Dubai Top 10 Attractions

Jumeirah District - Jumeirah is much favoured by Europeans due to the ease of access to the beach, a great area to sunbathe or troll the boardwalk. Jumeirah Beach sits north of the Palm, on Dubai’s Golden Mile. This series of powdery white sands has fantastic views of the billowing sail-shaped Burj al Arab, the global icon of Arabian hotel luxury.

Main attractions include the 'Jumeirah Beach Residence's the Walk' (The Walk at JBR is a popular promenade where you can shop, dine, relax, cycle and stroll). The area is also home to the Jumeirah Mosque, an open-air cinema, plus the Kite Beach and JBR beach, both beaches feature luxury shower facilities, beach lounges, restrooms and wi-fi to keep you connected - the beaches are free to use and open to all visitors.

Downtown Dubai - Downtown is home to the Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world) and the massive Dubai Mall (the world's largest shopping centre). You'll also find the Dubai Fountains (located at the base of the Burj Khalifa) plus lots of other skyscrapers and luxury hotels. The Mall is one of Dubai's main attractions thanks to its aquarium, ice rink, approximately 1,200 shops and the popular Candylicious, one of the largest sweet shops in the world.

Palm Islands - Palm Islands is a famous 'man-made' palm tree-shaped island and holiday hotspot. The Islands consist of miles and miles of white sandy beaches that are beautiful to walk and exercise along; or simply laze around on. You'll find lots of day-time attractions on Palm Islands, including The Atlantis resort, the Aquaventure waterpark (with the world's biggest waterslides) and a host of shops, restaurants and bars. Hotels include the luxurious Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, with rooms of either spectacular views of Dubai's skyline or The Palm.

Dubai's Old Town - The historic Old Town is a journey into Dubai's past. This area is fascinating to explore, especially if you’re shopping for local textiles, have an interest in Dubai's history or learning about Dubai's culture and cuisine - it's a great cultural experience.

Dubai Creek is the city’s historic centre; attractions include: Taking an Abras (a traditional wooden ferry boat) to local souks and floating restaurants. The historical Al Bastakiya neighbourhood hosts the stunning Jumeirah Mosque and the 200-year-old Fahidi Fort, the oldest building in Dubai.

The historic quarter dates back to the 19th century; the area is excellent for wandering, especially around the maze-like streets, to soak up the atmosphere and admire the original architecture; this area is also home to traditional retailers and amazing art galleries. Top Tips: Take an abra across the creek and back again to get a feel for the area, try a hand-stretched roti (traditional flatbread) from a local bakery, experience the exotic smells of the Dubai Spice Souk. And lastly - don’t miss the Dubai Frame (an iconic structure that ‘frames’ impressive views of the old and new Dubai city skyline).

Top Attractions: There are plenty of fascinating experiences, to keep you occupied. Thrill-seekers can head to Dubai’s sandy terrain for a fast-paced 4×4 safari, a camel ride through the desert or even a quad bike tour. Try deep-sea fishing; all ages (and levels of experience) are catered for), and most packages include a tasty lunch. Wander to the harbour area to discover the beautiful scenic boardwalk and yachting marina, with its luxury yachts, elegant bars and gourmet restaurants overlooking the sparkling harbour.

Hit the Malls; the Dubai Mall is an absolute must. The Mall is the size of 200 football pitches, it caters for over 1,200 different retailers, selling everything from designer fashion and top-brand jewellery to electronics. You'll find plenty of fancy eateries and an Olympic-sized ice skating rink to burn off the calories. The Mall also includes the world’s largest aquarium and a 22-screen cinema complex - the Dubai Mall offers something for everyone.

Dubai Nightlife: The legal drinking age in Dubai is 21 years, and nightclubs and bars always adhere to this rule, so carry your ID with you to avoid being turned away at the door. Due to the UAE licensing laws, most nightclubs are located inside or are connected to hotels. While tourists are permitted to drink alcohol in licensed venues, being intoxicated in public places is illegal, the police can be highly vigilant in this regard.

Clubs & Bars: If you like to party, you are in for a treat. Dubai plays host to many famous musicians and DJs, and the city has many impressive nightclubs catering for all tastes. There's always plenty going on - so whether you want to dance, relax with rooftop cocktails or party around the pool at a beach club, you'll find venues to suit your mood.

Climate: Dubai has an arid sub-tropical climate, with hot and humid summers averaging 42 degrees (108F) in the daytime and 28 (84F) at night. The most popular time to visit Dubai is between the months of November and April. The temperature is cooler, perfect for out-door activities, with daily highs averaging around 27°C (80°F). Flights and accommodation can be more expensive during this 'cooler' high season.

Dubai's Public Transport: Dubai's public transport system is probably the best in the Middle East. The Metro system is modern and highly efficient; and consists of nearly 50 stations enabling you to travel to most of Dubai's top attractions. Much of the metro system is above ground, allowing you to view many of the city's iconic landmarks like the Burj Khalifa, making it a great way to see the city and travel from A to B.

Dubai's train system is high-tech and features automated, highly air-conditioned and sleek carriages with separate carriages available for women and children (if required). The systems Red Line holds the Guinness World Record for the longest driverless route - more than 32 miles long. Top Tip: Do not eat or drink (including water) on the Metro as it's strictly forbidden, especially inside the train. (However, you can eat and drink in Metro stations and on the platforms).

Dubai has an efficient bus service operating over 1,000 buses covering approximately 85% of the city and is well connected to the Metro system and stations.

Tickets: To use Dubai's public transport systems, you'll need to buy a single, return or day-pass ticket; you can also purchase a travel card called simply the No1 Card. This card allows you to travel on both the Metro and Bus services - (using a cashless 'smart card' system).

The No1 card operates similarly to London's Oyster card; or New York City's Metrocard. The card is a rechargeable ticket that you can top up, it also offers cheaper fares. You can use the No1 card to pay for travel on other forms of public transportation, including trams and taxis. Cards and tickets can be purchased at all Dubai Metro stations, bus stations, and supermarkets such as Carrefour, Spinneys and Waitrose.

Ferry Services: Ferries are fun to use - they run 7 days a week, departing from three ferry terminals: Dubai Marina, Al Ghubaiba and Dubai Canal Station. Top Tip: A great way to view the city from 'offshore' is to use the ferry as a mini 'ferry tour of Dubai'. The round-trip journey lasts approximately 1 hour. For up-to-date ferry times & routes, visit the Dubai Ferry website to plan your trip.

Taxi service: Dubai has an extensive network of taxis transporting many visitors safely throughout the city; they are popular but possibly the most expensive form of transport in the city. Taxis are easy to hail - especially at Dubai's many attractions, such as malls, metro stations and beach areas.

Dubai International Airport (IATA: DXB). Dubai airport is located in the Al Garhoud district, 2.5 miles (4.6km) east of Dubai.

Dubai International Airport is the largest hub in the Middle East; it serves as a base for Dubai's flag carrier, Emirates and its low-cost wing FlyDubai. The airport is the world's busiest airport by international passenger traffic; it's also the busiest airport for Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft movements.

Dubai International Airport has three terminals:
Terminal 1 - is the main terminal - and is used by most major airlines and long-haul flights.
Terminal 2 - serves regional and low-cost flights, including all FlyDubai flights.
Terminal 3 - is used exclusively by Emirates.

Airport Transport and Shuttle Services:
Taxis: Most visitors will opt for public taxis from the airport to downtown Dubai. Taxis are available outside the arrivals hall; turn left when exiting Terminal 1. Taxis use the metered system and start at Dhs 25.

Public transport: Terminals 1 and 3 are served by the Dubai Metro. There is also a bus service to the city centre, with lines 401 and 402 operating to the Al Sabkha and Al Ghubaiba bus terminals.

Car Hire: All major car rental companies are represented at Dubai (DXB) airport, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt.