How to Enjoy Your First Trip to Dubai – An Enthralling City of Diverse Attractions

Dubai is a splendid destination for visitors as you will find an array of interesting sights and things to do here. It boasts the tallest building in the world, the largest mall and even the biggest indoor ski slope on the globe! When it comes to dining options, you will encounter restaurants representing virtually every country in the world here. You will also find appealing beaches, vast deserts, interesting backstreets to stroll through and more.

Diego Delso creator QS:P170,Q28147777, Madinat Jumeirah-Dubai3303, CC BY-SA 4.0

Experience the essential sights

There will be many engrossing sightseeing attractions in Dubai that will capture the interest of almost every visitor. Take the opportunity to visit the Burj Khalifa which has the distinction of being the tallest building in the world and experience the stunning views from its observation deck. Other nearby sites of interest would include the vast Dubai Mall, the largest mall on the planet and the captivating Dubai Fountain.

You could also visit the striking Madinat Jumeirah which happens to be a lavish modern complex drawing inspiration from traditional Middle Eastern cities of long ago. For a typical Dubai experience, head over to Dubai Creek and take a ride on a traditional boat called a "dhow" plying the waters. Another interesting experience would be the souqs – traditional marketplaces – where you can bargain for garments, gold and spices.

Savour the dining options

You will find that Dubai features a remarkable selection of appealing dining options, ranging from classy fine dining restaurants to modest stalls offering shawarmas (a popular wrap containing meat). If you seek high-end dining, you could make your way to City Walk or Dubai International Financial Centre where you will find a selection of upscale restaurants; on the other hand, for dining on a budget, the place to go would be Deira. Meanwhile, for mid-range dining, you could visit The Walk at JBR and The Beach at JBR; an accommodation choice to consider from which to easily visit such dining hotspots and engage in other top things to do in Dubai would be the appealingly located Avani Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites.

As you might expect, you will find plenty of establishments serving enticing Middle Eastern dishes in Dubai. Try out the succulent kebabs served up at Deira's Aroos Damascus, the stylish Zaroob chain's Lebanese-style street food and Al Fanar's genuine Emirati foods. Also, make sure to check out the array of Pakistani and Indian restaurants and for a rather different dining experience, try out the Friday brunches at establishments like Bread Street Kitchen.

Get about the city

You will find several good ways to get about in Dubai. The city's metro system happens to be excellent and inexpensive, connecting the airport to numerous key locations within the city. To use the metro, you must purchase a prepaid Nol smartcard; this will enable you to use, in addition to the metro, the bus and tram network.

Another option would be travelling by taxis, which are plentiful, metered and affordably priced. You will find taxi stands at hotels and malls, whilst you can also flag down one on the street.

Alternatively, you may also use Uber or the locally available ride-hailing app Careem. You may obtain a ride employing the relevant app and fares will be calculated according to factors like the distance, the demand and wait time. You may also hire a bicycle to travel relatively shorter distances around the city.

Be savvy as you experience the city

There are several travel tips for those visiting Dubai for the first time. First, take the opportunity to avail yourself of a free of charge SIM card at the airport. This will enable you to use websites and maps on your travels. Should you wish to purchase your own card, you may do so at the airport as well as at many of the malls.

Keep in mind, for visiting the Burj Khalifa you will be able to book tickets online and thereby gain significant savings on the price.

Culture lovers may take the opportunity to sign on to have a cultural repast at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre of Cultural Understanding. Here, you will be able to enjoy an Emirati banquet and then join a candid discussion regarding the local religion and culture.

Also remember there are free of charge public beaches like JBR Beach and Kite Beach where you will find facilities like showers, sun loungers and cafes.