Introduction

Welcome to a place where nothing is impossible. Welcome to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The United Arab Emirates has developed quite fast in the last 15 years. Specifically, the emirate Dubai, the second largest place after the capital, Abu Dhabi. Dubai is a global city that is known for its modern buildings and old history. The best time to visit Dubai is from November until March to be able to enjoy the places.

Dubai is the city that does not sleep since entertainment is available 24 hours 7 days a week. I have noticed that people outside Dubai, always think that Dubai is expensive and has nothing interesting other than tall and large buildings. However, I have added places that will allow you to gaze at Dubai’s cultural, and modern life. After the trip, you will feel attached to Dubai, because of their hospitality.

Moreover, the guide allows you to see the difference between the old, and new Dubai. Dubai has a lot of spectacular sights but I have taken the most popular sights that tourists must consider visiting. Even if you are staying for a short time, use this guide as it has the main sites that you have to visit.

Here’s a video of Old and New Dubai, so you get an idea of the places that I will take you to.

  1. Hot Air Balloon Ride.

Fly over the dunes with a pilot, and get a chance to see the wildlife in Dubai. Where you can see camels and many other desert animals. It is considered one of the best ways for you to see Dubai. The best time to do this activity is in the early morning as you get to watch the sunrise feel the warm sun rays, and fly with the falcons. However, as you land, you get to have a multinational breakfast. It is considered one of the cheapest balloon rides in Dubai. The ticket per person is 790 Dirhams which is equivalent to 270 Canadian dollars.

  • Visit their website for deals – https://www.hotairballoonuae.com/tours/
  • Watch this video to see the other adventures that can be done. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D78E3hZCs0g&feature=emb_logo

Fly over the desert with a colourful parachute.

  1. Explore the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.

Al Fahidi neighbourhood is a historical place located in the old part of Dubai known as Bur Dubai; it shows how people lived in the 19th century. As you get to see many different houses, where one of the houses used to be the president’s house. You must have a close look at how houses were built, museums, and mosques of that time. There is a calligraphy shop where you can get your name written on pots, cups, and canvases in Arabic; great for souvenirs as you can gift someone something new. You get to take pictures of the things that can amaze you. Additionally, the area offers local dance and music. The entrance is free of charge.

Local dance.

Photo credits- Salem. (2010). Music and dance feature in heritage. UAE. Gulf news. https://gulfnews.com/uae/music-and-dance-feature-in-heritage-1.592716

You can shop for souvenirs.

Photo credits- BITCOFM. (n.d.). Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. https://bitcofm.com/portfolio/al-fahidi-historical-neighbourhood/

AlFahadi Neighbourhood from outside.

Photo credits- Gillet. (2019). Dubai’s Al Fahidi area guide: where to eat, shop and stay in the historic neighbourhood. Nlifestyle. https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/dubai-s-al-fahidi-area-guide-where-to-eat-shop-and-stay-in-the-historic-neighbourhood-1.954370.

 

  1. Al Abra sea ride.

The Abra is translated to “cross”. They are boats made out of wood. It is one of the old transports, located in Bur Dubai. It takes about 5 minutes for the Abra to reach the next place, Deira, the new Dubai. The Abra crosses the water station so, it goes and comes to the same sites. If you do not go into this experience, then you have not visited Dubai. Abra is a symbol of Dubai’s heritage that did not change since not only tourists can go, but Dubai residents also use it to transport between places as it is fast and cheap. The ride’s price is 1 Dirham which is equivalent to 0.34 Canadian cents.

The Abra crossing.

Photo credits- DUBAI online. (n.d.). https://www.dubai-online.com/transport/abra/

  1. Gold, Textile, and Spice Souq.

Gold Souq is the most worn jewelry in Dubai. Souq means a shop or a store in Arabic. This is one of the reasons why Dubai has a whole place with various gold stores.  The gold souq is the most prominent place where gold is sold. There is almost about 100 stores, and every store sells different pieces at a variety of prices. You will be able to find different sizes of jewelry from X-large to xx-small. Moreover, there are other metals sold. Metals such as platinum, white gold, and diamonds. Always keep in mind that you have to negotiate for a lower price with sellers.

Then visit the spice Souq where you can find all spices, herbs, and nuts that you cannot find in your country. You get different aromas from the spices to the coffee, and even the saffron. The way the stores are displaying their products gives you a sense of heritage. Spices are sold, depending on the weight. You will discover the world’s taste in this place, where it is a feast to the eyes and mouth. Textile stores do not only have traditional clothes, but also traditional clay pots. Consider buying your souvenirs from this area, since it’s affordable.

Gold Souq

Photo credits- Dubai’s historic gold souk shines again after lockdown. (n.d.). https://www.gulftoday.ae/lifestyle/2020/05/16/dubais-historic-gold-souk-shines-again-after-lockdown

Colourful spices in Spice Souk.

Photo credits- 6 Souks in Dubai That Everyone Needs To Visit. iNSYDO. (2018). https://www.insydo.com/adventure/souks-in-dubai/

Food in old Dubai.

If you are a person who always wants to taste traditional food, then consider eating food in the spice and textual souq as they do it traditionally as if you are in the olden days. The women are wearing traditional clothes. Some foods you must try are the following:

  • Luqumat

They are similar to Timmie’s but they have some Arabian taste because they have Arabic spices.

  • Riqaq bread

They are the UAE’s crepe, but crisper than the normal ones and you can keep any filling inside it.

Photo credits- Wood. (2013). Traditions of taste. https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/traditions-of-taste-1.291517

Luqumat.

Photo credits- Maryam Soroor.

Riqaq and milk tea.

Photo credits- Maryam Soroor.

From old to new

  1. The Dubai Mall.

Take a food break in the world’s largest luxury shopping mall the Dubai Mall.

Dubai mall has many food choices, cafes, and shopping stores. It has a global cuisine for instance, American, Italian, Lebanese, and many more cuisines. Additionally, the price can range from being the cheapest to the most expensive restaurant. You can go shopping it has more than 1,000 stores and whatever brand you need you will be able to find. Moreover, you get to see the aquarium and penguins with a closer look. Eating or even having a coffee break in Dubai mall with the significant view is the Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower and lets you enjoy the fountain show, the fountain show is free, you can ice skate in one of the world’s largest ice rinks.

Burj Khalifa.

Inside the Dubai Mall

The Dubai Mall from outside.

Photo credits- Maryam Soroor.

 

  1. Burj al Arab

Visit the seven-star hotel, where the building’s architecture resembles the Abra or the wooden boats. The Burj al Arab is located on an island that is approximately 11 minutes away from the beach. Although it is expensive, you get to live a unique and elegant experience. You can do a plethora of activities, which range from being healthy to consuming food. There is a swimming pool, visit the SPA center to relax, Gym where there is a Jacuzzi or even have a unique afternoon tea. To feel on top of the mountains, you can try to eat there as all restaurants give you the experience to taste luxury.

Moreover, you get to have a magical view of whatever you plan to do. That’s not all; you have to see the restaurant under the water where you get to see all the fish kingdom, where you will go by a private submarine. Sometimes live concerts happen, but due to the pandemic, this no longer is happening. You must reserve for an activity before going as security will stop you if you do not have anything to do here.

Burj Alarab.

Photo credit- Maryam Soroor.

 

  1. Dubai Parks & Resorts.

Are you an adventurous person? Then consider visiting Dubai parks and resorts. The place is suitable for all family members. It is located in new Dubai. It has four themes:

  • River Land.
  • Lego World.
  • Bollywood.
  • Motion Gates.

The motion gates are a theme park, inspired by Hollywood cartoon movies; for instance, the Ghostbusters ride, underworld 4D, and many more themes.

Next, is the Bollywood park, inspired by Bollywood movies since the United Arab Emirates has multi-cultures, where most residing people are from Bollywood. There is romance, dances, dramas, and all different emotions but offered by Bollywood. So, you get to have an experience of Bollywood and Dubai.

Lego world is suitable for all family members, where there is a water park, and you can customize your Lego. Lastly, Riverland is free of charge, since it is at the entrance. Riverland has themes from different places around the world. One of the themes is the French village where you see the architecture of the houses in France. Moreover, there is a variety of cuisines. 275 for all gates equivalent to 94 Canadian dollars.

Bollywood gate shows.

Photo credits- Dubai Media office. (2019). https://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/celebrate-a-spectacular-diwali-at-bollywood-parks-dubai-2019-10-23-1.690330

Motion Gates.

Photo Credits- http://al-magazine.net/index.php/culture-entertainment/entertainment-and-shopping/1499-احتفلي-مع-السنافر-بعيد-ميلادهم-الستين-في-موشنجيت-دبي

 

  1. La Perle.

The first theatre in Dubai, located in new Dubai, Al Habtoor City. The theatre was the Dream of “Franco Dragon” since he believes that Dubai is capable of doing anything. The theatre is modern and it is distinguished by talented artists and the advanced water platform. The performers get to dive into the water from 25 meters and fly over the stage, where it gives the audience a different visual and sensory experience. You get to see how fast the water dries. It was inspired by Las Vegas’s theaters. Your eyes will open wide when they see such performance. Bronze Ticket is 249 dirhams equivalent to 85 Canadian dollars. Silver ticket 88 Canadian dollars and gold is 105 Canadian dollars.

La Perle.

Photo credits- Critchley. (n.d.). La Perle. KVANT. https://www.kvantlasers.sk/blogs/case-studies/la-perle-dubai

  1. Hardrock café.

If you are a Rock and Roll fan, consider visiting the Hard rock café located in the mall named the festival city, Dubai. The mall is a few minutes away from Dubai international airport. It offers a live stage performance, American cuisine food, and a bar menu. There is the hard rock shop where you get to shop for clothes, accessories to have as a memory. You get to see the clothes of many famous singers such as Michael Jackson, the eagles, and many more.

Hard Rock Café.

Photo credits- Maryam Soroor.

 

  1. Late-night walk at the kite beach.

End your day by walking on one of the finest, cleanest beaches in Dubai. There is a unique walking place made out of a comfortable spongy, it is made only for athletes, or for having a walk. Where there are the meters marked on the ground, so you get to know how much you have been walking for. If you do not want to walk on the spongy ground, you can walk either on the wood ground or by the sand. You get to see many UAE flags by the beach that was done for the National Day. Moreover, you will see many trucks that differ as some are for food and some for shops. Variety of places to sit and breathe, for instance, you get to read by the beach library free of charges.

Kite beach.

Photo credits- Maryam Soroor.

Video credits. Kite beach- Juneidi. (2018). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIcHHl9z4RI La Perle- Boys. (2019). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTrSyFtovPI&t=568s