Dubai is one of seven states that comprise the United Arab Emirates (a country formed in 1971 from individual sheikdoms) and it is also its most populous city. It is a cosmopolitan, developed and sophisticated city filled with infinite attractions such as the world’s biggest mall, world’s tallest hotel, world’s second largest man-made marina, the world’s largest aquarium, the biggest indoor snow park in the world and man-made islands. Here are Top 14 Things To Do In Dubai.
1
Dubai Mall – The Dubai Mall is the largest shopping center in the world. it has over 1.200 stores with many major American stores. The Dubai Mall sets a new standard for shopping, leisure and entertainment. Home to 12.1 million sq. ft. of retail and entertainment. The Fashion Avenue in the mall, a 440,000 sq. ft. fashion precinct dedicated to high fashion, positions The Dubai Mall as the fashion capital of the region while other niche components, such as The Souk and The Village, further add to its retail offering.
2
Dubai Creek – The Creek, one of Dubai’s oldest and most beautiful areas, is a natural sea-water inlet that cuts through the centre of the city. Take an Abra (a small wooden boat) across the Creek and see the original historical Dubai, with its glittering souks and twisted, narrow streets.
3
Burj Al Arab – Built on a man made island just off the coast, Burj Al Arab, a 7-star hotel, is the most luxurious hotel in the world and the fourth tallest hotel in the world (almost 85 meter/280 ft tall). Unfortunately you can’t enter the island without a reservation, but it is still worth visiting the area and watch this world wonder.
4
Jumeirah Beach – Jumeirah Beach is Dubai’s best strip of public white sandy beach. Sun-seekers come to this lively shoreline to revel in Dubai’s bright rays. The beach has excellent facilities with plenty of sun loungers, restaurants and water-sport operators offering jet skiing. Just make sure you come early because it gets really really hot around midday.
5
Atlantis Resort on the Palm – The Palm is one of the most extravagant structures in Dubai. The real attraction on the Palm is the Atlantis hotel and its Aquaventure waterpark. The waterpark has a beach and lots of waterslides, including an underwater tunnel allowing you to see sharks and manta rays swimming above and around you!
6
Desert Safari – Desert Safari is one exciting activity that will let you experience a true Arabian spirit. The safari journey starts by picking you up from your hotel. An experienced safari driver will drive you through the exciting desert to experience a breathtaking drive in the sand dunes plus a camel ride and sand boarding/ sand skiing on the dunes. There are many desert safari tour companies ensure that you don’t take the cheapest. This is a professional sport and you need reliable drivers to do this.
7
Ski Dubai – Ski Dubai in Mall of the Emirates is an indoor ski resort which offers a genuinely great ski experience, with the longest run at around 400 meter (1,300 ft). If you have kids with you, hit the snow park (the biggest indoor snow park in the world) and let them slide down the slopes on inflated inner tubes.
8
Mall of the Emirates – Mall of the Emirates is simply enormous. There is a Cinestar cinema complex, an enormous games and arcade area complete with bowling alleys, and huge amount of shops including almost every brand you can think of. If you get hungry try Apres which is great for a quick drink or a fondue, orThe Butcher’s Shop with delicious South African steaks.
9
Burj Khalifa – Behold Dubai from the tallest skyscraper on the planet, the Burj Khalifa with over 828 metres (2,716 ft) and more than 160 stories. Take a jaunt to the 124th floor in the world’s fastest elevator and enjoy 360-degree views over Dubai and the Arabian Gulf. Watch the sun set over the city from the highest outdoor observation deck in the world. Tip: you can skip the lines and upgrade your experience to include the 148th floor. Burj Khalifa is also edifices the highest mosque, the highest restaurant and highest nightclub in the world.
10
Dubai Marina – Set in the heart of ‘new Dubai’, Dubai Marina is the largest man-made marina in the world and is home to super yachts and Dubai Marina Mall. The Dubai Marina is the waterway town in the Venetian tradition, nestled with wide open Persian Gulf shoreline. The marina is set in the backdrop of the tallest and most spectacular residential buildings of Jumeirah Beach Residence. The area is also a major tourists spot with many hotels, walkways and boat rides available.
11
Dubai Fountain – Located in Downtown Dubai on the 30-acre Burj Lake, the Dubai Fountain is the world’s tallest performing fountain. The fountain can shoot 83,000 liters of water at any moment and water jets as high as 73 meter (240 ft) into the air, Illuminated by 6,600 lights and 25 colored projectors, the 274 meters (900 ft) long fountain can be seen from over 20 miles away. It runs 6pm onwards right up to 10pm at an interval of every 30 minutes. Each performance lasts for 5-7 minutes.
12
Bur Dubai & Al Bastakiya – Bur Dubai is the oldest part of Dubai. It is the historic city center, located at the Dubai Creek. Most of the parts of Dubai that are situated south of Bur Dubai, were built less then 20 years ago. In the mid 1990s Bur Dubai was Dubai, and the rest was desert. Bur Dubai literally means Mainland Dubai. Not so far from Bur Dubai, Al Bastakiya is an area of authentic Arab mud brick houses on the Creek. Originally an upmarket housing area for rich citizens of the fledgling fishing town. It is now a cultural area and a great place to pick up arts and crafts such as brilliantly painted metal plates, multipatterned wooden jewellery boxes, pottery and paintings. Look for ‘The fort’, a stunning original mud building that was built in 1787 to defend the city against attacks from neighbouring tribes. Nowdays it houses a very informative museum on the history of Dubai.
13
Spice Souk – “The Gold Souk, Perfume Souk and the Spice Souks are part of the Huge Old Dubai Souk in Deira Area and if you on a shopping tour or just doing a walking tour around the area, then you can also visit the shops that sells assorted spices and other flavor enhancers that are sourced from around the world. Bags and bags of cardamoms, chili powders, assorted curry powders, turmeric, masala, basil, cinammon, cilantro, paprika, assorted spice mixes and a lot more! They also sell incense, oils, perfumes and dried fruits here. You can buy a lot of your favorite spices and spice mixes and they will gladly pack them in leak proofed bags that you can hand carry or put in your check in luggage.” Source: machomikemd, San Francisco
14
Dubai Al Shindagha and Al Fahidi Neighborhoods – If you want to experience the culture of Dubai, get in touch with the real authentic Dubai and the lifestyle of the emirates as you walk in the streets of the Al Shindaga and Al Fahidi neighborhoods. Filled with Arabian style houses and mosques, this is a place with of cultural and historical value. The majestic Dubai Museum in the Al Fahidi fort, The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for cultural learning and the sculpted and luminous Jumeirah mosque are all worth visiting.
Just So You Know…
- The crime rate in Dubai is so low. Virtually it is 0% across Dubai. That is why this city is considered one of the safest cities on earth. The law is very strict in Dubai.
- In 1990 there was only 1 skyscraper in the entire city. Today there are over 440 of them. Dubai’s real estate is growing so fast that around 20% of all cranes on Earth are located in Dubai.
- Foreigners make up most of Dubai’s population! The local people, called Emiratis, are just 15% of the total.
- Don’t drink in public, Public inebriation is not tolerated here in Dubai.
- The world’s richest horse race, the Dubai World Cup, takes place in March.
- Avoid traveling to Dubai in July and August, when the heat feels unbearable and temperatures clock upward of 39C (103F).
- Dubai is busy planning the construction of a climate-controlled city that shall have an area of 4.45 sq. kilometers and shall sport boardwalks that would be air-conditioned. Oh and Monaco has an area of 2.02 sq. kilometers.
- Yellow Boat Tour – High speed boating around Dubai. Each boat accommodates 6-8 people. The guide is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Provides you some interesting information about Dubai and about The Palm, Atlantis and The Yachts.
- Hop on the The Big Bus Dubai with sightseeing tours spread out across three routes: the ‘City Tour’, the ‘Beach Tour’ and the ‘Marina Tour’. Travel amongst towering residential skyscrapers and hop-off at key locations including: The Palm Jumeira, Itihad Park, Marina Mall and the Promenade.
- Grab A Bite: Angelina iconic Parisian tearoom with refined french food in casual setting. Ravi with great Pakistani curry served up by friendly staff. Zuma a great jJapanese restaurant with a vibrant bar and lounge area. Local House which offers camel milk shakes and peppery camel burgers. Coya it’s the award-winning brand from London that offers a Peruvian menu along with a pisco sour (the cocktail of Peru) bar.Clé with luxury modern Middle Eastern cuisine by Michelin-starred chef Greg Malouf. Casa de Tapas with classic Spanish dishes from Andalucía to Galicia.
- Go hot air ballooning over the desert with Balloon Adventures Emirates – The fascinating view of the desert during a sunrise from a hot air balloon is absolutely priceless.
- Get Some Culture: Dubai Museum presenting the traditional way of life in the Emirate of Dubai with local antiquities. Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House Museum a historic building and former residential quarters of the former ruler of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The Emirates National Auto Museum with private collection of vehicles of H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan.