From the essentials to locals’ insider tips and new openings
Explore the Best of Dubai
Think you’ve already done all there is to do in Dubai? Think again. Dubai is pulling out all the stops in 2022, with the delayed Expo 2020 Dubai and the United Arab Emirates’ Golden Jubilee celebrations opening the country’s doors to the world that little bit wider. This city continues to dream big, unveiling new attractions for visitors to enjoy at a dizzying pace. So escape the year-round sun with a stay in one of the glittering hotels and get busy – these are some of our favorite activities.
Go up the Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa is a dazzling sight, its needle-thin, glass-covered exterior shimmering in the desert sun. At 828 meters, it’s the world’s tallest building and is such an iconic symbol of Dubai that Emirates put a skydiver and stuntwoman at the very top in 2021 to announce the UAE’s inclusion in the UK amber travel list. You can visit the At The Top observation decks, including the vertiginous outdoor terrace on the 148th level, or head to the restaurant and lounge Atmosphere on the 122nd level. For the best experience, save the visit for breakfast when you can see the city waking up far below.
Go inside the Burj Al Arab
Celebrating its 22nd birthday in December 2021, the Burj Al Arab remains one of the city’s best-loved buildings. Previously, if you weren’t a hotel guest or dining in one of the restaurants, it was pretty much off-limits to casual visitors. However, a new Inside Burj Al Arab experience has launched, inviting guests on a tour through the world’s tallest atrium and into a new Experience Suite showcasing the building’s history, design, and interesting trivia. If a tour isn’t your thing, consider dining at Al Muntaha on the 27th floor for French fine dining with some of the greatest views in the city.
Have Supper in the Desert
Avoid the bigger tourist desert camps and head to Sonara for a more intimate evening in the dunes. Cocktails and burrata pizza await on arrival at the sunset lounge, and supper is served in a fairylight-festooned hollow carved out of the dunes. You can even sandboard your way down to your table. Entertainment includes a whirling dervish, balancing acts, and a fire show, but watching the moon rise over the dunes is the most dreamy performance of all.
Go on an Elite Desert Safari
Experience a luxurious desert safari with a pickup from your door by Range Rover. Within 30 minutes, you’ll be in the desert. Unlike typical dune bashing, the Platinum Desert Safari offers a leisurely drive through stunning natural landscapes with an experienced guide. Admire Dubai’s native flora and fauna, from snakes to Arabian oryx, while watching the sunset during a falconry show with canapés and sparkling date juice. Finish the experience with a camel ride leading to a private cabana for an impressive six-course dining experience followed by stargazing. This memorable experience lasts around seven hours.
Discover Bur Dubai
Bur Dubai, one of the oldest parts of the city, is buzzing with energy. Visit in the evening when it’s bustling, or on Friday morning for a quieter stroll, as Friday is the first day of the weekend in Dubai. The Al Fahidi heritage district showcases galleries, small museums, and cafés housed in restored traders’ homes, topped by traditional wind towers. Experience mid-century architecture, vendors selling jasmine garlands, and street-side beverages like sugar-cane juice and karak tea while you wander. The Old Souk is nearby, where you can find various local crafts and enjoy a peaceful moment by the Creek.
Take an Abra on Dubai Creek
Dubai isn’t cheap, but with just one dirham, you can take an abra, a wooden boat, to cross Dubai Creek. This classic mode of transportation ferries commuters between the souk markets on each side of the creek. For a leisurely cruise, rent your own abra for an hour-long tour. As you glide past minarets, wind towers, and the city’s earliest skyscrapers, the experience feels like a journey back in time.
Deep Dive in Dubai
Dubai’s pre-oil fortunes lay largely in the pearl trade. Deep Dive Dubai, opened in summer 2021, is housed in a building shaped like an oyster shell and boasts the world’s deepest diving pool at 60 meters. Designed as a sunken city filled with intriguing sights, it offers Discover Scuba sessions for beginners and advanced options for more experienced divers to explore this unique underwater world.
Experience a Floating Nightclub
Dubai’s love of breaking Guinness World Records is evident in the world’s largest floating nightclub, Float. Located on the deck of the QE2, the iconic ocean liner permanently docked in Dubai, this venue operates as a hotel and provides excellent heritage tours for those who wish to delve into its history.
Soak Up Art and More at Alserkal Avenue
Alserkal Avenue, known for its artistic vibe, has transformed into a cultural hub featuring regional contemporary art. Visitors can enjoy indie films at Cinema Akil, shop for stylish Arabian Gulf-style leather sandals at Tamashee, or vinyl at Dubai’s first independent record shop. This vibrant area retains its artistic spirit, hosting globally renowned artists and galleries that showcase exciting and thought-provoking exhibitions.
Hike in the Mountains
Hiking may not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering Dubai, but the Hatta region reveals a different side of the emirate. Enjoy trails ranging from ‘easy’ to ‘severe,’ kayak on the dam, and visit unique destinations like the Hatta Honey farm, where visitors can engage in sweet adventures. Overnight accommodations range from dome tents to retro Airstream caravans, offering unparalleled experiences tucked away from the usual Dubai scene.
See a Flamboyance of Wild Flamingos
Another unexpected Dubai sight is the colony of Greater Flamingos at the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. While some are migratory visitors, many live here year-round. Visiting during summer reveals several resident flamingos, while winter welcomes thousands more. The best time to see the flamboyance is in the early morning when the sanctuary opens its hides.
