Thinking about a trip to the amazing United Arab Emirates? Dubai is the top spot in the UAE, offering a modern city view that perfectly mixes tall, new skyscrapers with old traditions. Though tourists only started coming to Dubai recently, it has quickly become a favorite spot for people from all over the world. They come to see its big buildings, huge shopping centers, and fancy hotels that you can't find anywhere else.
Check out our simple list of the top 10 reasons to make Dubai your next holiday spot. You'll love seeing famous places like the Burj Khalifa and the Palm Jumeirah, and experiencing its rich culture and fancy lifestyle.
Premier Shopping Experience
Don't expect to come back from a holiday in Dubai without buying anything; the city has many shopping places, from big malls to street markets. The biggest shopping malls are Dubai Mall, which has more than 1200 shops, an ice rink, and an aquarium, and Mall of the Emirates, which has a cinema and a ski slope. These malls are so big you can spend a whole day there. But remember to visit the 'souqs', or traditional Middle Eastern markets, where you can buy spices, jewelry, and fabrics. If you're good at bargaining, you can get things at lower prices.
Looking from the Top of the World's Highest Building
The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world and represents modern design. It's becoming a famous symbol of Dubai. Around the building, there's a beautiful park with fountains, gardens, and paths lined with trees. Visitors can go to two viewing areas on the 124th and 148th floors to see amazing wide views of the city. The viewing area on the 148th floor is the highest in the world at 1,821 feet. There's also the highest restaurant in the world on the 122nd floor.
Old Dubai
Exploring local history is a key part of your Dubai trip. If you move away from the modern hotels, you'll see that Dubai's old times are still present in Bastakiya, the old area. Here, you can see traditional houses and old wind towers. These towers caught wind and brought it into houses to cool them down, like an early way of making things cooler. Go for a walk there and feel what it was like in the past, and then end your visit at the Dubai Museum to learn more about it.
Beautiful Beaches
Most of the good spots along the city's coast in Dubai are taken by hotels. So, a smart move is to stay at a hotel right by the water. This way, you can get into one of Dubai's top beaches without extra cost. But if you're not staying near the beach, don't worry, there are many public beaches too. The best ones are Al Mamzar and Jumeirah. If you like kite surfing, go to Kite Beach. It's the best place for it.
Delicious Street food
Don't just eat at the all-inclusive restaurants in Dubai. The street food is cheap and tastes great! If you're in Dubai, you should definitely walk down Al Dhiyafah Road. There, you can find real Indian, Lebanese, and Iranian food at very low prices. It's also a chance to meet and talk with the people who live in Dubai. They are very welcoming and kind to tourists.
Amazing Waterparks
Dubai is very hot and humid, so going to waterparks is a great idea! The most liked waterpark right now is Aquaventure at the Atlantis Resort. It has a ride called ‘Leap of Faith’ where people slide down a steep slide and go through a clear tube that passes through a shark tank. Another waterpark, Wild Wadi, is also popular. It has a slide called Jumeirah Sceirah where two people can slide at the same time. They start in a capsule and slide down 120 meters at a speed of 80 km/hour.
Trips in the Desert
When you're on holiday in Dubai, you must visit the Arabian Desert. You can do many fun things there like surfing on sand dunes, riding camels, desert safari, and flying in hot-air balloons. Most of these adventures come with a meal and entertainment in the evening. Dubai has lots of companies offering different desert activities. You'll easily find something you like.
Man-Made Islands
Dubai has built artificial islands out of sand taken from the Persian Gulf, in a big project. The Palm Islands are shaped like palm trees from above. Right now, only one called Palm Jumeirah is finished. Another one, Palm Jebel Ali, has been stopped for a few years. There's also a new project named 'The World'. It's made up of many small islands arranged to look like a world map. When it was first made, many people were quick to buy an island they could call their 'country'.
Learning About Religion
The UAE is mainly a Muslim country. Dubai has a program called 'Open Doors, Open Minds' that invites tourists in Dubai to learn about Islam. Most mosques are only open to Muslims, but the Jumeirah Mosque welcomes non-Muslims for a guided tour. The tours start at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. They explain the religion, how people pray, and include a time to ask questions.
Amazing Water Fountain Displays
Near the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountain is the biggest water show in the world. It was made by the same smart people who made the fountains at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. This show has music, lights, and uses more than 6600 lights. It can shoot water up to 150 metres high. Some say you can see it from space, but we're not sure about that. Either way, you should definitely see it when you visit Dubai.
Dubai offers a wide range of unique and impressive experiences for all travelers. It has man-made islands that show great creativity, a program called 'Open Doors, Open Minds' that teaches visitors about its culture, and the Dubai Fountain which is a huge water show. The city is a mix of old and new, spiritual and luxurious, natural and built environments. These are just some reasons why you should visit Dubai soon. Whether you're looking for adventure, learning, or just want to be amazed, Dubai is a place you won't forget. It's where the future and the past come together in an interesting way.