When you travel to Dubai, you’ll find a fascinating and beautiful land that has so much to do you won’t know where to start. From the abundance of shopping opportunities to amazing attractions and stunning beaches, Dubai caters to every taste and age.
Dubai excursions
Wild Wadi Water Park
Wild Wadi Water Park offers a fun-filled array of water chutes, lazy rivers and two 32 metre high, almost vertical, water slides. This park has everything you could want for a wet and wild afternoon, with tidal waves you can surf on, paddling pools for children, sports activities and areas to relax and sunbathe.
Dubai Parks and Resorts
This brand new Dubai attraction has four different theme parks in one location, with rides and entertainment for all ages. Step into the movies at MOTIONGATETM, dance the day away in Bollywood ParksTM, experience the thrills of LEGOLAND® and take to the waves at LEGOLAND® Waterpark.
Dubai shopping
If you enjoy shopping on a big scale, then Dubai is definitely the perfect holiday for you. Dubai is a ‘duty-free’ price zone, meaning the glittering shopping malls aren’t always as expensive as you’d have thought. With so much competition and so many places to shop, this often leads to prices being forced down, opening you up to an array of luxurious bargains.
Mall of the Emirates
This bustling shopping paradise is like a mini-city, with stores like Harvey Nichols, Prada and Chanel, amongst many other designer brands throughout. They all sit alongside a magnificent ski centre too, Ski Dubai.
Dubai Mall
The huge Dubai Mall will leave even the most hard-core shopper spoilt for choice. There’s over 1,200 shops featuring high-end fashion brands like Burberry, Diesel, D&G and McQueen, sitting alongside shops specialising in everything from gadgets to beauty and art. There’s also an ice rink, aquarium, and a whole plethora of restaurants, all next to the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.
Souks
If you want a more authentic shopping experience then head to the Gold Souk, where a little patience and a firm haggle will get you a real treat. This land of bartering is the perfect place to bag an interesting bargain. If you’ve got a taste for traditional flavours, then head towards the Spice Souk, or, for an array of enticing smells, the Perfume Souk can conjure up a signature scent of your own.
Jebel Ali
If you’re looking for duty-free outlets, then head to Jebel Ali. Here you’ll find a number of bargains from electrical goods to big brand sportswear.
Dubai beaches
Visiting Dubai wouldn’t be the same without a trip to one of its many glorious stretches of sand to make the most of the weather in Dubai. A 20 minute drive from the centre will take you to Jumeirah Beach, with beautiful clear waters alongside a whole host of beach-side amenities. Mamzar is a private beach resort definitely worth paying that little extra for; for a small entrance fee you’ll be treated to stunning shallow waters, white sands and various snack shops and children’s facilities.
Sightseeing in Dubai
Dubai Creek
If you enjoy relaxing but don’t want to spend every moment of the day on the beach or around the pool, then head to The Creek Park. This oasis of green lawns and flower beds offers a tranquil alternative of what to do in Dubai, with children’s play areas, a golf course, cafes and an amphitheatre adding a musical soundtrack all year-round.
Burj Al Arab
Another famous landmark in the Dubai landscape is the Burj Al Arab. This seven star hotel is shaped to represent the curved sail of a dhow, and even if you’re not staying here, it’s definitely worth a visit. Maybe you could check out the impressive Al Muntaha restaurant, which is suspended 300m above the sea; now that’s a dining experience like no other.
Burj Dubai Lake
Situated next to Dubai Mall is the Burj Dubai Lake; home to the world’s largest dancing fountains. Shooting jets of water 500 feet into the air, this is a unique water display and one of the extremely popular Dubai tourist attractions.
Lifestyle and culture in Dubai
The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
If you want to learn more about your holiday destination, then have a day out at The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding in the historic Bastakia Quarter of Dubai. Here you can get a greater understanding of the local customs, culture, and Arabic food as you take a guided tour of the area. This includes traditional breakfast, lunch and Arabic tea, along with a Q&A session, so you can expand your Dubai knowledge.
Old Dubai
For a glimpse into the past, take a trip to Old Dubai. This area houses a group of historic and cultural attractions. Places like the Dubai Museum, located within the 18th century Al Fahidi Fort, offers up a comprehensive look at Arabian life alongside various textiles, weaponry, coins, and art that date back over 3,000 years. It’s a great way to get an insight into life in Dubai before it became a tourist haven.
Jumeirah Mosque
If you head towards Jumeirah Road you’ll find the Jumeirah Mosque - one of the few mosques open to tourists. As the largest in the city, guided tours of this beautiful building - with its elaborate interior decorations - will give you a fascinating insight into the Muslim religion. Wander past at night and marvel at its beauty when illuminated against the black night sky.