A guide to the 12 best places to visit in Dubai!

One of the most beautiful light, water and music spectacles in the world; the Dubai Fountain is the world’s second largest choreographed fountain system. Situated in the center of Downtown Dubai, the Dubai Fountain offers a breathtaking show of choreographed water jets that shoot over 100 feet in the air and dance to the rhythms of songs from all over the world. It occupies a stunning space on the 30-acre manmade Burj Khalifa Lake and neighbours the eponymous building. The show takes place every 30 minutes from 6:00 PM and with free access and front row view guaranteed, watching one of these shows is definitely going to be an unforgettable experience.

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Family

Must See

The tallest building in the world needs no introduction. With a total height of 829.8 m (2,722 ft), the Burj Khalifa has been the tallest structure in the world since 2008, even before it was finished. Today, it stands tall in the heart of Dubai and can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. No trip to Dubai is complete without visiting the Burj Khalifa. Over 2 million people visit the Burj Khalifa every year, making their way to the highest observatory in the world - At the Top. At the Top Burj Khalifa is an observatory on the 124th and 125th floors of the Burj Khalifa and offers some of the most stunning views of Dubai. The floor-to-ceiling glass walls provide an amazing panoramic view of the city, desert, and ocean from a height of 452 meters! You can even step out onto an open-air terrace to take in the unparalleled vistas.

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Family

Must See

Step into a world of comfort and luxury at the Burj Al Arab - a distinctive sail-shaped silhouette on the coast of Dubai and an iconic symbol of the city. Burj Al Arab is widely regarded as the most luxurious hotel in the world and is also one of the most visited landmarks in Dubai. One of the best ways to experience the grandeur of Burj Al Arab is by going for a high tea or dinner at one of the many world-class restaurants in the hotel. Another interesting way to check out this famous building is by going for boat trips or jet ski tours in the waters around the Burj Al Arab. Built on a triangular island off the coast of Dubai, Burj Al Arab is a landmark that one should definitely check out on their visit to Dubai.

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Luxury

Family

Must See

The history of Dubai and Dubai Creek are inseparable. Settled along the creek since its inception, Dubai Creek has played a pivotal role in Dubai’s past, helping it develop from a fishing village to a booming trade center, receiving trade from Europe, Asia as well as East Africa. Today, Dubai Creek is still an integral part of the city and a cruise down Dubai Creek is quite a traditional way of experiencing Dubai. A sightseeing cruise along Dubai Creek will allow you to see landmarks such as Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Heritage Village, Al Diwan or The Ruler’s Assembly, traditional gold & spice souks, Emirates N.B.D. Headquarters, Sheraton Dubai Creek and the Rolex Twin Towers.

Good for

Family

Cruises

Sightsee

One of the most ambitious projects of the past few decades, Dubai Marina is a 3km long artificial canal that was built along the Persian Gulf and has one of the most developed waterfronts in the word. Its banks are lined by towering skyscrapers that form exclusive residences, hotels, malls and others. Dubai Marina is a spectacle of modern engineering and a dhow cruise is one of the best ways to experience it. These skyscrapers, brightly lit under the night sky and reflecting on the Marina, present an unforgettable sight of Dubai. Cruising in Dubai Marina, you will be able to gaze at the Dubai Yacht Club, the yacht club promenade, Dubai Marina Mall, Sheikh's Boatyard, Jumeirah Beach Residence and parts of the Palm.

Good for

Family

Cruises

Sightsee

An achievement unlike any other, Palm Jumeirah is an artificial archipelago off the Jumeirah coast in Dubai. Built out of land reclaimed from the sea, Palm Jumeirah is considered to be one of the poshest locales in Dubai and is home to some of the most luxurious homes, hotels, recreational centers, restaurants and beach clubs. At this modern hub of activity in Dubai, you can enjoy the world famous Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm, go for a kayak tour of the islands, or simply go for a cruise around the island. The sight of the islands, branching out into the sea are a sight to behold and truly unforgettable.

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Family

Sightsee

Squeezed between Dubai Creek and the Bur Dubai district, Bastakiya Quarter harks back to the days when Dubai was just a fishing village on the Persian Gulf. Saved from the extreme urbanisation that Dubai has gone through in the past few decades, the winding streets of Bastakiya are lined with old-fashion wind-towered buildings that have now been converted into galleries and restaurants. Before you finish touring Bastakiya, make sure to visit the textile souk where you'll find some of the best bolts of fabric. Finally, to experience the old ways of Dubai in its truest forms, head to the creek and go for a scenic tour in traditional abra boats.

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Family

Historic Tour

Culture

Sightsee

Meena Bazaar is another attraction in Dubai that will take you back in time. Famous for its traditional markets and shops, Meena Bazaar has been an iconic part of the city for the past 50 years. Situated in Bur Dubai, Meena Bazaar is home to shops that cater to every customers need - right from clothing and jewellery to gadgets, perfumes, footwear, dry fruits, etc. Nestled in a tightly packed area, be ready to be greeted by blaring horns, shops decorated with lights, traditional eateries and thousands of customers bargaining for the right prices.

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Shopping

Must See

Jumeirah Beach is one of the most beautiful stretches of sand in Dubai. Located north of the Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach provides just the perfect location to take a photograph with the iconic hotel in the background. Also known as the Sunset Beach, its wide sandy stretch provides just the perfect location to relax and unwind from the hustle and bustle of city life as the waves crash onto the sandy shore and the sun sets in the Persian Gulf. Lined with restaurants and beach clubs almost all the way, you can easily find a beautiful spot along the beach to stop and catch a drink or two. Known for its swells during the winters, Jumeirah Beach is also the most accessible surfing spot in Dubai.

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Family

Relax

Beach Fun

The Dubai Water Canal is another extremely popular waterway in Dubai. Connecting the Dubai Creek to the Persian Gulf, Dubai Water Canal is flanked by quite a few important Dubai landmarks that one can sightsee on a cruise down the Dubai Water Canal. Some of the landmarks that lie on the banks of Dubai Water Canal are Festival City Mall, Ras Al Khor Sanctuary, Business Bay, Burj Khalifa, Sheikh Zayed Road Waterfall Bridge and JW Marriott Hotel and St Regis Hotel.

Good for

Family

Cruises

Sightsee

Recommended Experiences
• Dubai Water Canal Dinner Cruise
• Dubai Water Canal Abra ride

Built to resemble a traditional marketplace, Souk Madinat Jumeirah combines the atmosphere of a traditional Emirati souk with ultra modern boutiques and shopping centers. One of the most popular shopping destinations in Dubai, Souk Madinat Jumeirah is an atmospheric hotspot that offers breathtaking sights, exclusive entertainment shows and abra boat rides as well. Souk Madinat also has over 25 restaurants serving cuisines from around the world. This combination of entertainment, recreation, dining and shopping experiences makes Souk Madinat Jumeirah one of the leading attractions in Dubai.

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Culture

Shopping

Must See

Sightseeing options in Dubai are abundant - from the tallest building in the world and traditional marketplaces to artificial islands and dancing fountains. However, it might get overwhelming for first-timers to the city to experience it all without spilling it into multiple days. Thankfully, there are a number of city tours in Dubai; by road, by boat and by helicopters; that will take you around the city and show you all its major highlights. Check out some of these tours in the Recommended section below.

Good for

Culture

Sightseeing

Must See

Recommended Experiences
• Dubai Helicopter Tour
• Dubai City Tour
• Dubai Marina Sightseeing Cruise

The Louvre Abu Dhabi is a treasure trove of experience. Via twenty galleries, journey through twelve chronological chapters as you travel through centuries of world civilization. The Louvre Abu Dhabi also has a dedicated section for children, where they can use interactive aids to understand the many layers of history. Within the museum grounds, architect Nouvel has brilliantly designed a café, as well as a an open plaza. As part of the Saadiyat Island Cultural Hub, this ‘Universal Museum’ is set to be the beginning of so much more than a single attraction. With upcoming neighbors, including the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, the inauguration of the Louvre Abu Dhabi is the birth of a new cultural hub.

Good for

Culture

Sightseeing

Must See

Recommended Experiences
• Louvre Abu Dhabi Admission Tickets