Things to Do in Dubai

A few people have asked me for tips on things to do in Dubai, so here's a quick low down on the capital of Gulf Glitz.

You can't dig too deeply for culture in the big Dubya, it's a pretty shallow ride, but if you know where to look, there's just enough to keep you interested for a week. If you like the finer things in life and non-stop sunshine, there's pampering to be had around every souk corner and beaches galore.

When to Go May through to October is best avoided, it's not only ridiculously hot but oppressively humid. And there's no option to cool off in the sea, it's like a hot bath. They have to chill the pools. Seriously. Best months are November and March, where it's nice and warm, day and night. The winter months of December through to February are really pleasant, but cool evenings might put you off, and it goes dark around 5pm. It's also the only time you might see rain - you would be very unlucky, but when it rains, it does it in style.

Where to Stay This is always a difficult one, as I have never actually stayed in a hotel in Dubai. One thing is for sure, you will be spoilt for choice. I recommend staying in New Dubai, in a hotel on the beach so you can make the most of the warm sea. Old Dubai, generally the the city centre area, can be interesting and most hotels will have an affiliate beach club for you to use, but since taxis are so cheap, there really isn't any need to stay here - it's also generally noisy. So plan to stay in the stretch from the Beach Road Jumeirah near the Burj, along to the Dubai Marina, and you probably cant go wrong. The Walk as a newish and excellent waterfront development at Dubai Marina and recommended. If you want to spoil yourself, stay at the Madinat Jumeirah. There are two hotels here, set around canals and lagoons, with its own Souk, Bars and Restaurants. The Mina Salam is a fine 5* hotel, the Al Qasr is stunning luxury. Plus you will be next door to the Burj Al Arab, Wild Wadi and 5 minutes from the Mall of Emirates.

Getting Around: taxis are plentiful and cheap compared to home, and all have meters. A taxi from the airport will set you back less than 100 AED (about 15 quid) to even the most distant hotel. Drivers don't expect tips, but definitely appreciate them.  There is also the new driverless tram system, which should have all stations open by now, which is good fun even if limited by its single line. The bus system has also been upgraded in the past few years, and reliable. You will need to prepurchase tickets to use it though - but the Metro and Bus ticket is one and the same to keep it simple. Car hire is also good value compared to home, but local drivers on the Sheikh Zayed Road Grand Prix circuit are absolutely loopy. But if you are hiring a car to go out of town you will be fine, just don't bother using it in the city, just not worth it.

Good Travelling Companions: pick up a copy of Time Out Dubai when you get there for an up to date review of what's going on: as a bonus it will let you know where the best deals are for Friday Brunch - a bit of an institution in town, all you can eat and drink from about twenty quid. Also a good idea to buy a copy of the Entertainer - its filled with 2 for 1 vouchers. It costs around 350 AED: if you're going to Wild Wadi, you can probably recoup your investment in one go, plus most of the tour companies feature in here with 2 for 1's including Dune Bashing, and Creek Dinner Cruises.

Things you could do or see.... or you could just chill at your hotel...

Bur Dubai & Deira The only chance you get to see a little culture and the old Dubai. These are the two areas in the city centre separated by the Creek. My perfect day out here would go something like this. Arrive mid afternoon by cab at Al Bastikya, where you can wander the lanes, and enjoy the galleries. Turn left at the creek, and wander creek side up to Bur Dubai, enjoy the views and boats on the busy waterway, then at the end of the path, stroll around the textile souk. By now you would earned your dinner, so head for one of the many great Indian restaurants (our favourite was just past the Abra water taxi station on the right hand side before HSBC). After dinner, catch an Abra over the creek and wander the spice and gold souks. The Souks are best seen at night where they are bustling with life. You can either catch a cab home from here or ride an Abra back to Bur Dubai! Perfecto.

Al Safa Park on a Friday See how the locals spend their hard earned day off, which for many workers, is just a solitary day on Friday. The locals start wheeling out their equipment just after dawn to secure the best shady spots and barbecue pits. Boy, do they bring a lot of home comforts with them: tables, chairs, shades, sheesha, pots, pans, aunties, uncles, and kitchen sinks come in by the truck load. The park will be buzzing all day, with the sounds of games, singing, and dancing. It's an atmosphere you wont forget in a long time. So join the fun and have a picnic yourself, or stroll around the well kept greens of the park. It's all done under the watchful gaze of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower (and this is the best place to get a photo from.) If you're still there by dusk, head for the football fields to see the local parrot population swoop noisily back in to roost. Al Safa is about half way between Deira and the Mall of Emirates, just off Sheikh Zayed.

Food and Drink You'll be spoilt for choice. Apparently enough bars and restaurants to go to a different one each night of the year. You'll get top quality food and drink at most of Dubai's hotel restaurants, but its worth going teetotal for the night and trying the unlicensed Lebanese or Indian joints to sample the two local specialities. Go Arabic with mezze platters or eat like the majority of the sub continental ex pats do, with authentic north or south Indian cuisine. Half the price of the hotels, and much more fun. Although mainly aimed at alcoholic, bored (and often boring), Western ex-pats, Friday brunches as mentioned above can be both gastronomic feasts and great value. For sundowners, the most popular bar for ex-pats is Barasti, with a great beach side location, and packed terraces - it's been voted the best bar in the world. It's great for people watching. If you do go, look out for my mate Pearce, a greying 40 year old Irish legend, guaranteed to be there most weekends. For a snack, I wouldn't normally recommend a burger fast food joint, but I blame my former Texan boss for introducing me to Fatburger - he nearly wet his pants when he stumbled across it in Dubai Mall. Once I had tried the Burger (Veggie of course), I nearly joined him. Out of this world.

Mall of Emirates There are lots of Malls, but I still think this is the best. I might be biased as we lived next door to it for three years, but it has a lot to offer and its convenient if you are staying in new Dubai, either in Jumeirah or Dubai Marina. It has the famous indoor ski slope, an excellent cinema (try it on a Friday night to take in the chaos) and the food court is really good quality and value. Apparently there are some shops there too, but leave that to the girls, while you and the kids hit the slopes. If there aren't enough shops for you here, head to the Dubai Mall, the biggest in the world, under the towering shadow of the Burj Khalifa.


Wild Wadi & Burj Al Arab There is a bigger, bolder, more adrenalin packed water park now on the Palm, but Wild Wadi is still the Daddy of them and far better located. In typical Dubai style you don't have to do any walking - you are jetted up to the chutes on inflatables. Plus, you spend the day in full sight of the still awe inspiring Burj Al Arab which is just next door. Word of warning: food isn't great, and the Jumeirah Sceirah is indeed scary. Hold on to your budgie smugglers.

Quad Biking at Big Red You're going to want to see camels and the desert, so hire a car for the day and head towards Hatta. Half way along the desert highway (about 90 minutes) you will come to half a dozen quad bike stations. Pull into the last but one on the left, and you can whizz around on a quad bike all under the shadow of Big Red, the mightiest dune in town. If you're feeling adventurous ask for a safari up the dune, its top drawer. Once you've finished take some of the side streets off the highway and you will always bump into camels, if you haven't seen enough already. Just don't sue me if you fall off your Quad bike. Seriously, they are fast, but there are less powerful bikes to be had, and kids ones too.



Dune Bashing Don't try this on your own, pick up one of the tours. A typical day will see you thrown around the dunes for a few hours at high speed in a Land cruiser, before arriving at a campsite for food and entertainment. Sure fire winner with the kids, sick bags are provided for those with a delicate disposition. You will get to spend a full day in the desert plus the local specialities of camel rides, henna tattoos, falcons, and campfires. They're usually licensed, but check with your tour company. Arabian Adventures are considered the best.



Golf I am not an expert, in fact I can barely hit the ball 100 yards, but if you like golf, this is the place to be. At the top courses, it's expensive and hard to find a tee-off time, but try booking before you go on this site. For views, you can't beat Dubai Creek course. If you just want to muck about, then do the par 3 at the Montgomerie; its cheap, easy to get a tee off slot, quiet, and challenging (well for me anyway.)

Musandam, Oman If you want to explore a little further afield, you might want to cross over into Oman, into the Musandam peninsula. It's around three hours north of Dubai, and an organised trip will usually involve a a half day boat trip into the fjords, with lunch on board. The scenery is breathtaking, and you will be accompanied by  dolphins bobbing around the bow of your boat. It's a long day's travel but well worth it. The tour company will take care of the visa requirements at the border.