Placed along the Arabian Gulf’s southern coast, Dubai is one of the most livable cities in the world, thanks to its state of the art infrastructure, warm Arabian hospitality, and most of all, crime-free environment. In fact, no other Middle Eastern city is home to such an incredible spectrum of attr
... actions as Dubai. With value-added Dubai tour packages, you can easily plan an impeccable and memorable vacation in Dubai. A well-crafted Dubai holiday package is inclusive of accommodation, dining and airport transfers, along with guided sightseeing tours.
Once a sleepy desert village, Dubai has now been transformed to a hotspot offering everything on a grand scale. From Dubai Mall – the world’s biggest shopping mall and Burj Khalifa – the largest man-made structure on the planet to the magnificent man-made islands and sail-shaped Burj Khalifa – the world’s only seven-star hotel, it’s mesmerizing to know how many iconic attractions and wonders this desert city boasts.
A Dubai vacation can be everything from a wild desert adventure to a relaxing spa break or a beach getaway. Are you a food lover? The city tempts you with a host of dining choices that include both top-notch celebrity dining venues and budget picks. With a myriad of classy outlets, extravagant malls, and timeless souvenir stops in the form of traditional souks, the emirate’s shopping scene is quite extensive and unrivalled. Being home to plenty of thrilling theme parks which cater to all age and thrill levels, such as Wild Wadi Theme Park and Aquaventure, it is also the ultimate destination for electrifying adventure and flat-out amusement.
Moreover, leisure things to do in Dubai encompass the entire gamut of pursuits which ensure that there is something for all types of visitors. Go for a tranquil dinner dhow cruise along the Venetian style Dubai Marina, stand in awe exploring the Dubai Mall Aquarium & Underwater Zoo’s incredible marine biodiversity, and have absolute fun as you enjoy varied snow activities within the chilling ambience of Ski Dubai. Some of the sure-fire attractions to keep your little ones engaged and excited are Dubai Dolphinarium, Kidzania, SEGA Republic, iFly Dubai, and Fun City.
One of the Dubai’s most significant hubs is Jumeirah whose attractions range from the astounding Jumeirah Mosque and the spotless Jumeirah Beach to the exquisite Madinat Jumeirah and Atlantis, The Palm. Interestingly, Dubai is much more than its astounding skyline. Dubai packages are incomplete without a desert safari, which not only allows visitors to immerse in its enthralling desert beauty, but also indulge in several spontaneous adventure activities like dune bashing, quad biking, camel ride etc.
Places of historical and cultural significance also abound in the city. Mull the legendary heritage and traditional lifestyle of the Emiratis at the Dubai National Museum within the 18th century Al Fahidi Fort. Then, there is the splendor of the Dubai Creek – a cruise along which gives you a perfect introduction of the city’s old and new attractions. You can also go beyond the Dubai’s glamorous sights, with a day trip to the quaint Hatta.
Don’t Miss
Enjoy Dubai from Burj Khalifa’s At the Top Observatory: A not to miss thing while in Dubai is to enjoy the 360 degree views of Dubai from the observatory on the 124th level of Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building.
Dubai Mall: Home to more than 1200 shops, the world’s biggest mall is, however, is not all about shopping, and offers an all-inclusive experience with its varied thrilling and enthralling attractions, such as Dubai Fountain, Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, and Ice Rink.
Desert Safari: Take a desert safari with dune bashing to experience the rugged beauty of Dubai’s desert in the most thrilling way. For a slice of Bedouin traditions, you can engage in several amazing activities like henna designing, falcon shows, camel ride, trying Emirati attires etc.
Palm Islands: An unrivalled engineering feat, the Palm represents two artificial archipelagos in the gleaming waters of Persian Gulf, including Palm Jumeirah and Palm Jebel Ali. Modeled to take after a stunning palm tree, Palm Jumeirah is one of Dubai’s hotspots, with several top-notch accommodation, dining and leisure choices. Hire a yacht to sail around the marvelous attractions of these islands.
Burj Al Arab: Often billed as the only seven-star hotel in the world, the luxurious Burj Al Arab graces the Arabian shorelines, with its astounding height and design resembling a sail ship. If you’re not able to afford a stay here, then reserve a table at one of its incredible dining views.
Dhow Cruise on Dubai Creek: A great combination of sightseeing and dining, this allows for a cruise right across the heart of Dubai. You can enjoy both historic and modern attractions that line the creek. With a sail aboard a traditional dhow, you can further experience the old Emirati charm and atmosphere.
Atlantis, The Palm: Elegantly sitting on the crescent of Palm Island and blissfully bounded by the serene waters of Arabian Gulf, Atlantis is a classic five-star resort with more than 1500 well-appointed rooms. Boasting attractions like Aquaventure Waterpark, Lost Chamber Aquarium, and Dolphin Bay, it also provides visitors and guests with a myriad of leisure and sightseeing options.
Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates: There is no better way to stay away from Dubai’s blistering heat than with a trip to Ski Dubai – the first of its kind indoor ski resort in the Middle East. Enjoy skiing, tobogganing, and many other winter activities in this icy facility filled with real snow.
Important Events and Festivals
The list of festival and events held in Dubai is absolutely lengthy. The most noteworthy among them is undoubtedly is the one-month long Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), which usually takes place in January – February and accompanied by unbelievable shopping deals. Other not-to-miss festivals are Dubai International Jazz Festival in February, Dubai Fashion Week in March, Dubai Summer Surprises in June – July, and Dubai International Festival in mid-December.
When to visit Dubai?
Dubai, although a desert city, is a year-round destination. But the best time to visit Dubai is during winter months, from November to February. With temperatures ranging from 12 to 22 degrees during cooler months, be sure to carry lots of layers when you plan for a winter vacation. On the other hand, your summer trip to Dubai expects you to be ready to face exceedingly hot and humid temperatures, with mercury rising up to 48 degree Celsius.
Culture & Etiquette
Dubai is part of an Islamic country, and all visitors are expected to be polite and respectful towards its local culture & heritage. It is a punishable offense to smoking in public and drinking alcohol outside of a licensed bar or a dining venue Likewise, refrain from eating or drinking in public places during the holy month of Ramadan.
All visitors, especially women, should dress modestly in public places. Both men and women should well cover their arms, shoulders and legs when they visit a mosque. It is also important for women to cover their hair with a headscarf while in a conservative area. Most importantly, a strict no-no when it comes to PDAs.
Essential Travel Information
Dubai is the second largest city in the UAE (United Arab Emirates). Arabic is the official language. With a thriving expat population, English is also widely spoken here. The local currency is the UAE Dirham, and is pegged to the US dollar at a rate of AED 3.67.
As the Middle East’s most significant as well as the biggest airline hub, Dubai can be easily reached from different parts of the world. Whether you’re traveling solo or with family and kids, Dubai is a safe city with numerous accommodation, dining and leisure options to cater to every budget and interest.
In order to get around the city, RTA (Road and Transport Authority) offers many convenient and economic transport options for tourists and locals, such as exceptional metro system, taxis, buses and water taxis. Shops in malls and souks are open from 10:00 hrs to 22:00 hrs. But, most of them will remain closed till 14:00 hrs on Fridays. While haggling is acceptable in souks including Gold Souk and Textile Souk, it is vital to note that prices are fixed in malls. Read more
