Dubai, the crown jewel of the Middle East, is one of the fastest growing cities in the world and a highly popular tourist destination. Dubai’s old-world charm coupled with a modern-day glitzy and glamorous skyline featuring stylish skyscrapers and shopping malls featuring a wide array of manufactured attractions, Michelin stared restaurants, stores of best fashion and accessories brands, and plenty of entertainment options make it a rewarding city to explore.
However, Dubai’s charm is not just the artificial attractions; scrape the surface of Dubai and you will also get the opportunity to witness the history, culture, and tradition of this city, which used to be a small fishing village overlooking the Persian Gulf. Travellers will get to know how Dubai’s Black Gold (Petroleum) felled an unprecedented growth that drove this city to become one of the leading hubs of finance, commerce, trade, transport, organization, and tourism.
Dubai’s original natives, the friendly Emiratis have preserved their culture, heritages, customs, and traditions which are evident in its old quarters, historic old town, and its souks, famed in the world for their spices, gems, gold, silver, carpets, and handicrafts. Dubai’s position near the Persian Gulf allows travellers to soak in the sun and bask in the sand at its beaches, enjoy desert safaris, and camp under the stars in desert resorts. There are so many things to do and places to see in Dubai Holidays that one trip is not enough to accommodate the city’s attractions. TravelUp, United Kingdom’s leading travel company curates a list of the top 5 things to do on Dubai Holidays!
1. Visit the world’s tallest building – Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa is one of the icons of Dubai and a major tourist attraction. The World’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, is 892.8 meters in height and towers over the city of Dubai. The building houses residences and the Armani Hotel. Burj Khalifa’s observation deck located on the 124th floor offer sprawling views of the city, Dubai’s desert, and the Persian Gulf.
The nighttime views are amazing as visitors get to see the glitzy and glamorous skyline of Dubai. Check out the gardens of Burj Park surrounding the skyscraper dotted with modern art sculptures and see the Dubai Fountain Show, modelled on the famous Fountains of Hotel Bellagio of Las Vegas. Dubai Fountain Show is the tallest fountain shooting water into the sky up to 150 meters. Burj Khalifa is one of the must-visit attractions of Dubai Holidays.
2. Enjoy Desert Safari and night camping under the stars
One of the quintessential experiences of Dubai is the desert safari and night camping under the stars. To visit the vast expanse of orange-coloured deserts of Dubai, you do not have to travel far as well. The dune fields and desert of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve are within day-trip distance from the city. Here, travellers can enjoy adventure activities like sandboarding, camel safaris, 4WD safaris and witness the traditional Arabian falconry displays.
As the night falls and the vast sky filled with stars and moon emerges, travellers can enjoy an entertainment show featuring Arabic musicians, singers, and Tanoura and belly dancers while savouring the delicacies of Emirati cuisines. Wildlife lovers can also opt for a tour of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve and can see wildlife like gazelles and Arabian oryx. The desert safari experience and camping under the stars with a bonfire are one of the top things to do during the Dubai Holidays.
3. Cruise in Dubai Creek and learn about Dubai’s past
Dubai was once a sleepy fishing village which benefited from its location in the Persian Gulf. The city has a rich maritime past before the discovery of Petroleum. Dubai used to be a port town where dhow boats from the Middle East and East Africa used to bring their goods to trade in Dubai’s souks and bazaars. The Dubai Creek divides the city into two parts – Deira in the north and Bur Dubai in the south. The Creek has a history of being a hub for fishing and pearl diving. This is the area where the Bani Yas tribe settled in the 1830s.
Today, travellers can cruise in the dhow boats, restored for tourism, or hop on to an abra (small wooden ferries) and cruise in Dubai Creek. In fact, holidays to Dubai are incomplete without sailing in Dubai Creek and enjoying the city’s views while sipping cocktails, listening to traditional Emirati music, and enjoying delicious Emirati Cuisine.
4. Explore the historic Al Fahidi Quarter (Old Dubai)
The Al Fahidi Quarter also known as the Old Dubai was built in the late 19th century by traders and merchants dealing in pearls, textiles and other precious metals and handicrafts. The Al Fahidi occupies the eastern portion of Bur Dubai around Dubai Creek. Today, this neighbourhood is full of old heritage buildings of coral and limestone with wind towers which are very well preserved.
However, the most unique features of the houses are the wind towers that worked as air conditioners by funnelling the fresh air down the towers into the houses. Here you will find the Majlis Gallery, known for its collection of ceramics and furniture. Holidays to Dubai will be more insightful if the travellers spend time at the historic Al Fahidi Quarter. You can also visit the Al Serkal Cultural Foundation which has a shop, a café and art exhibition located inside a heritage building.
5. Visit the Atlantis, The Palm
Holidays to Dubai are incomplete without a visit to Atlantis, The Palm, a one-stop holiday destination in Dubai located on Palm Jumeirah Island. This five-star super luxury resort offers amazing options for entertainment, top-rated dining establishments, joy rides, theme parks and unique underwater adventures and plenty of fun events. Moreover, It has its own beach, infinity pools, and attractions like The Lost Chambers Aquarium, Aquaventure Waterpark and Dolphin Bay, which will keep the families and kids busy and entertained throughout the day.
For food lovers, the Atlantis, The Palm is also home to some of the world’s best restaurants operated by world-famous chefs. Here you can indulge into the art of gastronomy at restaurants run by the celebrity chefs like Nobu, Hakkasan, Gordon Ramsey’s Bread Street Kitchen, and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. Visitors can also dine at the Signature restaurants of Ossiano, Seafire Steakhouse & Bar, and Ayamna. Here you can also indulge in causal dining at restaurants like Saffron, Wavehouse, and Street Pizza.
Moreover, unwind and relax at the ShuiQi Spa and Fitness where you can revel in a wide variety of spa treatments and uplift your spirits. Atlantis, The Palm is also a popular spot for celebrating Christmas and New Year’s Eve.