From desert safaris to cultural encounters, beach escapes and luxury experiences, Dubai offers a smorgasbord of attractions.
A fusion of old and new, Dubai is a city that's constantly breaking new ground. Its modern skyline is dotted with tall buildings, but you can also see Dubai's natural beauty at the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary.
Burj Khalifa
One of the most visited landmarks in Dubai, the Burj Khalifa is a mixed-use skyscraper that serves as a hotel, residential building and office space. It also has numerous activities for tourists and locals to enjoy, such as swimming pools, spas, and shops.
To build this tower, a team of experts used over 330,000 cubic meters of concrete and tens of thousands of tonnes of aluminium and rebar. These were stacked in piles, making it one of the largest construction projects ever.
The Burj Khalifa is not only a landmark for Dubai, it holds many world records. Some of these include the Tallest Elevator in a Building, Most Floors in a Building and the Highest Restaurant from Ground Level.
Dubai Mall
Dubai Mall is home to the largest number of shops in a single location in the world. Whether you’re shopping for clothes, electronics or gifts, it’s all here.
The mall features a variety of high street brands including Zara and H&M, as well as luxury designers like Chanel and Cartier. But it also offers a wide range of affordable local stores.
You can buy everything from designer accessories to gold jewelry and local handicrafts at reasonable prices here. There’s also a selection of high-end department stores such as Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdale’s to explore.
The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is another attraction that’s worth visiting, as it has more than 33,000 aquatic animals living in a 10-million-litre tank. You can walk through a tunnel to see these marine creatures and even book a diving experience.
Dubai Fountain
Located in the artificial lake of Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountain is one of the largest and most famous water shows in the world. It shoots a stream of water up to 500 feet into the air accompanied by a range of classical and contemporary Arabic and world music.
Designed by WET Design, the company responsible for the fountains of Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, the fountain was created to create a dazzling display of water, light and music. The 275 m long fountain is lit with 6,600 lights and 50 colored projectors.
During the fountain show, the jets synchronize with a series of songs including Michael Jackson's Thriller, I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston, and Skyfall by Adele. The show also includes a laser and light show.
Bastakiya Quarter
If you're looking for a taste of Dubai's history before the glitz and glamour of today, then Al Bastakiya Quarter is the place to go. This delightful historical district is located on the Bur Dubai side of the Dubai Creek and is known for its narrow winding lanes and traditional wind tower architecture.
The area was originally settled by merchants from Iran and named after a town in that country – Bastak. It has since been restored and is a must-visit for anyone wanting to learn more about the heritage of Dubai.
The neighbourhood has numerous art galleries, boutique hotels, cafes, restaurants and several impressive mosques. It also features a unique building, the Sahara Gate. Spot the Islamic writings and designs on its walls and understand their meaning at your own pace.
Local Markets
One of the best ways to shop in Dubai is to visit local markets. These open markets are often located besides malls and souks and sell everything from high-end brands to local handicrafts.
A refreshing change from the usual supermarkets and branded stores, local markets are a must-visit for all the right reasons. Not only do they offer fresh produce, but the whole shopping experience is a pleasant and memorable one.
The Ripe Market, for instance, is a popular open market that hosts an array of stalls selling organic fruits and vegetables as well as fashion accessories, beach cover-ups and handmade jewellery. It also features a range of dining options for visitors to indulge in.
