What to get the person who has everything? Try one of these only-in-Dubai experiences…

1. Let them fly an A380

Perfect for the aviation geek in your life, the Emirates A380 Experience at Dubai Mall allows you to experience the thrill of flying the world’s largest commercial aircraft. Wannabe pilots can choose their destination from 12 different airports, using a state-of-the-art flight simulator. You can even choose your own flight path and weather conditions – so if you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to fly a superjumbo around the Burj Khalifa in a snowstorm, well, here’s your chance.

Emirates A380 Experience, ground floor, The Dubai Mall. Sun to Wed 10am to 10pm, Thurs to Sat 10am to midnight. Each session lasts 30 minutes. Priced from Dhs160. emiratesa380experience.com

2. Suit them up in Satwa

Every man should have one bespoke suit in his wardrobe, and in Dubai, we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to couture. Some of the city’s top tailors can be found in the humble neighbourhood of Satwa, with options for all budgets. Whistle & Flute is a favourite among discerning gentlemen – hidden down an alleyway behind the Iranian Hospital, it almost feels like entering a secret club. The making charge for a basic suit is Dhs1000, but can cost around Dhs1700 for a completely hand-sewn suit with canvas and trimmings imported from a Savile Row supplier.

Whistle & Flute, behind Iranian Hospital, Satwa. Sun to Thurs 9am to 1pm, 4pm to 8pm. Tel: (04) 342 9229. facebook.com/The-Whistle-and-Flute-Gentlemens-Bespoke-Tailor

3. Take them on a foodie tour

If it’s true that the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, you’d do well to book them a food tour with Frying Pan Adventures. There’s all kinds of experiences available, each with its own unique flavour, but the signature tour is the Middle Eastern Food Pilgrimage. Over four hours, you’ll wind your way through the streets of Deira, feasting on lesser known dishes from Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt and Iran (as well as classics like hummus and falafel).

Middle Eastern Food Pilgrimage, Frying Pan Adventures, select days of the week. From Dhs395. fryingpanadventures.com

4. Throw them out of a plane

A must-do for any adrenaline junkie, Skydive Dubai offers tandem skydives at two spectacular locations – over the iconic Palm Jumeirah, or out in the Arabian desert. Your loved one will freefall through Dubai’s skies at 120 miles an hour, safely strapped to an experienced instructor. You could also gift them a 20-minute private flight in a gyrocopter, where you soar over The Palm and past the Burj Al Arab in a unique two-seater craft.

Skydive Dubai, Palm dropzone tandem skydive Dhs2199, Desert Campus dropzone tandem skydive Dhs1699, gyrocopter Dhs999. Tel: (04) 377 8888. skydivedubai.ae

5. Make them walk with the sharks

You don’t need any diving experience or even have to know how to swim to enjoy a close encounter with the sharks at Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. Their jaw-dropping Shark Walker experience sees guests don an oxygenated helmet and enter a spacious cage, before descending into the 10 million litre tank. You’ll spend 25 minutes in the comfort of your cage, surrounded by some 33,000 fish, rays and sharks – just be sure to keep your fingers inside…

Al Boom Diving at Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, Dubai Mall, twice daily, Dhs620 (includes access to Aquarium Tunnel and Underwater Zoo). Tel: (04) 342 2993. thedubaiaquarium.com

6. Send them down the slopes

What better way to beat the heat than by hitting the slopes at Ski Dubai, the famous indoor ski resort inside the Mall of the Emirates? There’s all sorts of snowy fun on offer, from tobogganing to zorbing, as well as skiing and snowboarding. Take your pick from a selection of slope passes, or treat them to a private lesson under the guidance of a professional ski or snowboard instructor. Good old fashioned gift cards are available, too.

Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates, daily 10am to 10pm. Slope session pass from Dhs225, private lesson from Dhs620. Tel: (04) 409 4000. booking.skidxb.com

7. Treat them to some pampering

Nowhere in the world does pampering quite like Dubai, and nowhere in Dubai does pampering quite like the palatial Talise Ottoman Spa at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray resort. The spa offers a treatment billed as the “world’s most luxurious spa experience”, which includes a 24-karat gold facial – but it will set you back a cool Dhs26,250. For a slightly more wallet-friendly (but equally luxe) option, we recommend the 60-minute Royal Ottoman hammam for Dhs635.

Talise Ottoman Spa, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah, daily 9am to 9pm. Gold hammam Dhs635. Tel: (04) 453 0456. jumeirah.com

8. Up their Instagram game

If they have even the slightest interest in photography, they’re going to love the excellent workshops from the team at Gulf Photo Plus. Courses cover everything from mastering your smartphone camera to taking the perfect food flat lay, with options for complete novices as well as more advanced snappers. Keep an eye out for their ‘Unseen Trails’ guided tours, which allow participants to explore lesser known areas of Dubai, picking up useful photography tips along the way.

Gulf Photo Plus, Alserkal Avenue, Sat to Thurs 10am to 7pm. Beginner’s photography workshop from Dhs780. Tel: (04) 380 8545. gulfphotoplus.com

9. Strap them into a supercar

Satisfy their need for speed with a thrilling spin at the Dubai Autodrome. Serious petrolheads can put the pedal to the metal in a Ferrari GT, sprinting from 0 to 100km in 3.1 seconds. Younger speedsters or those who simply prefer the comfort of the passenger seat can also enjoy the ‘Hot Lap’ experience, where a professional driver will speed you around the track.

Dubai Autodrome, Dubailand, daily 8am to 10pm. From Dhs2995 for Ferrari GT experience or from Dhs250 for Hot Lap experience. Tel: (04) 806 2220. dubaiautodrome.com

10. Book them a table in the clouds

Dubai has no shortage of unforgettable dining experiences, but The Lounge on the 152nd floor of the Burj Khalifa quite literally tops them all. Feel like a VIP as you look down on the city from your enviable vantage point, enjoying an appropriately fancy experience. Daily offers include ‘Tea in the Clouds’, a daily afternoon tea which includes a house beverage or bubbly and tour of the outdoor terrace for Dhs618 and the ‘Bubbly Sundowner, where you can watch the sun set over the stunning Dubai skyline while enjoying a house beverage or bubbly with gourmet canapes. Included in the Dhs667 price tag is also a tour of the outdoor terrace. Afternoon tea is served from 12.30pm to 4pm, while sundowners begin from 5.30pm each evening.

The Lounge, Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, daily 9.30am to midnight. tickets.atthetop.ae