Dubai is known for many things. Aside from being a popular business hub, the “City of Gold” is also recognized for all kinds of scenery that would leave any tourist wanting more.
Excursion packages in Dubai offer a variety of different activities for every occasion. So, whether you’re spending your birthday out of town, commemorating a romantic milestone, or completing your travel bucket list, you’ll find something worthwhile there.
When planning to visit the city, be sure to select activities to include on your itinerary based on the purpose of the trip and your specific interests. For a start, here are the six best things you shouldn’t miss when in Dubai:
Burj Al Arab
Nestled between the Palm Islands and Jumeirah Beach, the Burj Al Arab is a jaw-dropping building that continues to wow people with its architecture. It was opened in 1999 and overlooks the great Arabian Gulf on its own man-made island.
It boasts a curved glass façade reportedly modeled from the sails that have cruised through the Dubai waterways in the past years. Besides being considered one of the world-class luxury hotels in the UAE, it is also deemed as having the world’s tallest atrium and being the highest hotel building in the world at 600 feet.
Besides its architectural prowess, the Burj Al Arab is also famous for amenities as unique as revolving beds and as luxurious as a helipad for those who think arriving on the complimentary Rolls-Royse is too ordinary.
Of course, you don’t need to spend all your fortune staying at the Burj Al Arab to appreciate it. You can also just grab a bite at one of its onsite restaurants, some of which feature huge fish tanks with floor-to-ceiling windows and a scenic vista from the building’s 27th floor.
Palm Jumeirah
If there’s one destination that will always be included in the best Dubai heritage tours, it’s Palm Jumeirah.
As one of Dubai’s impressive “firsts,” Palm Jumeirah is a man-made island built to look like a stylized palm tree when viewed from a seaplane. It was made from a reclaimed landmass and composed of several artificial archipelagos.
Also called “The Palm,” the archipelago boasts ease of mobility with its well-developed tunnels, roads, and public transportation. In fact, you’re less likely to get stressed when hopping from its various restaurants, hotels, and tourist attractions, especially if you travel via the Palm Monorail.
You can also enjoy a cruise on a yacht or speedboat around Palm Jumeirah while basking in the wonderful scenery from the water, or sky diving from above the island for a bucket-list-worthy experience.
Jumeirah Mosque
Towering over the northern part of the Dubai Marina, the Jumeirah Mosque is a sight you can only behold in the city. Outfitted with a highly detailed white façade, this man-made wonder mirrors the medieval Fatimid architectural style. It’s no wonder the place was chosen to grace the 500-dirham note in the country.
Despite being a sacred ground for the Islamic religion, the Jumeirah Mosque allows non-Muslim visitors to bask in the beauty of its ornate décor and feel the solemn ambiance inside it. Just remember to dress modestly when visiting in respect of the Muslim customs and traditions.
Long skirts or pants and long sleeves are ideal. Women must also cover their heads with a scarf when inside the mosque. If you’re dressed differently, they will happily provide the appropriate clothing, which is an entrance requirement to the place.
Even if you’re not the religious type, the Jumeirah Mosque is still worth considering for your trip to Dubai because of its cultural and educational value.
Burj Khalifa
Your trip to Dubai wouldn’t be complete if you weren’t able to see the Burj Khalifa. After all, a visit in the city is your best chance to witness the world’s tallest building.
Rising exactly 2,722 feet above Dubai with its 160 stories, the Burj Khalifa is also where you’ll find the world’s highest outdoor observation deck.
As you ride the elevator to the 124th floor, you’ll get to witness the breathtaking view not only of Dubai but also the entire stretch of the Arabian Gulf. Once you reach your destination, you can use special telescopes provided on-site to see how Dubai was at different points in time.
If you’re willing to pay extra, you can also go higher to the 148th floor where the observation deck is perched.
Although traveler reviews are mixed when it comes to the Burj Khalifa, it remains one of the best places to visit in Dubai. After all, you can’t witness the sun setting from the highest point in the city anywhere else.
If you do decide to reach the top, make sure that you book your visit ahead, as those elevator rides can sell out quickly. Remember to schedule this part of your trip around the sunset, which some travelers deem worth the long elevator trip.
The Dubai Fountain
After you view the city from atop Burj Khalifa, don’t leave just yet because nestled at its base is the stunning Dubai Fountain. After sunset at around 6 p.m., this man-made attraction lights up and erupts into a beautifully choreographed water dance.
This occurs every 30 minutes, so you won’t have to rush down. You can even book a boat tour to watch the show to get the best view of the 6,000 glittering lights and musical geysers while experiencing the sway of the water of the lake yourself.
Dubai Souks
As a trade giant with centuries’ worth of history, Dubai is also known for its “souks” or Arab marketplaces. In fact, it was able to preserve these traditional bazaars located along with the Al Fahidi Historical District on both sides of the creek.
A quick stroll will show you how commerce was like in the past, with products like fabrics, spices, perfumes, and even gold being offered in the streets.
The Gold Souk on the south bank of Deira is particularly famous for adding glitz to the historical place and is considered one of the world-renowned gold jewelry trading centers. It even serves as a channel for around 20 percent of the world’s gold supply.
Of course, there’s much more to see there than gold. You can also find diamond, platinum, and silver items – all of which are guaranteed genuine, thanks to the government’s tight leash on the trading center.
Sights to See, Experiences to Explore
Dubai offers plenty of sights and experiences for tourists to enjoy. Make sure you get the most out of your trip there by adding the items on this list to your itinerary.
Leave a Reply