The Inside Guide to Tourist Spots in Dubai

Dubai is one place that is on every bucket list of people who love to travel. It is part of The United Arab Emirates (UAE). One of the fastest changing places on earth, this is one of the most popular holiday destinations.

Even being in the middle of the desert with really hot summers, it is still a major tourist attraction the whole year round. With Dubai International being the third largest airport in the world, people are bound to pass through Dubai at one time or the other.

I landed in Dubai quite a few years back, with all the inhibitions about moving to a new country with small children. Overtime we have fallen in love with the city and its energy.

The world perceives it as a place of snazzy cars and unbelievable luxury, but this is also a place where people from more than a hundred different countries live together. A place so many call home. Dubai is a city which despite all the modern luxury still has it’s beautiful culture intact at it’s very heart.

 As a person who has lived here, I will talk to you about a few (very popular) and other (not so popular) favorites.

The Burj Khalifa 

This name is a familiar one to people around the world. It is the tallest building in the world and attracts a score of tourists every day. I feel one cannot appreciate the beauty of this majestic building without a personal visit.

The sun gleaming off the glass and steel structure during the day and the beautiful lighting after sunset are  sights to behold!

One can also book tickets  to the viewing deck, on the 124th floor of The Burj Khalifa. The view from ” Burj Khalifa At The Top” is one of its kind in the world, with a view of the whole city.

The Dubai Mall

The Dubai Mall is the largest shopping mall in the world and is part of the Burj Khalifa complex. It is  a shopper’s paradise housing all the major luxury brands under one roof. This mall also offers a variety of entertainment options along with a number of dining and cafe options.

You can visit the aquarium  and underwater zoo which has a rich collection of marine life and also houses a huge crocodile “The King Croc”. You can visit the ice skating rink and the Dubai waterfall, shop in the fashion avenue or watch movies in the Cineplex.

Kids also enjoy the place with a whole floor dedicated to kids stuff and a huge Kidzania. Kidzania is a very unique concept pretend play area where kids can earn tokens for doing real jobs like Fireman, Postman, Pilot etc. 

One of the mall gates will lead you the beautiful “Souq-Al-Bahar” and the Dubai fountain. One can enjoy the dancing fountain with an amazing light and sound show, standing at the foot of the Burj Khalifa.

Mall of Emirates

This mall is home to the very popular “Ski Dubai“. It is a ski resort and snow park, all inside the mall. It is one of it’s kind in the UAE with temperature of  -10 degrees to enjoy all sorts of winter sports, in the company of penguins.

The mall has a  huge community theater and arts center. Needless to say, all luxury brands are housed here also.

The Beaches

In Dubai the sea is never very far. The clean and beautiful beaches alone can make your trip worth it’s while.The Jumeriah beach with it’s huge expanse and the Kite beach with the famous “Burj Al Arab” hotel in it’s backdrop are just a couple of the popular beaches.

Desert Safari

This is a must do on the list of all those who love nature.This safari takes you into the heart of the desert where you can enjoy sand dune bashing with some expert drivers. There are camel rides and henna art along with some breathtaking views.

In the various desert camps people from all over the world experience Arabic hospitality with regional cuisine, ending the evening with music and dance, topped off with the famed belly dancing.

This and much more

I have listed the top 5 things if you are on a short visit to Dubai, because Dubai can keep you occupied for days at a time. If you plan for a longer stay then  some  other very popular points are

The Dubai Marina

Madinat Jumeriah

The Dubai Museum 

The Burj Al Arab Hotel, which is often seen as the symbol of Dubai

Atlantis-The Palm: located on a man made island , The Palm Jumeriah.

Also worth mentioning are the Dubai parks and Dolphinarium. There are many adventure and theme parks also, with unlimited entertainment on offer. For some old world experience and shopping visit the various souq markets or stroll along the super busy streets of Bur-Dubai and Al-Karama. You can visit the many beautiful waterfronts . Hop on a boat ride at the famous Dubai creek and the newly opened Dubai canal, or just enjoy the scenery.

Dubai has something for everyone, from calm of the sea to the glitzy lifestyle. It is worth visiting for the food and shopping alone. This is a place that will make you feel at ease and make memories for a lifetime.

A vacation to Dubai will leave you with smiles and a love for the place. A city so full of lights that it never seems to sleep.

 Shalini Tyagi is an Indian,born and brought up in India,currently living in Dubai. She is mother of two school going children and is a stay at home mom. An avid reader, she has recently forayed into blogging to bring to light her writing skills. She hosts her own website tyagishalinid.com.