Things to do in Dubai

Embark on a desert adventure

You can’t visit Dubai and not visit the desert, and there are a range of operators who will happily whisk you out of the city for camel rides and sandboard skids down the dunes. They’ll even chuck in a barbecue under the stars. Arabian Adventures (+971 4 303 4888; www.arabian-adventures.com) is one of the best-known operators.

Kickstart your senses at the spice souk

The tiny winding stone streets of the spice souk are one of Dubai’s most immersive experiences, and a must for kitchen fiends and novices alike. Located in Deira, close to the Deira Old Souk Abra Station, it’s also just down the road from the Gold Souk, so don’t forget your wallet.

Fire up the rubber

Dubai Autodrome (+ 971 (04) 367 8700; www.dubaiautodrome.com) on the outskirts of town is a comprehensive facility, featuring a 1.2km (0.5 miles) outdoor track and 620m (2,034ft) of indoor track, thus offering everything for seven-year-olds upwards. Happy revving.

Pukka up for a chukka

There’s a conception that polo is a game for the moneyed hordes who’ve never seen hide nor hair of shovel… and they’re probably right. That doesn’t mean you can’t give it a go at the Dubai Polo Academy (tel: +971 4 3618111; www.poloclubdubai.com/en/polo).

Hit the greens on the world’s most beautiful courses.

You don’t have to be Jordan Spieth to appreciate Dubai’s immaculate greens and fairways. The annual Race to Dubai is held at one of the city’s newer courses, the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates (tel: +971 4 818 2000; www.jumeirahgolfestates.com), while other courses include the nearby Els Club (tel: +971 4 425 1000; www.elsclubdubai.com). The Emirates Golf Club (tel: +971 4 380 1919; www.dubaigolf.com) hosts the Dubai Desert Classic each year.

Visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing. You should verify critical travel information independently with the relevant embassy before you travel.