It is invariably love at first sight for all those who visit Dubai for the first time. After all, it is the most celebrated and the most visited emirate of the UAE. With its glitzy and state of the art architecture, lofty skylines and abundance of tourist attractions coupled with fun-filled activities to do, Dubai surely sweeps you off your feet the first time itself.
Dubai was earlier a sleepy fishing village until the oil era began in 1968. The city rose to victory in free trade, entertainment and tourism and is now known as the city of the Sheikhs. Today, there are many activities for adventure enthusiasts and culture buffs like the desert safaris, sky diving over the Palm Islands and many other cultural highlights in this flamboyant city. Here is a quick look at some of the things to see and do in Dubai.
Kite Beach
There are many public as well as private beaches where you need to pay entry fees in Dubai. The Kite beach is one of the sportiest beaches in Dubai which is free to enter. However, there is one part of this beach which charges you for the sun bed, umbrella, and towel. Here, you can enjoy a plethora of aquatic sports and activities such as skateboarding, surfing and kayaking. The beach is windy and attracts kite flying experts and kiteboarders. There is also a skate park, a trampoline and areas for kids to enjoy. The beach is slightly coarse with lots of shells in it. There are food trucks and cafes which make it a haven for foodies.
Al Mamzar Beach Park
For all those who crave to have a quiet spot for a beach holiday, this is the one. It is an extensive beach and park offering lush barbecue areas, playgrounds and lagoons covering a wide area for an affordable cost. They are sheltered beaches as well and if you are willing to splurge, they also rent lounges and bungalows for an exclusive experience. It is just a short drive past Dubai creek and the best spot for a fun-filled family vacation.
Old Dubai
Apart from the tall skyscrapers and gleaming landscapes, Dubai has much more to offer when it comes to culture which is equally interesting and fascinating. Dubai is divided into two areas Deira and Bur Dubai. Deira is where the tradition and history of Dubai can be explored.
A lot can be learned about Dubai’s history and its culture in Old Dubai. The Al Fahidi Historical District is small but alluring replete with wind towers, coral blockhouses and traditional Arabian doorways that take you back in time. The Dubai Creek is another such attraction which was the main port and entry to Dubai until 1963 when the first bridge was made. You can enjoy ferry rides along the creek and get a glimpse of Old Dubai and its souqs.
Traditional Souqs
It is located on the Deira side of Dubai and it is here that you will find gold souqs, spice souqs and perfume souqs all within a walking distance. The gold souqs in Dubai are considered one of the best places in the world to buy good-quality gold at lower prices. But make sure to bargain to avail it at the best price. The spice souqs are filled with aromatic dried herbs and spices which form for perfect travel souvenirs. Do not miss buying attars that are sold in ornate bottles along with other exotic fragrances like oud and bakhoor in the perfume souqs.
Best time to visit
November to March with its cool climate is considered the best time to visit Dubai. It is a peak season for tourists and considering the high demand, it is recommended that you complete your travel booking a little in advance to avoid the inflated ticket rates. If this is not possible, you can also travel during the off-season. Whatever you choose, the ideal option to avail the best prices for your flight tickets is to use Cleartrip. It gives you an option of ‘Setting Fare Alerts’ so that you would be notified whenever there is a drop in the flight rates. Convenient isn’t it?
Getting there
There are frequent flights to Dubai from India and many airlines which provide reasonable flight tickets, of which Air India Express is one. It offers non-stop flights to the Middle East with the best in-flight services. They also give you options like Web check-in and add-ons like free carry-on baggage. You can enjoy fast and secure Air India Express booking on Cleartrip. The website, as well as the mobile app interface of Cleartrip, is easy to follow and navigate with zero loading issues. You can get complete information regarding your flight schedule, the status of your booking, cancelling, rescheduling and baggage policies for every airline all under one roof on Cleartrip. You can also apply for online UAE Visa for free on Cleartrip. It is a hassle-free and seamless process.