Dubai is associated with the world’s tallest building, luxury hotels, and massive shopping malls. But if you stop at Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall, you’ll miss what truly surprises people about Dubai. This city can be weird, unexpected, and surprisingly… normal — as long as you give it a chance beyond the main attractions.

Below you’ll find a guide to what to see in Dubai beyond the typical highlights, where to look for Dubai’s hidden gems, and what unusual experiences are waiting for you when you venture a bit outside the city center.

For more basic info and ready-made itineraries, be sure to check our Dubai guide. And if you prefer done-for-you options, take a look at the Trips to Dubai and Dubai accommodation sections.

1. Old Dubai: Al Fahidi, Bur Dubai, and Dubai Creek

Let’s start with something that surprises a lot of tourists: Old Dubai.

Dubai is famous for its skyline and luxury shopping, but along Dubai Creek you’ll still find a calmer, trading-era side of the city:

• Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood — narrow lanes, wind-tower houses, small cafés, and galleries. A great place to learn Dubai’s story and see what it looked like before the skyscraper boom.

• Bur Dubai — traditional markets, small mosques, and atmospheric alleyways. A great option if you’re looking for a more “real” Dubai.

• An abra boat crossing on Dubai Creek — just a few minutes, but it feels like stepping into a different Middle East.

This is where you’ll discover your first hidden gems: small museums, quiet courtyards with mini exhibitions, and sometimes even collections of old weapons or handicrafts you won’t find in any mall.

2. Self-driving taxis and rewards for honesty: surprising facts about Dubai

Some of the most unexpected Dubai moments happen far away from the classic viewpoints.

Self-driving taxis (driverless rides)

In Dubai, you can already order a self-driving taxi — a real taste of the future of transport. This isn’t a futuristic concept from the Museum of the Future; it’s being tested in real life. For fans of city innovation, these unusual experiences in the UAE can be more exciting than yet another shopping mall visit.

You can read more in the article: Autonomous taxis without drivers are now available for ordering in Dubai.

Rewards for honesty

Here’s another thing that surprises visitors: a system that rewards returning lost items. If you hand in a found phone or wallet to the police, you might actually receive a reward.

It’s a reminder that Dubai tourism isn’t only skyline photos — it’s also a distinct approach to safety, order, and trust.

More details: You can get a reward for finding a lost item in Dubai

3. Scenic views beyond the obvious: viewpoints, sunsets, and Dubai Marina

Burj Khalifa is the classic: the world’s tallest building, the observation deck, the skyline. But Dubai offers plenty more spectacular views.

Dubai Marina and Ain Dubai

• an evening walk along the Dubai Marina promenade at sunset,

• a yacht cruise where you’ll see luxury boats, towers, and that unmistakable Dubai vibe,

• views of Ain Dubai, the giant observation wheel dominating the JBR/The Beach area.

These are great non-typical Dubai experiences for people who’d rather stroll and capture city frames than spend hours in museums.

Viewpoints beyond Burj Khalifa

If you want a city panorama in a less obvious way:

• the observation deck at Dubai Frame — the golden “frame” that connects Old Dubai and New Dubai in one glance,

• restaurants and sky bars in districts like Downtown Dubai or Business Bay — sometimes one drink is enough to get a postcard view, (Check: Best bars in Dubai – TOP 10)

• the viewpoint area around the Museum of the Future — even the building itself is one of the most interesting pieces of architecture in the world.

This is where you really understand why Dubai is famous for its skyline — and why it’s a dream for people chasing spectacular photos.

4. Unusual Dubai attractions for active travellers

A lot of people associate Dubai with air-conditioning and shopping malls, but there’s plenty here for anyone who wants to move.

Desert landscapes and mountains

Beyond a classic 4x4 desert safari, consider:

• trekking and kayaking in Hatta — mountains, a lake, and quiet you won’t find in the city,

• fatbike rides on desert trails.

These are the kind of unusual UAE experiences that show a completely different side of the country — beyond glass and steel.

Water sports and running by the sea

Along the coast you’ll find:

• kitesurfing and SUP at Kite Beach — perfect for wind and wave lovers,

• running tracks along the Jumeirah coastline — great at sunrise or sunset,

• cruises on Dubai Creek and the water canal — calmer, but still an active way to explore.

With options like this, “what to do in Dubai for something unique” stops being a hard question — you just need to step outside the mall.

5. Weird and wonderful places in Dubai: from a giant aquarium to military collections

If you like the vibe of “this is a bit weird, but I have to see it,” Dubai won’t disappoint. You’ll find unusual places both in the city center and on the outskirts.

The Dubai Mall and its giant aquarium

Inside one of the biggest shopping malls in the world, you’ll find more than stores:

• a massive aquarium with sharks and rays,

• an underwater tunnel where you walk right next to the animals,

• an ice rink, waterfalls, and other Dubai attractions under one roof.

It’s a perfect example of how Dubai combines shopping, entertainment, and a “wow effect” in the same place.

Museums most people skip

Beyond the Museum of the Future, it’s worth looking for smaller places that can surprise you even more:

• Dubai Museum in the Al Fahidi Fort — with old weapons collections, historical memorabilia, and stories of the region,

• niche galleries in Al Fahidi, where contemporary art meets traditional architecture.

These are classic “weird Dubai” spots — rarely mentioned in travel brochures, but perfect for a calm afternoon.

6. What else surprises tourists in Dubai?

Let’s sum up some of the most surprising parts of everyday Dubai:

• Safety — high monitoring and control, plus the “rewards for honesty” idea, make many visitors feel unusually calm here.

• The speed of development — new districts, new towers, new mega-projects (like Palm Jebel Ali and more luxury hotels) keep appearing.

• Diversity — residents from all over the world mean you can eat Indian, Arabic, and Filipino food on the same street in one day.

• How organised tourism is — from transport, to tours, to how attractions are arranged across the city.

If you want to put it all together, start with our Dubai guide, then choose Dubai accommodation (for example in Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, or near Dubai Creek in the old city), and finally pick the Dubai attractions you actually care about.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How can Dubai surprise tourists?

Mostly with contrast. On one side you have the world’s tallest building, luxury hotels, and the spectacular Downtown Dubai skyline. On the other, quiet streets of Old Dubai, traditional souks by Dubai Creek, desert landscapes, and modern solutions like self-driving taxis. Add to that a “rewards for honesty” approach and a very high level of safety.

2. What are some unusual attractions in Dubai?

Unusual Dubai attractions include a ride in a self-driving taxi, a sunset cruise on the water canal, niche museums with old weapons collections, visits to nature reserves with wildlife, or day passes to rooftop pools with panoramic city views.

3. Are there places in Dubai beyond the popular tourist hotspots?

Yes — plenty. Beyond the main attractions like Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and the Museum of the Future, it’s worth visiting small galleries in Al Fahidi, local beaches, smaller beach clubs outside the center, and residential neighbourhoods where daily life happens. That’s where you’ll find Dubai’s hidden gems and feel the city is more than postcard views.

4. What should you do in Dubai to experience something truly unique?

Mix the classics with something less obvious:

• spend one day in Downtown Dubai (Burj Khalifa + Dubai Mall),

• another in Old Dubai (Al Fahidi + an abra ride on Dubai Creek),

• a third on a desert trip with falconry or a mountain escape,

• and a fourth on a desert safari or a yacht cruise.

With this kind of mix, you’ll experience both the main attractions and Dubai’s hidden gems — and the city will genuinely surprise you, not just with its skyscraper height.