Experience the incredible variety of Dubai

05 March 2024

Beaches, desert adventures, souks, shopping malls, theme parks… These and much more besides make the best-known of the emirates the perfect destination for all ages and tastes - and there’s always something new to discover. You might also let yourself be tempted by our current summer Kids Go Free and couples offers, so read on to see why Dubai is the perfect destination for your next trip.

Experience the incredible variety of Dubai

Dubai for couples

The UAE is a wonderful destination for a couple’s break and the chance to spend some quality time together – perhaps in the atmospheric, aromatic spice market and glittering gold market beside the historic Creek, which you can cross in an abra (wooden taxi-boat) for great views of the old wind towers.

Or on Palm Jumeirah, you might take a helicopter tour for iconic views of the Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa, and Jumeirah coastline – sunset is a particularly spectacular time. Rooftop lounges are also lovely places to while away an evening, or why not book a spa date for two at countless outstanding venues, including Talise Spa at Madinat Jumeirah, Guerlain Spa at One&Only The Palm, and Anantara Spa at Anantara The Palm.

Dubai for families

Thrilling theme parks, world-record-breaking water parks, fabulous stretches of sand, and family-friendly Saturday brunches make Dubai a family playground second to none. But perhaps best of all is the desert where you can take part in exciting activities including falconry and Bedouin music and dancing.

Here you can sandboard, take a desert safari, and explore some of its impressive wildlife, which includes oryx, gazelles, camels, and birds. Another good way to see local species is with an organised foray into the protected Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. For a real desert adventure, you can spend a night in the dunes, delighting in a desert banquet, sleeping in a luxe camp, and waking up early to see the breathtaking sunrise.

Dubai as a stopover destination

You can’t take in all of Dubai’s attractions in 48 hours, but with its airport well-connected to the city, you can certainly pack in many of its highlights – we recommend Dubai Mall with its luxury shopping and fine dining, The Dubai Fountain's sound-and-light show, the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Miracle Garden, and Souk Al Bahar.

The City Sightseeing Dubai bus tour is also a good way of taking in lots of sights, with the option to hop on and off to discover spots at your own pace. We love Old Dubai for a glimpse into the emirate’s rich history – including the Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant – and Dubai's nightlife is also something worth experiencing during your stopover.

Dubai with friends

As well as all the above experiences, there are activities and attractions particularly well suited to holidays in Dubai with friends. If you like getting the adrenaline pumping, you can jump out of a plane together on a skydiving session or get behind the wheel of some of the fastest cars ever made at Dubai Autodrome. Dubai is also a centre for water sports, from fishing expeditions to jet-skiing, parasailing, paramotoring, banana boating, and flyboarding. Or head to the Hajar mountains to embrace nature with hiking trails.

Solo travel in Dubai

Dubai is safe, sociable, and jam-packed with activities that make it great for a solo trip, including all the above. If you want to link up with others or just get an insider view, book a walking tour and immerse yourself in a particular district (perhaps the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood), delving into the community and architecture and getting great shots to show your friends back home. Markets are also amazing places to interact with local residents, and there are group tours into the desert or to Hatta.

To book your Dubai holiday, call your Travel Counsellor today.

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