Dubai is well-known for its breathtaking skyscrapers, sparkling beaches, and bustling marketplaces. It’s no surprise that there are many hot spots to explore in this vibrant city for every type of traveler. Keep reading to discover 7 wonders of Dubai that you can add to your itinerary for your next trip!
Burj Al Arab
First stop is the Burj Al Arab, the original “7-star hotel” which has been an impressive symbol of Dubai since it opened back in 1999. The sail-shaped hotel is one of the world’s tallest hotels standing at over 600 feet tall and offers spectacular views of downtown Dubai from its own private island (Fletcher 2021). The luxurious building also offers many on-site restaurants for visitors to indulge in the hotel’s stunning views, even if they aren’t staying overnight
Jumeirah Beach
The white sands of the Jumeirah Beach are a must for visitors looking to soak up the sun and splash in the turquoise waters of the Persian Gulf (Dubai Travel Guide 2020). This public beach features exceptional facilities such as sun lounges, picnic areas, and even jet skiing (Lee 2020). The beach is just within walking distance of the Burj Al Arab and is the perfect spot for a relaxing day on Dubai’s shoreline.
Burj Khalifa
Next up is the world’s tallest building, the awe-inspiring Burj Khalifa. Standing at over 2,700 feet tall, the Burj Khalifa guarantees amazing views of Dubai’s concrete jungle and beyond (Fletcher 2021). The Burj Khalifa also boasts the world’s highest outdoor observation deck and offers special telescopes to show different parts of the city’s history from different points in time (Dubai Travel Guide 2021).
Dubai Mall
In addition to hosting the entrance to the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall is renowned for being one of the largest shopping centers in the world with over 1,300 stores (Dubai Travel Guide 2021). The mall also has a lot of entertainment facilities including an ice-skating rink, gaming complex, movie theater, aquarium, and more! Right outside the mall is another must-see attraction, the Dubai Fountain, which displays splendid light shows at night (Dubai Travel Guide 2021).
Dubai Frame
The Dubai Frame is a unique, picture frame-like structure that links old Dubai with new Dubai. The 500 feet building includes a Skydeck which features the skylines of both the city’s older neighborhoods and Dubai’s famous, colorful cityscape (Lee 2020). Inside the structure, there are also galleries that take you through the city’s vibrant history and Emirati heritage (Lee 2020).
Al Fahidi Quarter
The Al Fahidi Quarter, also known as the Bastakiya Quarter or Old Dubai, is the city’s historic district that dates back to the late 19th century (Lee 2020). The district was originally built to house Persian merchants specializing in pearl and textile trade. The buildings of the district reflect this history by featuring wind-towers, an architectural element of Iranian coastal homes (Lee 2020). The coral and limestone buildings combined with the distinct features of Arabian architecture make the Al Fahidi Quarter a must-see for any traveler visiting Dubai.
Souks of Deira
On the northern bank of Dubai Creek lies the winding streets of Deira, which is home to some of the largest traditional souks, or marketplaces, in the city (Lee 2020). The Deira gold souk is well-renowned as the largest gold bazaar in the world, and the Deira spice souk is filled with bustling stalls selling every spice you can imagine!
Sources
Dubai Travel Guide. 2021. “Dubai Travel Guide.” U.S. News, February 11, 2021.
Fletcher, Lauren. 2021. “Here's where you'll find some of the most breathtaking views of
Dubai.” What’s On, May 17, 2021.
Lee, Jess. 2020. “25 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Dubai.” PlanetWare,
November 17, 2020. https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/dubai-uae-dub-dubai.htm.