Depending on their duration, flight layovers or delays can be quite tiresome, especially if you don’t have anything fun to do and are just sitting around at the airport, waiting to get to your dream destination.
Airports are some of the busiest and most chaotic places to stick around, especially airports like Dubai International Airport.
After all, time is priceless and there are effective ways to make it worthwhile by embarking on new adventures, instead of just staring at the clock and counting down the minutes until your flight.
That’s why we have rounded up a list of the 7 most adventurous things to do near Dubai Airport, during a layover or flight delay.
The area around Dubai Airport is full of treasure troves, so rest assured the options will entertain you.
Without further ado, let’s dive into it!
There is no shortage of adventurous things a traveler can do near Dubai Airport during a layover since the opportunities are endless in this majestic city in the United Arab Emirates.
Below, we present you with our list starting with no other than exploring the Burj Khalifa.
1) Explore the Burj Khalifa
Standing 828m high, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world.
This imposing skyscraper is located in the heart of Dubai and is one of Dubai’s must-visit attractions.
The Burj Khalifa has an observation deck on the 124th and 125th floors, so grab the opportunity and be captivated by breathtaking views of Dubai’s skyline, especially during sunset.
Admission: To visit the Burj Khalifa, you can book tickets for different experiences based on the levels you want to access.
Operating hours: Burj Khalifa is open throughout the year, 24/7.
Address: Burj Khalifa, 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Proximity to Dubai Airport: 13 miles from Dubai Airport
2) Spend a Few Hours at the Dubai Mall
Adjacent to the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall is one of the largest shopping malls in the world.
This unique shopping mall features over 1,200 retail stores and hundreds of food and beverage outlets.
The Dubai Mall has something for everyone and promises memorable experiences to its little visitors who can explore the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo and a massive cinema complex, making it a great family vacation idea.
Opening times: Daily from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Address: Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Proximity to Dubai Airport: 14 miles from Dubai Airport
3) Take Instagrammable Photos at Dubai Frame
Standing at 150 meters, Dubai Frame is an impressive observatory, museum, and monument located in Zabeel Park in Dubai.
It holds the record for being the largest frame in the world, providing a spectacular view of the city’s famous skyline, and enticing its visitors to experience the views of Old and New Dubai.
Ascending the top of Dubai Frame you can enjoy panoramic views of the city, including old Dubai areas such as Deira, Umm Hurair, and Karama (to the north) and modern Dubai with landmarks like Burj Khalifa and Emirates Towers (to the south).
General Admission:
- For people older than 13 years old: €13.22
- For children 2-12 years old: €7.58
Address: Dubai Frame, Zabeel Park Jogging Track – Za’abeel – Al Kifaf – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Proximity to Dubai Airport: 11 miles from Dubai Airport
4) Have a Picnic at Zabeel Park
Having a picnic at Zabeel Park is a delightful way to enjoy the outdoors in Dubai and take in unique views.
Zabeel Park is one of Dubai’s largest parks, spanning 47.5 hectares (about 45 football fields!), and offers ample green space for relaxation and multiple playgrounds with slides, swings, and climbing structures for kids.
Besides throwing a picnic in this picturesque place, you can enjoy a 2.5 km jogging track along the park perimeter, relax by the water, and take Instagrammable photos at Dubai Frame which is also located within the park and we will explore in more detail below.
Address: Zabeel Park، Zabeel Area, Near Al Jafiliya Metro Station – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Proximity to Dubai Airport: 11 miles from Dubai Airport
Without a doubt, exploring Zabeel Park is a must-do on your trip to Dubai, and one of the most convenient experiences since it’s close to Dubai Airport.
But, dragging your luggage through this beautiful park can quickly dampen the experience.
This is where Stasher comes in, offering a convenient, secure, and affordable luggage storage solution.
While we’ll elaborate on our services later, Stasher provides a comprehensive network of secure luggage storage locations near Dubai Airport.
Also, it is super easy to use and store your bags and you can book a location either through our platform or app (Android or iOS) in under 2 minutes!
Go ahead and give it a go yourself in the interactive demo below.
Let’s move on to the next adventure on our list.
5) Live a Futuristic Experience at the Museum of the Future
The Museum of the Future in Dubai first opened its gates to the public in 2022 and is an architectural marvel, with an elliptical shape adorned with Arabic calligraphy.
It is a captivating and innovative landmark where you can explore how the future of society, science, and technology might look 50 years from today.
Visiting this museum is one of the most adventurous and immersive experiences Dubai has to offer you during your layover, and you should not miss out on it.
General Admission:
- Adults: € 37.50
- Children (under 4 years): Free
Opening hours: Daily from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Address: Museum of The Future, 67CP+H4Q – Sheikh Zayed Road – Trade Centre – Trade Centre 2 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Proximity to Dubai Airport: 16 miles from Dubai Airport
6) Visit Jumeirah Beach
Jumeirah Beach is one of Dubai’s most famous and popular beaches, offering stunning views, pristine sands, and a variety of activities.
It stretches for about 5 kilometers along the coast of the Persian Gulf and you can release your adventurous spirit by swimming in its crystal clear waters or trying out watersports such as jet skiing, paddle boarding, and kite surfing.
One thing is for sure, Jumeirah Beach has something for everyone.
Address: Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Proximity to Dubai Airport: 20 miles from Dubai Airport
7) Live a Culinary Experience at Jumeirah Burj Al Arab
Jumeirah Burj Al Arab is considered Dubai’s most iconic hotel, symbolizing the epitome of Arabian luxury.
Known for its distinctive sail-shaped structure and perched on its own island, it features numerous suites, restaurants, spas, and a beach club, Sal.
If you cannot wait to live a lavish culinary experience during your layover or flight delay, then this majestic place is for you; from Michelin-starred Al Muntaha to captivating cuisine overlooking the Arabian Gulf, culinary delights await.
Address: Burj Al Arab – Umm Suqeim 3 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Proximity to Dubai Airport: 25 miles from Dubai Airport
Now that we covered some adventurous things to do near Dubai Airport, let’s see how easy it is to get around Dubai Airport.
Getting Around Dubai Airport
Getting around Dubai International Airport (DXB) is generally straightforward due to the airport’s clear signs and various transportation options.
Travelers can easily leave the airport and go back to it, through transport means such as metro, bus, car, and taxi.
Dubai International Airport is a major hub with three terminals (1, 2, 3) connected by shuttles, making it easy to transfer between them if needed.
The Dubai Metro’s Red Line has stations at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.
Also, taxis are readily available outside all terminals.
If the above options don’t suit your needs, then you can opt to rent a car. Several car rental companies operate from the airport, with desks located in the arrivals areas of Terminals 1 and 3.
How to Store Your Luggage Near Dubai Airport
As we previously mentioned, dragging your luggage around while immersing yourself in unique adventures in Dubai, is not a piece of cake.
That’s where Stasher is stepping in!
At Stasher, we’ve partnered with hotels, cafes, and local shops, in over 890 cities worldwide to cater to the needs of every traveler, looking to store their luggage for a few hours or days safely.
Let’s walk you through the simple step-by-step process of how to store your bags near Dubai Airport with the help of Stasher.
After selecting Dubai Airport, you need to choose the date or dates and the amount of bags that you’ll carry with you.
Next, all you have to do is press the search button and a map will be presented to you along with the available nearby hotels, Airbnbs, shops, etc.
Moving on, you can choose the desired place to store your bags (we call them “Stashpoints”) and then press the “book” button.
Up next, it’s time for your checkout; move forward with your payment and you are ready to go!
Based on the above facts, if you feel that Stasher is the best fit for you, you can head over to our homepage or download our app for Android or iOS, and store your luggage anywhere with Stasher!
