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How to Experience Dubai as a Local Would

To Make the Most of an Alluring City

By Gabriel AnthonyPublished 2 years ago 3 min read
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Image via Wikimedia Commons

There is no doubt that Dubai would be counted amongst the Middle East’s most visited and admired destinations. Many visitors to this emirate take the opportunity to enjoy attractions like the Burj Khalifa and the Palm Jumeirah, but to truly experience the diverse delights on offer, you must venture into the less obvious places in the city too. Provided below are some suggestions for enjoying the pleasures of Dubai just as a local would.

Experience Old Dubai

Culture lovers and general sightseers alike would be captivated by the intriguing locality known as Old Dubai. You could commence your exploration at the Fahidi district and its well-known souq; you could then cross the Dubai Creek on an abra vessel and make your way to the remarkable Gold Souq. In fact, Dubai is known to be a wonderful city in which to purchase gold; gold would be cheaper here than in practically any other city on the globe since no import duties are charged on gold bars and other raw materials. There will be a jewellery tax charged, but you could redeem the money at the airport. Although prices should be uniform throughout the souq, bargaining is expected and the initial price offered should not be accepted!

View the Dubai Fountain

Another not-to-be-missed Dubai spectacle would be the show put on by the Dubai Fountain. You will find that the Dubai Mall would be a wonderful environment for the avid shopper, but even more alluring would be the fountain show that you could observe outside it. You will find that this spectacle commences at 6 pm and continues at half-hour intervals till 11 pm. Another attraction in the vicinity would be the Burj Khalifa which looks loveliest at the time of dusk, while you could also take a pleasant stroll around the nearby park.

Relax at the beach

As Dubai features fine beach weather throughout the year, it will not be surprising that locals and foreigners alike take the opportunity to spend time at the city’s beaches. One of the well-known public beaches would be Kite Beach where you could relax or engage in water sports. You could also visit a beach club here; typically, your day pass will entitle you to a lounge chair and possibly a cocktail or other bonus. An accommodation choice to consider from which you could easily visit Kite Beach would be Avani Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites. There will also be other appealing beaches that you could visit in Dubai such as JBR Beach and Sunset Beach.

Savour the food

Dining out would also be one of the top things to do in Dubai. Since the population of Dubai includes a great many expats, it will not be surprising that you will have the opportunity to savour many kinds of cuisine in the city, such as Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Egyptian and so on. Although you could very well dine in the upscale restaurants of Western chefs during your stay, it would be much more interesting to visit the culinary establishments run by locals or expats from exotic places around the globe. In fact, it may be said that the dining options would truly seem endless in Dubai!

Take in the magic of the desert

In under 20 minutes, you could make your way to the desert expanses from the urban environment of downtown Dubai. It may be said that your stay would be incomplete without experiencing the mystique of the Arabian desert. On your Dubai desert safari, you will have the opportunity to engage in exciting activities like dune bashing, sandboarding and quad biking. You could also look to enjoy camel rides as well as visit a Bedouin-style camp and witness henna painting, followed by a feast of delectable local foods.

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