Craig C. Leslie Dubai is the Middle East’s largest metropolis, the most cosmopolitan city in the UAE, and at the same time a city of wonders that can only be finally believed by looking at them. Dubai: Attractions are found practically everywhere, in close proximity to each other.
Today, we’ll list the most famous and iconic landmarks in Dubai, including a description and photo of them, and a guide to where to go and what to see during your holiday at the resort.
The Burj Khalifa skyscraper
At 828 metres high, the Burj Khalifa Tower is considered to be Dubai’s landmark. The tower, which is the tallest on earth, is perfectly visible from anywhere in the city, but it is only inside that you get a glimpse of its true grandeur. On the 124th floor of this structure, above the clouds, there is an observation deck, on a sunny day it offers an unreal panorama. On the 122nd floor there’s a luxurious restaurant, Atmosphere, where visitors emerge and dine like celestials amid the clouds. This is just a small part of what the Burj Khalifa has to offer.
A dancing musical fountain
Next to the legendary skyscraper, in the middle of an artificial lake of 12 hectares, stands the world’s tallest music fountain: its jets of water soar 150 metres into the air.
The water, shimmering with all the colours of the rainbow, usually “dances” to an Arabic tune. Less frequently, the performance is accompanied by classical music and popular international hits.
The Dubai Mall
After a tour of the legendary Burj Khalifa Tower and in between music shows, you can head to the Dubai Mall.
Although, to call this enormous commercial and entertainment complex a mere shopping centre is a misnomer. Even a whole day will not be enough to explore the numerous boutiques and entertainment options at the complex. Visitors to Dubai Mall can enjoy 150 restaurants, an ice-skating rink and a large theme park, as well as the most interesting attractions, an aquarium and an underwater zoo. If hiking around all these attractions tires you out, you can sleep for a few hours in the cosy sleep pods set up here in the Mall.
Aquarium and underwater zoo
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo are definitely worth a visit if you’re heading to Dubai Mall with kids – they’re not much to see, but there is plenty to see.
The aquarium is a 10-metre-long glass tunnel, and as you walk through it you can’t help but feel like you’re inside an enormous living organism. There are many differently coloured fish swimming around, a truly majestic and fascinating sight.
On the first floor, in the zoo, you can see different animals: crocodiles, penguins, hedgehogs, parrots, owls and bats.
Burj Al Arab Hotel
Burj Al Arab is recognised as one of the most significant landmarks in the Emirate of Dubai. The hotel’s silhouette, resembling a huge sail, has become a beacon of the vast metropolis.
Burj Al Arab is world-famous for its very high standard of service. Although officially 5-starred, it is often referred to as the only 7-starred hotel in the world.
It offers visitors everything imaginable: Rolls-Royce transfers, helicopter flights, a luxurious private beach, the world’s best bars and restaurants.
Aquaventure Water Park
“Aquavenchur is Dubai and the UAE’s most popular attraction. This huge water park covers an area of 17 hectares and offers varied and incredible entertainment. There are different types of slides, with and without extremes, for visitors of different ages and of different kinds.
Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh temple
The cosmopolitan city of Dubai has become home to people of different nationalities and faiths, including 50,000 Sikhs. The first Sikh temple in the Persian Gulf, Guru Nanak Darbar, was recently inaugurated.
Around the building is a 54m-long prayer path (parikrama), framed by a beautiful metal fence and flanked by a picturesque pond. The entire religious complex covers an area of over 100,000 sqm.
Inside the church, the staircases are incredibly spacious and wide, and the large arcaded windows with stained-glass windows let in plenty of sunlight, making the already large space seem visually expansive. In addition to the large prayer hall, which can seat 900 people, the building has a dining hall for 600 people and a good modern kitchen.
Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh Temple is a unique landmark in Dubai, so it is advisable to see it first. It is a very beautiful and serene place to sit in silence and be filled with harmony. And after prayers, all visitors and those in need are invited to stay for langar, during which they are treated to a delicious vegetarian meal.
Miracle Garden – a miracle garden in the middle of the desert
Dubai never ceases to amaze: all the world’s grandest and most ambitious things are built here, and there’s always something to see. Isn’t it amazing: a fragrant floral oasis in the middle of the desert?
The Miracle Garden is a unique, the world’s largest Miracle Garden with 45 species of flowers on 72,000 m² of space. Green lawns alternate harmoniously with lush flowerbeds, and many flowers are planted in the shape of figures: parrots, swans, a 10-metre high pyramid, an aeroplane.
Miracle Garden is located on the outskirts of the city at Al Barsha 3, Arjan Dubailand, Dubai. It’s a bit far and the best way to get there is by taxi. The Miracle Garden of Dubai is a must-see and it’s half the price of a tour operator’s tour and half the cost of a guided tour.
In summer, when Dubai is very hot, the garden is not open. At other times of the year, it welcomes visitors at such times:
- Sunday to Thursday inclusive – 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m;
- Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Tickets are the same for adults and children – $12 each, children under 3 years old are free.
For possible changes to schedules and admission prices, always check the Miracle Garden website: dubaimiraclegarden.com
Autodrome
Where to go and what to see on your own in Dubai for lovers of speed and sports cars? The Autodrome at Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Rd/Motor City is a must, of course.
The Dubai Autodrome offers guests a variety of programmes. For example, adrenaline-pumping rides in go-karts and racecars, including Audi TT and Subaru STI Impreza tuned cars. Visitors to the race track can also choose from a full-day individual programme or group package. Although a touring instructor will be on hand to guide them through the corners at all times, many conclude afterwards that the stress never left them during the entire trip. Even for those who don’t have any driving skills but want to take a ride in a race car, the driving range offers the opportunity to take a few laps at high speed in a sports car driven by an experienced instructor.
The Autodrome provides all necessary equipment including suits, panniers, gloves and boxes for valuables. It is very important that you keep your shoes closed for your self-drive as the vehicle gets very hot.
- The cost of one ride is 100 dirhams. It is quite expensive, however in the CIS countries there is simply nowhere else to get such an experience.
- It is advised to book a place on the track in advance, you may do so on the official site of the autodrome www.dubaiautodrome.com/. Before you do so, however, be sure to check the schedule, as there are regular competitions on the open karting track.
Dubai Marina
After the artificial archipelagos of Palm Jumeirah and Palm Jebel Ali were created in the western part of Dubai, a vast bay was formed between them. The coastal area of this bay is home to the Dubai area known as Dubai Marina. It is a prestigious residential area which can be visited as part of almost any city tour. You can also visit it on your own.
Part of the man-made bay shore has been transformed into the largest marina on Earth, owned by the Yacht Club. The marina is a very interesting place to view the city, as it offers stunning panoramic views.
At the Dubai Marina Yacht Club, you can take a boat trip, preferably in the evening. In the evening, both the pier and the city have a different view from the water than during the day from the promenade. The lighting of the skyscrapers makes them even more striking than when the sun is shining. And in the evening, the breeze is nice and not as hot.
Conclusion
A stay in Dubai can only be like a fairy tale. Once you’ve explored what attractions Dubai has to offer, you’ll want to see them all. After all, it’s really hard to choose the most interesting ones.
