Dubai is a city of views. And there are so many unique ways to take in the many different views in Dubai. Whether you’re dreaming of getting a bird’s-eye view of Palm Jumeirah, watching luxury yachts sail through the Dubai Marina, or seeing the Burj Khalifa scrape the sky in Downtown Dubai, the best views in Dubai will leave you in awe.
This guide is all about how you can see the most iconic views of Dubai for yourself. Some of the options on this list are totally free to visit, while others will require you to purchase tickets. I also included some off-the-tourist-track viewpoints and some insider tips and tricks to help you make the most of each of the options on this list!
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Views in Dubai: Where to Get Them + My Insider Tips!
1. Visit Al Sayorah Bridge in Dubai Marina
The first time I ever laid eyes on the Dubai Marina was from the Al Sayorah Bridge (click here for the location). Years later, and this is still one of my favorite views in Dubai!
Go to the north side of the bridge for the best photo ops. This spot is truly gorgeous during magic hour when the sun is setting. That being said, the bridge can get a bit crowded with people snapping photos on weekends and holidays.
While you’re at it, it’s well worth strolling around the 7-kilometer Marina Walk and ticking off all of the fun things to do in the Dubai Marina as you go. It makes for a lovely walk and a must-have Dubai experience. And trust me, you’ll get tons of photo ops and cool Dubai views along the way.
2. Zipline Over the Dubai Marina
For one of the very best views in Dubai, you can sign up to go ziplining over the iconic Dubai Marina with XLine. As the “world’s longest urban zipline,” this is a bucket list experience for adrenaline junkies and one of the most unique adventure activities in Dubai.
You’ll start at 170 meters up on the rooftop of a high-rise building and fly over the marina for one kilometer at speeds of up to 80 km/h! The experience (and the epic views of Dubai) is something you’ll remember forever.
3. Get Neck-Craning Views of Ain Dubai
While the famous Ain Dubai (the world’s tallest Ferris wheel) is temporarily closed for repairs, seeing this engineering feat is a must. You can get excellent views of Ain Dubai from the Beach at JBR. But I recommend walking over the bridge to Bluewaters Island to get neck-craning views of Ain Dubai.
I recommend visiting Bluewaters at night so you can see the Ain Dubai all lit up. For the coolest view and photo op of Ain Dubai, make your way to the end of the promenade past the Bluewaters Residences Apartments (click here for the location), and you’ll come across a palm-tree-lined pedestrian walkway that gives stellar views of the observation wheel (pictured above).
This spot isn’t really on the tourist track, so if you’re lucky, you may just have this place all to yourself to do a photoshoot!
4. Get 360° Views of Palm Jumeirah
Most visitors to Dubai opt to take in the views from the 125th floor of the Burj Khalifa, but I always argue that if you had to choose one viewpoint to pay for in Dubai, it should be the 360-degree views of Palm Jumeirah that you can get from The View at The Palm.
The General Admission Tickets allow you to take in this famous vista from the observation deck on the 52nd floor of Palm Tower (AED 100 for non-prime hours and AED 158 for prime hours).
Or, pay a bit more for the “Fast Track + Next Level Tickets” (AED 175 for non-prime hours and AED 275 for prime hours), and not only will you be able to skip the line, which saves loads of time, but you’ll get VIP access to the 54th floor.
The perk of being able to access the 54th floor is that there will be far fewer people. Plus, this observation deck is open-air, which means you can take photos without the glass windows.
5. Have a Pool Day at AURA SKYPOOL
If you’re looking to take in the best views in Dubai while lounging around a rooftop infinity pool, then I suggest splashing out on a visit to AURA SKYPOOL. This is the world’s highest 360° infinity pool,” and the views of Dubai are simply spectacular.
I will say that this spot is very popular so you’re going to want to reserve your time slot well before you plan on visiting. Tickets go on sale through their website 60 days ahead of time. You can book 3 to 4-hour timeslots for sunrise, late morning, afternoon, or evening. Plus, there’s a restaurant and bar on-site, so you can order food and drinks right to your lounger!
6. Dine at ZETA Seventy Seven
When it comes to epic views in Dubai, it’s tough to beat the vantage point from the 77th-story rooftop of the Address Beach Resort. If you’re looking for restaurants that offer the best views in Dubai, the Address’ ZETA Seventy Seven is an incredible option.
Perched right on the rooftop, you’ll get dizzying views of the Ain Dubai, the Dubai Marina skyline, the Palm Jumeirah, and the Arabian Gulf. Here, you can dine on seafood-centric Asian fusion fare, sip expertly mixed cocktails, and dance the night away to live music – all while enjoying some of the most incredible views you’ve seen in your life!
Do note that there is a minimum spend of AED 477 per person, but if you’re looking for a splurge, this is an incredible dining experience. Reservations are recommended, too, since seating is very limited.
7. See Burj Al Arab from Souk Madinat
For another one of the best free views in Dubai, make your way to Souk Madinat in Jumeirah. Even without the views, it’s well worth spending some time exploring this unique Dubai gem.
This entire place was designed to be a modern version of a traditional Arab souk. Walk around and you’ll find cool shops selling quintessential Dubai goods, family-friendly canal-side restaurants, and even bars serving cocktails, wine, and beer.
But this place also offers some of the most unique views of Dubai, including some of the best views of the Burj Al Arab. You can see Dubai’s second-most famous building from a variety of vantage points, including from a gondola in one of the tranquil canals!
8. See the Fountain Show from Time Out Market
There are tons of places to get a good view of the famous Dubai Fountain Show. But one of my all-time favorites will always be from the second-story terrace of Time Out Market. This terrace offers unobstructed views of the show. Plus, all the while, you can drink and dine from as many of Time Out Market’s 17 food and beverage concepts as you’d like!
Time Out Market is a foodie paradise. So whether you’re craving a burger from Pickl, a pizza from Pitfire, or Peruvian food from Fusion Ceviche, you’ll find some of Dubai’s best restaurants represented in this trendy food hall. Plus, there are multiple bars on-site serving up wine, beer, and cocktails if you want to imbibe while enjoying the show.
This is another expat favorite, so you’ll want to get there early to snag seats on Time Out Market’s buzzing terrace.
9. See the Burj Khalifa from Sky Views Observatory
If you like your views with a side of thrills, the Sky Views Observatory offers some of the best views in Dubai. This observatory is located in the Address Sky View Hotel, offering amazing views of the Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai.
This is a great alternative to going to the top of the Burj Khalifa because, at a height of 219.5 meters, you can actually get incredible views of the world’s tallest building as opposed to seeing the view from it.
General admission to the Sky View Observatory is AED 80, but I suggest paying AED 25 more to get access to the Glass Slide, a translucent slide on the outside of the tower that takes you from Floor 53 to Floor 52. The experience is a thrilling one, and the views below you are completely unique, if slightly terrifying!
10. Dine with Burj Khalifa Views at CÉ LA VI
An excellent alternative to the Sky Views Observatory is to get dressed up and enjoy brunch or dinner at CÉ LA VI. This chic restaurant is actually located on the 54th floor of the Address Sky View Hotel, so you’ll get the same incredible views of the Burj Khalifa as you would at Sky Views Observatory, with the added bonus of dining at one of the best restaurants in town!
Located 220 meters in the sky, this Michelin Guide restaurant serves up contemporary pan-Asian fare and epic live entertainment with some of the best views in Dubai. When the weather is nice, be sure to reserve a table on the outdoor terrace for the very best Dubai views!
11. Walk Along the Palm Crescent
For another one of the best free views in Dubai, make your way all the way to the outermost “palm frond” on Palm Jumeirah. Here, you’ll find an 11-kilometer pedestrian pathway that runs from the Rixos Hotel on the east side to One&Only The Palm on the west side.
Depending on which part of the Palm Crescent you decide to explore, you’ll get incredible views of famous Palm Jumeirah attractions like Atlantis The Royal and Atlantis The Palm, as well as the Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai and the Ain Dubai and Dubai Marina skyline.
And the best part is that this view is totally free to enjoy!
12. See Old and New Dubai from the Dubai Frame
The Dubai Frame easily offers one of the very best Dubai views – and that’s especially true if you’re on a budget. If you ask me, the views you get from the top of the 150-meter-tall frame are a steal for just AED 52.50! This is a great option if you want to get great views of Dubai without spending too many dirhams.
Plus, from this unique vantage point, you’ll have the chance to see the humble buildings of Old Dubai on one side and the towering skyscrapers of “New Dubai” (including the Burj Khalifa) on the other. There’s also a fun 100-meter-long glass walkway at the top, which is pretty thrilling to walk across!
13. Ascend the World’s Tallest Building
Last but not least is the Burj Khalifa. When it comes to getting iconic views in Dubai, there are quite a few excellent alternatives to the Burj Khalifa. That being said, there really is nothing quite like standing at the (almost) top of the world’s tallest building. There’s a reason visiting the Burj Khalifa is one of the top things to do in Dubai for first-timers!
If going to the top of the Burj Khalifa is on your bucket list, you can opt for the general “At the Top tickets,” which start at AED 159. These tickets get you access to the observation decks on levels 124 and 125. But I highly recommend upgrading to the “At the Top SKY” tickets.
The At the Top SKY tickets come with a few perks. First, you’ll get to skip the lines for security check and the elevator, which could save you hours. And second, you’ll get access to levels 124 and 125, as well as VIP access to Level 148 – the world’s highest observation deck – which is located at a whopping 555 meters high.
You’ll also learn interesting factoids during your guided tour and be able to enjoy local sweets and Arabic coffee in the exclusive lounge. Oh, and did I mention the views of Dubai are absolutely insane? Because they are!
