Dubai, the self-styled City of Gold is set to continue its popularity with UK holidaymakers in 2023.
It’s easy to see why. With its powdery white sand, luxury shopping opportunities, the finest of dining both modern and traditional, and extreme sports all abundant and in close proximity, packing so much into a short stay in Dubai is a breeze.
On top of that, a slew of recent reforms have been announced to make the city more attractive than ever; weekends have been extended to include Sundays (traditionally, a working day in much of the Muslim world), alcohol is increasingly permitted, and unmarried expats can now live together.
All of this adds up to a holiday full of adventure and discovery, of familiarity and fantasy, all rolled into one. Here are 5 places you shouldn’t miss on your 2023 trip to Dubai.
The Dubai Gold Souk
The City Of Gold’s opulent retail offerings are undoubtedly its best-known feature, and we’re not putting in mildly when we say that Dubai is a fashionista’s paradise.
First off, the city is home to the Dubai Mall, the biggest shopping complex in the world, where you can indulge in some retail therapy at high-end brands like Gucci and Armani (if you have the money for it in your holiday budget, that is!).
With a whopping 1,200 shops, Dubai Mall should be your first port of call when visiting the City of Gold with shopping on your itinerary. But there are several other brilliant malls that you simply shouldn’t miss, including the Jumeirah Emirates Shopping Boulevard for luxury business clothes, the Dubai Marina Mall for shopping with a waterfront view, and the Souk Madinat Jumeirah, which is great for a more traditional bazaar shopping experience.
All that said, if you’re only going to visit one place for shopping on your holiday, make it the Dubai Gold Souk, one of the most famous landmarks in Dubai. Situated in the commercial district of Dubai, Deira, it is primarily a gold retail market.
Consisting of more than 380 retailers, it’s a fascinating glimpse into the defining opulence of the city. Other than gold, the market also deals in silver and stone jewellery based on Arabic and Indian designs. You can find a comprehensive Gold Souk guide here.
Dubai Desert Safari
Though it’s not exactly difficult to remember that Dubai was built on a desert, the golden sands of Dubai is an experience best felt with your senses, first hand. Here, you can get acquainted with the Bedouin way of life by taking a trip back in time courtesy of the desert safari.
Four wheel drive vehicles transport you to a campsite where you’ll have the opportunity to experience shisha, traditional cuisine, belly dancing and henna painting. Indulge your adventurous side by participating in a spot of dune bashing. This adrenaline fuelled activity will have you racing across the bumpy sand dunes at terrific speeds – its nail biting stuff!
For something more laid back, the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is well worth a visit. You can even stay here, at the Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa.
The Palm Islands
A man-made marvel or problem-laden, sinking blight on the landscape? Whatever you think of the Palm Islands of Dubai, they’re certainly worth checking out on your trip to this once sleepy Gulf port.
Consisting of three islands, Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali, and Palm Deira, only the former is open to tourists and visitors. The architectural design resembles that of a palm tree and it is considered by some as one of the shining pearls of Dubai. Others, it has to be said, are less convinced.
Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa is Dubai’s landmark building, reaching heights of 829.8 meters, making it the tallest building in the world and the most famous points of interest in the city.
Visitors scale Burj Khalifa to enjoy the eagle eye view of Dubai, with the observation deck on the 124th floor offering spectacular views across the city skyline.
On a premium ticket, you can also head up to the 148th viewing platform and enjoy the panorama of the desert on one side and the ocean on the other. Back on the ground floor, tourists can take a stroll on the winding walkways through beautiful gardens.
Dubai Heritage Village
Away from the glitz and glamour of modern Dubai, the city is keen to preserve its rich heritage and ancestry through the Hatta Heritage Village, situated in the Hatta region.
Established in 1997, here you can see buildings and objects from the pre-modern times of the UAE. Visitors can check out workshops organised by Emirates Heritage Club with a whole host of traditional artefacts like weaving, metalwork, spinning and pottery on display.
The Hatta Village also provides a glimpse at the local wildlife and aquatic life, seemingly a world away from the ultra-modern infrastructure more commonly associated with Dubai.
Should you have gotten to the end of the article and decided on making your trip to Dubai are more permanent thing, then you might want to check out these 6 essential tips for expats moving to Dubai. See you on the 163rd floor?