Things to do in Dubai with teenagers

Dubai is a bit of a fantasy playground for visitors of all ages, with teens being particularly well catered for with plenty of adrenaline-pumping and out-of-this-world experiences. Experience Zip Lines, Waterparks, Desert experiences on your family vacation to Dubai. Dubai is today one of the premium destinations for worldwide travellers. You find plenty of things to do in Dubai with teenagers.

Know before you go. Our top Dubai travel tips

Travelling to Dubai can be such an enriching experience for the whole family. There are so many things to do in Dubai and having the best place to stay in Dubai and wander is extremely important. Here we’ve got some information to get you planning your family vacation to Dubai to make it completely hassle-free.

Where to stay in Dubai with teens

You’ll never be short of options for your accommodation in Dubai. In Dubai, you find a range of hotels, apartments, and hostels. You will be sure to be able to find something to fit singles, couples, families, and groups on every budget. If you’re not keen on any of our picks below or have specific needs, we recommend using Trip Advisor and Expedia to find the best prices in Dubai.

Budget:  Premier Inn Dubai Ibn Battuta Mall provides family rooms fitting up to 4 people. The hotel includes an outdoor pool, restaurant, 24-hour room service, free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour front desk, facilities for disabled guests, luggage storage.

Mid Range: This 3-star hotel rates highly with families staying in Dubai. The Rove Marina Dubai features family rooms for 4 to 6 people. Onsite restaurant, gym and outdoor swimming pools await.

Luxury: The 5-star Kempinski Mall of the Emirates is centrally located featuring facilities like the pool, gym, boutique shops, and tourist essentials such as the tour desk and currency exchange. situated within close proximity to areas such as Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah, with the Mall of the Emirates metro station a mere 5-minute walk away

Dubai apartment alternative for your stay

If you prefer a home away from home-style accommodation in Dubai when you travel with teenagers then an apartment is the best choice for you on your Dubai vacation with teens. There are so many options for singles, families, and budget-friendly options as well. For Dubai Search Airbnb or check out the map below to find the perfect Dubai family accommodation in Dubai for teenagers on your Dubai vacation with family.

How to get to Dubai United Arab Emirates

Dubai is one of the premier tourist destinations in the Middle East. Dubai is serviced by long distant buses, and planes all bring people daily to the city.

• Plane: The Dubai International Airport handles close to 90 million passengers every year. The airport is located in the Al Garhoud district, 4.6 km east of Dubai  Book your Dubai plane with Kiwi Flights today
  • You can book your transfer from the airport to Dubai today

• Buses: Buses from places such as Abu Dhabi, Muscat arrive daily in Dubai

Driving to Dubai from surrounding countries such as Oman, Qatar is easy. There are new highways from each city leading to Dubai. You can pick up a rental car at any major airport in the Middle East. Book your rental car here.

How to get around Dubai with teenagers

The expansive public transportation system of Dubai consists of buses, water buses, a monorail system, a tram, and the Dubai metro. The Dubai Metro has two lines: the Green line (20 stops that run from the Etisalat region to Dubai Creek) and the Redline (28 stops that span between Al Rashidiya and Al Furjan 

In Dubai, you can pay for all public transport including bus, metro, waterbus, water taxi, tram and even for public parking with a Nol card. The Nol card can be picked up at stations and convenience stores.

Best things to do in Dubai with teens

So now that you have all of the very best Dubai travel tips, it’s time to start planning your Dubai trip. Here we have all the very best activities in Dubai for teens.

Aquaventure

It’s hard to go past Aquaventure waterpark at Atlantis as a top spot for teens in Dubai. This
sensational waterpark includes some of the world’s best water slides including the 9-story high
Leap of Faith that hurtles you through a shark-filled lagoon, Poseidon’s Revenge capsule where you
hit speeds up to 60km/hr and Slitherine racers. The Lost Chambers Aquarium is also located at the Atlantis and is well worth a visit.

If you stay a night at Atlantis, your waterpark tickets are included. The resort hotel also includes
several fun lounges and restaurants where your teens will be welcome including the Wavehouse
with ten pin bowling and a fun burger & shakes menu. If theme parks are your thing a trip to Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi just up the coast may be a great day trip.

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IMG Worlds of Adventure

This impressive theme park, near Global Village, is known for its thrills and spills for both kids and thrill-seeking adults. For Marvel fans, you will find a section devoted entirely to Marvel’s super hero’s. If you have younger children there is also a Cartoon Network area featuring the Powerpuff Girls and Ben10. Worlds of Adventures is the worlds largest indoor theme park, featuring rides such as Thor Thunder spin, Predator and the thrilling Raptor flight.

Motiongate

Dubai Parks & Resorts is home to several theme parks – most famously Legoland – but your teens in Dubai are most likely to be attracted to the rollercoasters and action rides at Motiongate, a Hollywood themed thrill park.

The Lionsgate section particularly has recently expanded to be home to two Hunger Games themed
thrill rides and early 2021 will see another 2 roller coasters under the franchises of John Wick and
Now You See Me – the most rollercoasters you’ll find at any park in the Middle East!
Stay at nearby Lapita Resort for theme park tickets included in your stay, then you can stay and enjoy
the evening around the outdoor Riverland entertainment complex.

VR Park

There are a ton of family-friendly attractions in Dubai to enjoy within Dubai Mall – if the window shopping alone isn’t enough at one of the world’s largest malls isn’t enough – a favourite we’ve found teens gravitate to is VR Park – the world’s largest virtual reality theme park.

Some of the most popular attractions here included the Dubai Drone which sees drone taxis zipping
through the skyscrapers in this futuristic rollercoaster experience, and the Dune Bash is another UAE
favourite. Entry is free to VR Park just to look around, or you can purchase pay&play credits or a Super 10 pass.

Burj Khalifa

While we are in the area…. Ok, it’s corny, it’s touristy, but without a doubt one of the unmissable
attractions for families in Dubai. The views from At The Top – Burj Khalifa are as you’d expect from the world’s tallest building – spectacular – but the cost is steep and the queues in peak holiday times can be very long.

If you’re not dead set on climbing the world’s tallest tower, by all means, skip it, and simply admire the architecture from the foot.

Dubai fountain show

Each evening on Burj Lake you can enjoy a completely free choreographed fountain show every 30 minutes, and later in the evening there’s also a light show projected onto the Burj Khalifa, often you will see the Burj lit up for special causes too. The best way to see the Dubai Fountain Show is from a well-positioned nearby restaurant.

The Plam Fountain

If you love this sort of live and free entertainment, you may also enjoy the new nightly show that’s
opened a The Pointe, The Palm Fountain (and now overtaken as the largest fountain show in the
world, of course). There’s also a great free nightly show Imagine at Dubai Festival City – a great one
if you want to stay close to the airport DXB.

Some of
our favourite restaurants in Dubai with teens include Tribes and Social House within Dubai Mall. A fancier place to try is Karma Kafe at adjacent Souk Al Bahar.

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Global Village

This seasonal spectacular is like a giant World Fair playground. Take a journey from the gondolas of
Italy to the Taj and essence of India. 70+ countries are represented in one place through food,
clothing and goods stores. Open from 4 pm daily in the winter, live performances as well fairground rides can be experienced – it is a true world taster session!

The basic entry for this colourful, fun and eye-opening experience is only 15AED, one of the cheapest
attractions in Dubai! It’s only downfall, it’s a little out of town so a decent taxi ride for tourists.

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Zipline across Dubai Marina

XLine Dubai – The longest urban zipline is a spectacular aerial experience, flying between the
skyscrapers of Dubai Marina at 80km/hr! The limit is being over 12 years old, 130cm and 50kg.
If your teens want to take the sky-high thrills even further, then we recommend a day trip to the
mountains to try the world’s longest zipline Jebel Jais Flight through the Hajar Mountains in Ras Al
Khaimah. There’s a 1480m high sky maze to experience, as well as mountain climbing and other
extreme sports – definitely a day trip you won’t want to miss for adrenaline junkies.

Find all the very best travel with teens products on amazon now!

Flying Cup Dining experience

If you still want to reach some heights and great views without the speed, what about sky-high
dining? Flying Cup in JBR enjoys some of the city’s most superb beachfront views of The Beach JBR
and overlooking Bluewaters & Ain Dubai – soon to be largest observation wheel in the world.

Dine in the Sky 40m above ground level on milkshakes and a scrummy meal from a local favourite restaurant Operation Falafel.

Aqua Fun

While we’re in the JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residences) area of the city, another great fun family activity
on the beach is tackling Aqua Fun. A decent workout and a good laugh can be found at this
inflatable obstacle course (biggest in the world, of course) on the Gulf waters.

Spelling out the world I love Dubai, there are 70 inflatable obstacles to tackle. You’ll be aching all
over after but it’s a wonderfully fun family activity that teens especially will enjoy (and no harm mum
and dad booking themselves in for a session at their hotel spa the following day for post-workout a
massage!).

Speedboat experience

Dubai is a city surrounded by water, and where water may not have existed before, it has been
created! There is a huge range of water-based experiences to try in Dubai.
Without a doubt everyone should take a traditional abra journey across Dubai Creek – just 1AED
each way, taking you between the cities two oldest neighbourhoods and a great taste of the bustling
Creekside economy.

Then consider either a canal ferry from Downtown, a marina cruise from Dubai Marina or your thrill-seekers are going to want to try a speedboat experience! Take in some of the city’s most spectacular views from the water, including the unforgettable Burj Al Arab hotel.

Desert Safari

Last but not least, certainly a common tourist offering but not corny at all is taking the family out on
a desert safari to see ‘the other side’ of Dubai – the Desert!

There are plenty of company’s offering these desert safari tours and most have a fairly similar line
up. You need to decide what time of day you’d like to go (for most of the year, evenings are
preferable as its cooler) and whether you are more interested in action sports or experiencing
the desert itself, and of course your level of luxury; some camps are more rustic than others but that
certainly doesn’t mean a lesser experience.

Most desert camps involve a hotel pick up in Dubai, followed by a 4X4 dune bashing experience into
a desert camp, where are a variety of sand sports are then on offer. Sand Dunes boarding is a hot favourite,
along with the unique experience of a camel ride (definitely ride your camels here, not the
overpriced tourist traps on the beach) and falconry displays.

Your desert experience will allow you the opportunity to try a traditional Bedouin feast, join in with
entertainment from oud playing to belly dancing (not all traditional Bedouin offerings!) and even
come away with some henna art, a truly memorable finish to your Dubai experience.

If you are after a more intimate desert experience, use the likes of Platinum Heritage who are
licensed to operate within the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, a protected area of the desert.
Other operators are generally based around.

Do I need travel insurance in Dubai?
We always say if you can’t afford travel insurance you can’t afford to travel. Get your travel insurance now to protect your epic holiday in Dubai from any small hiccup.
For Australian travellers, we recommend Fast Cover Travel Insurance
For worldwide travellers, we recommend AXA Travel Insurance

Ski Dubai

How does skiing in one of the hottest destinations in the world sound? While it’s well above 40 degrees outside you can be skiing, snowboarding and more at the Middle East’s first indoor ski resort. The indoor ski resort has 5 ski runs that vary in difficulty, height, and gradient, perfect for the beginner or the experienced.

The longest run is 400 meters and has a fall of more than 60 meters. This is a great opportunity for teenagers to try something new and skiing in Dubai could be just the thing. When taking a break from skiing you have an up-close Penguin experience. Also, it is a great place to escape the heat.

Dubai Big Bus Tour

The Dubai hop on hop off bus is always popular with family travellers. The Dubai sightseeing bus is a great way to give you an overview of the city. The bus route takes you to all the Dubai attractions so you can see everything from the world-famous Burj Al Arab to traditional gold and spice souks. This allows you can get out and visit and hop back on the next bus when it appears.

The bus runs daily from 10 am to 5 pm with over 20 stops. There is an on bus Multi-lingual audio commentary in 8 languages (English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Swedish, Icelandic, Russian).

Going to the beach in Dubai with teenagers

The beach is one of the best reasons to visit Dubai with teenagers. The glistening blue waters are usually very safe for swimming and water sports. Most beaches have lifeguards, and shallow sandy bottom makes it safe for the whole family.

Not all Dubai beaches are free to use, some charge a small fee for usage. Swimming is possible all year round with teenagers as water temperatures is constantly over 30 degrees. Some of the most popular Dubai beaches include

• Jumeirah Public Beach. The Jumeirah Public Beach in Dubai is one of the oldest public beaches is Dubai and one of the best places to start your beach-hopping! …
• Kite Beach.
• Al Mamzar Beach Park.
• Mercato Beach.
• The Beach.
• Burj Al Arab Beach.

This is just the start of your Dubai experience and onward to the 7 Emirates of the UAE with your teens.

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Shopping with teens in Dubai

If you need to do some shopping in Dubai there are so many places to go. Shopping is a popular activity with travelling teenagers. You find American style, boutique shopping malls and markets across the city centre. Below you will find some recommendations for shopping in Dubai with teenagers

Dubai Mall is It is home to over 1,200 shops, 120 cafes and restaurants, 22 cinema screens, a luxury hotel, and world-class entertainment areas. Dubai Mall is the largest mall in the world, and even includes an underwater zoo, ice-skating rink, gaming zone, and cinema complex

Bur Dubai Souk is the local silk and fabric market. You can purchase fabric and have it made into clothes by the nearby tailors, you will also find Aladdin shoes”, Dubai t-shirts, and Burj Khalifa souvenirs.

There is so much shopping to be done in Dubai, there are malls and shops everywhere tempting you and your teens into some retail therapy.

Escape Rooms in Dubai

For those new to Escape Rooms, this is a quick run down. An escape room, also known as an ‘escape game’, is a physical adventure game in which players solve a series of puzzles and riddles using clues, hints, and strategy to complete the objectives at hand.

Dubai Escape rooms may consist of a large, single room, or span multiple rooms. Players are given a set time limit to unveil the secret plot which is hidden within the rooms. This sort of challenging activity makes fun vacations for teens. Below you find some of the best Dubai escape rooms.

• Escape Reality Dubai – Indigo Sky, 1st Floor, Next to First Abu Dhabi Bank Metro Station Sheikh Zayed Road (Exit 41), Dubai 

• Brain Game Dubai Escape Rooms -Jumeirah Terrace Building, Jumeirah 1 (opposite Big Flag Rooftop level Dubai

• NoWayOut Escape Rooms Dubai –  HDS Business Centre – Shop#5, JLT – Cluster M – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Cinemas in Dubai

A perennial favourite with teenagers in Dubai whether visiting or residents is the cinema. Dubai like any major city in the world has a wide range of cinema’s for you to attend. Below you will find a list of the best cinemas in Dubai.

• VOX Cinemas Mall of the Emirates – Mall of Emirates – Level 2 – Sheikh Zayed Rd – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

• Reel Cinemas – Level 2, The Dubai Mall – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

10 Pin Bowling with teens in Dubai

10 Pin bowling is a great family activity to do with teenagers. There is nothing like a bit of family competition and 10 pin bowling in Dubai is just the thing. Strikes, Spares, gutter balls are all part of the action.

To be honest the weather in Dubai is very hot and indoor activities like bowling are a great option. Find a place to bowl below.

• The Wavehouse – Bowling and entertainment centre features bowling lanes, bar, a ping-pong area, multi-level arcade games, and soft play area for children -Atlantis, The Palm, from Dhs60 per person. Tel: (04) 4261166. atlantisthepalm.com

• Dubai Bowling Centre – For the serious bowler there are 16 professional lanes showing movies above the lanes to give you something to look at when it’s not your turn. – Al Quoz 1, Meydan Road, from Dhs20 per person. Tel: (04) 3391010. bowlingdubai.com

Going to the gym in Dubai

Fitness is very important to a lot of travelling teenagers these days. Working out is a big part of a healthy lifestyle. Just because one is travelling it does not mean you need to stop working out.

In Dubai, you can go to a number of Gyms that sell passes ranging from a day to a week and a month. Day passes start at 16 euros a day while a week pass costs 45 euros. You can find a list of Gyms in Dubai for teenagers at the Trainaway fit website

Top tips for teens in Dubai

When you are traveling with teens in Dubai there are a few extra things you should know about. The top travel planning tips for Dubai will make sure your family trip to The United Arab Emirates is amazing.

Clothing in Dubai for teenagers

Although the conservative Muslim dress code may not feel enforced all the time, remember it does exist. There are a time and a place for certain outfits in Dubai. Beachside and at the waterparks, you’ll see plenty of flesh and even bikinis are acceptable.

When anywhere else, at the malls or cultural attractions, your teen girls especially should look to follow the dress code advice for women in Dubai and dress modestly, shoulders and knees covered is a good standard – it is more the stares of others that may make them feel uncomfortable than actually breaking the law. Cultural understanding of what Muslims find acceptable may make your trip easier.

Safety in Dubai with teens:

Other than occasional staring by some men, Dubai is considered a very safe city for travelling families – in fact often ranked as one of the top 10 safest cities in the world. Just keep clothing and behaviour in check, watch your profanities and no offensive slogan t-shirts etc. Petty crime rates are very, very low but do keep an eye on everyone’s belongings.

Alcohol in Dubai

There is strictly no underage drinking in Dubai. The legal drinking age is 21. Whilst things have become more relaxed in recent times, in fact, drinking without a license has now been completely decriminalized, underage drinking is still a huge no-no. Due to the large Muslim population, you will find a wide variety of mocktails on offer at many places.

Budget travel guide for Dubai with teenagers

Children’s pricing at attractions and restaurants is generally cut out at 12 years old. Remember to budget this when pricing up your trip to Dubai as you’ll be paying for a group of adults pretty much everywhere you go. Getting your hands on the Entertainer app will easily pay for itself within a few meals over a family of 4 – plus it includes many leisure and attraction 2-4-1 offers.

Where to stay in Dubai with teens

If you’ve got more than a few nights to spend in Dubai, we highly recommend you look to base
yourselves around JBR/Dubai Marina. Although further from the airport, this is where you will find
the most action for your teens, day and night.

The other great advantage of this area is the number of hotel apartments and Airbnb options. This
sort of accommodation with separate bedrooms gives families staying in Dubai with teenagers more personal space as well as kitchen facilities – and most come with superb beach or marina views to wake up to.

If you are budgeting in a theme park or water park, definitely consider staying the night on-site as
the inclusive park tickets mean you can make a massive saving. We normally recommend tagging this on to the start or end of your trip with cheaper accommodation in between!

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Frequently asked questions about Dubai

There are so many frequently asked questions about Dubai especially from families travelling with teenagers. Below we try to answer some of the most asked questions about travel in Dubai.

Do people speak English in Dubai?

English is the most widely spoken language in Dubai, especially for business, trade and tourism.

What plug adapter will my teen in Dubai need?

For Dubai and all places within the United Arab Emirates, the associated plug type is G, which is the plug that has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. Dubai operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

What is the currency in Dubai?

The currency in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates is the Dirham. Notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 dirhams.

How do I call the police in Dubai?

For emergencies or to get an ambulance call 999, to report a crime call the Dubai Police Al Ameen service on 800-4888 and for non-emergencies, you can call 901

Do I need to tip in Dubai?

In Dubai, you don’t have to tip, as a service charge is built into the prices (especially with restaurants). It won’t be considered rude if you don’t leave the staff any dirhams

Can I drink the tap water in Dubai?

Yes, it is safe to drink the tap water 

Weather in Dubai

The city of Dubai has a reputation for being sunny and very hot. Temperatures in the 40°s are not uncommon in this desert city. Summer can see extremely hot temperatures in Dubai. June to September is the hottest period of the year and daytime temperatures can reach 45-50 degrees

We may not have emphasized enough yet, Dubai can get REALLY hot! The best time to visit is undoubtedly in the cooler winter months November to April. Temperatures in July/August creep to 50c – but if you plan your trip right and stick indoors during the day, a summer trip to Dubai can be done – often much cheaper than in the winter but expect some seasonal and outdoor attractions to be closed.

December through February are the coolest months, averaging around 19°C to 21°C. With highs in the mid-20s. Spring and autumn see conditions in between the summer and winter extremes

Your teens visiting Dubai will have an amazing and eye-opening experience in Dubai and a trip they will no doubt want to come back and experience again as adults!

This article was contributed by Keri who blogs at www.dubaitravelplanner.com for us here at Wyld Family Travel. We hope this article has you inspired to visit Dubai with teenagers. There are so many things to do in Dubai with teenagers that will have you entertained for your family’s whole stay in Dubai.

For more amazing ideas on where to holiday in Dubai click through to our UAE Destination Guide page for more brilliant inspiration.

Family travel with teenagers and tweens. Traveling with young adults has just as many issues as traveling with younger children. Choosing the best teenage vacation destinations can be so time-consuming. Use our Travel with Teenagers Destination Guides from all over the world for your next family vacation inspiration to make your family vacations with teens epic.

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More travel inspiration for your family vacation with teens

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