Summary 10 Busiest Attractions in Dubai:
Dubai is one of the world’s top tourism destinations. In 2016, nearly 15 million tourists stayed at least one night in the city, which is impressive considering that the population of the city is only 2.8 million. Dubai has a remarkable tourist-per-resident ratio of more than 5 to 1, the highest in the world.
If you’ve visited Dubai recently, the crowd sizes are noteworthy, and there has been a gradual increase over the years. This is particularly true at the following attractions, which are among the most crowded places in Dubai.
Dubai Mall
Dubai’s most crowded attraction is undoubtedly the Dubai Mall. Situated at the base of the world’s tallest building, it attracted more than 80 million visitors in 2015, based on the latest statistics.
This translates to nearly 220,000 visitors each day, averaging roughly 183 for each of the 1,200 stores within this shopping mecca. Thankfully, the mall is well air-conditioned, making it a comfortable shelter from the sweltering heat of a hot city like Dubai!
Interestingly, while Dubai Mall is the largest in terms of area, it ranks 19th in terms of leasable space, with some of its square footage used for waterfalls, ice skating rinks, and aquariums.
The Palm Islands
Finding official statistics for the Palm Islands can be a challenge. However, recent reports for Palm Jumeirah, the most well-known of these artificial islands shaped like palm trees, suggest a nightly population of around 9,000 to 11,000 tourists.
This makes it slightly more popular than the Burj Khalifa and certainly one of Dubai’s busiest attractions, especially considering the narrowness of the roads. Therefore, if you drive onto the island, it is wise to plan to stay for a while.
The Burj Khalifa
The iconic Burj Khalifa currently holds the title of the world’s tallest building at 2,722 feet. It continues to draw massive crowds, attracting 1.87 million visitors in 2013 alone, averaging over 5,000 visitors per day.
In comparison, the city of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, which is home to the under-construction Jeddah Tower (which will exceed Burj Khalifa’s height), attracts fewer tourists than this single iconic building.
Dubai Aquarium
Situated within the confines of Dubai Mall, the Dubai Aquarium offers a wealth of marine life to its visitors. Although specific visitor statistics can be elusive, the aquarium drew 1.5 million paid visitors during its inaugural year in 2011.
Consequently, at least 4,000 guests likely marvel at the aquatic displays each day, with opportunities to engage in activities like scuba diving, which includes a thrilling “shark dive” experience.
Wild Wadi Water Park
Given the sweltering summer temperatures in Dubai, regularly exceeding 120°F, it’s surprising that a water park receives less than one million visitors annually.
Many visitors would rather relax indoors at the air-conditioned Burj Dubai than endure the sizzling beaches! However, 2,400 daily visitors is certainly significant, especially when compared to other popular attractions in the region.
Ski Dubai
Despite its surprising number of visitors, Ski Dubai offers a unique experience of skiing in a controlled indoor environment. Each year, three-quarters of a million people choose to ski in Dubai, a remarkable feat for a city in the desert.
This attraction highlights the incredible engineering behind many of Dubai’s most famous tourist spots and showcases the city’s ability to attract diverse visitors.
Jumeirah Mosque
Although there are no specific statistics for Jumeirah Mosque, it is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable mosques in Dubai. This place of worship garners attention not only for its architectural beauty but also for its significant role in the city.
While the mosque remains an active religious site, it ranks among the top attractions for visitors interested in Dubai’s heritage. Other notable sites worth mentioning include the Dubai Old Souk market and Dubai Heritage Village.
