5 fun things to do in Dubai

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Oh my, why I should try Dubai!

Known for being a fun and fabulous place, you’d think Dubai would be on the top of Lola’s list. Not quite at the top as I think I’ll need the Sheikh Crown Prince to fund the trip but when I thought I’d be heading there in February, a bit of research did prove it is worthy of a Lola visit.

Dubai has developed a reputation recently as the new glamorous place to be seen, promising the very best shopping and nightlife in the United Arab Emirates, and possibly even in the world. With so many great Dubai hotels to choose from, you can enjoy everything the city has to offer in comfort and style. (You know how I feel about a swanky hotel!) Picking the top five things to do was a difficult challenge, and this certainly shouldn’t be treated as a definitive guide – just some of the most weird and wonderful attractions available in the state!

The Dubai Fountain

Set on the Burj-Khalifa Lake close to the Dubai Mall, this fountain is easily one of the city’s best attractions. It consists of a huge number of water jets and shooters, as well as an incredible 6,600 lights to illuminate the choreographed routines, which it displays to music every 30 minutes. Beautiful and inspiring, this must not be missed.

Desert Safari

Explore Dubai’s surrounding landscape with an exhilarating ride across the sand dunes, finishing off with sunset over one of the many cliffs and vantage points out in the countryside. Many tours also include dinner, so look out for something that will cover the whole day for the complete experience – chances are you’ll be hungry after that ride! (I’m envisioning a Sex and The City picnic set up!)

Diving

Diving is no longer a tourist trap, thanks to ongoing off-shore construction work, so diving in Dubai now requires a boat trip further out to sea. It’s worth it to see the stunning marine life around the region, and many tours will take you out to explore shipwrecks as well as other areas of interest. You can also dive with one of the on-shore dive centres, although going out on a boat offers far more in the way of scenery and a chance to see the beautiful Dubai skyline.

Souk shopping

A trip to Dubai wouldn’t be complete without getting a day of shopping in at some point, but for something a little different ditch the shopping malls and instead head down to the souks, the traditional market stalls selling handmade crafts and produce. The gold souks literally gleam, covered with gold jewellery and ornaments from top to bottom, most created with amazing craftsmanship. (A new charm for my charm bracelet perhaps!) The spice souks are just as enchanting, promising a cacophony of tastes and smells to discover – ideal for those who want to see traditional Dubai.

Wild Wadi Water Park

Okay, so it’s not a particularly cultural attraction, but the Wild Wadi Water Park is Dubai’s biggest amusement park, featuring 23 water rides and even a fake thunderstorm, and it’s a lot of fun for all ages. Highlights include the Jumeirah Sceirah, a free-falling water slide reaching speeds of up to 50mph, and Breakers Bay, the largest wave pool in the Middle East.