Since summers are yet to begin, March has pleasant weather and makes a great time to visit Dubai. Dubai has numerous attractions that you must hit and even with a week’s time, covering the entire city can be very hectic. The city is a beautiful blend of the old and the new, with high rise buildings adorning the skyline and the stoned colored houses with Barjeels in the older part of the city.
Flying to Dubai in March for a vacation or are there for a layover? Here are our top things to do in March in Dubai for you!
- Sikka Art Festival
Dubai has a thriving art scene which is all because of the passion and support of the city’s residents and the government. Sikka Art Festival is one of the many festivals during the Art Season in Dubai. Sikka Art Festival is an initiative by Dubai Culture and part of the multiple events during the Art Season that goes on from March 1 to April 30. The other festivals are Art Dubai, Emirati Lit Festival, Dubai Canvas, etc. The festival is proud to encourage local emerging talents and focuses on the work of artists based in the UAE and GCC regions. It is a combination of visual arts, performing arts, music, and film.
The word Sikka means alleyways of Bastakiya. The place, Bastakiya is one of the oldest heritage sites in the city. Now known as the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, this area dates to the early 1900s.
If you plan on visiting by the metro, you can get down on the Al Fahidi metro station on the green line. Take Exit 3 and walk straight for about 10 mins. You will reach Bastakiya, the venue for the Sikka Art Festival. If you are new to Dubai, you can read our post on how to get around in Dubai.
If you plan on visiting the fair by car, there is parking available behind Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding.
You can visit the fair on your own or can opt for a private art tour with Dubai By Foot, where we take you around Dubai to show the art displays.
Venue: Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
- Watch a musical at the Dubai Opera
Lea Salonga
Maria Lea Salonga, OL, is a Filipina singer and actress, best known for her roles in musical theatre, for supplying the singing voices of two Disney Princesses, and as a recording artist and television performer.
Gipsy Kings by Andre Reyes
Dubai Opera is set to feature The Gipsy Kings with their comeback in Dubai again this year. The Gipsy Kings, led by André Reyes, is a French musical group who are most famous for their catchy songs including “Bamboleo”, “Djobi Djoba” and “A Mi Manera”. You might also be familiar with their Spanish take on “Hotel California”, which you can see them perform on March 8 for AED 195. Tickets can be purchased from the Dubai Opera website.
Know more about Dubai Opera on our Downtown Dubai Architecture tour.
- Dubai World Cup
Dubai is famous for many sporting activities held throughout the year. Horse racing is one of the heritage sports of Dubai. The Dubai World Cup is one of the biggest events on the region’s event calendar. With USD 10 million going to the overall winner, there is no wonder that it is the richest horse race in the world. In this post, we will answer some of the common questions you might have about the Dubai World Cup 2020 and why it is one of the “must go to” events in Dubai.
The Dubai World Cup was created through the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He provided a global platform for the best horses in the world to compete every year. It is the conclusion of the UAE racing season that features nine high-class races. Racing is closed by the US$10m Dubai World Cup.
The event is a star-studded affair. Many international and regional celebrities can be found in the exclusive lounges and private terraces with all eyes on the best-bred horses on the tracks. Dubai World Cup is held at Meydan Racecourse.
If you are coming from Dubai or Abu Dhabi, take the 2nd interchange, Exit 47 from the Sheikh Zayed road. Turn left onto Al Meydan Road and follow the signs to Meydan Racecourse.
If you plan on coming by the metro, you have to get down at Business Bay metro station and take a taxi to Meydan Race Course.
- Spend a day out with the kids
OliOli
Children aged two to 11 are able to have fun while learning at OliOli. They can unlock the power of positive play and let their imagination run free. The experiential play museum in Al Quoz features eight galleries spread across two floors. Kids can have fun while learning at dedicated spaces: Air, Water, Toshi’s Net, Creative Lab, Future Park, Fort Building, Toddler Gallery and Cars & Ramps.
Each gallery offers an immersive sensory experience and has been carefully designed with art and modern equipment, inspired by ideas from leading global educators, development psychologists, artists, and fabricators. In total, the galleries include over 40 interactive things for kids to experience.
Dubai Dolphinarium
Legoland Dubai is a family theme park in Dubai. It opened on 31st October 2016. It is the first Legoland park in the Middle East and was the seventh worldwide. The park is designed for families with children from ages two to 12 years old. The park is divided into six fun zones for kids with unique rides and activities in each zone that the kids can enjoy. Like many other Legoland theme parks, Dubai’s includes a Mini-Land where over 20 million Lego bricks are used to create 15,000 miniature models of different landmarks and structures around the world.
Tickets can be purchased at Legoland entry for 245AED while the residents of UAE enjoy a discounted price of 145AED.
Dubai Garden Glow
Made of recycled luminous fabric materials, Dubai Garden Glow features scale models of UAE landmarks like Burj Khalifa from recycled cups and bottles. Since its opening in 2015, it has drawn millions of visitors each year. With more than 30 glows in the dark installations created by 150 artists, and spread across 40 acres of park, Dubai’s Glow Garden is definitely one of those city spots best appreciated after dark. Some of the highlights include the massive light-up model of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
As the lights are turned on, the park dazzles at night like something out of a fairy tale leaving you marveling in awe. Get into the festive spirit with a host of performances by international artists. Explore up to 10 different zones which include Dinosaur Park, Art Park, Garden Glow, Happiness Street, just to mention a few. You can include access to the Ice Park at an extra cost. Surely, a delightful and educational treat for the entire family!
Dubai Parks and Resorts
Covering a massive 25 million square feet, Dubai Parks and Resorts is UAE’s largest multi-themed leisure and entertainment park. You can either head to Motion gate, featuring some 27 rides, Bollywood Parks for an Indian themed adventure or Legoland.
Tickets:
Bollywood Parks: AED195 (adults and kids) AED170 (residents) free for children under three. Open daily 3pm-11pm.
Legoland: From AED 235 (adults)
Motion Gate: From AED 235 (adults) and AED 165 (residents)
Dubai Aquarium
The Dubai Mall features the world-class Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo featuring thousands of aquatic animals and a 270-degree walkthrough tunnel. The aquarium houses the world’s largest acrylic panel which made it to the Guinness Book of World Records.
There are around 40 displays here housing creatures such as piranha, penguins, crocodiles, lizards, snakes, otters and eels. You can take a ride on a glass-bottom boat to view over 33,000 aquatic animals and you could also go cage diving with sharks!
Tickets to the Dubai Aquarium can be purchased online or at the counter in the mall. The ticket is valid for one entry only. Visitors can stay if they want here. Frequent visitors can purchase a membership card and enjoy exclusive privileges. The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo are open 7 days a week. Opening times are Sunday to Wednesday 10 am to 10 pm, and Thursday to Saturday 10 am until midnight.
Legoland Park
Legoland Dubai is a family theme park in Dubai. It opened on 31st October 2016. It is the first Legoland park in the Middle East and was the seventh worldwide. The park is designed for families with children from ages two to 12 years old. The park is divided into six fun zones for kids with unique rides and activities in each zone that the kids can enjoy. Like many other Legoland theme parks, Dubai's includes a Mini-Land where over 20 million Lego bricks are used to create 15,000 miniature models of different landmarks and structures around the world.
Tickets can be purchased at Legoland entry for 245AED while the residents of UAE enjoy a discounted price of 145AED.
- High Tea at the Burj Al Arab
Burj Al Arab is one of the top iconic hotels in the world. You can truly experience living like a royal if you book a stay in the Burj Al Arab. The hotel was opened in 1999 and has a distinctive sail-shaped silhouette. The hotel marks Dubai as a luxury tourism destination.
It is built on a man-made island and rises 321 meters above the sea level, offering great views of the sea. Gold interiors, lavish restaurants, great afternoon high teas, and its own helipad- that has hosted Roger Federer and Tiger Woods!
You can also check our blog on High Teas at Burj Al Arab for more details!
- Shop at the Gold Souk and Spice Souk in Old Dubai
A trip to Dubai isn't complete without a trip to the famous Gold Souk, one of the oldest and most fascinating traditional markets in the emirate. Whether you’re just browsing or genuinely on the hunt for even the slightest amount of precious gold, walk through the glittering Gold Souk and you’ll find the biggest selection of gold jewelry and gemstones crafted in a variety of carats. Long lines of market stalls showcase a gleaming myriad of authentic and eye-catching products – you never know when you’ll spot something just for you or a loved one. All merchandise is carefully regulated by the Dubai government to ensure the authenticity of its quality. You can be sure your purchases will be genuine. In addition to gold, careful inspection of the wares on offer may see you uncover diamond-encrusted ornaments, strings of pearls, platinum and silver. Retailers are more than up to the match with haggling. But be fair with your price – there are lots of bargains to find. Savory spices, fresh fragrances, glittering gold, and silken shawls. Old Dubai boasts a cluster of traditional marketplaces (souks) with a variety of wares on offer.
Our Old Dubai and Souk Tour is our signature tour and the best way to visit this part of the city.
- Take a Full Day Dubai City Tour
Dubai has emerged as a thriving metropolitan city that has become the most popular tourist destination in the Middle East. The megacity has earned the title of being the land of superlatives because of its affinity to have the best of everything. From infrastructure to lifestyle, every day, the capital city of Emirate of Dubai sets a new example of excellence for the world.
Dubai’s humble beginning as a fishing village keeps the city grounded and stands in sharp contrast with the level of advancement it has achieved. The best way to experience what the city has to offer is to go to a Dubai city tour.
Who doesn’t love skyscrapers, high rise buildings, and culture together? Our city tour is a blend of all, and we make sure to let you have the experience of both sides of Dubai. One moment you could be among the clouds as you zip through Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, and the next you could be sailing through the bustling waterways of Dubai in a traditional Abra ride. There are the flourishing spice and gold souks that you must visit to get a glimpse of the city’s past.
With so much to see and do, you can make the most of your time in Dubai by booking yourself a place on a Dubai City Tour. Whet-Your-Appetite City Tour lasts for approximately 5-6 hours. The tour starts with an engaging walk through the old historic neighborhood. Old Dubai is the center of local trade in Dubai hence there will be plenty of shopping opportunities in the traditional souks. We then proceed for a fun Abra ride across the Dubai Creek and a lunch break with local Emirati Food.
We then head to the modern developments in Dubai, driving through the coastline, the beaches, the fancy hotels, the Marinas to the Palm Islands. The tour concludes at the Dubai Mall – the hub for many fun-filled evening activities. There is also time planned for shopping or a visit to the Burj Khalifa.
At the end of the day, you will have so much insight into the city that therefore you will feel like you own this town!
When: Every day at 10 am (Timings can be flexible)
- Visit the Museums
Museum of Illusions
Museum of Illusions in Al Seef houses 80 exhibits of all shapes and sizes. The museum promises to tantalize visitors in a unique visual and sensory experience - and provide heaps of fun, of course. Unlike other museums, you are encouraged to interact with the exhibits, and take as many photos as you like.
Tickets cost AED 80 for adults and AED 225 for a family of four people.
Perfume Museum
One of the first museums to open in the Al Shindagha neighborhood is the Perfume House, paying homage to the history of all scented things in UAE. Perfume House is built within the former house of an avid Perfumer, Sheikha bint Saeed bin Maktoum. Many of the items inside were part of her personal collection. This includes her perfume application and a 28kg piece of oud she had in her house and which she donated to the museum just a few weeks before she died in 2017, as well as other artifacts from other notable Emiratis, and those sourced from sites such as Saruq Al Hadid, an archaeological site in Dubai.
Dubai Museum
The Al Fahidi Fort, now known as the Dubai Museum was renovated during the reign of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. It was opened in 1971 to be an official museum that displays the history of Dubai and its original heritage. In 1995, another underground museum was established and added to the old fort.
The underground museum displays the pearl diving section and tells the importance of the pearl diving industry in the history and formation of Dubai. In the center of Fahidi Fort lies a spacious yard that is used for displaying models of local boats and bamboo houses with their traditional furniture.
Museum ticket only costs AED 3 per person and is a must-visit site when you are in Dubai. You can visit the Dubai Museum on our Old Dubai & Souk Heritage tour as well, where our guide will give you detailed information about everything.
Coffee Museum
We all love coffee, don’t we? This is a one of a kind Museum (free of cost!) in Bastakiya, the oldest neighborhood in Dubai. Coffee Museum is open daily from 9 am except on Fridays. You can see the various displays of coffee equipment and learn about the coffee traditions in UAE and the importance of coffee in this region.
You can also taste some authentic coffee in the region for just AED 5. There's a museum shop too where you can buy a range of products - be it barista equipment or recipe books.
Coffee Museum is loved by all our guests on our Old Dubai & Souk Heritage tour.
Pearl Museum
Before the discovery of oil, pearls were the biggest cash crop in the Gulf, whose warm, shallow waters produced some of the world’s finest. You can see many of these exquisite natural wonders on display at the Emirates NBD Pearl Museum.
In addition to examples of magnificent jewelry, the museum also celebrates the lives of the divers and sailors by displaying the instruments and tools they used to harvest and ship the precious cargo.
Please note, you can only visit the Pearl Museum by prearranging with Emirates NBD beforehand. They prefer 8-10 people to visit at a time, with an upper limit of about 20 people in a larger group.
Women’s Museum
The Women’s Museum is a national archive and documentation center. It is dedicated to exploring the different facets of the lives of Emirati women – professional and personal, past and present. It includes artwork by various female Emirati artists, photographs showing the contributions of Emirati women. Examples of their Emirati jewelry and dresses and an exploration of how past and current rulers have affected the role of women in the UAE.
Dr. Rania Obaid Ghubash founded the Women’s Museum. Ticket costs AED 20 per person and the museum is open Saturday through Thursday from 10 am to 7 pm.
- Visit the Burj Khalifa- At the Top and watch the Dubai Fountain
Opened in January 2010 to visitors, the Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest and most marvelous building ever made! Each time you see the building dominating the skyline of Dubai, you go in awe of it. If offers breathtaking views of the city from the top. Visitors are allowed to go on the Top, 124th floor (452m) and 148th floor (555m), and to go to the top, you walk past several multi-media exhibits and the double-decker lift takes you up in not more than 10m per second. As you are back on your way after enjoying the view, there is an open souvenir shop, do not forget to buy a keepsake. The place is a paradise for avid photographers. Today it is one of the most popular attractions in Dubai.
Tickets to the Burj Khalifa can be bought online on their website or at the entrance of the Burj Khalifa or inside the Dubai Mall (near the Dubai Aquarium).
Tickets: AED 149 (For 124th/125th floor) and AED 378 for At the Top (148th floor)
A captivating water, music and light spectacle in Downtown Dubai, The Dubai Fountain is the world’s tallest performing fountain. At over 900 ft in length – equivalent to over two football pitches – The Dubai Fountain is situated on the 30-acre Burj Lake and performs to a selection of different melodies. The fountain performs to a range of different songs from classical to contemporary Arabic and world music. Some popular tracks include Michael Jackson's Thriller, Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman's Time to Say Goodbye, and most recently Power by Korean pop band EXO.
Shows start at 6:30 pm onwards every day till 11 pm. There are two shows in the afternoon as well at 1 pm and 1:30 pm. You can also pay for a boat and view the fountain dancing from a very near distance.
Visiting the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain should definitely be in your list of top things to do in March in Dubai!
