12 places to visit in Dubai

Let me be honest, Dubai was never on my list of places to visit. It happened because my family wanted to see this amazing city. Indians are definitely obsessed with Dubai, mainly because of its skyscrapers and gold. So as part of my family travel, I visit Dubai for 5 days and I must admit I was amazed by its beauty and adaptation to technology. In this post, I am going to list the top 12 places to visit in Dubai.

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About Dubai

Established as a small fishing village, Dubai is the most populous city in United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.). Famous for having the second most five star hotels in the world, Dubai grew rapidly in the 21st century. Being one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, Dubai is many people’s favourite. One of the interesting facts about Dubai is that it is home to the world’s tallest building Burj Khalifa that has 163 floors.

Flights to Dubai

Dubai is the hub and a transit place between many parts of the world. There are two International airports in Dubai – Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International. Both these airports have very good flight connectivity with most flight operators operating from these airports.

• Dubai International Airport is around 14 kilometres from Dubai city and Al Maktoum International is around 56 kilometres from Dubai city.
• Both these airports have good public transportation (buses and metros) from and to the city.

U.A.E tourist visa

Australian citizens

Australian citizens can visit U.A.E by obtaining tourist visa on arrival. They can get 30 days multiple-entry visit visa at any international entry.

Indian citizens living in Australia

Note: For the latest information please refer to the U.A.E Consulate website.

Types of visas available for tourists

The following types of tourist visas are available:

• 14 days visa.
• 30 days visa.
• 30 days visa (multiple entry).
• 90 days visa (multiple entry).

Documents required for visa processing

The first set of documents required are:

• Scanned Copy of the Passport.
• Passport Size Photograph.

The second set of documents required are:

• Copy of Return Air Tickets.
• Copy of Hotel Reservation (if staying with friends / family then please provide copy of their emirates ID card).
• Purpose of Visit.
• Return Date.
• Emergency Contact Number.
• Emergency Email ID.
• Emergency Contact Person.
• Relation with Emergency Contact Person: (Family / Relative / Colleague).

Visa processing steps and process

Below are the steps for applying the U.A.E tourist visa for Indian citizens living in Australia (Australian residency visa):

Step 1: Determine the visa you need.

Step 2: Determine the requirements for visa and collate the documentation required.

• Scanned Copy of the Passport.
• Passport Size Photograph.
• Copy of Return Air Tickets.
• Copy of Hotel Reservation (if staying with friends / family then please provide copy of their emirates ID card).
• Purpose of Visit.
• Return Date.
• Emergency Contact Number.
• Emergency Email ID.
• Emergency Contact Person.
• Relation with Emergency Contact Person: (Family / Relative / Colleague).

Step 3: Select Nationality as India and I am living in as Australia.

Step 4: Select the type of visa required and press Apply Now.

Step 5: Enter the required information (Step 1 & Step 2) on the U.A.E application form and upload documents.

As an initial application processing, only the following documents are required to be uploaded:

• Scanned Copy of the Passport.
• Passport Size Photograph.

Press Submit & Proceed.

Step 6: Pay the required visa application fees.

Step 7: Once the application is approved, you will receive an email asking for more documentation (refer documents required section).

Step 8: Reply to the email received with the required documentation.

Step 9: If all documentation submitted are correct and approved, then you will receive an electronic copy of the U.A.E visa.

12 places to visit in Dubai

Dubai has plenty of things to offer and it is ideal for all kinds of tourists and travelers. But these are the top 12 places to visit in Dubai.

Burj Khalifa

At a height of 829.8 metres, Burj Khalifa is world’s tallest building and was opened in 2010 as part of a new development called Downtown Dubai. It is named after U.A.E. government’s former president Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

• You can visit Burj Khalifa and go up to the top. The prices start from AED 169.
• Choose your time of visit and book in advance.
• Be prepared for lot of crowd.
• Things to do at Burj Khalifa – Go to the top of the building to see the spectacular views, see the light and sound of water fountain at the base of the building,

Dubai Mall

Consisting of more than 1200 stores, the Dubai Mall is the second largest mall in the world. It is located right next to Burj Khalifa and also is home to Dubai Aquarium.

• Timings: Monday to Thursday 10 AM to 12 AM, and Friday to Sunday 10 AM to 1 AM.
• Even though there is no dress code across Dubai and you can wear what you want, you will find a few signs at the entrance of Dubai Mall.

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

Home to more than 140 species of aquatic marine life, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is located inside the Dubai Mall. The aquarium has many sharks and sting rays.

• Timings: Weekdays 10 AM to 11 PM, and Weekends 10 AM to Midnight.
• There are entrance fee varying on the type of ticket you want to purchase. The tickets start at AED 199, and it is best to book the tickets well in advance online.

Burj Al Arab

Managed by Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab is a luxury hotel in Dubai city. It is one of the tallest hotels in the world and the is designed in a shape of the sail of a ship. There are 199 executive suites with each having dedicated 8 staff members and 24 hours butler service.

• Only guests can visit Burj Al Arab, but non-guests can visit the restaurants.

Palm Islands

The Palm Islands is a collection of three islands, Palm Jumeirah, Deira Island and Palm Jebel Ali.

• There is no entrance fee to visit Palm Islands (except for a few private hotels).

Palm Jumeirah

Site for many residents and hotels, Palm Jumeirah is located on the Persian Gulf in Jumeirah. Shaped like a Palm tree when viewed from above, the Palm Jumeirah is an archipelago of artificial islands.

Did you know that Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai owns a residential home in Palm Jumeirah?

Mono Rail at Atlantis Hotel

The Palm Jumeirah Monorail is the 5.4 kilometres monorail that connects Palm Jumeirah and the mainland (base of the island). Opened in 2009, these rails are driverless and uses Hitachi Monorail straddle type technology.

Lost Chamber Atlantis tour

Located in Atlantis Dubai, the Lost Chamber is an Atlantis themed aquarium with underwater tunnels and halls.

Dubai Marina

With luxury skyscrapers, shopping malls, Dubai Marina is the popular neighbourhood in Dubai. Built along the 3 kilometres stretch of Persian Gulf, it is also known as Marsa Dubai.

Booking.com

Dubai Miracle Garden

Located in Dubailand, the Dubai Miracle Garden is a flower garden with more than 50 million flowers and 250 million plants. Spread across 72,000 square metres, the Dubai Miracle Garden is world’s largest natural flower garden and has achieved three Guinness World Records.

Cove beach

Consisting of many restaurants and a beach club, Cove beach is an amazing place to visit in Dubai.

• There is an entrance fee for visiting the beach club and it cost about AED 200 per adult for weekdays and AED 300 per adult for weekends.

Meena bazaar and Gold Souk market

Popular for South Asian fashion and handicraft stores, the Meena bazaar is the perfect place for shopping in Dubai. Located in Bur Dubai, the Meena bazaar is about a kilometre away from Gold Souk market.

• The markets are open for public and there is no entrance fee.
• You can haggle with the shop vendors.

5 days in Dubai

Below is the itinerary that we followed during our visit to Dubai.

• Day 1 – Desert Safari and Barbeque dinner.
• Day 2 – City museum tour and Lost chambers and Burj Khalifa.
• Day 3 – Miracle garden (and Abu Dhabi).

Also read | The Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.

• Day 4 – Shopping and Dhow cruise with dinner.
• Day 5 – Palm islands.

Safety for solo female travelers

Dubai is a very safe city for solo female travelers. Just be mindful and respectful towards everyone and their religious sentiments and it is relatively a very easy city to travel around as a solo traveler.

Closing Notes

Even though Dubai was never part of my travel list, I really liked the city and the technology it has. It is surely one of the most modern cities in the world and it has a lot to offer.

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