Dubai is one of the 7 Emirates that comprises the United Arab Emirates and being the most populous city and the capital of UAE. It is located in the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf which was once a sweltering barren inhabited by a few locals (Camels too…). As a seaside town, their ultimate source of living was fishing and trading and had become the center of trading between India and Europe. In barely two decades, Dubai made its name as the fastest growing and most developed city. Owned a diverse and rare architectural and structural designs exhibited by the myriad buildings. Whatever is vogue from other countries, Dubai will not only replicate it, they will make it the biggest, the grandest, state of the art, or the most expensive.
Burj Khalifa, the iconic tower was built in 2004 and finished its exterior in 2009 is soaring high and proud at more than 15o levels making it the world’s tallest building. It was launched in 2010 located in Downtown Dubai. At level 148 it is the tallest observatory giving you the view of not only the city but also the sky:)!! General admission during nonprime hours costs AED195 with access to level 125 and AED350 with access to both levels 125 and 148 whilst prime hours will cost more by AED75 & AEd150 respectively.
Dubai Mall is the largest mall in the World opened in May 2009 with more than 1000 stores and a wide array of brands. This is truly a feast to the shopaholics especially before and after Ramadan and during Dubai Shopping Festivals (DSF) which is every January, where items are discounted to as low as 75%. The greatest entertainment and shopping extravaganza there is! Inside this grand mall housed the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo that showcase diverse collections of marine animals with more or less 300 species (e.g. sharks, sting rays, octopus, jellyfish, eels, etc). A close encounter costs AED250 and you will also get to see the King Crocodile in the Underwater Zoo located just above the Aquarium. Some other entertainments inside the mall are the Ice Kating Rink, Indoor Themed Park (Sega Republic), children’s “edutainment” (Kidzania), restaurants like Armani Cafe, Rain Forest Cafe, etc., Gold Souqs, Fashion Avenue (The Village) amongst the numerous others. Within the Dubai Mall compound there lies a lake that highlights the Dubai Fountain as it dances gracefully in varied tunes whilst people eat and chill in alongside restaurants. Indeed, a relaxing place to be.
When coming to Dubai for leisure do not miss those mentioned above. You can get there by train, bus or avail the hop on hop off bus tour for AED295.
∼Dubai Miracle Garden – located in Al Barsha Dubai Land District near Arabian Ranches. You can ride a public bus from Mall of the Emirates but you need to walk from the bus stop afterward. The easiest way though is thru a cab or a private tour. Entrance fee costs AED50. It has the largest collection of flowers garnering 109 million of different kinds all arranged in a 72,000 sqm. land. Notwithstanding the heat, these plants and flowers manage not only to flourish but to bloom at its best hence, called as the Miracle Garden. Since its establishment in 2013, it now becomes the largest and most beautiful garden in the world.
∼Butterfly Garden– Located beside Miracle Garden, it exhibits varieties of butterflies from different parts of the globe. There is also a vast garden inside, butterfly sanctuaries and a koi fish pond.
∼Global Village- It is located in Dubai Land and can be reached by Bus from the Union Metro Station Bus Terminal with a fare of AED10 per trip. This is a cultural park that offers commodities for sale from different countries mostly handmade and a taste of their very own delicacies. It also has a carnival, horror house, and live entertainment.
∼Dubai Marina Dhow Cruise– Step into an Arabian and sightseeing Cruise for 3 hours with an international dinner buffet along the Marina area giving you an astonishing skyline complete with a fanciful view of the skyscrapers. The whole experience costs AED150 at the very least. You can also just enjoy a walk at the Marina Beach where the sea and the buildings meet.
∼Dessert Safari (Sand Dunes) – It is a circus ride in a 4×4 vehicle over a mountain of sands, along with its edges and all its creases. It was for me, a fun, fulfilling and one of a kind experience albeit the “danger”and thrill it brought to my senses. Just pray that you’ll not get a tease driver.
∼Atlantis the Palm –It is the largest man-made island taking the shape of a palm tree with a crescent. It has a monorail that connects to the rest of the public transport of the city. When in the Palm you can visit various luxurious local and international restaurants. You can have an afternoon tea with an underwater view or satisfy your adrenaline rush at the Atlantis Aquaventure riding in a variety of slides, river rides, and rapids either by solo or by a group. You can also avail a package deal with entrance to the Lost Chamber featuring a number of marine species presented in an entertaining & creative manner along with some artifacts and statuettes. They also offer scuba diving, swimming with the dolphins, feeding the seal or throwing yourself into skydiving for a fantastic aerial view of the Palm Islands.
∼Burj Al Arab
Located in Jumeirah 3 Dubai, the 3rd tallest hotel in the World that stands on a man-made island connecting Jumeirah beach. There is a water themed park nearby – the Wild Wadi Adventure and surrounded by restaurants or you can opt to go around the other way to the open beach and still get a fantastic view of the Burj Al Arab just the same 😉. Another option is to pay for an Abra boat ride @AEd75 starting from Madinat Jumeirah sailing towards the Burj Al Arab.
If you have plenty of time go mall hopping, you can also visit the wide array of bars, resorts, and restaurants. There is always something new in Dubai and a lot more options of activities like Ski Dubai, Go- Cart, Adventure Escape, Opera House, and a lot more soon to open like the Lego land, smurf village, Disney, etc. For activities try checking http://www.wonderbusdubai.net.
These are few of the thousand-and-one things to do and visit in Dubai. You can also go to 6 more neighboring emirates by land and dive into a whole new adventure but an equally fulfilling experience of a lifetime. 🤓🚊🚁✈️
Shukran!
Afoot and Lighthearted 
Reblogged this on Afoot and Lighthearted.
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