The United Arab Emirates is a small country, but it is full of exciting places where visitors can come and fall in love. From modern buildings to cultural hot spots, there is everything. This makes the UAE one of the hottest tourist destinations in the world.
Attractions in Dubai
Dubai is known for its luxurious lifestyle and modern architecture in the middle of the desert. The city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is known for its extravagant, newly built monuments such as the Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Mall.
In just over two decades, the city has changed from a desert port to a thriving metropolis with skyscrapers.
Burj Khalifa
The tallest building in the world over 800 meters, the Burj Khalifa, is one of the most impressive landmarks in Dubai. Even better than viewing a skyscraper from the outside is to go to the top and see what Dubai looks like from floor 148. The view stretches from the sea to the desert and it is a truly unique experience.
Burj Khalifa, 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Dubai, +971 4 366 1655
Dubai Mall
What could be more exciting for people who like to shop than visiting the largest mall in the world? Dubai Mall has 1,200 stores, from some of the largest luxury stores in the world, such as Chanel and Cartier, to Forever 21, Zara and other trendy stores. The department store also has an entire area reserved for jewelry stores and dozens of grocery and beverage stores.
Dubai Mall, Financial Centre Road, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, +971 800 382246255
Palm Jumeirah Island
Palm Jumeirah is the largest artificial island in the world. Every tourist in Dubai definitely needs to see it and visit one of its top restaurants and bars. Even better than just visiting the island is to stay in one of its 5-star hotels, such as Fairmont The Palm, Atlantis or Anantara.
The Palm Jumeirah, Al Sufouh Road, Dubai
Madinat Jumeirah resort
Madinat Jumeirah is connected by three kilometers of waterways, which will take you to all the facilities of the resort and allow you to travel around the extensive resort by authentic Abra boats. The structure of the building is a tribute to the old Arab Citadel in the past. When you float around its waterways, you can easily get lost in the history of the country. The rooms inside are new, but not very thrilling. In the resort, you can also smell the traditional Arab culture (from fresh air market), which has historically had, in addition to commercial use, threre is also highly social use.
King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Road, Jumeirah 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai opera
Opened in 2016, the Dubai Opera House is the first theater built in central Dubai, overlooking the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain. The support zone is expected to be the largest cultural center in the world when completed.
The building, which took three years to build and complete, was designed by architect Janus Rostock Atkins and can be transformed into three modes: a theater, a concert hall and a banquet hall with approximately 2,000 seats in concert mode. This feature really distinguishes Dubai Opera from other cultural places. Rostock was one of the most powerful architects in the Middle East, and this project won the GCC Project of the Year Award (MEP Middle East Awards 2015). https://www.dubaiopera.com/
City Walk shopping area
City Walk is located on Al Safa Street, a large street that leads from the Sheikh Zayed Highway to the sea with beautiful views of the world’s tallest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa. City Walk reproduces the concept of a European city with shops and businesses arranged along the main road that visitors walk through. It is not a “closed” shopping center on several floors, but a street with inner and outer squares, where it is pleasant to walk and sometimes stop for window shopping.
Dubai Canal
The Dubai Canal is 3.2km long that stretches from the bay of old Dubai to the Arabian Gulf.
The Dubai Water Canal is one of the most expensive and environmentally friendly projects in Dubai. The street lamps used in the canal are completely solar, in addition to being just an attraction, the canal serves as a functioning transport system and provides a great connection with the city itself. You could walk across the canal on a boat or ferry, but to enjoy the experience, it would be ideal to sit on top of a traditional Arabian Dhowa or Abra.
There are 5 pedestrian bridges, 3 of which connect both sides of the canal, which is supposed for a quiet walk. One bridge over the canal has a concrete slope for cyclists.
The area around the canal has separated trails, jogging tracks, bike paths and seating areas that visitors can use. The channel also has intelligent charging stations that guarantee that it will never drain your batteries. Each of the pedestrian bridges has lifts on both sides.
Dubai Creek
Dubai Creek, or Arabic Al Khor, is a 14-kilometer-long stretch of water coming from the Persian Gulf to Dubai. It divides the city into two districts, Deira and Bur Dubai. Take an evening cruise and see what you can see from the water surface.
When to visit:
All year round
Opening hours:
The first Abra (boat) leaves at 5:00 in the morning and runs until midnight. Take this into account when planning your activities around the bay.
How much does it cost:
The road to Abre costs 1 dirham, one way. Inas prices will depend on your chosen activities.
How to get there:
Creek Tube Station is on the green line and is quite close to the water. It even goes under the water!
Beaches in Dubai
Dubai is not just about skyscrapers but dunes. It is located on the edge of the Arabian Gulf and is also a paradise for beach lovers. In idyllic weather from October to May, Dubai’s beaches have become one of its main attractions.
While dressing on Dubai’s beaches is more relaxed than in other parts of the city, this is not a place to go in your thong bikini. Choose swimming suit that offers more coverage (shorts, one-piece and casual bikinis are fine) and don’t forget to cover them before leaving the sand. And ladies, sunbathing topless is seriously unacceptable.
Summer and the beach go hand in hand, don’t they? Well, not in Dubai, when summer temperatures (June to September) are around 43°C. If beach days are a priority of your Dubai vacation, book your stay for the colder months.
Stay hydrated on the beach, but keep your alcohol in your hotel room. Drinking alcohol outside of licensed bars and restaurants is against the law and exposes serious fines and even imprisonment.
Jumeirah Beach
It is white sand beach, located in the Jumeirah district of Dubai on the shores of the Persian Gulf. It stretches along the coast south of the historic part of town to the junction with The Palm Jumeirah and ends between the south of Jumeirah Beach. One of the most visited public beaches in Dubai. It is very popular among residents and tourists. Admission is completely free and there are showers and changing rooms.
There are also lifeguards on the beach, a few cafes and restaurants, and a jogging track for fitness lovers. It is also one of Dubai’s public beaches, offering a variety of water sports including paddleboarding and water skiing. Residents living in Jumeirah district enjoy this public beach in Dubai, as it just steps away from their homes.
Jumeirah Beach is open 24 hours, but the beach is only accessible for swimming until sunset.
Kite Beach
A five-minute drive to the north will take you to Kite Beach, whose main activity is clear from the name. This is an excellent Dubai beach for water sports. Wakeboarding, kayaking and paddleboarding are also available. Play tennis or volleyball on the soft sands, or simply relax while sunbathing with city views and free Wi-Fi. Kite Beach is fully equipped with toilets and changing rooms, cafes and fast food trucks.
Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach is located between the Arabian Gulf and Umm Suqeim Park. This white sand beach is a popular place for families with children. Selfies at sunset are a mandatory activity here. Sunset Beach is equipped with toilets, showers and changing rooms, as well as free Wi-Fi, for those who want to catch a wave. It is also the only Dubai beach for surfing with small to medium waves, which is ideal for beginners.
Marina Beach
Marina Beach is located along the sidewalk at Jumeirah Beach Residences, between Bluewaters Island and Hilton Dubai Jumeirah. Beach facilities include sun loungers and parasols for hire, a 1.8 km jogging track, showers and public toilets, and many shops, restaurants and grocery stalls along the shopping street.
Once known as the Russian beach due to its popularity among Russian tourists.
