Dubai, although a desert city, has never been accused of being a dull destination, as the must-do list for a person visiting here is exceptionally huge. From shopping and sightseeing to visiting culinary and leisure attractions, it can be – however – quite an overwhelming decision to zero in on how to effectively spend your time in Dubai. Here is a list that covers a few of the amazing things that you should not miss to do in Dubai.
- Go on a city tour
Dubai’s skyline is incredibly splendid. The sky-high Burj Khalifa, sprawling Dubai Mall with Dancing Fountain, stunning man-made Palm Islands, historic Dubai Creek, and hotspots of Jumeirah including Atlantis Hotel, sail-shaped Burj Khalifa etc – all of these together form a magnificent panorama that is instantaneously distinguishable worldwide. There are several different ways to enjoy these marvels. Dubai city tour that precisely covers the main attractions of Dubai will be perfect for first-timers. Another great way to explore Dubai is take a Big Bus Tour. You can also hire a private vehicle with or without driver or rely on public transport systems (mainly metro) to soak up the beauty of Dubai in the most convenient and cost-effective manner.
- Visit Vibrant Souks
Scattered across Dubai’s Deira and Bur Dubai regions, the souks or traditional bazaars pull in bargain hunters with its vast and exceptional myriad of unique homewares, extraordinary textiles, aromatic spices, designer jewelry etc. With a few exemptions, majority of items seen here are remarkably inexpensive, which makes it the ultimate place to purchase a great traditional gift or souvenir. While it’s not possible to visit all souks in a single trip, be sure to visit Gold Souk to discover it for yourself why Dubai is often called the ‘City of Gold.’
- Stroll on the Marina Walk Promenade
Dubai is justly proud of its Dubai Marina – a 50 million square feet community providing Riviera-style lifestyle in an uber sophisticated setting. Peppered with an array of boutiques, eateries, and galleries, its pedestrian trail – The Walk – is well patronized by cyclists, joggers, and a host of leisurely ramblers who frequent here to take in fresh air while enjoying the unequaled architecture styles and stunning developments around modern Dubai.
- Ride a waterslide
If you’re an adventurist, you definitely do not want to miss a trip to Dubai’s enthralling water theme parks. Try Wild Wadi Adventure’s Jumeirah Sceirah which plunges you down from a height of 32 meters and at a speed of 80 kilometers/hour. To give you the ultimate in an adrenaline rush, Aquaventure within Atlantis Hotel also has some great water slides including Poseidon’s Revenge, Aquaconda, and Shark Attack.
- Cruise past the glorious Dubai Creek
Bask in the glorious panoramic night views of Dubai’s main highlights as you cruise down the charming Dubai Creek in a traditional wooden Arabian vessel, known as dhow. Dhow cruise creek and dinner is served onboard with traditional live performances. Another way to enjoy the glowing attractions of Dubai Creek is to take an abra (water taxi) ride.
- Savor Friday Brunch
There is no better way for foodies to enjoy Friday and Saturday in Dubai than with a decadent brunch which usually starts between 12.00 pm and 3.30 pm. While brunch is not quintessentially an Emirati thing, probably no other Middle Eastern city takes this combo of breakfast-lunch quite as earnestly as Dubai. And for this very reason, every visitor to Dubai should certainly experience a taste of Dubai’s ever-expanding scene of brunch culture. Whatever your palate or budget is, you’ll easily find a brunch package that goes with your preferences. Head to Andiamo to relish Italian Brunch or visit Atrium Restaurant for a brunch offering a combination of Arabic delights, sushi, and pizza. With great ambience and live performances, venues like Azur and Beachcombers are ideal for family brunch.
- Walk your way into a bygone era
Fascinating and antiquated displays on view at Dubai Museum will give you a unique glimpse of the cultural, historical, and traditional side of Dubai. Housed inside the 18th century Al Fahidi Fort, this museum with an understated charm is both interesting and affordable, making it a must-add to your Dubai itinerary.
- Explore the other side of Dubai with a desert safari
Not far but isolated from the bustling sights and sounds of Dubai lies an expanse of breathtaking and pristine desert landscape which offers you an adventure of a lifetime. Desert safari Dubai, enjoy dune bash in a 4X4 vehicle, trek across the endless stretches of untamed dunes on a camel back, ride a quad or dune buggy, and visit Bedouin encampment, where besides getting up-close with the unique Emirati culture you can savor traditional BBQ dinner and spectate belly dance show.
- Ascend to At The Top
Al though you can appreciate the beauty and enormity of Dubai’s skyline from almost anywhere in the city, the splendor of the cityscape should be best enjoyed from the top. And At the Top Observatory on the 124th floor of the tallest building, Burj Khalifa is undeniably a great place to view the whole of Dubai.
- Hit the slopes at Ski Dubai
In the summertime when temperature swells to its zenith, a perfect place to cool down is Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates. Filled with snow, this facility is quite unbelievable, offering great options to enjoy authentic snow activities even when the whole of Dubai sizzle in intense heat.
Apart from these, there are many other things which you can enjoy during your stay here. Go mall hopping, spend a day at spotless Jumeirah Beach, reserve a table at Burj Al Arab to best experience the grandeur of this stunning hotel, or take a yacht cruise to explore the Palm Islands, or go for hot air balloon ride/seaplane tour to enjoy Dubai from an exceptional vantage point. You can also take easy weekend getaways from Dubai to such fantastic destinations as Hatta, Sharjah, Ajman etc. Needless to say, Dubai really has something to delight and thrill everyone!
