Dubai Tourism 101

My Dubai Must-See Attractions List

Dubai tourism was at an all-time high this year and it will rebound again. Visiting Dubai is always fun but is also extremely expensive. Dubai is not an independent country like many tourists assume. Dubai one of the seven emirates that make up the UAE. When you first arrive in Dubai the number of attractions can be slightly overwhelming. What makes visiting Dubai even harder is that many of the attractions take time to visit. The attractions aren’t just viewed from the outside. Each attraction I will discuss took hours to visit and each provided their own uniqueness. Dubai is super expensive but also extremely intriguing. 

Burj Al Arab

Starting with Burj Al Arab only seemed natural. Dubai has so many astounding architecture pieces but Burj Al Arab is the building that many tourists know Dubai from. This massive 7-star luxury hotel is even more amazing in person. Yes, I said a 7-star hotel. Burj Al Arab is the only 7-star hotel in the world. The sky-bar allows for amazing views but the coolest amenity they offer is the underwater restaurant. Next time you are in Dubai make sure you try to schedule a tour beforehand because the only other way to see it is by booking a room. Rooms at Burj Al Arab start around 1,000$ USD a night. 

Burj Khalifa

Next on the list was Burj Khalifa. Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building and an architectural masterpiece. Burj Khalifa stands at 828 meters (2,716.5 feet) and more than 160 stories. That is humongous and yes when you get on the elevator it makes your stomach turn just a bit as you climb to the top. This was a very cool tour to go on and was run very smoothly. If you are in Dubai Burj Khalifa is a must-see. 

Burj Khalifa is known for holding the Guinness World Record for the tallest building in the world but what you might no know is that it has quite a few other records as well.

• Tallest free-standing structure in the world
• The highest number of stories in the world
• Highest occupied floor in the world
• The highest outdoor observation deck in the world
• Elevator with the longest travel distance in the world
• Tallest service elevator in the world

Infamous Al Fahidi Fort and Dubai Museum

The oldest building in Dubai made the list because it has mummies. This Egyptian themed museum is extremely fascinating. As you walk into the museum there are life-size dioramas waiting for you. Along with life-size footage and screens, this museum does a great job of allowing you to feel as if you are back in the early Egyptian days. The Dubai Museum is an absolute must-see for any museum lovers.

Dubai Mall Equals Dubai Tourism

The Mall of the Emirates is exactly what it sounds like. It is a giant shopping center. So, why did it make the list of must-see attractions? The reason is simple, it offers over 200 food stands. 😆 This mall is so massive it took me 4 hours to get through. There are over 1300 stores and it also has the world-class Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. What mall have you ever been to that had an underwater zoo? This mall was something to see but you should probably leave your wallet at the hotel or you may not have anything left when you return. The Dubai Mall is named “The Fashion Capital for the Middle East,” for a reason and the prices show that. This is a great free attraction to see but remember to bring your piggy bank if you plan to shop. 

Ski Dubai

While I was in Dubai it was blazing outside. When I walked out of the airport the thermometer showed 35C/95F. As the sweat began to pour down I saw a giant sign reading “Ski Dubai.” I couldn’t stop laughing because I could not believe that Dubai went and built their own indoor ski resort. Ski Dubai an indoor ski resort that offers everything that a normal 5-star ski resort would. They have ski classes, a complete snow park, and even snow penguins. After you explore the city for a while this could be a great place to cool off at. 

The Dubai Attraction You Don’t Need to See

Dubai Beaches are not a necessary attraction to visit. They were very underwhelming and provided nothing of significance. If you are trying to layout at the beach and just get a tan on your vacation then Dubai is not the place for you. There are way cheaper and far more beautiful beaches for you to visit. 

How to Get Around to Attractions

If you are on a time crunch and visiting Dubai during an extended layover there is only one way to see all of the attraction. Big Bus Tours offered 3 different routes with 30+ stops and it allowed me to see as possible during my time in Dubai. The guides were super nice and explained anything I needed clarification on. The guide also allowed me to take his charger while I explored the Mall of Dubai for nearly 4-hours. Guides like him are what we need more of. A simple gesture allowed me to see the city and take pictures along the way. The next time you visit Dubai, choose Big Bus Tours, and find this class act tour guide. Dubai tourism can seem like a daunting task at first due to the expense but with the proper research, you can find ways to save money and see every site you want to. 😀 

Next, Be Sure to Check Out “Dubai Before and After”