Top things to do in Dubai.

Dubai has fast become a very popular tourist destination.Coming from nothing but sand dunes to a fascinating skyscraper city with world class shopping and entertainment, It has come a long way. Discover the Top things to do in Dubai.

I have travelled to Dubai numerous times, yet every time I have returned there is something new to discover. Most people I know have visited this mega city at some point, whether it be a holiday, a business trip or a quick sample on a stopover and have been wowed by this mega city. Dubai is safe and a great holiday destination for all ages.

Best Airline to travel to Dubai

With the national carrier Emirates spreading its wings far and wide, it has become one of the worlds largest passenger airline. The Best way to travel to Dubai undoubtedly would be by Emirates. An award winning airline and personally my favourite.

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What is Dubai Popular for?

Whether you are looking to spend a few hours or a few days, Dubai will keep you occupied.Dubai is famous for many things – A top travel destination, a Business Hub and a shopping paradise. The skyline is one of the most attractive features of this city – Visiting the iconic Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building) to some of the largest shopping malls that include an indoor ski slope. Apart from the modern city has a rich heritage.

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Discover Old Dubai – Gold Souk.

People don’t associate Dubai with history, but there is a beautiful old town just waiting to be explored. The Bastakia Quarter is a great place to start your time in thecity, exploring the ancient buildings and spice souks to sailing on a traditional boat across the Dubai Creek. This gives you a taste of what the old Dubai was.

Once you cross the creek you are minutes away from Dubai’s famous gold souk. The glitter of this gold souk is a symbol of the wealth and Dubai becoming a very popular gold market. The windows display anything from rings and chains to even a full body outfit made out of pure gold.

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A must visit if you are in Dubai but watch out for the Mrs, she doesn’t  spend all your holiday money on the first day.

Best time to visit Dubai –

The best time to visit Dubai is between February and April, the mild season with temperatures in the twenties however also the most popular and expensive period to visit Dubai. There are some amazing deals available if you are visiting outside this but be prepared to experience the desert heat.

Do you need a Visa for Dubai? Many nationalities don’t need a visa, but if you do require one you can get one at arrival valid for a 30 days visit.

Visiting Dubai during Ramadan –

If you are visiting Dubai during the holy month of Ramadan please plan accordingly as it is over a 30 day period and everything opens and closes around the time of fasting. All non-Muslims and tourists are prohibited to eat, drink or smoke in public areas during the hours of fasting. This is from sun rise to sun set and many cafés and restaurants remain closed during these hours in Ramadan

Do’s and Dont’s of Dubai

• Dubai might seem very westernized and modern but it is still a Muslim country and it is run by Sharia Law so please be mindful.
• The sun doesn’t really get hot until about 10/10.30am so plan accordingly. Shops are open till 10 pm normally so you have enough time.
• Smoking and Drinking in Dubai. Be mindful as being drunk and misbehaving in public is not tolerated and can lead to jail time. Avoid smoking and littering in public spaces as it can lead to fines.
• Can I wear Swimwear in Dubai? Yes you can wear swimwear. Don’t wear swimwear outside the beach or pool area of your hotel and in general you should keep it modest.
• Can you drink alcohol in Dubai? Tourists can consume alcohol in licensed venues such as hotels, bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
• Are Taxi’s Cheap in Dubai – Taxi’s are affordable and available everywhere. In general it is an expensive city, so prepare to pay accordingly.
• Tips on buying tickets – The theme parks don’t come cheap, so check the park’s website for special promotions, buying multi-day passes or taking advantage of seasonal discounts. Guests of any hotel affiliated with the Jumeirah group can make unlimited visits to Wild Wadi Water park.
• Monday is Ladies Night in Dubai, and nearly all bars will either serve 2 free drinks free to ladies and if you are lucky some offer free drinks all night long to ladies.

On the bright side there are many things to do in this city, from dune bashing and camel riding to shopping and discovering the delicious Middle Eastern cuisine.

Dubai Airport and Transport.

Becoming one of the largest airports in the World comes with it’s toll. The airport can get very busy at immigration during the peak tourism season so keep this in mind if you want to step out on a quick stopover. The airport is in the heart of the city so not far away and easily accessible by the skytrain and local transport.

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Is there a metro in Dubai- Use local transport in the city, a day pass for the Metro will cost you under 20 Dirham for all zones allowing you to hop on and off as you please.

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Where to stay in Dubai

Depending on your budget there is a wide variety of hotels, serviced apartments and AirBnb available. There are so many hotels in Dubai that making the right choice can become a daunting task. Spend some time on the comparison websites to get something that suits your budget and the right location for you. If you are planning to stay on the Palm then yes, this will be expensive and is also a bit away from the main city so add your travel costs. The best place to stay in Dubai for beaches are The Palm and Jumeirah.

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Top things to do in Dubai.

Dubai has something for everyone so depending on what you fancy you can plan your trip accordingly. If you are a shopaholic it has some of the largest shopping malls. For sports it offers some of the best golf courses and dune bashing trips. Party Animals can enjoy the electric nightlife that it has to offer. Food Enthusiasts can chose from some of the biggest names in the world. So lets discover the Top things to do in Dubai.

Visit the Burj Khalifa – The tallest building in the world.

Head up to the Burj Khalifa, at 828m this is the tallest building in the world. You can see this iconic symbol of Dubai from anywhere in the city and it absolutely stands out amongst the many sky scrapers that this city has.

A standard ticket will allow you to visit up to the 125^th floor. If this is not enough then head to the highest observation deck in the world on the 148^th floor. The views from the 148 floor are really sensational and gives you a feel of how the city and the numerous sky scrapers around it. Book tickets in advance.

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Shopping in Dubai.

If you are a shopaholic this city is your gateway to heaven.Shopping in Dubai can be divided into 3 distinct categories.

• Shopping Malls – Some of the best and largest malls for brands from all over the world.
• Souks – The more traditional way of shopping in this part of the world and a great place if you are looking for gold, clothes and souvenirs.
• Shopping areas – more used by the locals with an array of shops providing you the same items at a bargain price.

The Dubai Mall – If size matters then head to this Mall, the world’s biggest shopping mall. Highlights include 1200 retail shops, an Olympic sized ice skating rink, the world’s largest aquarium, a  gold souk, 50 restaurants and cafes serving international cuisine, refreshments and fast food , and the spectacular Fountain at the foot of the Burj Khalifa.

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BurJuman Mall – 300 retail shops, including brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Hermes, and Valentino.

Deira City Centre – One of the first malls in Dubai includes a Magic Planet entertainment centre, a large Carrefour, 11-screen Cinema, food court encompassing 15 restaurants, and a direct access to Sofitel City Centre Hotel which is a great hotel if you want to be in the heart of the city.

Emirates Towers Boulevard – located within the Jumeirah Emirates Towers, boutiques of leading designer brands, restaurants and cafes.

Festival Waterfront Centre – 600 retail shops, 25 flagship stores, 100+ restaurants, cafes and bistros, multiplex, and a Bowling facility.

Ibn Battuta Mall –  This mall divided into various courts based on the different countries of the world such as China Court, India Court, etc, has the only IMAX theatre in the city.

Mall of Emirates – One of the largest and home to the indoor ski slope in the middle of the desert. Visit Ski Dubai, a 22,500 square metre indoor ski slope covered with real snow ,if thats not enough then take the kids to the Magic Planet family entertainment centre – with lots of rides, games and experiences.

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Wafi Mall – Based on an Egyptian theme includes retail shops, 30 multi cuisine restaurants, Encounter Zone for kids, Cleopatra’s and Medi Spa for luxury and rejuvenation.

 

Dubai Desert Safari – Dune bashing.

A pick up from your hotel in a 4×4, and driving out of the city to the sand dunes for a thrilling 6 hour adventure. Discover the beauty and customs of the desert starting from a camel ride to dune bashing on a quad bike. Enjoy a sand board down the sand dunes and relax at a desert campsite as the sun sets. Complete your evening with a delicious barbecue dinner and a exotic belly dancing show under the stars around the campfire.

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Passing camels and desert camps, this is the ultimate contrast to the bright lights of the city.

Best Beaches in Dubai –

There are plenty of beautiful beaches to visit in Dubai. If you’re staying around The Palm then most of the hotels here include a private beach with perfect calm waters. However if you want to taste the true beach experience, head to JBR Beach or the Jumeirah Public Beach for views of impressive 7-star hotel The Burj Al Arab.

Barasti  – One of the famous beach bars and popular with both tourists and locals. It has made a name for itself because of its nightlife and you will find people of all nationalities here.

The Dubai Creek

Flowing between Deira and Bur Dubai and supporting the initial trade with the outside world this protected inlet was the obvious choice to develop a commercial seaport.

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The creek ferries passengers between the souks of Deira and the historic district of Bur Dubai. You can take a relaxing ride on a traditional wooden water taxi called an abra or watch the sun set over the water. Using the abra is a great way to take in some of the older parts of the city.

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Safa Park

Safa Park is one of the largest and oldest spots for greenery in Dubai. Enjoy the lake with small boats floating along it, bikes for hire and even a small waterfall.A popular picnic spot for the locals during the cooler months. If you fancy a walk head to Safa park and relax.

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Day trip to Ferrari World.

Dubai is fast becoming the Theme Park capital of the world, with more then five new parks opened in the last 5 years. For the Car fanatics a perfect opportunity to experience the wild adrenaline rush at the Ferrari World theme park in Yas Island. A day trip to Ferrari World – one of the world’s largest indoor theme parks. It showcases Ferrari’s story, design, and features 20 rides and attractions, restaurants, and facilities.

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Best Things to do with Kids in Dubai.

Legoland –

One of the world newest Legoland has more than 40 rides and spreads over six themed lands – Factory, Kingdoms, Adventure Lego City, Imagination, and miniland. You will need at least 1 full day for this park alone so plan accordingly.

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IMG Worlds of Adventure – 

The world’s largest indoor theme park with superheroes, dinosaurs and ghouls. The park’s four zones deliver rides and attractions ranging from mild to wild. Superheroes packed Marvel zone, where you can become part of a showdown on a lunch- on a spiralling roller coaster.

Bollywood Park –

Based on some of the largest blockbusters in the history of Bollywood. Themes based around some of the classics like Sholay, Dabangg and Krrish. The park offers live entertainment, explosive stunt shows, song and dance performances, presented in the palatial Rajmahal Theater.

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Motiongate – 

This is ‘Hollywood in the Desert’, with more than two dozen rides, attractions and live shows inspired by classic and new blockbuster. The heart of the park is the indoor DreamWorks zone with animated characters from, Madagascar, Shrek and Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon.

Wild Wadi Waterpark – 

Dubai’s first aqua park has lured visitors from around the world since 1999 and packs plenty of fun into a fairly compact frame. Its offers 30 rides and attractions and add a beach and a lazy river, your it water park heaven. The bonus is the views of the iconic Burj Al Arab.

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Legoland Water Park – 

The new kid on the block of water adventure – Legoland Water Park.

The Atlantis at the Palm.

An imposing hotel located on the man made island in the shape of a palm tree. The Atlantis is a lavish hotel and water park. With the sun always shining and  guaranteed weather this is the perfect destination to enjoy aqua adventurers such as the Dolphin Bay, Aquaventure and the Lost Chambers. One of the most popular aspects of the hotel is The Dolphin Bay, a lush lagoon modelled on the natural habitats of the dolphins.

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The Atlantis has a variety of experiences to offer including a spectacular helicopter tour of the island. The Atlantis has its own private beach and a must visit location for the entire family.  

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Walk around the Marina and JBR.

Visit the Marina for a perfect evening walk particularly around the JBR waterfront area. Finish the evening with a dinner cruises and see the city light up. Some of the other areas where you could go for a walk is around the Burj Al Arab and Madinat Jumeirah, which is designed like a Souk with shops and restaurants and great views.

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My list of Top things to do in Dubai.

• Watch the Dubai fountain show at the Burj Khalifa
• Visit the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo at Dubai Mall
• Splash a day at Wild Wadi Water Park
• Take a boat around the Palm island.
• Visit Bur Dubai with its textiles souq and old  shops.
• Cross over by abra to Deira and hit the Spice souq and Gold souq.\
• Grab a cocktail and enjoy live music on Barasti Beach
• Some day-time dancing and drinks – Zero Gravity Pool and Beach bar.
• Visit the Atlantis Hotel, and  swim with the Dolphins at Dolphin Bay.
• Visit the Jumeirah mosque.
• Enjoy a high tea at Burj Al Arab the hotel designed in the shape of a ship and the world’s fourth largest hotel. 
• Scale the heights of the sky with a visit to the Burj Khalifa, the largest building in the world.
• Shop @ The Mall of the Emirates are one of the biggest malls in the world.
• Slide in an indoor ski resort.
• Go dune bashing as you drive through the desert landscape in high speed.
• Shake a leg at one of the famous nightclub Sensation Boudoir or Cavalli

If you enjoyed reading about Dubai, you will surely find some of the other city breaks interesting.