Your Complete Guide to Dubai: What to See, Do, Eat and Experience in the Emirates
Hailed as one of the most luxury-oriented and wealthy tourist destinations in the world, it’s no wonder that Dubai is the most sought-after of the 7 emirates comprising the UAE. Rising out of the arid Arabian Desert, Dubai is a glittering metropolis located just on the banks of the Persian Gulf. Although its flamboyant display of wealth is the leading reason why many consider it a dream vacation spot, there’s much more to Dubai than just fancy cars, enormous shopping malls and glamorous yacht parties.
While not the wealthiest of the Emirates —that honor is currently held by Abu Dhabi— Dubai is well-known for its trade and financial prowess and is a haven for investors from across the globe. As a result, Dubai is home to more immigrants than locals with the native Emiratis comprising only 10% of the city’s population! This willingness to welcome others has led to Dubai’s success and continued recognition as the tourist destination of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). But what is it about Dubai that truly sets it apart as a vacation destination? Well, the juxtaposition of sprawling malls, towering skyscrapers and even indoor rollercoasters with historical villages, vibrant souks and shimmering beaches has created a city unlike any other in the world, one that you simply can’t afford to miss! Keep reading to see what not to miss when you visit Dubai!
Getting to Dubai
If you’re traveling from the USA to Dubai, then prepare yourself for a long journey as even nonstop flights can be as long as 16 hours straight. Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the main airport serving the city and is located approximately 20 minutes away from downtown Dubai. The airport is modern and easy to navigate with all signage displaying both Arabic and English. Getting through customs and border control is efficient, much like any other international airport. DXB has three terminals with most international flights arriving either to terminals 1 or 2. Terminal 3 is reserved exclusively for Emirates Airlines flights.
To get to the city from DXB, the options are numerous. Local buses, rideshares like Uber, private transfer and the metro are all viable and safe options for traveling into the city. Rideshares and private transfers are the most expensive and most convenient means of transport into the city however, if you’re on a tight budget, then there are other reliable and cheaper modes of transport available. Local options include buses and the metro with the local buses being the cheaper but slower option for reaching the city center. The RTA Red Line metro train is a much faster and still affordable option for reaching the city center and departs from terminals 1 and 3 with a travel time of just 25 minutes to the Burj Khalifa station.
Although Dubai International Airport is just about 5 km away from the city center, traffic can result in travel times of 45 minutes or more so make sure to plan for this when on your return journey to the airport. Also, keep in mind that the security for departure is very thorough and involves opening and searching each person’s carry-on so add extra time for this when planning your Dubai exit.
Best time to visit Dubai
If you’re not a fan of melting unto the sidewalk as soon as you walk outside, then take care when planning your trip to Dubai. Being a true desert city, Dubai can reach sweltering temperatures upwards of a 108 °F on any given day from late spring through the summer months. For the best experience in the city, we suggest visiting during the winter months of December through February when temperatures are mostly in the 70–80°F range. March can also be a fair time to visit however temperatures start to creep upwards around that time. We arrived in Dubai in late April and, in accordance with our luck, faced a heat wave with daily temperatures of 107°F and nightly temperatures of 96 degrees. While we’re proud to say that we were not cowed into spending all our days indoors in a mall somewhere, exploring the city in such intense heat definitely left us feeling exhausted. If you must visit Dubai during summer then be sure to stay covered up and hydrated and remember, umbrellas are even better at shielding you from the sun than they are at keeping you dry in the rain!
As you would expect, rain and clouds are not common in Dubai however haziness from rising particulate matter and dust storms during the hottest months are fairly frequent. Be sure to pay attention to dust warnings and plan to limit outdoor activities during those times.
Where to stay in Dubai
Thanks to the sheer size of the city, you can expect to spend a fair bit of time commuting no matter where you stay in Dubai. That being said, there are several great areas to stay in Dubai that are excellent for first timers and return visitors alike. The most popular areas for tourists in Dubai are Business Bay, Palm Jumeirah and Jumeirah Beach Residences (JBR). Although you simply can’t go wrong when choosing from these areas to stay when in Dubai, JBR is considered the hands-down, best tourist locale in the city for many reasons, as you’ll see.
A quintessential beach destination, JBR is recognized as the most tourist friendly locale in Dubai. Abutting the splendid Dubai Canal, JBR sports a gorgeous beach and promenade, tons of shops and waterfront restaurants within walking distance and luxury hotels as far as the eye can see. There are no restrictions regarding dress on the beach and visitors are welcome to be free and explore at will here.
Ain Dubai Ferris wheel is located nearby to JBR as is XDubai XLine, the longest urban zipline in the world!
Similar to JBR, Palm Jumeirah is another coveted beachfront destination in Dubai. One of two manmade palm-shaped islands off the coast of Dubai, Palm Jumeirah is home to some of the wealthiest residents of the Emirates. Although much of the Palm is residential, the island does boast several resorts that welcome visitors such as Atlantis-The Palm and Anatara the Palm both of which are located on the outer crescent of the island. In addition to resort amenities, visitors staying on the outer crescent also have access to the Aquaventure theme park located at the Atlantis resort. In the event that you’re contemplating staying on Palm Jumeirah to have easier access to celebrities living on the island, we should warn you that each frond of the Palm is gated to deter visitors from approaching personal residences on the island.
There is a monorail that connects Atlantis-The Palm to the Nakheel Mall Station located just next door to Palm Tower making traveling to and from the island both quick and scenic.
And last but definitely not least, Business Bay. Located in downtown Dubai, Business Bay is a great base from which to access attractions such as the Dubai Mall, the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Frame and Al Fahidi. Many points of interest are within a 20-minute drive of Business Bay and there are tons of hotels and Airbnbs to choose from within the area. While there is less that can be accessed by walking in terms of restaurants and shops in Business Bay when compared to JBR, the central location and close proximity to the airport makes this an ideal area from which to tour the city. For our stay in Dubai, we rented an Airbnb in Business Bay and were overall pleased with the ease of access to transportation and the many aforementioned points of interest. We immensely enjoyed the less “touristy” feel of Business Bay as well however we would be remiss to mention that traffic can be intense in this area.
How to get around Dubai
As we’ve mentioned before, Dubai is a large and sprawling city with insane traffic and many points of interest in the city are at least a 20–30-minute drive away from each other. Additionally, the city is not pedestrian friendly with a lack of crosswalks in crucial areas often turning what should be a 5-minute walk into a 30-minute ordeal! So, then, what’s the best way for visitors to get around the city? Despite the traffic, traveling by vehicle is the best way to explore Dubai. The travel options open to visitors include rental car, private drivers, tours, local buses and railways, taxis and rideshares.
Taking the Bus or Metro in Dubai
While hopping on the local Buses or the railway is the cheapest transportation option for exploring Dubai, commute times can be extremely long for short distances if you decide to travel via these means. The metro (rail system) is faster than the buses as they’re not hampered by traffic however, you’re likely to still find yourself a good distance away from your destination after exiting the train. If you plan on using buses or trains in Dubai, make sure to purchase a Nol Card as this is the preferred method of payment on buses and trains and even some transport boats. Some cashless payment options are available however these are not common on all buses and trains.
Nol cards can be purchased at any metro station and many grocery stores. Make sure to purchase a silver Nol Card as this is recommended for tourists.
Driving in Dubai
At first glance, driving in Dubai may seem like a good idea. After all, rental cars are cheap, driving is done on the right-hand side of the road, similar to the USA, and covering a large area would definitely be more cost effective than using taxis or Rideshares but there are some significant drawbacks to this option. First, and yet again, the traffic in Dubai is horrendous at almost all times of the day. Admittedly traffic isn’t awful everywhere in the city but is definitely worse in the Business Bay Area and on many of the highways no matter the time of day so be prepared at all times for long commutes if you choose to drive in the city. Secondly, many of the drivers in Dubai seem to have no concept of maiming and death. Why do we say this? Darting from lane to lane, cutting off other vehicles without so much as a glance over the shoulder and tailgating at high speeds are the driving norms in and around Dubai.
Finally, once you have survived the traffic and bested the other drivers to arrive at your destination, be prepared to exhaust substantial amounts of time looking for parking. Street parking is limited in the city and, although there are parking garages scattered about, you may find them to be pricey or situated at some distance from your point of interest. If, after learning all this, you simply can’t resist the lure of driving in Dubai then make sure to bring an international driver’s permit with you as it is a requirement that must be met when renting a vehicle in Dubai.
Traffic laws are strict and disputes on the road are often settled in favor of the locals so make sure to drive with extra caution in Dubai. Keep in mind that certain traffic infractions can lead to confiscation of your passport and even jail time so read up on the rules of the road before you begin driving in the city.
Taxis and Rideshares in Dubai
Both Taxis and Rideshares are excellent ways to explore Dubai. Hala Taxi, Dubai’s local taxi, operates throughout the city and at fixed, affordable rates. These taxis are easily recognizable as they are all beige with colored roofs. There are 6 different roof colors seen on taxis in Dubai and each of these represent a different taxi company. Regardless of what company a cab belongs to, operations and fares are exactly the same from cab to cab so no need to worry about the color of the taxi you end up in. Taxis are plentiful throughout the city, so you’ll have no trouble finding a ride no matter where you are in Dubai. Because they’re metered, taxis are a better option for traveling shorter distances in the city.
ln Dubai, if a taxi does not have a working meter, or if the credit card machine is not offered as a payment option or if the machine is broken then your ride is free according to local law!
Uber and Careem
Rideshares Apps such as Uber and Careem work well in Dubai. Unlike taxis whose metered fare can become astronomical over long distances if traffic is heavy, Rideshares offer fixed-price rides anywhere in Dubai and is therefore more economical for longer trips across the city. The two main Rideshares available in Dubai are Uber and Careem. Uber functions as you might expect providing point to point rides anywhere in the city. Careem is Dubai’s local Rideshare App that functions similarly to Uber but offers many more services than just booking a ride. Not only does Careem allow users to book private rides, but it also serves as a way to book Hala Taxis. Additionally, services like food and grocery delivery are readily available through the app. Careem is easy to download for Android and iPhone users and entering a credit card during set up allows for seamless use of the app when ordering food and rides. Because of its flexibility and user-friendly interface, we exclusively used Careem during our time in Dubai.
As Careem displays both private drivers and Hala taxis, you can use the app to compare prices before making your selection. Keep in mind though that even if a private ride may seem more expensive than a Hala Taxi ride initially, it may turn out to be cheaper overall if your trip is on the longer side!
National Language and Currency of Dubai
Although the official language of Dubai is Arabic, languages from across the world can be heard as Dubai is a true migrant city. English is commonly spoken in Dubai as well and most announcements and signage in the city are made in both Arabic and English. Because English plays a crucial role in the city, serving as a bridge for communication for the largely immigrant population, it holds the honor of being the most commonly spoken language in both Dubai and the UAE.
The official currency of Dubai is the UAE Dirham (AED). Other foreign currencies including USD is accepted by some vendors throughout Dubai as well hence currency exchange is not necessary immediately upon arrival to the city. Credit cards are widely accepted in Dubai and throughout the UAE as well, even in the smallest and most obscure souks and restaurants. While having AED on hand is not altogether necessary in Dubai, we would advise that you exchange some currency as shopping in the souks with AED can save you a pretty penny, especially if you’re an expert haggler.
Staying connected in Dubai
Good phone service is essential in Dubai especially for navigating the city and using Rideshares particularly as public Wi-Fi is not available throughout the city. Our international plan with T-Mobile worked well in Dubai and everywhere else in the UAE. If you do not have an international plan then don’t worry, visitors to the Dubai receive free local sims after clearing customs at DXB airport. The free sim is typically valid for 24 hours and provides 1GB of data and limited talk and text. To keep the sim for your entire stay in Dubai, you can simply recharge it at the respective sim store or at the sim company’s website. The two most common free sim available in Dubai are Du and Etisalat. If you’re not given the sim after clearing customs and border control, then you can pick up a free sim from any of the listed companies’ desks at Dubai International Airport.
How’s the food and water in Dubai?
Let’s start by saying that everything we ate in Dubai was outrageously good! From family-owned eateries to fine-dining restaurants, the food we sampled was some of the best we’ve ever had on vacation. Dubai’s international culture essentially guarantees that there’s something for just about everyone when it comes to food. The cuisine of Dubai is an eclectic mix of Emirati, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese and even Western foods. Whether you’re in the mood for a pillowy little Luqaimat soaked in date syrup or a zingy biryani or just a good old cheeseburger, we guarantee you’ll have no trouble finding it in Dubai. Food in the city can cost as much or as little as you’d like. As expected, fine dining establishments definitely left a dent in our budget, but we easily made up for this as most restaurants in Dubai were shockingly cheap.
For example, a three-course meal that could easily feed four cost us less than 80 USD at Al Khayama restaurant in Al Fahidi. We do want to mention that because Dubai is a muslim nation, Pork is not a common meat used in any culinary preparations. Some grocery stores have special sections where ham and other preserved pork products can be purchased but this is uncommon in the city. And contrary to popular belief, alcohol is allowed in Dubai however it must be consumed before leaving the establishment as open container laws are strict in the city. Want to find out where we had the best lamb machboos or camel biryani in Dubai? Check us out HERE!
Now, as for the water in Dubai, tap water is safe to drink in the city. Dubai has strict water management standards, and the tap water is both safe and tasty. If you decide to purchase bottled water, shy away from the imported brands or, like us, you may find yourself paying 18 USD for 6 bottles of Volvic water when the local brands cost less than 5 USD and taste just as good!
Top things to do in Dubai
As you might expect of a world-class destination like Dubai, there are more activities to fill a day than there are hours in a day! Enormous malls featuring not only high-end shopping but unusual entertainment options like indoor roller coasters, underwater zoos and even indoor skiing can be found scattered everywhere throughout the city. Don’t feel like spending a day in a mall? Don’t fret because there’s as much to outside as inside when in Dubai, especially if the weather is favorable! Here are some of our favorite to-dos when in Dubai!
Go shopping in Dubai!
There’s rarely ever a bad time to go shopping in a city like Dubai, especially when that city is home to some of the most lavish malls in the world. The Dubai Mall, a shopaholic’s paradise, holds the record as the largest mall in Dubai and is also currently the 7th largest mall in the world! Although Dubai’s malls are first and foremost about showcasing goods from all over the world, they also serve as primary entertainment hubs as we’ve mentioned before. Going to the Dubai Mall, for instance, is not only a great way to try on the latest Christian Louboutin shoes but can also be a fun cultural trip to Dubai’s Chinatown which is located right there in the mall!
While not located directly inside the mall, Souk Al Bahar is a souvenir market that is a quick 2-minute walk across a short promenade from Dubai Mall. Just follow signs to the Dubai Fountain and you’ll find yourself right in front of the souk.
Unless you plan to spend all your time mall-hopping while in Dubai — we won’t judge if you are! — then you may be wondering which malls you should definitely visit while in Dubai. Again, the Dubai Mall should be number one on your list for all the reasons above plus because it has an ice-rink and an aquarium and underwater zoo! The second mall that we think is worthy of your time is the Mall of Emirates where the famous Ski Dubai is located. Shoppers not only have the opportunity to chill down on a chairlift but can also schedule one-on-one mealtime with the adorable penguins. And, finally, if you’d like a little bit more adventure and adrenaline then don’t miss the Dubai Hills Mall’s indoor rollercoaster: Stormcoaster!
Get an adrenaline rush at the top of Burj Khalifa!
Ok, so we may have exaggerated a bit as tourists aren’t allowed at the very top of the Burj Khalifa and, to make matters worse, unless you’re a guest of the Armani Hotel or work in the building itself you’re not even allowed to enter the world’s tallest building directly! Don’t despair though as, just like most other skyscrapers across the world, the Burj Khalifa has a special observation deck just for tourists. Known as At The Top, Burj Khalifa’s observation deck is actually located on the 124th and 125th floors of the building. To access the deck, tickets should be purchased HERE prior to arrival. Once tickets are secured, make your way to the Dubai Mall where you’ll find the entrance to At the Top on the group floor of the mall. One interactive and shockingly quick elevator ride will leave you gasping at stunning, panoramic views of the city!
Many of the tickets for the observation deck include a VR experience however we strongly suggest that you avoid purchasing this. Not only is the experience unmanned but the headsets can go missing or simply be nonfunctional and you may find yourself out a few bucks with no help in sight!
Take a picture at the Dubai Frame
Located in Zabeel Park, the enormous, golden Dubai Frame serves as a monument that “frames” both the old and the new Dubai. The frame is surrounded by lush gardens and playful fountains and houses a museum as well as an observatory providing gorgeous views of the city. Tickets to enter the Dubai Frame Garden as well as the Dubai Frame itself are relatively cheap but we should mention that if you’re not too keen on getting to the observation deck, then you can save a few dollars as pictures of the Frame are just as lovely from the parking lot as they are from the garden.
Spend an afternoon in Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood
Also known as Old Dubai, the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood is situated on the banks of the Dubai Canal and offers a glimpse into life in Dubai before the emergence of the seven Emirates. Consisting of winding streets line by sandstone dwellings, Al Fahidi is home to an array of cultural activities, restaurants serving Emirati fare, museums and vendors selling all manner of wares. There’s no entrance fee to visit Al Fahidi and tours are not necessary as the neighborhood is open to all and visitors are welcome to meander the streets at their own pace. While just walking the streets of this beautifully preserved neighborhood is a great way to take in the charms of Old Dubai, if you have a little more time on hand and want to get a rare but genuine look at the way of life of the Emirati people, then consider booking the lunch experience held in the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU).
The SMCCU is located right beside the famed Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant and serves as a bridge between the Emiratis and visitors to Dubai. This lunch experience is not only an opportunity to sample local treats but is also a great way to observe and even delve into the intricacies of Dubai’s culture as all questions are welcome and openly answered. We suggest starting your tour of Al Fahidi with lunch at the SMCCU before wandering through the rest of the neighborhood. Make sure to book your dining SMCCU experience HERE!
Some of the cheapest souvenirs we purchased in Dubai were from merchants in Al Fahidi! Don’t be afraid to shop there as the souvenirs are good quality, everyone accepts credit cards and the merchants are very friendly.
Explore Dubai’s vibrant Souks
Located just a 5-minute boat ride across the Dubai Creek from Al Fahidi, Dubai’s souks are where the best shopping in the city for exotic items can be found. With saffron shops aplenty, Dubai chocolates on offer at every storefront and a gold souk extending for several, dazzling streets, expect the hours to fly by as you browse the many offerings. To get to the souks from Al Fahidi, make your way to the Al Fahidi Marine Transport Station where you can purchase a ticket to board one of the iconic Abra boats for just two dirhams! There are several ferry crossings along this area of the creek so make sure to purchase a ticket to Deira Old Souq Marine Transport Station. Once you disembark from the Abra boat simply walk across the street and behold, you’re in the souk! Signs to the various different souks are posted throughout the market making navigating easy so you can explore to your heart’s content with little to no stress. That is—until you start haggling anyway!
The souks at Deira Old Souq are the best place to purchase saffron in Dubai.
Check out the local supermarkets in Dubai
We know this sounds a little odd especially since no one wants to do groceries while on vacation but just hear us out. After unsuccessfully bumbling about a bunch of souvenir shops in France not too long ago, we decided to make an impromptu stop at a local grocery where we literally hit the jackpot as we had so much local goods to choose from that our friends and family totally enjoyed. We tried this tactic out again in Taiwan and yet again in Hong Kong and got rave reviews on every edible gift we brought back. Why? Well grocery stores tend to carry local favorites and have to follow freshness standards so anything you purchase there is at least inspected for safety plus grocery store prices are often a lot cheaper than souvenir shops too! So, we’re sure you could imagine our excitement when we discovered the many Hypermarkets aka Supermarkets of Dubai!
Honestly speaking, we don’t think you can go wrong at any of Dubai’s Hypermarkets but there are two in particular that we enjoyed: Day to Day hypermarket and the Al Madina Hypermarket in Central Mall. There are several branches of Day to Day Hypermarket around Dubai and these stores are an excellent place to shop for Dubai chocolates and treats like almond stuffed dates. Larger than the Day to Day, Al Madina Hypermarket in Central Mall was essentially a supersized market carrying a huge selection of fresh dates, spices and just about any pantry item you could think of. Anyway, if you’re looking for the freshest goods to bring home, you’ll definitely want to add a supermarket stop to your list of to-dos in Dubai!
Although you can find supermarkets everywhere in Dubai, both the Day-to-Day and Al Madina markets are located within a 15-minute walk of Al Fahidi so you can easily do your shopping after browsing the historic district without having to go out of your way.
Put the pedal to the metal at the Dubai Autodrome!
If know anything about Dubai, then you probably know that the city is a supercar mecca! Reality TV shows based in Dubai further this image by featuring cars that most of us can’t even afford to look at much less touch. But is this actually the reality of Dubai? Well, we would have to say no! In our 6 days in Dubai, we perhaps saw a handful of fancy cars and not even a single one of the famed Lamborghini cop cars. We did see tons of sport and luxury car dealerships throughout the city but that was decidedly less thrilling. After a few trips around the city, though, we started to understand why this was perhaps the case. Who wants to drive a Koenisegg in bumper-to-bumper traffic on infinitely straight roads equipped with electronic speed sensors? Definitely not us! As such, we decided to experience Dubai’s racing culture by booking a Formula DXB experience at the Dubai Autodrome.
Held on the Dubai Autodrome Circuit located 30 minutes away from Business Bay, the DXB experience is an opportunity to throw on serious racing gear and hit the high-speed racetrack in a formula single-seater beast of a car. Arriving to the Autodrome, clear signs pointed us to the check-in desk where driver’s licenses were checked, and racing suits were provided. All drivers were then briefed on track safety and vehicle function before heading to the pit, hopping in their cars and heading out for 20 adrenaline-filled minutes around the track. Unlike similar driving experiences we’ve done previously, family and friends were allowed into the pit and on the racetrack viewing areas so that everyone could be as involved in the experience as they chose. Ten or so heart-pounding, arm-killing laps later, we couldn’t even begin to describe just how exhilarating the ride was! This pseudo-formula one experience was without a doubt one of the best racing experiences we’ve ever done especially as the team focused on safety while allowing drivers the freedom to actually go full throttle on the track! If you’d like to live in the fast lane in Dubai too, make sure to book your driving experience HERE before you arrive!
The formula DXB cars are all manual transmission so make sure you can drive a stick shift vehicle before you book this experience. International driver’s licenses are not needed to take part in the experience
Have lunch at Aura Skypool
While there’s no shortage of roof-top pools in Dubai, Aura Skypool is a shoulder above most others for one specific reason: it provides gorgeous views of Palm Jumeirah. Located on the 50th floor of the Palm Tower, the remarkable infinity pool wraps around the the entire building offering birds-eye views of every part of the Palm and even the iconic Burj Al Arab. To experience the pool visitors can either reserve time at the pool or choose a dining experience at the Aura restaurant that allows access for photos at the pool. We chose the second option, booking the prepaid lunch at the Aura restaurant so that we could take incredible photos while enjoying the delicious, Asian inspired dishes at the restaurant. Aside from the autodrome, this was our favorite experience in Dubai. Not only was the food phenomenal but the staff were polite and accommodating, allowing us to freely explore and only serving dishes whenever we returned to our table. We would say that Aura Skypool is an absolute must-do in Dubai!
Take a tour of the Arabian Desert
Seeing as Dubai literally rises out of it, being in the city means that you’re already in the Arabian desert although you’d be hard pressed to find a sand dune anywhere nearby the city. Not to worry though as glorious, golden sand dunes can be found just an hour outside the city. Although you can easily drive to it yourself, the best and safest way to see the Arabian Desert is by taking a tour. We decided to book the ATV and stargazing OceanAir Travels tour that included pick-up from the Business Bay area. As advertised, the tour included an hour of ATV riding into the desert under the blazing sun followed by transport to the Al Khayma desert camp for camel riding, stargazing and a buffet dinner accompanied by local performers. The hour-long ATV ride across the dunes was thrilling but ridiculously hot and we were more than ready to move to the camp for a little desert R&R after.
At the Camp, we were pleased to find ample clean restrooms and rest areas and were encouraged to roam freely, sampling teas and local treats scattered throughout while we waited for dinner. We took advantage of these offerings as we expected dinner to consist of a rudimentary buffet but imagine our shock when we were welcomed to an enormous buffet spread featuring both Emerati and Moroccan foods plus a separate grill section serving meat right off the fire! Although we did find some of the activities in the camp to be overly touristy, like the 5 minutes spent on camelback or the 2 minutes looking through the telescope at the moon, we have to admit that we were thoroughly wowed by the fire show, the food and the general atmosphere of the camp. If you decide to spend time in the Arabian desert, especially on a hot day, we can’t think of a better way to do it than this!
Visit the other states of the United Arab Emirates
While the name United Arab Emirates may bring to mind a vast nation, the country is actually surprisingly small with the Emirates being located quite close to each other. This means that you can easily visit other Emirates from Dubai, and, with a little planning, you can even see 6 of the 7 Emirates in just one day! That being said, each Emirate has something unique to offer so you may want to spend more than a day exploring them. For example, Sharjah, located adjacent to Dubai is known for its Safari while Fujairah, situated 1.5 hours away on the Gulf of Oman is recognized for its arid but picturesque mountains and beautiful beaches.
Each Emirate is essentially a large city with its own king and own laws and not all are as welcoming to tourists as Dubai so make sure to hire a guide or driver as you venture out to explore.
The capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi is the largest and wealthiest of the Emirates and is located approximately 1.5 hours away from Dubai. Although Abu Dhabi is more a local’s city as compared with Dubai, it is nevertheless stunning with much to see and do. From its opulent Grand Mosque, historic villages and its very own Louvre Museum to its bustling date markets and pristine beaches, the city is a jewel just waiting to be explored. Oh, and did we mention the plethora of theme parks like Warner Brothers World and Ferrari World that can only be found in Abu Dhabi? Well, let’s just say you’ll need to dedicate at least two full days to uncovering all the charms of Abu Dhabi.
Dubai Miracle Gardens
Thumbing its nose at the harsh conditions in which it exists, the Dubai Miracle Gardens is a testament to what sheer willpower and determination can achieve. Located twenty minutes away from downtown Dubai, the incredibly lush landscape of the gardens can easily make you forget that you’re in the desert. Well, that is if it’s not 110 degrees outside! Comprised of enormous flower sculptures, a castle covered in flowers, a airplane covered in flowers and even a butterfly garden, the miracle garden is a serene space that visitors can escape to for a little respite from bustle of the city. Vendors line the streets surrounding encircling the floral displays offering everything from food to clothing and souvenirs. We should mention that the Dubai Miracle Gardens are seasonal, opening from November to May, and typically closes on May 31st each year to protect the flora during the hot summer months.
See Dubai’s iconic show: La Perle by Dragone
While there are hundreds of shows to choose from in Dubai, La Perle by Dragone is perhaps the most astounding of all because of its mind-blowing aqua stage. Yes, you read that right—aqua stage. Showcasing the UAE’s history of pearl diving, the show features phenomenal acrobatics performed on a stage with featuring a lake and three enormous waterfalls. Going from completely flooded to completely dry in mere seconds, the stage itself is a marvel of engineering that threatens to outshine the extraordinarily skilled performers. If you’re in need of something magical to do after dark in Dubai, La Perle by Dragone in Al Habtoor City may be just the thing for you! The show is offered nightly, and tickets should be purchased before arrival.
