Over the past decade or so, Dubai has become synonymous with luxury, glamour and excess. Located within the United Arab Emirates, this city is well known for its iconic skyscrapers, fantastic shopping and fine dining. As a centre of business, it attracts many of the world’s wealthiest people, all of whom are looking for fun and exciting ways to splash the cash.
Beautiful beaches and soaring temperatures mean that it has also become a booming tourist attraction and the perfect place for an extravagant, decadent holiday. As of 2010, it was the seventh most visited city in the world, attracting an average of 7.6 million visitors per year, set to rise to 15 million by 2015.
Dubai is a paean to commercialism and all that is man-made. Some of the incredible engineered land structures are a testament to man’s ingenuity. Arial views of the palm islands, two artificial islands in the shape of a palm tree, demonstrate just how much money has been ploughed into the development of Dubai, which was a sprawling area of desert just a few decades ago.
This playground for wealthy sun seekers has something to offer to everybody. Whatever you’d like to spend your travel budget on, be it shopping, water parks or watching sporting events, you are sure to find it in Dubai!
Watch Some Sport
Dubai is home to world renowned tournaments and sporting events and has even garnered a reputation as the sporting capital of the Middle East. Depending on the time of year you visit, you may get the chance to watch some of the world greats, in some truly spectacular settings.
The Dubai Tennis Championships take place each year the end of February. Roger Federer dominated the championships for five years but Djokovic currently holds the title. If you manage to bag a ticket you are sure to see some of the top ranking players in the world.
The Dubai World Cup is a thoroughbred horse race which is held at the Meydan racecourse every year and makes for a wonderful day out.
Go Shopping At The Mall
If you fancy a bit of retail therapy, there is no better place in the world for it than Dubai.
It is home to over 70 shopping malls, one of which, the Dubai Mall, is the largest in the world. You could spend days and days in this shoppers’ paradise, and indeed there are the facilities for you to do so. There are plenty of restaurants and cafe interspersed among the high end boutiques and designer stores. They accept all major credit or debit cards, delivering the best online shopping experiences possible.
Go Shopping In The Souks
For a taste of the real Dubai and a different shopping experience, check out some of the traditional markets, known as souks. These historic structures are buzzing with activity and a fantastic place to pick up unusual items, like rare herbs and spices, perfumes and silks you’d be hard pushed to find at home.
You’ll also be able to find Arabic coffee pots, antique silver jewellery from Yemen and Oman and authentic Persian carpets. There are a few different souks, all dedicated to different wares and products, but perhaps the most impressive to wander around is the ‘Gold Souk’, where stalls are laden with precious metals and vibrant stones like emeralds, rubies and sapphires.
Stay At The Burj Al Arab Hotel
If you’re looking for luxury, the Burj Al Arab is the place to stay. This five star hotel (described by everyone except the owners as a seven star) is one of the most expensive in the world, and also stands as the fourth tallest.
The building itself is iconic within the Dubai skyline and a feat of engineering. Its distinctive shape, which looks like the full sail of a boat, stands on an artificial island in the sea, which is connected by a private bridge to the nearby Jumeirah beach.
The suites inside are pure opulence and the decor mixes both eastern and western influences. The enormous Royal Suite will cost you around $19,000 per night, although more affordable rooms are available! Be sure to check out both of the stunning restaurants, one situated 200m in the air and the other featuring a breathtakingly large seawater aquarium.
The Burj Al Arab is also home to the world’s highest tennis court, a helipad converted into a grass court which stands 650ft up in the air. If you miss your shot here there’s little chance of ever getting the ball back…
Dine At The Burj Khalifa
This spike like skyscraper is currently the tallest man-made structure in the world. It is home to the world’s highest restaurant, the ‘At.mosphere’, which stands at 442m up on the 122nd floor. The chef here has 13 years of experience in Michelin starred restaurants, and you can chose from either the Lounge or the Grill menu.
Once you’ve finished your meal, head up to the observation deck, where you can enjoy spectacular views over Dubai and the Persian Gulf.
About The Author
This post was written by Joshuah Marshall who works at Quintessentially (click here to learn more). Josh is a keen traveller and loves to read and write about city breaks and luxury travel. Thanks for reading!
