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Things to Do in Dubai at Night

Dubai at Night: 25 Best Things to Do & Places to Visit 2023

    Dubai by night, with its glittering skyscrapers, the bustling nightlife of Dubai Marina, the traditional dhows cruising the calm and picturesque Dubai Creek and the incredible array of excellent restaurants and bars, is a truly magical city.

    After sunset you can enjoy the best of this modern, vibrant and cosmopolitan city. But what are the best things to do and the best places to visit in Dubai at night?

    In this guide you will find all the best things to do at night and the places to visit that you just can’t miss!

    Top 20 Best Things to Do in Dubai at Night

    Enjoy the Breathtaking View of Dubai at Night from the top of Burj Khalifa

    This is one of the must-do experiences in Dubai! The view from the observation decks of the Burj Khalifa at night is totally different than during the day, and is undoubtedly the best place to see the sunset over Dubai!

    You can book tickets online, so you can choose the time you prefer to go. You could also choose to spend the evening in the prestigious lounge, sipping champagne and cocktails with a view, or enjoy an excellent gourmet dinner in one of the Burj Khalifa’s exclusive restaurants.

    Enjoy the Dubai Fountain Show

    At the foot of the Burj Khalifa, right next to the Dubai Mall, you can see the spectacle of the Dubai Fountain, the famous dancing fountain that delights tourists every evening with incredible plays of light, sound and water.

    You can see it for free from the terraces of the Dubai Mall (which are usually overcrowded) or you can book a nice and cheap ride on a traditional boat, which allows you to see the show from the best perspective, right on the lake!

    Live the experience of a Desert Safari and Dine Under the Starry Sky

    One of the unmissable things to do in Dubai is to join an exciting desert safari! The guides take you into the midst of boundless red dunes, where you can try a lot of fun activities, such as dune bashing and quad biking, or ride a camel.

    In the evening you can enjoy an unforgettable BBQ dinner in a Bedouin-style camp, and if you want you can also stay overnight in the desert, sleeping in a traditional tent.

    Discover the Best Dubai Desert Safaris and Activities

    Enjoy an unforgettable Dinner in one of the Burj Al Arab Restaurants

    The famous 7-star hotel Burj Al Arab is one of the most exclusive places to visit in Dubai at night. Its restaurants are among the best in Dubai, and eating there is a superlative dining experience.

    You can reserve a table and enjoy an unforgettable dinner, sampling one of the menus prepared by award-winning international chefs, and then enjoy a cocktail in the elegant bar which also serves gold-based cocktails. And if you really want to experience something extraordinary, you can join the tasting experience, which allows you to try all the best restaurants in the Burj Al Arab and taste all their best specialties.

    Enjoy an Evening Tea (High Tea) or a Cocktail at Burj Al Arab

    A more informal and affordable way to spend the evening in the Burj Al Arab is to book a table for high tea or to sip one of the famous cocktails prepared by the award-winning Burj Al Arab’s bartenders.

    This is a very popular choice with couples, especially as here you can enjoy a great cocktail or sip a glass of champagne while admiring the breathtaking view of the Dubai skyline (the Burj Al Arab is located on a private island).

    Enjoy a romantic Dinner Cruise on a traditional Dhow on Dubai Creek

    Dhows are traditional wooden boats, and every night some wonderful dhows leave Deira for a dinner cruise on Dubai Creek.

    You can book a table and enjoy a romantic dinner cruise with your loved ones, the buffet menu includes local and international specialties of meat, fish and vegetables, and the evening is enlivened by traditional dances and music. The view of Dubai from the calm waters of Dubai Creek is unmatched!

    Enjoy a Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise

    This is one of the most popular things to do in Dubai at night, especially among young couples and groups of friends.

    This luxury dinner cruise sails the calm waters of Dubai Marina, surrounded by incredible scenery, in Dubai’s trendiest district. You can enjoy a hearty dinner, featuring local and international specialties prepared by the chefs of the 5-star Address Dubai Marina Hotel.

    Try the crazy Dinner in the Sky Experience

    If you’re brave enough, you shouldn’t miss the Dinner in the Sky Experience in Dubai Marina: a 3-course dinner cooked and served at a table suspended 50 meters into the sky, right above the streets and the sea. It is undoubtedly the craziest and funniest experience to have in Dubai at night.

    Ride a Camel at sunset and enjoy a Traditional Desert Dinner

    One of the most beautiful and popular activities to do in Dubai is a camel trek. You could go on an adventurous camel trek in the afternoon, enjoy the sunset over the desert and then reach a Bedouin-style camp, where you can enjoy a hearty BBQ dinner, cheered by traditional dancers and musicians.

    Experience the ancient charm of Arabia with an unforgettable Dinner in a Desert Oasis

    If you are looking for a truly amazing place to dine and spend the evening, you will hardly find something like this.

    A guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the desert, less than half an hour’s drive from Dubai, where there is a village hidden in the dunes that resembles an ancient Arab oasis. Here you can enjoy an exquisite and abundant traditional dinner, enlivened by traditional musicians and dancers. You will feel like the desert explorers from novels or movies!

    Dine on a billionaire’s mega yacht in Dubai Marina

    Something like this is unlikely to happen to you again: dining in a billionaire’s astonishing mega yach, departing from Dubai Marina, one of the most exclusive private marinas in the world. By booking your table on the yacht you can enjoy a luxurious 2-hour cruise in the stunning scenery of Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah, while enjoying a good buffet dinner with unlimited soft drinks.

    Have a drink at the Dubai Chillout Ice Lounge

    An ice bar is probably one of the weirdest things you can find in Dubai, and in fact it’s the only one in the whole Middle East. However, if you want to experience the thrill of going from the heat of the desert to sub-zero temperatures, this place could be for you: by booking online a drink to warm up is included in the price!

    Take a trip to Umm Al Quwain to Hunt (and eat) Crabs

    This is one of the most interesting and authentic things to do in Dubai at night: a trip to one of the most remote emirates, Umm Al Quwain, famous for its wilderness and beautiful mangrove forests.

    Here you will board a small boat with local fishermen, for a fun crab hunting experience. You will learn how to hunt crabs and how to cook them, in fact, after the hunt, the crabs will be cooked and you will finally be able to enjoy a delicious traditional dinner.

    Visit the Garden Glow Park and its attractions such as the Dinosaur Park and the Magic Park

    The Dubai Garden Glow is a good place to take a stroll in the evening: it is located in Zabeel Park, a few steps from the Dubai Frame, and is illuminated by hundreds of light installations (depicting monuments, animals, etc.) made with recycled materials and millions of led lights.

    Kids will love the dinosaur museum, with full scale robotic reproductions and the magic museum, where you can have fun with incredible optical illusions.

    Go see Dubai’s most famous show: La Perle by Dragone

    La Perle by Dragone is the first and only permanent show in the Middle East, directed by the world famous artist Franco Dragone. Over 65 actors and acrobats from 23 different countries perform breathtaking aquatic and aerial stunts in a purpose-built theater with a water stage.

    It is definitely the most exciting show you can see in Dubai, but remember to book your tickets online ahead in time, because they sell like hot cakes!

    Enjoy a Dubai Water Canal Dinner Cruise

    The Dubai Water Canal (or Khor Dubai) is a man-made extension of Dubai Creek, which runs through the heart of modern Downtown Dubai.

    The best time to go there is in the evening, when you can enjoy a hearty dinner cruise, as you cruise through the incredible glittering scenery of Dubai’s skyscrapers. The prices are quite affordable, and especially in high season it is necessary to book well in advance..

    Spend an Evening at the Global Village

    The Global Village is one of the most famous places to visit in Dubai at night, and is a theme park where there are 16 different pavilions, each inspired by different cultures and countries, for a total of 90 countries.

    You can see replicas of the most famous monuments, taste food from all over the world, see shows and concerts (most are free) and enjoy the many rides of this exciting and colorful funfair. There are also many stalls and places to eat. Admission is only AED 15, food and rides are not included.

    Enjoy a Dubai Panoramic Sightseeing Tour by Bus

    A good way to visit Dubai at night and admire its amazing glittering panorama is to join one of the double-decker bus tours, which in 2.5 hours allow you to see all the most iconic places in the city.

    Tours depart every evening from the Dubai Mall, and include an audio guide in your preferred language (you can choose from 12 different languages). If you have the hop on hop off bus pass you can enjoy this tour for free.

    Enjoy a Tour to see the Wonders of Dubai at Night

    One of the best things to do during your stay in Dubai is a tour of the city at night: the illuminated skyscrapers, the vibrant nightlife and the magical atmosphere are something that you absolutely cannot miss.

    You can join one of the 4-hour tours, which include multilingual guide, pick up and drop off from your hotel and a comprehensive visit of all of Dubai’s most scenic sights at night. If you are a group of friends or a family, you might want to book a private tour, which is definitely a more flexible solution and allows you to enjoy the visit at your own pace.

    Join an Emirati food and history guided tour with dinner in Old Dubai

    This is an unmissable experience for anyone who loves authentic things and wants to discover the cultural side of Dubai. On this walking tour to the most hidden gems of the Dubai’s Old Town you will be able to taste delicious dates, sip real traditional tea and coffee, explore the ancient souks and taste local delicacies.

    A professional English speaking guide will take you to some traditional restaurants, to taste different local specialties and at the end of the tour you will be able to enjoy a delicious and hearty dinner based on local meat specialties. It is best to book a few days in advance.

    Top 5 Places to Visit in Dubai at Night

    Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain

    The area around the Dubai Mall is the vibrant heart of Dubai and is definitely an unmissable place to visit at night in Dubai! Dozens of excellent restaurants overlook an incredible scenery: the Burj Khalifa illuminated by millions of lights, the traditional boats that sail on the lake and the breathtaking show of the Dubai Fountain, which every evening thrills the spectators with incredible plays of light, music and powerful jets of water.

    These guides may be helpful to you:

    The best restaurants in the Dubai Mall
    How to visit the Burj Khalifa

    Dubai Marina and The Beach JBR

    Dubai Marina is undoubtedly one of the most exclusive and vibrant districts in Dubai, and the night is simply stunning. Here you can see dozens of billionaires’ yachts, one of the prettiest waterfront in the city, hundreds of shops and some of the best restaurants in the city.

    One of the most iconic places to visit at night in Dubai is Pier 27, located near the Dubai Marina Mall: here you can find excellent casual restaurants and some of the most popular clubs for young people and expats.

    These guides may be helpful to you:

    Best Things to Do and See in Dubai Marina

    Dubai Old Town

    Dubai Old Town is one of the most fascinating places in Dubai: old houses in the traditional Arab style, narrow alleys that hide delicious cafes and restaurants and some of the most interesting museums in the city.

    This little-known side of Dubai is definitely worth exploring. Depart from Al Bastakiya, also known as Al Fahidi Historical District, one of the most picturesque places in Dubai, and then arrive on Dubai Creek, a place once inhabited by pearl and spice merchants, pirates and fishermen.

    Take one of the traditional traditional boats called Dubai Abra to cross the creek and reach Deira, on the opposite bank. This was the heart of Dubai until a few decades ago, and you can still see its ancient souks today, including the world-famous Gold Souk.

    These guides may be helpful to you:

    Things to Do and See in Al Bastakiya (Al Fahidi Historical District)
    Things to Do and See in Deira
    All you need to know about Dubai Gold Souk
    All you need to know about Dubai Creek

    Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach

    The Burj Al Arab is famous for being named a “7-star hotel” and is one of the most iconic buildings in Dubai, located on a private island just steps from the Jumeirah waterfront.

    You can admire it at sunset from the nearby public beach called Sunset Beach or live an unforgettable experience by booking a table for a high tea or a cocktail in one of its prestigious bars or an excellent dinner in one of its elegant award-winning restaurants.

    One of the most popular places to visit in Dubai at night is La Mer, a new trendy neighborhood located at the end of Jumeirah Beach, where you can find cinemas, shops and lots of nice places to eat.

    These guides may be helpful to you:

    How to visit and what to know about Burj Al Arab
    Guide to Burj Al Arab restaurants and bars
    Guide to the best public beaches in Dubai

    Dubai Desert

    No visit to Dubai is complete without going on a desert safari. The huge red dunes lie just outside the city, and extend beyond the horizon, as this is the largest sand desert in the world.

    Enjoying an exciting desert safari, walking to a Bedouin-style camp and enjoying a hearty and delicious dinner under the starry sky is undoubtedly one of the must-do things in Dubai at night.

    These guides may be helpful to you:

    The Ultimate Guide to the Best Dubai Desert Safaris

    Are you planning your trip? These tips may come in handy:

    THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN DUBAI
    USEFUL TIPS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TO DUBAI
    USEFUL ADVICE ABOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR DUBAI