Things to do in Dubai for First Time Travellers
Unforgettable Experiences for First-Time Visitors in Dubai
Burj Khalifa Dubai
Imagine spending the morning by the beachside, noons inside the air-conditioned city-size malls, evenings riding the camels, and nights dining on the rooftops. Dubai is a city of fulfilling your dreams. From standing on the tallest building to browsing the buzzing traditional markets, Dubai is brimming with heaps of activities for all kinds of travelers. The city has a massive influx of new and excited tourists every year who find nothing but extraordinary attractions and heroic activities. Out of the hundreds of activities, here are the handpicked things to do in Dubai that will fulfill your holiday dreams:
Shop, eat, and rejoice in Dubai Mall
Watch 360-degree view at Burj Khalifa
At a soaring height of 828 meters, Burj Khalifa is a stunning feat of architecture and engineering. With the whopping 160 stories, this structure holds the title of the world's tallest building and is home to the highest observation deck. Visitors can stand on the 148th floor and immerse themselves in the sweeping panoramic view of the city. Other than that, you can sip tea in the lounge, watch the virtual display, check out the telescopic sight on the 124th floor, and dine at the tallest restaurant in the world.
Aquaventure Waterpark
There is no better way to beat Dubai's heat than to dip in the pools. Aquaventure is one of the famous waterparks in Dubai. Nestled in the rose-hued, elegant, and versatile Atlantis The Palm, the 42-acre site boasts over 30 slides and attractions to quench your thirst for adventure. You can slide down the breathtaking 90-foot Leap of Faith and land into a shark lagoon, spiral down the Aquaconda, or cruise through the Shark Tunnel in a raft. On the other hand, one can laze around in the emirates' longest lazy river, play area, and a private beach.
Book the evening desert safari
One of the quintessential Dubai things to do is to enjoy a rollercoaster ride across the expansive Dubai desert. In the golden sand, as the sun is about to set, the caravan of SUVs takes you on an electrifying journey. The desert safari Dubai is a 6-hour of untainted fun in the most unusual way. Right from the heart-stopping dune bashing to riding the camels in a peaceful surrounding, the first few hours are dedicated to adventurous excursion. There are stops on the way for you to hop off and take spellbinding pictures. Thereafter, reach the aesthetically decorated camp where you see the beautiful belly dance and Tanoura show, eat a delicious Arabic buffet, buy souvenirs, get hands designed by henna, and wear traditional dress.
Kick back in the Kite Beach
Travelers who want to bask in the sun, there is no perfect place other than the Kite Beach, overlooking the exceptional luxurious Burj Al Arab. There is high-quality equipment available for the beach-goers to try your hands on exhilarating watersports, like wakeboarding, paddleboarding, and kitesurfing. Besides getting your feet wet in the water, one can join a game of beach volleyball, or jog on the soft running track. You’ll also find some casual bites to eat at the shops and food trucks, tucked right off the beach.
Witness the best of city at Dubai Frame
To see the delicate balance of old and new Dubai, pay a visit to Dubai Frame. It is a metamorphic connection between the traditional and contemporary sides of the city that has been one of the city's eye-catching projects. Prized as the 'World’s Largest Picture Frame', this lofty, glistening gold frame stands 500 feet tall. People can ascend its 93-meter-long viewing bridge, which features a glass-floored walkway, astounding views of old houses and mosques to the north and skyscrapers to the South. Tourists can discover the incredible exhibitions such as display of past artifacts and a neon vortex tunnel to the future.
Scour through authentic products at Souks
Cheap gold jewelry, handwoven fabrics, mounds of aromatic spices, traditional perfumes, and special souvenirs – you'll find it all at Dubai’s souks. The sprawling souks and wide passageways are buzzing with hums of people. From the beautiful assortment of gold jewelry at bargaining prices, your nose would follow to the spice souks that have colorful sacks of spices, herbs, rice, and fruits. Browse further for fine silks, artistic sculptures, fashionable textiles, and more products that get you closer to the heart of Dubai.
Bastakiya Quarter
Something that hasn't fallen prey to the urbanization of Dubai is the Al Fahidi Historical District/ Al Bastakiya. Take a glimpse into what the old structure and Bedouin lifestyle looked like in the pre-oil timeline. Meander through the traditional buildings crafted from stone, palm wood, gypsum, and teak line and adorned with Islamic calligraphy. You can see the rugged walls, unkempt roads, wind towers, brown doors, and the North African style of courtyards. The place was renovated in the early 2000s and today the visitors can explore the revamped cafes, museums, art shows, and galleries.
Ski Dubai
Located in the Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai is the first full-fledged indoor ski resort in the region. A complete family entertainment destination, the place offers abundance of polar activities like ski, snowboard, toboggan, zip line, and chairlift ride. With attractions like the giant zorbing ball, ice cave, Mountain Thriller ride, this is a winter wonderland. Amazingly, you can learn skiing or casually enjoy the ambiance with a random snowball fight with your siblings. The trip gets thrilling when you have an encounter with penguins. Later, warm up with an indulgent cup of hot chocolate.
IMG Worlds of Adventure
Stretched in a jaw-dropping size of 28 football fields, costed US$ 1 billion and touted as the world’s largest indoor theme park, IMG Worlds of Adventure houses more than 20 rides. Thrill-seekers will get their adrenaline pumping on the cartoon and marvel character-inspired rides like Amazing Ride of Gumball, Ben 10 5 D Cinema, Hulk Epsilon Base 3D, and Thor Thunder Spin. Besides feeling dizzy on the rides, you will also stumble across the spine-chilling Haunted Hotel and 69 state-of-the-art animatronic dinosaurs. It is seated next to Global Village and you can easily hop between the two locations.
Conclusion
Dubai is back in action after the pandemic's lockdown with all precautions and safety considerations in all attractions. So, it's time to get out there and see the city in the 'new normal' style.