Dubai Attractions – Awesome places not to miss in Dubai

High-rise buildings and retail malls have turned this city from a desert outpost into a destination du jour, attracting travelers looking for discounts, sunlight, and family entertainment.

Dubai is known for its tourist attractions including the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest tower), as well as its retail malls, which have attractions such as massive aquariums and indoor skiing slopes.

However, there are several cultural attractions and activities to do in this city, in addition to all of the glitzy contemporary amenities.

Take a stroll through the Al Fahidi neighborhood and you’ll find the Dubai of old. Then take a traditional dhow tour around Dubai Creek and you’ll quickly learn that this city is much more than its glossy exterior.

With this list of the top attractions in Dubai, you can learn more about the greatest locations to visit in the city.

Dubai Attractions List

Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa, Dubai's flagship building and main tourist attraction, is the world's tallest skyscraper at 829.8 meters, making it the most renowned of the city's places of interest and the world's highest structure overall.

A visit to the viewing platform on the 124th level of this building is considered a must-do activity for most tourists while in the city. It is impossible to describe how breathtaking the vistas over the city skyline are from this bird’s-eye position.

The slick Skydeck experience begins with a visual presentation on both Dubai and the construction of the Burj Khalifa (which was completed in 2010), followed by a high-speed elevator that whisks you up to the observation deck, where you can take in the 360-degree views out across the skyscrapers to the desert on one side and the ocean on the other side.

Because of Dubai’s spectacular city-lights panoramas, nighttime excursions are especially popular among photographers in the city. It is recommended that you purchase your Burj Khalifa “At the Top” Entrance Ticket in advance to avoid long lines, particularly if you want to visit over the weekend.

Shopping at Dubai Mall

A day of shopping as well as indoor things to keep the kids occupied at Dubai Mall, the city’s main shopping destination. Dubai Mall is one of the greatest locations to come to the city for a day of retail therapy and indoor activities to keep the kids occupied. It allows access to the Burj Khalifa as well as the Dubai Aquarium, among other attractions.

If you’re seeking even more entertainment alternatives, there’s an ice skating rink, a gaming zone, and a movie theater complex nearby. There is an unlimited supply of shopping and dining options, and there are virtually always unique events taking place inside the mall, such as live music and fashion exhibits.

The most well-known of them is the annual Dubai Shopping Festival, which takes place in January and February each year, and the Dubai Summer Surprises Festival, which takes place in July and August each year.

Dubai Museum

The Al-Fahidi Fort, which was constructed in 1787 to protect Dubai Creek, is home to Dubai’s outstanding museum.

Construction of the fort’s walls began with typical coral-block construction, which was then reinforced with lime. It is supported by wooden poles on the top level, and the ceiling is made of palm fronds, clay, and plaster, among other materials.

As a result of its long history, the fort has been used as a house for the ruling family as well as the seat of administration, garrison, and jail. It was completely restored in 1971 (and then again in 1995), and it is currently the city’s leading museum.

At the entryway, there is a fascinating display of historical maps of the United Arab Emirates and Dubai, which depicts the massive development that occurred in the area after the oil boom.

Numerous traditional boats, as well as a palm-leaf house with an Emirati wind tower, can be seen inside the courtyard. The armament is on display in the right-hand hall, as well as the Emirati musical instruments on display in the left-hand hall.

Walkthrough History in Al Fahidi Quarter (Old Dubai)

Built-in the late nineteenth century to serve as the residence of wealthy Persian merchants who dealt primarily in pearls and textiles and were drawn to Dubai by the city's tax-free trading and easy access to Dubai Creek, the Al Fahidi Quarter (previously known as, and sometimes still referred to as, the Bastakia neighborhood) is a historic district in Dubai.

Located along the creek in the eastern side of Bur Dubai, Al Fahidi is home to a collection of coral and limestone houses, many of which have walls topped with wind towers, that have been exceptionally well kept.

Homeowners in this area benefited from wind towers, which offered an early kind of air conditioning by funneling the wind caught in the towers down into the dwellings below.

Persian merchants are most likely responsible for bringing this architectural feature (which is typical in Iranian coastal buildings) to the Gulf from their native country.

Traditional Architecture at Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum House

Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, the king of Dubai from 1921 to 1958 and the grandfather of the present ruler, was the first ruler of the United Arab Emirates. His original mansion has been rebuilt and refurbished to serve as a museum, and it is a magnificent example of Arabian architectural style in its own right.

Built in 1896 by Sheikh Saeed's father, the original residence was designed to allow him to keep an eye on marine traffic from the balconies. Though the old structure was destroyed, a new structure was erected next to it, which adhered to the original form by including carved teak doors, wooden lattice screens across the windows, and floral and geometric decorations on the gypsum ventilation screens.

Three hundred and thirty apartments are arranged around a central courtyard, with wind-tower elements on the roof. The displays at the Dubai Museum of Historical Images and Documents, which has many excellent historical photographs of Dubai from the time between 1948 and 1953, can be found on the first floor.

Pictures depicting fishing, pearling, and boat construction may be seen in the maritime part of the museum. There are several letters, maps, coins, and stamps on exhibit throughout the structure, all of which document the rise of the Emirate.

Maritime Heritage at Dubai Creek & Al Seef District

Dubai Creek divides the city into two sections, with Deira to the north and Bur Dubai to the south, separated by the city’s main waterway. The creek has played an important role in the development of the city, originally luring residents who came to fish and pearl dive in the area.

Since as far back as 4,000 years ago, little communities have sprung up along the creek’s banks, but it was not until the Bani Yas clan arrived in the region in the 1830s that modern times started.

The Dhow Wharfage is situated on the northern side of Dubai Creek, just north of the Al-Maktoum Bridge. Some of the dhows moored here are more than 100 years old and are still in use by tiny merchants from all over the Gulf region.

You may pay a visit here and see goods being loaded and unloaded onto and off of the dhow boats. Dhow workers often take guests onboard their boats for a tour, during which they may obtain an understanding of the lives of these ancient mariners.

Many of the dhows at this port go on to Kuwait, Iran, Oman, India, and even farther south to the horn of Africa. A lively and intriguing area to explore, this little relic of Dubai’s old economy is nevertheless a thriving and fascinating spot to roam about.

It is the Al Seef area, located on the Bur Dubai side of the creek and bordering the Bastakia neighborhood. It has a waterfront promenade surrounded by traditional coral-block and limestone structures as well as a floating market and stores offering local crafts and souvenirs. There are beautiful views of the lake from this location, making it a wonderful area to promenade.

Jumeirah Mosque

The Jumeirah Mosque is often regarded as the most magnificent of Dubai's mosques, and it is no exception. The Jumeirah Mosque, which is an identical replica of Cairo's Al-Azhar Mosque, which is eight times its size, is an outstanding example of Islamic architecture.

This stone tower was constructed in the Fatimid manner of medieval times, and it has two minarets that showcase the intricate intricacies in the construction. In the evening, when it is illuminated by floodlights, it becomes much more appealing.

Conclusion

High-rise buildings and retail malls have turned this city from a desert outpost into a destination du jour, attracting travelers looking for discounts, sunlight, and family entertainment.

Dubai is known for its tourist attractions including the Burj Khalifa as well as its retail malls, which have attractions such as massive aquariums and indoor skiing slopes.

The list of top attractions in Dubai is listed above. Must visit and share your thoughts in the comments.