Must dos Dubai

AL-MAMZAR PARK

Dubai has some gorgeous parks and AlMamzar is one of the best, with sandy white beaches, a crisp green lagoon, children’s play areas, swimming pool and private chalets for hire. Al-Mamzar offers respite from the bustling city with 106 acres of greenery. To get around the park you can hire bicycles or take a train tour of the grounds. www.dubaicity.com

Burj Khalifa

At 828 metres tall and 160 storeys, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa skyscraper is currently the tallest manmade structure on Earth. And with the one-kilometre high Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia now on hold, it may hold the crown for some time yet. The tower’s observation deck, on the 124th floor, unveils astonishing views of central Dubai. www.burjkhalifa.ae

Bastakiya District

The Bastakiya district of Dubai, with its narrow laneways and stone streets, is a must for anyone interested in the history of the emirate. Established at the end of the 19th century, the district features traditional courtyards, wind towers and bustling markets. Many of the traditional buildings house galleries, cafés and boutique hotels. Part of the old city wall, which dates back to 1800, can still be seen here. www.dubaicity.com

Camel Racing

Camel races are a national pastime in the UAE and are taken very seriously by locals. The races are free to attend and usually take place on Fridays and Saturdays from October to April, offering morning and afternoon races of between four and 10 kilometres. The spectacle is a must, to see the camels themselves and the rally of Land Rovers that circle the track with men hanging from windows, caught up in the excitement of it all. There are several race tracks around but the biggest in Dubai is the Al Marmoom Camel Racetrack, which is home of the Dubai Camel Racing Club. It’s about half an hour’s drive from the city. www.visitdubai.com/en

Desert Safari

One of the most exciting and popular Dubai activities is a desert safari tour. With numerous tour operators to choose from and the option of morning, evening or overnight safaris, it’s a chance to encounter the rolling deserts of the UAE up close. Camel rides, dune bashing (a white-knuckle four-wheel-drive ride through the sand dunes), belly dancing and an unforgettable desert sunset are all part of the desert safari experience.

www.desertsafaridubai.com

Dubai Aquarium And Underwater Zoo

One of the most popular destinations in the city gives visitors the chance to get up close and personal with thousands of aquatic animals – over 140 species in fact. Don’t miss the 10 million-litre tank, home to over 400 sharks and rays, but if cuddly critters are more to your taste, there’s always the Otter Encounter, which will introduce you to the Asian small-clawed otter – the smallest of all 13 otter species.

www.thedubaiaquarium.com

Dubai Creek

One of the most picturesque locations in Dubai is the waterfront along Dubai Creek, a large saltwater inlet that six years ago was extended all the way around Bur Dubai and into the Arabian Gulf. Catch an abra (a boat taxi) along the waterfront and take in the Dubai skyline, eat at one of the many street vendors or take the hour-long tour in a traditional dhow sailing boat past the Dubai trading ports to the tip of the creek. www.tour-dubai.com

Dubai Frame

One of the most recent and unusual Dubai attractions stands 150 metres tall and is mostly an empty space! Don’t be fooled though – the outside of the Dubai Frame houses a series of galleries exploring the history of the city and its heritage, as well as the extraordinary panoramas of the old and new parts of the city that can be witnessed from the viewing platforms. There’s even a potential sneak peek into what may be in store with the Future Gallery on the mezzanine level, offers a futuristic vision of the area.

www.dubaiframe.ae/en

Dubai Museum

Situated close to Dubai Creek and Bastakiya heritage area in Bur Dubai is the Dubai Museum. The museum is housed in Al Fahidi Fort, but has been closed for renovation, so it is advised to check the website before visiting. dubaiculture.gov.ae/en

Heritage And Diving Village

Pearl diving is an ancient tradition in the UAE and once provided the only real income for residents of the city of Dubai. Dubai’s Heritage and Diving Village offers a rare and fascinating look at the history of pearl diving in the UAE, and the daily demonstrations are a must for anyone interested in the cultural history of Dubai.

www.dubaicity.com

Img Worlds Of Adventure

This indoor amusement park is Dubai’s first “mega themed entertainment destination”. Divided into four ‘epic zones’, the park offers rides, movies and life entertainment inspired by dinosaurs, Marvel’s superheroes and much much more. www.imgworlds.com

Majlis Gallery

Dubai’s longest-standing gallery, Majlis, has been operating since 1976 as a commercial gallery and meeting place for artists. Compared with some of the contemporary galleries in Dubai, Majlis exhibits more traditional Arab paintings, craft and furniture, as well as special exhibitions and workshops through the year. It is located in the historic Bastakiya district in Bur Dubai. www.themajlisgallery.com

Museum Of The Future

Another of Dubai’s very latest creations combines elements of exhibition, immersive theatre and themed attraction, inviting visitors to “look beyond the present to the possible”. Over four floors, exhibitions focus on possible futures of outer space resource development, ecosystems and bioengineering, and one floor is entirely dedicated to children giving them their own world to explore, and challenges to complete, on their way to becoming ‘future heroes’. museumofthefuture.ae

Ski Dubai

A stark contrast to Dubai’s stifling afternoon heat is Ski Dubai – the Middle East’s first ski resort. The huge resort has five runs that range from beginner to advanced, and even offers a 90-metre-long half-pipe for the snowboarder in the family. Ski clothing and equipment are provided as part of the cover price and there are professional instructors on-site if you need to brush up on your skills. www.skidxb.com

SHEIKH SAEED’S HOUSE

Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum was the leader of Dubai from 1912-1958 and the grandfather of the ruler of Dubai, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE. His house has been restored to its former glory and exhibits photographs, lithographs, coins and art that vividly depict the history of the UAE. The house itself is worth the visit, typical of 19th century Islamic architecture. Particularly impressive are the four tall wind towers that flank the house, designed to catch the wind and relieve the household of the afternoon sun.

www.visitdubai.com/en

THE WOMEN’S MUSEUM

Located in Deira, this national archive and documentation centre aims to tell the story of the UAE’s women, who are all too often excluded when it comes to understanding the success of the region. This Museum is concerned with “all aspects of their lives… not just the historical and social influences, but… their philosophy, their status in society and their place in the family”.

www.womenmuseumuae.com

Souks

Dubai is famous for its shopping and, while the large air-conditioned shopping malls can be a great escape from the heat of the day, nothing really compares to the bustle of Dubai’s markets, or souks. Situated in Deira, Dubai’s souks trade in gold, spices, textiles, ittar (a spicy Arabian perfume) and fish.

www.dubaisouks.net www.welcome-to.com