First Time in Dubai – How to Plan Your City Sightseeing

Old Dubai and new Dubai: what to see first

Old Dubai is where the city began. You cross Dubai Creek on a traditional abra water taxi, walk through the gold and spice souks and see how people lived before the towers went up. It's busy, full of atmosphere and very different from the Dubai most people picture.

New Dubai is the Dubai of postcards. The main sights are the Museum of the Future, the Burj Al Arab, the Palm Jumeirah, the Dubai Frame and Burj Khalifa. Most of these are best seen from outside or for photos, although Burj Khalifa's observation deck is worth a proper visit.

The distances between these areas are bigger than first-timers expect, and traffic can slow you down. That's the main reason a guided tour with transport makes sense for your first look at the city.

Which city tour to book

All prices are list prices on our website, before any promotion.

A photo stop means just that: you'll see the landmark from outside and stop for pictures, but entry isn't included. On the Museum of the Future stop, the tours include access to the ground floor. For the full museum experience, see our Museum of the Future page.

Our three city tours in more detail

Dubai Half-Day City Tour | Heritage, Dubai Creek & Souks. This is the easiest way to get your bearings. It includes hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle, the Heritage Village, the gold and spice souks and an abra ride on Dubai Creek. You also get photo stops at Burj Al Arab, the Museum of the Future (with ground-floor access) and the Dubai Frame. Shared pickup windows are 07:00 - 08:00 and 08:00 - 09:00. The private tour also offers 09:00 - 10:00.

Dubai City Tour with Burj Khalifa At the Top Tickets. This tour includes Burj Khalifa At the Top tickets on top of the city sightseeing, so you don't have to book the observation deck separately. It includes pickup in a 4x4, entry to the Blue Mosque, a drive past Palm Jumeirah, the souks, an abra ride and photo stops at Burj Al Arab and the Museum of the Future. Pickup is 08:00 - 09:00. Confirm your At the Top time slot when you book.

Combo: Dubai City Tour & Evening Safari with BBQ Dinner. This combo takes you from the city to the desert in one day. You'll visit the Blue Mosque, the souks, the Burj Al Arab and the Museum of the Future, and ride an abra. In the evening there's dune bashing with a licensed desert safari guide, a sunset picture point, a short camel ride, sandboarding and a BBQ dinner. It's priced per group for up to 6 people, with pickup windows of 08:00 - 09:00 and 09:00 - 10:00.

Where the city tour fits in your trip

We suggest doing the city tour on your first full day. It helps you understand the layout of Dubai, shows you which areas you'd like to go back to and gets you over the jet lag with a gentle day.

After that, plan your other highlights around it:

For a complete day-by-day plan, see our 3-day Dubai itinerary.

• The desert: give it its own day or evening if you can. Our Dubai desert safari guide explains the options.
• Burj Khalifa: if your city tour doesn't include it, book Burj Khalifa tickets for another day, ideally near sunset.
• An evening on the water: a dhow cruise shows you the city lights from the water.
• Abu Dhabi: with more time, an Abu Dhabi city tour is a good day trip.

Tips for a smoother sightseeing day

• Dress modestly for the mosque. Cover your shoulders and knees. Women may be asked to cover their hair, so bring a scarf. Check the current dress requirements before you go.
• Bring cash for the souks. Smaller shops may prefer cash, and bargaining is normal in the gold and spice souks.
• Wear comfortable shoes. There's more walking than you might expect, especially in old Dubai.
• Carry water and sun protection. Even in the cooler months, the sun is strong at midday.
• Keep your phone charged. The abra ride and the skyline photo stops are some of the most photographed moments of the day.