Downtown Dubai

Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa is a stunning feat of architecture and engineering, with two observation decks on the 124th and 148th floors and a restaurant-bar on the 122nd.

The world’s tallest building pierces the sky at 828m and opened in January 2010.

The world's highest observation platform, though, is called At the Top Sky and is located at 555m on the 148th floor.

Dubai Mall

With around 1200 stores, this isn't merely the world's largest shopping mall.

It’s a small city, with a giant ice rink and aquarium, a dinosaur skeleton, indoor theme parks and 150 food outlets.

White Dubai

The Dubai spawn of the Beirut original did not need long to get local hotties in a headlock with high-energy rooftop parties under the stars.

International spinmeisters shower party-goers with an eclectic sound soup, from house and electro to bump-and-grind hip-hop and R & B, all fuelled by dazzling projections and light shows.

Dubai Fountains

Dubai have fountains taller, bigger, louder and with an incredible light show at night. The musical repertoire of the fountain show includes Sama Dubai, Baba Yetu (an award-winning song in Swahili), the Arab world’s top-selling dance number Shik Shak Shok, and the signature piece of world-renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, Con te partiro: Time to Say Goodbye.

The fountains are situated outside the Dubai Mall, surrounded by a lively hub of restaurants with frontrow views – book ahead to dine on the terrace and see the fountains in all their glory. The Thai cuisine at the Mango Tree in Souk Al Bahar is a standout.

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

The Dubai Mall also hosts the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. Observe Dubai’s fascinating nocturnal desert animals, come face to face with huge saltwater crocodiles, walk beneath a 48-metre aquarium tunnel…all without getting a drop on you. For those happy to take the plunge, there’s shark diving and cage snorkelling, plus many other imaginative ways to dive in. Don’t miss the ‘VRZOO’, a simulated virtual reality experience that lets you travel to the jungles of Asia or the African Savannah without taking a step.

Wild Wadi Water Park

Unleash your inner child at this spectacular water park, more like a miniature world of its own, right next to the sea.

If you’ve never experienced an ‘aquatic roller coaster’ or a state-of-the-art surf machine, then add this place to your list of things to do in Dubai. You could easily spend days on the whirling Tantrum Alley, and Burj Surj tube slides, while kids will love the splash-tastic water guns and racing slides at the Dhow and Lagoon.

Ski Dubai at the Mall of the Emirates

Ski Dubai, a huge ski slope situated in Mall of the Emirates at the Marina end of the city. It’s a bit of a shock to go from the 50°C desert heat to below zero temperatures but you can hire all equipment, clothing and ski lessons you need so you don’t have to pack your skis. There’s even a café-bar halfway up the ski slope in true mountain style, so you can stop for a bumper hot chocolate and watch the fun unfold.