The Best of Dubai: Half Day Highlights
Uncover one of the most impressive and iconic cities in the world, Dubai. In this five hour tour, your expert local guide will take you to Dubai’s most impressive attractions - showcasing some of the fantastic sites around this truly modern city.
- Snap photos of the tallest building on the planet, the Burj Khalifa
- Visit the intriguing Palm Jumeirah, a man made island
- Stop off at the Burj al Arab, the world's first seven star hotel
- Discover the impressive Jumeirah Mosque, learn about Islamic faith
- Explore the Bastakia (old quarter), founded by Persian merchants
- Journey across the Dubai creek in a traditional Abra water taxi
- Stroll through the gold and spice souks, a local favourite for centuries
The Rise of Dubai
Dubai’s lightning entry into the 21st century has spawned record breaking skyscrapers, innovative indoor skiing centres in the desert and luxury man-made islands in the Gulf. The city has become one of the world’s premier tourist destinations and has experienced an incredible transformation since the oil boom years.
Starting at your hotel, or at a prearranged meeting point, your personal tour of Dubai will begin with a stop for a photo opportunity at the Burj Khalifa - the tallest building on the planet, built with a patterning system typical of Islamic architecture. You will then visit the Palm Jumeirah - a vast man made island regarded by some as the “eighth wonder of the world”. Shortly after you will pay a visit to the Burj al Arab, the world’s first seven star hotel. Built in the shape of a dhow, a traditional wooden cargo vessel, it is an icon synonymous with Dubai’s meteoric rise. The impressive Jumeirah Mosque will be up next with a unique opportunity for people not of the Islamic faith to view a local place of worship.
Old Dubai
The Bastakia or old quarter is an iconic heritage site that was originally founded in the 19th century by Persian merchants. Here you will find the Dubai museum, which documents the fascinating life of the local Bedouin population before the oil boom. Next, journey across the Dubai creek in a traditional Abra water taxi, a means of transport that has been used locally for centuries, to the gold and spice souks. The gold souk is a traditional market dominated by jewellery stores, bursting with literal tonnes of gold at any one time. An assault on the senses, the spice souk is a smaller working market that sells fragrances such as frankincense alongside herbs and aromatic spices.
Travel Curious Tip: Ascend the Burj Khalifa in your own time.
We built this tour because Dubai is magnificent and vast, therefore be at ease with the comfort of a knowledgeable guide and private transport.
