United Arab Emirates: 10 must-see attractions in Dubai

The Burj Khalifa, the symbol of Dubai

The Burj Khalifa is the tallest tower in the world, rising to 828 metres. Named after its founder, Emir Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyane, it was inaugurated in 2010 and has no less than 211 floors. A glassed-in observation deck with an open-air terrace welcomes you to the 124th floor, 450 metres above sea level.

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This tower is located in the heart of a district created from scratch, south of the city's historic centre. In addition to the skyscraper, you can take a walk by the artificial lake, enjoy the water shows at the Dubai Fountain and shop in the world's largest shopping mall, the Dubai Mall.

The Burj-al-Arab Hotel

It's a building built to break records. 5 stars, 321 metres high, a helipad and about 70 euros to enjoy afternoon tea. Of course, for that price you also get champagne and seven snacks to enjoy. The Burj-al-Arab is easy to recognise: it looks like a huge white sail stretched over the turquoise water of the Persian Gulf. The hotel seems to be delicately placed on a tiny island. Access is possible via a single road that cuts through the waves at Jumeirah beach.

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Dubai Marina

A city within a city, that's how you could describe Dubai Marina. Located 30 kilometres from downtown Dubai, the marina has a 100-metre-long canal around which buildings have been constructed. These include Marina 101, Infinity Tower, Princess Tower, 23 Marina and 106 Tower.

If you want to visit the marina, you can take a boat cruise, while the Yacht Club is the place to go for a drink. If you like golf, the Emirates Golf Club, opened in 1988, is right next door. It offers an unusual course, between skyline and desert.

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The Palm Islands, a must in Dubai

One of Dubai's great challenges is to gain land on the sea. This is how spectacular projects like The World and Palm Islands came about. The name Palm Islands refers to archipelagos of artificial islands which, when viewed from the air, look like giant palm trees on the water.

The World

This archipelago of nearly 300 artificial islands built off the coast of Dubai represents the 5 continents. Very difficult to access, these islands are home to luxurious villas such as that of former F1 driver Michael Schumacher. Nevertheless, you can admire them from the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa tower.

Dubai Fountain

You used to have to go to Las Vegas to see the world's tallest water fountains. Now you have to go to Dubai, where the water jets rise so high you can see them from 30 kilometres away. It is a favourite attraction for locals and tourists alike. At the foot of Burj Khalifa next to Dubai Mall, you can enjoy a superb water, sound and light show for free. Good to know: the animation, which lasts about 5 minutes, repeats every 30 minutes in the evening.

Dubai Mall

Welcome to the heart of the largest shopping mall in the UAE - and the world! Even if you're not a fan of shopping, it's worth a visit. It features 1,200 shops, waterfalls, an aquarium and an ice rink, all spread over 800,000 square metres of space. In the aquarium you can see sharks and rays. Every year in March, the Dubai Mall hosts the Shopping Festival, a major international fashion event.

Ski Dubai

It was a daring move to set up a real ski resort in the heart of the desert. Put away your swimming costume, because inside Ski Dubai, the largest indoor ski slope in the world, the temperature is around -2 degrees (compared to an average of 30 degrees outside during the year).

Nevertheless, the resort is a success, with visitors racing down the indoor slope, trying out bobsleigh, snowboarding and sledging. There are packages to stay here as well as season tickets to ski, just like in a traditional winter sports resort. Ski Dubai is located in the heart of the Mall of Emirate, Dubai's second largest shopping centre.

The Dubai desert

The desert surrounds the beautiful silver oasis and offers the opportunity to go on a safari in the mythical Arabian lands. There are several options for exploring it: rent a 4WD, opt for a quad bike, choose a camel ride, share a traditional barbecue under the stars or spend a full night in the desert in a tent or in one of the spa hotels that have set up shop.

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The old city of Dubai

It lies on either side of an inlet called Dubai Creek. The old city has nothing in common with the futuristic excess of its younger sister. You'll find traditional wooden boats, crenellated forts and souks. The walk is ideal to get a sense of what Bedouin life was like in the heart of a small coastal village, originally famous for its pearl fishing.