With the world’s tallest tower, a skyline you cannot ignore, futuristic appeal and an abundance of western entertainment; welcome to Dubai.
It may be deemed as a playground for the rich and famous, but if you go ready with local knowledge of the surrounding area you’ll find everything to appreciate on a budget.
With good old-fashioned retail therapy, free lessons in history and record-breaking landmarks; Dubai is the next place to be for every budding traveller…
1- Towering Above (Literally) Everything
Burj Khalifa
The world’s tallest tower can be found in Dubai dominating the skyline at 828 metres tall (that’s three times as tall as the Eiffel Tower and nearly twice as tall as the Empire State Building).
It doesn’t just hold one world record though, you’ll find that Burj Khalifa holds six other ones: the tallest freestanding structure, the highest number of stories in the world, the highest occupied floor in the world, the highest outdoor observation deck in the world, elevator with longest travel distance in the world, tallest service elevator in the world!
Described as ‘a living wonder’ that defines the can-do spirit of Dubai, the building continues to honour the city with its extraordinary image.
A visit to the tower would show you luxurious facilities, a public observation deck, At.mosphere (the world’s highest restaurant on Level 122), 900 residences including studios and one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, over 1000 pieces of art by prominent international and Middle Eastern artists…
2-A Retail Heaven
Dubai Mall
Dubai knows a holiday isn’t a holiday without a shopping spree so their mall doesn’t do things half-heartedly. It grants travellers over 1,200 shops, 150 restaurants, an indoor theme park, an ice rink, an indoor waterfall, a choreographed fountain, a giant aquarium, and an underwater zoo…
This retail heaven is found at the foot of Burj Khalifa and stretches across 1.1. million square metres and is (not surprisingly) the world’s largest shopping, entertainment and leisure destination.
And would you believe, the mall has plans to expand with another one million square feet being added to Fashion Avenue! That means more modern retail, signature leisure and luxury serviced apartments…
3-World’s Largest Palm Tree
Palm Jumeirah
Another record breaker for Dubai, and this one’s a quirky one. You’ll find one of the largest artificial islands in the world here in the form of Palm Jumeirah (a man-made island in the shape of a palm tree!)
Visit high-end hotels and resorts on the island, take a yacht or speedboat around the area or even experience the monorail running down the trunk that connects to the mainland’s tram system!
It has been dubbed the place to be since its opening in 2007 whether it’s for a romantic escape or a family adventure. From Aquaventure Waterpark to the Lost Chambers Aquarium, from five-star luxury to world-class restaurants, it is where everybody needs to be at least once…
4-The Real Heart Of The City
Dubai Creek
This saltwater estuary is said to be where Dubai’s legacy truly lives. You’ll find heritage and history here in the form of the Dubai museum, but if you want to absorb the surroundings in the most charming way you can hire a water taxi to cruise down the Creek.
Travellers can delve into clubs, cafes, retail outlets and various other venues for entertainment, including traditional shows by way of Tanura and horse show.
Or if you prefer to get to the heart of things from a height, you can opt for a cable car and be suspended 30 metres in the air while you cover 2.3km of Dubai creek in an hour!
It sticks out for its traditional aura and charm and since ancient times, has served as a safe harbour for ships heading towards the ports of the Arabian Gulf…
5-Wide Open Space
Arabian Desert
Less than a 20-minute drive from the modernist streets of Downtown Dubai, you can experience the marvels of the Arabian desert. It is the second largest desert in the world, after the Sahara, and is over four times the size of France!
You won’t get lost if you choose a camel ride though, or a desert safari for that matter. There’s plenty to keep you entertained, it’s not just sights of sand.
Dune bashing will give you an exhilarating ride through the sand, quad biking will give you the chance to be in control and explore, and traditional barbecues and henna will really get travellers into the spirit…
6-Immerse Your Senses
Dubai Opera
A schedule likened to London’s West End or Manhattan’s Broadway, Dubai’s Opera is its newest cultural icon. Dominating the Opera District is the 2,000-seat, multi-format venue for opera, theatre, concerts, art exhibitions, orchestra, film and sports events!
Standing around it you’ll have views of the Dubai fountain and the Burj Khalifa- the rear of the building itself arches upwards like a hull.
Dubai Opera takes its inspiration from the traditional sailing vessels of the Arabian Gulf and remains as iconic in appearance as the world-famous Sydney Opera House. One to remember…
Those were just six things you absolutely have to do in Dubai! From dune bashing across the Arabian desert to exploring the luxury famous mall, you will have an immense variety to entertain and please you, which is your favourite? Have you visited the city before?
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