For our most up to date recommendations of things to do in Dubai, read our more recent blog post: Top 10 Things to do in Dubai in 2021.

Dubai is a dream destination for travellers with a bucket list. Dubai has so much to offer and is the land of unique, world-first and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. From hot air ballooning over the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve to watching the sunset in the world’s tallest building or driving your own boat; this city really does have it all!

Here’s a list of 15 Bucket List Activities in Dubai for 2021:

1. Fly with falcons on a Hot Air Balloon – Balloon Adventures Dubai

Quick tip: bring a phone or camera to take photos, the photo opportunities are incredible

 

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Do you think she knows she’s the star of the show? Not just any falconry show but the only one in the world from a hot air balloon! . . . #falcon #hotairballoon #mydubsi #visitdubai #staroftheshow #flywithfalcons #balloonadventures #dubaitour #thingstododubai #mustsee #flywithme

A post shared by Balloon Adventures Dubai (@ballooning_uae) on May 4, 2018 at 4:35am PDT

2. Experience a day in the life of the nomadic Bedouin tribes – Al Marmoom Bedouin Experience

 

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Ramadan Kareem! ✨ Iftar is the meal eaten after sunset to break the fast. This is a traditional Bedouin Iftar of authentic dishes which have been enjoyed for centuries in the desert during Ramadan! . . . #bedouinexperience #dubaiiftar #dubairamadan #bedouinexperiencedubai #visitdubai #mydubai #almarmoomdubai #dubaiculture #traveldubai #dubaidesert #dubaitraveladvice #desertsafaridubai #dubaiheritage #authenticdubai #thingstododubai #dubaitours #desertnomads #ecotourismdubai

A post shared by Al Marmoom Bedouin Experience (@bedouinexperience) on May 7, 2019 at 12:13am PDT

3. Go to the top of the world’s tallest building – At the top Burj Khalifa

Quick tip: book advance because tickets sell fast

 

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Look who made it here and gave us the world’s best selfie! @willsmith at #BurjKhalifa. #repost

A post shared by At the Top, Burj Khalifa (@atthetopburjkhalifa) on Oct 19, 2018 at 1:28am PDT

4. Enjoy a fine-dining experience in the desert – Platinum Heritage

 

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#repost @northsouthtravels ・・・ Dining in the Dubai desert couldn’t get more magical! 🌙 • • • #desertsafari #visitdubai #mydubai #dubai #dubaitour #dubaiadventures #bedouinlife #dubaidesert #heritage #authenticexperience #luxury #luxurylifestyle #desertsfinest

A post shared by Platinum Heritage Safaris (@platinumheritage) on Dec 4, 2019 at 6:15am PST

5. Captain your own boat in the Arabian Gulf – HERO OdySea Boat Tours

 

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#Repost from @theblondehills. I’m the pilot, who’s down for a ride?? 🚤 @hero_dubai #visitdubai | . This is definitely my favorite moment of the whole trip! If you are going to Dubai, you have to go for a boat tour with @hero_dubai for the sunset!! I promise you an amazing experience ✨ #sunsetbeach | . DID YOU EVER DRIVE A BOAT YOUSELF? #boatlife⚓️ #seaside | . 📷 @bastientgs . #boattourdubai #herodubai #dubaitours #mydubai #boattour #dubai #sunset

A post shared by HERO OdySea (@hero_dubai) on Dec 12, 2018 at 4:43am PST

6. Stay in the world’s only 7-star hotel – Burj Al Arab Jumeirah

 

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Standing proud on its own man-made island, Burj Al Arab’s innovative design never ceases to amaze even the most traveled explorer. #BurjAlArab #Dubai #Jumeirah

A post shared by Burj Al Arab (@burjalarab) on Dec 12, 2018 at 11:32pm PST

7. Explore the Dubai desert in vintage Land Rovers – Platinum Heritage

Quick tip: if you book online 7 days in advance with promo code: FREEVIDEO you receive a complimentary video of the experience with drone footage

 

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#Repost @fnsadventures . . It’s almost impossible to watch a sunset and not feel a thrilling sense of adventure! . . #desertsafari #ecotourism #travel #traveling #travelgram #instatravel #wanderlust #adventure #explore #dubai #dubaidesert #uae #landscape #nature #desert #dune #visitdubai #worldtraveler #traveltheworld #liveyourdreams #mydubai #sunset #vintagelandrover

A post shared by Platinum Heritage Safaris (@platinumheritage) on Nov 16, 2019 at 4:51am PST

8. Skydive over the Palm Jumeirah – Skydive Dubai

 

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When you’ve just got to have an #adventure, think #skydivedubai! 📍Palm DZ, open 7 days a week. Learn more now via the link in our profile. UAE residents will receive 10% off their tandem bookings at the Palm DZ only thru the end of December. See our website for more details. #mondaymotivation #visitdubai #wanderlust

A post shared by Skydive Dubai (@skydivedubai) on Oct 8, 2018 at 3:00am PDT

9. Sleep in the desert on an Overnight Desert Safari – Platinum Heritage

Quick tip: there’s an option to add a sunrise hot air balloon ride to your experience!

 

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#Repost @dubaitraveladvice ・・・ Immerse yourself in the true spirit of Ramadan. Join our Iftar experience at our Desert Heritage camp. Break the fast with the local Bedouin and learn about Ramadan traditions. . . . 📷by @rabeyahn #dubaitraveladvice #dubai #visitdubai #mydubai #mydxb #dubailife #dubaitravelers #dubaidaily #dailydubai #beautifuldestinations #ilovedubai #thingstodoindubai #thingstodoindubaicity #dubai🇦🇪 #uae #dubailifestyle #ramadankareem #sunset #ramadan #dubaiiftar #bedouinlife #middleeast #offthebeatentrack #dubaitours

A post shared by Platinum Heritage Safaris (@platinumheritage) on May 8, 2019 at 7:00am PDT

10. Ski at the world’s-only indoor ski slope – Ski Dubai

 

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#Repost @twosistersontheroad ・・・ Skiing in #Dubai ✔️⛷ Sice jsme si připadaly trochu jako v ledničce, ale zážitek je to skvělý! 😄👌🏼 #SkiDubai #malloftheemirates #ski #slope #indoorskiing #sisters #nellyandtess #travel #explore #fun #mydubai #dubai #dubaifun #majidalfuttaim #greatmoments #momentstogether

A post shared by Ski Dubai (@skidxb) on Jan 8, 2019 at 12:34am PST

11. Hang out with a sloth – Green Planet Dubai

 

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Waiting to meet you! Don’t miss out on the Sloth Encounter, book online! احجز تذكرتك أونلاين للتعرّف على الحيوان الكسلان “سلوث” واحصل على خصم ١٠٪؜! نحن بانتظارك! #TheGreenPlanet #Dubai #RainForest #ThingsToDoInDubai #Fun #Animals #Nature

A post shared by The Green Planet Dubai (@thegreenplanetdubai) on Jan 10, 2019 at 11:08pm PST

12. Go on a virtual reality roller-coaster – VR Park Dubai

 

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VR Park morning game strong indeed! 📸: @retailmamager صباح يوم آخر رائع ومليء بالمغامرات الشيقة في فيرتشوال رياليتي بارك! #ChallengeReality #VRParkDubai #VirtualReality #VR #Experience #Gaming #Adventure #MyDubai #Fun #Family #Games #DubaiMall #Dubai #تحدي_الواقع #فيرتشوال_رياليتي #فيرتشوال_رياليتي_بارك #مغامرة #ألعاب_ترفيهية #دبي #الإمارات

A post shared by VR Park (@vrparkdubai) on Nov 27, 2018 at 12:55am PST

13. Zipline across the Dubai Marina – Xline Dubai Marina

Quick tip: you can buy tickets online or at the kiosk in Marina Mall

 

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Together is our #favoriteplace to be. 🙌 #XLine #XDubai #Defy2019 #Zipline #swypuae #mydubai #fun #friends

A post shared by XLine Dubai Marina (@x_line) on Dec 29, 2018 at 6:10am PST

14. Walk through 150million flowers – Dubai Miracle Garden

 

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Before 2018 ends an important reminder that the greatest gift you can give someone is your TIME because when you give your time you are giving a portion of your life that you will never get back so spend it with the one you love and create wonderful memories to cherish in the World’s Largest Natural Flower Garden with incredible designs! Vast themes! Must see! Truly magical in its nature 💫✨ #wonderland #dubaimiraclegarden #ilovedmg #dmgseason7 #hellodmg #visitdubai #mydubai #uae #dubailife #flowergarden #dubaiparks #miraclegardendubai #clock #time #peacock #floralclock #photooftheday

A post shared by Dubai Miracle Garden (@dubaimiraclegarden) on Dec 30, 2018 at 1:46am PST

15. Ride a camel – Platinum Heritage

Quick tip: wear loose trousers

 

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#Repost @dubaitraveladvice ・・・ Getting on the back of a camel is definitely a must do activity on your Dubai holiday. Camels are pretty friendly when they are well looked after. The ones at Platinum Heritage loved having a pat! 📸@Suzentravels . . . #camels #platinumheritage #dubaitraveladvice #influencersindubai #visitdubai #mydubai #dubai #dxb #thingstododubai #dubaitravel #traveltips #dubaiblogger #dubaifoodies #dubaiinfluencers #dubaiadvice #dubaitips #travelblogger #dubaiactivities #travel #travelinspiration

A post shared by Platinum Heritage Safaris (@platinumheritage) on Aug 21, 2018 at 10:10pm PDT

We hope these bucket list activities in Dubai give you some ideas to add to your own lists in 2021.