12 Best Places to visit in Dubai

Dubai offers its visitors the perfect amalgamation of tradition and modern attractions. It is one of the best places for a complete family holiday. Whether it is magnificent structures, lavish shopping malls, vast stretches of desert, white sandy beaches, or heritage sites, Dubai attractions have something to offer to every age group. Here we have listed down 12 places to visit in Dubai that you should surely not miss.

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo:

This massive aquarium is home to over 33000 aquatic animals with over 140 species of marine life. It is one of the largest suspended aquariums in the world. There are a plethora of creatures such as sharks, stingrays, manta rays, and colourful fishes. There is also a gigantic crocodile known as the King Croc which weighs 750 kgs. You can walk through the tunnel for a closer look at these exotic creatures, Shark feeding, and cage snorkelling are some popular activities that are on offer.

Dubai Miracle Garden:

Dubai Miracle Garden is one of the largest natural flower gardens in the world. Spread across a vast area of 72000 square meters, it houses over 150 million flowers of myriad hues and colours. They have unique displays such as Mickey Mouse and Airbus 380 created completely out of flowers. Each year this garden reinvents itself and creates completely new displays that will leave you spellbound. There is an Amphitheater and a Trampoline Park. They offer various entertainment activities such as dance and music shows, and other live events every week. It is a paradise for all nature lovers.

IMG Worlds of Adventure:

This is the largest indoor theme park in the world and is a treat for kids and adults who are a fan of the Marvel series. Witness all your favourite superheroes such as Spiderman, Superman, Thor, Iron Man, and Hulk come to life as you enjoy rides based on them. There is a Cartoon Network zone that takes you into the world of Bugs Bunny, Ben 10, and Power Puff Girls. Lose yourself in the prehistoric world, as you come face-to-face with the majestic dinosaurs. Experience the thrill and excitement of all these rides. Once tired, you can take a break and have refreshments at their in-house restaurants.

Bollywood Park:

It is the first theme park of its kind in the world. Take a trip down the world of B-town as you get, up, close, and personal with your favourite movie characters. It is the best way to learn the behind the scenes actions of Hindi movies. Experience the thrill of iconic movies such as Lagaan, Sholay, Krish, and Don. Visit the Rajmahal Theatre, which is the Indian equivalent of Broadway, and enjoy spectacular live shows, stage performances, plenty of shopping and dining options, exciting rides and many other interesting things here.

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Burj Khalifa:

This experience alone will tempt you to apply for a visa to Dubai right away. What more can be said about this incredible piece of architecture? At more than 828 meters, it is the tallest structure on the whole planet. Take the fastest elevator to reach the Observation Deck. From here you can get a birds-eye view of the surrounding vistas and the breath-taking Dubai skyline. You can even get a close look at some of the iconic landmarks such as Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah. Enjoy a 360-degree view of the desert on one side and the ocean on the other side. It is better to book your tickets in advance for the best prices.

Wild Wadi Waterpark:

This is a state-of-the-art outdoor water park which is located in Jumeirah. It boasts of over 30 thrilling rides and attractions for the entire family. Based on the popular character Juha from the Arabian Folklore, the rides here offer an exhilarating experience to all the thrill-seekers. It offers aquatic roller coasters, kids pool, and the best surfing experience to all its visitors. Juha’s Dhow and Lagoon is a popular highlight, especially among kids. The icing on the cake is the fantastic views of the majestic hotel Burj al Arab that is visible from the waterpark. There are many eateries to satisfy your taste buds and two gift shops from where you can buy souvenirs.

Al Bastakiya:

Also known as Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, this place takes you back to an era when Dubai was a sleepy coastal village. Explore one of the oldest residential areas of Dubai where you will find wind towers, the local air-conditioning system on top of most of the houses. Take a walk through the winding alleys and admire the sand colour houses. The houses here are made of gypsum, coral, stone, teak, sand, and palm fronds. This area is dotted with art cafes, restaurants, cafes, and boutiques. The Arabian Tea House is one of the most famous eateries here. Also, check out the Coffee Museum which has the best collection of coffee-related artefacts and is a heaven for coffee lovers. Don’t forget to visit the Dubai Museum to get a glimpse of Dubai’s transformation into a modern city.

Dubai Mall:

Touted to be one of the largest malls in the world, the Dubai Mall is home to more than 1200 stores. It boasts of some premium luxury brands such as Chanel, Tiffany & Co., Roberto Cavalli, Cartier, and the likes. They have endless options for eating and shopping. They have various entertainment options such as an ice rink, a huge waterfall, VR Park, Kidzania, Dubai Aquarium, and the Dubai Fountain which is a colourful choreographed water fountain and one of the main highlights in the mall. You can easily spend an entire day here without getting bored.

Dubai Desert Safari:

One of the most popular attractions in Dubai is the desert safari. Dubai has vast stretches of golden sands that attract thousands of visitors every year. Enjoy thrilling activities such as sandboarding, dune bashing, and quad biking. Retire to the Bedouin-style camps and enjoy a camel ride, smoke a shisha pipe, and watch the fascinating falcons perform various tricks. Click pictures in traditional Arabic garments. The women in the group can get their hands painted with henna. Watch amazing cultural performances such as Tanura Dance Show, Belly Dancing, and Fire Show. Savour a mouth-watering buffet dinner with many local and international delicacies.

Ski Dubai:

Can you imagine an indoor ski resort in the middle of the desert? Well! You can expect Dubai to spring this surprise on you. At a staggering 22500 square meters, Ski Dubai is the largest indoor ski resort in the world. You can indulge in snow activities such as tobogganing, snowboarding, skiing, and sledging. There is a mountain, ski slopes, a chair lift, and an ice cave for children. There is even a skiing academy for people who would like to learn skiing. The park maintains a temperature of -4 degrees throughout the year. The most important highlight of the park is the March of the Penguins where these fascinating creatures waddle throughout the park. This experience is surely going to leave a big smile on your faces.

Dubai Creek:

The Dubai Creek separates the city into Deira and Bur Dubai. Riding an Abra, the traditional wooden water taxis to cross the creek for AED 1, is one of the most beautiful experiences here. You can even book yourself a Dhow Cruise Dinner for complete Arabian hospitality and some lip-smacking dinner. Ensure you check out the various souks such as the Gold Souk, Spice Souk, Perfume Souk and Textile Souk on both sides of the creek. The ornaments displayed at the store windows in the Gold Souk are unbelievable. Also, you can buy tea, essential oils, footwear, garments, herb, and spices from the many shops here and carry them back as gifts and souvenirs.

Jumeirah Mosque:

Located on the stunning Dubai Marina, this mosque is one of the few that allows entry to non-Muslims. The white stone exterior of the building with two towering minarets looks brilliant. The intricate carvings in the mosque are spectacular and it looks splendid especially with the lights in the evening. Built entirely in the medieval Fatimid style of architecture, it is large enough to have around 1200 worshippers at one time. Guided tours are available which give you an insight into Islamic tradition, culture, customs, and rituals. You can savour Arabic snacks such as coffee, dates and other types of food. Visitors are expected to dress modestly here and women should wear a headscarf known as Abaya while visiting the mosque.

Conclusion:

Dubai constantly reinvents itself. It offers new and entertaining attractions to its visitors every single time. If you have time you can visit other attractions such as Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Frame, and the Dubai Marina, or even plan a day trip to Abu Dhabi city. So, do your homework and plan an amazing vacation to this exotic place.