For the most part of 2020, we have spent most of our time at home during this COVID-19 outbreak due to the stay-home policy. We work and pray at home, shop online, and even learn new things like cooking or trying out some new trendy recipes. As time goes by, without even realizing, we have mastered the art of living in this strange and unpredictable situation. Even though we have adapted to this situation, as a traveler, we certainly still have that feeling of wanting to explore and travel to new places. However, to maintain the safety and health of their people, most countries around the world have issued travel restrictions or travel ban that has lasted for months since the first wave.
As we wait patiently, a ray of hope has finally come. Alhamdulillah, due to the decline in the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in Dubai, the officials are set to open up tourism on July 7, 2020. The government has implemented measures to ensure that Dubai will be the first to open for tourism and the United Arab Emirates will be the safest country to travel in the world. Dubai is well-known for its towering skyscrapers, advanced and luxurious architectures, fancy cars, and its incredible desert landscape.
Now, are you ready to travel? Time to plan your future trip to Dubai and here are the insights for the 10 best things to do in Dubai!
Image Credit: Shot by Cerqueira on Unsplash; You don't want to miss out on this iconic building, Burj Khalifa when you're visiting Dubai!
You do not want to miss checking out this building when you are visiting Dubai. Imagine seeing the clouds from a different point of view, because this Iconic building stands 828 meters high. Burj Khalifa is recorded as the tallest tower in the world. Furthermore, this building has an out-of-this-world architectural design that is surely hard to miss.
Burj Khalifa is surrounded by beautifully designed gardens and a man-made lake where you walk around in the afternoon and then enjoy a fountain show in Dubai fountain in the evening.
These building exteriors are certainly pleasing to the eye, can you imagine how great it would look inside? This building offers 360-degree observation decks at levels 124 and 125 where the world’s fastest elevator will take you up for 10m/s. Here you can explore at your own leisure.
Craving for some intimacy with your partner? Book a fancy table at At. Mosphere, Burj Khalifa at level 122 as it is one of the best-rated places that serves fancy Halal food in Dubai. Also worth mentioning is The Lounge, Burj Khalifa, another world’s tallest, well, this time, it is the tallest lounge that covers levels 152, 153, and 154!
Now, we must admit that there are a lot of things to do in Burj Khalifa itself.
Image Credit: The Dubai Mall on Facebook
Shoppers around the world must visit this mall of grandeur, Dubai Mall. Perched next to Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall offers more than 1,200 shops and more than 150 restaurants. You do not have to worry about Halal food in Dubai because most of the food they serve is Halal or Halal-certified.
Walking around this mall will require days! Well, you can always revisit the next day. Hence, if you love shopping, it is best to book a hotel near the mall for more time to shop!
Dubai mall provides small prayer rooms for Salah on most of the floors so you don't have to worry about missing the prayer timings. Download Halal-Trip here for prayer times.
Image Credit: Moon on Unsplash; Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo offers you the sensation of being surrounded by sharks in the largest suspended aquarium in the world.
Located on the ground level of Dubai Mall, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo offer you the sensation of being surrounded by sharks (well, not literally!). Variety types of fish including sharks are kept inside a 10-million liter Aquarium tank as it is the largest suspended aquarium in the world. There are over 140 species tanked! Over 300 sharks and rays will swim all around you. Exciting isn't it?
Image Credit: Matthew Foulds on Unsplash; The best idea of all is to go camel riding in the desert!
You surely do not want to miss enjoying Dubai’s desert landscape. There are a lot of things to do in Dubai’s desert. One of the first things that we would like to recommend is to embark on a desert safari. This will certainly fulfill your adventurous thirst! Here you can ride the dunes with various types of vehicles. Have a thrilling adventure by riding ATV, motorbiking, or 4x4 wheel driving on the dunes. Too cliché? Leave those vehicles behind and go sandboarding. Yup, sandboarding!
If you are feeling luxurious, put on your fancy sunglasses and try a royal desert experience with a vintage open-top Land Rover and Hot Air Balloon Flight by Platinum Heritage. But we say the best idea of all is to go classic which is camel riding and camping in the desert!
Image Credit: E Ishizuka on Unsplash; Hop on to a cruise for a romantic and unforgettable journey with your loved ones.
Craving for some romantic quality time with your partner? Fall back in love and hop on to a cruise journey. There are cruises that offer you sightseeing only and other cruises that offer tables and serve food for your romantic dinner on the Dubai Canal. Just imagine the ambiance. How slow time will go by as you enjoy the glimmering view of the city's landscape with the fingers loved ones intertwined with yours.
Other information worth mentioning is that yachts and boats are available for rent.
Image Credit: Dianne Policarpio on Unsplash; Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood is Dubai's well-preserved heritage that is worth adding to your itinerary.
Walking around Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood will take you back to what Dubai was like hundreds of years ago in the mid-19th century. Dubai’s well-preserved heritage is surely worth adding to your to-do-list in Dubai. Imagine walking on an old pathway and alley surrounded by traditional buildings that was built with stones, gypsum, sandalwood, teak, fronds and palm wood.
Located in the Dubai Creek, this area is filled with arts, museums, and cultural heritage. Over here lies unique restaurants, cafes, and shops like the Arabian tea house for instance, and many more for you to discover.
Image Credit: PAULA BARRECA BARNES on Unsplash; Visit Spice Souk and Gold Souk to get a taste of the local culture in Dubai.
Like its name, in Dubai’s Gold Souk, you will find a range of gold jewelry; from tiny ones to huge ones. Treat your eyes by window shopping or even purchasing some of their uniquely designed gold in Dubai’s Gold Souk. They say that Dubai’s Gold Souk gold prices are cheaper than in most countries, so make use of that during your time in Dubai!
Aside from Gold Souk, there is Spice Souk. Various types of Middle Eastern spices such as saffron, dried flowers, turmeric, thyme, clove, sumac, cardamom, cinnamon, chili, pepper are being sold here in all varieties and types. Various colors and aromas of the spices that are neatly arranged outside the store by the seller will definitely leave you spoilt for choice.
Important note: Bargaining skill is highly needed if you decide to make purchases at Souk.
Image Credit: Dubai Camel Racing Club on Facebook; Learn and enjoy Dubai's local and traditional heritage by watching the Al Marmoom Camel Race.
Enjoy Dubai’s tradition by watching camel race in Al Marmoom. This event is held annually and in this race, you can watch the camels run at full speed; up to 65km/h. Unbelievable!
To allow tourists to enjoy this heritage, the locals' have all worked hard on raising awareness and preserving their culture. Hence, if you would like to experience local culture in a fun way and give your gratitude to the locals on their effort at the same time, then Al Marmoom Camel Race is certainly the best place to visit!
Image Credit: Jason Peter on Unsplash; Jumeirah Beach is a must-visit when you're in Dubai!
Are you a beach addict? If you are, then Jumeirah beach is the perfect place for you! This white sand beach is a must-visit when you're in Dubai. The water is really clean and so is the white sand. Here, you can enjoy the skyline where the water meets the aqua-colored sea. Furthermore, visiting a beach can be a therapeutic experience, especially if you walk around barefoot. Imagine listening to the sound of the waves. This place can be the answer to your adventurous call after being home for a long time.
In Jumeirah beach, you can also go to the kite beach area where people fly their big colorful kites and go surfing. There are also resorts available for you. And the best part about the beach is that it's absolutely free of charge!
Image Credit: Mitesh on Unsplash; Visit the iconic Jumeirah Mosque to perform your Salah.
As a Muslim, what can be more therapeutic than visiting a mosque? After an adventure on Jumeirah beach, you can go to Jumeirah Mosque and perform Salah. This mosque is located in close proximity to the beach. The mosque is so big that it can contain up to 1,200 jemaat. It was built completely from white stones, preserving traditional Middle Eastern building style. There are twin minarets that are perched symmetrically on the sides of the main building. The interiors are very well decorated and unique. This mosque is open to the public; both for Muslims and non-Muslims.
Also worth mentioning is The Frame, where you can take pictures and take a selfie with the giant rectangular frame, as well as Ski Dubai, where you can experience a cold Indoor ski and snowboarding in Dubai.
We hope that with this article, you've gotten a little insight of what Dubai is like. We can assure you that there is not a single thing you cannot do in Dubai. Most of all, Dubai is definitely Muslim-friendly. So, for Muslim travelers, what are you waiting for? Put Dubai in your bucket list!
To better plan for your trip to Dubai, download the HalalTrip App for more information and come visit Dubai once it is open again on July 7th!
