Things to do in Dubai Early Morning

Dubai is a spectacular city with huge skyscrapers, luxurious resorts, unique attractions, and wild nightlife. It is a paradise for tourists and that is why thousands of tourists visit it every year to experience Dubai in all its glory. However, the problem is that Dubai tourist spots are crowded and bustling in the afternoon and evening. Consequently, sometimes people have to wait in long lines which kinda kills the vacation mood.

This is why it is best to wake up early in the morning and enjoy some attractions before everyone else wakes up and crowds the places. Dubai is a dazzling and thrilling city in the morning. There will be fewer people and even less noise in the morning. In addition, you will not need to wait in waiting lines. Many tourists prefer to sleep early so that they can wake up around 5 AM to avoid traffic and big crowds.

However, many famous attractions do not open till 10 AM. Hence tourists sometimes wonder what they can do in Dubai in the early morning. This is why we have put together this guide to the things to do in Dubai in the early morning. This guide will make you want to wake up in the morning and explore the city even if you are not a morning person. So without further ado, let’s get right into it.

17 Things to Do in Dubai in the Early Morning

You can experience the Serene landscape, the beautiful desert, and the tall skyscrapers of Dubai in the morning. You can also enjoy adventurous activities and different desert sports. Visiting Dubai in the morning is a unique and different experience.

Enjoy The Tour of Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world and an architectural marvel. Plus it offers a fantastic view of Dubai and its skyline. This is why this Jewel of Dubai is always bustling with thousands of tourists daily. On Friday and Saturday, it opens for visitors at 5:00 PM. You can book your spot and go there early to appreciate this building in peace. From the 124th floor of Burj Khalifa, you can view the sunrise with the stunning Dubai skyline in the background. Burj Khalifa should be on top of the list of places you intend to visit in the morning in Dubai.

Go to the Desert

The desert gets too hot in the afternoon which makes it impossible for people to stay there for more than an hour. You can visit the desert in the early morning when the cool wind is blowing and the sand is still cold. In Dubai Desert Safari, you can experience camel rides, quad bike riding, and dune bashing. Going early in the morning will allow you to enjoy desert sports without waiting in line and come back to the city before the temperature goes up.

Experience Hot Air Balloon Tour

A hot Air Balloon ride may be one of the best ways to spend your morning in Dubai. From the hot air balloon, you will be able to see the sunrise and a bird’s-eye view of Dubai city and the desert. The massive skyscrapers, desert dunes, and roving camels look amazing from the sky. Children over the age of 5 can ride on hot air balloons so you can go on this tour with your family. Starting from $200 (AED 734.60), these tours can be expensive but they sure are worth it!

Visit the Deira Fish Market

You should visit Deira Fish Market if you are interested in the local culture and lifestyle of the natives. You can buy fresh produce here and talk with the locals about their catch of the day and life. You should be able to interact with them peacefully because the market will be less crowded early in the morning. Diera Fish Market is the best spot to buy fresh seawater fish and seafood. You should relish fresh seafood from the market for breakfast. Many locals will willingly prepare their produce for you to enjoy.

Hit the Supermarkets and Shopping Centers

You can go to the supermarkets to buy groceries. The isles are stocked in the morning so you should be able to buy what you want. Some supermarkets open as early as 8:30 AM. After the grocery haul, you can go to the shopping center to buy clothes, jewelry, makeup, shoes, etc. Many shopping centers open around 10 AM. You will also be able to buy luxury items on sale because you will be one of the few people shopping in the morning.

Explore The Hajar Mountains

You can leave for the Hajar mountains in the morning. During tourist season, it is one of the busiest natural sites in Dubai so it is better to go there early. Many activities are arranged for tourists at the Hajar mountains including hiking, trekking, bird-watching etc. There are also historical and archeological sites near this mountain that can be explored.

Lounge on Serene Dubai Beaches

The beaches of Dubai are strewn with people around the year. They are usually crowded and noisy in the afternoon. You should visit beaches in the morning so that you can find a spacious spot on the beach for yourself. You will also get to swim in the water with very few people around. You can visit Jumeirah Open Beach, Mercato Beach, and Hudayriat Beach in the morning.

Eat A Good and Hearty Breakfast

You should have plenty of time to sit down for a big breakfast in the morning. Cafes in Dubai commonly serve Mediterranean, Asian, or traditional Arabic breakfasts with coffee. A hearty and filling breakfast is just what you need for a day full of adventure and thrill. Most Family cafes open around 7 or 7:30 so perhaps after some early morning exploration, you can fill your stomach with Arabian coffee and bread.

Visit the Nearest Mosque

You can visit the nearest mosque in the neighborhood to appreciate its architecture and learn more about Islamic practices. This short trip will cost you nothing and allow you to mingle with the local community. We recommend that you wear appropriate attire to the Mosque. Women should wear long dresses and cover their heads. Men should also dress decently and cover their legs to their knees.

Stop by Zabeel Park

Zabeel Park is another place you should visit in the early morning. It is a beautiful garden that houses Dubai Frame, picnic spots, Dubai Garden Glow, many sports grounds, and a Dinosaur Park. You can also enjoy bike and boat riding. A lot of tourists visit this park every day to experience Dubai Garden Glow and see Dubai Frame so it can get quite crowded in the afternoon and evening.

But in the early morning you will only meet some locals in the park who are exercising or jogging You can peacefully take pictures, admire Dubai Frame, and get some exercise at Zabeel Park in the early hours of the day.

Go on Long Drive

Life is all about simple pleasures like going on a walk, reading a book, enjoying a long drive, etc. The commotion, noise, and traffic jams of Dubai sometimes make it hard to experience these small pleasures. You can wake up in the morning to go on a long drive. There is no traffic block in the morning so you will be able to drive freely. We suggest you drive down to Umm Suqeim Street, pass the Arabian Ranches, and head towards Bab Al Shams for your long drive.

Enjoy a Quiet Early Morning Walk

Speaking of simple pleasures, you can go on a quiet early morning walk along the beaches and breathe in the fresh sea breeze. Plus you could sign up for the Mountain Buggy’s fitness class which usually starts around 8 AM and afterwards grab a tasty breakfast with your family.

Ride the Dubai Metro and Tram

You must experience the Dubai Metro and Tram when you go there on vacation. But it is difficult to travel on the Metro, especially during the weekdays when it is full of people commuting to their workplaces. We suggest you wake up early on a holiday and travel on the Metro bus. You will likely find a seat in the morning and roam the whole city within an hour on the Metro.

Hop on an Abra Boat

An Abra is a traditional wooden boat that has been used in Dubai to travel on water for centuries. Now motorized abra boats travel across Dubai Creek which is home to various iconic landmarks. The Abra boat services start at 5 AM and the sunrise in Dubai is around 6:37 AM. You can book the abra ride for 6 AM and cozy up to enjoy the sunrise from the boat.

You will also experience the beautiful waterways and picturesque sites of Dubai. Most importantly, Abra ride tickets are inexpensive. The ticket cost around AED 1 ($0.27) or AED 2 ($0.54) per person.

Experience Dune Bashing

Dune bashing is on the to-do list of every tourist and this is why you should experience Dune Bashing in the morning when most the tourists are still asleep. The afternoons and evenings are likely to be overbooked for dune bashing. But you can easily find a morning timeslot. It is also better to book in the morning to avoid the hot afternoons of the desert.

Explore Dubai Miracle Garden and Marina Promenade

The Miracle Garden and Marina Promenade are iconic landmarks in Dubai. Tourists are eager to visit these places and take memorable pictures. You can go to the Miracle Garden in the morning to breathe fresh air and admire the flowers and orchards in all their glory. The Marina Promenade is quiet and elegant in the morning. You can grab a fulfilling breakfast as you watch this elite residential town come to life.

Visit Al Fahidi City and Dubai Museum

Al Fahidi is a historic district in Old Dubai. In this district, you will be able to admire the traditional and timeless architecture of old Dubai. The narrow streets, small shops, and alleys of Al Fahidi take people back to a time before the oil trade started.

Al Fahidi is quite peaceful in the morning. You will have plenty of time to explore the galleries, art, and architecture of the past. Dubai Museum is the highlight of the Al Fahidi district. It is located inside a restored fort and displays handicrafts and artifacts of the past. The museum opens every day except Friday at 8:30 AM to welcome early visitors.

Tips for Visiting Places in Dubai in the Early Morning

Keep the following tips in mind for visiting places in Dubai in the morning:

Go to bed at 8 AM and set up multiple alarms to ensure you wake up on time.
Make a schedule of the places you want to visit and activities you want to do.
Make sure that the places you want to go are open in the early morning.
Book activities in advance.
Pack an umbrella, sunscreen, and shades to protect yourself from UV rays.
Grab breakfast so you have the energy to explore places.
Ensure that you and your family are dressed appropriately.

Final Words

Dubai is peaceful, serene, breathtaking, and quiet in the early morning. You can avoid traffic, crowds, and heat if you explore Dubai in the morning. You won’t need to wait in line to enjoy rides or order food. Whether you are a morning person or not, the benefits of morning visits to places are bound to motivate you to wake up early.

In addition, many attractions and facilities are open to the public from 6 AM onwards. You can go to beaches, cafes, desert safari, and mountains as early as 7 AM. The Abra rides and Metro tram start operating at 5 AM and 6 AM respectively. So next time you go to Dubai, wake up early to visit attractions and enjoy activities in peace.