Dubai is the city of skyscrapers and shopping malls—a true tourist haven. It is considered among the top holiday hot spots in the world. Sightseeing attractions and recreation spots found in Dubai are very famous among international tourists, and the city is flocked with tourists all year round.
So, if you’re planning a trip to the largest and liveliest city in the UAE anytime soon, here’s a travel guide for you discussing 10 of the most famous tourist attractions in Dubai.
Dubai Mall
With endless options of shopping and eating and live entertainment activities, Dubai Mall is a perfect place to make the most of your retail and leisure experience in the city. The mall has also been equipped with an ice-skating rink, cinema complex, and gaming zone if you’re looking for some fun and entertainment options for the whole family.
Dubai Frame
Dubai Frame is one of the newest attractions in the city that is making headlines. The ginormous structure has been designed as a whopping 150-meter-high picture frame. It is unlike anything you have ever seen before.
As you enter the structure, you will be greeted by a series of galleries letting you explore the rich Emirati heritage. In the later stage of your visit to the Dubai Frame, don’t forget to check out the Future Dubai gallery, which shows you what the Emirate will look like in the future. To make your exploration even more exciting, walk and stand on the Sky Deck level of the Dubai Frame to enjoy amazing panoramic views of both the old and new parts of the city.
360-degree Views from Observation Deck at Burj Khalifa
The iconic landmark in the city, which is also the tallest building in the world—Burj Khalifa—hosts one of the highest observation decks in the world. It is located on the 124th floor of the tower and has unobstructed views of Dubai’s marvelous urban landscape. Visiting Burj Khalifa is also one of the best things to do in Dubai with kids.
Buy the entrance tickets to this viewing facility in the world’s tallest building beforehand, if you want to avoid long queues and enjoy a special discount if available. Booking your spot for recreational facilities in advance is one of the best ways to save money while traveling, which also adds to your convenience.
Visit Al Fahidi Quarter (Old Dubai) to Take a Closer Look at City’s History
Al Fahidi Quarter, which is locally known as the Bastakia neighborhood, was once an affluent locality that belonged to the Persian merchants dealing in textiles and precious stones. The neighborhood was built in the late 19th century and is located along the creek in Bur Dubai’s eastern portion. Inside the district, you’ll find plenty of attractions displaying the Arabic heritage of the region in the form of different types of ceramics, art pieces, and furnishings.
Dubai Creek
Dubai Creek is one of the most prominent water bodies in the metropolitan area that divides the city into two towns. Deira is located in the north, on the other hand, Bur Dubai is in the south. Owing to its rich marine life, it has been attracting settlers for centuries, playing an eminent part in the city’s growth.
Get a taste of the region’s maritime heritage by visiting Dubai Creek. The surrounding area of the creek has been inhabited for 4,000 years. There was a time in history when the place hosted nothing but small villages. You can still see small traders using the Dhow Wharfage at one of the Dubai creek’s banks. Many of the dhows that have been anchored on the banks are more than a century old. You can take a trip across the creek in one of these old dhows between Deira and Bur Dubai banks of the creek.
Explore History at Dubai Museum
Upon your visit to Al Fahidi Quarter in Dubai, don’t forget to explore the Dubai Museum, which is located inside Al-Fahidi Fort, which was built in the 18th century. As you enter the museum, you’ll be greeted by the sight of old maps. The place which was once used by the ruling family of the region was originally restored in 1971. However, extensive restoration work was carried out in 1995 to convert the fort into a fully-fledged museum.
If you walk around the courtyard of the museum, you’ll find a fascinating exhibition of traditional boats and a house made of palm leaves along with an Emirati wind tower. Right below the ground floor, there is a display hall exhibiting historical relics and artifacts dating back to around 3000-4000 years.
Praise the Jumeirah Mosque’s Beautiful Architecture
Jumeirah Mosque is the exact copy of Al-Azhar Mosque, which is located in Cairo, Egypt, which is actually eight times the size. The architecture of the building is entirely based on stone.
The reflection of the medieval Fatimid traditions is the true charm of the structure of this fascinating place, which looks even more attractive at night when it is lit up by floodlights. Guided tours of Jumeirah Mosques are organized by the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) to make tourists familiar with the history of the place and other important aspects related to the Muslim faith.
Dubai’s Very Famous Sheikh Zayed Road
Owing to the beauty of the skyscrapers overlooking the vicinity, most of which have picturesque facades, Sheikh Zayed Road is a tourist attraction in itself. It is the main artery running through Dubai’s main business district.
It is the best place to get the city’s famed skyscraper views from the ground. Sheikh Zayed Road is a fully-fledged highway based on eight lanes. While traveling on this road, you can make a quick stop at the Dubai World Trade Centre and head over to its observation deck to enjoy the panoramic views of the city skyline.
Dubai Aquarium
Want to dive deep into the underwater world to explore the breathtaking marine life? Well, you should definitely pay a visit to Dubai Aquarium. Exhibiting 140 species of sea life, it is one of the coolest tourist attractions in Dubai. Also known as the Underwater Zoo, the aquarium is actually a massive suspended water tank, located on Dubai Mall’s ground floor.
There are many different activities available for tourists that allow them to take an up-close look at marine life. For example, you can take a boat ride on a glass-bottom boat above the tank or you can do shark diving and cage snorkeling underwater activities.
Ain Dubai (Dubai Eye)
Ain Dubai, which means Dubai Eye, is the tallest observation wheel in the world. It is one of the most extraordinary tourist attractions in Dubai, which is located on Bluewater Island—a man-made island built for tourism and other types of recreational activities. Upon your visit to Ain Dubai, you will be able to enjoy 360 views of the landscape and seawater around you from a whopping height of 250 meters, which is nearly twice as high as the 135-meter height of the London Eye and can also accommodate almost the double amount of visitors at a time.
By visiting the aforementioned tourist attractions in Dubai, you are surely going to make the most of your trip to the UAE. If you found this article interesting and informative, don’t forget to share it with your family, friends, and anyone in your social circle who likes traveling.
