Introduction
Dubai instantly conjures up visions of luxury shopping, fine dining and the exotic and opulent lifestyle of the rich and famous. The name refers to both the emirate and the largest and most renowned city in the United Arab Emirates, and Dubai’s reputation means it has a lot to live up to. It certainly delivers.
Rising from the desert landscape on the edge of the ocean, the city’s skyline is a dazzling sketch of high rises, including the jaw-dropping Burj Khalifa, the highest building on the planet. Even for those who’ve never set foot anywhere in the UAE, the city’s artificial palm-shaped islands, proliferation of glitzy shopping malls and high-octane lifestyle are definitive and recognisable.
But look beyond the highly stylised surface of this holiday hotspot and there’s also a depth that is, for some, quite unexpected. There’s still a strong sense of its humble fishing town history in the old neighbourhoods’ souks, forts and architecture, and exploring both sides of this extraordinary city of two halves is as fascinating as it is surprising.
What to Do
If you love shopping, eating, partying, relaxing, exploring culture, getting out into the natural environment and encountering the world’s ‘biggests’, ‘bests’ and ‘most luxurious’, Dubai has you covered.
Relax to the Max
It’s not news to anyone that the city is a luxury shopping hotspot. Dubai Mall is the second largest in the world, with a staggering 1,200 shops vying for the tourism retail dollar. Once you’ve shopped ‘til you’ve dropped, take a break by heading up to the viewing deck of the mammoth 828-metre Burj Khalifa, to look over the glittering skyline and beyond to the desert and coastline. The mall is also the entry to the fabulous Aquarium as well as a massive entertainment precinct that includes cinemas, ice-skating and game zones.
Nature and Adventure
Jumeriah Beach is a favourite with visitors and this snowy-white ribbon of sand is always busy, offering water sports and countless restaurants and cafes along its length. For families, the over-the-top IMG Worlds of Adventure offers next-level theme park attractions for every age, while the Aquaventure Waterpark is home to, you guessed it, the world’s longest water slide.
For those who want to get out of the city and into the dunes, a desert safari, including a night spent under the stars in a traditional Bedouin tent, offers the ultimate Emirati adventure.
Delve into Culture
Despite its super glitzy exterior, the ancient Bedouin culture is still very well represented and preserved. Head into the Bastakia Quarter (aka Al-Fahidi) to explore the ambient narrow lanes, lined with intricate Arabian architecture featuring the distinctive wind towers. You can also take a trip along Dubai Creek on a traditional dhow or ferry, to visit the authentic souks of Deira and experience the atmosphere of this once-thriving trading route.
Other points of cultural interest include the beautiful Jumeirah Mosque, the Heritage and Diving Village and Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum House.
Local Cuisine
Food glorious food goes to another level here and, with the emirate’s infusion of Asian, Western and Middle Eastern culture, it may appear like anything goes. But everything has a place, so no matter what your taste buds fancy, they can have.
For those looking to try some of the more exotic delicacies, camel is a staple of Emirati cuisine. While it might not appeal to everyone, stuffed camel is a tender, highly spiced and herbed dish that’s very popular with the locals. (The whole animal is stuffed and then roasted slowly.) Other traditional Emirati dishes include bathith, ferni, habisah, araroot and luqaimat.
Lovers of more familiar Asian and Middle Eastern food will find plenty of delicious Singaporean, Korean, Moroccan, Chinese and Japanese influences – and, like everything else here, the list goes on…and on.
While there is a proliferation of 5-star dining establishments from which to choose, the city also has a thriving street food culture where you can enjoy delicious delicacies with the locals at a fraction of the cost. (Tip: Try the amazing shawarma, a spicy and succulent meat wrap.)
Climate
The emirate’s desert landscape means that temperatures are hot and there’s plenty of sunshine all year round. In summer it’s positively scorching, with temperatures reaching 40°C, and during winter, while it’s certainly cooler, the averages of 14 -23°C are extremely mild and tropical.
Because of its location on the coast, the city itself can get very humid – sometimes reaching up to 90% humidity in summer. Although rainfall has increased in recent decades, much of it occurs between December and March, and for the rest of the year is fairly sparse. Despite the rain, these months are generally considered to be the most favourable for visitors in terms of the weather.
Travelling to Dubai? Don’t Miss…
- The Dancing Dubai Fountain: Situated in the gardens of Burj Khalifa, this is the world’s tallest choreographed fountain – of course it is! Based on the design of Las Vegas’ world-famous Fountains of Bellagio it is set in the middle of a 30-acre lake and offset by a stunning light and sound show.
- Frame the Old and New: Get a fascinating perspective on the old and new at the Dubai Frame. This glass footbridge, located in Zabeel Park, allows you to stand suspended, 150m in the air, and take in expansive 360-degree views of the old part of the city in one direction and the new in the other. It’s breath-taking in every sense of the word.
- Dubai Miracle Garden: In yet another depiction of opulence, this gorgeous man-made garden features the Guinness World Record holder for the largest floral arrangement, at an eye-watering 70 metres long. The beauty of this veritable rainbow of floral colour is truly overwhelming.
How to Get There
The most practicable way of getting to Dubai is, of course, by air and the emirate is served by two major airports: Al Maktoum (DWC) and Dubai International Airport (DXB), which is one of the busiest in the world. As a major tourist destination, there are plenty of carriers offering direct routes from the UK, with a flight time of around 7-7.5 hours.
One you land at the airport, the most convenient way of getting to your accommodation is with a pre-booked airport transfer from Shuttle Direct. With a door-to-door service direct from the airport of your choice, wherever you need to go, you’ll get there!
About Shuttle Direct
Shuttle Direct is the leading provider of pre-booked airport shuttles across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. With a convenient range of shared and private shuttles, no matter what your budget or style of travelling, Shuttle Direct has you covered. Book online before you leave home and leave the rest to the professionals.
