A woman points to the opposite side of Dubai Creek

The best neighborhoods in Dubai to explore

By Ian Packham

Often thought of as one seamless city of towering modern skyscrapers, Dubai is actually made up of a series of distinct neighborhoods. Each offers visitors something different, from historic mansions to what’s possibly the world’s most famous building – the Burj Khalifa.

But which are the best neighborhoods in Dubai to explore? Where should you spend your time – downtown, Bur Dubai, d3 or somewhere else completely? A lot will depend on your interests, with this guide designed to help you decide.

Downtown Dubai – the one not to miss

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It may be the neighborhood in Dubai not to miss, but you probably couldn’t even if you wanted to. At its center lies the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. A structure three times taller than the Eiffel Tower, it’s visible from 95 kilometers away.

The emirate’s pride and joy, the Burj’s 124th and 125th floors contain the At The Top observation decks, standing more than 450 meters above the ground and providing unparalleled vistas through floor to ceiling windows.

Return to ground level to take in Burj Lake at its best. Created by the same team behind the Bellagio’s fountains in Las Vegas, its jets dance to a jukebox’s worth of international hits every half an hour from 6PM, featuring stars including opera tenor Andrea Bocelli and king of pop Michael Jackson.

Right next door is Dubai Mall, which continues the record-breaking theme of downtown by being the world’s largest. Take your pick of more than 1000 stores and 200 places to eat and drink before delving to the bottom of the Earth’s oceans at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo.

Al Barsha – little known but with a huge personality

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Alongside Barsha Heights, Al Barsha doesn’t trip off the tongue like Dubai Marina or downtown, partly because a lot of it forms quiet low-rise residential dwellings. However, within its bounds you’ll find the Mall of the Emirates.

Like Dubai Mall, it’s more than just a place to shop till you drop, being the home of the penguins and snow runs of Ski Dubai, totaling more than 22,000 square meters of indoor snow field in one of the hottest places on Earth.

At the southern end of the Al Barsha neighborhood lies another climatic surprise, fittingly called the Miracle Garden. Rather less naturalistic than the other great botanic gardens of the world – there’s a giant topiary form of Mickey Mouse amongst other attractions – it still manages to elicit wows from most of its visitors, since there’s 250 million different plants to see, smell and touch.

The same complex contains multiple climate-controlled domes forming an ideal habitat for around 15,000 butterflies belonging to 50 different regional and international species. Though thrilling in their own way, the need for an adrenaline rush can be met at IMG Worlds of Adventure theme park a short distance away. Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm does the same with H2O being the overarching theme – swimwear is the order of the day.

Dubai Marina – the best neighborhood in Dubai for nightlife & beaches

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Water is never far from the center of the action in Dubai, and nowhere epitomizes this better than Dubai Marina. A complex of cafés, stores and high-end apartment buildings edging a completely man made waterway, this traffic-free neighborhood is a good place to relax at any time of day. However, it really comes to life in the evening hours, when expatriate workers returning home take advantage of Dubai’s weather to enjoy a drink or two on an open terrace.

One way to enjoy the marina from afar is to drift skyward in one of the plush gondolas of Ain Dubai Ferris wheel. Not to be outdone by the attractions in the other neighborhoods in Dubai, Ain Dubai towers over its international cousins, reaching a maximum height of 250 meters – equivalent to the height of a 75 story building.

The wheel is best admired from the Marina’s beaches, facing out into the Persian Gulf. Waterside markets provide further purchase opportunities, whilst the shallows ring with the sound of children having the time of their lives. Cabanas and a range of water sports seal the deal for adults.

Bur Dubai – for a sense of old Dubai

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Is Bur Dubai the coolest neighborhood in Dubai? That’s up to you to decide. Is it one of the best neighborhoods in Dubai to visit to experience its history and culture? There’s nowhere better.

Disappearing into residential properties towards its southern end, focus your attention on its northern portions, bounded by Dubai Creek. Stroll along the attractive waterfront at any time of day to disappear back two centuries, or better yet, take to the waters of the creek by kayak to enjoy the sunset in the most evocative part of the city.

But to take in one of Bur Dubai’s most important structures, Dubai Museum, you’ll have to stay on dry land. The museum is important not only for its collection of ethnographic objects but also because it occupies Dubai’s oldest building – the Al Fahidi Fort, built in 1787. Not far away a series of historic mansions have also been brought back to their former glory, with several converted into additional museums and public spaces.

d3 – Dubai’s design district

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Tucked into a once unloved semi-industrial area of Dubai enclosed by some of the emirate’s busiest roads, d3 still has the feel of a local secret. The purpose-built home of all manner of independent creatives, its streets are dotted with works of public art and its buildings are crowded with stores, design houses and pop-up exhibitions.

This makes d3 a neighborhood in Dubai to escape the hustle and bustle without having to give up those things that make Dubai so special and life worth living, from lazy cups of coffee to November’s Dubai Design Week.

Discover Dubai’s neighborhoods with Go City

Look beyond the Burj Khalifa and you’ll find neighborhoods in Dubai which tick every box going. It doesn’t matter whether you’re into amusement parks or beaches, history or design, Dubai has a neighborhood worth exploring.

Travel with Go City and you can do this whilst saving huge amounts on admission to many of Dubai’s best-loved attractions – including the observation decks of the Burj Khalifa!

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dubai in august
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Dubai in August

Planning your vacation in Dubai this year? August could be the perfect month for you. There's always an answer to the intense heat, so check out our guide to Dubai in August and see if it floats your boat! Including: Dubai weather in August Ski Dubai JBR Beach Aquaventure Waterpark BBQ in the desert and more! Dubai in August: What to Expect Dubai is notoriously sweltering all year round, and August is one of the hottest years you can visit the desert oasis. So hot, in fact, that on average, you can expect highs of 105°F or more and lows of around 87°F. That means you need to be prepared for some intense sun, and be prepared to escape to the comfort of air-conditioning at a moment's notice. Those that are none too fond of 105° weather may look to go at the beginning or end of the year when temperatures are much more manageable. However, if you snort at the thought of cowering away during peak summer, bear these things in mind. Keep bottles of drinking water on you at all times. Even on the beach, you'll find refilling stations to top yourself up. Staying hydrated in the heat is a must. Secondly, pack extra light clothing and a metric ton of sunscreen to protect your skin. Reapply that bad boy every hour or two if you're in direct sunlight in the afternoon; that's when the sun's fiercest. Either way, we'll cover attractions both inside and out, should you want to break up your sweltering vacation with some cooler action. Dubai in August: What to Do Get your skis on If all that summer heat gets too much for you, why not cool off on the slopes? No, we're not talking about packing your bags and heading somewhere cooler. Thanks to Ski Dubai, you can have the perfect slope experience right in the city. Ski Dubai is the world's largest indoor ski center. Really, you need to see it for yourself to understand just how big it is. Featuring multiple ski slopes where you can ski, board, or sled, it even has a ski lift to take you up to the very top. Fun for the whole family; even newbies can get to grips with the fine art of snow travel, thanks to the trainers on-site. All the gear's provided for you, including skis, boards, jackets, and everything else you need to pretend you're in the Alps for a few hours. And hey, they even have penguins too. Don't believe us? Go and see for yourself. You might not see yourself skiing in Dubai in August, but trust us, it's the perfect way to escape the blistering heat. Beachlife While heading to the beach when temperatures exceed 100 degrees might not seem like a good idea, you do have options. After all, beaches stick around after the sun goes down. So, why not venture out after dark and get lounging on Dubai's stunning sandy spaces? Jumeirah Beach Residence - or JBR, is one of the city's biggest and best beaches. And while you can't swim there after dark, you can certainly lounge on its pristine beachfront through the night. Umm Suqeim Beach, on the other hand, does allow you to swim in its calm seas until the clock strikes midnight. Thanks to its Smart Power lighting system, lifeguards can keep an eye on swimmers when the sun goes down. But you can't expect them to work through the night. Hence, you'll need to vacate the cooling waters at 12AM. Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm Just because it's super hot doesn't mean you want to miss out on all the UV all the time. And as they say, water isn't just for drinking. So, go out with a splash - outside, we mean - and head to the exciting slides and rides at Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm! You'll be beckoned by rides like the plummeting Leap of Faith, which drops you into a massive tube surrounded by sharks and rays. That one's only for the brave out there. Or, if heights aren't your things, test your mettle at The Rapids, which puts you on a raft battling choppy waters for a mile. If you go in peak afternoon summer hours, apply and reapply sunscreen after a few slides. Slides do a good job of wiping off your carefully-applied protection, and the last thing you want is a blistery back after a blisteringly good time! Desert Adventure Heading back to the warm hands and cool embrace of the night, another one of Dubai's draws is the magnificent sandy dunes surrounding the city. Dubai was built from nothing within them, so why not explore them for yourself with a brilliant desert safari and BBQ dinner? You'll be chaperoned from your hotel in a plush, air-conditioned 4x4 and head into the desert proper. Make sure you snap pictures of the beautiful surrounding as the sun goes down. Then, you'll reach the BBQ camp and be treated to a mouth-watering menu of BBQ meat, grilled veg, and other local delicacies. Once you're full, the entertainment kicks off. Watch authentic belly dancing, smoke up a shisha storm, ride a camel, and even get a henna tattoo. Not bad, and all of that without one drop of harmful UV in sight. If you need a break from the sun, try this tour when you visit Dubai in August. Landmarks and neon lights And finally, you wouldn't want to leave Dubai without seeing some of its most recognizable landmarks, would you? Of course not, which is why you should take a Dubai Magical Night Tour and see them all in one fell swoop. Be sure to snap pictures of the grand Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world), Dubai Mall, the Burj Al Arab, Dubai Harbour, and more. Then you can leave guilt-free, knowing you saw these amazing creations and didn't spend all your time inside! And that's our guide to Dubai in August! Looking for a wide variety of attractions to make your trip to Dubai the best ever? Try Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want.
Dom Bewley
Dubai
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Top 10 Things to Do in Dubai for First Time Visitors

Dubai is the Middle East's glittering jewel, full of adventure and luxury. It's no surprise that the top attractions in the Emirates are a great place to start when planning a trip to Dubai.
Lindsay Eagan
dubai in march
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Dubai in March

So, you're thinking of planning your vacation in Dubai? It's a fantastic choice, featuring some of the most eye-opening and biggest attractions on the planet. But Dubai is also one of the hottest places in the world, so is March a good time to travel to Dubai? Let's explore that and more as we delve deep into our guide to Dubai. Let's talk about what to expect from the weather and what you'll be getting up to during your stay! Including: Dubai weather in March Indoor skydiving Ride the fastest rollercoaster on Earth Sail the seas on the Black Pearl Explore the dunes on camelback and more! Dubai in March: What to Expect Dubai is notoriously warm all year round, and March is arguably the last month before a long, long summer. As such, you can expect highs of around 82°F and lows of around 64°F. After March, max temperatures don't dip lower than 91°F, and during peak summer will easily hit 105°F or more. Therefore, if you're from colder climates and you're not looking to have your eyebrows burnt off, March could be the perfect time to vacation in Dubai! Dubai in March: What to Do Catch the breeze at iFly Dubai Indoor Skydiving Forget planes and parachutes because there are safer ways to free fall these days. Leap - or stroll - over to iFly Dubai and experience indoor skydiving as you've never seen before. Over the course of two 1-minute flights, you'll be bombarded by winds of up to 124mph. You'll feel your feet leave the ground as your entire body becomes suspended in the air. Then, strut your stuff as you fling your body this way and that, throwing shapes that would make the 90s proud. If all that sounds a bit overwhelming, don't worry. Each session has a trained instructor on hand who'll show you the ropes. They'll be able to show you the correct body positions to use so you don't simply flail about like an uncultured oaf. However, if you're a pro, or you've done it before, they'll happily step back and let you own it. Must go fast at Ferrari World If you like rollercoasters, then you'll love Ferrari World. Dubai's ode to the famous car manufacturer is home to the fastest rollercoaster in the world. It's called Formula Rossa, and it's a thrill ride like no other. Strap in, put your goggles on, and prepare to be blasted nearly 150mph in 4.9 seconds. You'll be feeling speeds of nearly 5Gs, which is equivalent to F1 racecar drivers. So yeah, pretty crazy. But Formula Rossa is just one of the fantastic breakneck rides you'll find at Ferrari World. At Flying Aces, board a bi-plane (connected to a track) and ascend over 200ft in the air before you descend through the world's highest rollercoaster loop at up to 74mph. Pretend your drag racing against a friend at Fiorano GT Challenge. And ride around a miniature recreation of Italy and see the sights at Bell'Italia. Perfect for kids and bigger kids, as well as those of you with only a passing interest in cars, Ferrari World is a must-visit attraction for your March vacation in Dubai. Sail the seven seas with the Black Pearl sightseeing cruise! Who doesn't love pirates? Fictional pirates, at least. Presumably, real pirates are much less lovable and a lot more terrifying. So, why not join the most well-known pirate on the planet for a jolly sail around Dubai's delightful landmarks? With none other than Captain Jack Sparrow as your guide and navigator, you'll be shown around the likes of the stunning Dubai Creek Harbour and on to Mohamed Bin Rashid, where you'll pause to marvel at the views of the Burj Khalifa - the tallest building in the world. Perhaps Captain Sparrow will marvel at he's never seen a building that big before, and you can snap a quick selfie with him as he gasps towards the sky. With the perfect mix of comedy and exploration, this sightseeing cruise is the best way to see the city from a different perspective. All aboard on this morning desert safari tour In March, you'll find that Dubai has rather temperate mornings. So, why not head out at dawn for a desert safari tour of the dunes? You'll miss the peak of the heat and have a damn good time doing so. Start the morning off with style thanks to your lift - a feature-rich 4x4 decked out in luxury seating and air-conditioning. Once they've picked you up from your hotel, you'll be whisked away from the reflective metropolis of downtown Dubai to the magical golden dunes outside the city. Then, you'll arrive at a desert camp and meet your new ride, a camel! You'll then ride the dunes on your new buddy and see the sea of sand up close and personal. And after all that, if you want to add some excitement to your morning, you can pay a bit more to try your hand at quad-biking or even ride a dune buggy. And, after all that, you'll be taken right back to your hotel, ready for your afternoon in Dubai! Go out and see Abu Dhabi on this tour from Dubai And we'll end our guide to Dubai in March with a trip to the nation's capital. Abu Dhabi is a mix of culture and modernity, offering a decidedly different atmosphere when compared to Dubai. Kicking off on the coast, you'll pass by famous spots such as the vast Jebel Ali Port, the National Exhibition Centre, Etihad Towers, the Louvre Museum, and Emirates Palace. All of them are worthy of more than a few pictures, so keep your phones charged and your memory free. The perfect answer to Dubai's extravagance, go see what all the fuss is about. And that concludes our guide to Dubai in March! Dubai is a city packed with things to see, experiences to undertake, and plenty more in between. So, if you want to see everything the city has to offer, Go City's got you covered. With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want. Take the fuss out of your trip and put it all on one pass.
Dom Bewley

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