Dubai is clearly a land of wonders. Dubai is a city that has been on the record as the owner of architectural ideas that have neither been thought about nor have been implemented anywhere else in the world. This city is a proud owner of numerous marvels which are unique in every way. So there is no chance of being disappointed when it comes to sightseeing in Dubai. You may get exhausted of roaming around the city, but there would always be more to see in this city. Here we present 10 best places for sightseeing in Dubai which you should not miss under any circumstances.
Best Must-Visit Sights in the City
1. Burj Khalifa: Whatever be your purpose of visiting Dubai, under no circumstances should you miss visiting the tallest structure in the world, the Burj Khalifa. This tall, steely surface is located near the famous Dubai Mall. While viewing the Burj Khalifa from the outside is amazing in itself, you must not a miss a chance to take a tour of the interiors of this renowned building. All visitors need to buy a ticket for the visit to the uppermost deck of the building. The fastest elevators of the world would take you to the 124th floor of the building from where you can see the whole of Dubai in a new perspective. The tour is also informative as you get to know the story of the construction and development of the Burj.
2. Dubai Marina: One of the several ambitious projects of Dubai, the Dubai Marina is the biggest manmade canal city in the world. The waters of the Persian Gulf were brought to build a canal here. Consisting of residential buildings, hotels, restaurants, private yachts, the Dubai Marina is one of the posh areas of the city. Even if you do not own a house or stay at one of the hotels in Dubai Marina, you can definitely visit this place. You can walk around the Marina Promenade, visit one of the restaurants on the JBR Walk, chill out at the beach, shop at the Dubai Marina Mall or dine at one of the luxurious yachts or dhow cruises on the Marina. Whatever you do, you would have great fun here.
3. Jumeirah Mosque: Those who have visited Dubai before would know that Dubai is not all about tall buildings, swanky hotels and luxurious malls. In fact, there is much more to this city. Dubai is still connected to its culture, traditions and religion. To know and understand this part of Dubai, a visit to the Jumeirah Mosque is a must. As it is one of the most photographed mosques of the city, it is also one of its major landmarks. Another specialty of this place is that it is the only mosque in Dubai where non-Muslims can make a visit. The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding organizes tours inside the mosque for tourist on all days of the week except Friday. During the tour you can view the elements of modern Islamic architecture and medieval Fatimid traditions. Make sure that you dress modestly during your visit to the Jumeirah Mosque.
4. Dubai Museum: Another place that you must visit to know more about the cultures and traditions of Dubai is the Dubai Museum. The Al Fahidi Fort which was built in 1787 is home to this museum. Being the oldest building that exists in Dubai today, this is the perfect place that preserves the essence of old Dubai and the Arabian culture. The museum provides you with a glimpse of the old life in Dubai, before oil was discovered. Right from the houses, dhows, occupations, attires, mosques, jewellery, etc., you can find everything about the old Dubai here. A video presentation provides you with the story of the journey of Dubai from the desert land to the glamorous city that it is today.
5. Saeed Al Maktoum House: Another place that preserves the old traditions and cultures of Dubai is the Saeed Al Maktoum House. A national monument today, it was the home of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, the former ruler of Dubai. Renovated in the year 1986, this place holds the Islamic architectural features of the 19th century. After the restoration, the place functioned as a museum and is still open to the public. Each of the 30 rooms of this place holds paintings, artefacts, coins, photographs, manuscripts, documents and stamps that reflect the history of Dubai, UAE and the Arab world. Situated near the Dubai Creek, this is a place you must visit if you are a history enthusiast.
6. Dubai Creek: The Dubai Creek has a great historic significance as it is the place where the Bani Yas tribe settled, thus establishing the Al Maktoum dynasty in the city. The creek divides the city of Dubai into two; one being Bur Dubai and the other being Deira. From transportation to fishing to pearl diving, the Dubai Creek was an important place for Dubai’s economy. Today, both sides of the Creek have experienced great growth and development. Several walking tours are organized along the Dubai Creek which would help you to visit some of the important places here including Dubai Museum, Grand Mosque, Hindi Lane, Bur Dubai Souq, etc. If you want to enjoy the beautiful sights that the creek offers, go on a Dubai Creek dhow cruise dinner.
7. Dubai Zoo: If you are in Dubai with your children, a visit to the Dubai Zoo would be something that they would enjoy. This is a really special place mainly because it is the oldest zoo not only in Dubai but also in the entire Arabian Peninsula. The zoo is located in Jumeirah and was built in 1967 in a two hectare plot. Apart from a long list of animals including lions, hyenas, jaguars, bears, deer, monkeys, giraffes, etc., this zoo is the first zoo in Arabia to house the Arabian wild cat as well as the chimpanzee. It is also home to some endangered species like Bengal tiger, Siberian tiger, gorilla, etc.
8. Dubai Miracle Garden: The miracle garden is nothing less than magic. Here innovation and creativity are combined with new technology to bring forth amazing flower designs. Some of the things that this garden offer include flower castles with different designs, flower falls, flower hits, flower rivers, 3D flower design, mushroom village, flower tents, animal zones, 18 m tall flower structure of Burj Khalifa, etc. The Flower Clock that adorns the park is undoubtedly a masterpiece that you would have never seen anywhere else in the world. Although the park remains closed during the months of summer, the butterfly park remains open throughout the year.
9. Dubai Dolphinarium: Another place that would be loved by children and adults alike is the Dubai Dolphinarium. Part of the creek side park in Bur Dubai, this is an indoor dolphinarium with a 5000 square meter area and the capacity to seat 1250 people. Here you get to see dolphin shows and even interact with these friendly beings. Apart from dolphins, you also get to view and learn about seals and other such marine species. Lot of kids activities like birthdays, picnics and field trips are conducted here. The main purpose of this dolphinarium is to increase the awareness amongst about the importance of marine life.
10.Dubai Mall: While a regular mall cannot be a place to go sightseeing, the Dubai Mall transcends all the conventions of a regular mall.
This spacious mall not only contains around 1200 stores, more than 300 restaurants and a multiplex but also a five star hotel, an aquarium and an underwater zoo inside it – indeed it is one of the coolest things to see in Dubai. There are several theme based play areas and parks for children too. In short, the Dubai Mall is a complete entertainment package where every member of your family can have a great time.
Apart from the above provided places, Jumeirah Beach, Grand Mosque, Dubai Waterfront, Ski Dubai, Deira Clocktower, etc. are some other places that you can go sightseeing in Dubai. With all these marvellous places, your Dubai trip would undoubtedly be exciting. So, blend all the exciting things to do in a Dubai city tour package.