Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Hello everyone! Team Elvia Travel is back with a new article. Today, I will tell you something about the city I explored last week. We are talking about Dubai, a city in the United Arab Emirates. This city attracts the attention of every single traveler because it is completely different from the cities located in Europe.
Basic information about the city
Dubai is the second largest emirate of the United Arab Emirates. It has 3 million inhabitants and its largest part is occupied by desert. Dubai Creek river flows through the city. It is divided into 3 parts – Deira, Burj Dubai and Al-Awir.
Travelling
If you are from Slovakia and want to travel to Dubai, you can get there from Bratislava, but with transfers in other countries, or from Vienna by direct flight. I flew from Vienna to Abu Dhabi, a city that is about 100 kilometers from Dubai, and from there I got there by taxi, which will cost you about 70€. If you are traveling with several people and you divide the cost between you, I think is an acceptable price.
What you should not miss out on when visiting Dubai
1. Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa is definitely the most famous building in Dubai. This huge tower with a height of 828 meters was built in 2009 and opened in 2010, becoming the tallest building in the whole world. Currently, it is used as a residence of various commercial enterprises and offices of well-known companies and brands. In addition, there are cafes and restaurants that you can visit.
You can reach the 124th floor by elevator in 1 minute. When you get out of the elevator, you will be immediately greeted by a souvenir shop and cameras with a touch screen that will show you the construction process of this tower. If you´re not afraid of heights, which you probably shouldn’t be when you decided to go on such trip, go outside to the terrace and see the breathtaking view of the city center. If you want to reach the 125th floor, you can go up the stairs and there you will find another terrace. The entrance fee is 40€ per person and this price also includes a welcome drink.
If you have the opportunity to visit Dubai, I definitely recommend you to go there, The view from the top of the Burj Khalifa shows you all of Dubai and some parts of Abu Dhabi. You can clearly see Burj al Arab (the most expensive and only 7 star hotel in the world), Palm Jumeirah, The Dubai Frame, The Ain Dubai and several other iconic landmarks. The view is fascinating especially during the sunset and sunrise.
2. Dubai fountain
Dubai fountain is located under the Burj Khalifa. This fountain offers a unique experience of water, music and light. The fountain releases water up to a height of 140 meters and each show is programmed according to the music that will be playing. Colorful, illuminated jets sway to the rhythm of the song. The most played performers include Michael Jackson, Andrea Bocelli and typical Arab singers. Shows start every 30 minutes from 6:00 p.m. You don’t have to pay any entrance fee there, except if you would like to see this fountain from a boat that sails on the lake.
3. The Dubai frame
Dubai Frame is a museum and monument in Zabeel Park in Dubai. Like many structures in this city, this frame also holds the record for the largest frame in the world. It is 150 meters high. The frame serves mainly as a viewpoint with a view of the old part of the city in the north, but also of the newer parts in the south part of the city.
In addition to the view, you can also have a coffee or a cookie here and you can take photos and buy souvenirs. The entrance fee for children under 12 is 5€, otherwise the price is around 14€.
4. Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Souk Madinat Jumeirah is a perfect fusion of old and new. It is located next to the famous Burj Al Arab hotel and offers a view of the old Arab city. A shopping and eating place with modern restaurants and cafes with terraces lined with palm trees. There are also small shops with souvenirs, ceramics, costumes, jewelry, decorations and various scents of spices and perfumes. An endless maze of small streets with stalls selling local trinkets. There are also residents trying to convince you to buy something from them.
For me, this was one of the best trips because I got to see what a typical Arab market looks like and what is usually sold there. It certainly differs from an ordinary shopping center with its pleasant atmosphere and atypical surroundings.
5. The Dubai Marina Promenade
A city with an artificial canal, built along a 3-kilometer stretch of the coast of the Persian Gulf. It has 55,000 inhabitants, and after the completion of the entire project, the plan is that more than 120,000 people will live in residential towers and villas.
Dubai Marina Promenade is the most beautiful part of the bay with a beautiful promenade. It consists of 6 residential towers overlooking the bay and the marina. Dubai Marina Mall is also nearby, which is one of the most famous shopping centers in Dubai.
6. Jumeirah beach
A white sand beach located in the Jumeirah district on the coast of the Persian Gulf. As you can see in the photos, there are massive and large hotels, resorts, various shopping arcades, restaurants, cafes and attractions for children and adults at the beach.
We went to the beach every day for 2-3 hours. The sea was clean and quite warm and it was the only place where you could stand the high temperatures. We also had three colder pools at the hotel, which we went to every day.
7. Shopping malls
When it comes to shopping centers in Dubai, I have to mention the 2 most famous ones located there. Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates. You will find many expensive stores and designer brands there. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s enough just to see how huge their centers are. If you want to visit every single one of the approximately 1000 shops, you will spend a lot of time there. There is also a ski center in the Mall of the Emirates, where you can buy an all-day ski pass or an aquarium with various fishes.
That would be all from my trip to Dubai. Of course, I didn´t mention all the interesting places and attractions that you can visit there, because I would be here until tomorrow. We also wanted to visit the Dubai Miracle Gardens – gardens with different figures and shapes made of flowers, but they were closed. The Dubai Ain Ferris Wheel was also closed for operational reasons. We also wanted to visit the desert, but it was very hot, so I would recommend visiting it in cooler weather.
I hope that you like this article and that maybe one day you will have the chance to visit Dubai.
