Things to do in Dubai at Night - Evening Activities

UPDATED JULY 2024
By Dom Bewley
dubai at night

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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A couple relaxing on massage tables
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Relaxing things to do in Dubai

Life in Dubai can feel like a movie in the Fast & Furious franchise. However, it doesn’t have to. If you’re a speed freak or adrenaline junkie Dubai won’t disappoint, with some of the fastest roller coasters in the world and a wealth of extreme sports. But if it’s a slower pace of life you’re after, don’t discount a trip to the largest of the United Arab Emirates just yet! Why? Because relaxing things to do in Dubai include everything from luxurious spa stays to sumptuous afternoon teas. Check out the top relaxing spots in Dubai right here! Sample incredible foods Boozy brunches have become a staple with the expat crowd come the weekend. The rest of the week morning dining is a far more tranquil affair, with plenty of spots offering refuge to remote workers and those keen to take it easy, whether with the latest coffee creations or something more substantial. Menus range from full English breakfasts to pastry selections that would make Julia Child and Heston Blumenthal blush. Alternatively, you could swap the full English for an afternoon tea. Expect a blend of traditional British high tea and modern inventiveness, with contemporary flavors served up on porcelain your grandmother would be proud to have owned. If you’re looking to splash the cash, head straight for the Skyview Bar at the Burj Al Arab or the Chart Room of the QE2 floating hotel. For an authentic Emirati experience, tea and coffee houses dot the souks of Deira, with prices starting at just a handful of dirhams and the conversation that ensues entirely free or charge. Hit the stores Whilst the narrow lanes of Dubai’s souks were until very recently the only place to shop, the expectation that you need to haggle or be taken advantage of can make it less than relaxing. The air-conditioned arcades of their modern equivalent, Dubai’s malls, have some extraordinary shopping opportunities. They don’t call it retail therapy for nothing. Dubai being Dubai, its malls are glittering – sometimes literally – representations of conspicuous consumption. But even if you’re not someone who enjoys shopping for shopping’s sake, their range of alternative attractions still makes them a good bet when considering relaxing things to do in Dubai. Mall of the Emirates hosts Ski Dubai, complete with live penguin meet and greets, whilst Dubai Mall provides a home for the denizens of the deep at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Marvel at sparkling waters The sound of waves is known to bring down heart rates, and most of Dubai’s neighborhoods are close enough to waters to make this another option for the most relaxing things to do in Dubai. Traditional trading vessels known as dhows continue their passage as they must have done for centuries. Today, they are just as likely to be carrying tourists on a dinner cruise along Dubai Creek than cargo, taking in some of Dubai’s top waterside developments. The smooth waters that generally kiss the Dubai coast are also ideal for stand-up paddleboarding. The channels that slip between the island fronds of the Palm Jumeirah are a popular haunt for those stepping onto a board for the first time. Drift amongst the clouds Arguably though, Palm Jumeriah’s form is best taken in from the air. Most of us wouldn’t claim to find skydiving a relaxing pastime – in which case, there is another way. The Ain Dubai observation wheel provides 38 minutes of airborne panoramas without the need of a light aircraft or checking if your life insurance is still in order. Reaching a top height of 250 meters – that’s an almost unbelievable 75 stories up – views extend as far as the Burj Khalifa in downtown. Looking in the opposite direction, the gondolas of Ain Dubai are orientated to reveal the emirate’s spectacular sunsets too. Opt for some spa time It doesn’t matter whether you’re new to the world of spas or looking for a very specific treatment, the likelihood is that there will be a spa somewhere in Dubai right for you. Those staying at any of Dubai’s top hotels will find themselves no more than an elevator ride away from spas featuring spacious wellness centers and treatment lists reading like a who’s who of international massage, from Japanese Iyashi to homegrown hammams. There’s also a whole host of yoga-themed retreats, including ‘underwater yoga’ based at the Lost Chambers Aquarium of Atlantis The Palm. Flop onto a sun lounger One of the closest stretches of free sand to the Burj Al Arab, in the early hours of the day Sunset Beach is quiet, making it a good shout for those seeking out a relaxing place to soak up the sun. As the day progresses it gets slightly busier, partly due to its proximity to the world’s most luxurious hotel, but also because of its popularity with surfers. Numbers hit their peak as the sun sets, with those who’ve gathered to take in the nightly spectacle then dispersing to the nearby mall for a bite to eat or one of the nearby bars for a drink. At the opposite end of the emirate, Al Mamzar Beach sits tucked into a tightly curved pocket of water backed by Alexandria Street and brushing the unmarked border with Sharjah. It’s western side links to a park of the same name which incorporates 55,000 square meters of picnic-ready lawn and almost 2000 palm trees for shade. The best ways to relax in Dubai From massage tables to breakfast buffets, Dubai is a destination which knows what it means to relax. Carve out some me-time on your trip to tick off the most relaxing things to do in Dubai and you’ll immediately feel the benefits. Head to Dubai with Go City, and you’ll also gain reduced admission to many of its top attractions! Relaxing in Dubai doesn’t have to break the bank!
Ian Packham
A woman tries sandboarding down a Dubai desert dune
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Outdoor activities in Dubai you have to try

With temperatures during its coldest months still hitting lows of 16°C and daily highs of 24°C, Dubai has been attracting those seeking out winter warmth for years. And though images of this constituent part of the United Arab Emirates tend to focus on its modern architecture and air-conditioned malls, there are few limits to getting out and about into the fresh air and sunny skies. Let’s take a look at the outdoor activities in Dubai you won’t want to miss! Desert safaris A dream world of lofty dunes and wandering antelope, Dubai is one of the easiest places in the world to get out into the desert. Just a short drive will have you waving goodbye to the towers of downtown and gazing in wonder at expansive desert panoramas. Don’t worry about having no off-road skills though, there are plenty of guided desert safaris to choose between, combining the experience of capping the dunes in a 4x4 with some time on the back of a camel or sitting around the open fire of a Bedouin camp come evening. If you’re a morning person, you can swap the sunset for the sunrise, with hot air balloons drifting across this ethereal landscape as oryx and gazelles feel the first warmth of the new day. Sailing adventures Before the advent of international air travel, it was the seas and waterways around Dubai that were its lifeblood. Signs of its significance aren’t hard to find, from the design of the Burj Al Arab to the stumpy hand-carved trading vessels called dhow which still dock at wharves within Dubai Creek. Smaller abra remain a popular alternative to the metro system for transporting people between one side of the creek and the other. However, to fully discover the sparkling waters head out on an organized sightseeing tour of the creek or Dubai Marina. Green spaces Dubai may not be known for its parks, but know where to look and you’ll find small pockets perfectly suited for getting away from it all. When it was first inaugurated, Safa Park was on the outskirts of the city. Today its palms and public boating lake are at the heart of it all, with views facing back towards downtown and the Burj Khalifa. Facing downtown from the opposite direction is Zabeel Park, whose grasses also include Dubai Frame. Another alternative is Creek Park, whose length of almost three kilometers is covered in flowers and liberally sprinkled with benches. Amusement parks Straddling multiple past times, Global Village is part funfair and part market, sharing the traditions of 78 different cultures across 26 pavilions. Whilst the replicas of the leaning tower of Pisa and London’s Big Ben are impressive enough, many visitors come for the food alone, since there’s around 200 different stalls in all – a similar number to the dining options at Dubai Mall. For splashing around there’s a couple of great options, with La Mer’s Laguna Waterpark and Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm leading the way. At Laguna cabanas overlooking the Persian Gulf make it as easy to relax as it is to get the heart pumping with its Free Fall plunge and surf machine. Meanwhile Aquaventure mixes lazy river rides with the twisted slides of aquaconda and over 100 other water-based activities for all the family. Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing Take to the open top deck of a Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing bus and let the most instaworthy of Dubai sights come to you without having to move from your seat. Stay onboard for the entire route and you’ll get two hours of commentary on attractions including Deira’s Gold Souk and downtown’s Burj Khalifa. Of course, there’s no better way to experience them than by seeing them for yourself. This is actually what a one day ticket allows you to do without having to pay any more to rejoin a later bus. Win-win. Beaches Beaches line Dubai’s coastline and are universally well-kept stretches of sand. Hitting their busiest on the weekends and during holiday periods (which does not include Christmas), they are also relatively popular on warmer evenings. Sundown at The Palm Jumeirah’s Palm West Beach is a particular favorite, since it gives visitors views of the setting sun. Its promenade’s 300 palms are lit up not long after, creating an attractive place for an evening stroll. At other times of day the beach hums with the sound of jet ski engines and speedboats towing inflatables, with wakeboards, efoils and flyboards all available too. Heritage village Created in 1997 but harking back to the time of Dubai’s earliest settlers, Al Shindagha district’s Heritage Village seeks to keep the emirate’s culture and tradition alive for future generations. It provides a space for visitors to explore traditional ways of life in the mountains, on the coast and in Dubai’s desert regions. A living museum, craftspeople such as potters and weavers sit within historic structures, whilst there’s also a functioning fishing village using age-old techniques to haul in the daily catch. Diving A much more modern approach to interacting with the region’s fish stocks is by snorkeling and scuba diving. Dubai itself is short of major dive sites, with Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo one of its top locations. On the plus side, Fujairah – another of the United Arab Emirates – has a number of sites and can be reached by road from Dubai in a couple of hours without having to worry about any passport formalities. Situated on the Gulf of Oman, Fujairah has both natural and artificial coral reefs, with most tours taking divers to Dibba Rock, Martini Rock, Snoopy Island or Inchcape, where species including green turtles, black-tipped reef sharks and clownfish can be encountered. Enjoy the best outdoor activities in Dubai with Go City You don’t have to look too far to find fun in the sun on a trip to Dubai. Nor does it take much searching to find ways of receiving significant savings on admission to many of its top outdoor attractions, since Go City does just that! So whether it’s desert safaris, the amusement parks or diving opportunities, don’t miss your chance to enjoy the outdoor activities in Dubai you just have to try.
Ian Packham
Tropical fish in an aquarium
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Dubai Aquarium Vs Lost Chambers Aquarium Comparison

Everything in Dubai is supersized. The skyscrapers, the water parks, the malls, that mad Ferris wheel at Bluewaters Island: all strive to be the very biggest and baddest in town, nay the planet. Heck, you can even grab a 10kg burger here, should the mood (and your appetite) take you. Dubai’s aquariums are no exception to this rule, with some absolute beasts vying for your dirhams. Among the biggest and best here are Dubai Aquarium and Lost Chambers, run by Dubai Mall and Atlantis The Palm respectively. We took a deep dive to meet the thousands of critters at each aquarium and find out which of Lost Chambers and Dubai Aquarium is best… Find out how you can visit both aquariums and save up to 50% on Dubai attractions here. Dubai Aquarium: The Lowdown Name. Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is located at Dubai Mall (the biggest mall in Dubai, natch). Age. The aquarium opened in 2008, but some of the sharks and crocs here are even older than that. What to expect at Dubai Aquarium. One of the largest suspended aquariums in the world, Dubai Aquarium is home to many thousands of aquatic animals, including over 400 sharks and rays, plus giant spider crabs, piranhas, otters, penguins, and an Australian king croc (and his queen) – though not all necessarily in the same tank. This super-sized aquarium has multiple zones. As well as that epic tank, there’s a 48-meter underwater observation tunnel and the trio of ecosystems – rainforest, rocky shore and living ocean – that make up the underwater zoo. Naturally, you can also add immersive experiences to your ticket, including live shows, guided tours, feeding time with the penguins and otters and an opportunity to touch eagle and cownose rays. And if you wish to (quite literally) immerse, you can even book a diving experience with the sharks and stingrays. Dubai Aquarium in Numbers Size. The suspended aquarium tank is one of the biggest of its kind on the planet, containing 10 million liters of water. That’s about the same as four Olympic-size swimming pools. Animals. There are over 140 species of aquatic animals to ogle at Dubai Aquarium, including over 400 sharks and rays, and one of the world’s largest collections of sand tiger sharks. Displays. The aquarium tunnel is 48 meters long and takes you 11 meters beneath the surface; there are 40 individual aquatic displays in the underwater zoo, starring seahorses, otters, piranhas, colorful cichlids and more. Dubai Aquarium Highlights It’s likely you’ll spend more time in the underwater tunnel than just about anywhere else at Dubai Aquarium. Here’s where to cram your camera roll with close-ups of curious critters including giant groupers, stately stingrays, and nosey nurse sharks. The underwater zoo zone features an eye-popping array of colorful characters. Don’t miss the majestic king croc and his queen, plus giant spider crabs, playful otters and ultra-cute gentoo penguins. Feeding times are among the most exciting events in the aquarium’s day. Watch staff as they hand-feed the rays and dive daringly deep into the aquarium tank for a shark feeding frenzy. Lost Chambers Aquarium: The Lowdown Size. Epic. An 11-million-liter tank (the Ambassador Lagoon), plus over 20 exhibits and an octagon of mysterious chambers make this the largest open-air marine habitat in the Middle East. Animals. Around 65,000. That’s a heck of a lot of critters. Displays. In addition to the Ambassador Lagoon, there are 21 aquatic exhibits to explore. Lost Chambers Aquarium Highlights The Ambassador Lagoon is where it's at for all your Insta-perfect selfie backdrop requirements. Get in the picture as colorful blue-spotted stingrays, massive Queensland groupers and regal zebra sharks soar past behind you. Take the guided Myth of Atlantis tour to learn all about the myths and legends of the lost city, and the underwater creatures that now inhabit its chambers. Feeding times here are pretty special, but nothing beats the amazing shark safari experience, in which willing participants wear glass diving helmets and stroll across the bottom of the Ambassador Lagoon aquarium as these majestic creatures of the deep soar overhead. Dubai Aquarium Vs Lost Chambers Comparison: Which is Better? It’s a tough call. Both are great family days out, with plenty to keep even the most incurious kids entertained for hours on end. If you like your exhibits themed, perhaps Lost Chambers will edge it for you, but both have plenty to offer. You can also combine with other activities in both locations: Dubai Mall is also home to the DXB Play VR amusement park, a 22-screen cinema, KidZania, and a real-life diplodocus skeleton, while Atlantis The Palm offers an epic water park and the opportunity to swim with dolphins in addition to its Lost Chambers Aquarium. Now for the good news: you don’t even have to choose between them. You can visit both aquariums with a Dubai pass from Go City, and save up to 50% on many more Dubai attractions, tours and activities while you’re at it. We’re talking the Burj Khalifa observation platforms, Legoland Dubai, desert safaris, Dubai Creek cruises, the Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm, and many more. Click to find out more about the Go Dubai pass and get yours here!
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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