As summer officially ends, the city of Dubai gears up to welcome tourists from all around the globe, says Sri Harsha.
On every travel itinerary to Dubai, you’ll see almost the same suggestions: the viewing deck in Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall tour, a day in the spice souk, an evening at the desert safari with quad bike rides, a trip around the city showcasing attractions like Dubai Frame, Burj Al Arab etc. And while this looks like a great routine, it still doesn’t quite capture the magic of Dubai! As a resident and lover of this city, I’m going to take you on a guided trip through Dubai so that you can experience the city in all its glory!
Stay Clever!
Anyone visiting Dubai need not worry about their stay as Dubai is filled with hotels and hotel apartments offering both budget and luxury accommodations. I would recommend that a tourist choose a budget hotel apartment as the only time one needs their accommodation is for a good night’s sleep.
Many decent hotel apartments are available in Bur Dubai, Al Barsha, Tecom & Dubai Marina. Decent accommodation in Dubai ranges from about $75 to $150 per night. But for people who wish to splurge, the sky’s the limit! There is a surfeit of 5 star hotels offering splendid stays!
Travel Safe!
Dubai has a strong transportation network. Major attractions are well connected with the metro, while RTA buses are a very convenient way to travel to locations that are a little far away. Besides this, there is a plethora of taxis zipping around the city 24/7, with experienced drivers to help people commute.
Fun In The Heart Of Dubai!
Now for a list of attractions that are not usually on a travel agent’s itinerary:
Jumeirah Beach Residence Walk: Fondly known as The JBR Walk, it’s an ideal place to take a stroll, dine and shop. The area hosts many trendy restaurants that satiate your palate and boutiques that fulfil your shopping fantasies.
City Walk: A very urbane area of Dubai, this place has many residential as well as commercial buildings with the choicest of upscale gourmet restaurants and boutiques offering huge discounts.
La Mer: La Mer is a world-class beachfront area in the Jumeirah neighbourhood that incorporates a minimalist and contemporary design housing shops, restaurants and cafés, leisure and entertainment options along its 2.5 km stretch of relaxing white sand. With many beach-facing cafes and picturesque locations, it is one of the most instagrammable locations in Dubai!
Souk Madinat Jumeirah: One of my personal favourites, this place gives you a balance between the traditional and modern. The construction of this place is as per old Arabic architecture, while the shops and restaurants are ultra-modern. This place has a lot of upscale restaurants with views of the Burj Al Arab. Take a boat ride in the traditional wooden abra boats to enjoy the beauty of this place.
Al Seef: An ideal place to shop and experience old Dubai, one could spend a whole day here doing countless things: visit the spice market, shop for traditional clothes at a bargain, go to the gold souk, take a trip to the heritage village, enjoy the 1 dirham abra boat ride… the list goes on!
Gorgeous Locales Surrounding Dubai…
If you like to go on long drives, Dubai has several locations within 1-2 hours’ driving distance. Check out a few…
Al Qudra Lakes: Al Qudra features a cluster of manmade lakes located around 60 km from Downtown Dubai. Approximately a 45-min ride from Dubai, the Love Lake and Sunset Point are prime attractions at Al Qudra. It also has an 86 km cycle track for riders, where rental bikes are available for bike enthusiasts. There are several spots in the area where you can set up your barbeque and enjoy the evening with friends and family.
Hatta: Hatta is around a 90-min drive from Dubai, located between the mountainous range near Dubai. There are a lot of lakes in this area to enjoy a pedal boat ride or go kayaking amidst the mountain range. The Swan Lake, Green Lake and Hatta Dam are must-visits in this area.
Jebel Jais: Another location which is approximately a 2-hr drive from Dubai, Jebel Jais is a mountainous region in the Emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah. This location is ideal for camping and enjoying a cup of tea with a sunrise/sunset view. The drive to this location is very enjoyable amidst the mountainous terrain.
Snoopy Island Fujairah: An ideal location to enjoy beach camping is Fujairah. This is around a 2-hr drive from Dubai. Thrill seekers should head to the shimmering turquoise waters for an evening of kayaking or explore the abundant marine life beneath the surface, surrounded by coral reefs.
Fossil Dunes at Al Wathba: Around a 2-hr drive from Dubai towards Abu Dhabi, shifting sand dunes that prevail in the Arabian desert create rugged rock formations which have been eroded and carried by the wind, and have developed into fossilized figures. The fossil dunes of Al Wathba are a place worth spending a few hours checking out the impressive rocks and camels, offering awesome picture opportunities.
Amazing Adventure!
If you are an adrenaline junkie and love adventure sports, Dubai offers some extreme adventure sports to bring out your inner beast!
Skydiving: If jumping from an airplane thousands of feet above the ground excites you, skydiving is something you shouldn’t miss! Skydive Dubai also offers a tandem skydiving experience that one can do with the help of an experienced skydiver. You can choose between the Palm Jumeirah location or the desert to enjoy this experience with an aerial view of Dubai.
Zipline: If you’re looking for a thrill in the middle of things, this activity is just for you! Zip through the Dubai Marina at speeds of over 80 km as you zipline head-first in the superman pose! Even though it’s 1 km long, it will feel like 30 seconds as your heart races and your mind thinks, “Oh my God, what have I done??!!”
You can also experience the world’s longest zipline at Jebel Jais. Located at 1934 m above sea level with a length of approximately 3 km, one can go up to a speed of 150 km per hour on this.
Parasailing: Snoopy Island is one of Fujairah’s finest (and most visited) spots. But soaring above it, strapped to one of your nearest and dearest as you’re being propelled by a speedboat and a hefty gust of wind, is when this place gets really exciting!
The Jebel Sledder: Located in Jebel Jais, this is a popular spot that opened in February 2022. The Jebel Sledder is a bob-sledge ride minus the snow. As riders hurtle across the track, they will be taken through exhilarating hairpin curves along the way, reaching speeds of up to 40 km per hour. Hold onto your hats because you’ll be in for a high-octane, eight-minute ride on this alpine coaster track that stretches out to 1,885 metres.
Scuba Diving: There are a lot of places in the UAE offering scuba diving activities. Depending on the location, one can enjoy the deep blue waters of the Arabian sea, marvelling at coral and marine life!
The Sky View Observatory Deck: Get a glorious view of the city amidst some fantastic architecture and design concepts. The Sky View Observatory Deck offers a three-part experience that includes an observatory, a glass slide, and an edge-walking experience on the 52nd and 53rd floors of the two-tower hotel. Enjoy amazing views of Downtown Dubai, Burj Khalifa, and the famous Dubai skyline.
The next time you are in Dubai, make sure you enjoy some, if not all, of these off-the-routine-travel-grid activities. And yes, do pencil in the super famous attractions as well!
Image Credits: Google