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What to do in Dubai

With its sky-high buildings, designer shopping and rolling desert dunes, Dubai welcomes the culture curious and the adrenaline addict. You could easily spend your entire holiday on the beach, but the theme parks and larger-than-life attractions are too irresistible to miss.

Downtown Dubai

This is one of the city's focal points, thanks to the presence of the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa, an 830m (2,723ft) needle of glass and steel. Head up to the observation decks on levels 125 and 148 or book a buffet breakfast in The Lounge on level 154.

Nearby, the Dubai Mall has more than 1,200 shops, an aquarium, a 22-screen cinema and an ice-rink. The evening 'dancing fountain' show takes place every half hour from 6pm.

Deira’s souks

Catch a traditional wooden abra boat across Dubai Creek to shop in Deira district’s maze of souks. They don't quite rival the heady atmosphere of much older bazaars in North Africa and the Middle East, but there's a lot of enjoyment (and the odd bargain) in browsing the gold, spices, silks and perfumes on sale here.

The experience provides a very different take on Dubai to the shiny air-conditioned malls, so it’s worth the trip.

Palm Jumeirah

A colossal artificial island that measures almost three miles from its gateway towers to the furthest point of its 'trunk', Palm Jumeirah is an impressive place to visit – even by Dubai standards.

It’s home to high-end resorts, most notably Atlantis The Palm, which has the Aquaventure Waterpark, a huge aquarium and other attractions. Palm Jumeirah is also the place to get a scenic helicopter tour over Dubai's coastline.

Mall of the Emirates

Marginally smaller than the Dubai Mall but no less impressive, the Mall of the Emirates is another attraction that looms large in Dubai life. Perhaps its most unique feature is Ski Dubai, an indoor snow park with penguins.

It also has a huge indoor family entertainment centre and big-screen cinema showing the latest Hollywood blockbusters. There are more than 630 shops, too.

Dune bashing in Dubai’s desert

Dune bashing is driving at high speed up, down and across enormous sand dunes in a 4x4 – basically, a lot of fun. Many tours also involve barbecue dinners with live entertainment, such as belly dancing, camel rides and sandboarding.

Stay overnight in a Bedouin tent to see the clear night skies, golden sunrise and get the full desert experience.

Where to stay in Dubai

For families

From family-friendly hotels and apartments to larger-than-life theme parks and desert adventures, Dubai knows how to cater to kids. Where you stay will depend a little on budget and the attractions that take your interest.

Jumeirah is a good starting point as it has excellent beaches and watersports, as well as the Wild Wadi Waterpark. This area is close to the Dubai Mall’s aquarium and fountain show. Or, you could stay right in the heart of Dubai Parks and Resorts to focus your holiday on Legoland, Motiongate theme park and Bollywood Parks.

For food and drink

Celebrity chefs, Michelin stars and indulgent Friday brunches are all part of Dubai’s multicultural food scene. Atlantis The Palm and the Burj Al Arab each have several restaurants to choose from. If your budget doesn’t stretch to those mega hotels, stay around Dubai Marina to be close to several fine-dining establishments.

For Emirati cuisine, head to old Dubai – Deira or Al Fahidi – where cheaper local cafes serve traditional meals. It’s worth noting that many independent restaurants outside of the hotels don’t hold an alcohol licence, so opt for Arabian tea or fresh juice instead.

For nightlife

Dubai’s hotels house much of the city’s nightlife, which focuses on luxurious lounge bars, rooftop cocktails and nightclubs. Some of the most glamorous venues are in Dubai Marina and on Palm Jumeirah, where you can expect visiting DJs, dancing and fashionistas dressed to impress. Accommodation here is suitably stylish, but there’s also a good range of simpler aparthotels and excellent value package deals.

For a more relaxed evening, seek out a rooftop shisha lounge for a communal smoking experience. There are several close to hotels in and around Al Fahidi, with relaxing music, traditional food and fabulous city views.

For culture

If you’re keen to discover more about the Emirati culture and history, the Al Fahidi Historic District is the destination for you. Right on your doorstep, there’s the Dubai Museum, the contemporary XVA Gallery and the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. Deira also has many hotels close to the souks.

Closer to the centre of Dubai, in Al Quoz, is an alternative cultural hub: Alserkal Avenue, a warehouse turned arts centre. There is some good value accommodation close by, or you could splash out on one of the many coastal digs within a 10-minute drive.