Dubai is popularly known for its towering structures, manmade islands, modern architecture, luxury lifestyle, and shopping. You have the glittering wonderful city on one side and a wide-stretched desert on the other. Whether you want to spend your vacation enjoying modern amenities, indulging in your adventurous fantasies, or getting soaked in the finest hospitality in the world, Dubai is the destination that should be on your mind. In fact, Dubai is the hotspot for all travelers and backpackers for its iconic skylines, revolutionary hotels, magnificent places, luxury, and of course, it’s nightlife too. Apart from all this, the cuisine of the city is to-die-for. You would get to enjoy kebabs, biryani, cardamom coffee, shawarma, and many such delicious dishes in many of the restaurants and eateries of the city. In short, there is no shortage of unique experiences for tourists. One can indulge in thousands of things in the city during her or his stay. Here are a few experiences that would answer your question as to what to do in Dubai and what are the things that you should not miss.
City Sightseeing Tour
There are many things that you can explore in the city when out for Dubai sightseeing. You can visit Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest tower in the world; the Dubai Museum at Al-Fahidi Fort; Heritage & Divine Village, which displays maritime and cultural heritage and the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, the palace of the former ruler of Dubai which is popular for its unique architecture. Then there is the Jumeirah Beach, which has white sand and from where you would get the best view of Burj Al Arab, the sail-shaped hotel. Here, you can also explore various water sports activities like jet skiing, banana boat ride, etc. You must also take time to drive around the Sheikh Zayed Road, which is a wide eight-lane highway, with some of the most impressive buildings of the city erected on both sides. Another must-visit place in Dubai is the Dubai Aquarium & underwater zoo (located inside the Dubai Mall), where you would get the chance to see the exotic marine life of more than 100 species as well as indulge in exciting activities like shark diving. Then there is the Mall of Emirates, which is famous for shopping, indoor ski park cinema complex, and a center for entertainment.
In-flight Tours
If you want a change from the regular sightseeing, you can opt for in-flight tours and experience the flamboyant view of Dubai from the top. There are multiple options where you can explore the city and its beauty from above. One of the best ways to do is to visit the Observation Deck of the Burj Khalifa on the 148th floor. But if you want to have some adventure, you must go for the helicopter ride. Helicopter rides are available for various durations and would give you the chance to see some of the iconic buildings of Dubai closely. Hot-air balloon rides are for those who want to enjoy the beauty of the desert from a bird’s eye view. Go for an early morning ride to enjoy the glorious sunrise.
Fine Dining & Aromatic Puff:
No fun can begin with an empty stomach and Dubai is a city that would not allow your tummy to be disappointed. This city has a lot to offer when it comes to food and you would find cuisines from all over the world in Dubai. The highlight is the Arabian cuisine finger-licking kebabs and grills and shisha to smoke.
Bayt Al-Wakeel is specialized in seafood, Emirates, and Arabic dishes. Then there are Jumeirah restaurants where they believe in giving the guest personalized experience. From the quality and creative cuisine of guest’s choice to bars and lounge for a vibrant nightlife experience, there are lots of places to explore in the Jumeirah area. Al-Mahara restaurant is another wonderful place to dine, where the floor and ceiling are made of glass panels, where you can view sea life while you enjoy your cuisine. Another fine dining experience that you should have in Dubai in the afternoon or high tea at Burj Al Arab’s Sky View Bar. The menu offers delicious scones, homemade jams, delectable pastries and cakes, and a wide variety of tea and coffee.
Whichever restaurant you go to, you must ask for the Aromatic puff. It is a fruit-scented flavor, burnt in the charcoal which passes through the water vessel (varieties of shapes and size available) and inhaled for a puff.
If visiting fine dining restaurants for every meal is stretching your budget too much, you would be happy to know that Dubai has several small restaurants, eateries and food courts that serve mouth-watering food at a far lesser price. While the price is low, there is no compromise on the taste and quality of the food at these food places.
Dessert & Wildlife
Another best thing to do in this city is the desert safari. It is an opportunity to take a break from the city and enjoy a wild ride on the four-wheelers (dune bashing), camel riding, sand skiing, and quad biking. There are entertainment programs and lots of fun activities in the desert. There is also an amazing BBQ dinner to look forward to at the end of the evening desert safari. If you want to enjoy the ambiance of the desert a little more, you can go for overnight desert safari in Dubai. Here you would get to snooze inside cozy sleeping bags, under a star-lit sky, or sit around a bonfire and listen to Arab folklore and other stories. If you are only looking for adventure, the morning desert safari would be great for you. You would not only be able to enjoy a beautiful sunrise but some of the most adventurous desert activities too. If The Arabic breakfast served in the desert is also the highlight of the trip. Explore Parks
There are many theme parks, water parks, and amusement parks in the city which are some of the best places to see in Dubai. Check with your travel & tourism partner if they can help you to book tickets for you. Mushrif Park is a natural forest that has swimming pools, lakes, fountains, camel, and pony rides. You can see Bruce’s owls nest in the park, yellow-throated sparrows, and other spices. Mamzar Park, a large park with sheltered beaches, is a wonderful choice if you want to avoid the crowd on other beaches in Dubai. Safa Park is huge with 64 hectares of lawns, scooter paths, cafes, barbeque, and a little lake where you can see plenty of ducks and fishes. You must also visit the Dubai Miracle Garden, where you would be able to see unique and splendid exhibits made of colorful flowers and plants. When it comes to water parks, the Wild Wadi and Atlantis’ Aquaventure Water Park are the best. For the ultimate adventure park experience, you must go for Dubai Parks and Resorts which is home to four theme parks including Legoland, Legoland Water Park, Motiongate, and Bollywood Parks. You can also visit IMG Worlds of Adventure, the largest indoor adventure park in the UAE.
Dubai is a marvelous city and exploring the history of the city, enjoying an aerial view of the city vistas, savoring best and exotic foods, spending an evening or night in the wilderness of the desert, and having unlimited fun at theme parks are some of the marvelous experiences in Dubai that no travelers should miss. But before you start dreaming about your Dubai holiday, check whether you need a Dubai tourist visa and apply for a Dubai visa online as soon as possible. After all, with so many Dubai tourist attractions and fun activities to do, your holiday in the city would undoubtedly be a memorable one.
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