How to Decide on What to Do in Your First Time to Dubai

Regarded as one of the Middle East's most dynamic holiday destinations, Dubai welcomes countless visitors from around the world. Hosting some of the region's most coveted trade fairs and shopping festivals, there's never a dull moment in the Dubai event calendar. Whether one is heading to Dubai for a weekend getaway or a longer trip, here are some tips on how to decide on what to do and see during your stay in the desert capital.

1. Narrow down Your Holiday Goals

The first step in deciding what to do during a vacation in Dubai is honing in on what exactly one hopes to experience on the trip. As a dynamic city with diverse landscapes, what you can realistically accomplish during a trip is determined by the duration of the holiday and how well you organize the time available to engage in sightseeing or other activities. Those who are heading to Dubai to de-stress and get away from it all will have different holiday goals than someone who's visiting Dubai for its cultural significance or on a family getaway with children. This is why narrowing down your vacation priorities beforehand is crucial when travelling to a destination such as Dubai as it will inform the other decisions you make during the planning process.

2. Hit the Main Sights

No trip to Dubai would be complete without exploring the many heritage sites and monumental landmarks scattered across the city. Not only do these attractions provide the perfect backdrop for your Dubai holiday snapshots but visiting these unique locations is also likely to impart the cultural sensibilities of the city and the UAE at large for first time visitors. Taking in the views from the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, seems like a fitting way to kick start your Dubai getaway. The bird's eye view of the metropolis available from a height of 555m are guarantees to make your head spin while a tour of the Madinat Jumeirah compound, the Heritage Village and the Dubai Museum are also musts for first timers. The Etihad Museum which its awe-inspiring design is another point of interest worthy of exploration for those based at Avani Palm View Dubai or similar hotels in the area.

3. Shop till You Drop

Often ranked among the top things to do in Dubai, enjoying a shopping spree in its mega malls and department stores is a veritable rite of passage for visitors of all ages. Even if one cannot afford the luxury brands and products displayed within the plush confines of these glorious retail hotspots, window shopping in Dubai Mall, the Mall of Emirates, the Ibn Battuta Mall and the Dubai Outlet Mall are a great way to partake in the national pastime. Those in search of a more authentically Arabic or Middle Eastern retail encounter can head to the Gold Souq or the Bur Dubai Souq to explore alley after alley stocked to the brim with incense, clothing, spices and other locally produced curious.

4. Sign Up for Desert Adventures

Although it may not be for the faint of heart, there are a host of desert based adventures travellers can enjoy during a trip to Dubai. One of the finest ways to discover the flora and fauna of the arid landscapes is to take a four wheel drive across the desert. Bedouin camping tours as well as a spot of dune bashing can also be thrown into the mix while quad biking is another popular activity among seasoned visitors.

5. Travel Back in Time

Don't forget to sign up for a cruise on the Dubai Creek in a traditional boat made of wood that's been used for centuries to cross the city's main body of water. Considered the perfect way to wind down a trip to Dubai this memorable excursion allows tourists to witness the banks of the Dubai Creek from a unique vantage point.