As with most areas in the Middle East, Dubai – branded as the ‘city that never stops’ – is the host of a rich culture and colourful way of living, with endless amounts of attractions and landmarks to visit, as well as outstanding sights to see all year round. Even though the nation is steeped in Islamic traditions, Dubai showcases an international lifestyle and people from all over the globe wish to live in Dubai, resulting in it being one of the top real estate hubs in the world. When visiting Dubai, foreigners often surround themselves with concern or confusion around what they should be wearing. For visitors, there is no strict dress code, although typically you will see most men wearing long white robes, while women’s fashion varies; some wear western clothing and some wear robes and veils. Let’s not forget, Dubai is a Muslim country and you may hear the call to prayer over loudspeakers throughout the days, so be sure to respect segregated prayer rooms in public places too.
Visitors can get to grips with the local culture in Dubai just by simply being there. Explore past architecture as you walk through the Bedouin village, sit outside one of the cafes and even inhale some of the flavoured tobacco smoke drifting through the calm air from shishas.
But Dubai is a whole lot more than culture; there are many unique and exciting attractions in the city, as well as a huge amount of high-class hotels. No matter what your desires for a trip away, Dubai promises to find something that’ll thrill you! The Burj Khalifa is probably Dubai’s most famous landmark, and is currently the tallest building in the world at over 800 metres tall with more than 160 floors and 26,000 glass panels. The Burj Khalifa isn’t the only spectacularly over-the-top attraction, as Dubai now prides itself on its outstanding array of architecture in the form of the most modern-looking buildings on the globe. Taking a look at Dubai now, it’s hard to believe that, until oil was discovered in the Arabian desert back in the 1960s, it was only a small fishing village and was home to around 6,000 people. Today, the population is 2.6 million and it has become a home-from-home for the rich and famous.
The seawater Dubai Creek, flowing between Deira and Bur Dubai in the historic centre of the city is another of Dubai’s renowned attractions and is the reason for the city’s very existence. Since being used to develop a commercial seaport, when trade with the outside world began, the Dubai Creek has been widened and is now often busy with water taxis ferrying passengers between the north eastern and south western banks. These water taxis are now often used as a practical way of seeing the sights around the city, providing guests with views of palaces, mosques and other Dubai landmarks.
If sport is something you enjoy and you are seeking an action packed vacation, then you couldn’t choose a better destination in the Middle East. Claiming to be the sports capital of this region of the world, Dubai hosts world-class golf, horse and camel racing, tennis, boating, sailing and rugby. The colossal Mall of Emirates is the host of indoor snow skiing, so there really is something for everyone, and you can experience the wonders of the world’s different climates right in the heart of the city. In addition to this, why not enjoy a day at the Wild Wadi outdoor water park or push yourself out of your comfort zone and parachute at the Palm Jumeirah?
Or for those of you that would rather surround yourself with the safety of Dubai’s sandy beaches, simply enjoy your days basking in the sun on fine white sand, taking shade under the palm trees. Additionally, if splashing the cash on shopping sprees is more your thing, then fear not, as Dubai is the home of a number of excessive malls and shops, where you can live a life of true royalty.
Whether you’re looking for an exotic honeymoon location, shopping heaven or just to simply laze around in the lap of luxury for a week or two, you should really consider visiting Dubai.
