Dubai attractions

The tallest structure on the planet is impossible to miss from the moment you arrive in Dubai. That's because it's an 830 m tall skyscraper in the middle of the city. The design of this internationally acclaimed architectural marvel is based on the desert-dwelling Hymenocallis flower. Its triple-lobed footprint provides a stable base for its lofty heights - all the better to offer amazing views of the city and desert that surround it. The opportunity to see the 'City of Superlatives' from one of the observation decks is not to be missed. The 124th floor is phenomenal, but the 148th floor is, well 24 stories higher. And the 148th floor has a VIP experience too. Day or night, make time in your day to check out the Burj.

Dubai is famous for its many shopping malls, but this one in particular needs to be seen to be believed. It's enormous, and even if you're not into shopping, there will be something (or some things) for you to enjoy inside. It has a 22-screen cinema, indoor theme park SEGA Republic (7,000 m2 of indoor theme park fun, including a 7 m-high halfpipe), Kidzania (where kids try out grown up life), an aquarium, and an ice rink. In fact, one day here probably isn't enough, so you may want to plan a couple days at the mall. It sure feels weird to recommend a trip to the mall for visitors to a city, but making a city like Dubai required throwing out the rulebook, so it's only fitting that we do the same when offering our recommendations.

"Yas!" is what you'll be screaming as you enjoy the rides here. This waterpark has some of the world’s most thrilling attractions, as well as a whole host of more chilled out water attractions, making this a perfect place to soak up some outside fun-in-the-sun while in Dubai. Some of the rides are world firsts like Bubble’s Barrel – the largest surfable sheet wave in existence. There's also the Bandit Bomber, a 550 m-long water rollercoaster (watercoaster?) with onboard water effects. All in all, Yas Waterworld is 37 acres of wet, watery fun. And, though splashing in the water in the middle of the desert may not seem very eco-conscious, YAS will surprise you here too; it's the first water park in the Middle East to receive a '1' on the Estidama Pearl Rating System for sustainability.

The sun is a fireball in the center of our galaxy that is approximately 27 million degrees hot. It's not quite that hot in Dubai, but it sure can feel like it sometimes. Fortunately, the waters of the Arabian Gulf are crystal clear and very inviting. Dubai's beach scene is pretty fantastic - especially if you like beach action. Volleyball, picnics, jet-skis and plenty of people. So grab your sunglasses, a sunhat, flip flops, a towel, plenty of SPF 80 sunscreen (or a lead suit), and get ready to soak up some rays beachside. Jumeirah Beach Park has a very reasonable AED 5 (€1.20) entrance fee, or Umm Suqeim (also known as Kite Beach) is another popular spot. Many of the beaches along the central stretch belong to the hotels and are for guests only - or those willing to pay a hefty fee.