What To Do

Beaches

Dubai's main beaches run along Jumeira Road. In truth, it is one long beach divided up by hotels and private clubs, interspaced by a few public access beaches.

The Jumeira beaches have soft white sand that slip into the shallow warm turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf. Hotel beaches are very well maintained with luxury facilities. This usually means lawns and swimming pools with beachside food and beverage service.

The public has access to use private or hotel beach clubs with daily rates that vary from $10 to $50.

There is also a public beach at Al Mamzar Park on the Deira side of the Creek. The public facilities include playgrounds, barbecue sites, food kiosks, and picnic areas for families.

January temperatures are pleasant so the beaches are full of Europeans. Summer temperatures can reach 45-50 degrees centigrade with equally high humidity.

Hotels

Dubai is home to over 250 hotels which include some of the world's most luxurious establishments. They are designed to accommodate business travelers as well as tourists. The hotels also enrich the local social life as they include a wide range of restaurants, bars, shops, and live entertainment.

The Burj Al Arab is the world's tallest hotel. The Jumeirah Beach Hotel is another of the many famous hotels that line the long stretch of hotels on Jumeira Beach.

The view from the Sheraton Jumeirah Beach is indicative of the scenery that can be enjoyed without ever leaving one's room.Travel Guides From Amazon.comBook your Dubai hotel here

Restaurants

Dubai has a truly extensive choice of great international restaurants. Most of them are located in the larger hotels. Many visitors find it hard to beat dining on the deck over looking The Creek at Vivaldi in the Sheraton.

Lebanese or Turkish cuisine is to be found on most local menus. In addition, there are inexpensive Indian and Pakistani restaurants readily available. American fast food chains have outlets all around town and in the many shopping malls.

If you feel of need to be any closer to the water, have dinner on one of the many 'dhow' restaurants that cruise The Creek.

Night Life

Dubai entertainment includes cinemas, concerts, dhow cruises, discotheques as well as live entertainment that includes Middle Eastern as well as Western choices.

There is a wide selection of bars and pubs to be found in the major hotels. Frequently several different kinds of music will be provided during the course of an evening. Below is Moondance, an international band that has been making music in the Sirroco Club for the last several years.

Golf

Dubai is the home to two outstanding golf courses. Both are famous for the innovative design of their club houses and lush fairways. The Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club sits on the banks of Dubai Creek with its distinctive club house build to represent the dhows that sail the Creek.

The Emirates Golf Club, located south of the city, was the first grass course in the Middle East. It is the annual home of the European PGA Desert Classic. This event attracts all of the major PGA players, even Golf's number one player, Tiger Woods.

Parks

Dubai offers a pleasant variety of parks and family attractions. The Wild Wadi is a water amusement park greatly enjoyed by all family members.

Along with the theme parks, there are playgrounds, landscaped gardens and the Dubai Zoo. Families have picnics along the various waterway parks that include various fun activities for one and all. Creekside Park is a popular destination that includes rides in the water taxis that provide transportation across the Creek all day long.

Many people head east to the Hajar Mountains for a day outing to the scenic Hatta Oasis or Heritage village.

Desert

Dubai may be an ultra-modern city in the 21st Century but its heart and soul is rooted in the sand dunes of the Arabian Peninsula.

Desert activities attract visitors and residents alike. One can experience midnight at an oasis under the stars in a bedouin camp with camels tethered nearby. Or enjoy the thrill of 4 or 3-wheeling through the endless dunes. Falconry remains a popular sport throughout the Middle East.

Visitors will find information about various activities and excursions available at most hotels.

Watersports

From the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club to ski boats at Jumeira Beach, Dubai is ready for the water enthusiast of every taste and pocketbook.

Activities provided at hotels along Jumeria Beach include jet-skiing, sailing, windsurfing, paragliding and water skiing. Diving execursions that can also be arranged.

For the rest of us, there remains swimming in the warm waters, rides along Dubai Creek in local dhows and abras, and walks along the beaches

Gold

The Covered Gold Souk in Deira is Dubai's most famous gold market. Designs range from 22 carat Indian extravaganzas to delicate18 carat Italian pieces. Prices are based on weight and craftmanship and fluctuate frequently.

The Sharjah Blue Souk is another popular gold market only 15 minutes away from downtown Dubai.

There are also lots of jewelry shops in Dubai's many modern malls. This is, after all, one of the largest retail market for gold in the world.

Carpets

Dubai is just across the Gulf from Iran, so the supply of Persian carpets is considered one of the best outside of Iran. Prices are also good if you know a bit about carpets and bargaining. If you don't, this is a good opportunity to take the time to learn about designs, quality, origins, and of course prices.