Recommended Attractions for Tourists in Dubai

 

Dubai, the United Arab Emirates holiday hot spot, is a city of high-rises and shopping malls that has transformed itself from a desert outpost to a destination du-jour. Tourists flock to Dubai for sales bargains, sunshine, and family fun. The city is famous for its contemporary sightseeing attractions such as the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, and shopping malls that come complete with mammoth aquariums and indoor ski slopes.

However, Dubai has many cultural highlights and things to do, as well as all the glamorous modern add-ons. Take a wander around the Al Fahidi quarter and discover the Dubai of old. Then, cruise along Dubai Creek in a traditional dhow and soon realize there's more to this city than its flashy veneer.

Also Read: Top rated hotels to stay in Dubai for every tourist?

These are the Recommended Attractions for Tourists in Dubai:

See Dubai's Famed Cityscape at Burj Khalifa:

Dubai's landmark building and major tourist attraction is the Burj Khalifa, which at 829.8 meters is the tallest building in the world and the most famous of the city's points of interest. A trip to the observation deck on the 124th floor here is a must-do for most visitors, as the views across the city skyline from this bird's-eye perspective are simply staggering.

The slick observation deck experience includes a multimedia presentation on both Dubai and the building of the Burj Khalifa, completed in 2010 before a high-speed elevator takes you up to the observation deck for those 360-degree views out across the skyscrapers to the desert on one side and the ocean on the other.

Visit an Underwater World at Dubai Aquarium:

One of the city's top tourist attractions, the Dubai Aquarium is a must-see destination while in Dubai. It houses 140 species of sea life in the huge suspended tank on the ground floor of the Dubai Mall. Although there is free viewing from the mall, the highlight of a visit here is entering the Underwater Zoo, with its three-story high, 270-degree views along the length of the glass-panel tunnels.

The Dubai Aquarium offers plenty of aquatic experiences and things to do for visitors who want a close-up encounter with some of the aquarium's inhabitants, from hand-feeding eagle rays to diving with reef and tiger sharks. It's a great way to experience marine life up close.

Ramada Hotels & Suites by Wyndham Dubai

Ramada Hotels & Suites by Wyndham Dubai is an international-branded 4-star hotel that provides all the comfort and style you would expect in a world-class property. The hotel is located in the heart of Dubai Marina and immerses guests within an oasis of elegance with thoughtfully detailed guest rooms, beautifully designed venues, and distinctive restaurants and bars.

Guests can enhance their experience with one of the hotel's unique Dubai hotel special offers and feel right at home during their family adventure or corporate event. The spacious comfort of the grand king suites in Ramada Hotels & Suites by Wyndham Dubai is the best hotel in Dubai. This elegant space is bright and airy with an open floor plan and a comfortable living area.

The hotel is also a popular choice among celebrities and offers a range of amenities such as refreshing beverages in a comfy lounge chair or take a dip in the pool to cool off while enjoying views of Dubai Marina skyline. The Wyndham Dubai Marina offers one of the best culinary experiences in the city and their accommodation facilities are soaked with luxury with sumptuous open spaces, balconies, and well-crafted furnishings, making it the perfect choice for your next adventure in Dubai.

Soak Up the Sun at JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence) Beach:

Dubai is known for its beautiful beaches and it's a perfect place for visitors who want to make hitting the beach a major part of their stay. Some of Dubai's most popular beach resorts are strung out all along its length, providing visitors with a wide range of options.

The large public areas of the beach have excellent facilities, with plenty of sun loungers, restaurants, lifeguards patrolling the stretches designated for swimming, and water sports operators offering jet skiing, kayak rental, parasailing, and boat rides. This is a safe beach choice for families traveling with tots as the turquoise water of the Gulf lapping the shore is shallow and calm. With so many options to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect spot to relax and soak up the sun.

Head Out into the Desert:

Dubai is home to not just the skyscrapers of the coastal skyline but also the desert scapes of rippling dunes. You can experience the desert adventure by taking a day trip to Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve or the orange-hued dunes of Maleha (in the Emirate of Sharjah) which are both within reach from the city. Desert adventure tours can combine a range of activities such as sandboarding, camel rides, 4WD safaris, traditional Arabian falconry displays, and desert dinners under the stars.

There are also options for overnight camping under the stars. The typical tour itinerary can easily be slotted into even a short trip to Dubai, taking around six hours door to door, with a mid-afternoon departure from the city. The Dubai Desert 4x4 Safari offers a half-day desert adventure and includes a camel ride, sandboarding lessons, a sunset barbecue, and a belly dancing show.

For a less rushed tour experience, you can choose one of the companies that operate inside the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, where trips can include wildlife drives to spot the reserve's free-roaming herds of gazelles and if you're lucky, Arabian Oryx. It's a great way to experience desert life and culture.

Walk through History in Al Fahidi Quarter (Old Dubai):

The Al Fahidi Quarter, previously known as the Bastakia neighborhood, is a historic district in the city of Dubai, built in the late 19th century to be the home of wealthy Persian merchants who dealt mainly in pearls and textiles and were lured to Dubai because of the tax-free trading and access to Dubai Creek. It occupies the eastern portion of Bur Dubai along the creek, and the coral and limestone buildings here, many with walls topped with wind towers, have been excellently preserved.

Wind towers were used as an early form of air conditioning, as the wind trapped in the towers was funneled down into the houses. This architectural element, which was common in Iranian coastal houses, was likely transplanted from Persia to the Gulf. The district is lined with distinct Arabian architecture, and the narrow lanes are highly evocative of a bygone, and much slower, age in Dubai's history.

Inside the district, you'll find the Majlis Gallery, with its collection of traditional Arab ceramics and furniture (housed in a wind tower), and the Al Serkal Cultural Foundation with a shop, café, and rotating art exhibitions (located in one of the historic buildings). The Al Fahidi Quarter offers a glimpse into Dubai's rich history and culture, and it's a must-see for visitors interested in architecture and history.