Dubai is a shining gem of the United Arab Emirates or UAE. An ultra-modern city, Dubai is known for its glamour, luxury and opulence. When it comes to architecture and design, the city has broken several world records. Right from owning one of the largest malls in the world to the tallest building in the world, Dubai has always surprised and awed the world with its architectural feats. Due to all these reasons and more, Dubai is one of the most popular holiday destinations for people across the world. If you are planning to visit Dubai in the near future, here are some of the best things to do and see in Dubai.
Things to Do in Dubai
Desert Safari
When it comes to desert safari Dubai, you can choose amongst morning, evening and overnight desert safaris. Desert safaris usually involve adventurous and entertaining activities along with great food. Dune bashing, quad biking, camel riding and sandboarding are some of the enjoyable activities offered. In addition, one can indulge in henna painting, shisha smoking, etc. During the evening and overnight desert safari, one will enjoy Tanoura and belly dancing performances. At the end of the desert safari, one is treated with a lip-smacking 5-star BBQ meal.
Adventurous Activities
Not many know that Dubai is not all about glamour and luxury. In fact, it is one of the hotspots for adventure activities. Right from the most adventurous aerial activities to the most daring water activities, it is a haven for adventure lovers. Skydiving is one of the most popular activities, where you get the aerial view of Palm Island as well as the entire Dubai city. If you like aerial adventures, you can also try ziplining and hot air ballooning. Water adventures are also quite popular in Dubai. Apart from water sports like jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking, kite surfing and surfing, you can also try scuba diving and snorkelling here. Rock climbing, mountain biking, skiing, etc. are also popular in the city.
Shopping
Everyone knows that Dubai is a mecca for shopping. The city is home to several shopping malls, boutiques, department stores and souks, where you can shop to your heart’s content. Shopping malls like Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Ibn Battuta Mall, Marina Mall, etc. have shops that sell everything from local brands to international ones. There are also traditional souks like the gold souk, the spice souk, the perfume souk and the spice souk, where you can get hold of the local and traditional products. Apart from all this, Dubai also hosts the biggest shopping festival in the world, the Dubai Shopping Festival, every year. Shopping in Dubai is nothing less than being in paradise.
Dhow Cruise
Going on a dinner cruise on the traditional dhow is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Dubai. Complete with two decks and Bedouin-style decorations, the dhow has a unique air to it. Dhow cruise dinners happen on Dubai Creek, Dubai Marina and Dubai Water Canal as well. During the cruise, which lasts for 2-3 hours, you are engaged and entertained with great performances, splendid view and delicious food. Depending on your location, you would get to enjoy gorgeous views of the Dubai skyline. Also, a scrumptious three-course dinner awaits you on the cruise. You would also get to enjoy Arabic hospitality along with a marvellous Tanoura dance performance.
Visit Amusement Parks
One of the best things to do in Dubai is visiting amusement parks and Dubai has some of the best in the world. One of the ultimate amusement park destinations would be Dubai Parks & Resorts, housing three theme parks and a water park. While Motiongate and Bollywood Park is perfect for adventure-loving adults, Legoland Dubai and Legoland Water Park is great for the little ones. Moreover, if you want to have fun and thrilling time without being bothered by the heat of the city, head to IMG Worlds of Adventure, which is an indoor theme park. There are also several interesting water parks in the city, the most popular being Wild Wadi, Atlantis Aquaventure and Laguna Water World.
Places to See in Dubai
Burj Khalifa
No list about the places to see in Dubai can be complete without mentioning Burj Khalifa. The tallest building in the world is an architectural icon and towers over all the major skyscrapers of the city. While it is the first thing you see when your flight lands in Dubai, you must take time to visit the observation deck on the 124th or 148th floor. The Burj Khalifa tour is popular among tourists and gives you the chance to peek into the interiors of the building and see an aerial view of the entire city. It also includes a ride in the fastest elevator on earth. Alternatively, you can choose to stay at the luxurious Hotel Armani or dine at one of the fine dining restaurants in the building. Whatever it is, get ready to be bowled over by the stupendous Burj Khalifa.
Kite Beach
Dubai is a beach-city and is home to some of the most marvellous beaches you will ever see. If you have to pick just one, it should be Kite Beach. It is one of the most popular public beaches in Dubai. The beach is well-known for its water sports, especially kite surfing. Also, the beach is great for people -watching. With a skatepark right on the beach, visitors can see skaters practicing. There are also several open-air cafes and eateries where you can enjoy some cool drinks and delicious snacks. Apart from all this, Kite Beach is great for lounging and enjoying the view not only of the waves but also of the gorgeous sail-shaped Burj Al Arab.
Jumeirah Mosque
Dubai is primarily a Muslim society, and you can see the influence of the religion everywhere, be it in the culture, the traditions, the architecture, etc. If you are interested to know about the nuances of Islam, a visit to Jumeirah Mosque is a good idea. Only two mosques in Dubai are open for non-Muslims, and Jumeirah Mosque is one of them. The most-photographed mosque in Dubai, the Jumeirah Mosque has a surreal beauty, and you get to admire the architecture of the place during your visit. However, if you are interested in knowing about culture and religion, it would be best to opt for the free tour organized by SMCCU (Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding). It will give you a deep insight into the religion and the culture of the Emiratis.
VR Park Dubai
If you want to enjoy some thrill, adventure and fun, the VR Park Dubai is a place you must visit. Located inside the Dubai Mall, VR Park Dubai is a theme park that brings together virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). The place has 18 interactive rides, attractions and experiences, each unique and immersive. The genre of the attractions ranges from leisure to adrenaline, making it possible to find something that you would love to try. The best part is that you can enter the place for free and only pay for those attractions that you are really interested in. Some of the interesting attractions of VR Park are Burj Drop, APE-X, John Wick Chronicles, The Raft, The Walking Dead VR Outbreak, Travel Bus, VR Sports, etc. With its fabulous and nerve-wrecking attractions, VR Park Dubai promises to take you to a different world for a few hours.
Al Fahidi Neighbourhood
There was a time when Dubai was not the glamorous city that it is now. In fact, it was a humble fishing village. While the city has transformed in the last few decades, a small part of the olden times is still preserved at the Al Fahidi Neighbourhood. Flanked by the Dubai Creek, the Al Fahidi Neighbourhood is home to the Bastakiya Quarter, an area complete with traditional stone buildings and wind towers, built by the Persian Merchants. The narrow winding roads will not fail to take you back to the yester-years of the city. Several of the buildings have been converted into museums, art galleries and cafes, giving you a chance to see their interiors. Also, you must visit the Dubai Museum nearby, to get a deeper insight into the life of the Emiratis in the past.
While the above ones are interesting places to see and things to do in Dubai, there are several more that you can include in your itinerary. In reality, the city is brimming with so many old and new attractions, you would want to visit again and again to see everything!
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