Dubai is a country that excites everyone when we hear about it and it is a place that all have on their bucket list. It is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. This place has so much to offer. From mesmerizing islands, luxurious resorts, and lip-smacking restaurants to a shopper’s paradise, Dubai has it all. And in your first week in Dubai, here are some of my recommendations that you should definitely visit for a unique and unforgettable experience.
Blue Waters Island
Bluewaters is a fantastic place to start exploring Dubai by enjoying the beautiful islands and experiencing the world’s largest observation wheel, Al Ain. The view of the blue waters from the promenade looks pleasing to the eyes. I would recommend you try Al Ain to witness the breathtaking views of Dubai, which takes about 40-45 minutes for one rotation. It costs around 130 AED for adults and 100 AED for kids. Jet-ski, private yachts, and boat rides are the best way one can enjoy Dubai’s beautiful island and its true and magnificent beauty. They also have a few food stalls. There are many elevated dining options that you will love to indulge in. One of the newly opened restaurants is The Pods where you can dine inside a glass-shaped pod enjoying the mesmerizing views and relishing the appetizing dinner.
Location: Bluewaters Island – Dubai
I would recommend you go in the evening.
JBR-The Walk (Jumeirah Beach Residence)
JBR is such a lively place that is loved by the residents as well as the tourists. This place has its own charm with a beautifully lit setup. It is known for its casual dining outlets, chic cafes, and street shopping. The artistic and abstract paintings on the wall, the well-defined architecture, and the family-oriented events make this place worth visiting. This place offers luxurious stays in numerous five-star hotels. My personal experience at JBR at sunset was serene and surreal. The Waterfront beach view while chilling and sipping on a hot coffee at the cafe made my evening blissful. Some top-notch restaurants like P.F Changs and The Cheesecake Factory are worth trying at the JBR.
Location :34JM+CF9 – Dubai Marina – Dubai
I would recommend you go at sunset or for dinner.
Dubai Frame
Dubai Frame should be high on your list when visiting Dubai for its structured and planned architecture and this building stands tall at 150m. It holds the record for the largest frame in the world. It costs 50 AED for adults and 20 AED for children aged 3-12 years. As you step in, I was guided towards the elevator and as you go up, the view just gets so much better giving a bird-eye view. It was a treat to my eyes to experience two sides of Dubai that is New and Old Dubai. It also explains the history of how Dubai came up to be and what will it look like in the near future which left me stunned. The glass skywalk deck was an amazing experience that gave me goosebumps. It is the perfect place to capture your memories in a “FRAME”.
Location: Zabeel Park Jogging Track – Za’abeel – Al Kifaf – Dubai
My recommended time would be the afternoon or evening.
The Dubai Mall
Dubai Mall is also known as a shopper’s paradise. You have so much to choose from the wide variety of brands. From the iconic view of Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world to all the luxurious brands, Dubai Mall has it all. The Dubai Aquarium, Underwater Zoo, and Olympic-sized Ice-rink are the best activities to enjoy at Dubai Mall. I thoroughly enjoyed the Dancing Fountain show with beautiful colorful lights which starts around 6 PM. Innumerable dining options and scrumptious food from the top restaurants in the world can be enjoyed here. If you are a Turkish dessert lover like me, Hafiz Mustafa (A famous Turkish food chain) is a must-try at Dubai Mall.
Location: Financial Center Street, Along Sheikh Zayed Road, Next to Burj Khalifa – Dubai
My recommended time would be to go in the early afternoon.
The Gold Souq
Gold souq or gold market is known for its dazzling jewelry and precious stones which are worth admiring. I suggest you visit this place even if you have no intention of buying gold. And even if you are looking to buy gold from Dubai, this place is definitely for you. I was truly mesmerized and shocked to see the long gold huge necklaces, and antiques from the shining showcases. The gold souq offers a wide variety of rings, necklaces, bracelets, and bangles. If you are at Dubai Creek, the best way to get to the gold souq is through an Abra ride(boat) which costs around 1 AED.
Location: Gold Corner Building, 3rd Floor – Gold Souq – Deira – Dubai
My recommended time would be the afternoon or early evening.