The UAE is host to all the superlatives – biggest, tallest, fastest, greatest etc. The Burj Khalifa dominates Dubai’s skyline and sits across from the site of Emaar’s next engineering feat which looks to topple the Burj Khalifa from it’s 160 storey throne and take it’s place as the world’s future tallest building. The Burj Khalifa, however is no midget. There are a variety of tickets available for you to experience this beautiful building. We opted for the aptly named “High Tea” package costing 618AED per person. With this ticket you get to enjoy the view from the 152nd-154th floor, 585m up whilst munching on tiny cakes and sandwiches and plenty of hot tea and coffee. The views are spectacular and buildings you previously passed by, which seemed so large at the time, are now toy town sized from your new vista.
The Dubai Mall is nestled at the foot of the Burj Khalifa and has it’s very own app which will help you navigate. An ice rink is located inside and you can either join in the fun or you can choose to sit at one of the many cafes and restaurants and watch the ice adventures of others. You can also dive with sharks if you choose at Dubai Aquarium (from 120AED upwards), or if that doesn’t appeal – you can watch the brave for free from the outside. Every 30 mins you can see the fountain show set to music. I suggest you get a restaurant with a good vantage point as this is a popular tourist attraction and unless you are blessed with some height you may struggle to peer over the shoulders of taller audience members.
In the same area you can enjoy some culture and take in a show at the Dubai Opera House. We opted to watch The Nutcracker and this is truly a venue where you can dress in your best and not feel out of place at all. Finish it off with a glass of bubbles next to the real glass bubbles of a beautiful ground floor to ceiling light installation and you will definitely feel like you are living the life of the glamorous.
Mall of the Emirates is yet another colossal shopping mall. Inside this mall you can enjoy Ski Dubai, where there is an actual ski slope inside. There are many packages available including lessons and if you dare to visit the UAE in the summer time I’m sure it would be a welcome blast of coolness.
If you are all malled out and feel the need to stretch your legs outside whilst getting some grammable moments then take a trip to Miracle Gardens where, for 55AED for adults and 40AED for children aged 3-12 years old, you can marvel at the giant living floral and topiary masterpieces. With plenty of cafes and seating areas, this would make a great day trip to lounge, picnic and chat or read. Not far from here there is a Butterfly garden where admission costs the same.
For a spot of historical charm and culture you can head to Al Fahidi District, where the streets and buildings are laid out in an old town and souk feel. If you arrive here before 10 am you can treat yourself to a traditional breakfast with labneh, feta, tabouleh, olives, humus and breads to dip with along with some tea or Arabic spiced coffee. There are plenty of little shops to buy souvenirs in, try camel milk ice cream and workshops displaying the work of local artists. Not too far from here is the Gold Souk where you can practice your haggling skills to get a bargain on that bling you want for yourself or gifts for family and friends.
We spent 3 nights in Dubai at the Tamani Hotel Apartments, there is a metro stop next to the hotel and beaches are nearby. It’s worthwhile noting when you book accommodation in Dubai the city is spread out pretty far. Deira, to the east, is where you are likely to get the cheapest accommodation and is part of old Dubai, the downtown area is set in the middle where the Dubai Mall, Opera House etc. are and The Palm is on the western most end and home to some very fancy resorts and beaches.
We barely touched the surface of things to do in Dubai and I will add later posts about some of the fun activities you can enjoy. The next emirate on our list was where I currently call home, Ras al Khaimah, or RAK as it’s known which I will tell you about in the next post.