10 really cool things to do at Dubai International Airport
With a throng of awards under its belt, it's fair to say that Dubai International wins the hearts of all those who visit.
Boasting the best Duty Free Shopping in the Middle East, the region's first ever gaming lounge and a huge line-up of amazing places to eat, there are many reasons to love DXB.
From spa treatments to a full gym workout, there is absolutely no need to sit around and wait for your flight.
Whether it's your first time travelling through the famous DXB, or your 107th, here are ten brilliant things to do with your time in Dubai International Airport.
1. Eat
There are so many options when you're looking for something quick, expensive or unique. If you're looking for a good old burger and pint, you've got the Hard Rock Cafe (Terminal 3, Concourse B), which serves burgers stacked up high and hops on draft. If you want full on pub vibes, there's The Draft House (Terminal 1, Concourse D) or if you just want a really good bun, try the home-grown brand Jailbird in Terminal 3, Concourse B.
For something a little more refined, Bottega Bar (Terminal 3, Concourse A) that serves premium bubbly, grape and plates, including the highly-rated risotto al funghi which is topped with crispy Parmesan.
Hard Rock Cafe, open 24 hours, Dubai International Airport, Terminal 3, cafehardrock.com (04 323 8900). The Draft House, open 24 hours, mmielr.com (04 294 0822). Bottega Bar, open 24 hours, Terminal 3, (04 224 5555).
2. Exercise
Fitness fanatics will be pleased to know there's a fully-fledged gym that you can use while in Terminal 3. Dubai International Airport Hotel (Concourse B and C) is home to a health club that allows passengers to work out for three hours. Entry costs Dhs147, which grants you access to the machines, along with access to the sauna and steam room for some post-workout rejuvenation.
Dubai International Hotel, dihdxb.ae (04 224 4000).
3. Game
DXB is home to the region's first ever gaming lounge, Game Lounge in Terminal 3, Concourse B. Designed for those looking to pass away the time or for seasoned gamers who want to keep their spot on the top of the leader board, there are 40 game stations to choose from. Open 24 hours a day, there are a range of top of the range PCs and TVs with consoles with a number of games including Fortnite, League of Legends, Gran Turismo 7 and Crash Bandicoot.
Open 24 hours, Dubai International Airport, Terminal 3, gamespacedxb.com (056 533 2576).
4. Lounge
If you fancy upgrading your airport experience, there are a number of lounges you can check into. If you're at Terminal 1, there's the Ahlan Business Class Lounge that costs Dhs262 an hour to enter or Marhaba Lounge, where rates start from Dhs194 in Concourse D.
There's another Marhaba Lounge in Terminal 2 which costs Dhs194 to enter but you can pay extra for a shower or a sleep spacing.
You might also like: Travelling soon? Top lounges anyone can access at Dubai Airport
Things get a little more bouji over in Terminal 3 with Al Majlis lounge which offers a true VIP treatment for Dhs2,500. Other lounge options in Terminal 3 include Cadiz Ahlan Lounge in Concourse B, Marhaba Lounge in Concourse A and B, Plaza Premium Lounge in Concourse A and The Gallery by Dubai International Hotel in Concourse B. While, once you land in Arrivals, there's Their Patio which is a spacious lounge turned co-working space.
Ahlan Business Class Lounge, open 24 hours, Dubai International Airport, Terminal 1, ahlan-dia.com (04 505 2891). Marhaba Lounge, Open 24 hours, Dubai Airport Terminal 3, marhabaservices.com (800 627 4222). Al Majlis Lounge, Open 24 hours, Dubai Airport Terminal 3, dubaiairports.ae (050 624 3449).
5. Relax
So you've arrived at the airport a couple of hours before your flight takes off? Why not take the extra time to invest in some pre-take-off relaxation. There are several places you can do just that at DXB. If you've got an hour to spare, book yourself a massage at Timeless Spa in Dubai International Airport Hotel. Or if you want to freshen up, you can get a Wash and Blowout at XpresSpa (Terminal 3, Concourse B & C).
Timeless Spa, open 24 hours, Dubai International Airport, Terminal 3, timelessspa.com (04 505 2835). XpresSpa, open 24 hours, Dubai International Airport, Terminal 3 Concourse B & C, xpresspa.com (050 775 8204).
6. Shop
Dubai Duty Free has won countless awards for its brilliant buys and super saving offers. Along with all the perfumes, cosmetics and electrical goods that you can buy in DDF, there are a number of other outlets you can do some pre-flight shopping at.
In Terminal 1, you've got Boots, Burberry, Hugo Boss and Tiffany and Co. Terminal 2 has a good selection of items in Dubai Duty Free. Terminal 3, has the largest selection of shops, including a Dior, Jo Malone, Louis Vuitton in Concourse B. Along with a Victoria's Secret and Dubai Duty Free in Concourse C, for some retail therapy before you fly.
dubaidutyfree.com
7. Sleep
Tired? There are a number of places you catch up on some much needed sleep at Dubai International, including the dedicated sleep lounges called sleep 'n fly.
The biggest is in Concourse B, Terminal 3 which is spread over 575sq.m and sleeps a total of 46 people. You'll also find two smaller sleep 'n fly lounges in Terminal 3, one in Concourse A and the other in Concourse C. While those flying out of Terminal 1 can nap in the sleep pods in Concourse D.
Sleep 'n Fly, open 24 hours, Dubai International Airport, Terminal 3, reservations.dxb@sleep-n-fly.com, sleep-n-fly.com.
8. Swim
If you want to start your holiday early, there's a Relaxation Pool inside DXB Hotel (Terminal 3, Concourse B and C) where you can swim. Access costs Dhs75 for one-hour or Dhs99 for two-hours and includes use of the pool, steam room, Jacuzzi and showers.
Open 24 hours, Dubai International Airport hotel, Terminal 3, dixb.ae, (04 505 2000).
9. Win
There aren't many airports in the world that offer you the chance to leave richer than when you arrived. But Dubai Duty Free's Millennium Millionaire draw, which has been going since 1999, offers you the chance to win a grand prize of US $1 million. Tickets cost Dhs1,000, but with only 5,000 tickets sold, the chances of winning are pretty high. The draw takes place every two to three weeks and the winner is contacted via the email address they provide.
dubaidutyfree.com
10. Visit the Zen Gardens
Credit: Canva
Enjoy the tranquility and take an adventure through the airport Zen Gardens. Not what you would expect inside a terminal, the space is filled with lush greenery, a fish pond and plants galore to help you chill out.
A peaceful stopover during your travels, the gardens are located in Gates B7 and B27 of terminal 3.
For everything you need to know and for more things to do at Dubai International Airport click here.
Travelling soon?
Travelling this summer? Your complete guide to parking at DXB Airport
Your complete guide to parking at DXB
Travelling soon? Top lounges anyone can access at Dubai Airport
If you love to lounge before boarding a flight then this is your ultimate guide to DXB
9 amazing free things families get with Emirates
Try all of these next time you fly
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Powys County Times
8 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Tinie Tempah says nightlife crisis means ‘losing that physical connection'
Tinie Tempah has said that young people are 'losing that physical connection' by not being part of the UK's nightlife economy as he teased new music. The 36-year-old rapper, from south London, is backing the Night Time Industries Association's (NTIA) The Last Night Out campaign, which pushes for people to get away from their screens and onto the dance floor. 'As a dad, I've seen how different things are for this generation,' said Tempah, who has not released a studio album since 2017's Youth, as he appears to have focused towards his children and taken a break from music. 'We're losing that physical connection, the joy and energy that you get from dancing, meeting new people from all backgrounds and being free. 'I didn't want to just talk about it – I wanted to do something. Music brings people together – and nightlife is where that magic happens.' The campaign calls on the Government to step up and provide urgent financial support for night-time venues as well as cultural protection for 'iconic clubs'. The NTIA released data last year showing 37% of nightclubs had closed across the UK since March 2020. Tempah has returned to the studio and is developing a collaboration with gaming platforms Roblox and Fortnite to integrate music and virtual life, according to the NTIA. He is also creating a short film and a series of live events focused on 'driving energetic movement and nightlife', which will be unveiled at technology, creative and business conference SXSW London on Friday. He will be joined at the event at London nightclub XOYO by NTIA chief executive Michael Kill, north London musician and DJ Majestic and BBC Radio 1 DJ Charlie Tee for a 'one-off evening of music, culture and conversation about the future of the UK's night-time economy'. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SXSW London (@sxswlondon) Mr Kill said: 'It's been amazing to see how Tinie Tempah has resonated with The Last Night Out's message. 'He really understands what's at stake – not just for club culture, but for society. 'Nightlife isn't just entertainment; it's a space for freedom, creativity, connection and movement. We're thrilled to have Tinie Tempah bring his voice, his energy and his music to the campaign.' Introduced to the NTIA by the Mayor of London's office, Tempah believes the shared experience of nightlife is an important part of the UK's future society. Tempah, known for hits including Written In The Stars and Pass Out, has presented the six-part art show Extraordinary Portraits as well as a property programme called Extraordinary Extensions. His recent music has included the 2021 track Love Me Like This with Swedish singer Maia Wright, and 2023 song How You Samba, a collaboration with Dutch DJ Kris Kross Amsterdam and Mexican singer and songwriter Sofia Reyes.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
What is UEFN in Fortnite? New Squid Game collab and custom islands explained
The State of Unreal showcase has brought some major Fortnite announcements including the Squid Game and Avatar: The Last Airbender crossovers, but many players are questioning exactly what UEFN is Fortnite has made a number of announcements at this year's State of Unreal showcase – but many players are left scratching their heads about what they actually mean for the game. Despite leakers hinting that some major Fortnite news would be unveiled at the State of Unreal showcase on Tuesday, June 4, players didn't get what they were hoping for. In fact, they might have ended up more puzzled than before. As the end of the Galactic Battle season draws near, and players prepare to bid farewell to the Star Wars -themed island and board the massive Star Destroyer for the last time, anticipation for a new season is building. With the Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4 start date looming, players are bracing themselves for a significant shake-up as they power through the last of the Galactic Battle Battle Pass before it's gone for good. However, it's not just in Battle Royale and Zero Build where we're witnessing changes, as the State of Unreal has shown – indeed, creative is set to expand even further with some major crossovers for creators that could genuinely revolutionize how the system is used. This has raised a question among players – what exactly is UEFN in Fortnite? And what role does Squid Game play in all of this? Here's what you need to know. What is UEFN in Fortnite? UEFN, more commonly known as Unreal Editor for Fortnite, is a tool that allows creators in Fortnite to design their own Islands. This gives them the opportunity to construct new games using Epic Games ' assets which players can access for free. It's a PC application designed to assist players in designing, building and publishing games directly into the Fortnite launcher, much like Roblox. The capabilities of the system are detailed on its Epic Games Store page, revealing that it can be used to create custom content with modelling and material tools, construct fresh landscapes, and utilise systems like Control Rig, MetaHuman and World Partition. What's particularly intriguing for the average player is that it employs a number of Fortnite assets including some from major companies that have collaborated with the game. Creators have been given access to structures, character models and NPCs from Lego, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Walking Dead. It's a splendid system for both players and creators, and it has helped elevate Fortnite from being a fantastic Battle Royale game to being a grand games platform. What is the Fortnite Squid Game collaboration? The State of Unreal showcase (via YouTube) revealed that a Fortnite Squid Game collaboration is on the horizon, just in time for the show's third and final season. It won't simply end with the expected cosmetics, either, as UEFN will also receive a new collection of Squid Game tools. This is an ideal partnership for the game-creation system, especially considering when the series first landed, Roblox and UEFN were inundated with imitation games hoping to engage players with Red Light, Green Light and the rest of the show's treacherous mini-games. Now creators will have the opportunity to do this all over again with officially licensed character models, buildings, and more. However, the Fortnite Squid Game collaboration isn't the only one coming to UEFN. Epic Games also unveiled that a new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover with the tool is set for 2026, and Star Wars will follow later. The former is thrilling, but the latter is particularly groundbreaking as such a crossover will give total control of Star Wars characters to creators on a major platform. Given Disney's protectiveness of its IP, this certainly places a lot of trust in creators to do it justice. If you've been wondering about what UEFN in Fortnite actually is, you'll likely find out first-hand soon as a significant wave of new content arrives in the game with each new content crossover. UEFN in Fortnite is a significant development, essentially turning Epic Games' favourite offspring into a total gaming powerhouse that aspiring creators can utilise to provide you with a new game to play. Have a go at fishing in the creative island tab of the game and see what you can discover before it's overrun by Squid Game experiences. Because it will. Make sure you don't miss out on our latest high-quality videos on YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook, where we'll be posting our latest reviews, previews, interviews, and live streams!
Metro
a day ago
- Metro
007 First Light trailer revealed and fans are convinced this actor is James Bond
Hitman developer IO Interactive has debuted the first trailer for 007 First Light, with a very youthful James Bond. After the game's title was announced earlier this week, developer IO Interactive has unveiled the first trailer for its upcoming James Bond game 007 First Light. The trailer, which was showcased during Sony's State Of Play, debuted a new 26-year-old version of the character, originally created by Ian Fleming. While a young James Bond was perhaps always going to look odd, his plain appearance more echoes a Fortnite skin than a British spy (even though he does have the original scar on his cheek). The actor playing James Bond is yet to be confirmed, but many fans have highlighted the similarities to The OA and Dexter: Original Sin actor Patrick Gibson. Lennie James, who is known for playing Morgan in The Walking Dead, also appears to be playing a new character called John Greenway, who is described as Bond's mentor. As noted in a PlayStation blog post, you'll encounter new versions of classic Bond characters M, Q, and Moneypenny in the game too, some of which pop up in the trailer. 007 First Light is described as an origin story for James Bond, who starts out as a Royal Navy air crewman before he's propelled into MI6 training following 'an audacious act of bravery', according to the blog post. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. The game features an original standalone story, which was developed in collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios. Developer IO Interactive has said in the past how it hopes to expand the story into a trilogy. More Trending Gameplay wise, the combat looks very reminiscent of IO Interactive's work on Hitman, but it also boasts driving sections and gadgets to mess around with, including a laser watch. It also promises to span a variety of locationsaround the world, with the trailer showing island resorts and nightclubs. Unless I'm mistaken, our new game Bond is being played by Patrick Irish Bond in the bag, can't argue with that!Also… the scar down the cheek from the books, FINALLY!!!#007FirstLight — Aaron McGahon (@AarontYouGreat) June 4, 2025 The production itself looks impressive, and the developer certainly has a strong history with stealth action games, but it remains to be seen if this young version of Bond will stick the landing. 007 First Light is set to launch in 2026 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. More about the game is set to be revealed at the IOI Showcase on Friday, June 7 at 2am BST. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: Games Inbox: What are your Nintendo Switch 2 first impressions? MORE: PS5 exclusive Marvel fighting game coming from Guilty Gear creators MORE: Nintendo Switch 2 will outsell all PC handhelds in 2025 claims report
