The nightlife of the state is buzzing, especially in the Dubai hotels, and offers you bars and clubs as glitzy as you’re ever likely to see anywhere else. Its countless international workers mean that Dubai can claim to be one of the world’s foremost multicultural destinations and as such means you’re likely to experience an explosion of diversity on your visit. Dubai is known as the City of Gold and on cheap Dubai holidays you’re promised a 24-carat experience.
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Dubai’s incomprehensibly sized Burj Khalifa really does have to be seen to be believed. As awe-inspiring as it is preposterous, the world’s tallest building – standing at over 800m – is an incredible feat of architecture that took just six years to complete. The observation deck available to tourists isn’t for those with a fear of heights and is located on the 124th floor at 442m up, where it’s claimed you can see the curvature of the Earth. Dubai is known for its “look at me” reputation; the Burj Khalifa is its manifestation.
Set against the back drop of its eponymous hotel and crystal clear skies, Jumeirah Beach is the most pristine and beautiful you’ll experience of Dubai holidays. The sand is soft and the water is as blue as sapphires, it’s everything you want a beach to be and more - the more is the adjoining park and its immaculate lawns. For the ultimate day of relaxation in Dubai, chill out on its premier beach during the day before moving onto the park and having a BBQ watching the sun set in the evening.
Housed in the grounds of the Burj Khalifa is Dubai’s answer to Las Vegas’ Bellagio Fountains, which, true to form, are much bigger and grander than their American counterpart. Set on the Burj Khalifa Lake, the fountain show involves water being choreographically sprayed to music every half an hour, day and night. The frequency of the shows doesn’t diminish their appeal, and all pedestrian areas in the vicinity come to a stand still as people pause to admire the water shooting elegantly up to 500 feet into the air. The fountains are completely free, so make room for a visit on your cheap Dubai holidays schedule.
Dubai is known as the gateway to the East/West (depending on which way you’re coming from) because of the fast-growing glamour of the emirate’s city centre. It’s almost forgotten that before the discovery of oil in the sixties the city was a functioning port, the heart of which was Dubai Creek. The port is still in operation today and is a great place to visit for a little bit of culture in the city-state. There’s a boardwalk with bars and restaurants meaning that you can take a nice stroll by the waterside, before sitting in the sunshine marvelling at modern Dubai from the heart of the old.
The mall so good, they put their name on it; Dubai Mall is quite simply the best one to visit on your trip to the state. Boasting an incredible 1200 stores, Dubai Mall also has a shark-housing aquarium, Olympic-sized ice rink, indoor theme parks and 160 places to grab a bite to eat! Dubai is as famed for catering to shopaholics’ needs as it is for making extravagant architectural statements, so it’s only fitting that its premier shopping centre is the perfect example of both. The mall’s 40 foot waterfall is an impressive backdrop to the shopping trip to suit everyone on your family holidays in Dubai.
Essential info
Currency: UAE dirham
Language: Arabic
Visa: 30 day visas are given to British passport holders upon arrival.
Vaccinations: Hepatitis A is recommended.
Dress code: Outside of hotels all tourists are recommended to cover up their upper-arms and legs.
Important numbers: Embassy: +971 4 309 4444
Other info: Please note that drinking is limited to licensed locations only and is forbidden everywhere else. Bad language, rude gestures and public displays of affection can result in charges, while sex outside of marriage is banned by UAE law.