15 things to do in Dubai with teens

Before I visited, Dubai seemed to be one of those Marmite destinations – you either embraced the biggest, tallest, brightest city in the world or pooh-poohed it because it was too “Las Vegas” like. Our family is particularly drawn to hot weather (what can I say, we have long UK winters to endure) so when a press trip to the region came up, we decided to see what Dubai was all about.

And I’m so glad I did! Dubai has a plethora of activities to keep kids busy. It’s an especially alluring destination for older kids. Of course Dubai has all the beach and water activities in spades, but there’s also a bit of culture and exotic to indulge in too. 

Below is our list of recommendations for what we loved best about Dubai. Have you been? Tell us your favourite activities!

15 first-class things to do in Dubai with teens

 

1. Hang out poolside or a the beach!

Probably the Number reasons to visit Dubai: Guaranteed sunshine! We stayed at Grosvenor House Hotel in the Marina area and had full use the pool and beach facilities at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa. There’s a great kids club for under 12s. But teens like to hangout, preferably out of sight of their parents, and meet other teens. Pools are great to pick up a volleyball match. Le Royal Meridien was a great place to do this.

 

My 15-year-old’s perspective

I loved hanging out at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa! The beach was my favourite because the water was so warm! There were several pools to choose from. It was all close together, so my parents didn’t mind us wandering off to play a game of football or play volley ball in one of the pools.

 

 

2. Ride a camel on the beach

Camels are held in high regards in Arabian culture and are historically prominent in literature and now ice cream! If you are in the region you really should have trying riding on one of the one-humped dromedaries. They show often show up on the beach.

 

 

3. Mosey around the Marina area

Build on a 2-mile stretch on the Persian Gulf shoreline, the Marina is full of shops, restaurants and the starting point for lots of Dhow boat rides. Nighttime is the best time – it’s a bit cooler and the reflection of the lights dance off the water. Give yourself a bit of time to enjoy it, it can take about an hour.

 

 

4. Go to the mall!

Shopping malls in Dubai are a way of modern life, and offer more than just shopping. You can find nearly every high street shop and restaurant ever created here, we saw a California Pizza Kitchen and Cheesecake Factory. Air conditioning make them a very inviting place to hang out, plus teens can also go skiing or visit an aquarium. Seriously. Dubai Mall is the biggest (aquarium), with Emirates Mall (skiing) .

 

My 16-year-old’s perspective

The Dubai Mall has every ship you can imagine, in a glamorous and air-conditioned setting. There’s also an ice skating rink and an aquarium! You can pretty much do anything there.

 

 

5. See the world’s tallest building!

 The Burj Khalifa ticks the box that makes Dubai the tallest. Since 2008 it’s been the world’s tallest skyscraper at 828 metres!  Burj simply means tower. You can book tickets to be whisked up at 10m per seconds to one of the observation decks near the top. Sunset is a popular time to go, make sure to buy book tickets beforehand (on sale 30 days in advance). It’s conveniently located in downtown Dubai next to the Dubai Mall. If you don’t like heights,  do what many do and have dinner at once of the restaurants in front of the tower.

 

My 16-year-old’s perspective

It was amazing to see the Burj Khalifa in real life and even more impressive to witness the fountain displays. We were in awe! We had watched while we at Thiptara, which had really yummy Thai food. It was nice to watch from the private area at the restaurant as the area on the bridge outside the mall was really crowded.

 

 

6. Watch the Dubai Fountain

Exit the back of the Dubai Mall and there’s a manmade lake where you can see a spectacular choreographed water show shooting up as high as 150 feet with the backdrop of a lit up Burj Khalifa. It’s pretty amazing. The masses watch it from the bridge between the Dubai Mall and Souk al Bahar. The fountains go every half hour after sunset. For a more private viewing, book one of the restaurants nearby for a more relaxed view. We ate at Thiptara which means ‘Magic at the water’. It specialises in Royal Thai cuisine with a special emphasis on Bangkok-style seafood. Surrounded by Burj Lake, the spectacular views of The Dubai Fountain at night transform this contemporary alfresco waterfront restaurant into a truly magical setting. 

 

 

8. Take a traditional abra water taxi on Dubai Creek

Probably the least expensive thing you will do in Dubai! An Abra is a traditional water taxi and it costs AED 1 (approximately US$0.27). They run constantly ferrying people across the Dubai Creek. Once a trading port for pearls, it is now the heart of old Dubai.

 

My 16-year-old’s perspective

It was really fun to cross Dubai Creek in a traditional Abra water taxi! They re super easy to use and there is always one leaving – just follow the people in the queue. We used them to go to the Souks in Deira. That was an experience too! I was called “Shakira” about 100 times. My mum haggled with a shop owner to buy us some traditional jewellery.

 

9. Visit the Souks

Get off at Deira to visit the gold, spice and textile souks. You can’t miss them! Follow the crowds and wander through the maze of shops where you can find some real bargains. Make sure to cover up (shoulders and knee) if you don’t want unwanted attention or stares. The are open all day, but best to come in afternoon when they really come alive. The shop vendors will try to guess your nationality – nearly always getting it right. We heard “lovely jubbly” several times and the girls were called Shakira. Things to buy: Boudin jewellery, saffron, 

 

 

10. Have a Culture Meal at Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

Open Doors, Open Minds is the theme of this non-profit organisation that promotes awareness of Emirati culture, customs and religion. For a modest cost you can sign up to enjoy a traditional Emirati meal in their wind tower house in the Al Fahidi Historic District, one of the oldest areas on Bur Dubai. An Emirati host will talk you through local customs. We highly recommend this experience.

 

11. Visit the Jumeirah Mosque

 Jumeirah Mosque is the only mosque in Dubai that welcomes non-Muslim guests six days a week (everyday except Friday, the Holy Day).  The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding organises tours for a modest cost. Islamic customs, traditions, holidays – including the fasting month of Ramadan – are all covered on the tour. Be there 9.45 for 10 am tour, lasts 75 minutes.  Modest dress (cover shoulders and knees) or you can borrow traditional dress there.

 

 

12. Have a blast at Atlantis’ Aquaventure Waterpark Dubai Waterpark

The best water park in the world! We were blown away by its sheer size and quality of the rides. Aquaventure Waterpark is 42 acres of waterscaped fun! Choose form adrenaline pumping experiences or just mosey down the lazy river, there’s so much to choose from, including 700 metres of pristine private beach. Then eat at Barracudas for Arabic Mezze, from freshly baked pizzas, Shawarma, Falafel, Dosa, Fish & Chips, Fried Chicken and some really good gelato! Note kids need to be taller than 1.2 metres to enjoy most of the park slides.

 

My 16-year-old’s perspective

I’ve always wanted to go to the water park at Atlantis! It was by far the best water park I’ve ever been to – there are some many rides to choose from. My favourite ride was Aquaconda where 6 people can go at once and it plunges into darkness and spins. I also loved the lazy river and rapids which take you all around the park.

 

 

13. Enjoy a “Thursday night out” at Siddharta Lounge

In Dubai, Friday is a holy day making Thursday night the night everyone goes out before the weekend starts. Everyone is dressed to the nines for a proper night out in a sparkling city. The Siddharta Lounge at Grosvenor House is a popular gathering spot and perfect for teens to get a little taste of the night life. You can drink mocktails made with coconut milk and chili, or ginger and mint, see the bright lights and feel properly grown up. With your parents of course.

 

My 13-year-old’s perspective

I had so much fun going out and having dinner at Siddharta Lounge. It was in the other tower at Grosvenor House. We got in a lift and then opened up with the pool area which was lit up with lights and lanterns and there was live music! We all had Mocktails – my favourite was mango and orange. I felt so grown up.

 

 

14. Ski in Dubai

I think every teens wants to do this at least once! It’s incredible to think that inside this manmade skiing area it is -3C inside and 36C outside! Located at Emeritus Mall you can ski, snowboard, toboggan, zip line, or just soak in the atmosphere. It’s snow much fun! (Sorry couldn’t resist).

 

 

15. Go on a Desert safari

From sand surfing to an overnight sleepover amongst the stars and dunes, you must get out of Dubai and see the dessert. It’s a very different feel to the modern city, and one teens will never forget. Especially the sunrise.

 

 

IF YOU GO

Flights: Virgin Atlantic Destination UAE Homepage

Visit Dubai https://www.visitdubai.com/en Very useful website with loads of suggested itineraries. 

Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai Al Emreef St – Dubai – United Arab Emirates +971 4 399 8888 https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dxbgl-grosvenor-house-a-luxury-collection-hotel-dubai Read my review of Grosvenor House, Dubai 

Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa Al Mamsha St – Dubai – United Arab Emirates +971 4 399 5555 https://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/dxbbm-le-royal-meridien-beach-resort-and-spa

Siddharta Lounge by Buddha Bar Grosvenor House Dubai – Al Emreef St – Dubai – United Arab Emirates +971 4 317 6000 https://www.siddhartalounge.com

The Dubai Mall Financial Center Rd – Dubai – United Arab Emirates https://thedubaimall.com/

Burj Khalifa 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd – Dubai – United Arab Emirates http://www.burjkhalifa.ae/en/index.aspx

Thiptara Ground Level, Palace Downtown 9770 – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd – Dubai – United Arab Emirates +971 4 888 3444 https://www.addresshotels.com/en/hotels/palace-downtown

Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding Al Musalla Rd. – Dubai – United Arab Emirates +971 4 353 6666 http://cultures.ae

Arabian Tea House Al Fahidi Street, Bur Dubai, Bastakiya Opposite Musalla Post Office – Dubai – United Arab Emirates +971 4 353 5071 http://arabianteahouse.net

Jumeirah Mosque Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai – United Arab Emirates https://cultures.ae/services/jumeirah-mosque-visit

Aquaventure Waterpark Atlantis The Palm – Crescent Rd – Dubai – United Arab Emirates +971 4 426 2000 https://www.atlantisthepalm.com/marine-water-park/aquaventure-waterpark

Ski Dubai, Emeritus MallSheikh Zayed Rd – Dubai – United Arab Emirates https://www.skidxb.com/about-ski-dubai

Arabian Adventures: Desert Safaris, City Tours and Attractions https://www.arabian-adventures.com Whatsap +971 56 999 4901

 

What our video: The Modern Family goes to Dubai!

 

 

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Disclosure: Our stay at Grosvenor House was complimentary for the purpose of this review. All opinions are that of myself and my family.