Visiting Dubai
Dubai, one of the seven united Arab emirates of the eponymous small country on the Arabian Peninsula, really leaves an impression with all its splendour and unique buildings. Travelling to Dubai is travelling to the city of contrasts where the vibrancy of a modern metropolis and the traditional desert life are intertwined. Read the following article and discover the top travel tips for Dubai.
Dubai is surrounded by endless dunes, which you simply have to see. The desert landscape that surrounds the city is beautiful. Set out on a wild ride in the dunes as part of the morning safari, while bathed in the morning sun. If you want, you can take a solo journey around the dunes either on a quad bike or a sandboard. Of course, there’ll be lots of time available for you to enjoy the desert and taking photos. On the safari, you’ll be guided on quad bikes by experienced guides. To top it all off, traditional coffee and camel riding in true Bedouin style await in the end. The tour is part of the GetYourGuide Originals which, in addition to the 7% discount HI members are entitled to at each booking, also means a refund in case you’re not satisfied. And that’s not all – you can reschedule your tour to whatever date you wish for free.
Which cities should you visit in Dubai?
Marvel at Dubai’s landmarks from high up. An unforgettable view awaits in Burj Khalifa, up on the 125th floor of the world’s tallest building. The world’s fastest lift will take you to all the way up to the viewing platform. The top gives a view of the Dubai Fountain show, which moves in sync with the music that’s being played at the viewing platform. You can get a better experience of the fountain show while on a traditional Arab boat called “abra”, sailing over Burj Khalifa Lake. The boat will take you past every major landmark, all the way to the best spot to view the fountain show. Admire the spectacle of 6,000 lights, 25 colour projectors and 83,000 litres of water. Another way to enjoy the view of Dubai’s landmarks is to enter Ain Dubai, the world’s largest Ferris wheel. It measures 250 metres high. I really recommend choosing the ticket that lets you enjoy the ride at sunset. From the wheel, all the most important tourist spots in Dubai can be viewed from a different perspective.
What to do in Dubai?
Dubai is a city of entertainment. And of the ways to have fun is visiting La Perle by Dragone, a show where 65 performers, from actors to acrobats, show their skills. Performers dive into the pool and fly through the air. La Perle is located in the centre of Dubai, in the Al Habtoor City hotel complex. There are lots of tourist attractions in the city, so it’s worth combining multiple tickets. This is exactly what the following offer entails – you can enter Dubai’s two best water attractions with a single 1-day ticket. Enjoy the adrenaline water slide rides in the Aquaventure water park and talk to the marine animals at the Lost Chambers aquarium. You’re in for more than twenty water slides and over 65,000 marine animals.
Where to see the old Dubai?
Dubai, however, is still a city with a history, despite all its modern attractions. You can make sure about that at the Dubai Museum, which is located in the 18th-century Al-Fahidi fortress. The walls were built using traditional coral boulders. The upper floor is supported by wooden poles and the ceiling consists of palm fronds, mud and plaster. The first villages were built on the banks of the Dubai Creek as early as 4,000 years ago. Now you can observe sailors loading and unloading cargo onto and from traditional boats. They also often invite you to their homes. You can take a walk through the 19th-century Al-Fahidi district as well. Rich merchants from Persia used to trade here once. Here, you can explore the many old houses that have wind towers, which are efficient air-conditioning units. The most beautiful among the mosques is the Jumeirah Mosque. The stone building was built in the Fatimid style and boasts two minarets. It’s especially charming in the evening when it’s lit by spotlights.
Where to stay in Dubai?
I recommend booking the Dubai B, which is located ten minutes from the airport and is an excellent spot if you want to exchange life experience with other travellers. The hostel has its own café, a garden and special family rooms. There’s also a tennis court, as well as a beach and a swimming pool.
What is the best guide book for Dubai?
Lonely Planet offers the best travel guide books for Dubai. You can choose the typical guide book which also contains some information about the neighbouring Abu Dhabi, or buy the pocket version with information exclusively about Dubai. HI members also get 20% off every book purchase.
FIVE REASONS WHY DUBAI IS POPULAR WITH TOURISTS
Dubai has evolved over the years to become one of the world’s most prestigious and popular tourists attractions, enticing visitors from different sectors to its shores to experience what the ‘must visit’ destination has to offer.
Although official figures have yet to be released, data from Statista predict that over 11.95 people travelled from across the globe to the emirate during 2014, up from 11.12 million in 2013 – demonstrating that the appeal of Dubai as a tourist destination has grown further.
As a place famous for superlatives, such as the world’s biggest skyscraper and largest mall, it’s unsurprising that people flock to its shores to set their eyes on its great feats and achievements, but what keeps people coming back year after year?
Hotels
Dubai is home to some of the world’s grandest and most luxurious hotels, offering guests five-star experiences during their stay.
Tourists have a choice of staying in different areas of the emirate based on what it is they are after, which means a person could visit many times and still discover something new depending on where exactly they choose to lodge.
You could pick a waterfront hotel and wake up every day to golden sands or stay in Ras Al Khaimah to surround yourself with a breathtaking backdrop of rugged mountains and an awe-inspiring coastline.
Dubai’s myriad of hotels are definitely one of the top reasons it is so popular with tourists, both new and returning.
Cosmopolitan lifestyle mixed with local culture
The emirate is able to offer visitors the perfect mix of a cosmopolitan city with traditional aspects of the local culture. There is a feeling of energy and high spirits no matter where you go in Dubai, whether that be to watch fantastic firework displays or visiting local markets.
From traditional restaurants serving local dishes to a wealth of entertainment options, Dubai has something to offer everyone.
In addition, the emirate’s colourful and lively souks offer tourists a real taste of traditional Dubai and allow them the opportunity to try their hand at bartering to buy presents for themselves or gifts for those back home.
World-class shopping
As mentioned earlier, Dubai is home to the world’s largest mall, so it would be remiss not to mention the emirate’s shopping facilities, which are well-known across the globe. The malls are modern, air-conditioned and feature the latest fashions.
Not only can you find your favorite and popular brands in the retail outlets located in the region, but you can also experience the gold markets, which offer platinum, diamonds and occasionally silver at cheaper prices than you can find in the UK.
There’s plenty to do
Where else in the world can you be skiing on real snow one minute then riding sand dunes next? It would be impossible to try everything Dubai has to offer in a single trip, which is why people return over and over again.
Visitors can marvel at the modern and beautiful Arabic architecture, discover the history and culture of the emirate, swim with dolphins, ride a camel in the desert, enjoy a day at the waterpark, embark on a hot air balloon adventure, plus much more.
Tourists are spoilt for choice when they visit Dubai and they might have a list of things they want to do, but it could take several trips to complete.
1. DUBAI HAS THE MOST IMPRESSIVE SKYLINE IN THE WORLD
Whether you’re in Downtown Dubai around the Burj Khalifa, the tallest man-made structure on earth, or down at the marina, home to four of the five tallest residential buildings in the world, you’re never too far away from an amazing view. Based on the average height of the 10 tallest buildings in Dubai, this city has the tallest skyline in the world.
2. CLIMB THE TALLEST BUILDING IN THE WORLD
While we’re on the topic of heights, Dubai is home to more skyscrapers than you can count, but one is the most famous of all. Known for its super structures, the Burj Khalifa skyscraper is the tallest of the supertall. At nearly twice the height of New York’s Empire State building, the tallest free-standing structure in the world towers above the clouds at 2,722 ft or 828m. With 163 floors to explore, you know the view from the observation decks are going to be worth the entry fee.
3. FIND ENDLESS ENTERTAINMENT AT THE MEGA MALLS
The Dubai Mall is the second biggest shopping centre on the planet by land mass, and it’s just one of the many novelty centres you can visit. People travel to Dubai from near and far to indulge in retail therapy and visit the attractions built into the various shopping centres. Dubai even holds a month-long shopping festival in January with concerts and giveaways where shoppers can win cars and gold.
4. YOU CAN GO SKIING IN THE DESERT
Yes, you read that correctly. And no, we’re not talking about sand skiing despite the location in the middle of the Arabian Desert. Dubai is a city where anything is possible – even skiing in the snow. At 85 metres high and 22,500 square metres, Dubai’s five slope indoor ski resort also boasts the world’s first 400-metre-long indoor black run.
5. DUBAI HAS A THRIVING FOODIE SCENE
With such a diverse and international population, there is a spectacular range of food styles available in the city. With hundreds of Arab, Persian, Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, French, Japanese, Chinese, British and American restaurants – both humble and high-end – there’s something for everyone and every craving. Throw in the array of food festivals that happen throughout the year and the stream of pop-up eateries and it’s no wonder expats talk about newcomers putting on weight, aka the ‘Dubai stone’.
6. DUBAI HAS 1,000KM OF BEACHES TO ENJOY
Set on the ocean and with spectacular weather year-round, Dubai’s greatest drawcard might be its incredible beaches. With more than 300 days of sunshine per year and over 1,000km of coastline to explore, you’re never too far away from getting your tan on in Dubai. Plus, who doesn’t want to return home with a bit of holiday colour?
7. DUBAI IS THE MODERN ART AND DESIGN CAPITAL OF THE MIDDLE EAST
From the gritty Alserkal Avenue art district that has sprouted up in the industrial Al Quoz area in the last few years, to the slick art galleries sprinkled through the Financial Centre, Dubai offers a unique and diverse art scene. Whether you choose to stroll through the Dubai Design District, to visit Dubai for its many art and design festivals (like Art Dubai and Design Week), there’s always something going on for the aesthetically minded.
8. DUBAI IS A MAGICAL, MULTICULTURAL MELTING POT
With almost 200 different nationalities calling the United Arab Emirates’ city home, and a massive 90% of the population coming from outside the country, Dubai is arguably one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. In contrast to cities like New York or London that have been inhabited for hundreds of years, Dubai’s expats are mainly first-generation, bringing with them a host of different cultural traditions, food and experiences. The diversity on show in the city is unparalleled.
9. BEYOND BIG BUILDINGS, DUBAI IS HOME TO THE BIGGEST FOUNTAIN DISPLAY IN THE WORLD
The Palm Fountain is a really fun sight for anyone but, of course, the kids in particular love witnessing the magic! Designed to show the harmony between the universe and earth, the fountain puts on a colourful display where the water dances, leaps and shoots high into the sky in time with a soundtrack of music.
10.…AND ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS, PALM ISLAND
Yes, modern Dubai is all about having the biggest, best and most spectacular things on earth. Palm Jumeirah, built between 2001 and 2006, is one of the world’s largest artificial islands. It’s home to multi-million dollar mega mansions and a host of five-star luxury hotels, including the iconic Atlantis The Palm.
