Things To Do In Dubai
What is there to see and do in Dubai, and what's the best way to experience the city's best landmarks and attractions? At CityXplora we believe that however detailed you want your itinerary to be, you can't go wrong with the hop-on hop-off bus tour. The glory of hop-on hop-off is that you have the freedom to tailor your own sightseeing from the comfort and convenience of an open-top deck.
The Big Bus Dubai Tour is the most comprehensive sightseeing experience in this exciting emirate. Tickets are valid for up to 48 hours and you can hop-on and off between 21 ideally located stops across two routes: The City Tour and the Beach Tour. Due to its proximity to the neighbouring emirate of Sharjah, your Big Bus Dubai ticket also entitles you to a tour of this regularly dubbed 'Pearl of the Gulf'. Meet at WAFI for 15:00 for your journey to Sharjah.
Join the beach bus tour route and stop off at the Jumeirah Palm Island (Stop 18), here you will find two of Duabi's most popular attractions for all ages: the Aquaventure Water Park and Dolphin Bay. The water park has everything from slides to river rides, and at the 4.5 hectare dolphinarium (only a short walk away) you can swim and interact with the habitat's friendly dolphins. Another excellent water park is the Wild Wadi, which is located at stop 19.
Getting off at stop 4 places you right next to Dubai Museum, an institution set inside the fortifications of Al Fahidi Fort. Here you can delve into the history of Dubai, from its origins as a small pearl diving community to an international oil industry hub. Dubai Museum is free to enter with your bus ticket, and right next door is the 'Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding', where visitors are invited to learn about local culture and customs through various fun activities.
Remember that you haven't fully experienced Dubai until you've taken a Dhow creek cruise. See the sights of the old city from the upper deck of one of these fine traditional vessels. You can board a dhow from stop 5, and the ride is free with your bus ticket.
Finally, be sure not to pass by the Gold and Spice Souks (stops 7 & 8 respectively). Both of these bazaars give off a timeless oriental atmosphere and there's ample opportunity to haggle for a bargain that'll beat any cheap souvenir.