15 Reasons to Visit Dubai

(1) Dubai Museum, (2) Jumeirah Beach Park, (3) Burj Khalifa, (4) The Dancing Fountains, (5) Souk Al Bahar, (6) Friday Brunch, (7) Old Dubai, (8) Jumeirah Mosque, (9) Big Bus Tour, (10) A Cruise on the Creek, (11) The spice souk, (12) Hatta Pools, (13) Ski Dubai, (14) Deira Gold Souk, (15) The Dubai Mall

1. Dubai Museum

Catch a glimpse of what this town was like before the discovery of oil which triggered its breathtaking expansion. Videos, artefacts and dioramas depict everyday life as Dubai went from small pearl-trading port to mega-metropolis. A few minutes’ walk from Bastakiya, the museum is housed in the Al Fahidi Fort, believed to be the city’s oldest surviving building.

2. Jumeirah Beach Park

This part of 12 hectares of beachfront parkland has picnic tables, barbecues, children’s play equipment, showers, cafes, rows of thatched umbrellas for shade and a team of lifeguards to watch over you while you take a dip in the gulf. Grab a cab to the Jumeirah Beach Road entrance next to the Hilton Beach Club.

3. Burj Khalifa

Call it impressive or call it preposterous, there’s no denying that the Burj Khalifa is a ground-breaking feat of architecture and engineering. The world’s tallest building pierces the sky at 828m. Inside Dubai’s own ‘Tower of Babel’ is a mix of offices and apartments; the building is also home to Armani Hotel’ the world’s first hotel to be designed and developed by Giorgio Armani.

For visitors, the main attraction is the observation deck on the 124th floor. From such lofty heights you can easily pinpoint the offshore developments and other landmarks. Getting to the deck means passing various multimedia exhibits until a double-decker lift whisks you up at 10m per second.

4. The Dancing Fountains

Catch this impressive, set-to-music light and fountain show after you come down from your trip to the top of the Burj Khalifa next door. Created by the whizzes behind the Las Vegas Bellagio fountain, the massive midlake structure flings water 150 metres into the sky in five circles and with more than 6600 incandescent superlights, it’s said to be visible from space.

5. Souk Al Bahar

A popular restaurant strip in the attraction-heavy, happening part of town. Choose from Arabic, Asian, Indian and European eateries, many of which need to be booked as the ones with outdoor terraces are splashing distance from the Dancing Fountain show and offer great ringside views of the half-hourly extravaganza.

6. Friday Brunch

The start of the weekend across the Middle East, the Friday set-price-buffet gathering is an institution among locals. Popular upscale venues include the restaurants in the Park Hyatt, Le Meridien and Madinat Jumeirah hotels and brunch sessions typically last about four hours.

7. Old Dubai

Amid the shiny newness of a town where the biggest, most luxurious and best of everything is king, it’s easy to forget there is a historic section to see. The Bastakiya district has well-preserved examples of original courtyard homes with their distinctive Arabian archways and wind towers.

8. Jumeirah Mosque

This twin-spired, much-photographed landmark is the biggest in town and the only one that non-Muslims are allowed to enter. Tours are conducted at 10am on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. English-speaking guides from the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding conduct talks explaining Islam and offer a brief question-and-answer session.

9. Big Bus Tour

With so much to see, doing a whip around the city’s top sights by bus is a great way to get your bearings early in your stay. The open-topped double-decker scoots through the city and around the beaches with commentary and 20 spots to hop on and off. Come back for more later when you see something that takes your fancy.

10. A Cruise on the Creek

One of the cheapest experiences in town, a traditional abra boat ride crossing the creek. Though fancy dinner-cruise options abound, these open-top taxis are a great way to get from the zinging Bur Dubai town centre to the less-developed Deira district, site of Dubai’s first settlers and traditional souks.

11. The spice souk

On the Deira side of Dubai Creek, next door to the gold markets, don’t miss a walk through this alluring festival for the senses. Bursting with colour and fragrance, these gritty laneways are crowded with merchants displaying their wares in tubs and jute sacks’ see saffron, cinnamon, aniseed, frankincense, chillis and exotic hennas, oils and medicinal potions.

12. Hatta Pools

Best seen between October and April, these naturally occurring pools in the Hajar Mountains are a 90-minute drive from town via the Hatta-Oman highway. Take an organised tour or get a map if heading there under your own steam.

13. Ski Dubai

Seeing this 22,500-square-metre indoor ski park officially qualifies as a head-shaking, stare-open-mouthed moment. Located at the Mall of the Emirates, chairlifts to five different runs is just the start. It has tobogganing hills, a bobsled ride, a snow cave with interactive experiences and a 300-metre play zone for building snowmen.

14. Deira Gold Souk

Alive with sparkle, these jewellery-filled avenues are home to more than 250 traders waiting for you to swap your cash for golden adornments. See pieces uncommon in the West, including 18-carat wedding belts and headdresses. Knowing the price of gold per gram here is like checking the weather, so if you manage to shop with a local guide, bargains can be yours.

15. The Dubai Mall

With a mind-boggling 1200 shops, serious retail freaks will struggle to top this buzz while other, less-experienced mall dwellers might find navigating the gargantuan temple of consumerism overwhelming. The free maps help but this place can’t be done in a day. More a destination than a shopping centre, it has an underwater zoo, a gold souk, an ice rink and an indoor theme park.