After growing up in Mumbai, I have spent the last 18 years living in Dubai and I now consider the City of Dubai to be my adopted home city. This post encompasses some of my favorite places in the city. I don’t pretend that this is a comprehensive list of anything and everything you can see or do in Dubai 🙂

Dubai: is the vision of the remarkable Al Maktoum dynasty – probably the most wildly successful ruling family in modern times. Today Dubai stands as a symbol of stability and prosperity in the Middle East. It is also one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities: 80% of its population is expatriate, with people from more than 200 countries living and working together in pursuit of their dreams. As their dynamic ruler Sheikh Mohammed himself puts it, ‘To dream of the future is one of the most beautiful things in life. We are not content only to dream, we also work hard, because our ambitions are great and so are our dreams.’

Here’s a list of what I have visited in this sprawling metropolis so consider this a shortlist of the terribly, delightfully, inimitably Dubai that mix the classic with the new, the high with the low and the simple with the indulgent.  The city comes alive as soon as the sun goes down and the temperatures drop, and all the buildings become one beautiful colorful show.

(A)  Dubai International Financial Centre  (DIFC)
Financial freezone having A-grade office space, retail outlets, lavish restaurants, exquisite art galleries, beautiful residential apartments and prolific hotels all in one.  Termed as the gateway for capital and investment, DIFC is in itself a miniature city within a city. Besides standing out as a supreme economic hub of the region, DIFC is one of the state-of-the-art buildings of Dubai capturing the essence of sophisticated business of the future.

(B)  Downtown Area (Dubai Mall, Dubai Trolley, Burj Khalifa, Old Town, Souk Al Bahar,  Burj Park)
‘The Centre of Now”, Downtown Dubai is the world’s most visited destination. Downtown Dubai is a thriving city hub with a unique mix of aesthetically designed residential towers and commercial precincts. Located at its centre is Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building;  Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, and The Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain. Souk Al Bahar, an Arabesque shopping and dining out destination, further broadens its appeal to visitors. Downtown Dubai has several world-class hotels including the world’s first Armani Hotel and Emaar’s flagship Address, Vida and Manzil hotels. The Opera District, highlighted by the majestic Dubai Opera, a 2,000-seat multi-format events venue, luxury hotels and residences, is a brand-new addition (this project will be completed soon).

• Dubai Mall:  the largest shopping mall in Dubai with the following activities: 
  • Kid Zania (Family Edutainment centre for kids)- AED 130 per person (4 to 16 years) and AED 90 (Adults) {KidZania}
  • Sega Republic Indoor Theme Park – AED 70 per person {Sega Republic}
  • Dubai Aquarium {Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo}
  • Dubai Ice Rink {Dubai Mall Ice Rink}
  • Mall Timings
    • Sunday to Wednesday 9 am to 10 pm
    • Thurs 9 am to 12 midnight
    • Friday and Saturday 10 am to 12 midnight

• Dubai Trolley
  • The world’s first hop-on, hop-off hydrogen-powered trolley system to provide visitors and residents of Mohamed Bin Rashid Boulevard an exciting and convenient new transportation system.
• Atmosphere @Burj Khalifa
  • Located on level 122 of Burj Khalifa, just 2 levels below the “At The Top observatory deck” which is a must visit, there’s plenty to take in as you enjoy drinks and light snacks surrounded by stunning views of Dubai’s futuristic skyline and the Arabian Gulf.
• Old Town
  • A fully established community in the heart of Downtown Dubai, The Old Town is a uniquely pedestrian-friendly residential neighbourhood that integrates inspirational Arabian architecture in a modern setting.
• Burj Park
  • Burj Park is a spectacular green heart of Downtown Dubai, where residents can unwind in the evenings or join with family and friends to watch the fountain and attend various events that are organized in the park.
• Souk Al Bahar
  • Souk Al Bahar is home to a diverse range of boutiques and international restaurants.

(C)  Jumeirah Beach
The new Jumeirah Corniche – the longest in Dubai – is the city’s latest leisurely beachfront addition. It starts from the Dubai Marine Beach Resort and continues on to the Burj Al Arab hotel, 14 km of beautiful beach front goodness for running enthusiasts. In addition to the 14km track, which includes a 4m wide jogging track and 5m wide walkway, the corniche is sprinkled with rest areas and retail kiosks and is a welcome addition to the area offering ample opportunities and space for practicing jogging, walking, swimming, rowing, and other activities.

• The 12-hectare Jumeirah Beach Park is a perfect place for an afternoon family outing thanks to its picnic facilities, food kiosks, children’s play area, swimming area with on-duty lifeguards, and shower/bathing facilities. On Wednesdays, Jumeirah Beach Park is reserved for women and children only.
• Wild Wadi near Jumeirah Beach Park {Wild Wadi Waterpark}
  • General Admission (1.5m and above) – AED 215 per person
  • General Admission (below 1.5m) – AED 175
  • Timings:
    • Sunday to Wednesday 10 am to 11 pm

(D)  Safa Park
Once a huge expanse of green in the heart of the city, Safa Park has dramatically reduced in to accommodate the Dubai Canal. However, families, couples, teenagers, joggers, roller bladers, yoga enthusiasts, kite-flyers and nature lovers can all be found enjoying the park. Facilities include barbecues, play areas, ponds, waterfalls, boats, football and basketball courts.  Safa Park is a very popular running route as it has a purpose laid running track on the outer perimeter. One lap is 3.4 km with accurate marked distances. However, as the Dubai Canal construction is underway, parts of the track have been redesigned to accommodate this, although it is still open for joggers.

(E)  Mall of the Emirates
Home to more than 630 international stores, totaling 255,489 sqm of retail space, the mall offers more than 80 of the world’s most prestigious brands housed in the Fashion Dome and Via Rodeo, such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel and the Middle East flagship for Prada.  The mall also features more than 100 restaurants and cafes along with major department stores including Harvey Nichols and Debenhams, as well as fashion, lifestyle, sports, electronics, home furnishing outlets and the largest Carrefour hypermarket in the city. With direct access to the Dubai Metro, the mall’s unique family leisure offerings include Ski Dubai – the Middle East’s first indoor ski resort and snow park, VOX Cinemas – the largest cinema ever built in the Middle East with a 24-screen entertainment complex, a Magic Planet, and the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre (DUCTAC). Two 5-star hotels, the Kempinski Mall of the Emirates and Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel, adjoin the mall.  The mall has the first Apple store in the UAE.

• Ski Dubai – Mall of Emirates

(F)  Jumeirah Beach Residence
A fascinating place for beach lovers to soak the sun and enjoy a huge array of dining options.  JBR offers numerous water sports such as para-sailing, squash, swimming, kayaking, banana boating, dragon boating, wind surfing, kite surfing, rowing and boot camps just to name a few. The Beach in JBR includes a soft running track which runs alongside the beach. Accompanying the track are some (average) training machines along the way if you feel the need to break up your run. A word of advice would be to avoid trying to go for a run in the evening when the track is overtaken by beach goers and strolling families – stick to the early morning runs at this track!

(G)  Atlantis, The Palm
A premiere 5 star resort in luxurious Dubai. This unique ocean-themed resort features a variety of marine attractions, entertainment destinations and culinary delights. Designed to exhilarate and destined to impress, huge gilded doors open to reveal unmatched luxury and sophistication, in the ultimate resort destination.The resort’s stunning beach invites guests to relax in the sunshine, whilst the spa promises complete rejuvenation. A place where an exotic marine landscape is combined with sumptuous guest rooms and suites, diverse restaurants and stylish boutiques.  Atlantis is a “must visit” destination in Dubai.

• Enjoy the thrilling slides at Aquaventure Waterpark and interact with the dolphins at Dolphin Bay.  As you wade into waist-high crystal clear waters you will enter the mesmerising and enjoyable world of dolphins, swimming and showing off their stunts and skills.  Our dolphin “Lisa” was such a delight to watch and play with {Marine & Water Park}

Use this link for discount offers at some of the main attractions in Dubai

• Playmania

Other interesting things to do:

• Desert Safari
• Dubai Autodrome
• Brainscape Dubai
• Wadi Adventure in Al Ain
• Cycling at Nad Al Sheba and Al Qudra track

Parks in Dubai

Al Barsha Pond Park
One of Dubai’s newest parks and part of the greening of Dubai Pond Parks project is Al Barsha Pond Park which is proving to be very popular with local residents. The park is large and has giant ponds with loads of places for kids to play and also areas for relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. It has tennis courts, volleyball courts, football pitches, basketball courts and fitness machines, so a really great park to keep fit in.  Ripe Night Market was launched at the park last year and takes place every Saturday from 4 pm to 9 pm.  The market has stalls of food, arts, crafts, fashion and jewellery vendors and live music, all wrapped up in a relaxed, community market setting. Al Barsha’s Pond Park also features a soft running track that encircles a pond and is marked every 100m, so it’s great for doing sprints too!
Entry Fee: TBA
Timings: 8am-10pm daily
Location: Al Barsha Pond Park Bicycle Path, Next to Al Barsha Mall, behind Al Mawakeb School, Dubai.  There is only one entrance to the park (near Emirates NBD Bank on 316 Street, the main road running from TECOM to Al Quoz through Barsha) and plenty of parking in front of the park entrance.
Tel: +971 50 2525565

Umm Sequiem Park
This small park is situated near Jumeirah Beach Hotel and is a lovely green space to spend time during the cooler months. It is a family park and only women and children are allowed in the park during the week. Men are allowed with their families at weekends though. There is a small beach, a small café and children’s play areas. Not a whole day park but good for a few hours getaway in the morning or afternoon.
Entry Fee: TBA
Timings: Sun-Thu 8am – 11pm
Location: Umm Suqeim, near Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai. Located on the shore just before you get to the open beach that leads to the Burj Al Arab.
Tel: +971 4 3484554

Safa Park 2
Not to be confused with Safa Park, Safa Park 2 is a much smaller and quieter park. It has lovely green spaces and a great play area for the kiddies.  Women and children only  on weekdays, no restrictions on weekends.
Entry Fee: TBA
Timings: Sun-Thu 8am-11pm, Fri and Sat 8am-11.30pm, public holidays 8am-midnight, Direction: Take Al Manara (West) off Sheikh Zayed Road. Turn right onto Al Wasl Road then first right, continue straight for a while then the park is on the left.

Zabeel Park
One of the largest parks in Dubai, Zabeel Park is located in between Karama and the Zabeel area. The park is very busy during weekends due to its proximity to residential areas. The park is cut in two by Sheikh Zayed Road but has road bridges connecting the two halves. One half of the park contains wide open spaces, an adventure playground, play areas, a lake with boat rides, sculptures including a giant chess inspired Rubik’s cube type structure, a large amphitheatre area, covered areas for barbeques and picnics and some amazing flora.  On the other side of the park is Dubai Garden Glow theme park (entrance from Area B Gates 6 & 7).  With plenty of parking, Zabeel Park offers a nice running track laid on the outer perimeter which is approximately 2km in distance.
Entry Fee: AED 5
Timings: 8 am – 11 pm (for the park); 4 pm – 11 pm (for Dubai Garden Glow which will remain open only until 31st April 2016)
Location: Between Al Karama and World Trade Centre at Zabeel Square, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 3986888

Creekside Park / Dubai Creek Park
Dubai Creek Park is in the heart of the old city on the shores of Dubai Creek. It is one of the oldest parks in Dubai and is still as popular today as it was then… families fill the park at the weekends and the evenings. The park has the benefit of being in the cool breeze from the creek and also has loads of plants and greenery along with mazes and a nature trail. There are barbeque areas and childrens’ play areas dotted throughout the park as well as the Children City Centre and Dubai Dolphinarium.  You can ride the cable car, ride the miniature train, rent bikes (AED 20 for small bicycle and AED 30 for the ordinary bicycle per one hour) and visit the small but adequate café.  You can also bring your own food for a picnic or a barbeque. There is a paved walk all along the shore of the creek which is great for roller skating, as is a large stone ampitheatre area.  There is a nominal entry fee that has to be paid to enter the park and you have to pay this even if you have tickets to Dubai Dolphinarium or are planning to go Children’s City, but it’s a small price to pay to spend time in this amazing park with great views over Dubai Creek and the old Dubai skyline. The park also has a running track which is approximately 4km long.
Entry fee: AED 5 per person
Timings: 8 am to 10 pm (weekdays); 9 am to 11 pm (weekends); Wednesday – Ladies Day  with children
Location: Between Al Maktoum and Al Garhoud Bridge, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 3367633

Al Rashidiya Park
Al Rashidiya Park is a small family park that is quite close to Dubai International Airport and is next to Rashidiya Metro Station on Dubai Airport Road. It is a quiet less hectic park than some and is great for a family outing. There are lots of well equipped playground areas for the kids and plenty of seating in the shade for the grown- ups.
Entry fee: TBA
Timings: 8 am – 11 pm (daily);  Sat and Wed for ladies and children only
Location: near Dubai International Airport, Rashidiya area
Tel: +971 4 2851208

Mushrif Park Mirdiff
The park has acres of woodland as it was originally a ghaf forest so you need to drive around carefully.  There is a small zoo with goats and you can ride a camel or ponies there, train rides and a swimming pool (paid service).  It also has a Small World replica house area featuring mini houses from all around the world! This is a great place for family picnics as well as strolls under shady trees and barbeque areas. On the inside perimeter of Mushrif Park there is a cycle track which stretches 4.5km. It is used more by runners than cyclists and also has some hills.
Entry fee: AED 5 per person or AED 30 per car
Timings: 8 am to 11 pm
Location: Al Khawaneej Road, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 2883624

Mamzar Beach Park
A massive park with acres of open grassland and 5 beaches as well as a huge outdoor swimming pool. Perfect for barbeques and picnics. It has great facilities including small cafes, small grocery stores, wash facilities, changing rooms, childrens play areas, bikes for hire and amazing views over the Sharjah Lagoons. It is a little way out being on the way to Sharjah but it is so worth the trip! There is a small fee to get in- 5 dhs per person if you are walking in and 40 Dhs per car if you are driving in. The pool charges a nominal fee for entry too- approx 10 Dhs. You can also hire chalets for the day which is great if there is a large group of you but the chalets are booked months in advance so you need to plan accordingly (details below).
Entry fee: AED 5 per person or AED 30 per car
Timings: 8 am to 10 pm (weekdays); 8 am to 11 pm (weekends)
Location: Al Mamzar,Near Century Mall – Dubai
Tel: +971 4 2966201

Al Mamzar Park Chalets
Renting Chalets is valid for the whole day during the week as follows:

1. (Sunday to Wednesday ) from 9 am to 9 pm
2. (Thursday to Saturday & public holidays) from 9 am to 10 pm
3. During Ramadan from 9 am to 10 pm
4. Chalet rental fees does not include park entry fee

Fees Category: Big chalet for 12 persons – Service Fees: 200 AED/ Day
Fees Category: Small Chalet for 8 persons – Service Fees: 150 AED/ Day

Some of my favorite restaurants in Dubai:

Argentinian

1. Asado at The Palace Downtown – As part of our group training in the private room of Asado, we had organized a cooking class with the Argentinian Chef Gabriel Stivala who taught us the secret for the perfect asado: from selecting the meat, salting the meat, distributing the coals to cooking the meat in the right order.  We also learnt to make “Chimichurri” – a super simple traditional green sauce made with herbs, garlic, tangy vinegar and is just delicious.  The Chef informed us that this sauce is always served with grilled meat in Argentina.  We then had an outdoor table set up to enjoy the feast prepared by us including some delicious dessert which was prepared in front of us.

Brazilian

1. Chamas Churrascaria, Crowne Plaza Sh Zayed Road. 

Chinese

1. Hakkasan, Jumeirah Emirates Tower
2. P F Chang
3. Royal China, DIFC

Fine Fast Food

1. Slider Station, Galleria Mall

French

1. La Petite Maison, DIFC (french and italian cuisine)

Greek

1. Eat Greek, Mall of Emirates

Indian

1. Amal, Armani
2. Claypot, Citymax Hotel
3. Delhi Darbar, Karama
4. Gazebo, Al Mankhool
5. Mint Leaf of London
6. Rasoi Ghar, Karama
7. Ravi’s, Karama
8. Signature by Sanjeev Kapoor, Melia Hotel

International

1. Cheesecake Factory
2. Imperium, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
3. Karma Cafe, Souk Al Bahar
4. La Cantine, Jumeirah Emirates Towers

Japanese

1. Hashi,  Armani
2. Nobu,  Atlantis
3. Okku, H Hotel
4. Sho Cho, Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa
5. Wagamama, Crowne Plaza Sh Zayed Road
6. Zuma, DIFC

Lebanese

1. Abd El Wahab, Souk Al Bahar
2. Al Nafoorah, Jumeirah Emirates Tower
3. Karam Beirut, Mall of the Emirates
4. Mandaloun, DIFC
5. Zaatar Zeit, JBR

Mediterranean

1. Boardwalk, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
2. The Beach House, Anantara The Palm
3. Tagine, Madinat Jumeirah
4. Villa Beach, Jumeirah Beach Hotel

Seafood

1. Bu Qtair, Umm Suqeim
2. Pier Chic, Al Qasr Madinat Jumeirah

Spanish

1. Casa de Tapas, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
2. Seville’s, Wafi

Thai

1. Lemongrass, Oud Metha
2. Little Bangkok
3. Mango Tree, Souk Al Bahar
4. Pai Thai, Madinat Jumeirah
5. Tipthara, The Palace Downtown
6. Mekong, Anantara The Palm –

Tibetan

• Yalla Momos, Karama

Art & Culture in Dubai

Movie Theatres in Dubai

1. Vox Cinemas {VOX}
2. Novo Cinemas {NOVO}
3. Reel Cinemas {REEL}