Like many, if Dubai is your dream destination, you have come to the right place. Paul Belly, our travel blogger, does a round-up of what to do in Dubai. From the best outdoor options like Dubai Fountain to indoor options like Ski Dubai to incredible beaches like Jumeirah Beach to a great market place like the Dubai Mall, and beyond, here goes the list of Dubai attractions.
1. The Dubai Fountain
The Dubai Fountain beautifully blends the culture and tradition of Arab with contemporary technologies. Watch illuminated water fountain shooting as high as 500 ft (152.4 m) into the air. With water dancing at the tune of contemporary Arabic and world music in the backdrop of over 6,600 lights and 25 color projectors, the aesthetics quotient touches new height.
The fountain is set on the 12 hectares (30 acres) man made Burj Khalifa Lake, at the center of the Downtown Dubai development in Dubai. Wondering about the creator of this great fountain? It was designed by WET Design, the California-based company responsible for the fountains at the Bellagio Hotel Lake in Las Vegas at an expense of whooping AED 800 million (USD 218 million).
2. Ski Dubai
What the rest of the world just fantasizes, Dubai makes it a tangible reality. Ever thought of an 85-meter-high indoor mountain? Forget it. Every thought of enjoying skiing, a snow-borne game in a desert? Ski Dubai is an indoor ski resort spanning 22,500 square meters, where the freezing temperature (-1 to 2 degrees) prevails throughout a year. The Snow Play Area was designed and produced by Thinkwell Group.
3. Jumeirah Beach
Lying on the coast of the Persian Gulf in the very district that takes its name, Jumeirah Beach is a white sand beach. It starts from The Palm Jumeirah and terminates between the southern end of the Jumeirah Beach Residence (adjacent to the Dubai Marina district) and the port facilities at Jebel Ali.
The beach and its frontage are dotted with hotels, resorts, and housing developments, including the Burj Al Arab (Arab Tower) hotel, Wild Wadi Water Park, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and the old-style Madinat Jumeirah, a hotel and shopping complex.
4. Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach, also known as Umm Suqeim beach, has a peaceful atmosphere. Take a stroll on the beach, take a dip in the blue water, experience surfing and fishing, soak in the sun, or get into the action with jogging and running – the choice remains with you. However, the most popular activity is watching the sun kissing horizon across the Arabian Gulf. Usher in Dubai’s luxury lifestyle at Jumeirah Beach Hotel which is a stone throw away from the beach.
5. Dine in the Clouds atop the Burj Khalifa
Dine at the world’s highest restaurant (122nd floor at 442 m (1,450 ft), At.Mosphere. The restaurant boasts a critically acclaimed menu of exclusive creations that truly reflects the diversity of the city. Woke up in the morning with fresh premium coffee – Kopi Luwak, Kopi Luwak Martini, Kopi Luwak Gold Cappuccino. If you are a tea lover, there is a world of options – ginger blended red of Arabia tea, happy hour tea blended with fresh fennel, peach, and fresh pineapple, Mandarin iced tea with spiced ginger and pear.
Whether you want to taste your native food or savor upon foreign culinary At.Mosphere has got you covered. Some of the produces are exclusively grown by farmers for this restaurant. Book your table in advance to avoid the last-minute rush.
6. Dubai Gold Souk or Gold Souk
If the noble metal fascinates you the most, Dubai Gold Souk is the place for you. This traditional dazzling market in Dubai has over 380 retailers of gold, platinum, diamonds, and silver. Dubai Gold Souk is bordered to the north by the Dubai Fish and Vegetable Market. Dubai is a paradise for noble metal buyers as shoppers enjoy excise duty exemption. Therefore, you only pay for the value of the metal. The only tax your purchase attracts is 5% VAT (Value Added Tax). You can also negotiate the ornament making charges with your vendor. Your bargaining skills may help you save big. It also depends on the purchase amount and what type of design you choose.
7. Dubai Museum
Dubai Museum, located in the Al Fahidi Fort, built-in 1787, is the main museum of the city. The museum has many galleries with exhibits, particularly, local antiques and artifacts from African and Asian countries that traded with Dubai. Some of the artifacts are as old as 3000 B.C. Spare some time watching a special theater called Diorama. It is the best way to have a sneak peek of the culture and life of the UAE that prevailed before the advent of the oil and natural gas industry that triggered its growth and prosperity. Sounds, visual effects, and electronic guides help you to easily understand the history and culture.
8. The Lost Chambers Aquarium
Meditate or do yoga, meet 65, 000 marine animals, snorkel with sharks and rays, wander through the ruins of Atlantis and discover ways to maintain co-existence on the planet and provide them the right care so that they survive and thrive to entertain humankind for generations to come. This is the UAE’s largest aquarium
Opening Hours
Open daily 10.00 AM to 10.00 PM*
(Opening hours subject to change depending on the time of year)
Ticket Prices
Adult: USD 29.95 – USD 36.75
Child: USD 24.50
9. Magic Planet – Mall of the Emirates
If you are visiting Dubai with kids, add this recreation center to your things-to-do list in Dubai. Their centers are dispersed all over Dubai in noted venues including Carrefour Al Saqr, Marina Mall, City Centre Ajman, Dana Mall, and Al Jimi Mall. Magic Planet entertains kids with games (video games, skill games, redemption games, merchandising games), rides (for all age groups including kids), and a host of attractions delivering amazing indoor experience. Adults equally enjoy the challenge and fun of the place.
Opening Hours
REGULAR TIMINGS every day: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM (vary as per location)
Ramadan Timings: Everyday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM (vary as per location)
Ticket Prices: Start from USD 28.59
10. Palm Jumeirah
Finding a new colony is a perennial quest of humankind. What Columbus did was just a beginning. The Palm Jumeirah is an artificial archipelago created using land reclamation by Nakheel, a local developer with global fame. The Palm Jumeirah has several hotels, resorts, and hotel residences along with retail and dining spots.
The artificial island is part of a larger series of developments called the Palm Islands. Other two archipelagos contributing to the main are Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira. Once the entire development of Palm Island will be over, Dubai’s shoreline is estimated to increase by 520 kilometers (320 mi).
Flights to Dubai
Dubai is connected with the world’s leading cities by flagship carriers. Check airlines, flight distance, Dubai airfares from your city and other
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