Dubai was the destination of choice for my Mom and I last October (2017). I am so glad and grateful that we chose Dubai, it is now one of my favourite destinations and one that I am very much looking forward to visiting again.
‘Dubai is the largest and the most populated city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Dubai is located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf and is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, one of the seven emirates that make up the country. The city of Dubai is located on the emirate’s northern coastline and heads the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman metropolitan area. Dubai will hostWorld Expo 2020.’ (Source: Wikipedia)
Here are my 5 top things to do in Dubai 
Relax and unwind at the beach
There is no shortage of beaches in Dubai. We spent a lot of time on JBR beach and visited Sunset beach a few times.
JBR beach is located near the Marina area of Dubai. It is a most beautiful beach – it’s white sand, turquoise, crystal clear water make it a picture postcard beach and it has incredible facilities. You can rent beds, towels, umbrellas and there is table service for drinks and food which means the most tiring thing you have to do at JBR beach is sunbathe!!!! For anyone who likes the sun this beach is bliss!!
Sunset beach is a much smaller beach and even though the facilities are not at the same level as JBR beach they are sufficient for a relaxing day in the sun.
You know you are at JBR beach when you see this colourful sign
Table service at JBR beach
Colourful Sunset Beach
The majestic Burj Al Arab overlooks Sunset Beach
Vist the Burj Khalifa
‘Burj Khalifa, known as the Burj Dubai before its inauguration, is a 828 metres (2,717 ft) high skyscraper in Dubai, and the tallest building in the world. The tower was inspired by the structure of the desert flower Hymenocallis. It was constructed by more than 30 contracting companies around the world with workers of a hundred nationalities. It is an architectural icon. The building opened in 2010.’ (Source: Wikipedia)
Located in downtown Dubai, right next to Dubal Mall, the Burj Khalifa stands tall as the highest building in the world. We took an elevator to the 148th floor to take in the incredibles views which is not for the faint hearted! I’m not great with heights and a few minutes was more than enough at this height. Coming down to the observation decks at floors 124/125 was much more enjoyable. The Burj Khalifa is a must see even if heights are not your favourite thing!
The Burj Khalifa by day
Standing tall and feeling small at The Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa by night
The Dubai Fountain
The Dubai Fountain can clearly be seen from the observation decks in the Burj Khalifa. From this distance it looks like a calm, serene fountain with it’s blue colour reflecting the desert sun. This calm serenity turns into a dancing fountain at scheduled times of the day and it truly is a spectacle worth seeing and hearing. When we visited, the Dubai Fountain danced to Andrea Bocelli’s ‘Time To Say Goodbye’. With the sun beating down on top of us, listening to Andrea Bocelli and watching an incredible dancing fountain, this became one of the highlights of our trip. Another must see!
An aerial view of The Dubai Fountain taken from the 125th floor of the Burj Khalifa
The Dubai Fountain’s turquoise clear as crystal water overlooking The Dubai Mall
Desert Safari
No visit to Dubai is complete without a trip to the desert. Dubai is built in the heart of the Arabian desert however it’s easy to forget this when in the middle of a sprawling contemporary city or lounging on one of it’s many beaches! As you drive out of the city the desert becomes more apparent and more interesting. There are many tour operators offering trips to the desert as day trips, evening trips and overnight trips. Spend as much time as you can afford in the desert, it is a truly remarkable place to chill out and connect with nature in it’s rawest form.
The sunset eclipsed by a palm tree
A bedoin dinner setting
The Lost Chamber Aquarium, Atlantis The Palm
Palm, Jumeirah is the largest man made island in the world and has to be seen to be believed. What is even harder to believe is that his man made island is made completely of sand and rocks!
This amazing video,
The Palm Island, Dubai UAE – Megastructure Development,
highlights the incredible story of building this magnificent island.
Atlantis The Palm is a 5 star resort located at the end of Palm, Jumeirah island. I am confident you could spend your entire holiday on this 5 star resort and not see all of it, it is absolutely huge! We had a few hours and decided to go to ‘The Lost Chamber Aquarium’ which was absolutely amazing. The backdrops, the variety and colour of fish and marine life make it a photographer’s dream.
Atlantis, The Palm 5 star resort (Photo Credit: Unknown)
Colourful sea life and backgrounds
Pretty but dangerous jelly fish
Colourful sea life and backgrounds
Up close with the unusual sea life
That’s it, my top 5 things to do in Dubai. There is so much more to do in Dubai, the above is a fraction of what this amazing and unique city has to offer. I highly recommend it gets a place at the top of your bucket list. It’s definitely at the top of my ‘visit again’ list.
Until the next time,
Safe travels,
Siobhain
x x x
If you like this post you might also like The Top 5 Things To Do in Abu Dhabi
The Photographer's Guide To Travel 