The top 10 things to do in Dubai Travel Vacation Holidays

Ana Ghoib Syeikh Malaya 7:17 PTG

Step back in time


Dubai's old town and spiritual heart is Bastakiya. Its wind towers and courtyard buildings now house art galleries (try Basta Art Cafe in Al Fahidi Street), and there remains a beguiling charm to walking its shaded streets. The excellent Dubai Museum, in Al Fahidi Fort, explains the city's origins as a tiny fishing and pearl-diving port.

Souk yourself


Bastakiya hugs Dubai Creek, where wooden cargo dhows from Asia still disgorge their spices. Take an abra (water taxi) for about 20p to Deira and the old souks to haggle for the best price on gold, sniff your way to the perfect saffron, or get measured up for a bespoke suit.

Dine like a lord


The city's grand restaurants serve up lavish seafood, European fine dining or fusion twists on Arabic and Asian cuisine. For big international names try Pierre Gagnaire's Reflets, Gary Rhodes' Mezzanine or Dubai's outpost of The Ivy. Almaz by Momo, in the Mall of the Emirates, does high-end Maghrebin (north African) cuisine.

Eat on the cheap


The city's diversity brings an array of authentic flavours. Try Pakistani curries and pavement dining at Ravi's on Satwa Road (including rarely found Nihari beef and lamb stews from about £3), an exquisitely flavoured south Indian thali for about £2 in Karama Park, salt-crusted Iraqi cod at Al Bayt Al Baghdadi on Al Muteena Street, or Mankhool Road for Lebanese and Egyptian meze.

Be pampered and primped


All the larger hotels have grand spas where you can be expertly moulded, massaged and de-stressed. Park Hyatt's Amara spa, andTalise spa at the Madinat Jumeirah are particularly popular, as is theRetreat spa at Grosvenor House, which includes gents' pampering station 1847.

Surf the dunes


Jump into a jeep for a desert safari. Expert drivers will negotiate towering red and gold sand dunes, some reaching up to 300m, to show you some dramatic desert landscapes. After recovering from the thrills of the drive, you and your family can turn their hand (and wobbly legs) to sand surfing. Just strap on a board and launch. Operators include Desert Safari Dubai and Desert Rangers.

Entertain the kids


In Emirati culture, family is king. Children are welcomed everywhere, and Dubai has enough attractions to send them into an exhausted slumber every night. In the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping and entertainment centre, take your pick from KidZania, an entire mini-city where they get to play at anything from being a doctor to driving a bus; the 7,000sqm Sega Republic indoor amusement park; and the Dubai Aquarium, which has 33,000 different species and a shark tunnel.

Mosque see


Jumeirah Mosque offers a rare chance for non-Muslims to see inside an Islamic house of worship. The long-running "open doors, open minds"programme gives organised (and non-preaching) tours. During Ramadan, iftar tents spring up across the city for those breaking their fast, and many welcome visitors keen to sample a traditional Emirati feast.

Tame the tide


Perhaps it's because of its history as a fishing port that Dubai has an array of aquatic attractions. Wild Wadi waterpark has 30 water rides and attractions ranging from relaxing to downright scary, and Aquaventurehas enough splash-about larks to keep anyone amused for a day. For a real break from the desert heat, Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East, has real snow, a black run, and a sledge park for nippers.

Hit the heights


Dubai is a sparkly place, and best viewed from altitude at night. For some sophisticated sky-high boozing, try the cocktail bar Vu's at the top of Emirates Towers, which overlooks Sheikh Zayed Road, and the elegant Neos on the 63rd floor of The Address Downtown Dubai. The kaleidoscopic interior of the Skyview bar at the Burj al Arab must also be seen to be believed. Or stroll the observation deck 124 floors up the Burj Khalifa.


Source Gulfnews24