Anyone who is visiting Dubai for the first time is bound to be excited but also confused. The City of Gold is brimming with attractions, both modern and new. One of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates, Dubai has innumerable buildings, monuments, and attractions – some of them being world-record holders. Hence, it is natural to find oneself overwhelmed about the sheer number of places to visit and things to do here. So, if you have a Dubai visit visa and are gearing up for your holiday in this emirate city, here are the top 10 places you must visit in Dubai.

1. Dubai Mall

A mall may not be a typical tourist location. But Dubai Mall is no ordinary shopping mall. Spread around 12 million square feet, this is one of the largest shopping malls in the world and is home to over 1200 retail stores. But what sets it apart is that you will also find an aquarium, an underwater zoo, an ice rink, a kid-friendly theme park, a digital art museum, and entertainment avenues within its walls. You must also check out the Burj Lake right outside the mall, which plays the Dubai Fountain Show multiple times, every evening.

2. Burj Khalifa

One of the best places to visit in Dubai that you must not miss is the Burj Khalifa. Standing at the height of 829.8 meters, Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world. While the building has luxury hotels, restaurants, residential houses, and corporate offices, the most visited here is the observation decks on the 124th & 125th and 148th floors. Whichever observation deck you choose, you will get to see a 360-degree view of the entire city. Another highlight of you Burj Khalifa visit is to ride on one of the the fastest elevators in the world.

3. Desert Safari

One of the ultimate experiences in Dubai is the desert safari. It is quite thrilling to drive away from the city and spend an evening surrounded by the golden desert dunes. Moreover, the evening desert safari is filled with thrilling and entertaining activities as well. During the safari, you get to enjoy dune bashing, camel riding, and sandboarding. Belly dance and Tanoura dance performances are also arranged for your entertainment. Sunset photography, henna designing, falcon photography, and BBQ dinner are the highlights of the desert safari.

4. The View at Palm Jumeirah

The Palm Jumeirah is the pride and joy of Dubai. This is the largest manmade island in the world. But what makes it unique is its palm-shape. Spread around 5.72 square kilometre, Palm Jumeirah is made up of large trunk, 16 fronds, and a crescent at the top. The island is filled with luxurious hotels, villas, malls, restaurants, and buildings. To enjoy the complete view of the Palm Jumeirah, you must head to The View at The Palm Jumeirah, located on level 52 of the Palm Tower. Perched 240 meters above the ground, The View gives you an uninterrupted aerial view of the island. You can also visit the interactive exhibition that tells you all about the development of Palm Jumeirah.

5. Dubai Marina

If there is a place that reflects everything Dubai is known for, it has to be Dubai Marina. Luxurious, vibrant, and buzzing, Dubai Marina is the perfect place to spend an evening for everyone, be it honeymooning couples, families, thrill seekers, or youngsters looking for a memorable night out. It is a waterfront city built around a Venetian-style canal, which adds to its charm. You can walk around the 7-kilometer-long, Marina Walk, cruise on a dhow cruise or luxury yacht, visit the JBR Beach, dine at one of the fine dining restaurants, and check out some of the classiest nightclubs of Dubai.

6. Old Dubai

Glamour is something that defines Dubai for most people. However, if you want to see a different side of the city, a visit to Old Dubai is a must. Located on the shores of the Dubai Creek, Old Dubai is the historical and cultural heart of the city. The area is lined with traditional buildings and homes made of coral and gypsum. As you walk around the narrow-cobbled streets, you will see homes with wind towers, a fort turned into a museum (Dubai Museum), old buildings converted into boutique hotels and cafes, traditional markets or souks. A visit to Old Dubai is your chance to glimpse into how life in Dubai was in the yesteryears.

7. Dubai Miracle Garden

Dubai Miracle Garden is one of the top attractions in Dubai. True to its name, the Dubai Miracle Garden is truly a miracle, as it is the largest natural flower garden in the world. Spanning an area of 72,000 square meters, the Dubai Miracle Garden has more than 150 million flowers and plants. Moreover, these blooms are all presented in the form of jaw-dropping art installations. The 15-meter floral clock, Airbus A380, floral Mickey Mouse sculpture, etc., are some of the award-winning installations here. There are also floral castles, animal structures, passageways, and so much more to see here. The Dubai Miracle Garden is a seasonal attraction, open from October to March/April.

8. Ski Dubai

When Dubai’s warm desert climate becomes overwhelming, it is best to visit Ski Dubai, a winter paradise where you can have fun. This theme park is located inside Mall of Emirates and is the largest indoor ski park in the world. Here, you can enjoy winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, etc., all year long. There is a huge ski mountain that offers five difficulty levels. You can also try zorbing, tobogganing, tubing, ziplining, snow bullet, etc., here. It is also possible to play in real snow and see Genting and King Penguins at Ski Dubai.

9. The Green Planet

Dubai seems to do the impossible, and the Green Planet is a fine example of the same. The Green Planet is an indoor rainforest resting within a biodome. This is a vertical rainforest, with a large tree at its centre. The tree is divided into four parts: Canopy, Midstory, Forest Floor, and Flooded Forest, each representing the different features of a rainforest. During the tour of the rainforest, you will get to see different flora and fauna. More than 300 species of animals can be found here, including snakes, sloths, parrots, marmosets, porcupine, reptiles, echidna, etc. There are special experiences like animal encounters, being zookeeper for a day, and even a night tour.

10. Dubai Parks & Resorts

As a first-time traveller, your Dubai trip need not be only about sightseeing. If you want to have a day filled with fun, the city offers you Dubai Parks & Resorts. The place offers you not one but four world-class theme parks, and you can choose any one of them as per your interests. Motiongate Dubai is for Hollywood fans, while football lovers will have the time of their day at Real Madrid World. Both these theme parks have an amazing array of thrilling rides and rollercoasters. Families traveling with young kids must visit Legoland Dubai and Legoland Water Park. The World of Riverland Dubai and Neon Galaxy Indoor Playworld are also worth visiting.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that Dubai is an exciting place with lots of interesting places to visit and things to do, and one trip may not be enough to see and do everything. But do include most of the places mentioned here to understand the essence of the place.