Your vacation is incomplete without a trip to Dubai, known for its large and monumental skyscrapers, fancy malls, and luxurious beaches, Dubai is the place to be if you want to kick back and relax. The malls and beaches of Dubai are one of the main reasons why people go there, but did you know that there are other things you can do besides lazing around at the beach and shopping at Dubai’s finest malls? After a week’s worth of exploring the entire city, we’ve come up with the top 4 things you can do in Dubai without going to the sandy beaches.
1. Look at the Views from Burj Khalifa
Dubai is known to have the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa. This is the same building you might have seen Tom Cruise climbing in Mission Impossible. Burj Khalifa‘s rooftop offers the most breathtaking views of Dubai.
It is located right at the center of this exotic city and usually has tourists and visitors flocking to view it. Here’s a word of advice: since Burj Khalifa is quite a famous monument, it’s generally very crowded. And once you’ve had your fair share of the views of Dubai, there’s not much else to do there. But that doesn’t mean you should miss out on your chance of going somewhere high up and taking in the view.
2. Be Blown Away by the Dubai Water Show
Just like Vegas, Dubai has its very own fountain show. Only this one is much bigger and better than the one in Vegas. The Dubai Fountain Show is usually at the top of the list of sights to see for most tourists. The show consists of a display of lights with water, usually to the beat of some song. The show starts around 11:30 PM and goes on to midnight. Although Dubai is a little expensive, you can still make it memorable. Just use a cheap car rental Dubai service to reach there on time. Public transport is also available, but it may take more time than you expect and you don’t want to miss the show.
The lights and water move rhythmically, and the music in the background creates a mind-blowing experience for all tourists. You can settle down with your favorite meal from one of the nearby restaurants and enjoy the show with a drink in hand. We recommend going to the Dubai Fountain Show 10 minutes before it starts. This way you can get front-row seats.
3. Visit the Dubai Marina
Perfect for quiet walks by yourself, the Dubai marina is one of the only places where you can perhaps have a stroll by yourself. Dubai itself is not a walkable city. However, Dubai Marina has a few coffee shops and bookstores scattered around the marina, which will make your walk much more enjoyable. You can also book a yacht tour or dinner cruises for yourself. We recommend going in the evening; the marina looks exceptionally beautiful at that time.
This city is incomplete without malls and skyscrapers, so naturally, a few surround the marina as well. The Amwaj tours will allow you to go ziplining right over the marina. The zip line speed is around 80km/h which is one of the fastest in the world, so be warned: this activity is not for the faint of heart. A breakfast yacht tour is also available at the marina, allowing you to kick back and relax and enjoy your vacation days like royalty.
4. Jumeirah Mosque
While there’s an abundance of mosques in Dubai, Jumeirah Mosque stands out for one reason: it is the only mosque that allows non-muslim visitors and tourists inside. Most visitors flock here to take pictures of the mosque, and for good reason too.
The mosque is hand built from white stone and it is a breathtaking sight to see, especially at dawn and dusk. The mosque was constructed in a Fatimid style, a building structure not commonly found in Dubai. And if you’re blown away by the exterior building, you should see the interior.
This mosque is open to visitors six days a week, with friendly and helpful tour guides willing to educate you about the history and construction of this mosque. While the mosque is open to non-muslims, we advise dressing modestly or carrying extra clothing on hand if you plan on going inside.
Beaches can be quite fun on vacation; who doesn’t like the sun, the sand, and the salty breeze? But there’s so much more you can do in Dubai than just go to the beaches. We hope that this article gave you new and fun ideas on ways you can explore Dubai.
Featured photo by Pexels (Aleksandar Pasaric).
