dubai tours viator

THE 10 BEST Dubai Tours & Excursions

Dubai tours.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Skip-the-Line Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Dubai Red Dunes ATV, Camels, Stargazing & 5* BBQ Al Khayma Camp

2. Dubai To Abu Dhabi: Grand Mosque, Royal Palace & Etihad Towers

3. Dubai Desert Safari Dune Bashing, 60min ATV Quad, Camel Ride, BBQ

4. Abu Dhabi Private City Tour

5. Dubai Marina Yacht Tour with Breakfast or BBQ

6. Private Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner & Sand Boarding

7. Dubai Full Day Tour with Entry Ticket to Burj Khalifa at the Top

8. Dubai Harbour Super Yacht Experience with Live station & Drinks

9. Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari, Camels, Sandboarding & BBQ Options

10. Exclusive Evening Desert Safari with Gourmet Dinner

11. Dubai Aladdin Tour: Souks, Creek, Old Dubai and Tastings

12. The Burj Khalifa At The Top Observation Deck Admission Ticket

13. Skip the Line Burj Khalifa Ticket - At the Top Sky 124, 125 & 148

14. Dubai: Premium Red Dunes, Camel Ride & 5* BBQ at Al Khayma Camp

15. Private Morning Desert Safari Dubai with Dune Bashing & Sandboard

16. From Dubai Visit to Yas Island Themes Parks With Entry Passes

17. Atlantis Aquaventure Ticket (with options for Aquarium), Dubai

18. Full Day Musandam Cruise with Lunch from Dubai

19. Abu Dhabi Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Dubai with Mosque Visit

20. Private Abu Dhabi City Tour with Pick up from Dubai or Abu Dhabi

21. Dubai Arabian Desert Adventure, BBQ Dinner & Optional ATV

22. Dubai Helicopter Experience with Sightseeing Options

23. Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner, Quad Bike & Camel Ride from Dubai

24. Dubai Luxury Canal Dinner Cruise with Optional Transfer

25. Dubai Heritage Land Rover Desert Safari with Traditional Dinner

26. Dubai Jetski: Burj Al Arab, Atlantis the Royal, Atlantis & Palm

27. Dubai Red Dune Safari with Quad Bike, Sandboard & Camel Ride

28. 90 Minutes Speedboat Tour, Marina, Atlantis, Palm & Burj Al Arab

29. Dubai Old and Modern City Tour with Blue Mosque Visit

30. Half Day Dubai City Sightseeing Tour with Pick up

What travelers are saying.

• Rob H 2 contributions 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fantastic day out Dune bashing, sandboarding and camel ride. Family of five with 3 teens. Highly recommended day out, we were collected from our hotel on the Palm a little earlier to make sure we avoided the afternoon heat which was a great touch. Iftikhar was a brilliant guide and made sure everyone was comfortable and enjoyed the day, even sick bags just in case for the Dune Bashing! Great day out, recommend to any family as a great experience. Read more Review of: Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandboarding & BBQ Options Written May 30, 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

9 Absolute Best Dubai Tours & Excursions (2024)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: March 6, 2024

When we first visited Dubai, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. It turned out to be a beautiful trip with plenty of variation to keep the whole family happy and entertained for 10 days.

Dubai has so much to offer for all types of tourists that it might be overwhelming to know what to see and do first, and especially if you are short on time. So in this post, we are highlighting the very best Dubai tours and guided day trips to help you get the most out of your stay in Dubai.

No matter if you are visiting Dubai for a week or just making a short stopover in Dubai , consider booking at least a few of these tours. It’s the best way to see multiple facets of this extremely diverse city.

This is just a small hand-picked selection of the most popular Dubai tours and activities based on our personal experience, customer reviews, and price/quality ratio. Out of thousands of available tours in Dubai, we chose the very best ones. It should help you to save time and research and get the most out of your time in this fascinating city. Take a look!

Best tours in Dubai:

• Burj Khalifa
• Dubai desert tours
• Water parks
• Dubai city tours
• Dubai Marina dinner cruises
• Sightseeing boat tours
• Camel rides
• Abu-Dhabi day trip from Dubai
• Other more unique activities in Dubai

Good to know: We recommend GetYourGuide for booking all your guided tours in Dubai because they have excellent customer service and the best cancelation policy on the market (better than anything you get if booking through other websites or directly).

In addition, I noticed on our recent trip that by booking via GetYourGuide and choosing to pay in our currency, we saved a lot of money on exchange rates.

These are the best tours in Dubai:

1. Burj Khalifa

If you visit just one place in Dubai, make it Burj Khalifa . This huge tower rising high in the middle of the desert symbolizes all that Dubai has become in such a short time. There are several options for Burj Khalifa tickets, but it’s a very popular attraction so make sure to book in advance.

• Burj Khalifa Tickets: Level 124 & 125 This is the most popular option when it comes to visiting Burj Khalifa – the entrance tickets to the 124th and 125th floors. Prices vary depending on the time of the day you visit (the hour around sunset is the most expensive as it allows you to see Dubai from above in daylight as well as in the dark). We opted for the later tour and night views and loved this experience!
• Burj Khalifa Tickets and Tour: Level 124, 125, and 148 . What makes this tour different from the first one is that you get to skip the lines, avoid the crowds and visit the 148th floor of the Burj Khalifa which includes access to the outdoor terrace of the world’s highest observation deck.

In addition, you also have all kinds of combination tickets that can save you some money and time. Here are some of the best-rated Burj Khalifa combo tours :

• Dubai City Tour with Burj Khalifa Experience .
• Night City Tour with Burj Khalifa Tickets .
• Burj Khalifa Ticket with 1-Way Transfer from Your Hotel . The one-way transfer gives you the flexibility to stay and explore the Dubai Mall area longer after visiting Burj Khalifa. Afterward, you can easily take a metro or a taxi to get back – here you can read more about Dubai public transport .

TIP: Just next to Burj Khalifa are the famous dancing fountains of Dubai . A popular way to see the music and light fountain show is from the water, by taking a traditional boat tour on the lake . We did this on a recent trip to Dubai and the whole family really enjoyed it.

2. Dubai Desert Tours

No visit to Dubai would be complete without a visit to the desert. Dune bashing in a 4WD is one of the most fun experiences you can have in Dubai, but there are so many ways to experience the desert…

From luxury private experiences to more touristy trips including camel rides, BBQ dinner under the stars, or a traditional dance performance… desert tours are a good way to experience a different side of Dubai.

Here are some of the most popular and best-rated Dubai desert tours, including the best Dubai desert safari deals:

• Dubai Red Dunes Premium Safari . This is by far the most popular of Dubai desert safari tours. It’s really catered for mass tourism, but when in Dubai, you have to experience all of this… We all loved the thrilling 4WD drive and the kids truly enjoyed the short camel ride, sandboarding, BBQ dinner, traditional Tanoura and belly dance shows, and all the other activities that came with this tour. There are many companies organizing a very similar tour in Dubai. The tour linked above has the very best customer reviews on all the major websites.
• Desert Adventure Safari, Quad Bike, Camel Ride & more . This is a more adventurous Dubai tour that includes all kinds of fun outdoor activities in the desert.
• Dubai Morning Safari: Red Dunes, Sandboarding & Camel Ride or Quad . This is a shorter version of the above tour (and organized by the same highly-rated tour company). It gives you the best experience of the desert (driving in the dunes) without all the other more tourist-oriented activities that you get in the evening. So if your main interest is to experience the Dubai desert, this might be a great option.
• Dubai Sunrise Balloon Flight with Breakfast & Falcon Photo . This tour offers a more luxurious and truly unique way to experience the Dubai desert. If your budget allows it, I wouldn’t hesitate!

3. Dubai Water Parks

Dubai has two major water parks – the Aquaventure at Atlantis The Palm and Wild Wadi near Burj Al Arab and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel.

The price of the two parks is about the same and I really cannot say which one is better. We visited Aquaventure and loved it. If our kids had been taller, we would have definitely tried both parks (many water slides have 120 cm (a bit less than 4ft) height limit, but there are still really nice water play areas for the younger kids too).

Whatever you decide, make sure to book your tickets in advance as they are much cheaper online than at the entrance of the park.

• Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark .
• Wild Wadi Waterpark .

TIP: It’s worth noting that the entrance to Aquaventure is included for all hotel guests of Atlantis The Palm. If your family really likes waterparks it might be worthwhile looking into booking this hotel. In a less busy season and for families with up to 2 kids this might be a great option. Unfortunately, recently, they really hiked up the prices of the hotel. In any case, it’s worth checking the availability and prices for Atlantis The Palm if you haven’t booked a hotel yet.

TIP: Consider checking the prices for a family stay at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel as well. Guests of this hotel enjoy complimentary access to Wild Wadi Waterpark. The same is true for the guests of Burj Al Arab Hotel , however, this luxury hotel is in a totally different price category…

READ ALSO: Tips & Tricks for Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark

4. Dubai City Sightseeing Tours

While you can see most of Dubai’s attractions individually, taking a city tour is a nice way to see all the main sights in a short time. We did a city tour one day at the beginning of our trip and it gave us a good overview of the city and the places that were potentially worth going back and exploring more.

There are several options for Dubai city tours, ranging from hop-on hop-off busses, guided city tours, and private tours… Some tours focus on the modern city, while some others bring you to the old town, or offer a combination of both…

Old Dubai is so very different than the modern parts most of the tourists visit. If you want to get a taste of more traditional Dubai, the way it was just a few decennia ago, don’t miss it!

Here are some of the best Dubai city tours:

• Old Dubai Culture, History, Souks & Street Food Walking Tour . This is one of the best tours of the historic Dubai. We recently did it and I can say that their itinerary and food choices were great.
• Half-Day Blue Mosque, Creeks & Souks Tour . This tour offers the quickest way to see some of the highlights you’d probably miss otherwise.
• Magical Dubai 8-Hour Tour with Burj Khalifa Experience. Similar tour to the previous one, but it’s longer and also includes tickets to Burj Khalifa and Dubai Aquarium.
• Dubai: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour (1 to 7 Days) . This is a good way to see Dubai at your own pace.

5. Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise

Dubai Marina area is one of our favorites in the city. There are several ways to explore it: on foot, by bicycle, by water bus, or by boat.

The most popular option is the Dubai Marina cruise with dinner .

There are many companies running these tours. And yes, they are oriented toward tourists, but it’s a really nice experience. If you choose well, it may not cost that much more than just a regular dinner at the restaurant (check this post for more information about how much everything costs in Dubai ).

Here are some of the best-rated Dubai Marina tours:

• Dubai Marina Sightseeing Cruise – the most popular option for sightseeing.
• Luxury Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise – the most popular option for dinner.
• Alexandra Dhow Cruise in Dubai Marina is one of the best options we found when looking for a more local experience when we visited. The boat is a traditional Arabic wooden dhow and you get to see a live traditional Tanura dance performance as well. Once again, it’s tailored for tourists, but so is everything in Dubai.

We took this dinner cruise and really enjoyed it. There are many companies offering dhow dinner cruises, but most have really poor ratings. We chose this dinner cruise because of the good reviews and excellent price/quality ratio. It’s also one of the best options for families – kids under 6 travel free, and kids under 12 get a discount.

You can find similar dinner cruises on Dubai Creek as well. But we found that the Dubai Marina area is a much nicer and more spectacular place to be in the evening.

6. Dubai Sightseeing Boat Tours

Many sights of Dubai are best admired from the water. The best way to see the iconic sights like the Burj Al Arab, Atlantis Hotel, and the Palm Jumeirah, is by taking a boat.

Here are some of the best sightseeing boat tours in Dubai:

• Speedboat Tour: Marina, Atlantis, Palm & Burj Al Arab . This is the best-rated speedboat tours in Dubai. It’s a great way to see many landmarks in a short time.
• Dubai Private Sightseeing Tour by Luxury Boat . A highly-rated private luxury boat tour. Depending on the number of people in your group, this luxury option may not be much more expensive than a regular boat tour. Worth taking a look!
• Self-Drive Boat Trip . If you rather combine the thrills of riding your own speedboat and sightseeing, this is a great option for you. And don’t worry about not knowing where to go or how to steer the boat, a guide escorts you all the way.

7. Camel Ride Tours

The above desert tours only include a very short ride on the camel. If you are looking for a longer camel ride in Dubai desert, consider one of these highly-rated options.

However, be sure to check what’s included because longer camel tours are getting replaced by shorter rides.

• Desert Safari with Camel Ride .
• Sunset Camel Trek in the Desert . We opted for this tour on our most recent trip to Dubai and it was great and very well organized. The camel ride itself was long enough to enjoy it without getting too repetitive.

8. Abu-Dhabi Day Trip from Dubai

With a driving distance of just an hour and a half, Abu-Dhabi is a very popular day trip from Dubai. Here are the best-rated and the most popular options:

• Abu Dhabi Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Dubai . This is the most popular/best-rated day tour to Abu-Dhabi.
• Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Mosque Half-Day Tour from Dubai . Great for those who want to see the main landmarks in just a few hours.
• Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi & Grand Mosque Day Trip from Dubai . If you want to visit the Abu-Dhabi Louvre Museum, this tour is the best option.
• Abu-Dhabi Highlights & Ferrari World . Combine a visit to the city with the Ferrari World theme park.

READ ALSO: Abu Dhabi Tour from Dubai (best tours + review of the tour we chose)

9. Other Great Activities in Dubai

Dubai is a truly unique place with so much going on in the city. The tours I listed above are very popular and really worth doing in order to see the best of Dubai. But if you have more time (and money) and are looking for something more extraordinary and unique , then take a look at some of these great activities in Dubai.

• Scenic Helicopter Flight .
• Hot Air Balloon Rides .
• Zip Line across the Marina .
• Parasailing .

So, these are the most popular types of tours and excursions that you can do in Dubai.

It’s really difficult to say which activity was our favorite as they are all so different. As a minimum, I recommend visiting the Burj Khalifa, taking a city tour that brings you to Old Dubai, taking a day trip to the Dubai desert, and at least one water park.

Have you been to Dubai? What were your favorite tours?

READ ALSO: Dubai Travel Tips

More tips for your trip to Dubai:

• Costs: How Expensive is Dubai
• Clothing: What to Wear in Dubai
• How to plan a trip: Dubai Itinerary for up to 1 Week
• Fun facts: Interesting Facts About Dubai
• Getting around: Dubai Public Transport
• Things to do: Free & Cheap Things to Do in Dubai
• With kids: Things to Do in Dubai for the Whole Family
• Where we stayed: Review of DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Beach Hotel

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Mike Sagalovich

Monday 22nd of January 2024

Thank you for the great information! We are staying 3 days in Dubai and 3 days in Abu Dhabi. Do you have specific recommendation for Abu Dhabi? Thank you!

Hi Mike, in Abu Dhabi, a few things are must-see: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Royal Palace, and Louvre Abu Dhabi. If visiting with kids, don't miss Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld (there are other parks as well - see Yas Island ticket options). Just like in Dubai, there are also lots of great tours that visit several of the main highlights in a day, plus desert tours, etc. You can find the best selection here. Hope this helps. Have a great trip!

Kathye Jinks

Tuesday 28th of February 2023

Thanks very much for the most informative information. I'm so excited and can't wait to visit Dubai. You have given me so many choices.

Wednesday 1st of March 2023

Glad to help, Kathye. Have a great time in Dubai!

Friday 4th of March 2022

WOW Thank you so much for the information Really interested in all these tours, How do I go about it on getting a guide to make our reservations?

Monday 7th of March 2022

The links to the tours are literally in the post, Gladys. It's really easy and simple to make your own reservations.

Monday 9th of December 2019

Hi!! Im going to Dubai next February 2020 just for five days? Do you recommend to buy tours in advance or can get them in Dubai cheaper?

Thank you for you advice

Tuesday 10th of December 2019

Hi Monica, my experience is that booking tours in advance you always get a better deal. First - you can compare reviews and prices and also tour itineraries and pick one that's best for you. Whereas in the hotel, they often will try to sell you tours where they get the highest commission, not necessarily the best ones. Even once you're at a destination, you can still always book online, and - in most cases - you'll find better deals. Enjoy your trip!

Wednesday 15th of May 2019

I'd like to book a short (4 hour) city tour for my wife and I during a flight layover on 7/12/19

Hi Tom, we are just a travel blog and don't run any tours ourselves. Here is a Dubai layover tour that I think would fit your requirements, just make sure that you indeed have 4-5 hours + time for leaving the airport and getting back. I think that a total layover time of 7-8 hours is about the minimum you need. Hope this helps.

THE 10 BEST Dubai Tours & Excursions

Tours in dubai.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Skip-the-Line Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Dubai Red Dunes ATV, Camels, Stargazing & 5* BBQ Al Khayma Camp

2. Dubai To Abu Dhabi: Grand Mosque, Royal Palace & Etihad Towers

3. Dubai Desert Safari Dune Bashing, 60min ATV Quad, Camel Ride, BBQ

4. Abu Dhabi Private City Tour

5. Dubai Marina Yacht Tour with Breakfast or BBQ

6. Private Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner & Sand Boarding

7. Dubai Full Day Tour with Entry Ticket to Burj Khalifa at the Top

8. Dubai Harbour Super Yacht Experience with Live station & Drinks

9. Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari, Camels, Sandboarding & BBQ Options

10. Dubai Aladdin Tour: Souks, Creek, Old Dubai and Tastings

11. Premium 6 Hours Desert Safari Tour

12. The Burj Khalifa At The Top Observation Deck Admission Ticket

13. Skip the Line Burj Khalifa Ticket - At the Top Sky 124, 125 & 148

14. Dubai: Premium Red Dunes, Camel Ride & 5* BBQ at Al Khayma Camp

15. Private Morning Desert Safari Dubai with Dune Bashing & Sandboard

16. Atlantis Aquaventure Ticket (with options for Aquarium), Dubai

17. Full Day Musandam Cruise with Lunch from Dubai

18. Jet Ski Ride in Dubai

19. Abu Dhabi Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Dubai with Mosque Visit

20. Private Abu Dhabi City Tour with Pick up from Dubai or Abu Dhabi

21. Dubai Arabian Desert Adventure, BBQ Dinner & Optional ATV

22. Dubai Helicopter Experience with Sightseeing Options

23. Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner, Quad Bike & Camel Ride from Dubai

24. Dubai Luxury Canal Dinner Cruise with Optional Transfer

25. Dubai Heritage Land Rover Desert Safari with Traditional Dinner

26. Dubai Jetski: Burj Al Arab, Atlantis the Royal, Atlantis & Palm

27. Dubai Red Dune Safari with Quad Bike, Sandboard & Camel Ride

28. 90 Minutes Speedboat Tour, Marina, Atlantis, Palm & Burj Al Arab

29. Dubai Old and Modern City Tour with Blue Mosque Visit

30. Half Day Dubai City Sightseeing Tour with Pick up

What travellers are saying.

• Rob H 2 contributions 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fantastic day out Dune bashing, sandboarding and camel ride. Family of five with 3 teens. Highly recommended day out, we were collected from our hotel on the Palm a little earlier to make sure we avoided the afternoon heat which was a great touch. Iftikhar was a brilliant guide and made sure everyone was comfortable and enjoyed the day, even sick bags just in case for the Dune Bashing! Great day out, recommend to any family as a great experience. Read more Review of: Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandboarding & BBQ Options Written 30 May 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Top Tours in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai tours.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Skip-the-Line Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Dubai Red Dunes ATV, Camels, Stargazing & 5* BBQ Al Khayma Camp

2. Dubai To Abu Dhabi: Grand Mosque, Royal Palace & Etihad Towers

3. Dubai Desert Safari Dune Bashing, 60min ATV Quad, Camel Ride, BBQ

4. Abu Dhabi Private City Tour

5. Dubai Marina Yacht Tour with Breakfast or BBQ

6. Private Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner & Sand Boarding

7. Dubai Full Day Tour with Entry Ticket to Burj Khalifa at the Top

8. Dubai Harbour Super Yacht Experience with Live station & Drinks

9. Historical Dubai Walking Tour with Local

10. Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari, Camels, Sandboarding & BBQ Options

11. Dubai Aladdin Tour: Souks, Creek, Old Dubai and Tastings

12. The Burj Khalifa At The Top Observation Deck Admission Ticket

13. Skip the Line Burj Khalifa Ticket - At the Top Sky 124, 125 & 148

14. Dubai: Premium Red Dunes, Camel Ride & 5* BBQ at Al Khayma Camp

15. Private Morning Desert Safari Dubai with Dune Bashing & Sandboard

16. Atlantis Aquaventure Ticket (with options for Aquarium), Dubai

17. Full Day Musandam Cruise with Lunch from Dubai

18. Abu Dhabi Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Dubai with Mosque Visit

19. Private Abu Dhabi City Tour with Pick up from Dubai or Abu Dhabi

20. Dubai Arabian Desert Adventure, BBQ Dinner & Optional ATV

21. Dubai Helicopter Experience with Sightseeing Options

22. Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner, Quad Bike & Camel Ride from Dubai

23. Dubai Miracle Garden and Global Village Combo Tickets

24. Dubai Luxury Canal Dinner Cruise with Optional Transfer

25. Dubai Heritage Land Rover Desert Safari with Traditional Dinner

26. Dubai Jetski: Burj Al Arab, Atlantis the Royal, Atlantis & Palm

27. Dubai Red Dune Safari with Quad Bike, Sandboard & Camel Ride

28. 90 Minutes Speedboat Tour, Marina, Atlantis, Palm & Burj Al Arab

29. Dubai Old and Modern City Tour with Blue Mosque Visit

30. Half Day Dubai City Sightseeing Tour with Pick up

What travellers are saying.

• Rob H 2 contributions 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fantastic day out Dune bashing, sandboarding and camel ride. Family of five with 3 teens. Highly recommended day out, we were collected from our hotel on the Palm a little earlier to make sure we avoided the afternoon heat which was a great touch. Iftikhar was a brilliant guide and made sure everyone was comfortable and enjoyed the day, even sick bags just in case for the Dune Bashing! Great day out, recommend to any family as a great experience. Read more Review of: Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandboarding & BBQ Options Written May 30, 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

25+ Dubai Tours & Activities You Can’t Miss [2024]

By: Author Stefania Guglielmi

Posted on Last updated: February 9, 2024

Categories Middle East , United Arab Emirates

Looking for the best Dubai tours to enjoy this year? You’ve found the most comprehensive list of activities in the city written by a local. Check it out!

Dubai is a city that never fails to impress. From dune bashing in the desert to day trips to Abu Dhabi, views from the world’s tallest building, and record-breaking waterpark rides, there are so many things to do in Dubai that you won’t have a dull moment in the city .

I was a resident of Dubai for one year and I still didn’t manage to see and do it all! The thing with Dubai is, once you scratch something off your list, a new attraction (or 10) opens, so that list never ends!

To truly experience all that Dubai has to offer, taking a tour is a great way to go . Not only will you get to see the top attractions, but you’ll also learn about the history and culture of the city from knowledgeable guides.

In this blog post, I will be sharing some of the best tours in Dubai that cover a wide range of interests.

👉 For those who want to experience the thrill of the desert , I recommend a desert safari. This type of tour takes you on a thrilling dune bashing ride in a 4×4 vehicle and gives you the opportunity to try activities like sandboarding.

👉 If you’re interested in the traditional side of Dubai, a dhow cruise is a must-do. These traditional wooden boats offer a leisurely way to see the city from the water while enjoying a delicious dinner.

👉 For those who want to see the city’s modern side , a visit to the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall is a must. The Burj Khalifa offers stunning views from the observation deck while the Dubai Mall is a shopper’s paradise.

👉 For families with children , a visit to the Dubai Aquarium or to one of the many waterparks is sure to be a hit.

There’s a lot to cover, so are you ready to get started? Check out the ultimate Dubai tours and activities that you definitely cannot miss !

I generally use Viator and Get Your Gui d e to book tours around the world. And while both offer high-quality services, I especially recommend them for their cancellation policy. If your travel plans change, you can get a full refund by canceling most tours up to 24 hours in advance.

Table of Contents

The VERY BEST Tours in Dubai for First-Time Visitors

➤ The Dubai Speedboat Tour takes you on an exhilarating excursion along the city’s coastline, with photo stops in front of some amazing landmarks.

You’ll get to see Burj Al Arab, Dubai Marina, and the Atlantis hotel from the Persian Gulf, as you learn about each attraction from your guide.

This tour also includes : Live commentary, bottled water, and life jackets. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ The Old Town and Street Food Guided Tour is hosted by a local, who will take you around the heritage villages by the Dubai Creek, including a boat trip across the creek to visit the famous souks.

You’ll also get to try some Arabic street food, coffee, tea, and juices, and discover the history and culture of the United Arab Emirates.

This tour also includes : A visit to the Coin Museum, all food, boat trip, and entrance fees. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ The Old and Modern Dubai City Tour is the perfect introduction to both sides of Dubai: its rich heritage and the futuristic approach of the city. You’ll visit some of Palm Jumeirah’s attractions, including The Pointe, Atlantis The Palm, and views of Burj Al Arab, and also tour the Blue Mosque.

The famous gold and spice souks in Deira, the neighborhoods of Old Dubai, and Al Khayma Heritage House are also part of the itinerary. It’s arguably one of the most comprehensive Dubai city tours.

This tour also includes : Abra ride across Dubai Creek, hotel pick-up and drop-off, mineral water, and a tour guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Burj Khalifa & Dubai Aquarium Tickets

➤ This Burj Khalifa Entry Ticket grants you access to levels 124 and 125 of the tallest building in the world, where you’ll get to enjoy phenomenal 360-degree views over the city and the Persian Gulf.

This tour also includes : A ride in the fastest elevator, use of the telescopes, and entrance at your selected time. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ The Burj Khalifa Tickets and Tour offers access to levels 124, 125, and 148. You’ll also enjoy priority entrance and a guided tour conducted by a guest ambassador.

On level 148 you’ll be served coffee and dates, and get to marvel at the amazing views from the open-air deck.

This Burj Khalifa tour also includes : Use of telescopes and interactive stations, and access to the observation deck. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ For a fancier experience, book the Burj Khalifa Lunch or Dinner at Rooftop . You’ll start your visit with a trip to levels 124 and 125, where the 360-degree scenery of the city is unparalleled, and then head to the Rooftop restaurant for a 3-course meal with a view.

This tour also includes : Access to Burj Khalifa, and alfresco lunch or dinner. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ You could also combine your visit to the Burj Khalifa with one to the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. This Combo Ticket grants you access to both attractions on the same day, so you get to enjoy the tallest view of the city right before meeting the sharks and rays that inhabit the aquarium at Dubai Mall.

This tour also includes : Access to levels 124 and 125 of Burj Khalifa, and entry ticket to the aquarium. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ You can otherwise buy the regular Entrance Ticket to Dubai Aquarium , that will give you access to the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo for a whole day, plus a behind-the-scenes tour.

This ticket also includes : Access to the Underwater Observaroty and the Aquarium Tunnel. ➥ BUY IT HERE

Unmissable Dubai Marina Boat Tours

➤ The Dubai Marina Yacht Tour includes a full breakfast or a BBQ meal, and a tour guide who will provide insights during the trip.

You’ll embark on a sightseeing cruise along the coastline and spot some of the most important landmarks from the water, as you pass by Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, and Dubai Eye, and cruise Dubai Marina.

This boat tour in Dubai also includes : Life jackets. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ Dubai Sea Escape is a private cruise that will take you around the city so you can take it in from the sea, while sunbathing on the yacht’s sundeck and enjoying some refreshments.

You’ll also have the opportunity to go for a swim, take pictures of the city’s skyline, and be the DJ for your group by taking charge of the stereo system.

This yacht ride in Dubai also includes : Bottled water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

👉 If you have the time, also check out this post about the best Dubai Marina cruises , or check out this article about the very best Dubai boat tours .

The BEST Dubai Desert Safari Tours

Heading into the desert is one of the best outdoor activities in Dubai – and the whole UAE for that matter! Its unique sand dunes offer a perfect setting for adventure sports, and you can also learn about the Bedouins and their customs by visiting desert camps.

➤ The Red Dunes Dubai Desert Safari offers a full day of adventure. You’ll get to enjoy a camel ride, go dune bashing in the massive sand dunes, visit an oasis, and relish a BBQ buffet with local delicacies and desserts.

You’ll also visit a desert camp and partake in traditional activities, including shisha smoking, painting henna tattoos, and witnessing a falconry demonstration. It’s one of the best desert tours of Dubai!

This tour also includes : Hotel pick-up and drop-off, a guide, and all activities + food. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ The Dubai Desert Land Rover Safari is a full-day tour from Dubai that takes you through the desert on an open-top vintage Land Rover. You’ll start by visiting the Conservation Reserve and meeting the wildlife, which includes gazelles and oryx, before heading for a Bedouin camp.

This day trip also includes a falconry demonstration, traditional dancing, and a delicious BBQ dinner.

This Dubai Safari tour also includes : Hotel pick-up and drop-off, a camel ride, and a donation to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

👉 Looking for something different? I’ve written a whole post about the best desert safari tours from Dubai .

Looking for Unmissable Views in Dubai? Come Here!

➤ Sky Views Dubai Entry Ticket grants you access to one of the city’s newest attractions. You’ll enter the Sky Observatory, located at 720 feet, which boasts 360-degree views of Dubai.

You’ll also get to walk on the glass bridge with the city beneath you, and glide from the 53rd floor on the Glass Slide.

This tour includes : Entrance to Sky Views Dubai, and one glide on the Glass Slide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ The View at The Palm is the perfect viewpoint to marvel at Palm Jumeirah from above. The observatory, located 787 feet above the ground, offers 360-degree views and faces the famous man-made island directly.

You’ll get access to the observatory, and also to the View Exhibition, which showcases the history of the island and details of its construction.

This tour also includes : Fast-track entrance if the option is selected. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

The BEST Dubai Private Tours

➤ This Private City Tour Dubai is a half-day excursion around town. Your guide will take you to all the major highlights, and provide insights and information about the history of Dubai.

You’ll get to visit the old and new areas of the city, and marvel at the famous souks, Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, and the impressive Jumeirah Mosque.

This Dubai sightseeing tour also includes : An abra boat ride, hotel pick-up and drop-off, and photo stops. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ This Private Dubai Food Tour allows you to eat your way through the city as you stop by Dubai’s most authentic eateries and discover the local cuisine.

You’ll get to enjoy 10 tastings of food and drinks, and learn about the city’s food scene from your local guide.

This Dubai tour also includes : Vegetarian options are available. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

👉 Looking for something different? I’ve written a whole post about the best food tours in Dubai , check it out.

➤ This Evening Desert Safari is a private Dubai tour that offers a memorable experience. You’ll head into the desert for a few hours of entertainment, food, music, and culture.

The tour includes a visit to a Bedouin-style camp, where you’ll enjoy a camel ride, go dune bashing, try on Arabic costumes, and indulge in a BBQ dinner while watching dance and fire performances.

This desert safari also includes : Hotel pick-up and drop-off, unlimited water and refreshments, camel rides, and sunset photo opportunities. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

A Dubai Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour

The Big Bus Hop On Hop Off Dubai allows you to explore the city at your own pace, as you’ll be able to get off the bus at the stops that most interest you, and get back on when you’re ready to continue the journey.

The audio commentary will tell you all about the history of Dubai city and the significance of the different landmarks, and you’ll have unlimited access to the bus for 1, 2 or 5 days.

This Dubai bus tour also includes : A dhow cruise and extra tours if Deluxe or Premium options are selected. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Water Parks & Theme Parks: Ideal for Kids & Adults

➤ The Atlantis Aquaventure and Lost Chambers Aquarium Ticket grants you a full day of entertainment as you get to enjoy all the attractions of one of the world’s largest waterparks, including its private beach.

This tour includes : Unlimited access to the waterpark and all its attractions. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ Wild Wadi Waterpark features over 30 rides and waterslides that range from a relaxing lazy river to thrilling slides that will get your blood pumping. This Entrance Ticket allows you to make use of all the attractions for a whole day.

This tour includes : Unlimited access to all the rides. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ This Dubai Parks and Resorts Pass offers you access to two of the resort’s parks for a day. You’ll get to choose between Legoland, Bollywood, Motiongate, and Legoland Waterpark, and spend a whole day riding the attractions of two of them.

This tour includes : Full-day admission to two parks of Dubai Parks and Resorts. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ Dubai Miracle Garden Skip the Line Ticket allows you to head right into the attraction, without having to queue. Dubai Miracle Garden is home to over 150 million flowers, and amazing sculptures made with them.

You’ll marvel at the colorful constructions and the aroma of the flowers as you wander around this fairytale-like garden, unique in the UAE.

This tour includes : Access to Dubai Miracle Garden for a whole day. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

The Best Abu Dhabi Tours from Dubai

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and the destination of most Dubai excursions! I’ve written a whole post about the best day tours to Abu Dhabi from Dubai , but here are the very best ones.

➤ This Abu Dhabi Full Day Sightseeing Tour includes access to the spectacular Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and the observation deck of Etihad Towers for astounding views.

You’ll also drive along the Corniche, marvel at the Al Watan Palace, and spot other amazing landmarks of the city.

This tour also includes : Roundtrip transportation from Dubai, a guide, and entrance fees. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ The Abu Dhabi City Tour is a full-day excursion to explore the capital of UAE. You’ll go sightseeing, and enter some of its highlights, including the spectacular Grand Mosque and the Emirates Palace.

You’ll also enjoy a photo stop at Ferrari World, and a visit to the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

This tour also includes : Roundtrip transportation, entrance fees, and bottled water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ This Private Abu Dhabi Trip takes you for a full-day city tour on a 4WD, so you can enjoy the comfort of your own, air-conditioned vehicle while admiring the impressive landmarks of Abu Dhabi.

The Grand Mosque, the Emirates Palace, the Corniche, and Heritage Village are part of the itinerary, and you’ll also enjoy some free time at the mall at lunchtime. It’s one of the most luxury tours in Dubai to enjoy with your fellow travelers!

This tour also includes : Private transfers, bottled water, and a guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Jet Ski in Dubai for Thrill Seekers

With this Jet Ski Tour of Dubai you’ll get to see the views of the city from the water, as you speed by its waterfront and take snaps of its massive landmarks.

You’ll enjoy photo stops at Burj Al Arab, Atlantis, the Palm, Dubai Marina, and the Burj Khalifa. The tour is suitable for all levels, although drivers need to be at least 14 years old.

This tour also includes : Safety briefing, equipment, a certified instructor, bottled water, and photos/videos of the tour. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Dubai #1 Show: La Perle by Dragone

La Perle By Dragone is Dubai’s indisputable #1 show, created by one of the world’s top artistic directors. La Perle by Dragone Entry Ticket is what you need to be mesmerized by the aquatic performances, mind-blowing imagery and technology, and aerial stunts that make this show one of a kind.

This tour also includes : Lounge access, drinks, and snacks if the option is selected. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Ski in Dubai? YES, That’s Possible!

➤ Yep, you can also go skiing in Dubai. This Slope Session at Ski Dubai allows you to enjoy 2 hours or a full day of skiing and snowboarding in the Middle East’s first indoor ski resort.

You can try your skills at the different runs, which vary in difficulty and length, and use the quad-chairlifts to start again!

This tour also includes : Clothing and equipment. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ The Ski Dubai Classic Pass grants you full-day access to the snow park, where you’ll get to enjoy all of its attractions.

From snowboarding to bobsledding, Snow Bumpers, the Mountain Thriller, and riding a Giant Snowball down the slopes, you’ll escape the heat of Dubai for unlimited fun in the snow (especially needed during the summer season!)

This tour also includes : Winter clothes and equipment. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Dubai Tours FAQ

In our opinion, these are the best tours in Dubai: • Speedboat Trip Dubai • Old Town and Street Food Dubai Guided Tour • Burj Khalifa Entry Ticket • Dubai Yacht Tour • Red Dunes Safari

If you’re looking for a private tour in Dubai, these are the ones we recommend: • Private Dubai Half Day City Tour • Dubai Sea Escape • Private Abu Dhabi Tour • Private Food Tour: 10 Tastings with Locals • Private Dubai Desert Tour with Dinner

Stefania Guglielmi is the founder of Every Steph. Originally from Bologna, Italy, she's been traveling full-time since 2016 and has visited over 50 countries across 6 continents. She believes sustainable travel and luxury travel can go hand in hand and has been advocating for responsible tourism since 2014. Stefania's advice and travel experiences have been featured in important publications such as Business Insider, Refinery29, and Yahoo Money.

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Top Tours in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai tours.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Skip-the-Line Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Dubai Red Dunes ATV, Camels, Stargazing & 5* BBQ Al Khayma Camp

2. Dubai To Abu Dhabi: Grand Mosque, Royal Palace & Etihad Towers

3. Dubai Desert Safari Dune Bashing, 60min ATV Quad, Camel Ride, BBQ

4. Abu Dhabi Private City Tour

5. Dubai Marina Yacht Tour with Breakfast or BBQ

6. Private Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner & Sand Boarding

7. Dubai Full Day Tour with Entry Ticket to Burj Khalifa at the Top

8. Dubai Harbour Super Yacht Experience with Live station & Drinks

9. Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari, Camels, Sandboarding & BBQ Options

10. Dubai Frame Tickets Line Skip

11. Dubai Aladdin Tour: Souks, Creek, Old Dubai and Tastings

12. The Burj Khalifa At The Top Observation Deck Admission Ticket

13. Skip the Line Burj Khalifa Ticket - At the Top Sky 124, 125 & 148

14. Dubai: Premium Red Dunes, Camel Ride & 5* BBQ at Al Khayma Camp

15. Private Morning Desert Safari Dubai with Dune Bashing & Sandboard

16. Atlantis Aquaventure Ticket (with options for Aquarium), Dubai

17. Half Day Dubai City Shared Tour with Transport

18. Full Day Musandam Cruise with Lunch from Dubai

19. Abu Dhabi Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Dubai with Mosque Visit

20. Private Abu Dhabi City Tour with Pick up from Dubai or Abu Dhabi

21. Dubai Arabian Desert Adventure, BBQ Dinner & Optional ATV

22. Dubai Helicopter Experience with Sightseeing Options

23. Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner, Quad Bike & Camel Ride from Dubai

24. Dubai Luxury Canal Dinner Cruise with Optional Transfer

25. Dubai Heritage Land Rover Desert Safari with Traditional Dinner

26. Dubai Jetski: Burj Al Arab, Atlantis the Royal, Atlantis & Palm

27. Dubai Red Dune Safari with Quad Bike, Sandboard & Camel Ride

28. 90 Minutes Speedboat Tour, Marina, Atlantis, Palm & Burj Al Arab

29. Dubai Old and Modern City Tour with Blue Mosque Visit

30. Half Day Dubai City Sightseeing Tour with Pick up

What travellers are saying.

• Rob H 2 contributions 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fantastic day out Dune bashing, sandboarding and camel ride. Family of five with 3 teens. Highly recommended day out, we were collected from our hotel on the Palm a little earlier to make sure we avoided the afternoon heat which was a great touch. Iftikhar was a brilliant guide and made sure everyone was comfortable and enjoyed the day, even sick bags just in case for the Dune Bashing! Great day out, recommend to any family as a great experience. Read more Review of: Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandboarding & BBQ Options Written 30 May 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Top Tours in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai tours.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Skip-the-Line Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Dubai Red Dunes ATV, Camels, Stargazing & 5* BBQ Al Khayma Camp

2. Dubai To Abu Dhabi: Grand Mosque, Royal Palace & Etihad Towers

3. Dubai Desert Safari Dune Bashing, 60min ATV Quad, Camel Ride, BBQ

4. Abu Dhabi Private City Tour

5. Dubai Marina Yacht Tour with Breakfast or BBQ

6. Private Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner & Sand Boarding

7. Dubai Full Day Tour with Entry Ticket to Burj Khalifa at the Top

8. Dubai Harbour Super Yacht Experience with Live station & Drinks

9. Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari, Camels, Sandboarding & BBQ Options

10. Dubai Desert Safari with Self Drive Quad Biking

11. Dubai Aladdin Tour: Souks, Creek, Old Dubai and Tastings

12. The Burj Khalifa At The Top Observation Deck Admission Ticket

13. Skip the Line Burj Khalifa Ticket - At the Top Sky 124, 125 & 148

14. Dubai: Premium Red Dunes, Camel Ride & 5* BBQ at Al Khayma Camp

15. Private Morning Desert Safari Dubai with Dune Bashing & Sandboard

16. Atlantis Aquaventure Ticket (with options for Aquarium), Dubai

17. Full Day Musandam Cruise with Lunch from Dubai

18. Abu Dhabi Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Dubai with Mosque Visit

19. Wild Wadi Water Park

20. Private Abu Dhabi City Tour with Pick up from Dubai or Abu Dhabi

21. Dubai Arabian Desert Adventure, BBQ Dinner & Optional ATV

22. Dubai Helicopter Experience with Sightseeing Options

23. Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner, Quad Bike & Camel Ride from Dubai

24. Dubai Luxury Canal Dinner Cruise with Optional Transfer

25. Dubai Heritage Land Rover Desert Safari with Traditional Dinner

26. Dubai Jetski: Burj Al Arab, Atlantis the Royal, Atlantis & Palm

27. Dubai Red Dune Safari with Quad Bike, Sandboard & Camel Ride

28. 90 Minutes Speedboat Tour, Marina, Atlantis, Palm & Burj Al Arab

29. Dubai Old and Modern City Tour with Blue Mosque Visit

30. Half Day Dubai City Sightseeing Tour with Pick up

What travellers are saying.

• Rob H 2 contributions 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fantastic day out Dune bashing, sandboarding and camel ride. Family of five with 3 teens. Highly recommended day out, we were collected from our hotel on the Palm a little earlier to make sure we avoided the afternoon heat which was a great touch. Iftikhar was a brilliant guide and made sure everyone was comfortable and enjoyed the day, even sick bags just in case for the Dune Bashing! Great day out, recommend to any family as a great experience. Read more Review of: Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandboarding & BBQ Options Written 30 May 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Here's what it's like to to book an adventure abroad through Viator, Trip Advisor's tour and excursion booking platform

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• While in Croatia with my family this year, I used Trip Advisor 's activity-booking platform Viator to book boat charters abroad. All operators are pre-vetted by Trip Advisor to guarantee credibility and safety. Excursions range from $15 for a walking tour to thousands for luxury experiences.
• Booking independently through Viator saved me significant costs compared to using a travel agency, and helped me plan my vacation in advance, with clear pricing and reviews from past guests.
• I had a great experience with Viator and would use it again — but with a few changes. Next time, I'll make sure to ask more questions first, so I don't face any surprises. Here's what you should know to do the same.
• Read all Insider Picks travel reviews here.

I'm a lifestyle journalist with a focus on travel and trot the globe frequently with my husband and five-year-old twins. So I think of myself as pretty savvy when it comes to calling upon Internet resources (not to mention intuition earned through experience) to make bookings, even in places I've never before been.

This summer, I went on a two-week vacation with my family in Europe, hitting Greece and Croatia, plus bordering countries along the Dalmatian Coast. We spent a fair amount of time off the beaten path and there were a lot of moving parts. But I felt confident, and competent, that I could independently plan our trip, without the help of a travel agency. I know my way around search engines for flights, hotels, and deals.

But there was a blind spot. How would I book tours and excursions such as chartering a speedboat for our family to Croatia's famous islands?

I was relieved when I stumbled upon the activity-booking search engine Viator , which is owned by Trip Advisor. After reviewing various offerings and reading reviews, I booked two separate boat charters through the company. Both boats were clean, comfortable, beautiful, more or less as advertised, and operated by companies I would not have known how to access without Viator. 

I'd recommend the platform, especially to anyone staying at an Airbnb without a concierge like I did, or looking for cheaper options than what a hotel or travel agency might suggest. But I'd offer a caveat from my own experience: savvy travelers must make sure to cover their bases to avoid potential pitfalls such as the one we experienced. 

What is Viator?

Viator is Trip Advisor's platform for booking all kinds of activities during travel. Consider you might find 4x4 and camel tours in Dubai, a skip-the-line tour of the Colosseum in Rome, or a tour of the Grand Canyon by helicopter from Las Vegas.

Really, you'll find just about anything. The search engine includes options for a truly whopping 200,000 bookable activities in places all around the world making it unlikely that you won't find what you need. All operators listed are pre-vetted for credibility and safety backed by Trip Advisor .

Importantly, the site also aggregates millions of reviews, like what you'll find on Viator's sister site, Trip Advisor, so you have a pretty good sense of what you're getting. 

How is Viator priced?

Naturally, price points on Viator range dramatically based on the location and the excursions' complexity. A basic walking tour might cost under $20 while a day-long excursion or charter could cost hundreds more. The more expensive of the two trips I booked came in under $1,000, and the rates on the site can soar depending on what you're booking.

The site is optimized for mobile booking, offers around-the-clock customer service in multiple languages, a lowest-price guarantee, and a 24-hour cancellation policy, which makes the financial risk in booking feel low. 

In fact, I made use of that cancellation policy a few times to cancel and rebook similar activities when I changed my mind on the specifics, and also to flatly cancel a sightseeing tour I'd booked for our first day in Greece when I realized we'd all be too jet-lagged to bother.

I made both Viator bookings using my Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card  — both in U.S. dollars — and faced no trouble making these changes.

What did I book through Viator?

I'd never been to Croatia, but knew I wanted to see its beautiful islands. We were staying in an Airbnb apartment (a rare choice for me) instead of a full-service hotel with concierge, so I was on my own for finding out how to do this. 

Poking around on the Internet for tours, I discovered Viator , which was previously unknown to me. I appreciated that like its parent company Trip Advisor, Viator heavily incorporates a review system, and the Trip Advisor backing gave me confidence. I booked two tours, each about three weeks ahead of our arrival.

For our stay in Dubrovnik, I booked a half-day private speedboat tour to the Elafiti islands , which earned an impressive five stars overall, with over 100 reviews on Viator. The trip for four people for four hours came in just under $400 after I used a 10 percent discount code. 

Then, for the portion of our trip in the northern area of the country, Split, I booked an all-day private sightseeing tour with five proposed stops , including the famous Blue Cave and Hvar island. This trip also had an overall five-star rating on Viator, but with far fewer reviews, just 27 as of the time of this writing. The eight-hour trip for four people on the private speedboat charter cost $873 after the discount code.

These prices might seem steep, but consider that it's priced for four people, as well as the alternative. When I briefly felt overwhelmed with planning, I reached out to a Croatia-based travel agency. The land-only quote for a week in the county for our party of four was 12,000 euros. Booking on my own — including these two-day trips through Viator — cut our expenses to less than half.

My booking experience with Viator

After so much planning, our trip was at last underway. We spent a morning at a Dubrovnik beach club before our scheduled boat tour for the afternoon. That same day, the highly responsive tour company reached out through WhatsApp and email to coordinate transportation for us to the marina, where we'd be meeting our skipper and the boat.

They called a rideshare at their expense to meet us at the beach club and we arrived at the marina to find an impeccably clean boat and friendly skipper.

As promised, the boat was just for our family with amenities like shade cover and a USB port to charge up phones and stay ready for photo taking. 

We set out for the afternoon on the Adriatic and were able to customize our itinerary, checking out bays, beaches, and caves at our own pace. The skipper snapped family photos and offered snorkel masks and drinks.

At the end of the afternoon, our skipper called us an Uber to take us back to the hotel. Overall it was a successful, fun day. And at under $400 for four people, felt like a great value for all we were able to do.

Unfortunately, it didn't foreshadow the more challenging experience we had on our next excursion, which was the full-day boat charter from Split.

For that trip, I had more difficulty communicating in advance with the operator, who was less responsive. I didn't get all my questions answered before booking, and miscalculated by making some critical assumptions that turned out to be false.

We arrived at the marina to find a boat that exceeded our expectations. It was a rather luxurious looking speedboat with room for 12 and was larger and fancier than our previous boat in Dubrovnik.

It was also more powerful, at 250 horsepower. While some people might appreciate that, the speed of the vessel scared our young children right away.

Our skipper was a devoted and experienced older brother, so he was well equipped with strategies to help calm our kids and took pains to make them comfortable. He even let my son "drive" the boat and honk the horn, which was a huge hit. 

But my daughter was still uncomfortable as the boat sped through the open ocean. Off the bat, I wondered if this was something any ambitious American traveler would attempt with such young children had they known how rough it would be.

The skipper warned us that the Blue Cave would be backed up and crowded, and the timing might correspond to a bumpy afternoon sail. So we opted against it and chose a custom plan to mitigate the intensity. I appreciated that we were able to change the day's itinerary to better suit our needs.

Our skipper took us to a gorgeous, remote beach on the island of Vis, which was a true highlight with crystal clear water and a sense of true isolation. We swam from the boat to the beach, snorkeled, and took lots of pictures.

Afterward, we sailed to glamorous Hvar island, where we passed an hour or so with lunch in Hvar Town.

But it was after that, on the way back to the harbor in Split, when our challenges started in earnest.

It was squarely afternoon by then, and the winds had picked up; the open ocean was very choppy. That is to say, our boat caught full air and slammed back down — over and over again. There was nothing the skipper could do as this was the nature of the boat and typical conditions.

Although my kids (mercifully) don't suffer motion sickness, they were terrified. Anyone with young children and those who do suffer from motion sickness should inquire about conditions before booking any similar boat ride as I wished I had.

My son could be placated by heading back to his post as the boat's "driver," but my daughter was miserable for the full 75 minutes it took to get back to the marina and the waves soaked our family. Making matters more concerning, there was only one kid-sized life jacket on board.  

I was regretful that I'd gotten us in this position. I hadn't adequately confirmed that this was the right trip for our family.

And although I generally feel like a diligent and capable planner, I'd continued with the booking despite not waiting for the answers I needed: Would there be child-sized snorkel masks? Would there be two child-sized life jackets? Was the water likely to be rough? Will we get wet or seasick?  

The bottom line on Viator  

Overall, I wouldn't trade either of the stunning boat excursions I booked through Viator . They made for essential sightseeing experiences for any visitor to Croatia.

The operators on both experiences were professional, and the services were provided as advertised. I also found the prices to be reasonable, much more so than if I'd booked through a travel agency.

I'll book through Viator again, but next time, I'll make sure I'm asking more questions and getting the specific answers I need first.

If a particular operator is vague or reluctant to respond to the specifics of an important matter, like child-sized life vests, or typical water conditions, I will move on to another operator.  

As a now-seasoned Viator user, I'd say: book with confidence. Just make sure you ask a lot of questions specific to your needs and make sure you get them all answered explicitly before you show up on the day of your booking.

With the sheer number of bookings available on Viator, you should have plenty of options to keep moving onto another suitable tour operator until you find one that gives you all the answers — and confidence — you need.  

Book a Viator excursion, large or small, anywhere on earth .

Subscribe to our newsletter. You can purchase syndication rights to this story here. Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected] .

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