Dubai: A Quick and Handy Travel Guide

“Visit the land of skyscrapers, glittering shopping festivals, culinary delights and loads of adventure. Visit Dubai.”

An amalgamation of ultra-modern cosmopolitan lifestyle and ancient Arabian culture, Dubai has plenty to offer. It has everything from adventure activities like hot-air ballooning, skydiving and desert safaris to shopping at state-of-the-art malls and delectable cuisine. 

Don’t leave Dubai before you:

See:

1. Burj Khalifa: Standing tall at 828 metres in Downtown Dubai, it is the tallest man-made structure in the world. It displays exceptional work of art and it is not without reason that it has been called the Jewel of Dubai. Climb up to the 124th floor on the observation deck, At The Top, for an uninterrupted view of the city’s skyline and beyond.
2. Palm Jumeirah: A man-made archipelago, Palm Jumeirah offers tourists a host of activities to indulge in. From up-market shopping malls to hotels to luxury beach resorts, it has it all. Palm Jumeirah is yet another example of Dubai’s uninhibited fantasies put perfectly in perspective. A 6-lane highway bridge leads to the man-made island which clearly stands out among all other Dubai attractions. The marvel is also home to the popular Atlantis - The Palm and a number of exciting theme parks.
3. Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo: Go scuba diving, opt for a glass bottom boat ride, swim with the sharks and explore the many species of fish at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Otters, piranha, Humboldt penguins, caiman crocodiles, lionfish, giant spider crabs and more – you will find them all here. It’s a must visit, especially if travelling with kids. Don’t forget to shop for exciting souvenirs at the Aquarium store.

Do:

1. Enjoy a Desert Safari: Dubai is a huge playground for adventure enthusiasts. Hitting the desert sands in a monstrous 4x4 SUV is where the fun begins. While you’re here, indulge in dune bashing, sandboarding, quad biking and camel desert safaris. 
2. Go for the Dhow Dinner Cruise: A dinner Dhow Cruise takes you through the magical Dubai Creek and gives you the opportunity to create beautiful memories with your loves ones. You will be welcomed with an exotic Arabic tea as you board one a traditional ship decked with lights. Enjoy the breathtaking views and don’t miss clicking pictures against the stunning backdrop of Dubai’s city lights.
3. Shop till your drop at the Dubai Shopping Festival: Dubai is a paradise for shoppers and it reflects in the fact that the country has an entire festival dedicated to shopping. The Dubai Shopping Festival attracts millions of people from around the world and is renowned for the endless shopping opportunities it offers. Thinking of what all you can buy here? Well the answer is, everything under the sun!

Read More: Dubai’s Secret Hangouts We Bet You Didn’t Know About

Eat:

1. Shawarma: An Arab snack and the signature dish of Dubai, shawarma is a must-try. Pita bread filled with the meat of your choice (lamb, chicken, beef, turkey) makes a shawarma. It is often served with pickle, hummus or tahini. Every restaurant and all street side vendors serve shawarma.
2. Falafel: Falafel is another local food item to keep a lookout for. It is made by deep frying chickpeas and/or fava beans and is traditionally served in pita bread.
3. Hummus: This Middle Eastern and Arabic food dip is loved by people across the globe. Typically made by blending mashed chickpeas with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic, hummus is best enjoyed with pita bread. Try it out with pita bread at one of the many fine dining restaurants in Dubai.

When to Go:

November to March: Dubai winters are from November to April and this is the best time to visit Dubai. The weather is pleasant and suited for all kinds of outdoor activities. What’s more, the much loved Dubai Shopping Festival is held during January-February. Since this is the peak season, hotel rates and airfares tend to go really high. Book well in advance to get the best rates possible and avoid any inconvenience.

April to October: The temperatures begin to rise (even start hitting the late forties) by April and May. Summer months in Dubai are really, really hot and humid, making it almost impossible to explore the outdoors. However, all malls/stores are air-conditioned and you can indulge in as much retail therapy as you would like. It is a good time to visit if you want to avoid crowds and get the hotels/airfares less expensive.

Read More: Romantic Hotels in Dubai for a Rejuvenating Couple Getaway

Getting There:

By Air: The Dubai International Airport is the only airport in the metropolis and the busiest in the UAE. The airlines servicing the airport include Emirates Airlines (Dubai’s official international airline) that connects the city to more than a 100 destinations worldwide, FlyDubai (an LCC) and Etihad. Other ways to enter the city are through the Sharjah International Airport with Air Arabia.

By Bus: Emirates Express connects Dubai to all other emirates. There are frequent bus services between Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Masafi, Abu Dhabi and others.

By Road/Self Drive: The only way to enter Dubai if your are driving is through Oman which won’t require you a permit, only an exit charge of 3000 Omani Rial. On your way back, you'll need to produce the payment receipt in order to re-enter Oman.

Getting Around:

Bus: The bus network in Dubai is run by the Roads and Transport Authority. These buses connect all major landmarks and are very comfortable. You can buy a Nol card at the bus station before boarding to ride. These buses run every 15-20 minutes, except on Fridays, when the frequency is a bit low. You can also take the economical Big Bus sightseeing tour which takes you to all the popular attractions, offers live commentary and free admission to the Dubai Museum and a dhow cruise.

Metro: This is one of the most commonly used and efficient modes of public transport in Dubai. It holds the record of being the world’s longest fully automated metro rail network, with two lines (Red and Green) operational.

Taxis: Taxis are a convenient way of getting around Dubai. Easily available throughout the city, you will always find a long line waiting outside shopping malls and other attractions. Starting with a minimum of Dh 3, the fare increases at a rate of Dh 1.60 per kilometre.

Water Bus: This is an economical and preferred way to travel from Bur Dubai to Deira and vice versa. 

Self drive: Vehicles are driven on the right side of the road and you need to have a credit card and a domestic and international driver’s license to hire a car in Dubai. However, this is not recommended due to the several traffic congestions which are expected throughout the day.

What to Pack:

1. Light cotton clothes and sunblock for the hot and humid weather
2. Travel adapters and converters (electricity in Dubai is 220 Volts and plug types C, D and G are used)
3. Caps, sunglasses and shoes for the desert safari
4. Swimming and beach gear

Beneath the garb of all the glitter and glam, there’s a Dubai which takes pride in its traditional values and rich heritage and welcomes you with immense warmth and hospitality. It’s exciting adventure activities and fun shopping opportunities make it a great place to travel to, especially with friends. Take your roaming dil to Dubai and come back with memories of a lifetime!

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