Dubai has long ceased to be exotic and inaccessible for the average tourist destination. The brightest and fastest growing city in the Middle East can provide entertainment for almost every taste and budget. Attracting investments and guests from different countries are the main goals of local authorities. Therefore, they offer appropriate leisure.
Since the historical component here is far from being in the first place, service, comfort, modern buildings and the introduction of technologies, as well as infrastructure, which will be the envy of the most visited cities in the world, will surprise in a good sense of the word. All kinds of safaris and walks, fishing and hunting, visiting magnificent buildings, markets and fairs - this is not a complete list of plans for your stay in Dubai.
Description of popular excursions in Dubai
What to do, where to go and what to see in the city and the surrounding area?
Jeep safari
Driven by experienced drivers. They direct cars to the Arabian Desert, giving tourists the opportunity to admire the dunes and ride along difficult routes. The excursion most often includes stops in a Bedouin settlement, acquaintance with local legends and traditions. In addition, the organizers set a rich table to treat guests with both national dishes and international products. After the safari, you can ride a camel and compare the experiences of the two trips. Departure will not do without a show program, for example, belly dancing and other colorful entertainment.
Sightseeing tour of Dubai
Acquaintance with the city and the opportunity to outline a more detailed route for yourself and draw up a recreation plan. The excursion includes visiting the most interesting places. Burj Al Arab is the famous sail hotel. It was built at a distance of almost three hundred meters from the coast. One of the hundred tallest buildings in the world. The Khalifa Tower is the tallest building in the world, has 163 floors. Atlantis is a resort complex created on an artificial island. Also worth seeing are local shopping malls, singing fountains, an aquarium, fashionable districts. You can inspect Dabai both by traveling by car and walking, or by climbing to the upper floors of one of the skyscrapers.
Abu Dhabi
While in Dubai, you can book a tour of the capital - a popular tourist destination. In addition to the offices of large companies and the business center, Abu Dhabi is famous for its attractions. The main ones are skyscrapers. The shape of the buildings is always unusual. For example, Aldar HQ is called a circular skyscraper, and Capital Gate is called a falling tower. There is also a unique amusement park - the largest indoor park - Ferrari Park. There is an authentic shipyard on the Corniche, where dhows are still made - special Arab boats. Nearby is the El Husn fort, preserved from the times of old Abu Dhabi.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
The largest of the indoor amusement parks. Opened in 2010. Everything inside is dedicated to famous cars, racing and speed. Several exhibition areas showcase the evolution of the Italian company's vehicle fleet. There is a cinema where themed films are shown. Lots of rides and miniature tracks, interactive shows, playgrounds, driving school - entertainment for every taste. Fans of extreme sports can ride a roller coaster, including the fastest one in the world. The rest will usefully spend their time looking at the rarities and the latest achievements of the automotive industry.
Sharjah
One of the emirates with the capital of the same name. Tours here from Dubai are common. The most remarkable thing in Sharjah is the Desert Park. It is located outside the city and receives guests on an ongoing basis. There are several thematic zones among the dunes. This is the Museum of Natural History, where you can study evolution, and the Botanical Garden with plants from different regions, and the Wildlife Center, which brought together almost all representatives of the fauna living on the Arabian Peninsula. The excursion is available for visiting with children, and a special farm is organized for the youngest guests: there you can feed the pets right from your hands.
Burj Khalifa
Also called "Khalifa Tower". Year of completion of construction - 2010. The tallest building in the world. Located in the business center of the city. The tour consists of a visit to this magnificent structure. Observation decks on the 124th and 125th floors (there are 163 of them) are a great opportunity to look at Dubai from a bird's eye view. In many ways, Burj Khalifa is a symbol of the country's renewal and modernization. Therefore, to see a skyscraper in the immediate vicinity is a "must see" for any tourist who finds himself in the AOE. Available for visiting with children.
6 emirates in one day
Car excursion, which takes about 12 hours. The trip allows you to see the natural areas and iconic places of the country. The tour starts in Dubai and gives you a quick glimpse of its beauty. Then tourists move to Sharjah, which in the late 90s received the title of the cultural capital of the Arab world from UNESCO. The path through the desert lies in the Fujairah mountains. It is impossible to pass by a colorful market with traditional goods of the East. It is worth stopping in one of the canyons and admiring the views from the observation deck. Swimming in the waters of the Gulf of Oman is a chance to freshen up before visiting Ras al-Khaimah and Umm al-Qaiwain.
Indian Ocean coast
Get out of the big cities for a while and visit the emirate of Fujairah - a change of exposition to relax. There is no such bustle here as in Dubai, although in the local market tourists are traditionally surrounded by attention and all kinds of offers. Nearby are the Hajar mountains and, both natural and man-made, green oases. Those who wish will visit the archaeological museum or visit one of the mosques. And the whole road here is one big impression. A beach picnic is the perfect end to a busy day. The coast of the Indian Ocean is a picturesque place where everyone will find something to do.
Modern Dubai
Although the city was founded in 1833, there is practically nothing left of it. Today Dubai is the concentration of everything modern and cutting edge. At the same time, many traditions of the past have been preserved, which is important for the cultural component of the entire country. The business district is a place where majestic skyscrapers are built, directed to the sky. Many large companies have offices here. Numerous shopping malls are bound to have some sort of trump card to attract tourists and the local public. And the artificial islands near the coast show that man is able to overcome difficulties, creating something beautiful.
Dubai Markets
Shopping is a full-fledged tourist destination in the UAE and Dubai in particular. The gold market is divided into two: the old one sells traditional products, the new one sells modern ones. In addition, here you can buy not only jewelry made of noble metal, but also precious stones, as well as jewelry from everything that is valuable for potential buyers. The textile market looks more like a shopping district than a marketplace. High quality fabrics for all tastes are the basis of local trade. In addition to the large food market, there is a separate spice market and a fish market. Trade does not stop in numerous malls trying to lure buyers with something unusual.
Bastakia
The oldest district in Dubai. A visit here is an acquaintance with traditions and an opportunity to see the other side of the city. The tour includes a visit to a Bedouin house and breakfast with the hosts. They will not only treat them to national dishes, but also tell about the traditions of the region, as well as share some local legends.Narrow streets, rare old buildings and a bustling market have preserved the atmosphere of the past. All this, in contrast to the skyscrapers and lights of the rest of the city, makes a strong impression on tourists. If you wish, you can ride an Arab boat and visit the museum.
Night dubai
At dusk, everything is seen in a different light, literally and figuratively. Since Dubai, following the example of many large cities, never sleeps, a walk through it at night is a great opportunity to plunge into the atmosphere of the advanced east. Lots of lights and illuminated buildings make the night a comfortable time to explore the main attractions. In addition to the sail hotel, the singing fountains and the Hilifa Tower, the Atlantis resort located on the man-made Palm Island is worth a visit. And some markets are open around the clock here, so it will not be superfluous to go there.
Musandam Peninsula
Located in the north of Oman. Outbound excursions here from Dubai are conducted by many travel agencies. The route to the peninsula passes the eastern coast of the UAE and the picturesque mountains of the Indian Ocean. Visiting fishing villages is an obligatory part of the program. Traditions, cultural peculiarities, acquaintance with everyday life and treating with national dishes are part of the entertainment. Swimming, fishing, acquaintance with the underwater world - at the request of the guests. Fans of diving in a mask and fins will especially like it here. Sometimes dolphins swim nearby, which becomes an additional plus of the trip.
Park of Flowers (Dubai Miracle Garden)
The flower park was opened in 2013. A real fragrant oasis in the middle of the desert. Hundreds of types of flowers are collected here. They are on display as individual plants, colorful flower beds, displays and installations. Most of them are in the open air. The length of the footpaths of the park is about four kilometers, and a tourist will have to see about 45 million flowers while walking along them. There is another wonder nearby - the Butterfly Garden. These are two separate centers, but thematically they have many points of contact.
Global Village Fair
It takes place annually, lasts from November to March. On the impressive size of the territory, many countries of the world exhibit their trade pavilions. It sells goods from different parts of the world. There are both industrial products and those made by hand by craftsmen and artisans. At the same time, sellers, as a rule, are not tied to price and willingly enter into the bargaining process. Tastings of sweets and national dishes are held everywhere. In parallel, there is an acquaintance with the customs and cultural characteristics of other countries. The fair is always crowded and full of life.
Night crab hunting
In the vicinity of the city of Umm al-Qaiwain, tourists are invited to catch their own dinner. The crab hunt is accompanied by a Russian speaking guide. Night time is the ideal time for this activity. The event lasts for about an hour and turns into a dinner prepared from the catch and supplemented at the request of the guests. There is a club with a full-fledged restaurant nearby. That is, you can enjoy the atmosphere of the hall or sit comfortably on the shore (at the choice of travelers). The sommelier will advise on suitable drinks.
Sea excursion
A kind of sightseeing tour that allows you to get acquainted with the sights and the city as a whole from a different angle. There can be many types of such rest. Both the route and the choice of watercraft differ. Speedboats are suitable for lovers of comfort and speed, while classically dhows will be more popular with those who stand for authenticity. A cruise near the coast (near you can see the man-made islands) lasts about a couple of hours. The water offers unusual views of skyscrapers, embankments, mosques and other beauties. In the evening, such excursions are also held regularly.
Al Ain Oasis City
The fourth largest city in the UAE and the only one that is remote from the coast. Located on the border with Oman. Departures here from Dubai - regular excursions - are a popular destination. The largest zoo in the country is located in Al Ain, there are many resort areas and recreation areas, all of which are rich in green spaces and vegetation. There are also old forts, various museums, mosques, small gardens scattered throughout the territory. Mount Jebel Hafeet is equipped with viewing platforms, and a winding road leads to its top. Part of the mountain already belongs to Oman.
Water parks
Since Dubai strives to meet all the needs of its guests, such a city could not do without water parks. The most famous of them is Wild Wadi Water Park. Here you can relax calmly and comfortably, order a massage, lie on a sun lounger with a cocktail in your hands. But most people come here for experiences and extreme sports. In a wave pool of impressive size, you can get into a man-made storm and fight with a controlled element. Slides are also fraught with indescribable sensations. First of all, this applies to "Jumeirah Sceirah": first, the pressure of the water throws the brave souls up, and then descends through the tunnel with incredible speed.
Moroccan Baths
A special relaxation program that includes various beauty treatments. The face and body are treated with both dry and wet steam. A visit to the bathhouse is combined with swimming in the pools. In one of them the water is fresh, in the other it is salty. In addition, there are many additional services: face and hair masks, manicure, pedicure, full body scrub. All this is part of a visit to the Palace of Beauty. The atmosphere and interior decoration will not let you forget that the spa is located in an oriental country. Here traditional methods are combined with modern developments and secrets of the world of cosmetology.
Singing fountains in Dubai
Usually, visiting the show is reserved for the final part of a sightseeing tour of Dubai, although you can also watch it as an independent performance. The show is a composition of water, light and sound. The fountain plays both Arabic melodies and world hits. It is located in the Dubai Mall - the largest shopping center, not only in the east, but throughout the world. The best way to watch the show is from a traditional water taxi. In the same mall there is a large skating rink, and after the show, the city at dusk opens up to tourists in a new light and gives an indescribable feeling.
Fishing in the Persian Gulf
Departure in the company of experienced fishermen on a well-equipped vessel. The event takes about four hours. The catch can be different depending on the weather and bite. Some tourists manage to catch a shark or barracuda. Others are limited to tuna or something similar. Such fishing cannot be called extreme, but adventure is clearly associated with vivid memories and emotions. Such a rest is suitable both for experienced fishermen and for those who have never picked up a fishing rod before. All tackle and bait are provided by the tour organizers.
Big Bus Dubai sightseeing bus
Open-top double-decker buses run on several routes. When buying a ticket, a tourist gets the right to get off and sit at any stop an unlimited number of times while his ticket is valid. The audio guide is available in several languages, including Russian. He talks about the sights that the bus is passing by at the moment. You can choose a route depending on your interests. Some cover iconic buildings and objects, while others are thematic and related to a specific destination (for example, beach).
Private car tour
Sightseeing tour. Not suitable for children. On a private car with a guide, the tourist is offered to leisurely visit the main attractions and take a closer look.Bizarre skyscrapers stretching high into the sky, bulk islands, luxury hotels, respectable districts, mosques, shopping centers, a business center, numerous markets - everything for the traveler to form his own opinion about Dubai. You will not do without a visit to places where all visitors like to take photos. During the trip, the guide will tell you the history of the city and its cultural features.
Dubai from above
The easiest way to see the city from a bird's eye view is to buy a ticket to the observation deck of one of the skyscrapers. However, in this case, the panorama will be static. There are also more extreme types of excursions. For example, you can rent a helicopter with or without a guide telling about the sights. Some people prefer to fly in a hot air balloon over the desert, and there are plenty of such offers from operators. Also on the coast, seaplanes are rented together with the pilot. They board the water at the end of the journey, which adds positive emotions to the passengers.
