The Mystical Modern Dubai
Because Dubai was technically founded only a few decades ago, it doesn’t have a rich history spanning back centuries. That said, there are many cool things to see and do. I was quite taken with the balance of the traditional with modern opulence. Dubai is fascinating; here is how I experienced it.
Ascending to the top of the Burj Khalifa is a requirement when one visits Dubai. (Locally, they call it “the Burj”.) And the way to do it is not to pay US$35+ to visit the Observation Deck on level 124. Instead, book at the At.mosphere restaurant on level 123. The views are just as good and can be accompanied by champagne! I went at night and the lights of Dubai were magnificent.
The Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates are the two largest in the world. Now, I know my way around a mall but managed to get lost in Dubai Mall one day for 2 hours! It’s incredible. So many high-end shops, restaurants, cafes, etc. Going to the mall is a big part of society there as they are so big, offer so much to see/do (like indoor skiing!) and are air-conditioned. The fountains outside of the Dubai Mall are famous and fun to see.
Burj Al Arab is a beautiful property and famous with architecture buffs. It’s the tallest hotel in the world and has the largest atrium in the world as well. Several restaurants are located there and it overlooks Jumeirah Beach.
Have afternoon tea at the gorgeous Jumeirah Zabeel Hotel. We had afternoon tea and sat for hours just talking and enjoying the beauty of the lobby.
Souks are the markets that represent the more traditional ways to purchase goods in Dubai. The famous ones are the Spice Souk and the Gold Souk. I also visited the Souk Al Bahrar next to the Dubai Mall for little trinkets and silk scarfs/wraps which I wear ALL the time. The souks are highly regulated by the government so what you get is the real deal. Some negotiation is acceptable. Take cash.
Jumeirah Beach is the public beach that sits between the Palm and Burj Al Arab. I just took a walk along it (it’s a $1 entry fee) as it was fairly hot that day. But I loved thinking about the juxtaposition of Dubai with its deserts on one side and the Persian Gulf on the other.
The Atlantis the Palm. It’s worth driving both sides of the Palm, which is the famous man-made set of islands shaped like a palm tree. It’s gorgeous to drive and all the resorts located there are beautiful. The Atlantis sits at the top, and is absolutely incredible. It has 26 restaurants, an entire water park, incredible glass sculptures, shops, etc. On the left side, you can see a great view of the Burj Al Arab overlooking the Persian Gulf.
Entrance to the Atlantis Palm
Jumeirah Mosque is just south of Dubai Marina and is stunning. Unlike most other mosques in Dubai, this is open to non-Muslims and is worth a visit. (Hint: long sleeves, long pants/skirt and something to cover your head are needed. I think they will provide garments for use during your visit if needed.)
Bastakiya Quarter is the old historical neighborhood. I didn’t make it there on my visit but apparently it gives a sense of what Dubai was like before all the development. It’s small and has cafes, etc. Nice for a stroll.
The Desert. I really wish I had had the time to visit the desert while there but was balancing business with just a little pleasure and didn’t make it. There’s a lot to do there but you must use guides, etc. You can ride camels, have a “dune dinner” with the traditional pillows, tents, candles, etc. You can ride dune buggies, etc. Really fun and highly recommended. I’ll do on my next trip for sure!
A day trip to Abu Dhabi, which is the capital of the UAE. I wasn’t able to go to Abu Dhabi either, but it’s only 90 minutes away. You can take a bus or hire a car. It certainly has more historical sights to see, including the Old Fort, the Emirates Palace (7-star hotel), crazy shopping and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which has room for upwards of 40k worshipers and incredibly beautiful. I hear it is more conservative than Dubai but still very welcoming to Westerners.
