Travelling to Dubai is exciting, especially if you are visiting for the first time. The glitzy and glamorous Dubai may seem a bit overwhelming to first time travelers, as there is so much to see and do in this city. Hence, we have come up with this guide where you will get to know about the best places to visit in Dubai if you are visiting for the first time. There is no rule that you must visit these places and not the rest. Our main aim is to make your job easier to choose the places that you must not miss during your very visit to Dubai.
Desert Safari
Dubai is a desert land, and going on a desert safari would give you a chance to glimpse at the secrets of the desert. The desert safari in Dubai is all about adventures, entertainment, and taking in the beauty of the place. You get to enjoy dune bashing, camel riding, quad biking, and sand boarding. After the sun sets, you get to watch some marvelous performances by Tanoura and belly dancers. Your tour ends on a memorable note with a delicious BBQ dinner.
Dubai Museum
Before you hit the more modern and glamorous side of Dubai, it is important to venture into the past of the city with a visit to the Dubai Museum. Housed inside the oldest building of the city, the Dubai Museum gives you a peek-a-boo into the life of the Arabs in the past, before the oil boom. Walk through the exhibits to know how the Arabs lived, dressed, worked, shopped, and ate in earlier times. Also, do not miss the audio-visual presentation at the end, where you can see the future plans for the city.
Burj Khalifa
Standing at a height of 828 meters, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building not only in Dubai and UAE but in the whole world as well. This architectural marvel houses a 5-star hotel, fine dining restaurants, luxury apartments, corporate offices, and even a mosque. But the highlight of the building for tourists is its observational decks on the 124th and 148th floors, from where you can get a bird’s eye view of the entire city.
Dubai Mall
Standing next to the mighty Burj Khalifa is the enormous Dubai Mall, one of the largest shopping malls in the world. The Dubai Mall is full of delights, right from the 1200 retail stores to the numerous entertainment options that it offers. If you are not keen on shopping, you can visit the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo (indoor aquarium), the VR Park Dubai (a virtual and augmented reality gaming zone), Dubai Ice Rink (indoor ice rink), KidZania Dubai, etc. Also, do check out the Dubai fountain show that happens outside the mall every evening.
IMG World of Adventure
Known to be the largest indoor theme park in the world, the IMG World of Adventure is a favorite amongst tourists and locals alike. The park is divided into 5 zones, which are the Lost valley, Marvel, Cartoon Network, IMG Boulevard, and Novo Cinemas. Each zone has rides, attractions, retail stores, and restaurants based on its theme. There are rides for all age groups, so everyone can have fun here. It is advisable to pre-book your IMG world tickets to make the most of this attraction. Apart from dining, shopping, meeting your favorite cartoon characters, and having fun, you can also visit the Haunted Hotel on the IMG Boulevard, which is only for the brave-hearted.
Dubai Marina
If you wish to admire the widescreen views of Dubai skyline from the water, partying in a luxury yacht in Dubai Marina can be a perfect option. Yacht party Dubai enables you to snap the best shots of the iconic Burj Al Arab, circle Palm Jumeirah, pass the famous Atlantis and soak in the rays. Onboard crews and chefs will catch fish and cook for you and your friends and family. Overall, it can be an experience of lifetime.
Aquaventure Waterpark
Spread around an area of 17 hectares, the Aquaventure Waterpark is part of Hotel Atlantis, The Palm on Palm Jumeirah. Known to be one of the best water parks in the UAE, Aquaventure Water Park is home to some of the best thrilling slides and attractions. The Leap of Faith is the most popular here, as you get to slide through a lagoon filled with sharks and cownose rays. Poseidon’s Revenge, Aquaconda, and Zoomerango are also some of the attractions that you should check out. The water park also has a Dolphin Bay as well as a private beach, where you can relax and even enjoy some fun water sports.
Ski Dubai
It may seem impossible to go skiing in Dubai, but the city has made it a reality with Ski Dubai, the largest indoor ski resort in the world. Located inside the Mall of Emirates, Ski Dubai is spread around an area of 22,500 square meters. Inside the resort is the 85-meter-high indoor mountain, which has 5 slopes with varying levels of difficulty and steepness. Apart from skiing, you can also enjoy snowboarding, zorbing, tobogganing, etc. here. Chair life, snow bullet, the snow park, and the penguins are some other attractions of Ski Dubai.
Ain Dubai
A recent addition to the list of Dubai attractions, Ain Dubai has become a favorite in a short time. It is located on Bluewaters Island. Standing at the height of 250 meters, Ain Dubai is the tallest as well as the largest observation wheel in the world. It has 48 passenger cabins, and each rotation takes around 38 minutes. During your journey around the wheel, you would get to see all the delightful attractions of Dubai. Apart from observation cabins, Ain Dubai also has social cabins and private cabins, where you can relax, enjoy, and even party with family and friends.
Jumeirah Beach
Dubai is a coastal city with numerous beaches, but Jumeirah Beach is a favorite for many. The beach not only offers a great view of the Burj Al Arab but is also a great place to relax and have fun during your holiday. While you are free to lounge on the white sand and admire the blue waters, Jumeirah Beach is a great place to indulge in some water sports. Jet skiing, banana boat riding, fly boarding, kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and scuba diving are some of the adventures you can enjoy here. There is also a play area for little children and areas for grilling and picnicking. The beach is also home to several restaurants, cafes, and bars.
Dubai Parks & Resorts
Dubai Parks and Resorts is the ultimate resort and theme park destination in the city. The place is home to 5 theme parks, including a water park. A visit to Dubai Parks and Resorts would give you access to Motiongate Dubai, Bollywood Parks Dubai, Legoland Dubai, Legoland Water Park, and Riverland Dubai. While you can choose to visit any one or two of the theme parks during the visit, you can also have an exclusive holiday to Dubai Parks and Resorts, as the place has three luxury hotels, namely Lapita Hotel, Legoland Hotel, and Rove at the Park.
This list of places to visit in Dubai does not cover everything that Dubai offers. However, it is a good list to start for those who are visiting the city for the first time. So prepare your itinerary and get ready for a memorable Dubai holiday.
