Al Gaffal Long Distance Race

Since 1991, the Al Gaffal Long Distance Race has celebrated the UAE’s maritime heritage, with traditional 60-ft dhows sailing more than 50 nautical miles from Sir Bu Nair Island to Dubai. It was founded to honour the practice of pearl diving and seafaring in Emirati history. The race remains a major cultural and sporting event, exclusively featuring Emirati competitors and attracting a large fleet each year.

• Web:

  www.visitdubai.com/en/articles/al-gaffal-dhow-race

Art Dubai

Art Dubai remains the Middle East’s top platform for contemporary and modern art, bringing together galleries, collectors, and creatives from around the world. At its home in Madinat Jumeirah, it showcases work across multiple curated sections, plus installations, performances, artist talks, and workshops. The fair is a good way both to discover rising artists and to see how Dubai’s art scene is evolving, with strong representation from the Gulf, Africa, South Asia, and West Asia.

• Web:

  www.artdubai.ae

Dubai Desert Classic

Since its first edition back in 1989, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic has drawn some of the world’s best golfers to Emirates Golf Club — names like Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, and Ernie Els have all lifted the Dallah Trophy. It remains one of the Middle East’s premier golf tournaments, a Rolex Series event with prestige, large crowds, and often a festival-like atmosphere around the course.

• Web:

  https://dubaidesertclassic.com/home

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship

This event kicks off the international tennis calendar in Dubai each year. Top players from around the world compete in back-to-back WTA and ATP weeks at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. See every spin, slice, and smash from the world’s best in tennis, right here in the city.

• Web:

  https://dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com

Dubai Fitness Challenge

Dubai's annual fitness initiative encourages residents and visitors to commit to 30 minutes of physical activity each day for 30 consecutive days. The challenge transforms the city into a vibrant hub of health and wellness, offering a diverse array of free events, fitness classes, and community activities. The event usually takes place in October and November.

• Web:

  www.dubaifitnesschallenge.com/en

Dubai International Boat Show

With Dubai’s beautiful coastline, world-class marinas, and a thriving yachting scene, it’s no surprise that the city hosts one of the region’s leading marine events each year. The Dubai International Boat Show brings together an impressive line-up of luxury superyachts, cutting-edge watercraft, and the latest innovations in marine technology at Dubai Harbour. Visitors can explore everything from state-of-the-art yachts to water sports gear, as well as enjoy live entertainment, dining experiences, and interactive displays that celebrate the city’s deep connection to the sea.

• Web:

  www.boatshowdubai.com

• Address:

  Dubai Marina, Dubai

Ain Dubai

Ain Dubai, the world's largest and tallest observation wheel, stands at a towering 250 metres on Bluewaters Island, offering a 38-minute rotation in air-conditioned cabins, with 360-degree views of Dubai's skyline, including landmarks like the Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, and the Arabian Gulf.

• Web:

  www.aindubai.com/en/

• Address:

  Bluewaters Island - Dubai

• Phone:

  +971 800 2629464

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 2pm–9pm, Sat & Sun 11am–9pm

Bur Dubai Abra Dock

A ride on a traditional wooden abra from Bur Dubai Abra Dock is one of the most atmospheric ways to cross the creek. The short hop takes you to the Deira side, where the narrow lanes buzz with spice stalls, sweet shops, textiles, and the famous gold souk — a lively contrast to the quieter Al Fahidi neighbourhood just across the water.

• Web:

  www.visitdubai.com/en/places-to-visit/abra-creek-crossing

Burj Khalifa

Soaring 828 metres above Dubai, the Burj Khalifa is currently the world’s tallest building. It’s a mix of art, engineering, and heritage, with office space, private residences, and a luxury hotel inside. Visitors head to the observation decks on the 124th and 148th floors for sweeping city views, and you’ll also find over a thousand specially commissioned artworks scattered throughout the tower. Even from the ground, the sheer scale and design of the building make it impossible to ignore.

• Web:

  www.burjkhalifa.ae

• Address:

  1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd - Downtown Dubai - Dubai

• Phone:

  +971 4 888 8888

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

Set inside The Dubai Mall, the Dubai Aquarium is one of the largest in the world, with a 10-million-litre tank that houses more than 140 species of marine life, including the planet’s biggest collection of sand tiger sharks. A stroll through the 48-metre walk-through tunnel gives you a front-row seat as sharks and rays glide overhead, while the underwater zoo upstairs introduces visitors to everything from otters to penguins.

• Web:

  www.thedubaiaquarium.com

• Address:

  Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 10am–10:15pm, Sat & Sun 10am–11:15pm

Dubai Creek

Dubai may be famous for the glitz and glamour of its sky-high towers, but the heart of the city is the creek. This saltwater estuary was where the Bani Yas tribe first settled, and its waters supported the city’s early economy through pearl diving and fishing. Today, the area blends history with culture: you’ll find museums, heritage retail spaces, and the winding alleyways of the gold, spice, and textile souks. A ride on a traditional abra across the water is a must, offering a simple yet memorable way to see the creek from the water.

Dubai Frame

Dubai Frame is a striking addition to the city’s skyline and a clever piece of engineering. Located in Zabeel Park, it sits between old and new Dubai, giving visitors a unique perspective on both sides of the city. At 150 metres high, the observation decks offer panoramic views, and the glass-floored bridge connecting the two towers makes for a thrilling experience — and a perfect spot for selfies.

• Web:

  www.dubaiframe.ae

• Address:

  Zabeel Park Jogging Track - Za'abeel - Al Kifaf - Dubai

• Phone:

  +971 800 900

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9am–9pm