“Places to Visit in Dubai” goes far beyond the shopping malls that are always the first recommendation—malls in Dubai we’ve already covered in previous articles.
When you finish shopping for all those things you planned to buy – and those you didn’t – and when the glittering stores, flashing ads, and sleek marble interiors start to make you blink more than usual, take a deep breath of that air-conditioned air. Arm yourself with patience and step outside to truly experience Dubai!
While Emiratis might not agree, as official city tours often emphasize visiting shopping malls and showcasing “the biggest,” “the tallest,” and “the most luxurious” buildings, there’s so much more to see.
Places to Visit in Dubai
A Thing or Two About the City
The United Arab Emirates is a young nation, barely over 40 years old, and everything here is relatively new – at least from a European perspective.
Just a few decades ago, where the city now stands, there was little more than endless sand dunes. The people here led a vastly different life, mainly fishing and pearl trading before the oil boom and the subsequent surge in wealth.
Dubai, as a settlement, began to flourish in the 19th century when the Baniyas tribe relocated from Abu Dhabi. Today, their descendants still rule the city. Some of that old-world tradition remains, though it is often overshadowed by Dubai’s towering modernity. But let’s go back to places to visit in Dubai.
Shell-Shaped Metro Station
The city boasts excellent public transportation, with numerous bus lines, a modern metro system, and affordable taxis. Even if you’re traveling from one end of the city to the other, a taxi ride will cost no more than 80 dirhams (around 15 euros), while a metro ticket is just over 1.5 euros.
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Taxis are everywhere, and you can even choose between the “pink” ones, driven exclusively by women for women, or the standard “white” cars. Metro tickets are easily available at every station.
Dubai’s metro, with two lines that cover almost the entire city, including the airport, is a convenient way to get around. However, if you’re planning to visit the beach, you’ll still need a taxi from the nearest metro stop – walking even 15 minutes in the August heat is a challenge.
Interestingly, the metro opened on September 9, 2009, at precisely 9:09. Its design pays homage to Dubai’s pearl trading heritage, with seashell-shaped stations decorated with symbols representing the four elements: water, air, earth, and fire. Each station alternates between these motifs, adding a unique cultural touch to your journey.
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Burj al Arab Dubai Facts
However, if it’s your first time here and you’d like to save time, and every guidebook pompously lists a myriad of “places to visit in Dubai,” leaving you unsure of where to start, my recommendation is to hop on the so-called open-top bus for a city tour. (Click on this link to see the details.)
During the winter, you can enjoy the open-air terrace on the roof of the bus, taking photos of the landmarks as you go. The bus will take you through the entire city along two routes. The round trips last just over four to five hours of continuous driving, but you can always hop off at any of the stops to explore what interests you, then wait for the next bus to continue your journey in about half an hour.
A one-day bus ticket costs around 50 euros and includes headphones, allowing you to choose from one of ten audio guide languages, as well as unlimited bottles of water and entrance tickets to certain attractions. If you opt for the 48-hour tour, it will be about 10 euros more. On the first day, you can simply stay on the bus, listen to the tourist commentary, and learn about Dubai’s traditions and culture. Then, on the second day, you can decide which stops you want to hop off at.
The bus takes you past the iconic hotel that has become Dubai’s symbol – the Burj Al Arab, which was one of the most luxurious hotels in the world at the time it was built. With its seven stars, it offers helicopter transfers for guests arriving at the airport, and it boasts a restaurant with walls that are essentially an aquarium, and so on, and so forth.
Singing Fountain
You’ll also pass the World Trade Center, Dubai’s first skyscraper, built in 1979 and inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth herself. As the recorded guide notes, “Back then, everyone was surprised to see this skyscraper in the middle of nowhere. But soon after, countless buildings began to spring up around it.”
Tour guides, often from the Philippines or other parts of Asia, will recommend the night tour, featuring light shows in front of the Wafi Mall or the famous Dubai Fountain near the Dubai Mall. The fountain, which shoots water streams 20 meters high, “dances” to music and is illuminated several times each evening, drawing crowds of fascinated tourists.
Dubai Highest Building
When the bus leaves Dubai Mall and heads toward Deira Dubai city center, prepare to crane your neck to see the city’s most famous landmark: Burj Khalifa.
Standing next to the mall is the Burj Khalifa, the highest building in the world, soaring over 828 meters into the sky. Completed in 2010, it houses the world’s highest restaurant on the 122nd floor and offers visitors a chance to experience unparalleled views from the Observation Deck on the 124th floor. For 20 euros, you can take a high-speed elevator up to the deck, where you’ll be treated to a 360-degree panoramic view of the city. The tower also features a luxury Armani Hotel, designed by the renowned fashion icon.
Trying to capture Burj Khalifa in a single photograph is nearly impossible – better to wait until the bus has moved a bit farther away for the perfect shot.
If you’d prefer to explore this part of the city and discover places to visit in Dubai with engaging guides and tours, it’s always a good idea to click on one of the excursions above. This is a fantastic opportunity to peek into areas you might not even know you could visit, whether it’s an observation deck at the Burj Khalifa or a stroll through the sand dunes.
You also have the option to explore all of this on your own with audio guides that will provide you with more information and potentially tickets to the observation deck. Click on this link to see what options you might choose. It’s not expensive, and you’ll be the master of your own time.
As the tour continues with your hop on – hop off bus, you’ll pass the Emirates Towers, designed to resemble the Chrysler Building in New York, and the Mall of the Emirates, whose design was inspired by London’s most famous shopping destinations. You’ll also spot the Wafi Mall, with its striking sphinx statues that wouldn’t look out of place in Las Vegas.
And then it hits you: Dubai, like Las Vegas, has transformed what was once just another desert into a dazzling metropolis.
Next: ARABIC SWEETS, LOST IN TRANSLATION
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