Six things you must do in Dubai

Published Apr 5, 2013

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Six things you must do in Dubai

1...FANTASY TOWER

Burj Khalifa, half a mile high and the world’s tallest structure, is the most unreal modern building I’ve ever seen. Close up, it looks like a computer-generated fantasy rising to a quite impossible height, more Saruman’s tower in The Lord Of The Rings than anything man-made (burjkhalifa.ae). Take a trip to the observatory on the 124th floor (about R300), or ride the express elevator to At.mosphere Restaurant, the world’s highest, on the 122nd. Opened in 2010, Burj Khalifa is the current symbol of this emirate’s giddy ambition, knocking the still magnificent Burj Al Arab off the front of the guidebooks. British architect Tom Wright designed Burj Al Arab to resemble the beautiful, billowing sail of an Arabian dhow, in white Teflon-coated fibreglass, rising from a man-made island.

2...THE JAM BUSTER

Faced with some of the world’s worst traffic chaos, Dubai took just six years to plan, design and build one of the globe’s most daring and majestic public transport systems. The Dubai Metro (dubaimetro.eu) is the world’s longest fully automated rail system, fabulously opulent yet open to all. It sails above the jams on its elevated track, linking the entire city to the airport. Stand at the front where drivers would normally sit - redundant on this computer-controlled railway - and take in the stupendous high-rise cityscape close up.

3...FERRY CHEAP

Every few minutes an abra - little open ferry - jinks across the Creek that splits old, original Dubai, dodging ancient dhows that trade around the Gulf. The one dirham fare could be the travel bargain of the century. We arrived at Baniyas Square Metro Station in Deira, browsed the gold, spice and tapestry souks, then rode an abra to Bur Dubai. Our route on the other bank led through the Meena Bazaar to the restored Al Bastakiya quarter, all clean, cool streets, wind towers and traditional Arabian homes and galleries.

4...MEGA MALLS

My top free entertainment in the United Arab Emirates is walking the malls. And there’s much more to them than the shopping. In the centre of the Dubai Mall is the simply colossal Dubai Aquarium. Stand, gape and be soothed by 40 000 fish behind a wall of glass as high as several houses. It’s the world’s largest viewing panel, naturally. In the Mall of the Emirates is Ski Dubai, the Middle East’s only ski slope, as flabbergasting as ever. But my favourite is the Ibn Battuta Mall, designed to celebrate the travels of the eponymous Arabic explorer. There’s an exhibition on Battuta’s voyages, and the regions he explored - from Andalucia to China - are reflected in the architecture.

5...WATERSIDE WANDER

The best time to visit Dubai is in the winter months, when the sunshine is pleasant. There is lots of well-maintained soft golden sand fronting the balmy, blue-green waters of the Persian Gulf. There are swanky private beaches, such as Quay Club, where you can pay for the day - or try the public Jumeirah Beach Park. For easy waterside strolling, head to the marina (taxi, or Metro to Dubai Marina), created from nothing in five years. The four-mile Marina Walk takes you under awesomely tall buildings and past endless cafes and restaurants, luxury yachts and fancy speedboats.

6...LASHINGS OF LUXURY

Eighteen statues of gold, prancing horses greet visitors to the Madinat Jumeirah. Then a team of tall and noble African porters in royal blue help you from your car. The Madinat is my choice for the starriest stay in Dubai. We were at the Al Qasr, the more formal of its two resorts. It’s a pleasure just to wander among the palm trees, sumptuous rugs and luscious flower arrangements. The hotel has its own souk, a subterranean theatre and a private beach. It took us an hour to research the 20 cafes, restaurants and bars. - Mail on Sunday

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