Dive into the Glitz and Glamour of Dubai: A City of Skyscrapers, Luxury, and Unparalleled Experiences
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene. Burj Khalifa, an 830m-tall tower, dominates the skyscraper-filled skyline. At its foot lies Dubai Fountain, with jets and lights choreographed to music. On artificial islands just offshore is Atlantis, The Palm, a resort with water and marine-animal parks.
Iconic places to visit in Dubai
1. Burj Khalifa :
Burj Khalifa is an iconic place to visit in Dubai as it is the world’s tallest building. At 828 metres (2,716.5 ft), the 200-plus-storey Burj Khalifa has 160 liveable floors. The Burj Khalifa is a spectacular combination of architecture and engineering with two observation decks on the 124th and 148th floors and Atmosphere, the world’s highest restaurant at 1,450 ft, on the 122nd floor. The Burj Khalifa also has the highest outdoor observation deck (1,820 ft), highest occupied floor (160th floor at 1,920 ft) and the longest elevator (1,653 ft).
2. Burj Al Arab:
Burj Al Arab is an iconic landmark in Dubai. It is a seven-star hotel that resembles a sail. Towering 321 metres, Burj Al Arab is the world’s tallest all-suite hotel. It has a helipad on the 28th floor and a restaurant that appears suspended in mid-air. Burj Al Arab is located on a manmade island that is linked to the mainland by a private bridge. The hotel has various pools, nine restaurants and bars and a waterpark. 24-carat gold has been embellished on the furniture and art frames. A tourist can book the ‘Inside Burj Al Arab’ show to experience Arabian luxury. The 90-minute guided tour of the hotel includes a visit to the opulent hotel atrium and the glamourous Royal Suite, a curated experience and a suite with digital interactives to relive the history of the original architectural designs.
3. Palm Jumeirah, the man-made island:
Another must-visit place in Dubai is the Palm Jumeirah, built on reclaimed land and resembling a series of artificial archipelagos. Palm Jumeirah is shaped like a palm tree when viewed from above. The island has some of Dubai’s top luxury resorts. No steel or concrete was used in creating the Palm Jumeirah, which comprises a whopping 120 million cubic metres of sand, brought from the seabed. The island offers tourists various activities. From shopping malls and hotels to luxury beach resorts, Palm Jumeirah Islands have it all. A tourist can sail around Palm Jumeirah in a yacht or speedboat or board the Palm Monorail that passes the Atlantis resort.
4. Museum of the Future:
The Museum of the Future is a new tourist attraction in Dubai and is considered among the world’s most beautiful buildings. Located on Sheikh Zayed Road, the city’s main highway, the museum is a seven-story hollow elliptical structure designed from stainless steel and inscribed with Arabic calligraphy quotes. The museum takes the visitors on an experiential journey to the year 2071, which corresponds with the centenary year of the UAE’s founding. The seven-storey building has no pillars and is an engineering marvel. The museum presents various futuristic experiences – a trip to space, a visit to the Amazon rainforests and a spa of the senses. It utilises the latest virtual reality and augmented reality technology, big data analysis, AI and human-machine interaction. Architecturally, it has no sharp edges and is among the most streamlined structures in the world. It stands at a height of 77 metres.
5. Dubai Aquarium:
The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo holds the Guinness World Record for the ‘Largest Acrylic Pane’. It is one of the largest indoor aquariums in the world. Located in The Dubai Mall, it is home to more than 33,000 aquatic animals, comprising over 140 species. The aquarium has more than 400 sharks in the 10-million-litre tank. Cage snorkelling is a popular attraction as tourists can snorkel in the 10-million-litre water-filled tank that teems with diverse marine life. Sailing in a glass-bottom boat that floats on the surface of the water is an amazing experience too.
6. Atlantis Aquaventure and Secret Chamber:
The Aquaventure Waterpark has private beaches, kids’ play areas and marine activities and it is adjacent to the Atlantis Aquaventure, the largest waterpark in Dubai with iconic rides and attractions. The water park is spread over a 17-hectare area and offers the most fascinating water attractions. The park has 30 water slides for adventurous tourists. You can dive in the Leap of Faith, a 27.5-metre plunge that takes you through a clear tube surrounded by rays and sharks. Another thrilling attraction is the Aquacade. You can slide through the tube at a speed of up to 35 kph. Do not miss the Secret Chambers and Atlantis Underwater Zoo, which have 65,000 marine animals.
7. Ski Dubai:
Enjoy a fantastic winter setting in the mountains in Ski Dubai. This tourist attraction in the Dubai Mall has various snow activities including skiing, tobogganing and snowboarding. You can also get close to the resident snow penguins. Ski Dubai is the Middle East’s first indoor ski centre. It is a must-visit place with five ski runs (the longest of which spans more than 1,300 ft with a 197-ft vertical drop), a giant ball run, an exciting 10-ft ramp, tube slides and a relaxing chairlift that enables you to see the sights from a height.
8. Dubai Marina:
Dubai Marina, the manmade canal city, is set on a two-mile stretch of sand facing the Arabian Gulf. Here, tourists can view the high-rise luxury residential and vacation properties. To explore the area, take a boat tour on a traditional Arabian dhow, yacht or speed boat. The entire waterfront district is man-made and was created by excavating the desert and allowing the waters of the Gulf to flow into the site. Make the most of this waterside location by soaking up the sun and swimming at Jumeirah Beach. Dubai Marina Walk is a seven-km-long palm-lined waterfront walkway with lovely landscaped greenery.
9. Dubai Frame:
Dubai Frame holds the world record for being the largest picture frame. Situated in Dubai’s Zabeel Park, between old and new Dubai, the huge structure offers panoramic views of the city from a height of 150 metres. An amazing feature is the state-of-the-art glass bridge that connects parallel vertical towers to create the shape of a picture frame. The structure, designed with a decorative mix of glass, reinforced concrete, steel and aluminium, has an abstract look. Take the elevator to the top, to walk across the sky bridge at the top of the frame, to get a 360-degree view of the city.
10: Miracle Garden:
Miracle Garden is one of the most attractive natural flower gardens in the world. Miracle Garden in Dubai has more than 150 million flowers in full bloom. This 72,000 sqm paradise blossoms into the most picturesque, sweet-scented floral paradise. The world’s largest natural flower garden has hundreds of flower-formed displays, spread over 18 acres (7.3 hectares), creating an extravaganza of colour and scent. The floral creations change each season to ensure a different experience each time you visit. The garden is open from mid-November to May.
11. Dolphinarium:
Dubai’s Dolphinarium is a huge tourist attraction spread over 1.25 acres (approximately) of air-conditioned area. Located in Creek Park, a family entertainment and activity park in Dubai, the Dolphinarium is the home of six bottlenose dolphins and seals. This Dolphinarium has an arena-style seating with the pool in the centre. A 45-minute indoor interactive extravaganza showcases the animals’ skills. Watch the dolphins and seals dance, sing, juggle, play ball and jump through hoops!
12. Dubai Fountain:
The Dubai Fountain is one of the world’s largest musical fountains designed by the creators of the Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas. Located at the base of the Burj Khalifa, each colourful, illuminated jet in The Dubai Fountain sways in time to musical numbers from around the world. Nearly 300 metres (900 ft) long, the fountain can spray water to the height equivalent to a 50-storey building. The fountain is illuminated by 6,600+ lights and 25 colour projectors. The fountain system is an engineering masterpiece – the water comes from a system that recycles condensation from Burj Khalifa’s air-conditioners.
