Things To Do In Palm Jumeirah During Your Trip to Dubai

By Lindsay Eagan

In a city full of world record breaking wonders and awe-inspiring architecture, the man-made Palm Jumeirah stands out as one of Dubai's most intriguing and enticing areas for visitors and locals alike. Palm Jumeirah is an engineering and design feat, an oasis of luxury and entertainment on the Persian Gulf, situated on an island that resembles a palm tree. From shops, to hotels, to restaurants, and beach clubs the Palm offers something for everyone and is one of the best places in Dubai to relax and soak up the sun. We've drawn up a list of some of the most essential attractions and things to do in Palm Jumeirah on your visit to the Emirate, including:

  • Dubai Palm Cruise Tour
  • Hop-On/Hop-Off Big Bus Dubai Tour
  • Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm
  • Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis The Palm
  • Standup Paddleboard Lesson
  • Kayak Tour of Palm Jumeirah
  • Windsurf Lesson

Save on Palm Jumeirah Area Attraction Admission

Admission to a number of these top Dubai attractions and activities are included on the Go Dubai Card. Choose as you go from dozens of top attractions and save up to 52% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more.

Dubai Palm Cruise Tour

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Cruise along on a guided, one-hour journey. Enjoy incredible views of the Palm Jumeirah, as well as the Dubai Marina skyline. Your tour guide will explain each landmark and project of the island's magnificent architectural designs. You'll begin your tour at the West Marina on Palm Jumeirah and follow a route that takes you around the inner circle and manmade palm fronds. On the way, you'll explore views of the island's homes and five-star hotels. You'll also have the ultimate photo opportunity in front of Atlantis The Palm's iconic silhouette. Complimentary soft drinks are also included. Getting In: Palm Jumeriah Boat Tour tickets are included with the Go Dubai Card.

Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Dubai Tour

Enjoy the scenic route to Palm Jumeirah via Dubai's Sheikh Zayed Road to the island aboard the comfort and climate controlled environment of the Hop-On/Hop-Off Big Bus Dubai Tour. This tour from Big Bus is among my favorite Dubai sightseeing tours and is hands-down one of the best ways to explore Dubai, especially for first timers. Your seat on the bus will give you a great view of the city as you make your way up the Palm trunk into the lush, beachy borders of Palm Jumeirah. The glass top of the bus allows you the perfect chance to snap photos while you avoid the sweltering heat. A particular benefit of this tour is the luxury of hopping on and off whenever you'd like so you can more fully take in the environment. Each tour includes commentary, background, and tourist narration in 12 different languages. You'll disembark from this tour feeling much more informed about the Emirate and its top landmarks. Getting In: Big Bus Dubai tickets are included with the Go Dubai Card.

Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm

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Don't forget to pack your swimming gear! Once you're on the Palm head to Atlantis The Palm for all the watery thrills and spills of the Aquaventure Waterpark. Aquaventure is one of the top Dubai theme parks and is a must-visit for families with kids. Speed down water slides, relax in the lazy river, or even take in the tropical landscape at the resort's private beach. Kids will love the age-appropriate rides and slides, and you'll enjoy the serene tropical vibes. Popular rides include the adventurous "Leap of Faith" waterslide, the maze of connected waterways leading to the Tower of Neptune, and the Splasher's Children's Play Area. Getting In: Aquaventure Waterpark tickets are included with the Go Dubai Card.

Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis The Palm

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Next, it's time for a visit to the Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis the Palm. Delve into the legend of the lost city of Atlantis as you explore the aquarium full of interesting marine life and shipwrecks. Follow the underwater passageways to 10 different themed chambers. You'll get to see thousands of different types of aquatic species and plant life, from jellyfish, to stingrays, to piranhas, sharks, and other fish. More than 20 exhibits and the largest open-air marine habitat in the Middle East make up the Lost Chambers experience. An hourly Myth Tour, which is included with your admission, is a delight for the entire family. Learn about the citizens of Atlantis and their culture, lifestyle, and technology. Also, don't be sure to miss the daily Aquatheatre Show, which features scuba divers doing live feedings with the many different types of aquatic animals. Getting In: Lost Chamber Aquarium tickets are included with the Go Dubai Card.

Standup Paddleboard Lesson by SeaYou

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Another delightful outdoors option is a Stand-Up Paddleboard Lesson from SeaYou watersports. Here you'll have the chance to view the crystal blue waters of the Palm Jumeirah from up close as you balance on a giant paddleboard. Your lesson will include a 15-minute on the beach tutorial that covers safety and the basic techniques of paddleboarding, from board handling to balancing and turning. Then, enjoy an hour-and-fifteen-minute paddle session. You can paddle from Sofitel Dubai the Palm, around the palm fronds out to Atlantis, and then back again. Bonus: You're working out while sightseeing! Getting In: Dubai standup paddleboard lessons are available as an option with the Go Dubai Card.

Kayak Tour of Palm Jumeirah by SeaYou

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If paddleboarding isn't your thing you can choose instead to take a kayak tour of the Palm offered exclusively by SeaYou. Take in the rolling waves and clear blue waters of the Persian Gulf on this relaxing two and a half hour tour. You'll have the best view of all the Palm landmarks from the comfort of your kayak. Glide past the Sofitel on to the villas and homes of the East Crescent. Then, you'll go past the breathtaking skyline of the Dubai Marina skyscrapers, onto the horizon of the Atlantis and the iconic Burj Al Arab. This exciting tour is a good way to get in a workout and to sightsee in a peaceful setting. Getting In: a Palm Jumeirah kayak tour is available as an option with the Go Dubai Card.

Windsurf Lesson by SeaYou

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While you still have the Palm's waters on your mind, why not take a windsurfing lesson with SeaYou? You'll be able to take home a new found skill after a one-hour lesson on the cove of the Sofitel on the Palm. One of SeaYou's windsurfing pros will guide you through your session where you'll learn all the basics for freeriding, freeracing, or freestyling windsurfing. In no time you'll be able to ride out the waves with the speed of the wind to steer you around the island. The lesson is suitable for both beginners and experts. Getting In: Dubai Windsurf lessons are available as an option with the Go Dubai Card.

Remember to Save on Palm Jumeirah Attraction Admission

There you go - a few great recommendations for things to do in Palm Jumeirah Dubai during your trip. Remember, many of these great attraction options and more are included on the Go Dubai Card, where you can save up to 52% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. We hope you consider adding a few of these fun options to your Dubai vacation itinerary.

Lindsay Eagan

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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. 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Ian Packham
The waterfront at Dubai Creek in Deira
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Cool things to do in Deira Dubai

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The simplest of ports, just mooring bollards lining the northern entrance to Dubai Creek, Deira’s ageless waterfront provides a contrast to the usual image of Dubai. Its handcrafted and wooden built ships haven’t changed much in centuries – except for the fact they now contain engines as well as sails. Still dodging the piracy of the high seas, there’s nowhere in Deira with more atmosphere and no better way to discover it than with a creek sightseeing cruise. However, even staying on dry land there are lots of ways to take in the neighborhood’s traditional way of living and working. For instance, Deira’s multitude of souks are a world away from the polished floors and mood music of Dubai’s malls, providing a much more visceral shopping – or window shopping – experience. Choose between the gold, spice and perfume souks depending on what interests you most. Delve into Deira’s history A one minute walk from the Gold Souk is the Dubai Municipality Museum. Fully restored and opened to the public in 2006, it was from this simple building that Dubai was administered for many years. As a result, the museum’s collection uses four main sections to focus on the development of the city and state. An old-school museum with plenty of glass cabinets to gaze into, its upper floor balcony is also a nice place to enjoy life on the street below. The nearby Bait Al Banat – or Women’s Museum – does an important job in highlighting the role of women in a society which historically expected wives, mothers and sisters to stay at home and out of sight. Using historical examples to inspire future generations, gallery one hosts temporary exhibitions and gallery two a semi-permanent collection of archive photographs and contemporary artworks. Dating to 1890, Deira’s self-proclaimed Heritage House has the traditional form of buildings of coral stone and gypsum enclosing a central courtyard. It once belonged to an affluent pearl merchant called Sheikh Ahmed Bin Dalmouk, who also financed the next-door Al Ahmadiya School – one of Dubai’s most prestigious. Step within, and you’ll learn about life behind closed doors, from the majlis meeting place on the ground floor to the kitchens and bathrooms. Relax in Deira’s green spaces A short distance further along the creek from Deira’s wharves, and edged by three of the most luxurious hotels in Deira is Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club. A ribbon of verdant green dotted with lakes, bunkers and palms, there are three difficult golf courses to choose between. The average traveler will probably have the most fun at the insta-ready #minigolfdubai course. Although there aren’t any rotating windmills or crazy angles to contend with, there are a series of challenging holes as perfectly manicured as the club’s beginner-friendly nine-hole course or the 7000 yard 18-hole championship course. 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Then continue to the contemporary doughnut shaped Chamber of Commerce building on the waterfront. Beside it stands the headquarters of the National Bank of Dubai, whose curved frontage is meant to replicate the sails of the creek’s boats. On the other side of Deira you’ll also find Deira Islands. Made by reclaiming land from the Persian Gulf, the original intention was to create a third Palm. This plan was ruined by the financial crisis of 2008, and it’s only now that these islands are coming to life. For the moment there’s only a handful of hotel’s operating, meaning you’ll have the promised eight kilometers of new beachfront pretty much all to yourself! Go City’s top things to do in Deira It may be just one of Dubai’s districts, but there are still several must see attractions in Deira. Its souks cement it as one of the region’s most important trading areas, whilst its small but interesting museum collections help to reveal its two centuries of culture. Deira is an unmissable part of any trip to Dubai. When looking for the top things to do in Deira and Dubai more widely don’t forget to check out our pre-pay passes. Travel with Go City and you’ll make huge savings on many of the emirate’s top attractions.
Ian Packham

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