The cosmopolitan Emirate of Dubai calls on you to get a taste of luxury and learn its hidden secrets, through many activities and attractions. Dubai will leave no-one unmoved, as there is always something to see and do. From the tallest building in the world (Burj Khalifa) to the spices and gold markets, Dubai is one of the best once-in-a-lifetime destinations! The city of excess and luxury opens its arms and welcomes you.

Discover the most important attractions in Dubai

The no1 activity in Dubai is, of course, the safari in the desert! This complete experience includes a jeep ride in the sand dunes, a camel ride, refreshments-tea-water, photographs at sunset. It also includes a Quad Bike ride, food (buffet), Oriental show, hookah, overnight stay under the starry, Arabian sky, breakfast and other small surprises! This package offers a wide variety of flavors and images of the Orient. Apart from this one, there are other packages with various benefits, as there are dozens of companies and options are countless. Pick the one that suits your tastes, as well as your budget, and sally forth into the desert. (The cost for a Safari such as the one we had, is 100€ per person.) Read our useful tips…

Note: All packages might be commercialized; however, even under these circumstances, the uniqueness of the activity is not refuted.

Suggested visit time: 1 day
Open: Every day
Cost: From 30€ to 1,000€ per person.

 The know-it-all says: The temperature in the desert in the morning might surpass 50°C while at night it can fall as low as 10°C!

The Burj Khalifa holds the scepter of the tallest building in the world, at a height of 828 meters and offers a unique view from its 124th-125th-148th floors! Transport to the top happens in less than 1 minute(!), while the view truly takes your breath away. The feeling at the top of the Burj Khalifa is unparalleled, as you feel like you can touch the sky, that you are on top of the world, that you are one-of-a-kind…! In order to get to the top, you absolutely must book tickets as soon as possible. Read our useful Tips to save time and avoid any trouble.

Important Notes: a) The 148th floor does not offer anything different. The only advantage is the limited number of visitors. b) There are skip-line tickets that cost 50€ extra (Don’t). c) Do go up to the 125th floor, where fewer people gather.

Suggested visit time: 2-3 hours
Open: Every day 08:30-22:00 (last entrance 45 minutes before closing)
Cost: Standard 29-115€, Children 22-115€.

 The know-it-all says: Tom Cruise was hanging from the top of the Burj Khalifa for the shooting of the film Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol!

The Burj al Arab is Dubai’s trademark building and one of the most modern architectural marvels of the 21st century. The Arabs’ famous tower is the only 7-star hotel in the world and has innovations that no other building has. The words luxury and lavishness are really small to describe the Burj al Arab, while staying in the hotel is for the lucky few. But you can admire it as a visitor with an afternoon tea (average choice), with a meal at the AL IWAN restaurant (good choice) or with a few cocktails and snacks at the Skyview bar (perfect choice).

Suggested visit time: 1-3 hours
Open: Every day, depending on the package you pick
Cost: Afternoon tea 120€, Lunch-dinner 90€, Cocktails 85€.

 The know-it-all says: It is among the five most recognizable buildings in the world!

A visit to one of the largest malls in the world is a must. The Dubai Mall is housed on the base of the Burj Khalifa and has more than 1,200 stores(!). Along its endless aisles everything shines with cleanliness, while luxury and lavishness have the first word. It is impossible to see it all in a day, so make sure you get a good taste of the thousands of products it offers. The huge aquarium, the ice-skating rink, cinema, restaurants-cafés and the dozens of events, offer many hours of entertainment to children and adults. And as for prices, they are at normal levels.

Suggested visit time: 1 day
Open: Every day 10:00-23:00
Cost: Free

 The know-it-all says: The entire size of the mall is equal to 200 football fields!

The old Dubai is not that far away from the center! Around Dubai Creek you have the chance to meet a different city, free of luxury and extravagance, where people fight to live and not to buy the next Super car. Prefer a ride with a water bus and not with some cruise ship that includes food and dancing (expensive and of poor quality – tourist attraction). Walk along the creek, shop at small stores and dine at a restaurant in the streets around the creek. It is a unique experience that you should not miss out on. The ideal time is during sunset, when the golden sun of the desert embraces the creek and the skyscrapers.

Suggested visit time: 1-2 hours
Open: Route 1 from 05:00 to 00:00, Route 2 24/7
Cost: 0.25€ per trip!!

 The know-it-all says: Over 20,000,000 visitors cross the creek every year!

The Dubai Fountains compete with and maybe –for some- even surpass the ones of the Bellagio in Las Vegas. The playful fountains offer an amazing show with water playing the leading role! They cover an area equal to two football fields and they sway in the rhythm classical, contemporary and Arab music. The 6,000 lights and spotlights ideally complete this extraordinary spectacle, with each “dance” lasting as long as the song being played. You can watch the show every 30 minutes also from the balcony of the TGI Fridays (Dubai Mall), from the bridge of the Souk al Bahar and from the lake-pool of the “Dubai Mall”, while on a lake ride!

Suggested visit time: 1 hour
Open: Every day 13:00-14:00 & 18:00-23:00
Cost: Free (the 30-minute tour of the fountains lake costs 15€/person).

 The know-it-all says: The water reaches up to 152(!!!) meters, as tall as a 45-storey building!

The JBR or the “beautiful beach of the residents” is probably the best evening neighborhood of Dubai. It stretches over almost 1.7km, along which there are over 70 stores, dining areas and entertainment facilities, while the people and tourists keep it alive until late at night. The walk should ideally start at twilight and end after dark has fallen. The towering skyscrapers on one side and the sea on the other one, create a bizarre yet impressive contrast. During the day, residents as well as tourists enjoy the beach and the hot sun!

Suggested visit time: 2-3 hours
Open: Always
Cost: Free

 The know-it-all says: Across it there are 40 skyscrapers that can host as many as 15,000 people!

The Madinat Jumeirah Resort, from the very first moment, immerses visitors in the city’s Oriental fairytale…The beautiful complex has nothing in common with the mountainous landscape of Dubai, as the low buildings with eastern architecture take you back to another era. Inside the Resort you will find hotels, shops, restaurants, pools, a private beach and small canals. Dubai’s Venice is under the shadow of the imposing Burj al Arab and it will astonish you with its décor, oriental touches and small motor boats. The scenery is equally beautiful at night, reminding something of “a thousand and one nights”. Inside you will also find the Souk Madinat Jumeirah.

Important Note: Access to tourists is limited, but you can get full access with the daily pass (115€). With this, you can visit the private beach and swim in the sea, wander in all areas of the hotel and dine at one of its restaurants (Included in the price).

Suggested visit time: 3-4 hours
Open: Always
Cost: Free (daily pass 115€/person).

 The know-it-all says: The canals are as long as 3km!

Welcome to the capital of the UAE, the superpower of oil, the luxurious Abu Dhabi. The city has one of the largest per capita incomes in the world and this is reflected on the houses, cars and the way of life of the locals and the products’ prices. The emirate of Abu Dhabi hopes to become the basic destination of the visitors, but for now it makes for an interesting daily trip. In a day, you have the chance to see its most important monuments, which are based on wealth, since the history of the city is really short. The places worth visiting are (1) the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, (2) the golden Emirates Palace hotel, (3) the Jumeirah At Etihad Towers, (4) the amazing Ferrari World and (5) the new Louvre Museum (The Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum). It is also worth (6) taking a walk on Corniche beach, (7) admire the Aldar HQ building, (8) see the deluxe Formula 1 Yas Marina Circuit, (9) relax at the Mushrif Central Park and (10) do your shopping at the Yas Mall.

Suggested visit time: 1 day
Open: Always
Cost: Free

 The know-it-all says: Abu Dhabi’s coastline is almost 700km long and consists of 200 islands!

The Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding is a gem of knowledge and exchange of ideas. The Center was created in order to spread the spirit and way of thinking of the Arab people to the rest of the world. Through the tours you will find out interesting things about the daily life of the locals, religion, customs, food, as well as their history, while at the Openmind space you can share your own questions. It is a wonderful experience that you should not miss! Click HERE to book a tour or meal.

Get informed HERE about operating/tour hours and costs at the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding

Suggested visit time: 2 hours
Open: Every day 09:00-20:30
Cost: Depends on the Tour you pick

 The know-it-all says: All religions are respected and can be practiced in Dubai!

The paradise of spices is an excellent choice to get lost in the scents and senses of the East. At the Spice Souk open-air market you will find classic, as well as rare spices that magnetize even the most demanding of visitors with their scents. Caution: Do not settle for the prices they tell you! Haggling is necessary, if you want to save more than half of the initial price. In the market you will also find stores with souvenirs, dry nuts, fabrics and other small commodities. A bit higher you will find the Gold Souk of Dubai (gold market). Read our useful Tips, so that you do not fall in any traps.

Suggested visit time: 2-3 hours
Open: Every day 08:00-22:00
Cost: Free

 The know-it-all says: At the Gold Souk there is the largest ring in the world, which weighs 64 kilos!

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