3 Must Do Activities in Dubai
As the largest, most populated city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai has been ranked the 7th most visited city in the world, seeing millions of tourists each year with a projected estimated of 20 million overnight visitors by 2020.
With tourism being such an important pillar of Dubai’s economy, it should come as no surprise the amount of sights and activities available to enhance your visit. As plentiful as Dubai’s attractions are, it may be easy to get overwhelmed and be unsure of where to start, especially if you’ll be visiting for the first time. The following three activities sample the city’s delights from different perspectives and may be great starting points for planning an enjoyable tour.
#1 Desert Safari
Desert being Dubai’s dominant terrain, the safari tours are among the most popular attractions. A trip through the dunes—known as “dune bashing”—is a thrilling rollercoaster-like experience that gets the adrenaline pumping.
Along the way, you’ll witness the beauty of serene landscapes, visit a camel farm, have an opportunity to ride a camel, and enjoy moments of peace in the silence of the dunes, taking in the breathtaking sunset.
To finish your day of fun, BBQ dinner and the famous Arabic water pipe, shisha, is served by campfire and starlight with accompanying acts such as belly dancing, tanura dancing, and a fire show.
Experiment with henna designs on your hands or feet as you enjoy high-quality Arabic coffee, known as gahwa, unlimited soft drinks, tea, mineral water, and fresh dates. A must for any new visitor to Dubai, the desert safari does not disappoint!
#2 Dhow Cruise
Traditional wooden boats known as dhows were used for fishing, pearl diving, and trade exchanges well until the 1990s when local entrepreneurs converted dhows into a floating restaurant.
With the increasing popularity of the dhow cruises, the Dubai Marina Canal has become a choice destination for cruise operators.
Now a well-established attraction, Dhow Cruises in the Dubai Marina serve hundreds daily, delivering a memorable dining experience enhanced by beautiful scenery, singing, and folk dance.
A popular night-life attraction, dhow cruises can deliver a truly romantic experience if not merely a fantastic time. If you’re celebrating a wedding, birthday, or other special occasion, dhow cruises are perfect!
#3 Fishing Trip
A common pastime of UAE locals is deep sea fishing. In recent years, the popularity of deep sea fishing attractions for tourists has been on the rise.
While Dubai has yet to earn the acclaim of hot spot fishing destinations Tobago, the Seychelles, or South Africa, some rich catches can be had of barracuda, cobia, groupers, and sometimes even tuna.
Even if you’re new to fishing, the staff that runs the boat rentals and fishing tours may offer assistance and guidance to ensure your trip is a success.
Walk away with deep sea fishing experience, smiles, loads of fond memories, and the photos to prove it all. First-time visitors or those that have yet to experience Dubai’s deep sea fishing should definitely consider adding this to your to-do list.
These three activities highlight some of the most distinct views of Dubai and are fantastic starting points for a holiday in the UAE. While shopping can be nice—especially in Dubai—there are a wide variety of exciting opportunities to explore during your visit so you can experience more of the real Dubai, interacting with the culture and nature in unforgettable ways. If you can only do three things, schedule your safari, cruise, and deep sea fishing to have a great time, guaranteed. If you have longer play time, definitely don’t stop with these three! Now, go have an adventure!
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