Top 9 Sights in Dubai

20.06.2022

Dubai: from fishing village to city of the extraordinary

Dubai, the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, is also called the Manhattan of the Middle East. Where once there was only desert, the small fishing village on the Persian Gulf was transformed into the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates. Superlatives such as imposing, enormous, oversized and original are just a few that describe this shopping paradise and holiday destination. In this extravagant city of millions, you will find a wide range of entertainment such as: sightseeing in abundance, pulsating nightlife, luxury, extravagant shopping miles, a mostly above-ground, driverless metro and police cars of the Lamborghini, Ferrari or Aston Martin brands.
Dubai as a holiday destination combines everything. Sun, beach, shopping, adventure and sightseeing make this destination a unity. If you want to visit Dubai, you should plan your trip carefully. To make your choice easier, we have put together a few highlights.

Dubai Mall - Shopping, entertainment and culinary delights all in one
A paradise for shoppers is indisputably the Dubai Mall. Apart from money, you should bring time with you! A whole 1200 shops are available to fashion enthusiasts. Here you can do yourself good! And there's even more: endless entertainment options and around 120 restaurants and cafés offering culinary delights from all over the world await you. This mall has a sales area of 350,000 square metres, making it one of the largest malls in the world. This huge building is part of the Burj Khalifa. On 4 floors you will find everything your heart desires. On the ground floor is the Gold Souk. More than 200 jewellery shops that make women's eyes shine. Fashion Avenue has a multitude of large international shops, but also designer brands such as: Versace, D&G, Dior, Armani, Tom Ford, Burberry, Roberto Cavalli, Hugo Boss and many others. A paradise for all fashionistas!
Fancy a round of ice skating? No problem. A large ice rink is waiting for you. Your loved one doesn't like shopping? Then an exciting film in the cinema complex with 21 screens is just the thing for him. Boredom is a foreign word here.

Burj Khalifa - in the sky in less than a minute

The giant, completed in 2009, is impressive from the outside as well as the inside. The tallest tower impresses with its 160 floors and a viewing platform that offers an unmistakable view. You can see the tower from a distance of 95 km! To see the world from above, it is advisable to book your ticket in advance. The best time to go is late afternoon so that you can experience the wonderful sunset.
The Burj Khalifa is a masterpiece of architecture that brings you closer to heaven. But safety is also a priority here. The fire alarm systems are equipped with cables that prevent the spread of flames and the release of harmful substances in the event of a fire, so that the power supply is still guaranteed in the event of a fire.

Dubai Fountain: a water spectacle without equal

The Dubai Fountain is a fountain complex in Downtown, right next to the impressive Burj Kalifa. This spectacular water feature is located in the centre of the Burj Khalifa lake. Its water jets reach a height of 150 metres! Twice a day and in the evening from 18:00, you can enjoy a show for free. To avoid the crowds, it's best to walk to the side of the Burj Kalifa and look for a suitable spot. Or make yourself comfortable on the terrace of a restaurant, enjoy your meal and admire the show. Watch as the majestic Burj Kalifa is lit up in different colours, accompanied by the right music. An absolute insider tip!

Dubai Frame: a different view of things

Dubai Frame is an architectural gem and also the city's landmark. Located in Zabeel Park, it offers an unparalleled view of the entire city. With its phenomenal construction, you have two perspectives from here that couldn't be more contrasting. To the north, historic Dubai; to the south, the shimmering skyscrapers. The 150-metre-high Dubai Frame resembles a frame: Two towers connected on the outside by a bridge. Its floor is transparent so that you can enjoy the view of the park below you. The view is fascinating. On the mezzanine level there is a gallery where the developments of the city are shown with various projections.

Dubai Aquarium - at eye level with the sharks

Probably the best-known crowd-puller in the largest shopping mall, Dubai Mall, is undoubtedly the Dubai Aquarium with its accompanying underwater zoo. This amazingly long water basin houses over 30,000 different marine animals, with 140 species. Get eye-to-eye with the sand tiger sharks or marvel at the rays hovering above you. Discover the somewhat eerie but fascinating underwater world.
You can walk through a long glass tunnel that leads you through the middle of the aquarium. In the zoo you can admire the huge crocodile. With its 750 kg it is remarkable. Or let the glass-bottom boat take you to the exciting underwater world. If you are adventurous and courageous, we recommend swimming with the sharks. No matter what you choose, it will be a breathtaking experience.

Mall of Emirates: a somewhat different ski resort

The Mall of Emirates shopping paradise is located in the Al-Barsha district. Over 500 shops are housed in this complex, in all price categories. Brands such as Chanel, Lacoste, Gucci, Michael Kors and Dior are just a few of them. In addition, there are many restaurants and coffee shops, a cinema complex, theatres and the absolute highlight: the indoor ski slope.
After shopping, a cool down is well deserved. You can ski and toboggan here all year round. At set times, you'll meet real penguins running back and forth through the hall. Ski Dubai is separated from the mall by a shop window and is one of the most popular attractions at the Mall of Emirates.

Desert Safari - by camel through the golden sands of Dubai
For the adventurous, the Desert Safari is a fantastic way to explore Dubai's fascinating desert. It starts in the morning, as the sand glitters beautifully in the early morning. Here you can experience nature, take unique photos, learn about Arabian customs, ride on camel back or go sandboarding. Food and transfers are provided. You can sit back and enjoy!

Butterfly Garden: pure nature conservation
If you are inquisitive, this wonderful garden is the place for you. The Butterfly Garden is located right next to the Miracle Garden and provides a habitat for 15,000 butterflies. You can watch the caterpillar develop into a beautiful butterfly and learn a lot about these fascinating creatures. A wondrous man-made place that is hugely important because of its eco-friendly nature.

In the beginning was the Dubai Creek

This is where it all began. The inlet divided Dubai into two halves - Deira and Bur Dubai. Dubai Creek is a bay with a harbour. However, the fishing village that was bustling 50 years ago has retained its charm to this day. For a long time, the pearl industry was the main industry. Fearless swimmers dived for oysters in the creek. Today, tradition meets modernity here. Let yourself be swept along by the hustle and bustle, experience the oriental atmosphere on one of the Abras (famous Arabian wooden boats). Cross the creek with it, because nowhere else do you get to feel this atmosphere of everyday life as you do here.