Once upon a time, it was a region that lived almost exclusively from the pearl trade, fishing and weaving, and its inhabitants lived in huts or later in mud houses. Around the 1960s, oil was discovered and a few decades later the entire region, and especially the Emirate of Dubai, was transformed into a modern economy. In the mid-1990s, however, people realized that oil would eventually run out and that it was not sustainable to depend solely on it. Thus, by creating a series of world-class financial services, tourism and commercial activities, they managed to create a modern state with one of the largest GDPs in the world.
Based on the economic prosperity that prevailed, a city was created that is an attraction for everyone. In a recent survey by Lonely Planet, Dubai is in the top 4 preferences of travelers in the world! But what is it that creates this global reputation for Dubai? What makes people want to visit it so much?
These were some of the questions we had before visiting the Emirates. However, because everything so refined that is offered in an elaborate wrapping also creates a climate of skepticism, we weren't so sure whether all that glitters is actually gold...
But Dubai exceeded all our expectations! Modern infrastructure, cleanliness everywhere, modern urban regeneration, beautiful beaches, quality of life, activities for everyone, the desert breeze and endless skyscrapers. Whatever they have called it, Las Vegas of the East or the Disneyland of the Arabian Peninsula, Dubai is in a class of its own. Unless you see it up close, you can't understand what we mean. No matter what type of traveler you are, you're sure to find something here that will interest and fascinate you!
So, after you read in the previous article Here are some tips to help you organize your trip there, let's see the main attractions and what's worth doing when you visit the UAE.
Dubai
Dubai offers visitors the perfect combination of a cosmopolitan city with traditional aspects of local culture. There is a sense of positive energy everywhere you go and the people, whether locals or economic migrants, are kind and always willing to help. Here you will find:
Burj Khalifa
The tallest building in the world at 828 meters (almost 1 km!) is an impressive piece of architecture and an incomparable feat of engineering. A visit to it is a must and the entrance to the building is from the Dubai Mall. Its elevators are the fastest in the world and travel at a speed of 10 m/sec, that is 36 km/h! The most economical package to enjoy the view from above is the one that takes you up to the 125th floor.the floor, that is, at 456 meters.
The architects were inspired to design the building by the Hymenocallis or Spider Lily, a local plant that is found even in desert areas. The view from above is unique. You are truly stunned! The people are not even visible. Maybe like grains of sand… The temperature difference between the ground and the top floor is 6 degrees Celsius! Because the queues are long, book your tickets online.
Dubai Mall
Can a shopping mall be a tourist attraction? In Dubai, the answer is yes! The Dubai Mall ranks as the world's second-largest shopping center, housing approximately 1,300 stores. Within its vast corridors stands a 155-million-year-old dinosaur skeleton, featuring 80% authentic bones preserved from the original excavation.
It is also impressive that aquarium (one of the largest in the world) which houses over 33,000 species of marine life and around 300 sharks and rays. If you don't want to pay the somewhat expensive ticket, you can simply "look around" a part of its gigantic tank for free. If you absolutely want to see the inside, the combined ticket with the Burj Khalifa.
In the heart of Dubai Mall the Ice Rink it stands as one of the mall’s most impressive engineering feats, featuring an Olympic-sized rink that serves as a major attraction for athletes and visitors year-round.
Η Chinatown in Dubai Mall is an unexpected cultural stop within the mall, transporting you straight to the city’s Asian side. With vibrant colors, Chinese symbols, neon lighting, and authentic street food flavors, the space blends dining, shopping, and atmosphere into a setting that stands out from typical mall vibes. It is a spot where you can take a mini-trip to Asia without ever leaving the heart of Dubai.
You won't leave the Mall without seeing the human waterfall extending to a height of 4of floors and attracts the eyes of passers-by. The waterfall symbolizes pearl diving, one of the main sources of survival for the Emirates before the discovery of oil, as well as the precious importance of water in the UAE.
Dubai Fountain
This is the largest choreographed fountain in the world, created by the same company that built the famous fountain in front of the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Έχει μέγεθος όσο 2 γήπεδα ποδοσφαίρου και το μόνο σίγουρο είναι ότι το να δεις μια μόνο παράσταση δε φτάνει. Τα show ξεκινάνε κάθε απόγευμα στις 6:00 και συνεχίζονται μέχρι της 11:00 για περίπου πέντε λεπτά κάθε μισή ώρα.
Avenue Sheikh Zayed
It is perhaps the main artery of the city where some of the tallest and “state of art” buildings in the world are gathered! Certainly some of them may be considered excessive in terms of design, but even so they are particularly impressive and constitute construction achievements. There you will admire, among other things, buildings such as the Museum of the Future with engraved Arabic calligraphy quotes, the Genoa Hotel (2the highest hotel in the world), Rose Rayhaan hotel (5the higher) and both identical Emirates towers (8th highest)).
Don't forget to have your drink at a rooftop bar like Level 43 Sky Lounge at the Four Points by Sheraton hotel or CE LA VI at the Address Sky View Hotel (you will need a reservation here).
Palm Jumeirah
The famous artificial island in the shape of a palm tree is another huge construction achievement of Dubai. It hosts about 4500 residences and 30 luxury hotels and resorts and is visible even from space! At its top is the hotel Atlantis the Palm, with the largest thematic water park in the world and a number of other attractions such as an aquarium, golf courses, restaurants, shops. Atlantis, both inside and out, is influenced by Moorish architecture, while an almost identical hotel exists in the Bahamas! To visit it, you must have booked one of the activities while if you just want to see it from a distance, the best view will be found at the shopping center The PointIf you want to admire the artificial island from above, you can go up to its observatory for a fee. The View at the Palm at 240m. while for an even more special experience you can enjoy the view by diving at the highest pool of the world!
Miracle Garden Park
50 million flowers in the desert is possible? In Dubai, anything is possible! Every year from mid-November to mid-May, a 72,000 sq m area comes alive with aromas and colors. Seeing the garden in full bloom with flowers arranged in colorful arches and patterns is truly a wonderful experience. The flowers are irrigated with water that comes from the city's waste treatment through biological purification. You will undoubtedly feel like Alice in Wonderland here!
The Walk
A beautiful 1.7-kilometer-long, palm-lined beach promenade dominates the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) area. It is one of Dubai's outdoor tourist attractions, with activities such as street painting, recycled art exhibitions, comedy shows, sand sculptures, photography exhibitions and stalls selling fashion accessories and handicrafts. You will find people drinking their coffee, enjoying their walk, jogging, cycling or skateboarding. The beach is suitable for sunbathing, diving and water sports. You will also find the largest wheel in the world located just across the beach, in the Bluewaters shopping center.
Dubai Marina
Dubai Marina is the largest man-made marina in the world, with around 200 skyscrapers surrounding it. It is an area with an incomparable cosmopolitan atmosphere, full of luxury yachts, glass giants that want to reach as high as possible, artificial canals and luxurious hotels and residences. The best way to get around it is by renting an ebike or an electric scooter from the many that you will find for rent. Foodies will find flavors from all over the world as well as modern bars for their drinks at the multi-story Pier 7, which has perhaps the best view of the marina. Tip: The area is most impressive to visit at night, with the thousands of lights from the skyscrapers giving a special color to the atmosphere!
Souk Medina Jumeirah
Inspired by an ancient Arabian fort, this complex is a tribute to Dubai’s Arabian heritage. This is how the area would have looked if you had visited it a few centuries ago. You can take a ride on traditional abra boats through the numerous canals and get lost in the beautiful Arabian-style market.
The market (Souk) is the liveliest part of Madinat Jumeirah. You can find products from all over the Middle East as well as souvenirs. It is a sensual oriental bazaar that, through its vast labyrinths, excites the imagination and takes you on a journey back in time.
Burj Al Arab
The “Tower of the Arabs” is the only 7-star hotel in the world (although this is often disputed). At 321 m tall, it comes in fourth place among the tallest hotels in the world, with its famous sail shape being a reference point for the Emirate since 1999, when its construction was completed. One can visit it if they book a guided tour or dine at one of its restaurants. Not our kind of thing ;-). Tip: The only way to see the hotel from a distance is from its entrance or from Souk Madinat Jumeirah. The view of the building from Jumeirah Beach is now blocked by the construction of a hotel.
Alserkal Avenue
The former industrial area that housed car repair shops in downtown Dubai, after a period of abandonment and decline, has been transformed into the most hipster neighborhood in the emirate! Around 40 warehouses have been converted into galleries, temporary exhibition spaces, cinemas, cool cafes and restaurants. The neighborhood has cultivated a culture of creativity and is now one of Dubai’s leading art hubs. After walking around the district and entering as many “warehouses” as you can, have your coffee at the excellent Nightjar or Warehouse 18 and try healthy snacks at Wild &The Moon.
The Wednesday beach
As the city of Dubai is built on the Persian Gulf, you will come across several beaches. Not all of them are suitable for swimming as most are exposed to the winds. That is why you should prefer the coves (natural or artificial) to enjoy your swim. However, the most beautiful beach, in our opinion, is undoubtedly La Mer! We cannot describe exactly why… The palm trees on the sand, the elegant industrial buildings of the shopping center, the amazing colors at sunset and the skyscrapers on the horizon… this area really won us over! If you visit Dubai, definitely take at least a simple walk there!
Global Village
It is a true global village! It combines cultures from 90 countries around the world in one place. Its organizers claim that it is the largest tourist, entertainment, shopping and leisure center in the world. It may seem a bit touristy, but what you will be left with after a visit there are the smells, colors and music of the world. It receives over 5 million visitors every year and the best time to visit is when it gets dark. Entry 3.5 euros (open 4 – 11 pm)
Dubai Frame
It holds the record for the largest picture frame in the world. It is positioned in such a way that on one side the landmarks of modern Dubai can be seen, while on the other side visitors can see the older parts of the city. It acts as an imaginary bridge that connects the emirate's rich past with its present. After the view from the Burj Khalifa, we thought it would be pointless to go up here too. If you want to go, however, you can find tickets here.
Dubai Museum
The Dubai Museum is perhaps the oldest building in the Emirate. Built in 1787, it served as a palace, a fort, and a prison. Now it houses archaeological finds, elements of the traditional life of the residents, and a multimedia presentation that documents the city's development over the past decades. Admission is 1 euro.
Al Fahidi historical district
Dubai has a history too, and you'll find it in the historic Al Fahidi or Bastakiya Quarter. This labyrinthine neighborhood brings Dubai's past to life. Houses built of straw, clay and wood, with tall towers (Barjeel) that provided natural air conditioning and ornately decorated inner courtyards. Here, time seems to have stopped in the early 19th century.th century when the area, due to the brackish river, became a hub for the trade of textiles, silk, pearls and spices.
You will pass by the Textile Souk (fabric market) for souvenirs, the coffee museum, the Instagram Arabian Tea house and Sheikh Mohammed Cultural Center, where you can learn about the food and customs of the East.
Dubai Creek
Both of these areas border the Dubai Creek, a 14km long saltwater canal that separates Deira from Bur Dubai. If you want to cross it, you can board a traditional boat (abra) for just one dirham (0.25 euros) and experience the mode of transport of the past.
Expo 2020
The World Expo series has been running since 1851, when the first event was held in London. It is a global gathering of nations dedicated to finding solutions to the most pressing issues of our time, with visitors experiencing a range of exciting and interactive activities.
Η Expo 2020 Dubai is the first to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, and an estimated 25 million visitors will visit it during its six-month run. More than 190 countries participated in Expo 2020 with their own pavilion in a global exchange of culture and innovation.
After the conclusion of the Exhibition, in the spring of 2021, the space was preserved, a new shopping mall, cinema, restaurants, playgrounds were created, in a huge space that highlights Dubai's commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Abu Dhabi
A trip to the United Arab Emirates cannot be considered complete without a visit to the country's capital. From the first moment, what one notices is that Abu Dhabi is traditional and quieter, while things move more slowly there, compared to Dubai (with the exception of the days when the Formula 1 Grand Prix is taking place). Ideally, it is worth staying at least one night. However, even a day trip from Dubai can be enough to see the main attractions. In Abu Dhabi, you will see:
Louvre
The iconic "Louvre Abu Dhabi" is the first global museum in the Arab world, acting as a link between East and West. It hosts works of historical, cultural and sociological importance, from antiquity to the modern era, from the Louvre in Paris, the Musée d'Orsay and the Georges Pompidou Center in the form of rental. You will find from ancient Greek and Egyptian statues, to paintings by Kandinsky, Monet and Van Gogh.
The building was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning French architect Jean Nouvel, with the most impressive element being its imposing dome. It consists of 7,850 “stars” of various sizes, creating a “rain of light” as it is called and protecting the buildings from the hot desert sun. Its weight??? Approximately 7,500 tons! Verdict: The Louvre impressed us both inside and out!
Extra info: By 2005, the new Guggenheim Museum is expected to open nearby, which will establish Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island as the "museum island"!
Cornice beach
This beautiful beach not only has turquoise waters and soft, white sand, but also has a stylish seaside promenade with manicured flower beds and benches overlooking the Persian Gulf. Here you can take your walks, swim, find cafes, restaurants and beach bars (a few with relaxing music, of course).
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Clad in white marble from Greece and Italy, the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is Abu Dhabi's landmark building and by far the city's most popular attraction. A true masterpiece that you should not miss!
The mosque, which balances modern and traditional, combines different Islamic architectural schools, such as Indo-Islamic, Mongolian, Andalusian, Moorish, etc. During construction, glasswork, mosaic tiles and intricate carvings were used to impressive results both inside and outside. It opened its gates in 2007 after almost 20 years of construction and can accommodate over 50,000 worshippers. The mosque holds the Guinness World Record for the largest handmade carpet and also boasts one of the largest Swarovski chandeliers in the world.
Tip: Entrance is free, men must wear long trousers and women must cover all parts of their body, including their hair. In case you haven't planned for such clothing, there are shops before the entrance to the mosque (which is underground!) where you can buy the necessary things. The best time to visit is at sunset so that you can see it illuminated at night.
What we didn't do in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
When traveling with a child, there are inevitably some mutual concessions that you will have to make so that both young and old have a good time. In Dubai, So, we didn't do a jeep safari in the desert as it is not recommended for young children due to the many turbulences in the 4X4. We also didn't visit the Atlantis Aquaventure water park, as most of the activities are for older children and we also didn't go to the Spice Souq in Deira (we had already seen enough Souqs). We didn't have time to go to the mountains of the emirate (yes, there are those too), to Hatta and Fossil rock, which from the photos we saw the landscape looks like a lunar landscape! In Abu Dhabi We would like to kayak in the Mangrove National Park and visit Qasr AlWatan (Royal Palace of the Nation) as well as the Heritage Village. But as always we like to say “Let’s leave something for next time”!
Closing
In this article, we won't give you any food tips or read about recommended restaurants and bars. In a city like this where you can find cuisines from all over the world and the food options are endless, we think that's pointless.
What we would like to emphasize, however, is how much a trip to the United Arab Emirates is worth! It is a destination for everyone, solo travelers, couples, groups and families. The region will fascinate you, it will enchant you, it will change your opinion that you may have mistakenly held. In the end, you will say: "But Why "Didn't I come earlier?"
