There is an Arabic proverb: “Who lives sees, but who travels sees more.” Travel is eye-opening. You taste new flavors, have new experiences, meet new people and perspectives, and make new memories that will stay with you for the rest of your life and make it more colorful. We think you should definitely put the United Arab Emirates on your bucket list of travel destinations, and Dubai in particular. Here are just 10 reasons why Dubai really is worth it.
Desert Safari in Dubai
When you go on safari through the desert, you can feel like Cardi B in her music video for “Bodak Yellow,” which was filmed in Dubai. Along the way, your personal guide will tell you about the desert and its importance to Emirati culture as you drive into the desert in an air-conditioned 4WD vehicle. The functioning air conditioning is essential, believe me. At a Bedouin-style camp, you’ll be greeted with coffee and dates, then speed through the sand dunes on a quad bike. Later, a more leisurely paced camel ride is on the program and the day ends with a BBQ dinner; for entertainment, belly dancers sway and dervishes whirl in circles. Who says Dubai has no culture?
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Pier 7 Night View
We recommend visiting in the evening. All around, the tall, brightly lit buildings tower up and the city is enchanted. Stroll along the promenade and be amazed by the shops and great restaurants there. If you like Lebanese food, you should definitely have dinner at Abd el Wahab. And thank me later for the tip.
828 meters
At more than 828 meters (or 2,716.5 feet) and over 160 stories, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world. Not only is it an incredible feat of engineering and a stunning work of art, but the building is also widely visible and tangible evidence that Dubai has transformed from a regional to a global hub in less than 30 years. You can also buy a ticket to go all the way to the top, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning 360-degree views of the city’s skyscrapers and snap amazing selfies for Instagram to brag about.
Where to find winter in Dubai?
Once you’ve seen the Burj Khalifa with your own eyes, you’ll realize that Dubai is all about having the biggest, tallest, best of everything. Well, Ski Dubai is the third largest indoor ski run in the world and the first in the Middle East. So not only can you tell those at home that you’ve been skiing in the desert, but there are also real penguins you can touch! Basically a real winter wonderland in the middle of the hot desert.
One of the most popular malls in the world: the Dubai Mall
In terms of total area, the Dubai Mall is the largest shopping center in the world. There are loads of shops that can help you lighten your wallet – we’re talking over 1,200. You should not miss the view of the Burj Khalifa from the balcony of the Apple Store. And if you need a break from the hustle and bustle of shopping, you’ll also find the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo here. Give yourself plenty of time to discover more than 300 species of sea creatures and mermaids…yes, mermaids.
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The Spice Market is also known as the Old Souk. It’s a traditional market that will take you back several centuries in the blink of an eye. You can find him in Deira in East Dubai. It’s the perfect place to stock up on spice and gold (if that’s what you’re into).
As the name suggests, this beach is known for attracting kitesurfers from all over the world.
Here you can practice various sports, sunbathe or swim and with numerous food trucks and cafes, there really should be something for everyone. As the Emirates is a Muslim country, the weekend takes place on Friday and Saturday, so the beach is also the busiest; you should plan for that.
Madinat Jumeirah View
This is just one of the many five-star resorts that can be found in Dubai. The design was inspired by a traditional Arabian city. This is the largest resort in the emirate, so we recommend just strolling around to get a feel for the wonderful architecture and enjoying a good cup of coffee with a nice view.
This private island resort is not in Dubai but is only a few hours’ drives away in neighboring Abu Dhabi. It has quickly become one of the most popular places for the rich and famous to hang out at the weekend. There are lounge bars, great restaurants, poolside seating, and much more to really indulge yourself. Just keep in mind that a single night can cost you close to $1,000.
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The building is breathtakingly beautiful, both inside and out.
We mention the mosque for three reasons: 1. It’s not in Dubai either, but we were already on our way to Abu Dhabi, so to speak. 2. It’s a place that has gained huge fame on Instagram, so you can close some photos there too. 3. It’s one of our favorite mosques ever and the largest mosque in the country, so it’s an important place of prayer for the Friday gathering and Eid prayers (that’s what fast-breaking during Ramadan is called).
