Dubai - Top Things To Do
Experiences to Tick Off Your Checklist of Things to Do
Sometimes called the City of Gold, Dubai is a city in the United Arab Emirates that's in every tourist’s bucket list. Who doesn't want to see with their own eyes the stunning transformation of what used to be a sleepy Gulf port?
If you're planning to book a holiday to Dubai, make sure you know what to do to fully enjoy what the city has to offer.
Experience Burj Al Arab from the inside.
It’s hard not to admire Burj Al Arab’s stunning silhouette, but seeing it from the inside is definitely an experience you’ll never forget. This iconic landmark sitting on an artificial island has a fleet of Rolls Royce limousines, its own helipad, a 180-meter high lobby and 202 suites decorated with more gold than you can imagine.
If booking a suite proves too much for your budget but you’re willing to spend some of your allowances to see Burj Al Arab’s interiors, book cocktails at the Skyview Bar for Dhs370 or afternoon tea for Dhs590.
See what it’s like to be on top of the world in Burj Khalifa.
The sight of a building piercing through the sky at 828 meters is unmistakable. The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world and nothing will compare to the experience of seeing Dubai from its observation deck at the 128th floor.
But if you’re willing to spend a bit more for the VIP experience, head to “At the Top Sky, which at 555 meters is the world’s highest observation platform. And if you ever get hungry while admiring the views, just head to the restaurant-bar on the 122nd floor.
Travel back to old Dubai at the Al Fahidi Historic District.
There is no other place in the city that lets you travel back to a time when Dubai was a simple community in the middle of the desert. Busy freeways will be replaced with quiet lanes while skyscrapers will be replaced with sand-colored houses with wind towers as you go through the Al Fahidi Historic District.
Browse through more than 50 buildings containing cultural exhibits, museums, art galleries, cafes and craft shops offering a taste of the simple Dubai life.
Get the Arabian night feels at Madinat Jumeirah.
You don’t need a magic carpet to experience Arabian nights in Dubai. You just have to visit Madinat Jumeirah, a development designed to mimic a traditional Arab village complete with palm-lined waterways, beautiful villas, and the world-famous Souk Madinat Jumeirah.
Whether you’re looking to shop, watch a play or just take photos with stunning backgrounds, this is the place to be.
Indulge in some retail therapy at the Dubai Mall.
Of course, you can’t visit one of the most glamorous cities in the world without shopping at the world’s largest shopping mall. The Dubai Mall isn’t just a shopping complex; it’s actually a little city with its own indoor theme park, a giant ice rink and an aquarium that’s larger than life.
It also has more than 1,300 shops including the first Bloomingdale’s outside the US, the Galeries Lafayette department store and even Hamley’s from London.
Spend the night at a Bedouin-inspired camp
If your idea of a holiday is to immerse in the local culture, this activity is what you should do. Spend the night at an authentic torch-lit Bedouin camp set in the grounds of royal residences.
While dining, you will be entertained by live bread-making, Arabic coffee-making, and traditional henna tattoos.
What is even better is that getting to the camp is an adventure in itself. Book a tour with La Vacanza, and you get to enjoy a Jeep safari and a camel ride.
Go on a desert Jeep safari tour
Aboard a 4x4, explore the vast desert of Dubai for 5 hours. Hold on for dear life as the vehicle weaves and climbs over sand dunes, taking you for a ride unlike any other.
Depending on the tour that you book, you also get to enjoy a complimentary quad ride or a camel ride. Then, watch the sunset on the horizon to end your day in the most unforgettable way.
Take in the sights for half a day
If you're only in Dubai for a layover or want to see as much of the city as you can in a short amount of time, book a half day sightseeing tour. Explorer famous landmarks, such as the Burj Al-Arab hotel, Jumeirah Mosque, Jumeirah Beach, and the inspiring old quarter Bastakiya.
You should also visit the Spice Souq that you can reach by water taxi across the Dubai creek.
Enjoy a panoramic view of the city at the Burj
See more of the city without traveling far and wide at the Burj Khalifa's observation decks. Choose between Level 124 and Level 125 to see the world below.
Through avant-garde, high-powered telescopes, take a closer look at what makes the city spectacular. The Burj’s observation deck is not only the world's highest but also posts of an outdoor terrace and lounges.
Embark on a wildlife drive
The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR) is a natural reserve that is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. It serves as a sanctuary for a variety of mammals, reptiles, insects and spiders, and plants.
Out here, you'll see antelopes, bats, hedgehogs and shrews, and rabbits and hares, all of which disputes a popular belief that life in the desert is almost nonexistent.
To reach the reserve, you will ride a vintage Land Rover with an open top. All the better to see the view around you. End the day with a falcon show in the sand dunes.
These are just some of the things you can do and enjoy when in Dubai. There’s still a camel ride, sandboarding, trip to the Atlantis Aquaventure and Lost Chambers, and a speedboat cruise.
For more information on how you can enjoy these adventures, get in touch with La Vacanza and book one or all of these Dubai tours and activities.
Are you ready to discover Dubai? Make it possible by booking a tour with us!