Dubai · Things to do

The observation decks in the world's tallest building: two main levels, a higher SKY floor and a lounge, all on timed tickets sold through the official site. Sunset slots cost the most and go first; a mid-morning slot is a fraction of the price for the same view.

Dubai Municipality's 150-metre picture frame in Zabeel Park, with galleries on the city's past and imagined future and a glass floor on the top deck. The point is the framing: old Deira on one side, the Sheikh Zayed Road towers on the other. Book on the official site.

A free contemporary art centre on the Jaddaf Waterfront, open 10:00 to 20:00 daily except Tuesday, and from 12:00 on Fridays. Two hours covers it, and there is a sculpture park and a library along the creek beside it.

The old coral-and-gypsum quarter at Bur Dubai, with wind towers, courtyard houses and museums run by Dubai Culture. Next to it is the abra station: wooden boats cross to Deira's gold and spice souks for a dirham or two and run late into the evening.

The UAE's first national park, southeast of the city, where a limited set of approved operators run dune drives, camel rides, sandboarding and desert dinners under rules about where vehicles may go. It is the desert safari with a conservation licence attached, and there is a visitor centre.