Dubai has grown to be one of the most recognisable destinations worldwide with its lavish architecture, incredible skylines and giant shopping malls. Among the most progressive destinations in the Middle East, Dubai is also the home to Burj Khalifa, the tallest human-made building globally. While Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE, Dubai is the most popular & populous city.

November to March is the best time to visit Dubai as these are the winter months. These months are quite pleasant with temperatures averaging around 25 degree Celsius.

Winter comes with opportunities for so many outdoor activities and experiences in the city. Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is the highlight of this season and you can find the greatest shopping deals. Overall, the summer months, especially the month of Ramadan, is the worst time to visit Dubai. If a person visits Dubai during summer, the options are less as what one can do is shopping and enjoy a desert safari at night. The weather of Dubai during the summer season is extremely dry with scarce rainfall. Prices for flights and hotels are low during April through October, i.e. the low season for tourism in Dubai. While, the best season to visit Dubai is during winter for a traveler to get the opportunity to explore the city and spend the vacation well.

Emirati Cuisine or the traditional food of the UAE is influenced by Middle Eastern and Asian food. Local dishes are mostly prepared of meat, grain, and dairy products. Most dishes are cooked in a single pot with lots of vegetables and spices like saffron, turmeric, and cardamom. Lamb kebab, kuboos, khabeesa, and Harees, and Falafel are common local dishes to try in Dubai. Shawarma is one of the authentic dishes of the place and tastes delicious with some extra salad and mint sauce.

Home to the most talked-about shopping malls, artisan markets, al fresco shopping precincts, and traditional souks, you’re sure to find everything you want and more on our shores. And with seasonal sales and massive citywide retail celebrations taking place all through the year, it’s always a good time to go shopping in Dubai.

Here is a list of the Best Things to Buy in Dubai:

Gold and Diamond Jewellery, Oudh and Bakhoor, Pashmina Shawls, Persian Rugs and Carpets, Arabian Coffee and Coffee pots, Arabic Attars, Electronic Items, Camel Milk Chocolate

Although Arabic is the official language of the UAE, English is the most spoken language in Dubai. You will also find a lot of expatriates who speak Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Tamil, Tagalog, Persian, Chinese, Malayalam, in addition to many other languages.

1. BURJ KHALIFA

Towering at a height of 2,700 feet, the Burj Khalifa is currently the tallest tower in the world. With two observation decks, a Las Vegas-inspired fountain, nine of the city’s best luxury hotels and multiple restaurants, this 21st-century architectural marvel must be your number one place to visit when in Dubai or even the UAE. Also, make sure to book your tickets in advance well to avoid last moment hassles.

2. DUBAI AQUARIUM & UNDERWATER ZOO

Located on the ground floor of the Dubai Mall, the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo houses over 33,000 marine life occupying the 10 million litres of water within the tank. A unique underwater zoo occupies the level above the tank showcasing a plethora of underwater life that can be found inhabiting the oceans, rivers and other water bodies across the planet. The VR Zoo makes up the third section offering thrilling wildlife adventures via realistically created virtual tours.

3. GLOBAL VILLAGE DUBAI

Global Village Dubai is claimed to be the world’s most significant tourism, leisure and entertainment project of UAE. It is the region’s first cultural, entertainment, family and shopping destination. Every year, the place receives over 5 million visitors over an area of 17,200,000 sq ft. The compound has various pavilions that each

Managed by Dubailand on the outskirts of the city, the event is organized during the winter season between late November and late February and is part of the Dubai Shopping Festival. These pavilions represent a different country or a region usually by creating an imitation of a famous landmark of the country. It is a perfect place to get souvenirs from around the world along with global authentic cuisine, exciting rides and street performers.

4. PALM JUMEIRAH

Palm Jumeirah, Dubai’s magnificent artificial archipelago, is the epitome of beauty created by land reclamation, extending into the Persian Gulf. The archipelago resembles a palm tree with a circle when you take an overhead view of it. It was one of the first major tourism projects in the UAE and currently houses some of Dubai’s top tourist destinations like Atlantis, the Palm, Aquaventure Water Park and the Lost Chambers Aquarium.

5. THE DUBAI MALL

The Dubai Mall, also known as the home of the Dubai shopping festival, is one of the world’s largest shopping malls with an area of over 500,000 square meters! With more than 1200 stores, a large walk-through aquarium, a world-classic rink, 14,000 parking spaces and more exciting experiences for shoppers, the mall was voted the best shopping experience in the world by Grazia Magazine in 2010.

6. BOLLYWOOD PARKS

Bollywood Parks Dubai is the ‘first theme park dedicated to the B-town’ in the world! A part of Dubai Parks and Resorts, it is the perfect location to learn and experience what goes into making a Bollywood film and how the Indian movie industry works. Visitors can visit various remakes of famous Bollywood movie sets like Lagaan, have a 4D movie experience to the movie Krish, the Cinema Circle for dance workshops and more. This place has perfect photo opportunities with the beautiful Indian décor, henna artists, vintage movie posters, mannequins of stars and colourful live performances.

7. JUMEIRAH BEACH

Stretched along the coast, south of the city’s historic Al Faihidi district, this sandy white strip of sand is among the top beach destinations for the visitors of Dubai. The cluster of high-end resorts and properties such as Burj Al Arab (Arab Tower) hotel, Wild Wadi Water Park, Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Burj Al Arab (Arab Tower) hotel adds grace to the lively waterfront. For adventure buffs, there is the facility for various watersports like jet skiing, kitesurfing and more. For a quiet day at the beach, visitors can rent sun loungers too.

8. BURJ AL ARAB

Established in the year 1999, Burj Al Arab is one of the premium hotels of Dubai located on an artificial island off Jumeirah Road. Designed in the shape of a sail of a dhow, this iconic landmark houses an array of shiny chauffeur-driven limousines and a private helipad. Talking of luxury, the hotel features an attractive fountain, an admirable lobby and richness induced 203 suites. Standing tall at a height of 180 meters, the royalty factor of the hotel is brought out by its may interior elements adorned in real gold! A prior reservation (on its website) is required to get past the lobby security to visit its restaurant if you are not staying there.

9. ABU DHABI

From the serenity of the mangroves to the bustling city center, from the waterfront to the glittering skyscrapers, Abu Dhabi offers visitors an experience like no other.

The capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Abu Dhabi lies on an island that extends into the west coast of the Persian Gulf. What was once a pearling village has evolved into a political and financial center. Abu Dhabi is home to a multicultural society with a welcoming spirit, and a dining scene that will thrill foodies with its diversity.

Abu Dhabi is multifaceted: stroll through one of more than 2,000 parks and green spaces, enjoy the beach life, take a drive on a Formula One track, and haggle for bargains at a souk. There’s so much to do that you’ll find yourself planning your next trip just to catch up on all that you couldn’t fit into one visit.

WHAT TO DO IN ABU DHABI

1. Sheikh Zayed Mosque: White Beacon

The largest in the country, this dazzling mosque sits in pristine Islamic gardens. Covered in the purest white marble and boasting the tallest dome for a mosque in the world, the interior is both dwarfing and extravagantly detailed, inlaid with floral design. Other statistics are equally stunning, with a courtyard surrounded by 80 marble domes upheld by over a hundred columns, and a capacity of 41,000 worshippers.

2. Heritage Village: Step into the Past

Before the Emirati people came upon valuable stores of oil beneath the desert, they lived a nomadic life on those lands. Visit the Heritage Village for a glimpse of their traditional lifestyle. Learn about how the oasis would provide perfect living conditions for constructing homes, providing water to communities and camels, and developing irrigation lines, among other things. From the spice shops to the craftsmen’s workshops, this is quite an immersive experience.

3. Corniche Beach: Wonderful Waterside

The greatest place to let off steam in this sunny climate is along the fun-filled Corniche by the gulf. Walk or bike along the promenade, and soak up the rays between stops at gorgeous gardens or tasty cafés. At the western end of the Corniche, tourists will find the enormous Marina Mall shopping complex and the extravagant, five-star Emirates Palace Hotel — originally built for the Sheikh. Don’t miss the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, with unforgettable views from the observation deck.

4. Yas Island: Yaaaaaaass!

Take a break from the skycraper metropolis of downtown Abu Dhabi on Yas Island, a breezy recreation zone full of entertainment. Yas Mall houses endless shopping opportunities, while Yas Waterworld offers refreshing fun for the whole family. Formula One races also play out on this island at the Marina Circuit. Nearby, the Ferrari World amusement park is a wild ride, and surely one of the most unique theme parks in the world.

5. Liwa: In a Sea of Sand

Abu Dhabi rises suddenly out of the Arabian Desert in an incredible display of contemporary development, but it is still just a short drive from the serenity of the sand dunes. Those surrounding the Liwa Oasis, the long-time birthplace of the Royal Family, are the largest dunes in the world. Tourists can get their hearts pumping with drag races on this otherworldly terrain, or visit the refuge of the oasis to understand the reality of life in the desert.

6. Ferrari World

Ferrari World is the world’s first Ferrari ‘themed’ park offering adrenaline-pumping experiences to its visitors with its unique concepts in its rides. Apart from the thrilling rides, explore the state of the art simulators, live performances, electric go-karts and purchase some authentic Ferrari racing memorabilia.

Located on Yas Island, Ferrari World is also the world’s largest indoor theme park comprising of various Ferrari themed rides and attractions. It also has the biggest Ferrari store along with an array of authentic Italian restaurants at your disposal. Nestled under the bright red roof are some of the most thrilling rides including two of the world-famous ones, Flying Aces, the world’s highest ride and Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest roller coaster.

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