Get misplaced within the stunning metropolis that’s Dubai. Filled to the brim with cutting-edge structure and awe-inspiring historical cities, Dubai is among the hottest cities for vacationers worldwide to go to. Peek into the previous whereas wandering by way of conventional souks and outdated fort cities to see what life was like in Dubai earlier than its enlargement right into a cosmopolitan wonderland.
Take the time to expertise among the most spectacular trendy structure, together with the world’s tallest constructing and the biggest human-made marina, whereas indulging in world-class conventional Emirati meals and worldwide delicacies! Our Dubai journey information particulars what you have to know earlier than visiting Dubai, from sights to the nation’s guidelines for vacationers.
In this Article
A Little Bit About Dubai
The Emirate of Dubai is the second-largest of the seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates and sits nestled alongside the japanese coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Its capital and largest metropolis is Dubai. Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the Sultanate of Oman border it. Dubai was as soon as a small fishing village that has grown into a world monetary, buying and selling and tourism hub. The discovery of oil in Dubai within the Nineteen Sixties accelerated its growth into the cosmopolitan metropolis it’s as we speak.
Dubai has a desert local weather and excessive warmth with little rainfall. In summer season, temperatures can attain 108.2 levels Fahrenheit, with as much as 47% humidity. The combine of warmth and scant rainfall means Dubai seashores expertise sunny days almost all 12 months spherical, making it a well-liked vacation spot for seashore lovers.
In this Muslim nation, you’ll see the affect of Islam throughout, from awe-inspiring architectural designs to breathtaking spiritual buildings such because the Grand Mosque. Dubai can be one of many world’s most cosmopolitan cities, providing an unforgettable mixture of conventional and trendy experiences. The stunning seashores, divine desert views and fascinating cityscapes make it a bucket-list vacation spot for hundreds of thousands worldwide.
Why Visit Dubai?
Dubai is a compelling mixture of ultra-modern and historic experiences and websites that gives each customer an intensive vary of sights. To get an adrenaline rush, you may zip line over the Dubai Marina or go snowboarding within the desert. For historical past buffs, there are a lot of historic websites to go to, together with Al Fahidi Fort and the attractive souks.
Shopping till you drop takes on an entire new that means in Dubai. The mega-malls characteristic shops from high designers and well-known manufacturers, with premium in-mall companies to make it procuring even simpler. There are additionally a great deal of household actions, like parks, arcades and films. Treat your self to a novel sensory expertise by enjoying within the snow in a desert or return in time on a desert safari.
Dubai is filled with mind-blowing out of doors actions, a world-class foodie scene and gorgeous cultural and procuring experiences. The greatest time to go to Dubai is between November and April, when the temperatures are milder, however you may take pleasure in festivals and actions all year long.
Must-See Attractions
Dubai has many spectacular and record-breaking sights. From the tallest constructing and the biggest flower backyard on the earth to huge procuring malls, there’s something for everybody to take pleasure in. Here are the highest 5 must-see sights in Dubai
1. Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa is an iconic, immediately recognizable constructing. At 828 meters or 2,716.5 ft tall, it’s the world’s tallest freestanding construction, with over 160 tales. It holds a number of extra world information, together with the very best occupied flooring and commentary deck. You’ll discover it in downtown Dubai surrounded by Dubai Mall.
Various actions can be found on the Burj Khalifa. There are two commentary decks within the constructing. At The Top is the two-story commentary deck on the 124th and one hundred and twenty fifth flooring, whereas the At The Top Sky is on the 148th flooring, greater than 1,820 ft off the bottom. Both provide unmatched views of the town beneath. You may also take within the beautiful views whereas eating on the At.Mosphere restaurant on the 122nd flooring or take pleasure in a light-weight meal and gorgeous views at The Lounge, unfold throughout the 152nd, 153rd and 154th flooring.
2. Dubai Mall
Dubai Mall surrounds the Burj Khalifa and is among the world’s most visited way of life and leisure locations. This huge mall has over 1,200 stores and quite a few distinctive leisure alternatives. Enjoy augmented actuality experiences on the VR park or journey the open-air monitor for an outdoor view of the Burj Khalifa and thrilling enjoyable for the entire household.
3. The Dubai Fountain and Fountain Show
The Dubai Fountain is over 900 ft lengthy, larger than two soccer fields, making it the biggest performing fountain on the earth. It is on the 30-acre Burj Lake close to the Burj Khalifa and performs reveals to completely different melodies, together with modern and classical Arabic and world music. The fountain has 5 circles or completely different sizes and two arcs with highly effective pumps that shoot water as much as 460 ft into the air. The varied lights and coloration projectors can create greater than 1,000 water expressions in numerous colours.
The latest addition of a floating platform within the fountain helps you to get near the placing shows. You may also journey a conventional abra across the lake and get front-row seats to the fountain reveals. There are day by day reveals each half-hour after 6 p.m.
4. Dubai Miracle Garden
The Dubai Miracle Garden is a wide ranging oasis within the desert. The 72,000-square-meter park is the world’s greatest pure flower backyard and contains a number of colourful flower exhibitions. More than 150 million flowering crops all through the backyard are splendid backdrops for stunning trip images. Take trip of your vacation hustle to benefit from the gardens and go to well-known displays, together with the centerpiece Airbus A380 coated in crops and flowers, the Smurfs Village or the Butterfly Garden, residence to over 15,000 butterflies.
Cultural Experiences
Dubai has a wealthy and various historical past steeped in traditions. There are a number of methods to study in regards to the nation’s fascinating historical past and take part in thrilling cultural experiences.
1. Dubai Museum
The Dubai Museum is a must-see for anybody visiting Dubai. It is throughout the Al Fahidi Fort reverse the Grand Mosque. It has many fascinating displays on the historical past of Dubai and the standard lifetime of the nation’s tribespeople earlier than the oil increase within the Nineteen Sixties. The museum is a captivating distinction to the glittering, trendy metropolis Dubai has develop into.
2. Deira Spice Souk
Take within the mouthwatering scents of the Deira Spice Souk whereas testing your negotiating abilities. The Spice Souk is a compelling expertise crammed with colourful and fragrant herbs and spices at each flip. Enjoy the style of latest spices, herbs, oils, teas and candy treats from across the UAE and the world. The Spice Souk is in Deira, one of many oldest components of Dubai.
3. Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood
The Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood is a cultural heritage website in Dubai. Much of its unique infrastructure is undamaged and well-preserved, providing you with a captivating perception into mid-Nineteenth-century life in Dubai. Starting on the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding, you may discover varied museums, artwork galleries and cultural occasions, together with demonstrations by native craftspeople.
4. The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
Learn extra in regards to the aquatic and marine lifetime of the UAE on the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. The huge aquarium is residence to over 140 marine species and has varied aquatic shows, together with contact ponds, rainforest shows and a 270-degree walkthrough tunnel. Learn extra in regards to the varied conservation applications the aquarium group leads and the way they deal with the marine life. For the adventurous, take a flip feeding the enormous trevally fish or swimming with sharks!
Outdoor Activities
Don’t let the warmth cease you from appreciating Dubai’s stunning seashores and sand dunes. Here are a couple of methods to benefit from the outside in Dubai.
1. Ski Dubai
Defy the percentages and revel in actual snow and winter situations in a desert! Ski Dubai is on the high of the Mall of the Emirates and has varied actions for the entire household. You can play with the penguins, discover the snow cavern, journey the ski raise to the highest of the slope and ski again to the underside. The Snow Park provides wall climbing, a tubing run and the unforgettable Mountain Thriller journey.
2. Desert Safaris
Bask within the wild fantastic thing about the desert with a desert safari. Visit “Big Red,” the tallest sand dune near the town and named after its wealthy coloration. There are varied actions for the adventurous, together with sand snowboarding, quad biking, dune bashing and camel rides. Choose from a morning, night or in a single day safari.
3. Dubai Creek
Dubai Creek is a saltwater inlet that separates Deira and Bur Dubai. As the primary main port within the UAE, it was a hub for commerce, together with gold and spices. Now, it’s residence to souks, museums, conventional markets and eating choices for guests to take pleasure in. Visit Dubai Creek Park for a fun-filled household outing or cross the creek on a conventional abra. Take on the problem of 80 completely different mind-boggling illusions on the Museum of Illusions.
4. Dubai Marina
The Dubai Marina spreads throughout a two-mile stretch of the Persian Gulf shoreline and covers almost 50 million sq. ft, making it one of many world’s largest manufactured marinas. There are nearly 5 miles of public walkways to discover and varied methods to take pleasure in this gorgeous marina. Go for camel rides on the marina seashore, take a dip within the sea or fly over the marina at almost 50 miles per hour on the world’s longest city zip line!
Food and Beverages
Dubai has a mixture of conventional Arabic meals and worldwide delicacies from almost each nation. The melting pot of residents influences various delicacies, with nearly 9 million expatriates within the nation. Here are among the beautiful meals you may expertise in Dubai.
1. Traditional Emirati Cuisine
Eat like an area and take pleasure in mouthwatering conventional Emirati meals, together with baleelat, shakshuka, hareeth, lamb ouzi and aseeda. Look for these eating places when visiting the department stores and different vacationer sights to expertise Emirati delicacies!
2. International Cuisine
The world of delicacies is your oyster in Dubai. You can take pleasure in culinary experiences from all around the world in a single place. Try all the things from Greek and Mediterranean to Asian and European with ease. Dubai Mall alone has over 200 worldwide eating places so that you can select from!
Dubai additionally has 11 Michelin-starred eating places — two with two Michelin stars and 9 with one. These 11 eating places embody a wide array of delicacies, together with Italian, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, French, Mediterranean and Portuguese. There are additionally 14 Bib Gourmand Restaurants with meals impressed by France, Japan, North Africa and the Middle East.
3. Street Food
Dubai has a thriving road meals scene with meals for each palate. Taste genuine shawarma and falafel whereas attempting new twists on outdated favorites by attempting the samboosa, a Zanzibar-inspired twist on Indian samosas. You’ll discover road meals round many fashionable locations, together with Meena Bazaar, Dubai Marina and the Deira Spice Souk.
4. Cafes and Bars
Coffee tradition has grown considerably in Dubai, now thought of one of many world’s world espresso meccas with quite a few espresso outlets and cafes. Grab a fast pick-me-up or loosen up in one of many many espresso outlets across the metropolis.
Despite being a Muslim nation, Dubai additionally has an lively bar and membership scene. There are many locations the place non-Muslim guests can take pleasure in a drink, together with bars within the Dubai Marina, Business Bay, Deira and Jumeirah Beach Residence. When consuming alcohol, bear in mind native legal guidelines strictly forbid consuming in public locations, drunk driving and performing disorderly.
If you like procuring, Dubai has some ways to scratch that itch. From world-class malls to conventional souks that can make you’re feeling such as you’ve gone again in time, Dubai has almost infinite procuring alternatives!
1. Dubai Mall
With over 1,200 stores, together with luxurious manufacturers and high native and worldwide designers, Dubai Mall spoils customers. You can take pleasure in a VIP procuring expertise with an in-mall chauffeur and a free shop-and-drop service that features concierge supply.
2. Mall of the Emirates
The Mall of the Emirates is residence to over 630 outlets, together with manufacturers comparable to Chanel, Burberry, Missoni and Polo Ralph Lauren. Many distinctive pop-up ideas like vogue reveals and interactive household leisure add a tantalizing aptitude to your procuring expertise. Enjoy type and luxury with premium companies, together with hands-free procuring, a digital concierge and one-on-one periods with a private stylist.
3. Souks
Revel within the sights and sounds of one other time while you go to the enchanting souks in Dubai. The mesmerizing souks promote all the things from beautiful gold jewellery to vibrant handwoven materials and conventional perfumes. There are quite a few souks to go to, together with the Gold Souk, Spice Souk, Perfume Souk, Souk Madinat, Textile Souk and Souk Al Bahar. And bear in mind, bargaining is a part of the expertise at souks, so take pleasure in testing your negotiating abilities!
9 Tips for Traveling and Cruising to Dubai
There are a couple of guidelines for visiting Dubai. In this Muslim nation, you will need to pay attention to native legal guidelines and traditions, particularly if it’s your first time. Here are 9 issues you have to know earlier than visiting Dubai.
- Have prescriptions available: Dubai has a zero-tolerance coverage relating to leisure medication and strict tips on prescription treatment, together with codeine. If you want treatment throughout your journey, deliver your physician’s prescriptions with you. Double-check the customs record for the whole record of prohibited gadgets to keep away from bother with the authorities.
- Be respectful: Hospitality is integral to Islamic tradition. Learning a couple of Arabic phrases can go a great distance when visiting Dubai and interacting with locals. Avoid swearing in public, don’t provide a handshake to a member of the alternative intercourse until they provide first and by no means use your left hand for consuming or handshakes. Try to keep away from making doubtlessly impolite hand gestures. If you go to throughout spiritual holidays, analysis the suitable conduct for the occasion.
- Dress appropriately: In the intense warmth of Dubai, the less garments, the higher, besides in public areas. Men and ladies ought to gown modestly in public, particularly when visiting spiritual monuments. You can put on what you need at personal seashores and in resorts.
- Know the legal guidelines: A couple of issues are unlawful in Dubai, together with homosexuality, shows of affection between single {couples}, blasphemy, cross-dressing, consuming in public, topless bathing and performing disorderly. Travelers breaking these legal guidelines can face heavy fines and even jail time.
- Ask for permission when taking images: Dubai has breathtaking views, gorgeous sights and Instagram-worthy backdrops. However, it’s offensive to take photos of locals, particularly girls, with out their permission. Also, keep away from taking images of particular buildings, together with airports, navy and police buildings, royal palaces and ports.
- Have money available: The forex in Dubai is dirhams. While most locations settle for credit score and debit playing cards from main firms comparable to Visa, American Express and MasterCard, carrying money is sweet for transport or visiting smaller shops.
- Use the Dubai metro: The metro is among the most cost-effective and quickest methods to maneuver round Dubai. It is cheaper than most cabs and avoids the visitors on busy roads. Kids below 5 or shorter than 3 ft tall can journey totally free. Just bear in mind to decide on the suitable cabin. You can face fines for being within the flawed one.
- Check attraction occasions: In Dubai, Fridays and Saturdays are the weekend, and most of the people return to work on Sunday. Verify sights’ opening and shutting occasions to get the utmost profit out of your journey.
- Plan properly: Make essentially the most of your time in Dubai by planning! There are so many wonderful and distinctive websites and sights it may be simple to really feel overwhelmed. Research which sights you’ll go to and when to examine off all the things in your record.
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