Tourism

Dubai is an incredible holiday destination that has so much to offer. From deserts, safaris, Arab cuisines, manmade marvels, huge wealthy hotels, theme parks to world famous shopping experience, Dubai makes a more than perfect destination for a great vacation.

 Below are some of the Top Tourist Attractions you must see when on holiday in Dubai.

1- Burl Al Arab

The Burj Al Arab (Tower of the Arabs) is the world's only 7 star hotel and designed to resemble a billowing sail, the Burj Al Arab soars to a height of 321 meters, dominating the Dubai skyline making it the fourth tallest hotel in the world.

It truly is one of the most iconic symbols of Dubai and is a majestic building. No trip to Dubai would be complete without at least seeing it! There are various view points you can take photos from but one of the best is from the public beach next to it... there you will get that Dubai shot of you on the beach with The Burj in the back ground.  It is one of the most photographed structures in the world, and consistently voted the worlds most luxurious hotel. It is illuminated at night by choreographed lighting making it an impressive building day or night!

2- Burj Khalifa

 

The Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest tower and is an amazing feat of engineering- the story of which you can see if you take a trip to "At The Top"- the highest viewing platform in the world.

The high point of any Burj Khalifa experience is the view from At The Top. Located on level 124 of the world's tallest tower, this observatory is destined to be the highlight of any visit to the Middle East.

The journey begins in the lower ground level of The Dubai Mall. Throughout the journey to the top, visitors are entertained by a multi-media presentation of the exotic history of Dubai and the marvel that is the Burj Khalifa.

EW Top tip is to buy your tickets online in advance as you can save about 300 Dhs per person doing this. the slots sell out fast though- especially the sun set ones so make sure you get booked in in time!

3- Palm Islands

Famous for being visible from the moon, palm islands are three of the largest manmade islands ever. For tourists and visitors the palm Jumeirah features a series of hotels and private residences. While the second of the three Islands, palm Jebel Ali is known for its leisure facilities, you can also enjoy the aquatic theme park on this island. The third island of the palm islands, Palm Deira is more or less a residential area with large number of sophisticated and stylish villas. The palm Deira is also the largest of the three islands forming a great manmade marvel ever. The palm islands are a must visit tourist attraction for every holiday in Dubai. The three marvellous islands are connected by bridges to the main land. A Dubai vacation can not be completed without taking a trip to this breathtaking manmade attraction.

4- The Dubai Fountain

At the base of the world's tallest tower is one of the world's most amazing fountains! In fact it is the world's largest dancing fountain!

Set on the 30-acre Burj Khalifa Lake, the fountain shoots water jets as high as 500 ft, equivalent to that of a 50-storey building. The fountain is 900 ft  long and has five circles of varying sizes and two central arcs. It is designed by California-based WET, the creators of the Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas. The Dubai Fountain performs daily, with the performance repertoire including Sama Dubai; Baba Yetu, an award-winning song in Swahili; the Arab world’s top-selling dance number Shik Shak Shok; and the signature piece of world-renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, Con te partiro (Time to Say Goodbye).

Over 6,600 WET Superlights and 25 colour projectors create a visual spectrum of over 1,000 abstract attractions. The beam of light shining upward from the fountain can be seen from over 20 miles away, and will be visible from space making it the brightest spot in the Middle East, and quite possibly in the entire world.
 
5- Global Village

For the past 15 years, Global Village has been providing cultural entertainment along with an international shopping experience to millions of visitors. Breathtaking live performances, mouth-watering cuisine, authentic handicrafts and merchandise from different countries await you at the many national pavilions in Global Village. There are many more attractions, including thrilling rides, games and firework displays, to complete your visit. Global Village is open from November to March every year.

 6- Atlantis Hotel

Atlantis is the majestic resort in Dubai situated on the Palm, a man-made island that has captured the world’s imagination with its magnificent scale and ingenuity.
From the moment you arrive, you will be immersed in a dazzling world of imagination, pleasure and luxury of 5 star hotels. The resort offers relaxation and thrills for couples and families alike, including:

Unique marine habitats- The Lost Chambers
An exhilarating water park- Aqua venture
Pristine white beaches
World-class cuisine in 18 restaurants,
An indulgent spa (ShuiQi ) to awaken your senses
Cosmopolitan boutiques to shop until your heart is content

7- Ski Dubai

 
Ski Dubai is the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East and offers an amazing snow setting to enjoy skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing, or just playing in the snow. Young or old, there is something for everyone, from the beginner to the snow sport enthusiast. Ski Dubai is a unique mountain-themed attraction that offers you the opportunity to enjoy real snow in Dubai all year round.

You don't have to worry about ski clothing or equipment either. Ski Dubai has thought of it all and offers guests the use of winter clothing, ski and snowboard equipment. Your skis will carry you down the slope, and our quad-chairlift and tow lift will promptly carry you back to the top for another run.

8- Dubai Marina

 
One of Dubai's newer tourist attractions is Dubai marina... the marina is set in the backdrop of the amazing buildings of JBR and has great views, walkways and boat rides available. It is amazing either during the day or in the evenings. Dubai Marina is the largest man-made marina in the world and is home to super yachts and also Dubai Marina Mall.

Set in the heart of ‘new Dubai’, Dubai Marina Yacht Club (DMYC) has rapidly gained a reputation as one of the renowned private yacht clubs of the region, with a purpose built clubhouse forming the centre-piece of four distinctive marinas. Arrayed along the length of a remarkable 3.5km canal, the marinas provide sheltered berthing for over five hundred yachts, in a setting that is simply unrivalled.

With a choice of casual or fine dining restaurants, a lively Sports Lounge, or the tranquillity of the club lounges, all ensure that the clubhouse is a place of refuge throughout the week and not just simply a weekend get-away. For the keen yachting enthusiast, the club organises the increasingly renowned ‘Cruising Club’, which offers exclusively to DMYC members the opportunity to explore regional yachting destinations, and to join the regular series of workshops and seminars with fellow yachtsmen.

9- Dubai Creek

 
The natural seawater inlet that cuts through the center of the city is the historical part of Dubai where visitors can take an abra (small water taxi) and view the old trading port and the dhows from the water. A cruise to Al-Maktoum Bridge will pass many of the city's historic as well as modern landmarks. A stroll around the wharf offers a picturesque glimpse of Dubai's trading heritage, where dhows bound for distant places dock to unload their goods.

he Creek, a natural sea-water inlet which cuts through the center of the city, is the historic focal point of life in Dubai. A stroll along its banks evokes the city’s centuries-old trading traditions.

Visitors will be captivated by the colour and bustle of the loading and unloading of dhows which still ply ancient trade routes to places as distant as India and East Africa. 

10- Wild Wadi

 
Located in front of the  Burj Al Arab, Wild Wadi offers 30 rides and attractions for all the family. Wild Wadi is themed around the tale of Juha, a known character from the Arabian folklore.

Wild Wadi Timings:
November to February: 10am - 6pm
March to May: 10am - 7pm
June to August: 10am - 8pm
September and October: 10am - 7pm 

11- Wonderland

This tourist attraction is for those looking for a family time in their Dubai vacation. Spread in an area of 18 hectares, this fun park is often filled with tourists and visitors enjoying Caribbean cruise, speed slides, wave runners, surf hills and many such amazing attractions.

12- Magic Planet

 
Magic planet is fun place for children and is an entertainment centre only for kids. This tourist attraction is great for your kids to have some fun in their holiday in Dubai. You can let your kids cherish their Dubai vacation with attractions like crawling bungee jungle, mini pitch and putt, electronic games and 10 pin bowling.

13- Art Galleries

Dubai also displays some remarkable and beautiful art galleries for art lovers on their holiday in Dubai. Founded in 1976, the Dubai Art Society is quite a unique tourist attraction in Dubai. The art galleries got their share of fame after being reinvented in year 1980. In the mid of 1980s it was renamed as Dubai International Art Centre. The place promotes skills of young artists and should not be missed on a Dubai vacation, if you are fond of art.

14- Desert Safaris

A holiday in Dubai is never complete without the world famous desert safaris. Tourist and visitors are taken on desert trip in groups and get to experience Dubai, its culture and deserts. The Dubai safari experience is something you will not get anywhere else and to add to the adventure, you also get an overnight stay in Bedouin tents. Holiday in Dubai gets memorable when you get to taste the traditional Arab barbeque during evening desert feasts.

15- Dubai Zoo

The Dubai Zoo was born in 1967, when Otto J. Bulart built a zoo on a two hectare plot in Jumeirah, after getting permission from the late ruler of Dubai, HH The Emir Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

Currently, the zoo houses approximately 230 animal species, with over 400 reptile specimens. The Dubai Zoo is also the first Arabian zoo to breed the rare Chimpanzee and the Arabian or Gordon’s wildcat.

The ideal time for a Dubai vacation is between November-March, also known as winter time in Dubai.