Travel Talk

Discover Life in Dubai: 10 Vacation Highlights That Could Convince You to Stay

November 22, 2022October 19, 2023 by SHABL

Dubai is a city known for its vibrant nightlife, incredible architecture, and breathtaking natural beauty. It is also one of the most visited locations on the planet, with internationally acclaimed tourist attractions and a thriving economy.

Given the number of expats moving to the city, it’s not surprising for you to wonder what life would be like if you resided there. If you’ve been thinking about it a lot, you may already be set on moving.

But before you begin looking for apartments in Dubai, you must first discover what life would be like in this city. This article compiles 10 vacation highlights that may encourage you to consider relocating here.

Table of Contents

Weather

Besides its rich culture and history, the weather in Dubai is also one of the things that attract international visitors.

1. Best Time to Visit

Many people visit the emirate around November to February. There is a festive ambience in the city during these months. That and the cool winter temperature is why tourist visits skyrocket during this season.

In November, the average temperature in Dhabi is around 25 degrees Celsius. It may peak at 30 degrees, but there are also days when the temperature drops to a comfortable 19 degrees. This makes November the best choice for travellers looking to try some outdoor activities in the city.

In February, the temperature in Dubai cools even further until it reaches a pleasant range of 15 to 24 degrees Celsius. This makes Dubai the best winter destination and home to individuals who love to soak up some sunshine.

Activities

Whether you’re a visitor or a resident of Dubai, you’ll surely enjoy the best tourist attractions in the emirate, including:

2. IMAGINE Dubai

Happening at sunset every night, IMAGINE Dubai marries science and technology with art and music in a one-of-a-kind fountain and light show in Dubai Festival City.

Equipped with 2.5m lumens of light, 360-degree fountains, and high-powered lasers, this unforgettable sensory experience continues to attract tens of thousands of tourists to the heart of the city.

And the number of guests continue to grow after the attraction won the title of the world’s largest permanent projection mapping and water-screen projection in the Guinness World Records.

3. Dhow Cruise

Get a glimpse of Dubai’s history and enjoy its current modern setup on a dhow cruise across Dubai Creek.

Featuring the roots of Emirati heritage, this traditional boat ride lets you experience one of many distinct manifestations of the Bedouin culture in the city. As you unwind and bask in the beauty of the Dubai skyline, you also get to sample flavourful dishes served on board and create wonderful memories that will make you want to stay here longer.

4. Al Marmoom Bedouin Experience

Besides the method of travel, many things have changed since the time the Bedouins roamed the UAE deserts. Even so, experiences that mirror their way of life remain to be a constant reminder of how far the country has come.

The Al Marmoom Bedouin Experience is the perfect vacation itinerary for those seeking a glimpse of the Bedouin lifestyle. Set in the Al Marmoom Desert, roughly 30 minutes from the city, this activity incorporates a camel ride caravan-style through the sandy desert.

By the end of the tour, you would have visited a Bedouin village, sampled fresh Arabic coffee, witnessed cooking demonstrations and a live falcon show, and enjoyed Arabian hospitality in a traditional majlis.

5. Burj Khalifa

Who doesn’t know about the Burj Khalifa?

Still reigning as the tallest building on the planet, the skyscraper towers over Dubai with a whopping 828-metre height.

The 160-story structure has become an iconic landmark in the city. What’s more, it is made even more popular by the observation deck experience that visitors can access via the 148th floor.

Food

If you love exploring new places and experiencing new cultures, Dubai is definitely worth considering for your next vacation. There are so many places you can visit and even more activities you can try.

Of course, the trip won’t be complete without a gastronomic adventure involving authentic local cuisine. Whether you visit Dubai Festival City restaurants or plan on cooking them yourself someday, below are some of the Emirati dishes you should try:

6. Shawarma

There are several varieties of shawarma across the globe. There’s probably one in your home country.

But no matter how good your local food outlet may be, there’s a good chance that their version of this Middle Eastern food can’t compare with the authentic dishes sold in the UAE.

A non-vegetarian delicacy, true-blue Emirati shawarma is made up of sliced lamb, beef, or chicken served on rolled soft bread. It also comes with onions and other fresh vegetables, and is complemented with unique, flavorful sauces made with Arabic spices.

7. Harees

Harees is a traditional dish served on special occasions in the UAE. If you’ve tried attending a wedding or any religious feasts (like Ramadan), you’ve probably sampled this mouth-watering porridge-like dish. If not, you’re missing plenty.

This Emirati food made from wheat and meat takes a few hours to prepare and can be cooked in different ways, and the result is out of this world.

8. Machboos

Machboos is another non-vegetarian Emirati food. It is made of red meat, rice, and fish or shrimp, seasoned with various spices and a secret ingredient: dried lemon.

Machboos is a popular dish in the UAE. Unlike harees, it’s not difficult to make. You only need to follow a few steps, which include cooking meat until tender and adding rice, onions, spices, and other ingredients to the pot.

Pro Tip: Try machboos with some salad and raita for a complete, delectable meal.

9. Fattoush

If you’re seeking a healthier Emirati option, fattoush is the perfect dish for you. Served with Levantine bread, this dish only requires a mix of fresh ingredients, including lettuce, cucumbers, diced tomatoes, lemon, onion, garlic, mint leaves, and olive oil.

Overall, it’s an explosion of flavours packed in a simple salad dish.

10. Balaleet

Want a dish that is both sweet and salty? Try balaleet.

This noodle dish served for breakfast or dessert is made with sauteed and boiled vermicelli, sweetened with cinnamon, saffron, and rose water, and topped with egg omelette.