Dubai Downtown
It is the smallest district in the city. It is better to get here by metro: in a taxi and bus, you will get into a big traffic jam.
The Burj Khalifa skyscraper is the tallest building in the world. Its height is 828 m.
The tower has two observation decks: AT THE TOP and AT THE TOP SKY.
AT THE TOP is located on 124 (open part) and 125 floors (closed part), at an altitude of 452 meters.
Interactive binoculars are installed on the covered deck. They display brief information about interesting objects in the city.
If you want, look like through binoculars, if you want, switch to the day or night picture, and if you want, switch to the “historical” view (literally a window into the past).
Tickets for the AT THE TOP can be bought on the official website and at the ticket office at the entrance, but it is better to choose the first option. Firstly, tickets are often not available at the ticket offices. And secondly, when buying on the spot price is almost twice as high.
So, on the day of your visit, you’ll pay the entrance fee of 315 AED.
When booking on the website, the price of an adult ticket is 141 AED, for children – 106 AED. From 15.00 to 18.30 – 216 and 176 AED respectively.
AT THE TOP SKY observation deck is located on the 148th floor (555 meters) and can only be accessed through advance booking.
The deck is a lounge with soft sofas and armchairs. Visitors are welcomed by waiters with free drinks and desserts.
Greg Goodman adventuresofagoodmantells about the unusual scent inside the skyscraper:
The common areas of Burj Khalifa all have a bespoke fragrance that was selected from among 18 aromas. The fragrance with the materials in each space for a subtly different experience.
The price is the same for both adults and children – 525 AED. From 19.00 until closing – 370 AED.
The Burj Khalifa is open for visitors from 8.30 to 22.00.
The Dubai Fountain Show
The legendary performance takes place daily at the foot of the Burj Khalifa in the artificial Burj Khalifa Lake.
Take a look at these facts to realize the scale of the show:
- The length of the fountain complex is 275 m, and the width is 100 m.
- The maximum height of the jet is 152 m.
- At the same time, up to 100 tons of water rises into the air.
- More than 6000 spotlights are used for lighting.
- The construction of the lake and fountain cost the Emirate $217 billion.
You can enjoy the performance for free.
The show takes place:
in the afternoon – at 13.00 and 13.30, on Fridays – at 13.30 and 14.00;
in the evening – from 18.00 to 22.00, from Thursday to Saturday – until 23.00.
Jumeirah
This is an elite neighborhood. Prices for accommodation and meals are the highest here.
Burj Al Arab
This is the most expensive hotel in the Emirate. Owners call it a seven-star hotel, and a night in the cheapest room will cost 8000 AED. In the interior of the Burj al-Arab, about 8000 m2 of 22-carat gold leaf was used.
You can take an excursion to the hotel for 175 dollars. There are also many restaurants in Burj Al Arab. If you book a table in them, the security will check the list and you will be allowed to enter the hotel lobby.
Click here for a virtual tour of the Burj al-Arab.
Wild Wadi Waterpark
It is located just 400 meters from the Burj al-Arab. The water park has 30 slides up to 33 meters high. Some slides are so steep that the speed of descent reaches 80 km / h. The rides are decorated in the style of the well-known tale of Sinbad the Sailor.
All attractions are divided into adults and children. Only those whose height is more than 1.1 m are allowed on adults’ ride.
At the entrance, visitors are given a special waterproof card. With it you can pay for food, souvenirs, and individual attractions.
The most popular ride is Wipeout and Riptide. Visitors are invited to ride on the wave, using a small board of plastic and foam. The total time you can stay on the ride is 2 minutes. This is incredibly difficult to do. The absolute majority of experimenters wash off to the exit in 15 seconds. Learn to cope with it – and water surfing in the ocean for you from now on will not be a problem.
The water park is open daily from 10.00 to 19.00, in November – until 17.30, in December – 17.00.
The price depends on where to buy the ticket:
on the official website for those below 1.1 m, the ticket will cost 231 AED, the rest – 283 AED;
at the entrance – 283 AED and 336 AED, respectively.
Children under 2 years old can enter the water park for free, but only upon presentation of the documents.
Jumeirah Mosque
This is the only mosque in Dubai where non-Muslims are allowed.
Excursions for followers of other religions began after the events of September 11, 2001, to tell tourists about the true Islam and its values.
Mhumbert2018, a tripadvisor website, recommends visiting the place for everyone who is keen on what to see in Dubai:
If you have never been to a mosque, going to the Jumeirah Mosque will provide you with a good introduction to Islam and it’s culture. A well-informed tour guide will be able to give you a good overview and answer any questions you might have. The mosque is beautiful inside and out and definitely worth your time when visiting Dubai!!
Visitors are served pancakes, national desserts, dates, as well as tea and coffee.
The price of the tour is 10 AED, for children under 12 years old entrance is free.
The beginning of the excursion is at 10:00 a.m. daily, Friday is the day off.
Address: Jumeirah Beach Road, 1.
Bur Dubai
This is a historic area on the banks of Dubai Creek. It’s better to get there by subway, otherwise you risk getting caught in multi-kilometer traffic jams.
Al Fahidi Fort
Al-Fahidi Fort is the oldest building in Dubai. In 1787, Sheikh Maktoum bin Booti moved here from Abu Dhabi and declared Dubai an independent emirate. For many years the fortress was the residence of the ruling dynasty, and in 1971 became a museum.
Museum exhibits demonstrate the traditional lifestyle that residents of Dubai led before the start of oil production. On the territory of the fort the narrow shopping streets filled with sellers and buyers, handicraft quarters, typical houses of ordinary people are recreated.
The point is that the history of the city is depicted here with the help of wax figures of the locals, they do their own business, and the visitors of the museum walk along the streets and look around. The effect of presence is enhanced by sound and light effects.
Also in the halls of the fort there is a huge collection of archaeological artifacts: weapons, jewelry, household items.
Adult ticket costs 3 AED, child ticket – 1 AED.
The museum is open from 8.30 to 20.30, on Friday – from 14.30.
Address: Al Fahidi St, Al Fahidi Fort.
Bastakia District
Bastakia is a real Arab medina on the coast of the Gulf of Dubai. Most of the buildings are houses of wealthy Persian merchants, who lived here in the early 20th century.
Nowadays Bastakia is an open-air historical museum, free of charge. All the houses and sidewalks have been restored and many buildings have cafes in the classic Arabic style.
The typical house is made in the form of a quadrangle with a patio in the middle. The rooms inside the building communicate with each other in a circle. This is necessary for air circulation, which is vital in these hot places. All houses are equipped with wind towers to enhance the ventilation effect. These very towers, being an element of architecture, create a unique appearance of the neighborhood.
There are relatively few tourists in Bastakiya, but it is better to come here in the evening: the sidewalks are equipped with lighting, which makes the neighborhood even more magical.
Beaches
Almost all of Dubai’s coastline is one big beach. Most experienced travellers choose Jumeirah Beach Residence, Al Soufouh and Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Club. And there are good reasons for that.
1. Jumeirah Beach is located along The Walk in Dubai Marina. The entrance is free of charge.
Cyndy C, a tripadvisor user, recommends visiting the place:
One can spend the entire day here. Love the beach with accessible showers. There’s an outdoor area with little shops (clothing, sandals, souvenirs). Food Truck was here too. Dancers & drummers were performing. A merry-go-round and games on one side of restaurants. Quite busy in the late afternoon and evening. Shopping and restaurants with outdoor seating. We enjoyed an early dinner at Cheesecake Factory and walked on the beach, as the camels were passing us.
There’s a lot of people here.
You will have to pay for the amenities: 2 sunbeds with an umbrella and towels will cost 200 AED.
2. Al Sufouh is a secluded place with no infrastructure at all. Entrance is also free of charge. Choose this beach if you want peace and cleanliness. However, it is better to take everything you need with you.
The most interesting thing is that with Al Sufouh Beach you can see the famous Burj Al Arab Hotel, against which it is great not only to be lazy, but also to be photographed. Usually all tourists do it from the beach of Jumeirah, where there are lots of people and shots for this reason are not the best.
Al Sufouh has free parking.
3. The Sheraton hotel beach is paid: the entrance fee on weekdays is 140 AED for an adult and 90 AED for a child. On weekends – 220 AED and 120 AED, respectively. Opening hours: 07.00 – 22.00.
The beach has white sand and clear water, sun loungers and umbrellas, but for Dubai it is a common thing. The main feature of Sheraton is the natural shade of 200 palms growing on the shore. In the 40-degree heat you’ll be happy to pay for such a pleasure.
The beach is suitable for recreation with young children, as the sea here is very calm.
Malls
All major brands are represented in Dubai: from the budget Zara to the luxury Hermes. Buying here is profitable: VAT and import tax are only 5%. This means that the prices of some brands are lower than in many European capitals.
Modern malls with branded departments are being built in the city centre and along the embankments. Shopping centers and shops are easier to find in the streets of Al Faheidi, Al Rigga, Al Karama, Al Diyafa.
Dubai Mall
It is the world’s largest shopping and entertainment centre with an area of 1.2 million square metres. Under its roof there are more than 1200 shops and 160 restaurants of different price categories. It is not just a mall, but a kind of Dubai sights.
In the part of the mall called “Fashion Island” with an area of 44,000 m2, there are more than 70 departments of top world brands: Versace, Tom Ford, Givenchy.
This part of the mall is not crowded, which is no surprise – the prices there are dizzying.
The jewelry sector is also the largest in the world. Gold Souk in Dubai Mall has 220 shops of gold and gemstones.
Tourists from all over the world and locals go here not only to shop: the entertainment facilities of the Dubai Mall are no less impressive than the shops.
Here are TOP 3 places, if you are interested in what to see in Dubai:
1. Dubai Aquarium, where about 33 thousand fish and 140 species of marine animals live.
Visitors of the centre can observe the inhabitants of the aquarium from the outside completely free of charge. But it is still worth getting inside, because one of the features of the aquarium is its transparent acrylic tunnel with a view of 270 °, allowing you to observe life inside the aquarium. The acrylic panel is the largest in the world and can hold the pressure of 10 million liters of water and still remain completely transparent.
Entrance to the aquarium is free. Tunnel walk costs 195 AED. For 220 AED you can go closer to the largest crocodile in the world, and dive to the sharks will cost 630 AED.
2. Olympic-sized ice rink.
Not only mass skating, but also social events are held here. For example, football broadcasts are watched at the rink.
It’s better to visit the rink in the evening. According to the unspoken rule, the cool skaters gather here at this time and make a great performance in the center of a live circle gradually forming around them.
3. Waterfall with pearls hunters.
The waterfall passes through all floors and rises to 24 meters. The figures of the divers refer to the history of Dubai: once the main craft in the Emirate was the extraction of pearls.
Opening hours of Dubai Mall: daily from 10.00 to 00.00.
Address: Financial Center Road, Downtown Dubai.
Outlet Village
This place is good for budget travelers. Here you can buy branded things with discounts of up to 90%. Many famous brands are represented in the shopping center: Hugo Boss, Michael Kors, New Balance. There is no mass market in Outlet Village.
Opening hours: from 10.00 to 22.00, on Thursdays and Fridays – until 00.00.
The shopping center is located on the outskirts of Dubai near the entertainment complex Dubai Parks and Resorts and it is not accessible by public transport.
It is better to take the free bus instead of a taxi. Take a shopping card and discount coupons from the bus (for example, one meal/coffee/dessert). There are several routes from different parts of the city, it is better to come in advance, if there are few people, the bus may arrive 5-7 minutes earlier.
Deira City Center
It will be interesting for travelers who have children. In addition to the affordable H&M, Mango and Zara, there are many specialized children’s clothing stores: Gap Children and Gap Baby, Mothercare and Tommy Hilfiger Kids, River Woods Baby and KIDZ at Iconic.
On the second floor is the Magic Planet, a children’s entertainment area. There are several playgrounds, rooms, trampolines and attractions.
The mall has an inexpensive Carrefour hypermarket.
Opening hours: daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Address: 8th Street, Deira
Conclusion
Do not try to visit all Dubai sights at once. Plan your route carefully so you don’t waste precious time moving from one area to another. And if you are tired of worries and want the city to be shown by licensed guides, you can buy a tour from our partners:
