From the timeless tranquility of the desert to the lively bustle of the souk, Dubai offers a kaleidoscope of attractions for visitors. The emirate embraces a wide variety of scenery in a very small area. In a single day, you can experience everything from rugged mountains and awe-inspiring sand dunes to sandy beaches and lush green parks, from dusty villages to luxurious residential districts and from ancient houses with wind towers to ultra-modern shopping malls.

Dubai is both a dynamic international business centre and a laid-back tourist escape; a city where the sophistication of the 21st century walks hand in hand with the simplicity of a bygone era; a cosmopolitan society with an international lifestyle combining the comfort and convenience of the western world with the unique charm and hospitality of Arabia.
Dubai, One City. Diversity. Come, experience it.  ( Source: definitely dubai.com – a government website)

Fishing

The warmth and shelter of the Gulf attract a large variety of fish, and several local companies provide full and half day trips to the best fishing waters about 12 kms offshore from the mainland.

Desert safaris

One of Dubai's most popular tourist attractions is the desert safari. A unique experience that combines an adventurous 4 wheel drive car ride over sand dunes with camels, belly dancers, henna designers, falconers, and a barbecue dinner by starlight. Other attractions include sand skiing, sand boarding, sand karting and camel racing.

Golf

Visiting golfers can choose from various clubs and courses, each of championship quality and presenting a different type of challenge. The Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club and the famous Emirates Golf Club are the excellent venues for golf enthusiast. The Nad Al Sheeba Golf and Racing Club even offers night golf for those who want to beat the summer heat.

Ski Dubai

Dubai is home to Ski Dubai - the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East. This unique resort spans 22,500 square metres, and is covered with real snow throughout the year. The theme of Ski Dubai is that of a mountain resort - with qualified instructors to guide you through the intricacies of learning to ski or snowboard. Inside the resort, a retail shop, themed restaurants and the world's largest Snow Park, offer something for everyone.

Ferrari World

A recent addition to the tourist trail is this stunning theme park. Located in the Al Raha Beach area of Abu Dhabi it is approximately 50 mins from Dubai Marina. A full day is needed to experience the depth of entertainment on offer with the worlds fastest roller coaster and many more Ferrari themed things to do and see.

Bastakiya

Get a glimpse of old Dubai and another world, by wandering around the old Bastakiya district. Down narrow lanes, traditional courtyard houses with wind-towers give a good insight into how people lived. The wind-towers as well as looking attractive were functional as they provided a form of 'air conditioning' by filtering the air down into the house.

Dubai Museum

This museum offers a wonderful snapshot of Dubai in the past. The museum is housed in Al Fahidi Fort, that once guarded the city. In 1970 it was converted for use as a museum. The museum is very innovative and imaginatively designed, showing how people lived during pre-oil days. The desert and the animals that inhabit it are depicted in an interactive way which is fun for both adults and children. A huge room is dedicated to marine life and the activities of the pearl divers.

Dubai Mosques

One of the largest and most beautiful of Dubai's numerous mosques is the Jumeirah Mosque, which is a spectacular example of modern Islamic architecture and the one mosque in Dubai that is open to non-Muslims to visit. It is built of stone in medieval Fatimid tradition with twin minarets and a majestic dome. It stands as a city landmark and is worth visiting at night when it is fully illuminated.

Heritage & Diving Villages

Go back in time and experience some of Dubai's heritage. This is a traditional heritage village located near the mouth of the Creek where potters and weavers display their crafts.

Souk Madinat Jumeirah

The souk is a colorful and vibrant market or part of a market in an Arabian city. Lively trading culture, animated, interactive - this defines Souk Madinat Jumeirah. Meandering paths lead visitors through a bazaar-like atmosphere in which open fronted shops and intimate galleries spill onto the paved walkways. The sounds of craftsmen and women at work mingle with the aroma from street cafes and boutique restaurants. Souk Madinat is exclusively known for the unique brands, crafted quality and an interactive experience.

Parks and Picnic Areas

Around Dubai are numerous public parks and gardens offering a peaceful respite from urban life. Particularly popular with families, they offer attractive picnic spots and children's play areas with a variety of entertainment facilities.

Dubai Zoo

The zoo in Jumeirah houses many indigenous Arabian species, including the Arabian Wolf, which is no longer found in the wild. Regional birds of prey can be found in the large aviary. Several Arabian mammals and many species of cats are also in the zoo.

Wild Wadi

Situated next to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and 20 minutes from the centre of Dubai, this water park combines thrilling rides, a surf area, a wave pool and many more water activities for all ages. Many of the 24 water rides are inter-connected, which means you never have to leave the water. Adrenaline seekers will love Jumeirah Sceirah - a 33-meter high slide with steep angles to propel riders up to 80km per hour. There is also Breakers Bay, which has a wave machine creating 1.5-meter waves all day.

Wonderland

The Wonderland family fun park features a wide range of water attractions including speed slides, surf hills, wave runners and a Caribbean cruise. It is closed on Sundays and Wednesdays are for Ladies Only. Thursdays are for Families Only.

Spa & Therapy

Dubai is home to an extraordinary number of spas and wellness clinics, ranging from internationally renowned brands to ancient Chinese and Indian holistic treatments. For nature lovers, around Dubai are numerous public parks and gardens offering a peaceful respite from urban life. Particularly popular with families, they offer attractive picnic spots and children's play areas with a variety of entertainment facilities. Or perhaps you would like to take a day trip to Hatta, a comfortable resort, ideal for a weekend getaway, where you get a glimpse of traditional folklore in this lush, natural retreat.

Shopping

Dubai is a shoppers’ paradise, whether it’s bargaining with a shopkeeper in the souks or wandering the halls of the ultra-sleek malls. So exciting is the traditional and modern retail mix in Dubai that two huge international shopping festivals have been built on it.

From bazaar to brand, some of the most spectacular shopping malls in the world are to be found across Dubai. From shopping malls to boutiques, from haute couture to traditional Arabic handicrafts and antiques, shopping in Dubai offers you the top brands the world has to offer at duty free prices.

Most shopping venues and cultural destinations sell a range of gifts and souvenirs representing Dubai: The Seven Sands of the UAE, traditional Bedouin jewellery, sand art, packaged dates and date products, Arabic sweets, wooden crafts and palm leaf handicrafts.

Aerial Tours

Exploring Dubai by air can be a spectacular sight. Helicopters and plane tours and even hot air balloon rides over the city will give you fantastic views of this thriving city. Some trips take tourists across the city and over the desert and the Hajar Mountains.

Creek Tours

The Dubai creek can be explored with the help of an organized creek tour. It is a great way to see new and old Dubai side by side while enjoying a peaceful and relaxed journey.
Many of the tours are in traditional wooden dhow or Abras (water taxis) which take you on a short journey across the waterway to the old-world of Souks, providing a fascinating glimpse of Dubai's trading heritage.

Nightlife

When the sun goes down, Dubai lights up the night sky with clubs, bars and restaurants to suit every taste and lifestyle. The young and the young at heart can dance the night away to live bands at one of the many nightclubs around the city. Together with many Western clubs, you will find Arabian, Middle Eastern, South American and Asian nightclubs where singers and dancers perform regularly. The entertainment mix in Dubai ensures that the city has a very lively night scene