Things to Do in Dubai Marina During Your Trip - Attractions & Activities

By Lindsay Eagan
Sunset Dinner Cruise Dubai Marina

Dubai is a stunning city full of juxtapositions and surprises, in a nation firmly rooted in tradition and Middle Eastern history that has not only incorporated but embraced modernity and innovation.

From the classical courtyards and wooden dhow boats of Dubai Creek's historic district to the gilded boulevards and shining Burj Khalifa of Downtown Dubai, to the aqua blue waters of Palm Jumeirah. The Emirate is a pearl in the desert, offering a host of activities and attractions to entice visitors of all ages.

Travel further into the city, to the thriving pulse of Dubai Marina, one of the Emirate's newer residential and entertainment districts and you'll discover even more fun on your vacation. This picturesque neighborhood is the perfect combination of both beach and cosmopolitan vibes, build on man-made canals and situated on the coast of the Arabian Gulf. Here you'll find shiny modern high-rise luxury apartment blocks, five-star beach resorts, dozens of restaurants, local and international boutiques and shops, and a multitude of running and walking paths for your enjoyment.

If you’re looking for things to do in Dubai Marina during your trip, check out our list of the best local activities and attractions, including...

  • Speedboat Sightseeing Tour
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise at Dubai Marina
  • The Walk and The Beach at JBR
  • Zero Gravity Beach Club
  • Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates
  • and more...

Speedboat Sightseeing Tour

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There is no better way to explore the area around Dubai Marina than with a speedboat sightseeing tour by Xclusive Yachts. Your 90-minute action-packed tour will take you on a journey from the Burj Al Arab to the Palm Jumeirah and Atlantis The Palm, to the royal palace, giving you excellent views of the rising tower blocks and the distinct skyline of Dubai Marina.

Along the cruise, admire the grand international yachts moored in Dubai Marina and enjoy expert commentary from your experienced tour guide, who will tell you all about the sites and landmarks you pass by on your cruise. Finally, be sure to snap those gorgeous cruise photographs -- Instagram-worthy without the filters.

Getting In: Speed Boat Sightseeing Tour tickets are included with the Go Dubai pass.

Sunset Dinner Cruise at Dubai Marina

night-on-famous-traditional-illuminated-dinner-dubai

A wonderful way to spend your evening in Dubai Marina is with a sunset dinner cruise with Xclusive Yachts. You'll be treated like royalty on board this two-hour luxury dinner cruise. Enjoy a catered buffet from the Address Hotel (a premier luxury hotel in Dubai Marina) featuring live pasta stations, international choices, and a dessert bar along with unlimited soft drinks, water, coffee, and tea.

Relax in the comfort of the boat's air-conditioned lower deck or open-air upper deck as you take in spectacular nighttime views of the Dubai Marina landscape. This cruise is an excellent romantic excursion, or a fun opportunity to spend time with family in a peaceful setting. Plus, it's a nice chance to enjoy authentic Arabic and Levantine cuisine.

Getting In: Dubai Marina Sunset Dinner Cruise tickets are included with the Go Dubai pass. If you'd rather watch the sunset before dinner on dry land, try out the Sunset Sensation Tour with drinks included on the Go Dubai pass.

The Walk and The Beach at JBR

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After you've scoped out the sites of the Marina from the sea, give them a closer look from the ground as you stroll down the famous Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) Walk. You're certain to find something to delight in any of The Walk's numerous shops or restaurants, from local flavors and shisha terraces to international brands and outlets that line this busy boulevard.

Towards the end of The Walk you'll find The Beach. This newly built entertainment, shopping, and dining complex is situated right on the Arabian Gulf with breathtaking views of the clear turquoise blue waters from its al fresco restaurant terraces. The Beach is a perfect combination of urban development with coastal flair. You can shop to your heart's content or choose from Turkish, Thai, Indian, Italian, British, French, and American cuisines.

If you're looking for something more outdoorsy, head down to the attached public beach to take full advantage of Dubai's sunny days with a lounge under a private umbrella, sail the coast in a banana boat, or take a splash in the giant ocean water playground.

Getting In: Public access to The Walk and The Beach at JBR is free.

Zero Gravity Beach Club

Your visit to Dubai Marina should also include a stop at Zero Gravity Beach Club. This massive beach club and entertainment compound is one of the area's hottest attractions. By day Zero Gravity is a place of enjoyment and relaxation, where you can lounge under a beach umbrella or take a dip in the club's glass-walled infinity pool. You won't go hungry with an on-site restaurant and bars.

As the launch site for skydivers taking the plunge at SkyDive Dubai you can watch parachutists come in over the beach from your more comfortable perch. When day turns to night the club plays host to some of the best live music and top international acts performing in the city.

Getting In: Admission to Zero Gravity Beach Club is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go Dubai pass.

Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates (located near Dubai Marina)

Located a short distance from Dubai Marina, is one of Dubai's original megamalls, Mall of the Emirates. The mall of the Emirates is home to hundreds of shops, from Prada and Topshop to the Emirate's very first Apple store, along with a state-of-the-art 4D mega movie theater multiplex, and the Middle East's first indoor ski resort: Ski Dubai.

Ski Dubai is an awe-inspiring 3,000-square-foot winter wonderland (filled with real snow!) for all ages to enjoy. Whether you're speeding down the twin-track bobsled track or the world's first indoor black diamond run, or rolling down the hills on a giant padded snowball, you'll find something to indulge your inner thrill-seeker.

If you'd rather take it easy, head to the snow cavern -- filled with interactive exhibits and games, this is a nice alternative to skiing and is good for those with mobility concerns. For a great view, take a ride up the chairlift for a sweeping view of the freshly dropped snow. Finally, don't miss out on the daily march of the Ski Dubai penguins, as the resort's most famous inhabitants come out for a strut.

Getting In: Ski Dubai - Snow Classic tickets and Ski Dubai Ski Slope tickets are included with the Go Dubai pass.

Remember to Save on Dubai Marina Attraction Admission

There you go - a few great recommendations for things to do in Dubai Marina during your trip. Admission to a number of these top Dubai attractions and activities are included on the Go Dubai pass. Choose as you go from dozens of top attractions and save on combined admission vs paying at the gate. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more.

Lindsay Eagan
Go City Travel Expert

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dubai in september
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Dubai in September

Howdy there, traveler! So you're planning a trip to Dubai, are you? This desert oasis draws visitors from all over, so you're in good company. But when do you plan to visit? Is September a good time to vacation in Dubai? Well, scroll down, browse our guide to Dubai in September, and see what you think! Including: Dubai weather in September VR fun Underwater adventure Spooky escape rooms and more! Dubai in September: What to Expect It's hot. Really hot. Surprising perhaps no one, September in Dubai isn't your typical fall month. Instead, it's merely the tail end of Dubai's long, long summer. But the tail end doesn't mean you're in for a cooler time. Not really. That's because temperatures in September reach highs of 100°F or more and lows of around 79°F. So prepare for extreme temperatures, or perhaps go another month where the heat is more manageable. However, if you insist on September, then there are certainly some things to bear in mind. Bring a big hat, pack a load of factor 50 sunscreen, and avoid direct sunlight at peak hours to avoid shriveling up like a toasted prune. With those caveats in mind, we've peppered our recommendations with both inside and outside fun. You are most welcome, friend. Dubai in September: What to Do Nighttime BBQ Shenanigans When temperatures are enough to cook eggs on your car, embrace your inner vampire and stick to the shadows instead. But why settle for small shadows when you can utilize the humungous shadow that is nighttime? With nary a ray of sun in sight, you'll be safe. And where better to explore in this newfound safety than the beautiful sand dunes outside the city? On this BBQ and entertainment trip to the desert, you'll do just that. You'll be escorted from your hotel in a plush, air-conditioned 4x4 to the dunes. Then, you'll reach a camp and be treated to a mouth-watering menu of BBQ meats and veg. And refreshing drinks, of course. Once you're full, the entertainment kicks off. Catch a belly dancing show, partake in some sweet shisha, ride a camel, and even get a henna tattoo. Not bad. Then, as things wind down, you'll get a lift right back to your hotel to sleep off all the success. This BBQ soiree in Dubai is perfect for those looking to make the most of the cooler September nights. Evening Landmark Adventure! One of the joys of vacationing in an exciting new place is exploring the region's landmarks. And you'll be thrilled to know that Dubai has heaps of awe-inspiring buildings all across its skyline. And, in the spirit of your newfound vampirism, why not go see those sighs at night on a magical evening bus tour? Be sure to snap pictures of the grand Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world), Dubai Mall, the Burj Al Arab, Ain Dubai, and the city harbor. That way, you'll get enough snaps to show your colleagues around the watercooler, and dodge the worst of the sun in the process! Does that smell like a win? Because it sure smells like a win to us. Spooky Escapes Looking for any other excuses to escape the heat? Look no further than Dubai's terrifying escape rooms at No Way Out. Because when it's hot outside, nothing quite beats being chased around the place by an ax-wielding maniac in the comfort of air-conditioning. With 10 spooky rooms on offer, including authentic offerings from the IT and Ring universes, you and up to 8 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. Marvelous and cool, thanks to the aforementioned air-con. Explore sunny locales at a safe distance Another way to beat the heat is to simply travel to another realm. But how can that be? Aren't you firmly stuck in this reality? Well, not quite. Thanks to VR Park Dubai, alternate realities are just a headset away. Visitors, or adventurers, if you will, are welcome to immerse themselves in 7 games over the course of four hours. Suit up, slip your headset on, pick your poison, and play away. Can you make your way out of the VR Maze? Can you stop the robot uprising in Robocom? You can even challenge your friends or family to competitive games, including sports, platforming, and puzzle-solving genres. The perfect answer to an abrasively warm afternoon, explore virtual reality and see what all the buzz is about! Explore life beneath the surface And finally, let's end our cool list of sun-dodging goodness with perhaps the best escape of all - a journey beneath the oceans. And where better to find such an escape than at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo? You'll start your adventure in the aquarium's massive underwater tunnel, where you'll be able to see all sorts of aquatic species going about their day. Sharks, rays, and other exotic species will be swimming right above your head, and may even approach you if you're not too scary looking. Perfect for photo ops, as well as a strangely serene stroll, it's a one-of-a-kind experience in Dubai, and well worth a visit. After you've wandered along the tunnel, you'll reach the Underwater Zoo, where you can get up close and personal with tons of exotic fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic wonders. You'll meet spider crabs, otters, piranhas, penguins, and other colorful characters. Delightful, and a great way to escape September heat in Dubai! And that just about wraps our guide to Dubai in September! If you dare face the sun head-on and are looking for some outside activities, 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. Yes, even the shadeless bits for all you thick-skinned boys and girls!
Dom Bewley
A Christmas panorama at a Dubai mall
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How to spend Christmas in Dubai

Swap the snow for the sands and the insulated jackets for the T-shirts, it’s Christmas in Dubai! The festive season is embraced by the emirate not for its religious importance – since only 14% of residents are Christian – but for its cultural significance. With 200 nationalities living, working and visiting Dubai at Christmas, there’s a vast miscellany of events to put you in the festive mood, from ballet performances to Christmas markets – and all with the sort of weather you probably won’t be getting back home until late spring or early summer. Keen to discover what Dubai is like at Christmas? Take a look at our favorite ideas! Getting into the Christmas spirit Christmas begins to take hold in Dubai from around the second week of December and continues well into January. Interestingly, the big day itself isn’t a public holiday, so you’ll see plenty of people heading to work as usual. This doesn’t stop anyone getting into the Christmas spirit. If you’re staying at one of the grander hotels that dot the cityscape, Christmas will probably kick off with an all singing and all dancing tree lighting ceremony. Christmas trees at many of the best-known names in accommodation soar from their lobbies up multiple stories, dazzling even the most hardened individuals. Catch the unveiling itself and you’ll be treated to some of Dubai’s finest voices, alongside complementary bites to eat and glasses of something special. Failing this, the shopping malls also spare little expense in providing their December visitors with fitting decoration. Head to the Dubai Mall, and as well as checking out the residents of Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, you can also admire the world’s largest bauble, weighing more than a ton! Explore the Christmas markets As you might expect from one of the world’s best shopping destinations, Dubai has plenty of opportunity to splash the cash on unique gifts and keepsakes with a Christmas market never far away. On the southern side of the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Harbor – the outer extent of Dubai Marina – is packed full of seasonal treats. Not only are there the stalls that make it a marketplace, but also a snow zone and ice rink. For further wintry wonderlands, head to Ski Dubai. Besides pitting yourself against the world’s largest indoor ski park, Santa stands by waiting to give out goodie bags to the kids whilst more sedate visitors can sit back and enjoy a Christmas movie at the snow cinema. Elsewhere, Fort Island’s Souk Madinat Jumeirah combines the traditional feel of an Arabian marketplace with a little extra Christmas sparkle. The food and drink options are particularly top-notch here, but there’s also plenty to keep the kids entertained as you soak up the ambience. Book tickets for a show With the Christmas weather in Dubai dominated by temperatures of around 25°C, even if the sun does disappear behind a cloud you’ll have little reason to head indoors. However, you may well want to, given the range of shows. For a traditional Christmas treat visit Dubai Opera. Sometimes overshadowed by its proximity to the observation decks of the Burj Khalifa, it is all the same a concert venue hosting the best comedians, music and performances of the moment. Come December, look out for tickets to the Nutcracker – a ballet set on Christmas Eve – and other seasonal favorites. Or satisfy your nosiness with a behind the scenes tour of the venue instead. The Theatre in the Mall of the Emirates also does all it can to welcome in the spirit of Christmas, putting on live performances of family-favorites such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. One of the newest destinations in Dubai, the QE2 floating hotel and venue has another stellar schedule of modern Christmas tunes and even traditional British pantomimes. Eat, drink and be merry Since the three wise men came from the east, it’s entirely possible their journey contained a stop at the small coastal settlement that Dubai would have been at the birth of Christ. You can get a feel for life in the desert with a safari and BBQ dinner, combining authentic cuisine and hospitality including belly dancing with more contemporary desert adventures. These include sand boarding after topping the dunes by 4WD. But for a full regional culinary experience turn to the Al Hallab restaurant, whose chefs lean on hundreds of years of cookery and recipes to bring you mezze, meat platters and sweet dishes packed full of flavor. If it’s a turkey dinner and all the trimmings you’re after, Dubai won’t disappoint either. There are plenty of restaurants open on December 25 and the surrounding days, with specially prepared seasonal menus listing no end of picks that will take you right back to your childhood. Take advantage of Dubai’s coastal location Anyone used to the frigid water temperatures of North America and Europe at Christmas might first baulk at seeing people in Dubai lounging on its beachfronts just as Santa is heading off on his epic present-giving extravaganza. But the fact is, with sea temperatures equal to those on land in the middle twenties Celsius, there are limited excuses for failing to switch to your swimwear. Drifting along the historic heart of Dubai on a traditional dhow made by craftspeople by hand is just as easy, and a great way to discover the areas of Bur Dubai and Deira, both of which relied on sea trade for centuries for their growth and wealth. An alternative way to take in the area is with a sunset kayak tour, putting you in control of your own vessel whatever your experience and skill level. Visit Dubai at Christmas and save! There’s no doubting Christmas is a good time to visit Dubai. The climate is amenable to getting out and about whether you aim to discover Dubai Creek or the dunes of the desert, whilst the festive offerings come thick and fast. Christmas markets, nights at the theater and food, glorious food are all part of what makes Christmas in Dubai special. But if you needed one more reason, that’s going to be Go City. Travel to Dubai with one of our passes and you’ll discover the magic of huge reductions on attraction admission to many of Dubai’s best things to see and do at Christmas.
Ian Packham
Dubai
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One day in Dubai: your see-it-all stopover itinerary

Hi the ground running with our whistle-stop tour of Dubai's greatest hits.
Lindsay Eagan

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