arrive by metro, tram or taxi and one of the best things to do first is get a feel for the neighborhood’s elegance by strolling a stretch of the marina promenade, lining its entire length. You don’t need to be an ardent hiker to get a feel for the marina though, since even the shortest walk between cafés will give you a good sense of what the marina is all about. Should you want to save your shoe leather completely, it’s also very easy to explore Dubai Marina from the water. Hop aboard a traditionally-built dhow on a marina cruise and as you take in the cityscape you’ll learn all about how the marina was turned from empty desert to what you see today. To get the adrenaline flowing there are at least two further options to consider. Head to Amwaj Towers, the departure point for the XLine zipline, and you’ll get a thrilling ride across the marina to the mall, and a video for prosperity. If even that’s not a big enough adrenaline rush, Skydive Dubai has to be the place for you, operating parachute jumps over the Palm. For views without the need of a parachute, Ain Dubai Ferris Wheel could be the answer, rising to twice the height of the London Eye. Get on the water Marina cruises aren’t the only way to get on or near the water. The clean sands of the marina’s two main beaches – The Beach and JBR Beach – are an alternative to the main channel. Broad expanses of gold running for more than a kilometer, even on the busiest of days it’s not usually hard to find a spot to throw down a towel with views of the Burj Al Arab. Family-friendly, behind the beach there’s a selection of places to grab a bite to eat, with many turning into much-loved bars and nightclubs as the sun sets behind Ain Dubai. One of the hottest spots of the moment is Zero Gravity, nestled within the landing ground for SkyDive Dubai. Beach club by day and sophisticated night club come evening, sip a cocktail before dancing till dawn to sets from the best DJs around. Before that there’s ample opportunity to experience life from the viewpoint of a jet ski or try your hand at flyboarding, wakeboarding and kayaking at Water Adventure. Relax with some retail therapy Looking to take advantage of Dubai’s reputation as a magnet for shopping? Look no further than Dubai Marina Mall. Occupying four floors and with a total area of 36,000 square meters, choice is not going to be an issue whatever you’re searching for. Its dome is a great place to grab a coffee whilst deciding whether it’s high fashion or simply some window shopping that’s your main objective. In the cooler months, the exterior also hosts a number of kiosks serving up tasty takeaway treats. Reel Cinemas also has all the latest movie releases across its six screens. Art lovers, both collectors and gallery goers, aren’t short of things to do in Marina, Dubai either. Although there’s no state backed collection in the neighborhood, there are more than enough private and independently run art spaces welcoming browsers. What unites them is a focus on contemporary works from artists yet to make their name worldwide, but within that vast spectrum of delights you’ll discover everything from pop art to sculpture inspired by Asia. Enjoy a round of golf Sports fans are also well catered for by what to see and do at Dubai Marina. In addition to the raft – excuse the pun – of water sports, other reasons Dubai Marina is worth visiting are the golf courses that lie close at hand and club. On the less serious side of swinging a golf club there’s not just minigolf but 3D blacklight minigolf. The marina’s indoor course has been decorated with hand-painted three dimensional art from some of the best artists around and promises to be the world’s largest blacklight golf adventure. There are three different themed rooms in all, totaling 18 bending, obstacle-ridden holes. For the real thing you’ll have to step outside of the official boundaries of Dubai Marina, but only by 200 meters or so until you reach the Emirates Golf Club. The region’s original golf club, it has three different courses blending desert scrub with perfectly manicured greens – and all with views of the skyscrapers which have made Dubai such a must-visit destination. If that’s not enough, there’s also the Montgomerie Golf Club at Emirates Hills, designed by none other than eight time holder of the European Tour Order of Merit Colin Montgomerie with the help of the late Gordon Desmond Muirhead, full time course creator. Discovering what there is to do in Dubai Marina It forms only a small part of Dubai, yet the marina has plenty to keep visitors entertained. Just a short trip from the Burj Khalifa and other top sights, it now forms an unmissable part of most people’s vacations. Hit the neighborhood with Go City and you’ll be able to discover all the things to do in Marina, Dubai for yourself. And you’ll make big savings on admission to many major attractions at the same time!
Ian Packham
A tourist takes a photo of the Dubai skyline
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Where to stay in Dubai: our top picks

When it comes to accommodation Dubai has something for everybody, from budget travelers to the international jet set. Wherever you reside on this scale, it’s just as important to work out the best areas to stay in Dubai for you. Together Dubai’s patchwork of neighborhoods form a blend of the historic, the glitzy and the refined. So whether you’re a beach bum or culture vulture by nature, there’s going to be an area of Dubai which matches your temperament and expectations. By now you must be eager to work out where to stay in Dubai. Here are our top neighborhood picks!   Deciding where to stay in Dubai Whatever kind of traveler you are – backpacker, family unit or adventurer – there’s a neighborhood of Dubai for you. So if you’re wondering where to stay in Dubai for your upcoming trip, think about exactly what you want from your vacation. Failing that, remember that as destinations go, Dubai is relatively small. A metro trip from one end of the emirate to the other takes around an hour. Another thing you won’t want to forget is to travel with Go City. Do this and you’ll get reduced admission on a large number of Dubai’s top attractions allowing you to splash in the emirate’s many water parks without spending over the odds. So grab a Dubai pass and save while you sightsee!
Ian Packham

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