Dubai/Jumeirah

• Burj al-Arab

  phone: +971 4 3017777
  This huge sail-shaped hotel completed in 1999 is a symbol of Dubai and its ascent in the world. The self-proclaimed world's first seven-star hotel (actually a five-star deluxe hotel) was the first icon of Dubai and still stands out on the skyline from its location on an artificial island 280 m from the beach. Entry to the hotel is restricted to hotel guests and those with a restaurant reservation. A smart casual dress code applies but is not strictly enforced. Make restaurant reservations in advance.

• Burj KhalifaAt 828 m and 160 floors this is the world's tallest structure by a long shot, over 300 m taller than the previous contender in Taipei. The observation deck at the 124th floor is the second highest in the world after the Shanghai World Financial centre. Dominating the Dubai skyline, the tower houses a hotel and a Las Vegas-inspired fountain system. The visitors' entrance is at the lower ground floor of Dubai Mall. Although the tour is called At the Top, it isn't! At 452 m it's just over halfway up the tower itself. Console yourself with the knowledge that most of the rest of the tower consists of service areas and the view below looks suitably ant-like.

• Dubai Fountain

  address: Dubai Mall
  At 270m (900 ft) in length and sporting a jet that shoots water up to 150m (500 ft), it is the world's largest dancing fountain and one with a very enticing display - a definite must-see. It's most easily accessed via the Dubai Mall. There are private entranceways from the Burj Khalifa if you're staying there.

A.Savin

• Dubai MarinaThe Dubai Marina is to be the popular nightlife area of Dubai in the future. This multi-billion-dollar development is designed for tourists and water sport. The bars and cafés along the marina are popular gathering points for families and younger people. Most restaurants offer shisha and oriental food but food chains are fast entering too. The "Marina Walk" along the yachts is especially popular on Fridays and Saturdays. Yacht agencies offer services to explore the coastal region and Palm Islands.

• Dubai Zoo

  phone: +971 4 344 0462, +971 4 349 6444
  address: Jumeirah Rd crossing 51 St, Jumeirah community
  An outdoor zoo near the beach. Because of the extreme temperatures during summer, there are plans to bring the zoo indoors. It is not worth visiting, because of the small number and variety of animals. Housing conditions are appalling; animals are in cages too small for them to take more than a few steps, and are frustrated and bored.

• Jumeirah BeachDubai is known for its great beaches and this one is the best. It's the most popular and busiest beach of the country. Expect to see swimmers in bikinis and ladies in abaya cloaks; this beach truly encapsulates the Westernisation of Dubai culture.

• Jumeirah Mosque

  address: Jumeirah Rd, Jumeirah 1
  The largest mosque in the city, and a wonderful example of Islamic architecture. It was built in the medieval Fatimid tradition with the interior decorated with elaborate Arabic calligraphy. It is one of few mosques in the city open for visits by non-Muslims; the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding conducts special tours for non-Muslims to help promote understanding of Islam. Guided tours are available on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday beginning at 10:00, followed by a question-and-answer session. The mosque is an especially great place to visit in the evening when it's dramatically illuminated by floodlights.

• Majlis Ghorfat Umm Al Sheif

  phone: +971 4 394-6343
  address: 17th St (Al Mehemal St), Jumeirah 2
  A restored traditional Emirati-style two story building used as a summer residence by Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, one of the founders of UAE, and father of the present ruler of Dubai.

Aheilner

• Palm IslandsThe Palm islands are the best symbols of the boom and bust construction cycles in Dubai. The "oldest" Palm called Palm Jumeirah is completed and is host to the gigantic Atlantis Hotel on its top. Several marinas, hotels and condo are along the palm leaves. The development of the other two Palms will depend on the financial situation of the construction business but someday Dubai will have the three largest artificial islands in the world on its coastline.

• Al Safa Park

  phone: +971 50 858 9894
  address: Al Hadiqa Rd, Al Safa community
  A beautiful planned park and one of the oldest parks in Dubai. It is a favourite for sports enthusiasts, and many visitors enjoy playing tennis, volleyball, and soccer. Children love playing games in the video arcade, or riding the ferris wheel and bumper cars. The park even has a maze to wander through. Barbeques and picnic areas are available for those who want to make a day of it. It has lakes where you can take a boat ride and a hill that offers panoramic views of this beautiful lush green park and the gigantic Dubai skyline. But as of 2017, infrastructure are old disused and it have construction work.

• Etihad Museum

  phone: +971 4 515 5771
  address: 2nd December Rd crossing Jumeirah Rd, Jumeirah 1 community
  Museum about the construction of the Union of the Emirates, after the withdrawal of British forces. Open in 2017, it features exhibits about the seven fathers, and the constitution. The Union House, where the treaty was signed, can be visited as well as the Guest Palace. It also hosts temporary exhibitions (e.g., philatelic in May 2017).

• Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

  phone: +971 4 448 5200
  address: Dubai Mall, Doha St, Sheikh Zayed Rd
  Giant aquarium, long and high. The visit includes a crossing inside the walk-through water tunnel, behind the scenes, and several other experiences. The Underwater Zoo has 140 fish spices, desert animals, penguins and also hosts "King Krok". Animal feeding hours are indicated in the zoo, and it's also possible to participate to feeding.

• Museum of the Future

  address: Emirates Towers, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Trade Center 2 community
  Museum to be opened in April 2019

• Jumeirah Archaeological Site

  address: 16th St, Jumeirah 2 community

• Jumeirah Fishing Harbor

  address: Jumeirah Rd crossing 311 Al Urouba Rd, Jumeirah 1 community
  A quite place with some nice restaurants.

• The Lost Chambers Aquarium and Ambassador Lagoon

  address: Atlantis, Cresent Rd East, Palm Jumeirah
  An Atlantis-themed aquarium with a lot of fish species and jellyfishes. Don't miss the giant chamber with numerous sharks and rays. Shark feeding 10:15 and 15:45, ray feeding at 09:30 and 15:15. Possibilities to dive or do the "Aqua Trek" in the Ambassador Lagoon.

Frank Seiplax

• Ski Dubai

  address: Mall of Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Rd crossing Umm Suqueim Rd, Al Barsha 1
  Dubai has a snow skiing centre in the Mall of the Emirates, offering both skiing and snowboarding. The slope is quite large for an indoor area. All equipment is available for hire. Although it is inside, you do not need to bring a jacket because they supply pretty much everything except gloves and a hat which you can buy right there (gloves are included in some packs). It also propose the "Penguin Encounter" activity where you interract and play with pinguins (king and gentoo)

• Wild Wadi Waterpark

  phone: +971 4 348 4444, +971 4 406 8374, +971 4 406 8654
  address: Jumeirah Rd, Umm Suqeim 3 community
  The perfect place for the entire family to spend a day as well as being a great way to beat the heat and enjoy the day away from the bustle of the city. Located close to the hotels and resorts of Jumeriah Beach, the park has water rides, slides, and a lagoon that is hidden away. You'll enjoy waterfalls, out of the way swimming holes, and a tidal pool.

• Atlantis

  address: The Palm
  Atlantis-themed but Arabian-styled resort on the artificial island of The Palm. Has a huge water park with plenty of thrilling water slides, housed inside a large shopping area with plenty of places to eat and drink.

• Aquaventure Waterpark

  address: Atlantis, Cresent Rd East, Palm Jumeirah
  Aquaventure have a lot of water slides, including the extreme slides: Leap of feath and Poseidon's Revenge. It also includes Dolphin encounter, swimming with dolphins...

• The Dubai Mall

  address: Sheikh Zayed Rd, Downtown Burj-Khalifa
  The largest mall in the world, it opened in November 2008. It has over 1,200 shops of brand names from all over the world. It contains an indoor ice rink and indoor aquarium. It is right next door to the Burj Khalifah, and the visitors' entrance to the Burj Khalifa is located at the lower ground floor of the Mall. It houses the Dubai Aquarium (which you can dive tours in) and 1,200 shops for everything. The food court on the lower floor is spectacular in its variety. It's a good place to watch the water games of the Dubai fountain, which plays at night. It is breathtaking, so take time and pick your points of interest.

• Boulevard – Jumeirah Emirates Towers

  address: Emirates Towers, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Trade Center 2 community
  Part of the Emirates Tower Hotel complex. The shops here match the hotel, very high class, plus a Starbucks. Lipton café has free Wi-Fi. Restaurants and bars all serve alcohol. Quite a popular nightlife spot, with bars and nightclubs and it is considered the most expensive mall in Dubai.

• Mall of the Emirates

  phone: +971 4 409 9000, +971 4 409 9100 (management), +971 4 409 9160 (security)
  address: Near 4th interchange on Sheikh Zayed Rd, Al Barsha 1 community
  It was largest shopping mall outside of North America until the Dubai Mall opened in 2008. Over 200 shops, cinemas, plus the Ski Centre. Has many international high street chains as well as luxury brand stores, including Harvey Nichols. Many restaurants and cafés, though cafés tend to be much more crowded than at other malls. It's attached to a Kempinski hotel, which has restaurants licensed to serve alcohol that are accessible from the mall. Very large Carrefour hypermarket attached, next to the Kempinski Hotel. Arabian/Middle Eastern souvenir shops upstairs. It's known for Ski Dubai and it other spectacular attractions. There are all High Street shops around and is very popular with families.

• Mercato

  phone: +971 4 344 4161, +971 4 344 4705 (management)
  address: Jumeirah Beach Rd, Jumeirah 1 community, POBOX 755
  Mercato (Italian for market) is the only Renaissance-themed shopping mall in the Middle East. It captures Italian, French and Spanish flavors and artistic characteristics, playing host to regular fairs and festivals from each country. Mercato provides a unique shopping experience, the best in international entertainment and popular brand names like Virgin Megastore, Top Shop, Mango and Hugo Boss; Mercato is simply The Good Life. It houses a big Spinneys Supermarket, a 7-screen Grand Cinema, a Starbucks, and mouth watering restaurants such as Bella Donna who have a balcony overlooking the sea that cannot be missed.

• Souk Madinat Jumeirah

  phone: +971 4 366 8888
  address: Jumeirah Rd, Al Sufouh 1 community
  Includes 75 shops, numerous bars, restaurants and cafés, a nightclub, theatre. More expensive and targeted directly at tourists than other, general malls where residents go. Most bars and restaurants are licensed for alcohol. Nice to wander through as it has been designed to resemble a "traditional" souq, but with the modern comforts of air conditioning. Lots of souvenir-type shops.Dubai - Souk Madinat Jumeirah - panoramio.jpg

• Town Centre Jumeirah

  phone: +971 4 344-0111
  address: Jumeirah Beach Rd
  With a bright, open and spacious atmosphere, it is a place to shop, relax and casually dine at a wide selection of eateries like Sumo Sushi, Cafe Ceramique, La Cafette by Carpe Diem and Simply Healthy. It also houses an extensive range of ladies' beauty outlets like the Nail Station, Paris Gallery, Kaya Skin Care Clinic, Wax Lounge and SOS Salon.

SnappyHip

• SatwaA small community much resembling a town, its streets are rowed by textile shops notably opposite the Satwa Mosque ending to the opposite of Satwa clinic. Most of the people flock to Satwa for their textiles, you might sometimes catch offers and discounts but if you don't do so try bargaining the price, this is what most locals do, even if you're a tourist convince the salesman to give you a discount, bargain till you get the lowest price available. Not only is Satwa a hub for textile shops; some tailoring shops on the corners are also found if you want a dress made as soon as possible after purchasing the raw materials. Raw silk might also be available in some shops. Because of the row of textile shops, it might be Dubai's version of Little India and Little Manila as many Indians reside in this district as well as Filipinos.

• Dubai Marina Mall

  phone: +971 4 436 1020
  address: Sheikh Zayed Rd, Dubai Marina
  Another mall, with cinema, food court, etc.
• La Mer, a large group of restaurants and shops at the beachfront. The whole area is quite pleasant to walk around even if you are not into shopping.

Budget

• 800 Pizza

  phone: +800-74992
  address: Sheykh Zayed Rd, Barsha
  Traditional & authentic Italian pizza baked in wood fired Italian stone oven, thin & crispy crust.

• More Cafe

  address: Dubai Mall
  Serves breakfast, lunch and light continental and oriental meals. Good service and huge portions to stuff even the hungriest.

• Noodle House

  phone: +971 4 366 8888
  address: Emirates Towers Shopping Blvd, Madinat Jumeirah
  Asian food.

• Royal Kebab Restaurant

  phone: +971 4 4508105
  address: Dubai Media City, Zee Tower, Next to BBC, Dubai and soon to open in Dubai Mens College
  A restaurant by RJS Group. With outdoor seating and a separate shisha area.

Mid-range

• Chill Out

  phone: +971 4 341 8121
  address: Times Square Centre, Ground F, Sheihk Zayed Rd, Al Marabea St, Al Quoz community
  Have a delicious contemporary European food in ice lounge at a chilling temperature of . It is first of its kind in the Middle East. From tables to even crockery in which food is served, all made of ice.

• Chimes

  phone: +971 4 323-4211
  address: Al Barsha
  Thai, Singaporean, Malaysian and Indonesian themed food, and the popular house speciality must be the pepper or chili crab. You can eat at the restaurant or order home delivery to most areas of new Dubai.

• Jedoudna Restaurant

  phone: +971 4 4230766
  address: Rimal Sector, The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence
  A family-run Lebanese restaurant. With outdoor seating and separate shisha area.

• Karam Beirut

  address: 1st floor, Mall of Emirates, Sheykh Zayed Rd, Al Barsha
  Excellent Lebanese food.

• Lal Qila Dubai

  phone: +971 4 325 4778
  address: Diyafa St, Jumairah-1
  Continental.

• Toscana

  phone: +971 4 3666730
  address: Souk Madinat Jumeirah
  Italian.

Splurge

• Al Mahara

  phone: +971 4 301 7600
  address: Burj Al Arab
  Part of the Burj Al Arab hotel, and as you would expect is also very high quality, especially seafood.

• At.mosphere

  phone: +971 4 888-3828
  address: Burj Khalifa
  Exclusive fine dining restaurant on Level 122 of Burj Khalifa.

• The Gem Garden

  phone: +971 4 323 4333
  address: Holiday Inn Dubai - Al Barsha, Sheikh Zayed Road
  Continental restaurant.

• Gharana

  phone: +971 4 323 4333
  address: Holiday Inn Dubai - Al Barsha, Sheikh Zayed Road
  Authentic Indian restaurant.

• Options, by Sanjeev Kapoor

  phone: +971 4 329 3293
  address: Sheikh Zayed Rd
  Run by famed Indian TV chef Sanjeev Kapoor. Drinks served. Reservations recommended especially on Friday nights.

• The Royal Budha

  phone: +971 4 323 4333
  address: Holiday Inn Dubai - Al Barsha, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
  Authentic Thai restaurant.

• Shang Palace

  phone: +971 4 405 2703
  address: Level 1, Shangri-La Hotel, Shk Zayed Rd
  Good Chinese food. No smoking

Elgaard

• 360°

  phone: +971 4 366 5866
  Jumeirah Beach Hotel Complex. Open air bar with great views of the Burj hotel and the Jumeirah beach hotel all helped by a cool breeze from the ocean. Various DJs but think Ibiza lounge bar and you will not be far off.

• Bar 44

  phone: +971 4 399 8888
  Excellent view above the city.

• Buddha BarBranch of the international Asian-themed bar/restaurant.

• BarastiBuilt in three levels (each playing its own music), with lounging areas on the beach, lots of young and foreign people come here during the weekend. Very popular with expats.

• Nasimi Beach

  address: The Atlantis
  Great bar/club on the beach in the Palm Jumeirah.

• Long's Bar

  phone: +971 4 312 2202
  address: Sheikh Zayed Rd
  The longest bar in the UAE, typical English style with live football, similar to a UK Wetherspoons. Great music and DJs plus food and friendly atmosphere.

• Left Bankperfectly situated on the waterfront in one of the most tranquil areas of Dubai. A great food menu leads on to some excellent cocktails and music inside.

• Observatory

  phone: +971 4 3194000
  Bar and restaurant with great view across Palm Jumeirah (on a clear day!) Popular happy hour with the after work crowd on Thursday from 18:00-20:00.

• Skyview BarLive bands (both local and international), reservations are a must.

• Vu's BarTry the 51st Floor house cocktail, it's so deliciously strong, also there's a staggering 200 cocktails to choose from.

• Zero Gravity

  phone: +971 4 399 0009
  address: Dubai Marina, Al Seyahi St
  Beach club, a nice place for partying.

• 400 Nightclub

  phone: +971 4 332 4900
  address: Fairmont Hotel Dubai, Sheik Zayed Rd
  The essence interior of 400 club is a mix of Gothic and Baroque designs, famous for its vibrant lights and mix music of Arabic, RnB and house. It is always over-crowded during the weekends, especially local faithful crowds.

• The Address Downtown Dubai

  phone: +971 4 436 8888
  address: Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai
  One of the many luxury hotels next to Burj Khalifa with many good fine dining restaurants and bars.

• Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort

  phone: +971 4 567 8888
  address: East Crescent
  Houses the only over water villas in the UAE.

• Atlantis, the Palm

  phone: +971 4 426-1000
  address: Crescent Rd, The Palm
  Hotel on the Palm. Connects to mainland by monorail.

• Fairmont Dubai

  phone: +971 4 332-5555
  address: Sheikh Zayed Rd
  Closest 5-star hotel to the World Trade Centre.

• Fraser Suites Dubai

  phone: +971 4 440 1400
  address: Sidra Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road, PO Box 502306, Media City
  Serviced apartments & accommodation in Sidra Tower.

• Grand Millennium Dubai

  phone: +971 4 429 9999
  address: Sheikh Zayed Rd

• Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort

  phone: +971 4399 1111
  address: 1 Jumeirah Beach Rd
  Resort with a private beach. The hotel is only 10 floors which is dwarfed by nearby high-rises, but the location is lively and the pool/garden area is lush.

• Holiday Inn Dubai - Al Barsha

  phone: +971 4 323 4333
  address: Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Barsha 1, P.O.Box 115443, Dubai
  310 elegant rooms. a choice of 3 bars, choice of 2 fine dining restaurants and 6-storey high atrium and piano lounge. Gymnasium, roof top pool, massage rooms, sauna and spa.

• Jumeirah Beach Hotel

  phone: +971 4 348-0000
  Next to Burj al-Arab and run by the same company.

• Dubai Public Librarynear Gold Souk, offers free internet stations and WiFi, which is very hard to find in Dubai.