What to do in Dubai  15 Attractions.

Dubai is the most popular city in the United Arab Emirates. 

Established in the 18th Century as a small fishing village. the city grew rapidly in the early 21st century into a cosmopolitan metropolis with a focus on tourism and hospitality. Dubai is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations.

View of Burj Khalifa 

View from the 124th floor of Burj Khalifa

Jumeirah Beach Residence

                                   Jumeirah Beach Residence

 The beautiful Souk Madinat

Before we left people said that Dubai couldn’t be described, that I had to experience it for yourself, and I have to agree. Where else can you shop up a storm at one of the world’s largest shopping malls, then go skiing at an indoor ski resort and then 15 minutes later be on a white sandy beach surrounded by palm trees? Here are some of the things you can experience while in Dubai.

• Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building and has two observation decks on the 124th and 148th floors and a restaurant on the 122nd floor. Admission is 125 AED/ 290 nok / $35 for the 124th floor and 350 AED to go all the way to the top.

• Dubai Mall Fountain Show This is a free attraction and I would say almost a mandatory experience while in Dubai. You can also enjoy the show from above, as some of the restaurants at the Dubai Mall have a perfect view of the fountain. We chose to have dinner on Fridays while watching the evening shows which start from 6 am and then every 30 minutes until 11 am.

• Shopping Dubai Mall Get your shopping at Dubai Mall which is one of the largest malls in the world with over 1200 shops, an aquarium an underwater zoo and an ice rink. I have to admit that I spent most of my money this trip at The Cheesecake Factory (I’m not even that into cheesecake) and Forever 21.

• Dubai Miracle Garden It’s quite ironic that the world’s biggest natural flower garden is in the middle of the desert, but that’s just how Dubai rolls, the bigger the better. The garden features over 45 million flowers arranged into the most amazing shapes and designs. 30 AED / 70 NOK / $10, open daily from November through April from 9 am.

• Watch the sunset behind Burj Al Arab from Jumeirah Public Beach. It’s free and a definite photo op!

• Take a stroll through Jumeirah Beach Residence, have lunch at one of the many restaurants and lounge in the sun at the public beach.

• Souk Madinat Even though the handicrafts and food here are quite expensive, the complex itself is worth a visit. Canals of green water, palm trees and old-style buildings, it’s simply stunning. You don’t have to buy anything, so it’s free!

• Old Dubai Market (Deira) If you want to see what life was like before the skyscrapers and luxurious hotels, head down to the old markets. The Old Souks sit on either side of the Dubai Creek, textile ones on the south side and you’ll find spice and gold on the north side. Take an Abra (taxi boat) across the creek from one side to the other, it costs 1 dirham.

• Al Fahidi Historical District, previously known as the Bastakia Quarter, is a heritage site where the first settlements of Dubai were built. The old wind-towered buildings have been transformed into art galleries, small museums and quaint cafés. Guided tours are available if you want to know more about the history of the area. When you’re done exploring, head to the small but interesting Dubai Museum to see how oil together with ambition made this urban oasis.

• Desert Safari Just outside the city there is nothing but sand dunes for miles and miles. There are tour operators all over town selling different desert packages. Usually, they are around 220 AED / 500 nok / $60 per person and include a city tour, dune bashing, henna tattoos, and a campfire dinner with belly dancing as entertainment. There are also other tours available that feature camel riding, sand boarding etc.

• Hop on Hop Off Bus Tours Choose between a 24 hour and 48-hour ticket, the latter is around 300 AED / 700 nok / $80.

• Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm Hotel is the largest waterpark in Dubai spread across 42 acres. We planned ongoing, as I had heard from many that it’s one of the best waterparks around, but in the end, we didn’t want to spend the money. Entrance to just the waterpark starts from 260 AED / 600 nok / $70 if you buy the tickets online in advance.

• Dubai isn’t just a desirable hotspot for millions of tourists each year, it’s the destination of choice for tens of thousands of migrating birds. In the wetlands, just outside the busy city, you’ll find the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. The entrance is free(!), and you can visit from Saturday to Thursday between 9am and 4pm. If you want to catch the birds feeding, the best time to visit is between 9am and 9.30am.

Even if Dubai is a one of a kind place and a dream destination for many, it wasn’t for me. I can’t believe I’m saying that as it’s got all my favourite restaurants right next to white sandy beaches and historic sites. But I just didn’t like the overall extravagant vibe and excessive luxury, so I don’t think I’ll be going back. However it was a nice break from the cold Norwegian weather, and I have to point out two things that I really liked.

 

Kaleidoscope Buffet Dinner at Atlantis the Palm.
I think I have to go as far as saying this was the best food experience of my life. A huge room is full of every dish you can think of, heaven for a foodie like me. Just the salad bar was the size of regular buffets. I was a bit hesitant before booking the table as it was 200 AED nok per person, that’s usually 5 days' worth of dinners on my other travels. But I saw it as an experience more than just a meal, so we went for it and I’m so happy we did.

The total bill for 2 persons including non-alcoholic drinks ended up at around 550 AED / 1270 nok / $150. They have different themes each day of the week like Mexican or Arabian nights, so be sure to plan ahead for which day you prefer. Remember to book a table through their website so you can pass the long line of hungry people outside. Also, be sure to set aside some time before or after dinner, so you can wander around the stunning Hotel.

The incredible reception area Atlantis The Palm Hotel

Some bad quality photos of some extremely delicious food.

A small part of the huge dessert selection

The best chocolate crepe I’ve ever had, I went back for even one more after this, oops.

 

Al Mamzar Beach Park
After reading a lot of mixed reviews about this place, we weren’t sure if we would be wasting our time by going here. But after seeing the crowded beaches in town, we decided to jump in a cab and check it out. I’m so so so happy we did, as this place made my trip. The coves of white sand and turquoise water lined with palm trees made it feel more like we were in the Caribbean rather than just outside a buzzing cosmopolitan city.

Al Mamzar Beach Park covers an area of 106 hectares and offers barbecue sites, private chalets for hire, a swimming pool, food kiosks and sheltered beaches. Entrance is only 5 AED / 11 NOK /$1.2 per person, in other words, it’s practically free. Keep in mind that Monday and Wednesday are ladies' days when the only males allowed are those under the age of four. It can be quite hard to find a ride home, sometimes taxis are waiting outside, but sometimes you have to call for one or walk to the main road.