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Dubai is a tax-free paradise where you can expect to receive the royal treatment. This desert city is home to some of the most awe-inspiring and jaw-dropping architecture on the planet. Anything and everything is for sale here: from the golden bangles in the souks to glittering designer goods in the palatial malls.
1/tab.galleryImage.size}Marvel at Dubai’s ultra-modern skyline, dominated by the towering Burj Khalifa skyscraper
2/tab.galleryImage.size}Indulge in the finer side of life at Dubai’s luxury resorts such Atlantis, The Palm on the artificially created Jumeirah archipelago
3/tab.galleryImage.size}Revel in retail heaven at the Dubai Mall, the largest shopping centre in the world
4/tab.galleryImage.size}Take a wildlife safari, sandboard down the legendary Big Red Dune and visit a natural oasis in the Dubai Desert
5/tab.galleryImage.size}The real heart of the city, Dubai Creek is a saltwater estuary and the original site where the Yas Bani tribe settled
6/tab.galleryImage.size}Step back in time at the Al Fahidi historical neighbourhood and discover Dubai’s fishing village roots
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Marvel at Dubai’s ultra-modern skyline, dominated by the towering Burj Khalifa skyscraper
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Indulge in the finer side of life at Dubai’s luxury resorts such Atlantis, The Palm on the artificially created Jumeirah archipelago
3/6
Revel in retail heaven at the Dubai Mall, the largest shopping centre in the world
4/6
Take a wildlife safari, sandboard down the legendary Big Red Dune and visit a natural oasis in the Dubai Desert
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The real heart of the city, Dubai Creek is a saltwater estuary and the original site where the Yas Bani tribe settled
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Step back in time at the Al Fahidi historical neighbourhood and discover Dubai’s fishing village roots
Things to do
We've chosen the must-see highlights of this fantastic city.
We've chosen the must-see highlights of this fantastic city.
See
Dubai Creek Wharves
If you want to see traditional Dubai at work, visit the wharves. Dhows are large wooden boats used to transport goods to the UAE's neighbouring countries. It's fascinating to watch busy workers load and unload all sorts of goods, including the kitchen sink.
Location
Baniyas Road, Bur Dubai. The dhows are moored next to Al Maktoum Bridge
See
House of Camels
According to this wonderfully quirky museum, camel urine cures baldness and camel dung helps nose bleeds. The museum houses more facts about these ships of the desert than there are hairs on the beasts' backs.
Location
Al Shindagha Road
Shop
Deira Spice Souq
You can smell this market before you see it. It's filled with colourful spices, dried fruits and chillies bursting out of jute sacks. Nearby, all that glitters can be found at the Deira Gold Souq, a treasure trove of gold and diamond jewellery.
Location
On and around Sikkat al-Khail Square
See
Majlis Ghorfat Um-Al Sheif
The late Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum's majlis (meeting room), situated unobtrusively in the heart of fashionable Jumeirah, is a hidden gem. The best time to visit is the afternoon when the setting sun casts wonderful shadows on the outside terrace.
An informal talk about the Muslim faith is held four times a week at the stunning Jumeirah Mosque, the only one in Dubai open to non-Muslims. Women should have their arms, legs and head covered and men must wear trousers.
Location
Jumeirah 1, at the intersection of Al Jumeirah Road and 17B Street
Once the stronghold of wealthy merchants, these winding alleys have been renovated but still carry a charming echo of yesteryear. Houses once maintained the privacy of families within, but these traditional courtyard dwellings now play host to cafés, art galleries and quirky museums.
Location
Bur Dubai, off Al Seef Road
Do
Dubai Camel Racecourse
There's nothing quite like watching the camels line up under starter's orders, the bang of the gate shooting up and the handlers hurling themselves out of the way of the pounding hooves. Racing is on mainly in the winter season.
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