Dubai is a cultural hotspot and a must-see destination for people from around the world. With so many great attractions both well-known and obscure to discover, here are some of the best that you should definitely include on your itinerary.
The Dubai Gold Souk
Dubai is world-renowned for its gold and the Souk is definitely the place to start. Located right in the heart of Deira, this traditional Emirates market comprises over 300 retailers, specialising almost entirely in jewellery. While street markets are widely known for their poor quality, cheap alternatives, goods bought in the Souk are subject to strict government guidelines. So if you want the best quality gold and precious jewels for the lowest prices you are likely to find, a visit to the Souk is a must. Even if you don’t plan to buy, it is still worth stopping by to experience the electrifying atmosphere and to marvel at the stunning goods on offer.
Shopping in Dubai
Along the same vein as the Gold Souk, going shopping in general while in the United Arab Emirates is almost a given. No matter your budget there is something for everyone, so be it low-price yet charming handmade souvenirs from market stalls or indulgence in luxury Dubai shopping centers, you will find what you are looking for. Dubai is actually generally considered to have some of the very best malls in the world, with people travelling for miles to shop in them. There are many to choose from, each with their own unique attractions that make them stand out from the crowd and a worthwhile destination on your trip.
- Shopping in Dubaiaustinevan / Foter / CC BY
The Burj Al Arab
A stay in the world’s tallest and arguably most visually striking hotel certainly does not come cheap but even viewing the exterior is worth your time. The hotel was the first in the world to advertise a seven star rating, with five stars having previously been considered the highest. The term was said to have been coined by a British journalist utterly blown away by the sheer quality throughout and the hotel has since been seen as a benchmark in the world of luxury accommodation. If your budget can stretch to it, a night here is sure to promise complete decadence but a visit to one of the many restaurants or cocktail bars inside also makes for a wonderful treat.
- Burj Al ArabF. C. Photography / Foter / CC BY
The Bastakia Quarter
Much of Dubai is so modern that it can be easy to overlook the traditional heritage of the emirate but a visit to the Bastakia Quarter would certainly put this right. A series of narrow alleyways that weave between some of Dubai’s oldest and best preserved architecture, most of the area’s buildings are now cafés and art galleries so you can fully immerse yourself in the culture of the people and their past.
- Bastakia Quarter Dubaimckaysavage / Foter / CC BY
The Dubai desert
A trip to the desert may not sound like the most exciting or safe idea but with regular organised excursions complete with jeeps, food and entertainment to be enjoyed alongside fellow tourists, it’s an opportunity many would relish. Better yet, what nicer way to take in Dubai in all its glory than to enjoy a beautiful hot-air balloon ride over the desert just as the sun is going down? It’s a sight to be cherished.
- The Dubai desertTord Sollie / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND
