Dubai has a reputation for being one of the most opulent and glamorous cities in the world. Despite being a traditional, Islamic city, the city has a modern outlook that brings scores of people to Dubai every year. While the excitement for the city never dies how much every time you visit it, there is something special about the anticipation of first-time travellers to Dubai. There are so many interesting places to see and things to do in Dubai that no holiday here can be boring. First-time travellers can be stress-free by going for a Dubai tour package that would take care of all their needs, right from accommodation to sightseeing. However, if you want to explore the place on your own, here are some of the best things to do in Dubai for first-time travellers.
Best Things to Do in Dubai for First-Time Travellers
Burj Khalifa
Located in Downtown Dubai, Burj Khalifa is a must visit, largely because it is the tallest building not only in Dubai but in the world as well. The impressive structure towers over the skyline of Dubai and can be seen from almost everywhere in the city. The building is home to luxury hotels, residential apartments, restaurants, etc. But you can get inside the building without having to visit one of these places. All you need to do is get an entrance ticket that would take you to the observation decks on the 124th or 148th floors of the building. The 360o observation deck would give you a breathtaking view of the city, beyond the buildings and desert, stretching up to the vast ocean. The best thing to save money would be to book your entrance tickets online, in advance.
Dubai Mall
Next to the Burj Khalifa is the largest mall in the world, the Dubai Mall. Apart from its 1200 stores, people visit the mall to check out its ice rink, aquarium and underwater zoo and various entertainment zones. The mall also has a multiplex cinema with 22 theatres, a swanky hotel and a huge food court where you would find every popular cuisine from around the world. Dedicate an entire day to the mall so that you can enjoy all its attractions to the fullest. However, if you do not have much time, you must at least visit the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, which houses thousands of marine animals. It is one of the highlights of the mall, especially for little kids.
Dubai Fountain Show
Right outside the Dubai Mall (between the mall and Burj Khalifa) is the Burj Lake, one of the largest manmade lakes in the world. While the lake is beautiful, the major highlight here is the Dubai Fountain Show that happens every evening. Between 6 PM to 11 PM, the fountain comes to life with marvellous performances, every 30 minutes. You would be mesmerized to watch the fountains dance to the tunes of some popular music. The juxtaposition of lights, sound and music is something you should not miss. Plus, it is free, and you can watch the show as many times as you want. However, if you want to have a closer look, opt for the boat tour on the Burj Lake.
Old Dubai
It is natural to feel attracted to the glamour of the city during your first visit. However, this does not mean you should ignore the modest part of the city, Old Dubai, a place where the ascent of the city began. Old Dubai is located on the coast of the Dubai Creek and includes museums, traditional markets or souks and the oldest neighbourhood, the Bastakiya Quarter. While you may not have time to cover everything, do check out the Dubai Museum, where you can glimpse at the past of the city, right from the Bedouin-style homes to the way people dressed.
There are several other museums here, most of which are free, and the most popular of them all is the Coffee Museum, which traces the history of coffee. Another highlight of the place is the traditional souks, which include gold souk, perfume souk and souk. Even though you do not want to buy anything, visit the souks for the sights, sounds and ambience, so different and colourful than the modern malls.
Desert Safari
How can your visit to the desert city be complete without visiting the desert? The desert is breathtaking and at the same time mysterious. The best way of seeing the desert is by going on the desert safari. A typical evening desert safari involves a stunning sunset, thrilling activities, entertainment and great food. There is also the morning desert safari for those who want to see the desert in its morning glory. On the other hand, overnight desert safari gives you the opportunity to spend a night in the desert. If you want to escape the crowd and noise of the regular desert safari, opt for the private dinner at the desert or perhaps a luxurious desert safari, where you and your family or friends would be the only guests at the camp.
Jumeirah Beach
Being a coastline city, Dubai has numerous beaches, some private and some public. One of the most popular beaches in the city is the Jumeirah Beach. Located near the Jumeriah Beach Hotel, this beach is popular mostly because of its prime location. Also, it offers uninterrupted views of Burj Al Arab, the only seven-star hotel in the world. While it is a perfect idea to rest and relax at the Jumeirah Beach while watching the views as well as the sunset in the evening, it is also a great place to indulge in some water sports like banana boat ride, kite surfing, surfing, etc. There are several eateries, cafes and restaurants along the beach, that serve delicious food, snacks and drinks.
Dhow Cruise
Dhow cruise is one of the unique experiences of Dubai and one you should not miss, especially on your first trip to Dubai. The dhows are an integral part of Dubai history, as these were the vessels used for trading and transportation in the past. Today, these dhows have been replaced by swanky boats and ships. But Dubai has found a unique way of making use of the elegant dhows. Dhows are refurbished as classy restaurants that sail on the Dubai Creek as well as Dubai Marina. Apart from the delectable buffet, you can also enjoy the beautiful views of the city and marvellous entertainment programs (Tanura dance and live music). Dhow cruise in Dubai is the best way to have a relaxing meal in the city.
As there are so many things to do in Dubai, your first holiday in the city would be nothing less than memorable. So book your tickets immediately and make the most of it!
Conclusion
This post was contributed as Guest Post by Pranitaa Purohit. This post Best Things to do in Dubai for First Time Travellers is all about travel and travellers, who were looking to get an idea about their plan to Dubai. Wish you a good trip if you decided to go. And if you have any questions regarding this post article, do comment below. Thanks 😃