10 experiences only possible in Dubai

The United Arab Emirates is a country of contradictions. It’s a mix of old and new, tradition and modernity, of vast orange desert and tremendous development. 

The emirates make each with they own emir up the UAE, and each of them offers something unique. Because the country is not very large you visit each of them with relative ease.

Dubai  is the best known emirate of all.

Expatriates from world over are appx 80% of the UAE’s population and most of them are in Dubai. A thriving oil economy made possible a extraordinary growth for the country. Soon the once dusty Dubai’s desert floor was now covered in shining skyscrapers and architectural feats that previously only existed in the dreamland.

Outside of the city, the natural desert landscape is still dominant. The ploy-coloured mountains, lush green date plantations, and rolling orange dunes form beautiful sceneries.

From city to sand, here are the top sights that are a must-do.

1. Visit the Burj Khalifa

Of course, Burj Khalifa, at the top of the list of things to do in Dubai.
Dubai is home to the tallest building in the world: the Burj Khalifa. 

This towering skyscraper can be seen from any location in the city. It stands at 2,722 feet tall (KICC is 344 ft). On a clear skies, you can see straight across the Persian Gulf to the shores of Iran from the top.

Architect Adrian Smith designed the Burj Khalifa. The unique shape was inspired by the spider lily, a regional desert flower. It took six years to complete the structure.

Visitors can not only dine at one of several restaurants located inside the tower, but they can also visit observation decks on the 124th, 125th, and the 148th floors.

2. Take an Abra to the Deira Grand Souk

A trip to the Middle East would not be complete without exploring the souks (markets) and taking in a bit of traditional life. 

One of the most traditional things to do in Dubai is to take an abra across Dubai Creek. Abras are the oldest form of public transportation in Dubai. Historically, these wooden boats enabled locals to cross the waters before the highways were built. They ferried both people and goods across the creek between Deira and Bur Dubai.

Nowadays, abras are used as water taxis. They are cheap to use (about Ksh 50 per person) and connect “new Dubai” to “old Dubai” and its souks.

Aromatic spices, clothing, kitchen goods and souvenirs fill the Deira Grand Souk. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon.

3. Fastest roller coaster in the world – the Formula Rossa

The UAE is home to the fastest roller coaster in the world; the Formula Rossa. 

Roughly one hour from downtown Dubai, Ferrari World is an easy trip and is mostly indoors — an important feature given how hot the summers can be. If you are a fan of free-falls, loops, and drops, then Ferrari World is your place. With roughly 40 rides and attractions, it’s a fun spot if you’re traveling in a group or have made some friends during your trip.

The current cost of entry is about Ksh 3,500.

4. Dubai Miracle Garden

The Dubai Miracle Garden grounds feel a lot like stepping directly into the pages of Alice in Wonderland. Obscenely bright and colorful flowers blanket over 780,000 square feet of land in the middle of a desert!

Some 50 million flowers completely transform this attraction. They are arranged in every imaginable configuration, from low gardens on the ground to animatronic sculptures.
Food stalls are located on-site, with tables and chairs set up throughout. The entire garden is accessible by foot, but golf carts are available on demand. The cost of entry is about Ksh 1,500.

5. Art at the Louvre Abu Dhabi

The famous Louvre in Paris now has an art museum located in the UAE, and the architecture is even more stunning than the original.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi opened in 2017. It is the first of several museums that will be built in the Saadiyat Island Cultural District and the largest art museum on the Arabian Peninsula. One of its primary goals is to bridge the divide between Eastern and Western art.

Admission costs about Ksh 1,750 and exhibitions change four times per year. Additionally, visitors can take a yoga class under the dome twice per day. 

6. The Arabian Desert

The Arabian Desert is one of the greatest experiences in Dubai. There are smaller and closer deserts you can visit just outside of Dubai that offer dinner buffets, belly dancing shows, and dune-bashing. 

However, the four-hour trek into the heart of the Empty Quarter is not only worth it but also necessary to get the feeling of the true Arabian Desert. While there are no flashy shows or buffets, there are much more satisfying sights to behold.

Picture endless orange sand dunes stretching as far as the eye can see, or camels walking lazily across the scorched earth. Time stands still here, with only the changing skies to mark your days.

The Arabian Desert offers unbelievable stargazing opportunities if you camp overnight. You will see more shooting stars in one evening than in your entire life.

You can drive yourself with ease in the UAE in but it’s recommended hiring a skilled driver familiar with the landscape for the desert experience. Driving on dunes in the middle of nowhere is a dangerous game.

7. Ascend the impressive Dubai Frame
One of the more recent architectural feats in Dubai, this unique building-slash-sculpture is a symbol of uniting the old and new.

Designed like an ornate gold picture frame, the Dubai Frame in Zabeel Park actually positions modern Dubai inside of a perfect rectangle, or, picture frame, if you view it at the correct angle.

For roughly Ksh 1,400, brave visitors can take the fast 75-second elevator ride up to the Sky Deck, which showcases panoramic views of the city and the Burj Khalifa from atop the frame.

8. Relax on the beach

A relaxing beach day under the hot Arabian sun is one of the most unexpected ways to spend a day in the UAE.

Umm Suqeim Beach in Dubai is a flat, very pretty stretch of sand along the ultra-turquoise Persian (or Arabian) Gulf. It is a public beach, so you do not need to be staying at any specific hotel to gain access (like many others), though it is also home to the sailboat-shaped Burj al-Arab ultra-luxury hotel.

The northern end of Umm Suqeim Beach allows activities like kite surfing, kayaking, and paddle boarding, if you’re full of energy. Both rentals and lessons are available.

Alternately, Fujairah (an hour and a half east of Dubai, on the Arabian Sea) offers excellent white-sand beaches and clear turquoise waters that would seem more at home in the tropics. 

9. Experience the Dubai Fountain

This dancing fountain is another item on Dubai’s long list of over-the-top attractions.

Near the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountain combines perfectly timed surges of water with various musical styles. It’s a spectacular sight — particularly with the night-time light show.

There are a number of restaurants inside of Dubai Mall that overlook the fountain, giving viewers the ultimate and uninterrupted vantage point (all for the price of a tasty dinner). It’s a popular and often-crowded attraction, so this is the best way to view the show.

10. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is the largest mosque in the entire country. It is opulent, and inspired by Persian, Ottoman, and Indo-Islamic styles. Hundreds of expert craftsmen were flown in to create the intricate metalwork and mosaic decorations. The result is certainly grand.

This mosque is a key place of worship, and can hold up to ten thousand people at a time. Thankfully, tourists are welcome to visit the mosque (free) outside of prayer times. Women will need to cover their heads and wear modest clothing to enter.

Source: Bemy