dubai at night

Things to do in Dubai at Night - Evening Activities

By Dom Bewley

You know what they say about the nighttime - it's when the sun sets, and things get dark. Do you know what else they say about the night? It's when the real fun starts. That is what they say, check the dictionary. So, if you're in Dubai, make the most of your evenings by checking out the best things to do at night! We've taken the pain out of it, and put all the best bits down below. Enjoy!

Including:

  • Ain Dubai evening boat tour
  • Desert Safari and BBQ Dinner
  • Dubai Magical Night Tour
  • Dubai Ice Rink
  • VR Park Dubai
  • and more!
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Flashing, reflecting, refracting lights

There's nothing quite as stunning as seeing the bright lights of a burgeoning city beaming off of the sea. Well, maybe there are, but in this instance, we'll pretend otherwise. That's because one of the best things to do in Dubai at night is an evening boat tour of the city's coast!

For an entire 60 minutes, you'll explore Dubai Marina, enjoy stunning views of the city's skyscraping 5-star hotels and the luxury yachts docked here, and cruise past Jumeirah Beach and get a chance to ogle at the opulent high-rise residences here and on Bluewaters Island.

But the best sightseeing on this tour is undoubtedly the Ain Dubai. At 250 meters, it's the tallest observation wheel on the planet, dwarfing the likes of The London Eye and the High Roller in Las Vegas.

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BBQ in the barrens

Deserts can be unforgiving beasts. Miles upon miles with no water, shade, and the delirious mirages of water fountains and freshwater streams are all things we'd rather avoid. However, a curated trip to the desert can actually be a blast, and that's what you'll experience on this desert safari and bbq dinner.

You'll start proceedings by being driven from the city into the desert in a 4x4, where you can watch the beautiful scenery of the setting sun. Then, you'll reach a camp, where you and many others can enjoy a delicious bbq meal of grilled meats and other Arabic delights.

Then, settle in for the evening's entertainment. Belly dancing, shisha, sandboarding, camel riding, and more are all available to partake in, should you feel up for it after the epic feast. After all that, you'll be taken straight back to your hotel. Epic nights don't get much better than that, and you never have to worry about dying of thirst. Brilliant!

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Tour the night

While touring the Dubai coast and seeing the city's lights dance off the water is one thing, seeing them up close on dry land is quite another! So why not go explore the city's nightlife on a magical evening tour of Dubai?

Highlights include the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, the Burj Al Arab, Dubai Harbour, and more. And believe us, all of these are truly spectacular to see at night. And, while you're cruising in luxury, air-conditioned comfort, your guide will fill you in on the history of each landmark, as well as the city's near-future plans.

If you want to learn a little more about the city you're visiting, as well as snap some of the fluorescent delights on full display, do yourself a favor and take a curated tour!

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It was a cold and icy night

How does carving some sweet powder on solid ice sound for an evening? Is that what people call it? Carving powder? Who cares, because you can carve whatever you want when you take a PM trip to Dubai Ice Rink!

Head to the Dubai Mall, put on your best icing skates, and get ready for some pirouette action as you dazzle the crowds with your ice skating moves. Or, crawl around the edge of the rink holding on for dear life as your feet betray you. Whatever floats your boat. That wasn't an iceberg pun, simply a happy accident.

Suitable for both skating enthusiasts and newbies, the rink has ice marshals on hand to ensure you don't hurt anyone else, let alone yourself with your long, gangly dancers' legs. Still, if you can brave the embarrassment, or you're somehow an 'expert' ice skater, you'll have tons of fun doing the business.

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Reality, but not as you know it

Sometimes, reality doesn't quite cut it. Even if you're in Dubai, you might be looking for some alternatives to the beautiful city, the mesmerizing desert, and the wonderful waters. You might be looking for something a little more out of this world. Well, put your search to rest, because Dubai's own VR Park has just the ticket, a ticket to the extraordinary.

With 25 games to choose from, pick seven to play and enter the virtual space. Then, whichever mind-blowing experiences and adventures you like!

Play a few rounds of VR sports, hop across platforms in mythical, uncharted worlds, and even face off against your friends in competitive modes. Try your hand at the likes of Dubai Drop, Dune Bash, Robocom, Arena, and many more!

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Eat, drink, and be merry

And finally, let's end this exploration of the best things to do in Dubai at night with everyone's favorite evening pastime - dinner. Nothing quite beats an epic meal to end the day, and you'll be pleased to hear that Dubai has a massive amount of amazing restaurants within its opulent walls.

Whatever you desire is sure to be on offer in the city. Even the fussiest eaters will find plenty of delightful places to sit down for a plate or three. In fact, there are so many that we wrote an entire article talking about them. If you don't feel like reading all that, don't worry, we'll break the best one down here.

If all-day brunch is your jam, check out Bubbalicious at the Marriott's Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina. It's all you can eat, and covers every Earthly cuisine imaginable, so you're bound to find some treats to enjoy.

Looking for something a little more lively? Try the French restaurant Bagatelle, which happily combines a delicious yet unique menu with live music and refreshing drinks in the evening. Many people even head there after dark to make the most of the festivities!

Or, for a classy Italian spot, seek out Armani/Ristorante, and indulge in the likes of foie gras, lobster, and all the other good things on this Earth.

And those are our picks for the best things to do in Dubai at night! Looking for some daytime ideas too? 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.

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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winter dubai
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Things to do in Dubai in Winter

When we think of winter, certain images may spring to mind; runny noses, driveways caked in snow, and the desire to wear all your clothes at once. Winter time isn't without its charms. After all, snow is pretty, and for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere, Christmas takes place in the midst of the cold. But sometimes, the run-up to winter can be a bit disheartening. Vacation season is in the distant past, and if the roads aren't salted, you may be in for a bad time. But what if we told you there's a magical place where none of that is true? What if we told you this magical place is temperate all year round and the perfect winter vacation destination? Well, that's what we're telling you. That place is Dubai, and during peak winter, temperatures only drop as low as 70°F. With temperatures like that, you could do any number of things in Dubai in winter. So, in the spirit of winter, let's explore the fun things you'll find indoors, where even the sun won't harm your withered frame. Including: Ski Dubai IMG Worlds of Adventure Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo Wavehouse VR Park Dubai and more! Snow, but not as you know it If, for some reason, you miss the winter chill, why not carve some sick powder at Ski Dubai? As the world's biggest indoor ski center, you'll find slopes aplenty and even a ski lift to take you all the way to the top. Yes, it's that big. Whether your poison is skiing, snowboarding, or sledding, you'll find plenty to do at Ski Dubai. Even newcomers are welcome, with instructors on hand to show you the ropes. And all your equipment is included, so you needn't stuff your suitcase with appropriate attire. Oh, and every few hours, everything grinds to a halt. Why, you ask? Well, because that's then the freaking penguins turn up to tour the premises. Penguins? In Dubai? What sorcery is this? Theme park life From inside ski resorts to inside theme parks, Dubai has it all. Yes, even their theme parks are under-roof. Well, not all of them, but certainly IMG Worlds of Adventure. Oh, and it's also the biggest indoor theme park on the planet, because of course it is. Across 5 unique zones, you'll find rides of all shapes and sizes and featuring characters from the likes of Marvel. Now you, of all people, can join the mighty Avengers and help them stop the newest world-ending threat. To them, it's just a Tuesday. But to you, it's the chance to finally be that hero you tell yourself you can be. There are also spooky mansions to escape from, dinosaurs to outrun, and plenty of other mischief to be had. Glorious, and easily one of the best things to do in Dubai in winter. Another Dimension If the reality-bending winter weather in Dubai isn't mind-blowing enough for you, why not enter another reality entirely and see how you get on? Thanks to VR Park Dubai, you can do just that. Over the course of four wonderful hours, you'll enter seven worlds full of weirdness and whimsy. Well, some of them are less whimsical and more deadly, but you get the idea. If you have friends, they can join you as you enter virtual reality and dual it out with zombies, robots, or each other in a number of sports-related games. Do you have the brains, brawn, and other 'b' words to grind them to dust? Or will you lose, again, and never hear the end of it? There's only one way to find out, and that way is to go here and do the thing. Escape mediocrity A harsh winter can leave us feeling trapped in our homes. Snowed in with an empty fridge and no delivery drivers nearby is enough to bring tears to the eyes. If you miss that feeling while on your warm winter getaway, why not head to No Way Out escape rooms and get trapped all over again? With 10 spooky rooms on offer, including authentic offerings from the IT and Ring universes, you and up to 8 prisoners - sorry, friends - will battle the clock, devious traps, puzzles, and contend with creepy actors playing their parts as they try and scare you senseless. And if that wasn't enough, you can even stay after your game and sit down for a bit of interactive horror cinema. Each show features wind, water, and other special effects that will assault your senses as you watch. But, be careful. You never know when one of the actors will be creeping right behind your seat. If you have the stomach for it, No Way Out is definitely one of the best things to do in Dubai in winter! Surf's up Ever time traveled? We'd bet on no, but if you ever want to relive the glorious nostalgia of the 80s arcade scene, give Wavehouse in the Atlantis Hotel and good go. On top of the myriad arcade cabinets with old-school games and pinball machines, you'll find bowling alleys, a surf simulator, and even a stacked menu of American delights like burgers, pizzas, and hotdogs. You can even take your food and drink outside, if you dare face the unbearable 70°F sunshine. You brave soul, you. Beneath the surface In a place where water doesn't freeze, you may enjoy exploring the depths of the sea and making some new friends. Well, what are you waiting for? Go check out Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo and meet some underwater buddies! You'll explore a massive underwater tunnel, where you'll be immersed in sea life all around you. Make sure to snap some pics for your social media - if you dare to go nose-to-nose with a shark, imagine the flood of likes and dopamine that will come your way! Validation is the sweetest medicine, after all. Then, you'll enter the Underwater Zoo, stacked with tanks showing off specific species of exotic underwater critters. Water's never been so fun unless you're thirsty, in which case, drinking it is pretty awesome. And those were our picks for the best things to do in Dubai in winter! Looking for some sunny activities when the weather finally clears up? 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.
Dom Bewley
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lusail qatar
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Travel From Dubai to Qatar

2022 has been an odd year for many of us. For some, it's meant a return to the 'normal' that existed before 2020. To others, it meant great uncertainty and displacement. But as we approach the latter half of the year, there's one thing that's obvious. 2022 is a big year for Qatar. It's a World Cup year, and they have the privilege of hosting the most watched sporting tournament on the planet. Usually a summer tournament, due to the average temperatures in the region during the summer months, the Qatar 2022 World Cup is not only the first held in the Arab world, but the first to take place in winter. People from all over the world will come to watch countries face off on the field. And one of those people may well be you. Image courtesy of fifg/Shutterstock However, the sharp-eyed of you out there may have noticed which country neighbors Qatar. We're talking about the United Arab Emirates, and the jewel in its crown, Dubai. So, if you want to make the most of your trip around the world, you might want to split your vacation between the two. Dubai has some of the most highly praised experiences on the planet, so it's absolutely worth a visit. But what is the best way to travel from Dubai to Qatar, so you can go see the games? Let's talk about it. Travel from Dubai to Qatar - the cheapest way As you may expect, the cheapest way to travel from Dubai to Qatar is by car. However, the trip, which pretty much runs along the coast of the Persian Gulf, will take nearly 7 hours to complete. You can expect to pay around $100 for gas, and that doesn't include the price of the rental vehicle, which could set you back another $5-200, depending on the car you choose. So, it's definitely an option, especially if you want to make the most of the views, and time is on your side. However, if neither of those takes your fancy, let's explore the other options on offer. Travel from Dubai to Qatar - the quickest way Unsurprisingly, the quickest way to travel from Dubai to Qatar is by good old airplane. You can take a direct flight from Dubai International Airport to Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, in just over an hour. This could cost anywhere between $180-$500, so if you're lucky and book ahead, you could actually save money when compared to renting a car. However, you will need to take travel to and from the respective airports into account, depending on the location of your hotel or accommodation. If you're lucky, an affordable bus will take you close enough to where you're staying. If you're not lucky, you may have to take a cab. And if you do, the costs could add up. Bear in mind that this is only if you're pitching a tent in Doha. If you're staying in one of the other Qatarian states hosting matches, we'll need to talk about those too! Traveling to other cities in Qatar As with all World Cups, the tournament is held in multiple places throughout Qatar. Rather than cities, these are called states. So, if you're not staying in Doha, and have instead chosen to stay in one of the other states that are hosting matches, let's talk about how to reach them! Al Wakrah Al Wakrah is the closest state to Doha. So close, in fact, that you'll be able to take a 13-minute cab from Hamad International Airport to the center of Al Wakrah. The cab should set you back about $18, so easy peasy. If you hire a car when you arrive at Hamad International Airport, the journey will be the same period of time, so 15 minutes. Al Rayyan Al Rayyan is a little further away from Doha than Al Wakrah, so getting there will be a bit harder. After arriving at Hamad International Airport, you'll need to get a bus or cab to Al Mansoura, and then a train to Education City. These will likely cost around $12 and take around 25 minutes. If you hire a car when you arrive at Hamad International Airport, the whole journey will take around 23 minutes. Lusail Further still from the above is Lusail. To get there, take a 40-minute train from Hamad International Airport to Lusail , which is super cheap at around $2. Then, get a cab from the station to your accommodation. Prices will vary because, unfortunately, we aren't mind readers, and have no idea where you're staying! If you hire a car when you arrive at Hamad International Airport, the entire journey will take you around 38 minutes. Al Khawr (Al Khor) The final and furthest World Cup state on the list is Al Khawr, sometimes referred to as Al Khor. To get there, the recommended route says you should take a bus from Hamad International Airport to Al Khawr Gardens. This will take about an hour, and set you back around $40. Then, hail a cab to your temporary residence. If it's in the center of Al Khawr, it will cost around $7. If you hire a car when you arrive at Hamad International Airport, the journey will take you around 43 minutes. And that about covers everything you need to know about travel from Dubai to Qatar! If you're heading to the World Cup, have fun, and make sure you respect the traditions and laws that govern Qatar. If you're heading to Dubai and looking for fun without the fuss? Look no further than Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want. If you're looking for some extreme sports to get the blood pumping, why not check out our guide to the best thrill-seeking activities in the city? Live for the night? Read up on our recommendations for the best neon-soaked activities. Feeling peckish and want to know what's good? We've got you covered, thanks to your ultimate guide to the best eats in Dubai. 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!
Dom Bewley

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