Dubai Travel Guide-Top 10 things to do and how to get there.
- Christabel Ododa
- Jun 12, 2020
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 27, 2020
We all just call it Dubai. One of Emirates' seven cities and a top luxurious tourist destination, Dubai is the most popular city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its opening up its doors to tourism this July!
If you are looking to visit the city of gold, here is a breakdown of some of the top things to do in Dubai and how to get there.
Atlantis The Palm
Themed around the myth of the sunken city of Atlantis, a stay at Atlantis the palm is truly mythical and not a place for a small budget. You can however get a taste of the Atlantis experience with the day visits and even though access to the interior of the hotel is strictly reserved for the hotel guests, the shopping center and the lost chambers aquarium (one of the largest aquariums in the world) under the east tower are open to the general public. To get there with public transportation,hop onto one of the hop on hop off buses or use the palm Jumeirah mono rail. It is worth noting that your experience at the Dolphin bay where you get to swim with the dolphins will be dependent on your package of choice that offer different levels of interactions with the charismatic creatures. Professional photographers are also available to take pictures of you kiss, hug and swim with the dolphins at quite pricey charges, but you can always take your own pics. I highly recommend online pre-booking for your visit.
Public Transportation:
Ferry terminal (station: Atlantis The Palm)
A great combination of social atmosphere with a relaxed vibe, the harbor area's long pedestrian zone featuring trendy boutiques, restaurants and bars is ideal for a relaxing stroll.
Dubai Marina & JBR
A great combination of social atmosphere with a relaxed vibe, the harbor area's long pedestrian zone featuring trendy boutiques, restaurants and bars is ideal for a relaxing stroll. If you are a shopping lover you can indulge yourself or alternatively chill at the Jumeirah Beach Resort (JBR) beach. The water front offers beautiful sea views of the uprising blue water island with the largest ferris wheel in the world - Dubai Eye.
Admission: Free
Public Transportation:
Dubai Marina: tram (Dubai Marina 1,nr.21801)/or tram (Dubai Marina 2, nr.21802)
JBR :Bus (Marsa Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Residence Station 1, nr.OBH2)
The Dubai Fountains
Right next to the Dubai Mall, the Dubai dancing fountains is the worlds largest choreographed fountain system shooting water up to 500 feet. Performances take place twice at noon and every 30 minutes in the evening and guess what? entry is absolutely free!
Admission: Free
Public Transportation: Metro (Red Line): Station Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station -F13, 30
Burj Khalifa
Towering at 830m right in the heart of downtown Dubai, Burj Khalifa debuted in 2009 as the tallest building in the world (clearly Dubai is obsessed with firsts). There are two ways to go up for a visit, "At The Top", which is the standard way will get you to level 125 and 124 while the more exclusive "At The Top Sky" sees you up 550m to level 148. If you are up anyways you might as well catch the laser light show that takes place every half an hour from 6.00pm to 11.00pm. All visits must be pre-booked.(see web)
Admision:
At the Top (level 124 + 125): from 36€
At the Top SKY (level 124 + 125 + 148): from 92€
The VIP Lounge Package (level 154 + 152+ 153): from 145€
Infants (under 4 years): free
Public Transportation: Merto ( Red Line); Station Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station-f13,30
Dubai Mall
Right next to the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall is humongous (again, one of the biggest shopping centers in the world) and if you are a lover of heels, trade your heels for comfortable shoes if only for this day. Shopping lovers can indulge on limitless choice with all the global luxury fashion brands and flagship stores spread across the 1,200+ stores hosted by the mall. However the mall itself is beautiful and just walking around there's lots to see from the waterfall, the aquarium, the interesting shops, so much amazement . There are casual eateries and simple lounge areas so should you feel overwhelmed ( it can be exhausting) or feel your feet failing you from all the walking around, spot one and take a breather or find your way to the food court. There are directions everywhere and with little keenness you should be able to find your way around.
Admission : Free
Public Transportation: Bus (The Dubai Mall, nr.DM1)
Dinner In The Sky
Eat your way through an unusual dinning experience 50 meters above the ground with breathtaking views of the sea of lights from Dubai Marina skyscrapers.
Admission: AED 499-799 depending on the session
Public Transportation: Ferry Terminal ( Marina Terrace Station, nr. MTWS1)
Heli Dubai
A typical helicopter flight lasts 12-40 minutes depending on your budget and covers the Palm Jumeirah Island, Burj al Arab, later followed by Down town Dubai view and Burj Khalifa.
Admission:
Iconic Tour – 12 minutes – 646 DHS (158,72 €) per person – (incl VAT)
The Palm Tour – 17 minutes – 814 DHS (200 €) per person – (incl VAT)
Vision Tour – 22 minutes – 1,045 DHS (158,72 €)per person – (incl VAT)
Odyssey Tour – 40 minutes – 1,838 DHS (451,59 €) per person – (incl VAT)
Public Transportation: Railway (Station: Mall of the Emirates)
Souk Madinat
Close to the Burj Al Arab hotel with a great atmosphere and beautiful places to sit down for a cool drink or snack, Souk Madinat offers a shopping experience with an Arabic charm.
Admission : Free
Public Transportation: Bus (Madinat Jumeira 1, nr. MJR1)
Ski Dubai
With 22,500 square meters of indoor ski area ( Mall of the Emirates ), the gigantic artificial indoor ski resort features an 85-metre-high indoor mountain, a quad lift and a tow lift ferrying skiers and snowboarders up to its peak. Adjoining the slopes is a 3,000-square-metre snow park play area complete with a sled and toboggan runs, an icy body slide,climbing towers,an ice cave and giant snowballs. The resort also houses a number of penguins who are let out of their enclosures several times a day.
Admission:The basic package costs AED 190 (46,67€) per adult and AED 170 (41,76€) per child
Public Transportation: Bus ( Mall of the Emirates 12, nr. MOE12)
Desert Safari Dubai
Desert safaris or dune bashing tours are fairly touristy and typically ends with dinner and a belly dancing show in the sand desert west of Dubai. You will be picked in a four wheel drive car and drive through the sand dunes pretty fast for about half an hour,should this sound like a fun adventure for you then try it.
Admission: 50€ on average.
Transportation: A car will pick you up.
Musandam Tour
A Musandam tour is a boat tour to Khasab, which is about two hours from Dubai. The trip starts in Dubai by bus crossing the border of Oman (possible with a tourist visa from the UAE) and in Khasab the boat tour will bring you to one of the most beautiful places in the area giving you a chance to swim in the Arabian sea . A nice meal is included.
Admission: Will depend on the kind of adventure you pick
Mall of the Emirates
Mainly a treat for shopping enthusiasts, Mall of the Emirates features 630 retail outlets, 7,900 parking spots, over 100 restaurants and cafes , 80 luxury stores and 250 flagships stores ( I know!). In between shopping the two splendid food courts are perfect for a break and on the lower floor you will find a huge Carrefour supermarket where you can buy almost anything for acceptable prices.
Admission : Free
Public Transportation: Station Mall of the Emirates-Metro
Dhow Tour
Despite the bulldozing and building swiftly shaping Dubai, this salt water creek has managed to stay one of the most characterful areas in Dubai. The two hour Dubai creek dhow tour typically begins from Deira Twin Towers and offers Arabian food sometimes accompanied by amusing entertainment.
Check out different tour agencies.
Dubai Frame
Standing at 150m high and 96m wide, the Dubai frame hold the record s the largest frame in the world and features a musum about Dubai's rise from a pearl driver town into what it is today.
Admission:
Adults: AED 50
Children (3-12): AED 20
Infants ( Under 3 years): Free
Public Transportation: Bus ( Dubai Frame, nr.DFR)
Travel Tip:
These prices are subject to change, kindly check with the linked website for up to date prices.
I want to do shopping for traveling. I'm looking for handbag, backpack and some essential travel accessories. Actually, I'm travelling with my three year old kid so I'm worrying about handling stuff. I saw Zipit coupon last night while searching for bags and backpacks on Google. Does anyone here know of better offers?