Dubai is a land of superlatives, and there is a surprise waiting for you at every turn. The largest city in the UAE is a blend of its Emirati heritage and a contemporary lifestyle. There is a perfect balance between its glamour and luxury and its history and culture. No one has visited this marvelous city and has not fallen in love with its many facets. Here is a list of the top 10 places that are unmissable when you visit this Arabian jewel.
Desert Safari
One of the best places to see in Dubai is the endless stretches of red Arabian sand. You can book a hot air balloon ride, a morning safari, or an overnight safari. A typical experience consists of exhilarating activities such as sandboarding, dune bashing, and quad biking. Once you retire to the Bedouin-style campsite, you can enjoy other activities like camel riding, shisha smoking, falconry, henna painting, and more. Witness captivating cultural performances such as Belly Dancing, Tanura Dance Show, and Fire Show. Savor a lip-smacking buffet dinner with an assortment of international and local dishes.
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is a sprawling aquarium that has won awards for the world’s largest acrylic panel. Wander through the glass tunnel and be spellbound as you witness the fascinating aquatic creatures around you. The aquarium is home to more than 140 species of marine life, including otters, manta rays, stingrays, seahorses, piranhas, sharks, jellyfish, and more. You can also book various activities like otter encounters, crocodile encounters, cage snorkeling, and glass-bottom boat tours
Burj Khalifa
The remarkable Burj Khalifa makes it to the top of every traveler’s bucket list. It has two viewing points – one on the 124th floor and the other on the 148th floor from where you can enjoy unforgettable views of the city. You can also see some of the city’s significant landmarks, such as Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah. If you are looking for an extraordinary culinary experience, you must surely visit the Atmosphere restaurant on the 22nd floor
IMG Worlds of Adventure
The IMG World of Adventure promises to transport you to your childhood. Spend time with your beloved superheroes at one of the largest indoor amusement parks. The park has outstanding rides based on your favorite characters from Marvel comics, such as Iron Man, Hulk, Superman, and Spiderman. In the Cartoon Network Zone, you can get up, close, and personal with Power Puff Girls and Ben 10. A significant highlight of this park is the Lost Valley Zone where you can enjoy rides based on 60 animatronic dinosaurs
Dhow Cruise
Dhow is a traditional wooden vessel that has been an integral part of the region’s trade. It has undergone a complete makeover with all the modern amenities to provide visitors a sneak peek into the past Arabian life. A dhow cruise dinner is one of the unique experiences that you will cherish forever. Enjoy mind-blowing cultural performances such as Belly Dancing and Tanura Dance Show. Gorge on a delicious buffet dinner while you pass through the city’s glittering coastline
Wild Wadi Waterpark
Wild Wadi Waterpark is a themed waterpark having many rides and attractions such as Thunder Rapids, Tumble Falls, Falcon Fury, several waterslides, an aquatic roller coaster, free-fall slides, and tornadoes. It is based on a popular character from Arabian folklore called Juha. You can see the most impressive view of the hotel Burj Al Arab from here. It has many other attractions like Juha’s Lagoon that offer an interactive water experience for kids, complete with racing slides, water guns, and large dumping buckets
Ain Dubai
Ain Dubai is a recent addition to the glorious skyline of the city. It is also known as Dubai Eye and is the world’s largest observation wheel. Constructed on the artificial Bluewater Island, this wheel consists of 48 glass capsules that can accommodate around 900 people in one round. The capsules have LED screens that display information about the different attractions. During the ride, you can enjoy the entire city’s stunning views, including prominent landmarks such as Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, and Palm Islands.
Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood
This is the oldest residential area in the city and one of the top places to see in Dubai. You feel as if you have stepped back in time when you visit this place. It is brimming with narrow lanes, cobbled-stone streets, and sand-colored buildings with wind-towers. You can spend your time exploring the many art galleries, cafes, and restaurants. The Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding and Dubai Museum are excellent places to learn about Islamic culture and traditions. Stop for some refreshments at the Arabian Tea House or Dubai Coffee Museum, where you can also check out artifacts and books on coffee.
Jumeirah Beach
Jumeirah Beach is a great place to enjoy a fun day with your loved ones. It comes with plenty of facilities, including a children’s play area, a jogging/walking track, and a volleyball court. If you are looking for some adventure, you can choose from a wide range of watersports, including jet-skiing, paddle boarding, parasailing, kayaking, and kitesurfing. You can also plan a family picnic or barbeque party at the Jumeirah Beach Park, a delightful water-facing development.
Dubai Mall
How can you visit Dubai and not indulge in retail therapy? Dubai Mall is a one-stop destination for all things fun and entertainment. You can spend a whole day here and still not get to see it from one end to the other because of its gigantic size. But this is just not a place for shopping. It also has myriad recreational attractions such as an Olympic size ice rink, a huge indoor waterfall, a dazzling fountain, a spectacular aquarium, and a virtual reality theme park. If you are in the mood to watch a movie, there are 22 multiplexes to fulfil your wish.
Dubai is on a reinvention spree bringing its visitors new and striking attractions time and again. From grand mosques and traditional souks to an indoor ski resort and an artificial island, this city never stops surprising us with its innovation and creativity.
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