Dubai, The Heaven on Earth, A Place to Explore
A destination that has the attention of tourists from all over the world is Dubai. It is a place where you can witness year-round sunshine and upscale eateries appearing to grow in numbers every week. When it comes to browsing some premium items, no other location serves better than Dubai.
Apart from that, five-star resorts, exciting nightlife, stunning architecture and fantastic beaches can be the talk of the tour. It would not be wrong to say that there is always something for everyone in this beautiful location.
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However, guessing you are here because you have decided to go on a trip to Dubai this vacation. Well, in that case, to experience a smooth journey it is highly recommended to be prepared beforehand. And to do that, nothing can beat reading this well-researched guide that has been presented for you. So without any further adieu, let's get started.
Places to Visit in Dubai
Being literally Heaven on Earth - there are multiple tourist attractions which should not be excluded at any cost. Some of the places where you need to add to your must-visit lists include the following
Dubai Frame
One of the first locations in Dubai that you must check out is the Dubai Frame. It is an incredible architecture that has gained the record of being the world's biggest frame structure.
Tourists can visit here during sunset for an enhanced experience. After exploring, one can go to nearby places like Zabeel park or the Karama shopping complex.
Burj Khalifa
When talking about Dubai, anything that comes first to mind is the Burj Khalifa. Being the tallest tower in the world, it allows witnessing the most tremendous man-made creation.
Tourists often come here to observe the deck and take the Dubai Fountain lake ride. You can also check out the Burj Khalifa park and dine at the AT. MOSPHERE.
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
If you have visited Dubai with your family members, including children, this place should be your next stop. This Aquarium and Underwater zoo has more than 130 species to spot while taking a glass bottom boat tour.
You also get a chance to enjoy cage snorkelling and shark diving here. Furthermore, you can participate in activities like penguin encounters and King croc encounters.
Al Bastakiya
If you are more of a historically - interested person, then Al Bastakiya is an ideal location to visit.
This place will give you the chance to see the historical roots of this beautiful destination Dubai and get connected with its rich culture. Here you can enjoy shopping, sightseeing and exploring the historical buildings.
Mall of the Emirates
Dubai definitely means a lot of shopping. Isn't it? And when going shopping, you should not miss the Mall of the Emirates.
Be it buying some refined Gold or the best hijabs alongside electronic gadgets and accessories - you can get it all here. You can also hang out with your friends at the VOX cinemas or relax at the Urban Spa parlours.
Palm Jumeirah
The Palm Jumeirah is another popular palm-shaped artificial island in Dubai where you get a chance to be a part of many experiences. Here you can expect unlimited thrill, amazing adventure and non-stop fun till the end of time.
From enjoying sailing on a yacht, to skydiving, taking speed boating and going on a helicopter tour - Palm Jumeirah definitely knows how to throw baggage of excitement on the tourists.
Where to Eat in Dubai?
As Dubai has emerged as one of Asia's top dining destinations- eating here may seem quite overwhelming. This is because of the plethora of options available everywhere. Some of the famous dishes that you must try in Dubai include Kabsa, Shawarma, Samboosa, Luqaimat, Arabic Coffee, Chebab, etc.
If you are extravagant and too much of a foodie, then the Verre at the Hilton Dubai can be tried which is owned by a British Chef named Gordon Ramsay. Those who live on Chinese items must definitely try Zheng He's and Long Yin.
The high-end meals can cost you around $20 or more. But that's not it. You can also try the local street food in locations like Downtown Dubai, Global Village, Meena Bazar, Ripe Market and others. Meals here can be expected to be as cheap as $2 to $5.
How to Get Around in Dubai?
Dubai is a well-developed city that has multiple transportation options available that can help you to explore the most. Some of the best ways you can choose for your travelling are mentioned below.
Trains
There are around 30 metro stations in Dubai that link to every major attraction that exists in the city. Besides the availability of the wifi, trains specifically for women and children are available.
You can easily purchase a single ticket alongside return or the day pass ones to travel around. Not to mention, smart cards are also available for you to purchase.
Buses
Buses are also available in the city for the locals as well as the tourists. To be precise, more than 1400 buses operate daily covering around 85% of the city. You can get on one and easily reach your desired destination without spending much.
Cars
Dubai has both taxis and car services available that one can choose to travel on. There are even female taxi drivers in the city so that women passengers feel comfortable.
You can easily hail a taxi and reach anywhere you want. If not, you can simply book an Uber or Careem that runs throughout the city.
Abra
Lastly, you can choose to ride on these traditional wooden boats that cost as cheap as $0.27 only. Although to let you know, the Abra's operate around Bur Dubai and Deira areas.
Where to Stay in Dubai?
Dubai being the renowned tourist destination to exist offers endless options that one can accommodate. The best option is usually to stay at your friend's or relative's houses if there are any. Other than that, you can choose to stay in a hotel that offers quick access to all the sights and activities included in your holiday itinerary.
For instance, you can choose to stay in Al Barsha or Downtown Dubai if leisure and shopping are top priorities. However, if you are looking forward to some affordable options then you can opt for locations around Dubai's Bur Dubai and Deira neighbourhoods.
Talking about the cost of staying in the Dubai hotels, you can expect them to be around $95 per night in three-star hotels. While in four to five-star hotels, the rates can exceed up to $400 to $600 per night. Just remember the price of the hotel increases as the facilities increase.
Which is the Best Time to Go to Dubai?
You may visit Dubai at any time of year, but if you prefer the outdoors or want to take part in well-known events like Dubai Shopping Festival, the best time to visit is in the calm, pleasant winter months which are from November to April.
You may get a chance to explore the city well and be a part of many activities without feeling exhausted. Whereas Dubai never slows down in the summer that is from May to September - it is still a good idea to be aware that the outside temperature will be extremely high, sometimes reaching 55 degrees Celsius.
How to Reach Dubai?
Dubai has the world's busiest airport that has around 100 destinations connected to it including domestic and international lines. If you belong to an Asian or European country, travelling to Dubai by air is the easiest way to reach here. Many popular airlines operate daily including FlyDubai, Emirates Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways.
If you are from India, then you can opt for the popular airline called Air India to reach here. To be precise, Indian cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and others offer direct flights to Dubai through Air India, Spice jet and Indigo.
Once you reach Dubai, there are a variety of options to choose from as your transport including metro, bus, and taxi. Besides public transport, if you have children or elderly individuals travelling, it is preferable to get a cab. However, only through Oman is it possible to travel by car to Dubai. Except for a 3000 Omani Riyal exit fee, there is no need to get any permits.
On the other hand, as Dubai is linked to all the major cities in the UAE - you can easily get here by bus which may cost around $7 or less depending on the location you are choosing to travel from. Additionally, when booking airline tickets, it is highly recommended to purchase them prior two months. This would help you to save money and even get discounts by chance.
