Dubai never ceases to amaze tourists of every hue. From all over the world, millions land in the city every year to witness the beautiful sights & sounds. Dubai has no dearth of tourist attractions that have become global landmarks. Some of these are the Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building), Dubai Mall (the world’s largest shopping mall), and the Burj Al Arab, to name a few. Dubai also offers pristine beaches by the azure waters of the gulf.
However, apart from these renowned attractions, there are several other areas of tourist interest in Dubai. While not as well-known yet as their more famous counterparts, these attractions are also steadily climbing up the popularity charts among tourists.
Latest Attractions in Dubai:
Mohammed Bin Rashid Library
Shaped like a book on a lectern, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library is located in the Al Jaddaf area of Dubai. It was opened to the public in June 2022. It contains a wealth of knowledge in the form of over 4.5 million volumes, 1 million audiobooks, and 2 million eBooks. It has 6 pillars, each containing books & knowledge resources of specific types. It also contains a large number of reading materials in Arabic that showcase the nation’s rich cultural history.
Address: Al Jaddaf – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Established: 16 June 2022
Size: 1.5 million printed books, two million digital books and one million audio books
Budget: 1 billion AED
Timing:
- Monday to Thursday: 9 am–9 pm
- Friday: 2–9 pm
- Thursday: 9 am–9 pm
- Sunday: Closed
Museum of the Future
Want to catch a glimpse of how the future would look after 50 years? Then this is the place for you to be. The museum has been built on the theme of humanity, wellness, and space. Get into a simulated space shuttle and get a futuristic view of space discovery. The “Tomorrow Today” section gives a peek into the technology of tomorrow. Go the “DNA Library” section to witness the immense evolutionary changes that have – and can – occur.
Address: 67CP+H4Q – Sheikh Zayed Rd – Trade Centre – Trade Centre 2 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Established: March 2015
Total Floors: 7
Opens Daily at: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Inside Burj Al Arab
The iconic Burj Al Arab hotel – frequented by the rich and famous from all across the globe – might have been a tad too expensive for you to stay there. But all this while, you have dreamt of exploring the ultra-luxurious property’s interiors.
Well – here’s your chance. For 90 minutes, you can embark on a guided tour of this premium property. Explore the gilded passages, suites, and other notable architectural marvels inside the property. Sample the signature gold cappuccino, visit the Kids Club, or pamper your taste buds with some delectable cuisine. And enjoy incomparable views of the megalopolis.
Address: inside Burj Al Arab, Ticket Lounge – Jumeirah St – Umm Suqeim – Umm Suqeim 3 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 800 467433
Services: Free Wi-Fi, Free parking, Accessible, Indoor and outdoor pool, Air-conditioned
Built-in: 1999
Developer: Jumeirah Group
Dubai Islands
Dubai is blessed with a number of amazingly beautiful islands. Some of them are natural while some are artificial. The most notable among them is the Palm Jumeirah – a wonder of architecture. This artificial island is shaped like a palm tree and is filled with super-luxurious villas, hotels, and restaurants. Some of the other stunning islands that you can visit are Bluewater Island, Jumeirah Bay Island, and Deira Island. Each of them has attractions that would leave you craving for more.
Main activities: Palm Jumeirah, Palm jebel Ali, Bluewater Island, Deira Island|
Availability: Daily
Sky Views Dubai
At over 600 feet above the ground, you would literally be having a bird’s-eye view of the stunning Dubai landscape and the desert beyond it. Atop the Address Sky View Hotel, this pulsating activity comes with a package of three thrilling options – Glass Slide, Edge Walk, and the Observatory. The Edge Walk is truly for the Bravehearts as you would be walking along the edge of the building – of course, safely harnessed! Enjoy the panoramic views far beneath you as the thrill quotient keeps soaring!
Address: Emaar Square Area – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Opens Daily: 10 am–12 am
The View at The Palm
Visit the observation deck on level 52 of The Palm Tower in Dubai’s iconic Palm Jumeirah Island. At over 700 feet above the ground, you would be greeted with breathtaking views of the entire city, Palm Jumeirah, the city, and the azure Persian Gulf. There’s also an exhibition that showcases the gradual development of this architectural marvel. The rooftop lounge and restaurant, the CouCou Dubai, will ensure that your taste buds are fully satiated before you leave!
Address: Palm Jumeirah Rd, The Palm Tower, 52ed Floor – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Timing:
- Monday to Thursday: 9 am to 10 pm || Last entry will be 9 pm
- Friday to Sunday: 9 am to 12 pm || Last entry will be 11 pm
Infinity des Lumieres
Spread over more than 2700 square meters in the massive Dubai Mall, the Infinity des Lumieres is a notable addition to Dubai’s arts & culture domain. More than 130 projectors and 50 speakers bring to life a wide array of contemporary art in a living dynamic form – along with more than 3,000 HD digital moving images. Digital imagery and a suitable audio accompaniment make for an immersive multi-sensory experience that soothes the senses while also taking your breath away!
Address: Financial Center Road – Downtown Dubai Dubai Mall Level 2 Opposite Galerie Lafayette – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Tour Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Opens Daily: 10 am to 10 pm
Hatta Wadi Hub
Time for some outdoor activity. The Hatta Wadi Hub lies a short drive away from Dubai. This activity center makes full use of the rugged, yet beautiful, Hatta landscape to create a range of adventure activities of various levels of difficulty. You can go mountain biking in the 50+ km trail that lies here or try your hand at some archery or axe-throwing. The water slide will help you to cool down as you splash around. This beautiful landscape with its reddish rocks, local flora, and sparkling streams & rivulets is sure to remain etched in your memory forever.
Address: Dubai-Hatta Rd – Sufayri – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Opens Daily: 7 am to 10 pm
Activities: mountain biking to kayaking and zorbing
Xline Dubai Marina
The Xline in Dubai Marina is the longest urban zipline in the world. It has a length of 1 km at a height of above 500 feet. You would be zipping down the steep line at an incredible speed of over 80 km. The magnificent Dubai would lie below you as get superlative views of the city and the luxurious yachts on the waters off the Marina and the landscapes beyond it. You would also be getting a photo & video of your ride for posterity’s sake. An adrenaline rush with incomparable views – that’s what effectively sums up the Xline Dubai Marina experience.
Address: Dubai Marina Mall – Dubai Marina – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Start from: AED 650
Average speed: 80 km/h
Timing: 10 am to 5 pm
Jungle Bay
The newest addition to Dubai’s list of water parks is the Jungle Bay Waterpark which opened its doors in 2021. It is located in the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina. Even if you are not putting up in this hotel, you can still have a day out at the park by buying a pass. Various rides & slides are present here to welcome you, including the AquaPlay zone, specifically for children. The 100 meters+ long body slides will ensure that you are not deprived of the thrill quotient. Fill yourself up at The Beach restaurant and relax for a while at the luxurious cabanas.
Address: Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina – Dubai Marina – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Opens Daily: 9 am to 5 pm
Ain Dubai
The Dubai Ferris Wheel, or Ain Dubai, is a massive structure. In fact, it’s the tallest standing observation wheel globally. At a height of over 800 feet, you would be rewarded with the most magnificent views of Dubai and the glistening coastline – along with the deep blue, endless sea beyond. The 40-minute ride in an air-conditioned cabin would be an unforgettable experience for you and your near & dear ones in more ways than one.
Address: Bluewaters – Bluewaters Island – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Height: 250 m
Construction started: May 2015
Opened: 21 October 2021
Engineer: Hyundai Engineering & Construction; Starneth Engineering
Material: Metal
Timing:
- Tuesday to Sunday: 11 am to 9 pm
- Monday: Closed
