11 Cool Cultural Things to Do in Dubai (An Expat’s Guide)
So many people travel to Dubai for a few days only to leave thinking, “there’s no culture in Dubai.” I’ve heard this so many times, and it’s such a shame! The problem is that many travelers get distracted by the glitz and glam of attractions like the Burj Khalifa (the world’s largest building), the Dubai Mall (one of the world’s largest malls), and the Palm Jumeirah and completely miss out on all of the many cultural things to do in Dubai.
Believe it or not, Dubai has got culture in spades; you just need to delve beneath the surface just a little. So if you’re looking to immerse yourself in this city’s cultural side, I’ve got you covered with 11 cool cultural activities in Dubai.
From going on a food tour in Old Dubai with a local foodie or wandering through spice-filled souks to learning about the Bedouin way of life in the desert or joining locals for a communal iftar meal during Ramadan, take some time to tap into Dubai’s cultural side, and you’re bound to walk away with a much better and deeper appreciation for this one-of-a-kind city.
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11 Cultural Things to Do in Dubai
1. Meander Around Al Seef and Al Fahidi
If you’re looking for cultural things to do in Dubai, then you’re definitely going to want to spend some time in both Al Seef and the Al Fahidi Historical District (aka Bastakiya) in Bur Dubai, the oldest neighborhood in Dubai.
Start in Al Seef, and you can wander around the picture-perfect heritage-style buildings that line Dubai Creek. Here you’ll find souk-style shops selling traditional clothing and goods, international creekside restaurants, and calm cafes hidden away in courtyards.
After that, take a short walk to the adjacent Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. It’s here that you’ll find some of the top cultural attractions in Dubai, like the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding, the Dubai Museum at Al Fahidi Fort, and the Bur Dubai Grand Mosque.
2. Ride an Abra Across Dubai Creek
Once you’re done wandering around Bur Dubai’s historic neighborhoods, you’ll want to cross Dubai Creek to explore Deira. But don’t take an Uber to get there. Instead, partake in one of the most quintessential Dubai cultural activities and hop on an abra (a traditional wooden boat) to cross the creek to Deira!
During the short journey, imagine a time when abras were the only way to get across Dubai Creek. Despite being the oldest form of public transport in Dubai, they’re still used to shuttle people across Dubai Creek all day, every day.
Did I mention that the journey only costs AED 1? That’s right!
3. Haggle in the Souks of Deira
If you ask me, Deira is where you’ll find the heart and soul of Dubai. This place is a melting pot of cultures, as is all of Dubai these days. But what makes Deira special is that it’s chaotic and crazy and just oozing culture.
For a taste of that famous Dubai extravagance, make your way to the Gold Souk, which dates back to the early 1900s. This bustling marketplace is packed with over 200 vendors hawking all things glittering and, well, gold!
Be sure to also visit the nearby Spice Souk. With the colors and chaos, wandering through this narrow alley is one of my favorite cultural things to do in Dubai.
Insider tip: If you’re feeling peckish while you’re in Deira, pop into one of the many restaurants that serve up authentic Indian food for super affordable prices!
4. Get Authentic Eats in Satwa
Paying a visit to Satwa is one of the most delicious cultural things to do in Dubai for foodies. This humble neighborhood just happens to be home to some of the best restaurants in town, and it’s the perfect place to sample authentic eats from around the world.
If you’re not sure where to eat, Ravi is a longstanding institution in Dubai, famous for its chicken tikka, mutton achar (mutton curry), biryani, and other Pakistani staples.
But there’s lots more to try too. There’s Al Mallah for Lebanese, Miamix for Sri Lankan, Kusina Natin To for Filipino, Firas Sweets for Arabic treats, and so, so much more.
5. Go Back in Time in Hatta Heritage Village
If you’ve got time for a trip outside of the city center, then Hatta Heritage Village is one of the coolest cultural attractions in Dubai. It takes roughly 2 hours to reach from Downtown Dubai, but it’s worth it to see an entirely different side of this city. Plus, there are tons of cool things to do in Hatta!
Hatta Heritage Village is set among the rugged Hajar Mountains. It’s a living museum that will shed a little light on what life was like in rural villages back in the day. Take a look around, and you’ll also see restored forts, watchtowers, and homes, as well as collections of traditional arts and crafts, utilitarian wares, and documents.
You should also walk up to Hatta Fort, an 11-meter-tall watchtower that dates back to 1896, as well as check out the nearby Hatta Falaj System, which is an impressive traditional irrigation system. Plus, you can’t leave Hatta without taking in the unreal views of Hatta Dam or hiking up to the Hollywood-esque Hatta sign!
6. Learn About Local Culture at the SMCCU
When it comes to cultural activities in Dubai, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) has them in spaces. You’ll find this unique organization in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood which makes sense because this place is all about preserving and promoting Emirati history, traditions, customs, and cuisine.
There’s a lot happening at the SMCCU so you should be sure to check the website ahead of time. But to give you an idea, you can participate in a traditional Emirati meal while learning about local history and culture, take a guided visit to Jumeirah Mosque, learn all about the importance of camels in the UAE (while petting live camels!), and even join in on a Ramadan iftar meal, among many other programs.
A visit it SMCCU is easily one of the most unique ways to tap into the local culture!
7. Enjoy Emirati Fare
When it comes to must-do cultural activities in Dubai, eating at least one Emirati meal should be at the top of your list. There are tons of incredible Emirati places scattered around town, but if you’re not sure where to go here are a few suggestions.
As featured on Season 7 of Netflix’s “Somebody Feed Phil,” Arabian Tea House has long been a popular spot for authentic Emirati dishes. I highly suggest their Al Fahidi district location for a chance to sip gahwa (traditional Arabic coffee) and dine on traditional local dishes, like machboos lamb, chicken saloona, and lamb tikka, in a tranquil old-world-style courtyard.
If you’ve got room for more, you can try a camel burger or camel-stuffed regag (crispy flat bread) at Local House, an Emirati breakfast tray (pictured above) or seafood tray at Al Fanar, machboos and biryani at Logma, date pudding and luqaimat at Siraj, just to name a few options.
8. Experience Ramadan
One of my absolute favorite cultural things to do in Dubai is to be in town during the month of Ramadan. So many tourists think that they should avoid traveling to the UAE at this time of year, but I could not disagree more.
In my opinion, Ramadan, the Holy Month in Islam, is a magical experience. It’s a time when Muslims focus on fasting, faith, and family. It’s also a time when people gather each evening to break their fast with an iftar meal. As a non-Muslim, I love joining in on iftars. It’s always a unique chance to tap into local culture and have great conversations.
There’s more to Ramadan than the iftar tradition: there are festive night markets, sales at malls and businesses, holiday light displays, pop-ups all around town, and so much more.
9. Go on a Bedouin Culture Safari
If you’re looking for the ultimate cultural activities in Dubai, I highly suggest booking a Bedouin Culture Safari with Platinum Heritage. What I love about this tour company is that all of their experiences are sustainable and ethical.
While they offer a bunch of different tours, this specific experience allows you to really delve deep into Bedouin culture, lifestyle, tradition, and history. You’ll have the chance to ride a camel through the Dubai sand dunes until you reach an authentic Bedouin village. Here, Bedouin storytellers will regale you with tales of how their ancestors survived by hunting and herding.
You’ll also get to witness a falcon performance while learning about the importance of falcons in the survival of Bedouin people, as well as embark on a desert safari in a vintage Land Rover to learn about local flora and fauna.
10. Get a History Lesson at Etihad Museum
A visit to Etihad Museum is one of the top cultural activities in Dubai if you want to gain a better understanding of UAE history. Housed in one of the coolest architectural buildings in Dubai, Etihad Museum highlights how the UAE’s seven emirates came to be unified and tells the story of the Founding Fathers.
Explore the museum, and you’ll find all sorts of interactive displays, historic artifacts, black-and-white photographs, and informative videos. To make the most of your trip, it’s well worth taking a tour with one of the friendly local guides!
You might also be interested in: The 10 Best Museums in Dubai for History, Culture & More
11. Savor Local Flavor on a Food Tour
Food is a huge part of the culture in Dubai and one of the best ways to not only get to taste authentic local dishes but to learn about locals is to go on a food tour with Frying Pan Adventures.
I love this company because it’s run by two amazing sisters who were raised in Dubai. They are all about preserving and promoting the food culture in Old Dubai, so you can expect an amazing blend of street-style eats and stories from your knowledgeable guide, as well as local vendors and restaurateurs.
To get a taste of the authentic side of Dubai, sign up for the “Dubai Souks and Creekside Food Walk.” On your journey, you’ll have the chance to wander through mazelike souks, learn about the oldest communities in Dubai, hear tales from locals, take a ride across Dubai Creek on an abra, and sample all sorts of humble Dubai dishes that will blow your mind!
