6 Reasons to Visit Dubai in 2019

Dubai’s famous skyline.

Dubai holidays increase in popularity year on year. In 2018, this city of opulence and glamour made the top ten in a study of the world’s most-visited cities, featuring among other holiday hotspots such as Paris and New York. From short city breaks and stopovers to week-long beach holidays, Dubai has something to offer everyone. So what exactly is it about this United Arab Emirates (UAE) gem that attracts so many visitors?

It is one of seven Emirates (states of UAE) and while the likes of Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah are seeing rapid increases in the number of holidaymakers visiting, it’s still Dubai that has the biggest draw. We’ve put together our top six reasons why this is and why you should bump this travel destination to the top of your “to visit” list in 2019.

1. Dubai Has Some of the Most Popular Beaches in the UAE

Dubai offers a great combination of beach and city life. Many of the beaches are privately owned by the adjoining hotel, such as the world-famous five-star hotel Burj Al Arab, and visitors who are not guests are charged a fee. However, this private ownership means that Dubai beaches are some of the best kept in the Middle East. There are also plenty of unaffiliated, free beaches to enjoy. This beach heaven, coupled with the city’s hot desert climate (very hot in the summer and pleasant in winter), makes Dubai a popular year-round choice for sun worshippers.

The Jumeirah Beach, situated on the Persian Gulf in Palm Jumeirah, is one of the most well-known and popular due to its stunning white sands, lively atmosphere and variety of places to eat beachside. For sports lovers, Wollongong Beach is the place to go, with surfing, kayaking, volleyball and many other beach and watersports on offer. A quieter option is Black Palace Beach, which is tucked away and provides an oasis of peace and relaxation. Whatever your beach preference, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Dubai.

The Jumeirah Beach, Dubai.

2. You Can Marvel at Stunning Architecture

Dubai is an exhilarating city to spend time in. Visually, the buildings are overwhelming in scale and glamour. The city is at the forefront of developments in modern architecture and has one of the most impressive skylines in the world. It seems as though barely a day passes without a striking new building going up. Strolling around Downtown, you’re surrounded by awe-inspiring skyscrapers, including the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. Experience the longest single-running elevator, which whisks visitors up 140 floors at a speed of 10 metres per second. The views from the observation deck are truly breathtaking.

Burj Khalifa, Dubai skyline at night.

3. Dubai Has Outstanding Cuisine — Whether You’re Looking for Something New or a Slice of Home

The city is a melting pot of culture with 200 different nationalities and 90% of the population originating from outside the country. Unsurprisingly, as a result, Dubai offers an impressive variety of dining options — foodie heaven!

A traditional Arabic meal, Lamb Mandy Rice.

Why not eat like an Emirati and try some of the city’s local dishes? If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll love the doughnut-like “luqaimat”. These hot dumplings are often served with a sticky date sauce and sesame seeds and can be found in cafes throughout the city. If you have an adventurous spirit and want to try something new, camel is one of the most popular meats on offer.

This is not a traditional dish, but modern chefs have fallen in love with camel meat and you’ll find it on the menu in curries, burgers and stews. If all that food is making you thirsty, there’s no shortage of coffee and cocktail bars. Arabic coffee is ubiquitous in the UAE and is rich and flavoured with cardamom. For something a little stronger, check out the wide range of Turkish cocktails on offer in bars, restaurants and hotels. Contrary to popular belief, Dubai is not a dry city and the cocktail scene is thriving.

For something a little closer to what you’d expect at home, visit the Dubai Marina, home to US import The Cheesecake Factory where you can enjoy burgers, pizzas and, of course, cheesecake!

4. Sports and Adventures Suitable for All

If there’s one thing Dubai does well, it’s glamour and luxury. All-inclusive Dubai holidays are well-established and the vast majority of resorts offer an eye-popping array of watersports, outdoor activities and adventures, from gentle catamaran cruises suitable for all the family to sky-diving and swimming with sharks for thrill-seekers. The Aquaventure Waterpark offers 17 hectares of slides and rivers; a great choice for a family day out. When the kids tire of the slides, there’s plenty of other activities to choose from. Scuba dive with dolphins, swim with sea lions or enjoy the thrill of a shark safari.

Aquaventure Waterpark, Dubai.

Set in the heart of the Arabian desert, Dubai is surrounded by warm sands, and a desert adventure tour is one of the most thrilling experiences you can enjoy. There are plenty of options to choose from, though many last half a day, running from afternoon to early evening. Take the children on a Dubai desert safari before enjoying a barbecue and some stargazing, experience the thrill of dune bashing as you glide over the sands in a buggy or experience the vastness of it all atop a “Ship of the Desert” as you enjoy a spot of camel riding.

5. Shopaholic? Enjoy World-Class Shopping

There are few cities that have more to offer dedicated shoppers than Dubai. Soak up the atmosphere at one of the traditional “souks” or markets — many souks specialise in a particular type of product, such as textiles, fabrics, spices and jewellery. Dubai is also famed for its gold souks, and you can often pick up an amazing deal while absorbing some of the city’s history and culture.

Spice souk, Dubai.

For a modern shopping experience, head to the Dubai Mall, the largest shopping mall in the world. You’ll find every kind of shop you can imagine here, and when you tire of flexing the credit card, there’s plenty of entertainment and activities to enjoy. Visit the Dubai aquarium, skate on a huge ice rink or play the slots at the amusement centre.

Feeling a little exhausted by it all? Take a seat and relax by the Dubai Fountain, which features world-class light and sound shows. If you’re a real shopaholic, be sure to time your visit to coincide with the Dubai Shopping Festival in January, a month-long celebration that claims to be “an event of festivity and lights, shopping and glamour, sports and adventure, multi-cuisine food and cosmopolitan culture.”

6. Dubai Is the Perfect Location for a Holiday

Finally, Dubai has an enviable location within the UAE and the world. It’s an easy flight from many major city airports — seven hours non-stop from London — making it a perfect choice for short breaks as well as longer holidays. It offers city life, desert landscapes and stunning beaches all within easy reach of one another. There’s no need to choose between a city break or a beach holiday, as Dubai can give you the best of both! It’s also in a great spot for those wishing to tick off multiple Emirates in one trip. Both Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah are less than a 90-minute drive away and each offers its own unique delights for you to discover and enjoy.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi.

This potential for a multi-centre trip is likely to become even more of a draw for visitors to Dubai from 2020 when the prototype of the Virgin Hyperloop One is due to launch. This hi-tech transportation system will zoom passengers between Dubai and Abu Dhabi in just 15 minutes.

So what are you waiting for? Whether you’re looking for a family holiday, a thrill-seekers’ adventure or a luxury shopping trip, Dubai has it all. Start exploring your options and make 2019 the year you visit Dubai!

*This is a collaborative post