Things to Do in Dubai

Burj Khalifa At The Top

The elevator rockets 10m/s while ears pop. Suddenly toy helicopters dot the view and desert blurs into haze. Through the glass the World Islands look like green confetti spilled on turquoise.

Abra ride across Dubai Creek

One dirham buys a splintered bench seat as the boatman yanks a rope across green water reeking of diesel and cardamom. Wake slaps salt-crusted hulls while you glide past docks where Iranian sailors shout over pomegranate crates.

Al Fahidi historical neighborhood

Sand wind towers stripe café courtyards with shadow while ceiling fans thwop overhead. Inside the coffee museum roasted cardamom fills your lungs as an Ethiopian woman brews clay-pot coffee on glowing charcoal.

Desert safari with barbecue dinner

The Land Cruiser fishtails up apricot dunes, sand hissing windows while stomach drops each descent. Later you tear into smoky lamb kofta under a star-stuffed sky that feels unfair, air finally cool enough for goosebumps.

Dubai Frame

From the glass walkway you stare 150m straight down to zebra gardens, sneakers floating over void. North side shows crumbling coral houses. Swivel south for glass stalagmites in desert haze.

Downtown for Burj Khalifa views and fountain shows

JBR beach strip where towers drop straight onto sand

Deira back-alley hotels smelling of spice and diesel

Business Bay canal hotels with balcony sunsets

Al Barsha near metro for mid-range sanity

Bur Dubai guesthouses where mosque loudspeakers wake you at dawn