Dubai is clearly one of the coolest cities I have ever lived/worked in and I can’t stop talking about all the wonderful things that make it so close to my heart! So, the next time you decide to fly down to this glitzy emirate, here is a definitive list of things I love and totally recommend.
1) Take an abra ride…
This is one of the most picture-perfect memories you’ll ever take back home. An abra is essentially an old-fashioned boat that can take you around old Dubai for as little as one Dirham. You can get on one in Bur Dubai and it takes you to the picturesque Dubai Creek and back, or you can stop over at the breathtaking Gold Souk or the “reminds me of Sex and the City” Arabic Spice Souk for a mini binge. This one’s clearly the coolest retro activity that still exists around here.
2) Play with fake snow!
Well, I know how crazy that sounds! Snowball fights in the middle of the desert are clearly not your idea of fun, but wait until you go to Dubai’s fancy man-made ski park complete with snow and cuddly penguins before you make up your mind. The penguin photo-ops are clearly a highlight and there are some skiing lessons to get you started before you hit the Alps on your next trip!
3) Eat a traditional shawarma or customize one!
Being a major foodie and with my recent Lebanese food addiction, this one is a clear highlight. I love this new place in the Marina which can customize your wrap and add all the extra toppings you always dreamed of putting in a traditional shawarma.
4) Take a leap of faith!
Now, although this probably sounds dramatic, I’m actually just talking about the super high super crazy water slide by the same name at the Atlantis Hotel. This one is clearly not for the fainthearted.
5) Watch a movie on the beach…
No, like literally on the beach! There’s a super cool outdoor cinema at the all new Beach Mall in JBR and it takes romantic outdoorsy movie fantasies to a whole different level.
6) Ride in a pink limo
Now, being a part of Team MM, we clearly love anything pink. So for my last birthday, I rented the craziest limo ever! It was pink and totally loaded with all the finest food and beverages a girl could wish for. So, the next time you’re in town, rent one of these or like another color if you’re a guy (hopefully) and arrive at your party like an A-Lister.
7) The world’s highest tea!
I always take friends and family to the lounge and the restaurant on the 127th floor of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. Now, this is as high as you’ll ever manage to order a gourmet meal or a delectable high tea spread with the yummiest scones you ever tasted.
8) Get inside a traditional Turkish Hamam…
The spas in Dubai are beyond blissful. So you can step into a really fancy Turkish bath or a luxurious Balinese massage and totally de-stress while you take in breathtaking views of the Marina or the sea from your treatment room.
9) Shop and eat and then shop more!
Dubai with its year-long promotions and shopping festivals is my idea of shopping heaven! From thrifty buys to the designer bag, I can totally promise you’ll find an entire wardrobe to cherish around here. Also, the malls have the most amazing frozen yogurt and salad places from all over the world, so you can binge on clothes and not junk food hopefully.
10) Jump out of a plane!
So clearly I’m not an adrenaline junkie and this isn’t my idea of regular weekend fun, but if you don’t have acrophobia, skydiving with a trained instructor is the most exhilarating thing you’ll ever do in Dubai or in any part of the world actually!
I do love a whole array of other stuff around here now that I chose to stay on for nearly three years and I can’t wait to share them with you in the future. If you ever need some inspiration, check out #mydubai on Instagram, a campaign started by the Sheikh Hamdan, the crown prince of Dubai which was a huge hit with locals as well as expats here!
What about your top things to do in Dubai? Are you into the mosques, the falcons or do you fancy diving for pearls in Fujairah? I can’t wait to find our your favorites so leave me a comment below 🙂