From the world’s tallest building to old Dubai’s wind towers, here are 20 Dubai landmarks with quick facts and tips for visiting. They are the same 20 places you fly past in the free Dubai Fly Cab 3D game.
🚕 Play the game📍 Downtown Dubai, Dubai
At 828m, Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building and one of Dubai’s global icons.
It opened in 2010 and rises 828 metres. Visitors can go up to the observation decks for views over Downtown Dubai. Booking ahead and choosing sunset slots is popular.
💡 Opened in 2010 • 828m tall
📍 Jumeirah, Dubai
The sail-shaped Burj Al Arab is one of Dubai’s most recognisable luxury landmarks.
This sail-shaped hotel opened in 1999 and stands on its own artificial island. The best views of it are from Jumeirah Beach and Madinat Jumeirah.
💡 Sail-shaped hotel • Jumeirah
📍 Zabeel Park, Dubai
Dubai Frame offers views that connect the city’s historic past with its modern skyline.
Standing 150 metres tall in Zabeel Park, the golden frame links old Dubai on one side with the modern skyline on the other. A glass-floored sky bridge connects the two legs at the top.
💡 150m-high landmark • Zabeel Park
📍 Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
A futuristic landmark exploring ideas, science, technology and possible futures.
The oval building opened on 22 February 2022 and is covered in Arabic calligraphy windows. Inside, exhibitions explore technology, science and the future.
💡 Opened 22 February 2022 • Sheikh Zayed Road
📍 Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
A landmark resort at the crescent of Palm Jumeirah, known for its dramatic architecture and attractions.
Opened in 2008 at the top of Palm Jumeirah, the resort is known for its twin towers and arch, the Aquaventure waterpark and a large aquarium.
💡 Palm Jumeirah • Aquaventure World
📍 Bluewaters Island, Dubai
A giant observation wheel on Bluewaters Island with panoramic views across Dubai.
At 250 metres it is one of the tallest observation wheels ever built. Its opening status has changed several times, so check the official website before you plan a visit.
💡 250m observation wheel
📍 Downtown Dubai, Dubai
A choreographed fountain attraction beside Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall.
The fountain sits on the lake beside Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall and opened in 2009. It performs water, light and music shows in the evening, so check show times.
💡 Downtown Dubai • water, light and music
📍 Jumeirah, Dubai
A prominent mosque known for its elegant Islamic architecture and cultural tours.
Famous for its ivory stonework and twin minarets, it offers guided cultural tours for visitors. Dress modestly and check tour times in advance.
💡 Jumeirah • Islamic architecture
📍 Dubai Marina, Dubai
A distinctive twisting skyscraper overlooking Dubai Marina.
The tower in Dubai Marina twists 90 degrees from base to top. It is about 307 metres tall and is best seen from the Marina walk or from a boat.
💡 Dubai Marina • twisting tower
📍 Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
Two iconic towers forming one of the best-known silhouettes on Sheikh Zayed Road.
Two triangular towers, about 355 and 309 metres tall, have stood on Sheikh Zayed Road since 2000 and are among the most recognisable parts of the skyline.
💡 Sheikh Zayed Road • twin towers
📍 Dubai, Dubai
The iconic palm-shaped artificial island with a trunk, 16 fronds and a surrounding crescent.
The man-made island has a trunk, 16 fronds and a surrounding crescent. It is best seen from above, from the monorail, or from observation decks nearby.
💡 Trunk + 16 fronds + crescent
📍 Downtown Dubai, Dubai
A huge shopping and entertainment destination next to Burj Khalifa.
One of the largest malls in the world, it holds the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, an ice rink and hundreds of shops, with the Burj Khalifa next door.
💡 Downtown Dubai • shopping and entertainment
📍 Downtown Dubai, Dubai
A performing-arts venue with a distinctive dhow-inspired architectural form.
Opened in 2016 and designed to recall a traditional dhow, the venue hosts opera, ballet, concerts and theatre. It has about 2,000 seats.
💡 Dubai Opera District • Downtown
📍 Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
An observation experience offering panoramic views of Palm Jumeirah and Dubai.
This observation deck sits high in The Palm Tower on Palm Jumeirah and gives wide views over the island, the coast and the skyline.
💡 Observation deck • Palm Jumeirah
📍 Bur Dubai, Dubai
A heritage district where visitors can explore traditional architecture and old Dubai.
Narrow lanes, sand-coloured houses and traditional wind towers show what Dubai looked like before the skyscrapers. It is best explored on foot, with cafes and small galleries along the way.
💡 Historic district • wind towers and heritage lanes
📍 Jumeirah, Dubai
A museum focused on the history of the UAE and the formation of the federation.
Opened in 2016 beside Union House, it tells the story of how the United Arab Emirates was formed in 1971. Its curved canopy is held up by seven slender columns.
💡 Jumeirah • UAE history
📍 Old Dubai, Dubai
Dubai Creek connects historic parts of the city and traditional abras still cross its waters.
The creek divides old Dubai into Bur Dubai and Deira. Traditional wooden abra boats still carry passengers across for a very small fare.
💡 Old Dubai • traditional abra boats
📍 Dubai South, Dubai
A future-focused district carrying forward the legacy of Expo 2020 Dubai.
The site of Expo 2020 Dubai continues as Expo City Dubai. Its Al Wasl Plaza is known for a large trellis dome and light projections.
💡 Al Wasl Plaza • Expo City Dubai
📍 Dubailand, Dubai
A colourful attraction famous for large floral displays and imaginative flower structures.
The garden is famous for huge flower displays shaped into hearts, arches and towers. It is usually open in the cooler months, so check the season dates.
💡 Millions of flowers • seasonal attraction
📍 Jumeirah, Dubai
A traditional-style marketplace with winding alleys, lanterns, shops and waterways.
A traditional-style market with lantern-lit alleys, shops, restaurants and waterways. Visitors can take an abra boat ride and enjoy views of Burj Al Arab.
💡 Madinat Jumeirah • Arabian-style souk
Opening times, tickets, tours and prices change often. Always check each place’s official website before you plan a visit. Photos load from Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons and belong to their authors.