Dubai is the second largest emirate in the UAE and is often referred to as the Pearl of the Gulf. Dubai was originally divided into two parts and separated by Khor Dubai, a natural seawater inlet: Bur Dubai and Deira. Bur Dubai, along with Deira and Al Shingada, form part of Old Dubai. Of these, Al Shingada is the oldest neighbourhood where the rulers of Dubai once lived. The different places in Dubai get their name from their natural features. For instance, Al Muteena receives its name from the clayey soil in the area. Similarly, Al Hamriyah is called so because it is a coastal settlement for people from Sharjah. Old Dubai has several souks or traditional markets selling spices, gold, garments, and other items.

New Dubai is in complete contrast to old parts of the city. It is modern well structured, and it abounds with luxury. Some of the world’s largest, longest, and most famous buildings are located in New Dubai. For instance, the Ibn Battuta Mall, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, etc., are in New Dubai. Some places here include Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Dubai Hills Estate, etc.

• Best season to visit Dubai – November to March.
• Hindi and English are commonly spoken, although Arabic is the official language of the UAE.
• Burj Khalifa is the most visited tourist attraction.
• Popular activities in Dubai – Shopping, desert safari, dhow dinner cruise, hot air balloon ride.
• Souvenirs to buy in Dubai – gold, spices, nuts, dates, attar, chocolates, electronics.
• Dress conservatively in public places. Don’t swear or take alcohol in public.
• Shawarma, falafel, and biryani are among the cheapest food in Dubai.

• How many hours from Chennai – ~4.5 hours
• Famous tourist attractions – Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Dubai Fountain, Miracle Garden
• Things to do in Dubai – Desert safari, dhow cruise, Visiting the top deck of Burj Khalifa, Visting Dubai souk, Visiting Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark, skydiving, ziplining
• Famous food to try – Shawarma, luqaimat, falafel, biryani
• Things you must try at least once in Dubai – Desert safari, camel racing at Al Marmoom, and deep diving in DeepDive Dubai.
• Famous attractions in Dubai – Burj Khalifa, Dubai Miracle Garden, Jumeirah Mosque, Al Fahidi Historic Neighbourhood, Dubai Mall
• Souvenirs to buy – spices, gold, attar, dates, electronic items

With its giant shopping malls, eclectic architecture, and majestic skyscrapers, Dubai is a fantasy land, attracting millions of tourists with luxurious and opulent lifestyles. But it’s also a city of contrasts where working class immigrants have set up shops to cater to their fellow countrymen. Case in point: Dubai is the best place outside India (or Pakistan) to satisfy your biryani cravings. Here are some of the reasons you must book a Dubai tour package today:

Dubai’s ambitious rulers have taken it upon themselves to make the impossible possible. From ski slopes in the middle of a desert to deep diving in the world’s deepest swimming pool to showcasing 50 million flowers and 250 million plants in a desert, Dubai is the best example of creating a new reality. It is the world’s first and only country with a separate ministry to make impossible things happen –the Ministry of Possibilities.

From the tallest picture frame to the tallest building, the largest chocolate sculpture, and the world’s largest fireworks display, Dubai is one of the world’s most innovative cities.

Dubai is the best place to sample international cuisine, thanks to its huge immigrant population. From fancy restaurants serving French and Japanese cuisine to local shops selling biryani, Kerala fish curry, and pad Thai, there are plenty of options depending on your budget. You can visit the Dubai Art Centre DUCTAC to enjoy theatre, live music or a dance show, quad biking or sandboarding on the Arabian Desert, skydiving, a dhow cruise on Dubai Marina, or the view from The Palm.

From Legoland and Bollywood Parks to Wild Wadi Waterpark, Aquaventure, and the IMG Worlds of Adventure, there are plenty of theme parks where you can have a fun time with kids. If you’re an adventure enthusiast, go deep diving in the world’s deepest swimming pool. You can enjoy skiing, shark diving, and zip lining, take a hot air balloon ride, take a helicopter ride for a bird’s eye view of the city, or enjoy a desert safari.

From shopping at the world’s biggest and best malls to budget markets, Dubai has plenty of shopping options. The Dubai Mall is one of the world’s largest malls with international brands like Bloomingdale’s, Zara, H&M, and Dior. And if you’d like to enjoy European style street shopping, head to City Walk.

If you are looking for budget shopping places, head to the Dubai Waterfront Market, the many souks in Bur Dubai, Karama Centre, and Dragon Mart.

America may be about everything bigger and better, but Dubai is about opulence. It’s the only place in the world where the police drive supercars like Aston Martins, Bugattis, and Lambhorgini Avendetors. Spa treatments at one of Jumeirah’s spas involve 24 carat gold and even pure platinum. There’s also an ice cream café that costs $900 per scoop, which includes Italian truffles, saffron, and edible gold.

There are cocktails made with diamonds, hotel rooms built underwater, and the world’s most expensive biryani. The world’s most expensive cupcake is sold at $1000 per cupcake and is made using Ugandian vanilla beans, strawberries, and Italian chocolate. All of these are then decorated with 24 carat edible gold.

With over 300 world records registered in the Guinness Book of World Records, Dubai is one of the biggest, best, and craziest cities in the world. Some well known records include The Burj Khalifa, Ain Dubai, the world’s largest observation wheel, Dubai Frame, the world’s largest frame, and Dubai Mall, the world’s largest mall.

Some lesser known marvels on the record list include the world’s tallest chocolate sculpture, Maze Tower, the world’s largest vertical maze, the world’s longest handmade chain, and the longest painting. The Dubai Fountain is the world’s largest fountain, and DeepDive is the world’s deepest swimming pool, containing 14 million litres of water. With 50 million natural flowers, the Dubai Miracle Garden is the largest flower arrangement in the world.

With over 80% of its population comprising immigrants, Dubai is home to people from over 200 nationalities. It’s one of the few places where Hindi and English are more commonly spoken than Arabic, the local language. Besides Hindi and English, you’ll also find people speaking Malayalam. The rulers of Dubai have consciously adopted religious tolerance, ensuring that people of all faiths live together in harmony. Hindus are the third largest religious group in the UAE, just behind Christians and Muslims.

There are Hindu temples, gurudwaras, churches, Buddhist monasteries, and even a Jewish synagogue in Dubai. The UAE is one of the few countries in the world with a separate civil law on marriage, divorce, custody, and inheritance for non-Muslims.

With an arid desert climate, Dubai has winter and summer seasons. Naturally, the best time to visit the city is from November to March, when the temperatures average 25 °C and nighttime temperatures can be as low as 5°C.

The weather is cool, with temperatures dropping to early twenties and the nights being chilly. It’s a little toasty in January, but since humidity is still low, the temperatures could be as low as 15°C. February is slightly hotter, yet pleasant. There could be a little rainfall and an occasional thunderstorm, but not long enough to dampen your holiday.

Winter is also the best time to visit Dubai to experience the magic of the Dubai Festival. This shopping extravaganza takes place in December every year, attracting millions of tourists from around the world.

The Dubai Design Week is celebrated in November, and tourists can explore the Dubai Design District for free and enjoy the local art scene, including art workshops, engaging talks, and even immersive design experiences. The city hosts the Dubai Jazz Festival around February, where the likes of Mariah Carey and John Legend perform at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre.

Winters aren’t the cheapest time to explore Dubai. Flight tickets and hotel prices are expensive and must be booked ahead. December is undoubtedly the most expensive time to fly to Dubai, with ticket prices costing at least 30% more than the regular fare. While admission and entry rates are constant, hotel rates generally increase in winter, especially around Christmas and New Year.

The weather from April to May progressively transitions from pleasantly windy to hot within a few weeks. May is officially summer in Dubai, with temperatures soaring to 37°C and over 11 hours of sunlight. But you can still spend some time beside a swimming pool with a shade until noon. But it could get a little humid around this time. If you visit the city in April, the climate is pleasant enough to spend time on the beach. Temperatures average around 33°C during this time.

April is a great time to visit Dubai because of the Dubai Food Festival. The Children’s International Film Festival is also held around this month, bringing families from around the world to the city. Since it’s not too crowded, you don’t have to worry about long queues outside prominent tourist attractions in April and May.

May isn’t a favourable time to visit the city, but it is also the least crowded and the cheapest time to explore Dubai. Agreed, people will warn you about the scorching heat, but if your itinerary includes indoor tourist attractions, there’s nothing to worry about. All indoor entertainment places have air conditioning and are comfortable enough. You cannot walk to the different places since it is extremely hot in May, but there are enough transport options.

Another advantage of choosing Dubai tour packages around April and May is the cheap hotel rates and the huge shopping discounts throughout the city.

Even if you can manage the heat, the humidity in the air will get to you. Remember to wear light clothes and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

The summer season is considered one of the worst seasons to visit Dubai for a reason. Temperatures can reach 45°C during these months, and the average low could be around 30°C. Humidity could range from 50% to 60% from June to August. It’s too hot even to step outside, let alone lounge on the beach or near the swimming pool.

If you’re visiting Dubai for shopping, don’t let the summer stop you. Hotels and airlines offer great discounts and added benefits, like complimentary breakfast and free laundry services during the summer. Indoor attractions like shopping malls and indoor theme parks are a great way to escape the scorching sun. During summer, you can visit Ski Dubai within The Dubai Mall of the Emirates, IMG Worlds of Adventure, and KidZania.

Heat exhaustion and heat strokes are some of the risks of travelling to Dubai during the harsh summer months. Remember to stay hydrated and avoid direct sunlight for long. If you’re sweating profusely or feel nauseous, move to a shady place quickly to prevent fainting.

September to October are transition months, and the weather ranges from hot to warm. The average temperature is around 39°C, but the temperature drops by around five degrees in October. You still have an average of 10 hours of daylight to enjoy the different tourist attractions and even possibly spend some time on the beach.

Agreed, it is hot around this time but visitors don’t arrive until November, so the places are less crowded. There are quite a few entertainment events planned around this time. For instance, The Dubai Home Festival is celebrated in September across Dubai. You can buy furniture and home décor items at discounted prices, participate in raffle draws, and even participate in interior decoration workshops.

Remember to wear light cotton clothes and carry enough sunblock. Carry a water bottle with you to stay hydrated. If you’re travelling with kids, waiting until the evenings before hitting the beach is best.

Ramadan is an important month for Muslims. They observe fast from sunrise to sunset and practice general abstinence. Earlier, restaurants had to blackout windows, and the general public was banned from eating in public during Ramadan. This is no longer the case, but business hours are open for fewer hours. Also, eating in public is socially unacceptable, though not illegal. Dress modestly and avoid public drinking or eating.

Dubai blends the old and new beautifully, giving you a variety of activities to enjoy and explore in the city. If you are looking for Dubai tour packages that delicately balance its cultural heritage and history with modern architecture and futuristic tourist attractions. Some of the things you must explore in the city include:

Today, tourists can enjoy a wholesome experience with camel riding, cultural performances, and even a BBQ dinner. Depending on your package, the experience could include fire shows, henna painting, belly dancing, quad biking, horse riding, sandboarding, falcon interaction, and dune bashing on a 4×4. You can also stay overnight in a Bedouin tent, only to be woken up to the sights of a beautiful sunrise.

When booking a desert safari, check what’s included in the package. You can also ask for a guide to explain the different elements in the package and understand more about Bedouin history. And if you’re a vegetarian, make sure you inform in advance. You can opt for a private desert safari or a group package, depending on your budget.

The coastal tribespeople traditionally used dhows to ferry heavy items along Dubai Creek. While they’re not as much in use as they were centuries ago, you’ll still find a few around Bur Dubai, the UAE’s original trading hub. Today, these dhows are motorised and redesigned to ferry tourists along the Dubai Marina. Typical dhow cruises include a 5 star buffet, unlimited refreshments, tanura dance, and sightseeing.

Some of the places covered in a typical dhow cruise include Dubai Marina, the old souks of Bur Dubai, the glistening skyline along the Marina and other landmarks. You can also celebrate special events like birthdays, anniversaries, and annual day parties on a dhow cruise by booking the entire charter for yourself and friends. Most dhow cruises can range from 90 minutes to up to 2 hours, depending on the package chosen.

Dubai is a shopping mecca for locals and tourists. With world class malls and shopping complexes home to the world’s best luxury and high street food, you can buy anything on any budget. While The Dubai Mall and other places are great places to shop for branded clothes, the old souks are great for budget shopping. You can buy gold, spices, clothes, attar, and other items for a steal in these markets.

While Dubai is a family destination, there are plenty of things for youngsters to enjoy and experience. You can sign up for a skydiving experience, deep diving, ziplining, snorkelling, shark diving, and flyboarding. If you don’t know how to swim, how about walking with the sharks in the safety of a cage?

The Burj Khalifa is the largest building in the world, soaring over Dubai and is nearly three times as tall as the Eiffel Tower. The building holds six other world records – for the tallest freestanding structure in the world, the highest number of storeys in the world, and the tallest service elevator in the world, among others. Enjoy a panoramic city view from the Burj Khalifa or high tea in the Sky Lounge on the 148th floor.

The Dubai Museum of the Future is an ode to Dubai’s futuristic ambitions and the headquarters for the city’s Great Arab Minds initiative. The building is designed as an asymmetrical torus clad in steel and glass. It was featured on National Geographic as one of the 14 most beautiful museums in the world. The museum’s striking exterior is as beautiful as the interior, where visitors can experience a range of next generation solutions, including Tomorrow Today and Future Heroes.

It is a living museum where experts brainstorm solutions to the world’s biggest problems. You’ll need 3 to 4 hours to explore the museum, which has several cafes and restaurants where you can take a snack break.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is in Abu Dhabi. Still, it is often included in most Dubai tour packages because of its architectural work and Islamic art that blends different Islamic architectural schools. Materials were shipped from all over the world to build this mosque. While marble was shipped from Italy, India, and Macedonia, carpets were imported from Iran, and Swarovski crystals for the chandelier were imported from Germany. The wool for the rug came from New Zealand.

The mosque is open to all non Muslim visitors, but they must dress respectfully and modestly. Women must cover their heads with a scarf or wear a traditional abaya, available for rent. Entry to the mosque is free.

The Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood District is a gateway to Dubai’s past and an essential aspect of UAE’s identity. The entire neighbourhood covers around 38,000 square metres and extends for about 300 metres along Dubai Creek. While the neighbourhood hosts many buildings, including museums, art galleries, and cultural centres, The Al Fahidi Fort is the highlight of this place. It was built in 1787 using coral and shells cemented together with lime to guard the landward approaches to the city. The fort was converted into a museum to showcase the city’s history and cultural heritage. Don’t miss the Al Shindagha Museum to understand Dubai’s lively past and the life of an average Emirati centuries ago.

Another highlight of this place is the Barajeel, or high air tower, made using traditional materials like stone, gypsum, teak, and sandalwood. These wind towers cool the house, ridding it of warm air and bringing in cool breeze. There are also galleries depicting Emirati life before oil wealth transformed the nation. This includes traditional Emirati homes, mosques, souks, date farms, etc.

You cannot appreciate Dubai’s transformation without understanding its exciting past. At Vaadiyan Luxury Holidays, our Dubai tour packages are designed to cover the city’s heritage and culture. The areas we cover in Old Dubai include Deira, Al Bastakiya, Bur Dubai, Old City Wall, and Al Seef. Deira is one of Dubai’s oldest neighbourhoods, famous for its age old souks, the Gold Souk, the Spice Souk, and the Perfume Souk. The Al Mamzar Beach Park is great for relaxing with friends and family.

Depending on how long you plan to tour Dubai, we can cover some of Dubai’s best theme parks, including the Wild Wadi Waterpark, Legoland Dubai, Motiongate, and Atlantis Aquaventure. A typical half day Dubai city tour will include visiting Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Mosque, Jumeirah Beach, and the Sheikh Mohammed Palace.

Dubai is the ultimate shopping destination, irrespective of your budget and what you want. You can buy anything from gold and spices to garments, perfumes, and electronics in the city. It was probably the first city in the world to have its shopping festival! The malls in Dubai aren’t just any other place for shopping – given the scorching heat outside, it only makes sense that people socialise, eat, and entertain their kids within the mall. Typical malls have theatres, art galleries, aquariums, and even mosques. Some of the best places to shop in Dubai include:

The Al Karama area has over 300 shops selling bargain products, including electronic items, home décor essentials, attars, garments, and even fake copies of high end brands. The Karama Market is the best place to shop if you’re shopping on a budget. But make sure you bargain well. You can buy lamps and lanterns, dates, garments, electronics, rugs and carpets, attar, and kitchen supplies.

Souks are traditional Arabian markets or bazaars lined with stores selling a wide range of items at budget prices. Some famous souks here include the Gold Souk, the Spice Souk, the Perfume Souk, the Textile Souk, and the many traditional souks in Meena Bazaar. The Deira Gold Souk has over 300 gold shops selling Indian and Arabic jewellery. Some of the famous shops here include Joy Alukkas and Malabar Gold. And if you’re planning to buy attar or traditional perfume made without alcohol, head to the Perfume Souk. You can purchase essential oils, incense sticks, and oudh.

If you are looking for elaborately embroidered Pakistani salwar suits, head to Meena Bazaar in Bur Dubai. Besides textiles, you can shop for gold and gems, shoes, accessories, perfumes, and cheap souvenirs.

Dubai being a multicultural hub, is a dream destination for foodies. You can sample some of the world’s best cuisine without breaking the bank. There’s something for everyone, from French style bistros to Italian restaurants and Thai places selling scrumptious pad Thai. Shawarma is definitely one of the cheapest and most commonly available street food in Dubai. You can find shops in every nook and corner of the city, selling chicken, beef and lamb shawarma for around AED 5. We have elaborately covered the local dishes and where to find them here.