Dubai Travel Guide

If you’re thinking about heading off to somewhere a bit unusual and different to your usual vacation destination, but you aren’t quite sure where to go, why not check out the gateway to the east in the form of the unique desert city of Dubai. Dubai is one of the hugest hubs of travel in the world, acting almost literally as the gateway between east and west – with London being only around 4 hours west and India/Bangkok being about 4-5 the other way. Dubai in itself though is a hub of activity and makes for an interesting holiday alone!

Getting There, Getting Around

Regardless of how you’re getting here, chances are you will be flying into the Dubai International Airport, although you can also enter via the neighbouring Sharjah Airport in Abu Dhabi. Dubai is well-serviced by a modern metro system which can be one of the most affordable ways to get around the city. There is also an extensive local bus network, trams and also a monorail, but despite all this Dubai remains a primarily car based city, and in truth you will undoubtedly see some of the worlds best and most beautiful high end cars here due in part to the money that can be and is made in Dubai. Buses are available if you’re interested in visiting the other areas of the UAE such as Oman and Abu Dhabi.

What To See/Do

It can be easy to think of Dubai as just a huge mix of glass and sand, but nothing could be further from the truth. It has some amazing high end shopping and dining options along with the Burj Khalifa building – the highest in the world. Hotels and shopping adorn the crown of Dubai, and the observation deck at the Burj Khalifa needs to be seen to be believed. Check out the network of souk markets strewn throughout the city which mix modern shopping with old world traditional markets, and visit the district of Old Dubai to see how the city looked before it was injected with the money it has today. Save up your pennies and spend a night being pampered in luxury at the Burj al-Arab hotel, the only (although self-proclaimed) seven star hotel in the world. You can stay for a night or just come for afternoon tea or a meal, either way, do not miss this piece of pure luxury in the lap of the Middle East.

Things to See Around Dubai

You can book a few different tours around the city itself, perhaps a boat trip along the Dubai Water Canal or take a stroll down to the Dubai Marina, both fantastic opportunities to get out and around Dubai in a different way. There’s also Ski Dubai – an indoor ski slope for those who miss the white stuff while they’re in Dubai as well as a number of great sand safaris and even Wild Wadi – a great adventure park for the whole family.

Likewise there is always the beach as well as the exclusive Palm Islands – the artificial island that were created off the coast of Dubai in the shape of palm trees where many of the worlds rich and famous have homes or property. There is ultimately something to do for everyone in Dubai.

So there you have a quick run down of everything there is to see and do in Dubai, proving that it’s not just a city of sand and skyscrapers. Come on over to Dubai, even if it’s just a stop off on your way to somewhere else. You will be left in awe at Dubai, and plan to come back again. We promise!

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