A Guide To Select The Best Sightseeing in Dubai
The romanticizing blend of the historic charm with the unbeatable modern advancements keep the city of Dubai one among the favourite tourist attractions of the world. The unstoppable influx of people, to the coastlines of Dubai, leaves mesmerized at the incredible sightseeing experiences the city offers. Nevertheless, the intense places of interest can be a little perplexing for those who are new to the emirate. It's quite common for people to feel confused to choose the interesting landmarks among the plenty. Well, this guide is prepared to help you rectify this problem; providing great insights into the must-go sightseeing places that you can try in Dubai. This can throw light into the locations which can be the perfect icing on the cake for you. By understanding your interests and considering factors like budget, time constraints, and desired pace, you can curate an unforgettable Dubai sightseeing itinerary. Let's roll in to know the wonders of Dubai!
01 Categorizing Dubai's Attractions
Iconic Landmarks
Burj Khalifa :
The towering wonder the entire city looks up to; holding the world record, Burj Khalifa is obviously the top rated favourite spot in Dubai. The panoramic view of the entire city from the observation decks ( At the Top), the thrill seeking elevator ride, beautiful inscriptions and carvings that pervades the walls of the entire building can't be kept aside for any reason.
Palm Jumeirah & The World Islands :
The big palm island that astonishes millions of eyes, Palm Jumeirah offers a unique experience of land mass floating in the sea. The premium hotels, overlooking skylines, and exclusive amenities undoubtedly embody the architecturally ambitious heart of Dubai.
Dubai Frame :
Yet another landmark which provides the viewing of Dubai in a single frame. The amazing museum and galleries of the building is a visual treat for all, presenting a large number of exhibits, photos and paintings that showcase the past and present transformations of Dubai in an authentic way.
Burj Al Arab :
This iconic hotel adds to the wondrous beauty of Dubai with its sail- shaped architecture. Succumbing to the latest innovations and customer service, here you will get a meticulous feeling of Dubai's luxurious lifestyle.
Cultural Experiences
Dubai Museum :
The excitement of unraveling the imminent traditional and cultural rich heritage of Dubai is made possible inside the walls of Dubai Museum. With its stylistically vintage and calm atmosphere, it can completely satisfy all especially, those interested in historical and conventional explorations.
Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood :
Famous for the unique style wind-tower buildings, narrow alleys and ancient Arabic architecture, this lovely district of Dubai maintains its position as a must-try destination of the city. The sikkas or alleys offer an opportunity to visitors to explore hidden treasure gems.
Jumeirah Mosque :
Though not a typical religious centre, the Mosque with its sacred ambience stands as a best sightseeing place in Dubai. The Mosque remains always open for people following any faith, to come and enjoy the display of Islamic culture and tradition through its unique architecture.
Desert Safari Tour :
Dubai owes a lot to the ocean of deserts lying in its vicinity; offering unparalleled slew of adventures that takes tourists at the top of excitement. The thrill-seeking rides including dune bashing, sandboarding, buggy rides, traditional camel rides and many more help people to weave moments that are unforgettable. Desert Safari Tours in Dubai cannot be compromised if you wish to enjoy your journey to the fullest.
Entertainment and Thrills
Dubai Parks and Resorts :
Engaging for people of all ages, the theme parks and resorts are the best to immerse yourself in exceptional rides, programs and attractions. The Motiongate Dubai, Legoland Dubai and Bollywood Parks are some among the countless entertainment centers of the city. At the Bollywood Parks, you can enjoy live performances featuring bollywood themes with well seasoned Indian cuisines.
Aquaventure Waterpark :
Mostly likeable by children, this park amuses us with the exciting water rides it offers. The specially designed water pools for children and adults, the lazy rivers, the water play areas where you can enjoy cajoling and playing with dolphins and sea lions make Aquaventure one among the best family water parks of the world.
Ski Dubai :
The freezing sightseeing amidst the unquenchable sandy plains, Ski Dubai cools us with its refreshing, mesmerizing and snowy adventures. The close interactions with the homie penguins, skiing, snowboarding and more make it a unique and distinct place of entertainment.
Global Village :
For those who plan to visit the city from November to April, can summon together at Global Village for embracing multicultural feasts and entertainment from across the world. A perfect amalgamation of live shows, music, international cuisines, rides and the like along with opportunities to meet celebrities awaits here.
Shopping and Luxury
Dubai Mall :
Dubai Mall is undoubtedly one among the biggest shopping malls around the world. Using its leveraging power, it serves as the perfect destination to experience luxury shopping, restaurants, and entertainment together.
Mall of the Emirates :
Incorporating the Ski Dubai, this remains as another unique sightseeing in Dubai with its world-class entertainment platforms and grandeur. It has 700 plus stores, Vox-Cinemas ( a luxurious cinema complex with ultra audiovisual features), Magic planet and many more to spend quality time with.
Souk Madinat Jumeirah :
The splendid bazaar famous for its magical evening ambience with adorned lights and music is yet another center for exceptionally rated Arabic goods. Branded items like jewelry, handicrafts, home decor, along with perfect culinary spots including a wide range of restaurants and cafes are the highlights.
Gold Souk :
For an exclusive shopping of jewelry, you can blindly go to Gold Souk Dubai. This dazzling world of gold possesses vivid kinds of ornament with distinct fashions and styles belonging to many cultures of the world.
02 Popular Dubai Tour Options
Dubai City Attractions Tour :
Encompassing almost all the mentioned iconic landmarks, cultural sites and modern marvels, this can be an incredible option for those who seek a quality sightseeing experience. This will leave you awestruck as the magnificent monuments including Burj Khalifa, exciting rides and cultural treats will be possible at one stretch. This Dubai city tour is suitable for both adults and children alike.
Dhow Cruise Night Tour :
Though relatively shorter, this fulfilling package offers magical viewing of all the important landmarks under the star budded sky. The sightseeing is so special with its nocturnal vibing made beautiful by the captivating lighting with music on board. This unbeatable viewing of the city from a traditionally significant dhow or boat gets accompanied with a refined world class dinner with authentic Arabic cuisines. Best for couples, night travellers and families alike.
Dubai Underwater Zoo & Aquarium Tour :
The spell bounding sights of aquatic beings at Dubai Mall, this one will for sure become your favourite underwater event forever. Through the large acrylic panels you can enjoy watching over 33000 marine lives including sea turtles, sharks and animals like crocodile, penguins and many others. For those who are passionate about oceanic lives and water animals this is a must-try package.
Palm Jumeriah Tour :
This one exclusively focuses on covering the entire palm district that lies across the coast of Arabian Gulf. The towering skylines, sophisticated restaurants and hotels including the famous Atlantis The Palm, will welcome you in this tour package. The safari between the highly advanced luxurious buildings and the sparkling coastline turns out to be magic.
Ultimately, based on your interests and preferences you can book the suitable Dubai attraction tickets to have a lovely getaway. Each destination has a lot more to offer than you will ever imagine. Get a thorough understanding of must try things to do in Dubai and embark on your favorite journey. Now let's dive into some other factors to make your tour a perfect one.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Attractions
Budget :
The crucial factor that you need to prioritize is the expenses you will have everyday once you start your trip. Since Dubai is famous for its luxuries and rich lifestyle, the journey can be really expensive if you don't have systematic planning. Having a plan on the money that you will spend on transportation, entry fees and dining will help you a lot. There are many free attractions and budget-friendly destinations that the city possesses. So, prepare for a journey that falls in your budget.
Time Constraints :
Always select tour packages that fit perfectly with the hours or days that you choose to spend in the city. Try to incorporate attractions that loot a reasonable part of the time available for you. You may also check for the availability of the hop-on hop-off buses or convenient organized tour to perfectly utilize the maximum time. It's always better to remember that the unravelling of the wonders of Dubai requires plenty of time.
Interests :
Prioritizing the places that go well with your personal preference and tastes is essential to enjoy the journey completely. Dubai has destinations that are relevant with regards to history, luxury, adventure, entertainment, tradition, culture, marine life and many more. It's important to sort out and visit places that make you happy and satisfied. Get rid of your hesitation, come out of your comfort zone and explore the places to know the mysteries of the world.
Travel Style :
Another important aspect that can have a great impact on your trip is the mode you choose to travel. For instance, some prefer solo trips while others find interest in exploring places with a company. There are calm and relaxed ways of travelling and exploration as well as fast-paced thrilling ones. Identify the one that makes you the explorer you wish to be. For one who likes to feel the waters by jumping into it, will not be satisfied with the faraway glimpses of the waters. Choose travelling based on your personal style. Walk, catch taxis or take buses as per your wish to make your dream tour happen the way you want!
Creating Your Sightseeing Itinerary
Research and Prioritize :
Once you get a clear idea regarding how intense the city sightseeing tours are, it will be thoughtful to have a final sorting out of the destinations that you choose to visit. Do a thorough research of the plenty that Dubai offers and confirm the places that you want to explore. Make a systematic planning and frame an itinerary accordingly. This will help to to discover everything in a better way.
Book in Advance :
Booking for a Dubai city tour in advance is an important part of setting your itinerary. Preparing everything and finding difficulty in booking tickets can be heartbreaking. This is crucial especially, during the peak season. Try to seek tickets for the best sightseeing places in Dubai in combo or as the city passes wisely, as it is often sold out at great discounts. This can be really useful for families or people who look forward to visiting Dubai as part of a group.
Be Flexible :
Make sure you can easily bring about changes into your planning without affecting the entire itinerary. Considering the unpredictability of weather, possibilities of exploration and other circumstances that may arise, always be ready with a flexible itinerary for avoiding confusion. Try to have a clear understanding regarding all the possible destinations of the specific locations you plan to visit. This will help you reach out to places of interest that's worthy of visiting like the popular landmarks. Be a thirsty explorer and endeavour as much as you can. Make most of the travel time memorable.
03 Tips for an Unforgettable Dubai Sightseeing Experience
Stay hydrated :
Lying in the Middle East, in the vicinity of Arabian Desert, Dubai has a hot climatic condition. This is one of the major challenges that the tourists and visitors of the country face. Try to drink plenty of water while you engage in your journey. Staying hydrated is really important to feel energetic and refreshed during your sightseeing experience.
Dress comfortably :
Putting on light weight clothes can make you feel free and breathable. Moreover, this will help the body to dissipate heat effectively which can keep you less affected by the scorching heat. Choosing clothes that help you adapt easily to the weather can keep you comfortable throughout the journey.
Respect local customs :
As an explorer to a novel place of importance, we are supposed to adhere to the norms and customs of the people there. Appearing modestly can help you reveal your respect and admiration for the people and places there, especially the religious spots like Jumeirah Mosque and the like. It can also bring about great harmony as you will feel that intimacy with the city till the end of your exploration.
Learn basic Arabic phrases :
For exploring the city and the customs on a deeper level, learning basic Arabic phrases is a fantastic way. While engaging in different Dubai activities, you may come across numerous opportunities to closely interact with the natives. Knowing the language a little bit will enhance the bonding with the people and culture there.
Dubai is indeed a perfect city for those who are passionate about travelling, with abundance of sightseeing locations. This guide threw light into the best areas in Dubai for tourists and the things that one needs to focus on while you plan to vacate to such an intensely rich location of the world. Being a hotchpotch of destinations embodying history, culture, entertainment, knowledge, tastes, flavours and many more, it's essential to have proper planning to enjoy fully. Moreover, prioritizing to plan a flexible itinerary is the main part to utilize most of the time exploring the city. Ultimately, following all the tips discussed means, you will be ready to dive into your journey! It's never too late to purchase the tickets. Wishing you an amazing time in Dubai!