Dubai has been dubbed the “shopping capital of the Middle East.” Large numbers of shopping tourists from countries within the region and from as far as Eastern Europe, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent visit Dubai for shopping. Dubai Duty-Free at Dubai International Airport offers duty-free merchandise to the tourists using the airport. Dubai is one of the most expensive shopping destinations in the world.
Souks are Arab market. They are found all over Dubai. Bur Dubai souk specializes in textiles and fabrics. Jewellery and lustrous gold bars are found in the Gold Souk, while soothing scents are sold in Perfume Souk.
Tourists even if they are not Muslims, should refrain from eating or drinking in public places in the daytime during Ramadan fasting. Sleeveless tops and short dresses may not be allowed in certain places. Clothes need to be in appropriate length.
Dress code
Expats and tourists are not allowed to consume alcohol in public. However, they can consume in bars, hotel restaurants, and private homes.
The Dubai Mall is a shopping mall in Dubai completed in 2008. It is the largest mall in the world by total land area. It has a total retail floor area of 502,000 square metres. The mall has over 1,200 shops. In 2011, it was the most visited building in the world. Every year it has over 54 million visitors. It ranks 26th in the world in terms of gross usable space.
Dubai Mall
Its facilities include a 250-room luxury hotel, 22 cinema screens plus 120 restaurants and cafes. The Mall has over 14,000 parking spaces across 3 car parks, with valet services and a car locator ticketing system. The Mall also has Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink for skating.
The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, with more than 300 species of marine animals, including sharks and rays, is located in the Dubai Mall. VR Park Dubai is also located in the Mall. It has a floor area of 76,000 sq ft.
The park is dedicated to virtual reality under the name of VR Park Dubai. Reel Cinemas is a 22-screen cinema located in the mall that has four cinema suites, and 17 commercial halls. Rainforest Cafe opened in 2009 faces the aquarium and is made to emulate tropical ruins with moving ruins and light shows. Hysteria is a haunted house. It is decorated with special effects, fog lights and strobe lights. KidZania is an interactive children’s sized edutainment theme park.
Dubai Mall is owned by Emaar Properties, one of the biggest developers in Dubai.
Tourist accommodation in Dubai is relatively expensive. During the last three years, the number of 4 and 5-star hotels increased while the number of hotels of less than 4 stars decreased. Between 2015 and 2017 the total number of rooms increased by 9.25% to 9,98. Up to 2018, the hotels had an average occupancy of 78%. In 2019 the occupancy dropped to 75%, while in 2020 it further dropped to 54% due to Covid-19.
Dubai Accommodation
As of 2020, there were 134 five star hotels with 44,067 rooms and 161 four-star hotels with 34,905 rooms.
In early 2013 the plan to build the first underwater hotel, the Water Discus Hotel, was announced. This will be the world’s largest hotel of its kind. This hotel will supplement the two underwater suites in existence at Dubai’s The Palm: Atlantis accommodation venue.
There are many packages available to suit your preference. You will need to consider timings, locations, what to wear, inclusions in your ticket etc to choose a package. Most tours include return transfers. This option is not applicable for hotels located in Sharjah or Abu Dhabi. Desert safari entertainment options like belly dance, tanoura dance and alcohol serving will not be available during Ramadan and occasions like Eid, Islamic New Year and the Prophet’s birthday.
Pregnant women, children under the age of 2 and adults above 70 are not permitted to try desert safari activities like dune-bashing, sandboarding, quad biking, etc.
You will drive through the dunes on a 4WD vehicle driven by professional drivers.
Evening Desert Safari
Evening is the most popular time for desert safari. The vehicle will stop a while for you to enjoy the sunset. After that you will proceed to the campsite.
Here you have the opportunity to do camel ride, sand boarding and try out a henna design on hand or feet. You will get to enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner and shisha (the Arabic water pipe). There may also be some entertainment like Fire show, belly dance and Tanura show performance around the campfire by starlight.
Dubai Desert Safari
Morning Desert Safari
The tour may start at around 9 AM. After picking you at your hotel, you will be taken straight to the desert. On the way you will enjoy awesome dune bashing and will then head back to the camp. At the camp you may also have options to try quad biking, camel rides and sand skiing. Thereafter the car drops you at your hotel. The whole tour may take approximately 2 hours.
Overnight Desert Safari
The overnight safari is an extension of the evening desert safari and commences once the guests of the evening safari have left the campsite. You can relax at the overnight tent during the night and enjoy the starry desert experience. Tents along with mattresses, pillows and blankets will be provided. There will be washroom and shower facilities at the camp. You will be served breakfast in the morning along with tea/coffee before you head back to your hotel.
Dubai Desert Night Safari
Dubai Desert Safari Dinner in the Desert
This safari is not recommended for those with any back problems, pregnant women, and families with young children, elderly and those with any heart related problems.
You will be picked up from your hotel or place of residence and brought directly to the desert safari campsite. You can choose between camel rides, quad bikes, sand-boarding, dressing up in traditional Arabic clothing, clicking pictures with the falcon, getting a henna tattoo, smoking a bubble/shisha, or just relaxing and enjoying the desert sunset.
Live entertainment shows like the tanoura dance show, belly dance show and fire show may also be available while you are enjoying your BBQ buffet dinner.
Sharjah Adventureland is an indoor family entertainment center in the Sahara Centre shopping mall in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The center has an area of 70,000 square feet (6,500 m2), making it the largest family entertainment center in the Middle East.
The mall offers a host of arcade & video simulators for kids and the whole family and features like the Kukulcan train, a bullet-speed roller coaster ride with about 300 meters of winding multi-level tracks, which go up as high as 9 meters, and the Forest Train, a treat for the entire family.
Adventureland comes out with a re-energized jungle theme ‘IT’S A JUNGLE IN HERE!’ as it features new, first time thrills in the region such as the first Motocoaster, Crazy Swing, 4- Level Soft Play Facility, among other new attractions. Adventureland showcases 3 roller coasters and other outdoor thrills.
Sharjah Adventureland
Sharjah Adventureland Kids ride cars in convoy.
Kids ride cars in convoy. The idea is to give kids the thrill of driving a race car, in the fun company of other kids their age. The Convoy race consists of cars that go around in a jungle safari inspired track.
Sharjah Adventureland Jungle Explorers
These cars in convoy are designed to give kids the exhilaration of driving a race car, in the fun company of other kids their age. The Convoy race consists of cars that go around in a jungle safari inspired track.
Sharjah Adventureland Tree Hoppers
Passengers are lifted to a height of approximately 4 meters in the air, and then begin their vertical descent in a quick series of short drops.
Shara Centre
Sharjah Adventureland Jungle Kids
The Jungle Kids will occupy two separate levels, to suitable both small and bigger kids. It will carry an exciting JUNGLE theme projecting a fascinating array of jungle animals & characters with various creative play activities for children.
Sharjah Adventureland Kids’ Canopy
Here the kids can learn and play for an unlimited time in a safe and clean area. The kids will be exploring their gross and sensory skills.
Sharjah Adventureland Parties & Events
Adventureland offers a total of 17rides and attractions, over 70 video, simulator and redemption games with fantastic prices, party halls, food kiosks, and a host of other high quality indoor leisure activities. In addition, a toddlers’ play area has been added on the mezzanine level. There are various packages available to suit your need. Each package is for 2 hours.
Dubai is an international hub for entertainment. Artists from all around the globe frequent the metropolis for their concerts and shows every year. The Laughter Factory always puts up high caliber shows using the best international artists.
Stand-up comedy
The city is also fast becoming a popular hot spot for stand-up comedy as well. There are some fantastic stand-up comedy venues in Dubai where well-known, local and international stand-up comedians perform their popular routines.
Laughter Factory Comedy nights
The Laughter Factory is the Middle East’s longest-running comedy night, since 1996. In partnership with the UK’s Comedy Store, the Laughter Factory hosts a fresh bill of three different professional comedians every month, many already stars of the screen on UK TV shows. With a reputation for quality and a sharp eye for talent, The Laughter Factory has showcased reams of A-list comics on their way to superstardom. The Laughter Factory’s commitment to comedy has been recognised by numerous publications, winning several accolades over its two-decade history, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from Time Out Dubai in 2013.
The Laughter Factory
Laughter Factory locations
The Laughter Factory locations include Movenpick JBR, Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens Dubai, Grand Millennium Al Barsha Dubai and Hilton Dubai in Jumeirah.
In June 2021 the Laughter Factory celebrated its 25th birthday. Because of restrictions due to Covid-19, the Laughter Factory is currently offering Zoom-based comedy shows.
Laughter Factory 25th birthday. In June 2021 the Laughter Factory celebrated its 25th birthday. Because of restrictions due to Covid-19, the Laughter Factory is currently offering Zoom-based comedy shows.
Other stand-up comedy venues in Dubai There are several stand-up comedy venues in Dubai. Some of them are:
Dubomedy
The second best stand-up comedy venues in Dubai is Dubomedy, a local comedy club known for nurturing local talent. Established over 11 years ago, Dubomedy, or Dubai + Comedy, is one of the pioneers of local stand-up comedy in Dubai.
Over the years, the club has successfully held shows like Comedy Carnival, Funny Girls, Dubomedy International Performing Arts Festival, Monday Night Funnies, Improv Revolution, Sketch@TV and Clowns Who Care Volunteer Project. The events are held at multiple locations across Dubai.
The Courtyard Playhouse
It’s the first and the only improv comedy theatre in Dubai. The Courtyard Playhouse Dubai auditorium has a seating capacity for 70 guests. Besides offering improvisational comedy shows, the centre also offers training and development for budding comedians and artists. The classes are suitable for kids, teens and adults. Online courses are also available for those interested in an entertainment career.
Dubai Opera
Dubai Opera is also a popular stand-up comedy venue. In the past, leading comedians have entertained residents across the city at the Dubai Opera.
