So you plan to travel to Dubai and back in just 4 days. Good for you! Yes, we know – 4 days might not seem like a long holiday, but if you plan it right, you can enjoy the very best of Dubai within that time. It all depends on how you build your itinerary. Do your research and plan your trip right down to the least, minutest detail. Only then do you have a chance of enjoying as much of the fabulousness of Dubai as is possible within a short time.
Here are 10 top-of-the-line Dubai landmarks that are simply not to be missed when you’re visiting the city.
Where to Stay:
Stay at a hotel that’s as close to downtown Dubai as possible. From here, you can check out the whole of Dubai and travel by Metro and bus to check out the Palm Islands, Dubai Marina and the rest.
#1 Dubai Frame
Dubai’s latest wonder, the picture perfect Dubai Frame is now open and ready. There’s nothing like the Dubai Frame in any other country. The Frame is located in Zabeel Park and consists of two towers, both 150 meters tall, connected by a 93-metre glass bridge at the top. You’ll be walking along the bridge for a fabulous view of old Dubai and new Dubai. The elevator that takes you up displays interactive videos of Dubai’s development and plans for the future. Also, check out the museum on the ground floor that showcases the city’s shocking transformation from being a pearl diving and fishing village to the incredibly wealthy and stunning metropolis it is today. Be sure to add the Dubai Frame to your list of things to do in Dubai in 4 days.
#2 Burj Khalifa
Don’t forget to check out how the entire city of Dubai and the surrounding sea and desert look from the 124th and 148th levels of this 828 feet high majestic monument. You enter via Dubai mall and take a swanky elevator ride to the 124th floor, which you reach in less than a minute. We’re not kidding! From there you can enjoy a 360 degrees stunning photo opportunity view of Dubai. From up top there, you’ll get an idea of the magnitude of the city and the enormity of its development in recent times.
#3 Dubai Mall
Dubai Mall is the biggest mall in the world that has 1200 retail stores, over 1000 eateries, hundreds of multiplex screens, plus SEGA Republic – a gaming centre for kids, and Dubai Aquarium – the world’s largest aquarium. Dubai Mall is enchantment itself from beginning to end. In the aquarium, you can go shark diving, or opt to walk through the couple of miles of an acrylic tunnel that delves under the sea, bringing you face to face with the deadliest sharks in the water, separated only by a sheet of tough acrylic. Dubai Mall has the biggest gold souk you’ve ever seen; the reflection alone is enough to blind.
#4 The Dubai Ice Park
The Dubai Ice Park is a winter-themed park in that hot place that’s incongruous and charming at the same time. The park is located at the Dubai Garden Glow park area and contains a number of stunning ice sculptures included a Burj Khalifa frozen in time, along with the Burj Al Arab, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, several camels, the desert and futuristic creatures and projects. The entire park is maintained at a chilly -8 degrees to keep the ice from melting. Coats and warm clothing are provided so you won’t freeze. The colourful sculptures are a definite treat to the eyes, so don’t miss checking them out.
#5 The Dubai Fountain
It’s true – the very best things in life are free. Take the Dubai Fountain for example – it’s the world’s largest choreographed fountain, set on the majestic Burj Lake. Four times a day, the fountains come to life with animated performances set to a fabulous repertoire of songs from all over the world. The fountain’s choreography is so addictive that you won’t want to leave. The sheer lavish scale of the water dance against the backdrop of the vast lake is magic itself. A new boardwalk has been set up around the lake, which makes an ideal place from which to watch the Dubai Fountains.
#6 Al Fahidi – Dubai’s Historic Past
The Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood in Bur Dubai, once known as the Bastikaya Quarter, is one of Dubai’s oldest neighbourhoods. Experience a nostalgic view of bygone eras, as you explore the history of the city and of the UAE in total at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU). Take a guided mosque tour and a heritage tour to learn more about the local culture and about Dubai’s history. Explore the winding alleys with their traditional wind towers that used to keep houses cool before air conditioning was invented.
#7 Bur Dubai and Deira
Spend half a day exploring old Dubai which includes Bur Dubai and Deira. Check out the culture and architecture of Dubai of old. Cross the Dubai Creek in an ancient wooden boat called the Abra, and check out the spice, perfume and gold souk in Bur Dubai and the carpet and pashmina shawl souk in Deira. A trip into old Dubai will put the new Dubai in perspective for you, just in case you’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed by all the glitz and glamour. As you cross the creek in the abra, you’ll find humbled and feel that you’re back in the Dubai that was over half a century ago, before oil was discovered and all the development began. There’s something very soothing in the experience, so we urge you not to miss it.
#8 Dubai Marina Walk
The Dubai Marina Walk is a 7-kilometre long pedestrian walk that begins at the start of the Marina Bay. As you walk, be sure to check out the uber-fancy side of Dubai, which you’ll get plenty of here. Check out the super luxurious yachts moored at the marina against the stunning background of the most spectacular skyscrapers of Dubai, sprinkled with malls and cafes and entertainment centres. The ultra-rich ambience here will make you feel like strutting a bit too. Check out the Richie Rich people strolling with their wild pets on chains and the cars they drive, ranging from top-of-the-line Porsches, Lamborghinis, Rolls Royce’s and Ferraris. At night, the whole walk is lit up and it looks like a scene from some glamorous old Hollywood movie. There’s a zipline that travels all 7 kilometres over your head on the walk, and if you’re the hardy type, you can choose to zip down the walk instead of walking.
#9 Palm Jumeirah
Dubai has this penchant to build the biggest and the most extravagant structures and win a march over nature. The Palm Jumeirah Islands is a great achievement in recent times that still garners much tourist interest. Constructed in the shape of a palm, the island is so huge it can be seen from space. You’ll find some of the richest residences and hotels in Palm Jumeirah. The best way to check out the Palm up close is to take a dhow cruise or fly over it via helicopter or seaplane. Visit the Atlantis Hotel and have some fun at the Aquaventure Waterpark close by and be sure to check out the Lost World of Atlantis at the hotel itself. Take the monorail from the start of the palm tree structure all the way to the top to catch the sights of the island up close.
#10 The Dubai Desert
The Arabian Desert is as much a landmark of Dubai as are the other monuments. Your trip to Dubai is simply not complete until you take a Dubai desert safari. You can sign up for the morning, evening or overnight safaris, enjoy a ton of desert sports such as dune bashing, camel riding, quad-bike riding and others. Enjoy a wonderful meal and some in-tent entertainment by signing up for the evening or overnight safaris.
Conclusion
There are several projects under development in Dubai at the moment that’ll be completed sometime this year or the next. Be sure to mark those in your diary for your next visit to Dubai. Dubai always has something new to stun you with!
Author’s Bio:
Neha Singh is a postgraduate in Mass Communications, who loves everything about life. Traveling is extremely close to her heart and writing came to her naturally. An avid trekker & explorer, who often takes off some time from her busy life for mountaineering. She loves meeting new people & gets attached to their culture very easily. Her ambition is to explore as many places as she can in her life. She strongly believes in Gandhian principle – “simple living high thinking”.
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