10 Crazy Things to Do in Dubai That You Wouldn’t Have Imagined

Grand and glamorous, Dubai is probably the most famous destination of all that forms the United Arab Emirates (UAE). From larger than life luxury hotels to ritzy and extravagant shopping malls, there is affluence everywhere you look. However, what will surprise you is how whacky and crazy this land of sun, sand and sheikhs can be. Here are 10 super-fun things to do in Dubai that will blow your mind.

1. Go Skiing and Snowboarding

As crazy as it sounds, only in Dubai can you go skiing and snowboarding in the middle of a desert. Ski Dubai is a staggering 2.25-hectare indoor ski centre. Once here, you quite easily forget the outside world as you find yourself surrounded by snow-covered slopes. From gentle gradients to 60-metre vertical falls, beginners and novices can practice their skiing skills on the powdery white inclines. To really make the experience authentic, there’s also a chairlift. However, the ultimate attraction at Ski Dubai is a colony of Gentoo and King Penguins that call it home.

2. Buy Gold from an ATM

Everyone stocks up on gold when in Dubai, but who’d have thought you could have it dispensed from an ATM!? However, this is Dubai where things are always extraordinary. Not just limited to withdrawing and depositing money, a Gold-to-Go ATM dispenses 24-carat gold bars and coins. With gold prices updated by the minute, all you need to do is make a selection and feed in the Dirhams.

Read more: Explore Dubai in Under Rs.25,000

3. Watch a Camel Race with Robot Jockeys

This is one experience you’d regret missing out on. Camel racing is a popular recreational sport in Dubai, with the Al Marmoum Racetrack being the main venue. However, this is no ordinary camel race we are talking about, because few things in Dubai come without an opulent twist. Robot jockeys have replaced human jockeys, although the rules of the game remain traditional as ever. As bizarre as it sounds, trainers control the motion of the reins and the whip through remotely-operated computer systems. You need to see it to believe it!

4. Dine at Secret Supper Clubs

Come as strangers, leave as friends. For an unusual dining experience, attend a secret supper club evening when in Dubai. It’s where you get to go on a gastronomical journey with a celebrated chef at a secret location. With a limited attendee list, you’ll be notified a few hours ahead of time as to where you need to go. Lime & Tonic is a company known to host several of these monthly events so sign up in advance to book your spot at the table. Definitely, one of the top Dubai activities to try out!

Read more: Dubai – A Quick and Handy Travel Guide

5. Play Camel Polo

So what if the rest of the world plays polo on horseback! Dubai reinvents the rules by replacing horses with camels. The exciting part is that this novel sport allows you to be more than a spectator. Get on a camel and become part of the team – good luck trying to manoeuvre these gangly creatures who often have a mind of their own.

6. Go Sub-Zero

Go from 40-something degrees to sub-zero at Chillout Lounge. It’s really a manmade wonder if you think about how they manage to keep things at freezing temperatures in spite of the scorching heat outside. Upon entering, you’re given a thermal coat, gloves and a hat to keep you warm. As you look around, you’ll notice that almost everything here is made out of ice – sculptors, décor and even furniture! So, if you’re looking to literally chill in Dubai, you know where to go.

7. Go Sandsurfing

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Up for some adventure sports in Dubai? Ditch the waves for the sandy expanse of the desert. Go sandsurfing in Dubai and ride the dunes that can go as high as 300 metres. Best done early in the morning before the sun gets too hot to handle, slide and glide on the sand while standing on a sandboard, which is similar to a snowboard.

8. Sleep with Fishes

We’re not alluding to the Godfather here when we say that you can sleep with fishes in Dubai. Check into a pricey underwater suite at Atlantis, The Palm. Three stories under water, you’ll be surrounded with more than 65,000 marine animals including sharks and stingrays. If you thought this is outrageous, the interiors of the suites boast of 24-carat gold bath accessories amongst other ostentatious features.

Read more: Top 10 Free Things to do in Dubai

9. Eat a Black Diamond Ice Cream Sundae

Yes, it’s as decadent as it sounds! The Black Diamond ice cream sundae served at the exclusive Scoopi Café is the most expensive dessert served in the UAE. If you have some change to spare, by which we mean LOTS and LOTS of change, you too can enjoy the flavours of vanilla bean ice cream from Madagascar, saffron from Iran, rare black truffles from Italy and 23-carat edible gold served in a signature Versace bowl, which you can lick clean and keep as a souvenir.

10. Lose Your Mind In a Mirror Maze

You’d have hacked your way out of many a maze, but this one is one of a kind. Located within Dubai Dolphinarium, the maze has mirrors covering all walls and corners. It’s easy to become disoriented in the complex arrangement of mirrors, which is when the fun actually begins. With LED lights adding to what appears to be a network of endless corridors, it’s quite a challenge to navigate this dizzying labyrinth.

These fun things to do in Dubai should definitely be on the top of your bucket list on your next Dubai vacation. Let us know how it goes!

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