Shopping

Dubai is labeled as the "shopping capital of the Middle East". With so many shopping malls and souks, there's no better place to find products at unbeatable prices. It is truly a duty free shopper's paradise that gives you more for your money. Dubai's numerous shopping malls cater to every consumer need. Cars, haute couture clothing, jewellery, electronics, furnishing, sporting equipment, and any other goods will likely all be under the same roof.

Souks

'Souk' is the Arabic word for market or place where any kind of goods are brought or exchanged. Traditionally, dhows from the Far East, China, Ceylon and India would discharge their cargos and the goods would be bargained over in the souks adjacent to the docks.

You can find the wonders of aromatic spices and the beauty of hand-crafted gold through the labyrinth of narrow winding alleys on the Deira side of the creek. In the spice souk you will find perfumes, incense, and delicious foods piled in sacks awaiting your attention. Walk a bit further toward the gold souk and you will be dazzled by the glittering displays in each shop window. Choose from gold necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and you can even design your very own jewelry.

At the Perfume Souk you will literally find thousands of aromas, and if you can't find the one that you want, shopkeepers would be able to conjure up a unique concoction that suits your tastes exactly.

You will find the antique market near the souks where you can buy coffee pots, Arabian chests, daggers, Bedu jewelry and carvings at excellent prices. If interested in buying textiles or silk, head for Cosmos Lane in Bur Dubai or the streets of Satwa, where numerous shops sell a vast array of colorful fabrics.

Water Delights

There is plenty to see and do water wise in Dubai. The Dubai International Marine Club has been the driving force behind the growth of national and international water sport events in the Middle East.

Dubai International Boat Show, the largest marine industry exhibition in the Middle East, is a classic showcase of yachts and boats from both local and international builders together with the latest innovations in marine equipment and accessories.
Apart from this there is parasailing, snorkeling, diving and surfing at the beach.

Fun & Games

Located just off the Garhoud Bridge, Wonderland is a family fun park that caters to all ages. Attractions include numerous water rides and slides, roller coasters, a log flume, bumper boats, games of skill and a nightly water mist show.

You can also spend your day with the little ones at the encounter zone at Wafi mall which has the popular crystal maze, horror chamber and fascinating 3D films.

Desert Safari

Trips to the desert can be a great way to explore the sandy expanses and safaris are generally half day and can include an overnight stay in Bedouin tents.

Wadi bashing, a popular amusement with both residents and visitors is all about exploring the wadis or dry beds of streams that flow after the winter rains from the Hajar Mountains. Many wadis offer scenes of unexpected beauty like attractive rock pools, some with water year-round, surrounded by greenery.

Driving in sand is an exciting activity. It is an adventure in itself which combines the excitement of a rollercoaster ride with the challenge of remaining mobile on the shifting surface.

Golf Courses

Even for the non-golfer, Dubai's golf clubs are worth a visit, both for the spectacular architecture of their clubhouses and as examples of the successful greening and landscaping of the desert.

More than one visitor has mistaken the lush greens and freshwater lakes of the Emirates Golf Club and Dubai Creek Golf Club for a desert mirage. Man-made oasis of rolling green fairways, bunkers and lakes materialize miraculously from a desert haze with superbly designed clubhouses as their epicenters.

Dubai Zoo

Dubai Zoo is the oldest zoo of its kind not only in the United Arab Emirates but also in the Arabian Peninsula. Dubai Zoo also happens to be the first Arabian zoo to breed the rare Chimpanzee and Arabian wild cat. It is a special place of interest and fun for tourists and residents of Dubai.

H. H. Sheikh Rashid bin Maktoum, the late Ruler of Dubai, permitted Otto J. Bulart to build the Zoo on a two hectare plot in Jumeirah. The Dubai Zoo became a landmark as it indicated the "town's end". Timings of the zoo are as follows: Open 10am to 6:30pm, Wednesday to Monday.

Camel Racing

Camel-racing, a traditional sport, is extremely popular in the Emirates. It was originally staged in an informal setting, at weddings or special festivals, but now customized tracks have been built throughout the country where race meetings are held in the winter months from October to April, culminating in the annual camel race festival at Al Wathba which attracts entrants from all over the world.

Sheikh Zayed's sponsorship of the Zayed Grand Prize camel races, also held at Al Wathba racetrack to celebrate UAE National Day, is an indication of the special focus and encouragement given to the revival of heritage sports and camel-racing festivals as an occasion for the gathering of UAE citizens.

Dubai Horse Racing

The World famous Dubai world cup is held in Dubai annually at the Nad Al Sheba club which boasts of a 2000- metre turf course. The evening features the Dubai World Cup, the world's richest horse race, supported by the UAE Derby and the Dubai Kahayla Classic for Purebred Arabians. The Dubai Duty Free, Dubai Sheema Classic, Dubai Golden Shaheen and Godolphin Mile complete a night of history. This is also a rare opportunity for ladies to wear hats to the occasion.

Visit DubaiCityGuide.com for more information on Dubai.