Dubai International Financial Centre

United Arab Emirates

　　Dubai’s stock exchange and leading international financial institutions are housed in a complex of six buildings surrounding an impressive central 80m-high triumphal arch called The Gate. An intriguing architectural landmark designed by the American firm Gensler Associates, it sits on an axis with the twin Emirates Towers and the World...

Karachi Darbar

United Arab Emirates

　　A favourite pit stop of expats and Karama Market shoppers with an eye for a biryani bargain, this local chain puts tummies into a state of contentment with a huge menu of Pakistani, Indian and Chinese dishes. Reliable picks include shrimp masala, mutton kadai (one pot mutton dish) and butter...

City Walk

United Arab Emirates

　　This city-centre shopping, dining and entertainment district has the feel of a European town centre with its faux Georgian-style buildings, water features and pavements lined with trees. Along with an ever-increasing number of shops, cafes and restaurants, there is a 10-screen cinema complex and a handful of family-friendly attractions, including...

JBR Beach

United Arab Emirates

　　This clean, wonderful playground has plenty of facilities, including showers, toilets and changing rooms housed in distinctive panelled pods. Kids can keep cool in a splash zone, and there's even an outdoor gym for pumping, Since it's right next to The Beach at JBR and The Walk at JBR, there's...

Ravi

United Arab Emirates

　　Since 1978, everyone from cabbies to professional chefs has flocked to this Pakistani eatery, where you eat like a prince and pay like a pauper. Loosen your belt for heaped portions of grilled meats or succulent curries, including a few meatless options. Service is swift if perfunctory. Near the Satwa...

Salt

United Arab Emirates

　　Salt started life as a roaming food truck serving delicious mini-burgers, before graduating to two silver Airstreams parked permanently at Kite Beach. Join the ever-present queue to place your order and then pull up some pallet furniture set right on the sand (or inside the air-conditioned glass cube, if the...

The Beach at JBR

United Arab Emirates

　　Paralleling the beachfront for about 1km, The Beach at JBR is an open-plan cluster of low-lying, urban-style buildings wrapped around breezy plazas. Hugely popular with families on weekends, it mixes cafes and upmarket shops with a lively waterfront fun zone complete with a kiddie splash park, an outdoor gym, a...

Mall of the Emirates

United Arab Emirates

　　Home to Ski Dubai, a community theatre, a 24-screen multiplex cinema and – let's not forget – 630 shops, Mall of the Emirates is one of Dubai's most popular shopping centres. With narrow walkways and no daylight, it can feel a tad claustrophobic at peak times (except in the striking...

The Walk at JBR

United Arab Emirates

　　In a city of air-conditioned malls, this attractive outdoor shopping and dining promenade was an immediate hit when it opened in 2008, originally to meet the needs of the 20,000 people living in the Jumeirah Beach Residence development. Today The Walk is also a big hit with tourists who join...

Aroos Damascus

United Arab Emirates

　　A Dubai restaurant serving Syrian food to adoring crowds since 1980 must be doing something right. A perfect meal would start with hummus and a fattoush salad of toasted bread, tomatoes, onions and mint leaves before moving on to a plate of succulent grilled kebabs. There's a huge outdoor patio....

Wahat Al Karama

Abu Dhabi

　　This memorial, opposite the eastern side of the Grand Mosque, was inaugurated in 2016 in memory of Emiratis who have given their lives in service to the nation. The main monument, a leaning stack of 31 mammoth aluminium-clad tablets inscribed with poems and quotations from prominent UAE figureheads, sits in...

Corniche Beach

Abu Dhabi

　　There are several gates to this spotlessly maintained, Blue-Flagged public beach. The turquoise sea, view of Lulu Island, palm trees and gardens make it an unexpected pleasure in the heart of a capital city. A lifeguard is on duty until sunset. 　　The 2km beach is divided into three sections: Al...

Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi

　　The world's first Warner Bros–branded theme park is a hit with kids and adults alike (DC Comics fans, we're talking to you). Spread among six 'Lands' – Warner Bros Plaza, Metropolis, Gotham City, Cartoon Junction, Bedrock and Dynamite Gulch – are 29 rides, entertaining shows and interactive attractions, all indoors...

Mangrove National Park

Abu Dhabi

　　Abu Dhabi's Mangrove National Park covers 19 sq km of protected coastal mangrove forests. A critical link in the coastal ecosystem, mangroves protect against tidal surges and promote biodiversity by providing a home to fish, small coastal critters and birds. More than 60 bird species can be spotted here, including...

Saadiyat Beach Club

Abu Dhabi

　　This luxurious, exclusive beach club, spa and fitness centre is open to day visitors and offers an expanse of pristine beach with plenty of sun-loungers and umbrellas, a beautiful pool if seawater isn't your thing, a workout room offering yoga classes plus a handful of upmarket bars and cafes. Protected...

Etihad Modern Art Gallery

Abu Dhabi

　　The brainchild of Emirati Khalid Seddiq Al Mutawa and German-Syrian Mohammed Khalil Ibrahim, this Al Bateen villa hosts a rotating program of temporary exhibitions. It was the first privately funded gallery from the United Arab Emirates to host a large-scale exhibition in Berlin. In addition to fine art, there's an...

UAE Flagpole

Abu Dhabi

　　At 122m, this giant flagpole was the tallest free-standing flagpole in the world when it was constructed in 2001. It lost its title to the Raghadan Flagpole in Jordan in 2004 and is now a long way short of the world's tallest. You're not here to admire flagpole one-upmanship though;...

NYUAD Art Gallery

Abu Dhabi

　　If you're a fan of cutting-edge art, the temporary art exhibitions held here, in the art gallery of New York University's Abu Dhabi campus, focus on bringing to the fore current regional and international issues and promoting the best contemporary artists working today. Check the website to see if there's...

Hudayriat Beach

Abu Dhabi

　　The wide strip of soft white sand here is Abu Dhabi's new beach destination. Opened to the public in 2018, this beach is the first phase of Hudayriat Island's redevelopment as a residential and leisure district. The lifeguard-patrolled beach has playgrounds for the kids, a nice paved promenade area and...

Warehouse 421

Abu Dhabi

　　In a former port warehouse, this contemporary arts centre and gallery hosts temporary exhibitions showcasing the UAE's art, design and creative scenes. There's usually one or two small exhibitions running. The website lists what's on. There's also a program of creative workshops and film screenings in winter. It's a good...

Al Mina Fish Market

Abu Dhabi

　　This large fish market bustles with traders selling row upon colourful row of the sea's bounty from the ice bars. It's busiest early in the day when wholesalers head here to buy up prawns, red snapper, blue-shelled crabs and pink Sultan Ibrahims. 　　For a memorable lunch or supper for under...

Abu Dhabi Heritage Village

Abu Dhabi

　　Although looking a bit worn and tired, this reconstructed village is one of the few places to get an insight into the pre-oil era of the United Arab Emirates. The walled complex includes all the main elements of traditional Gulf life: a fort to repel invaders from the sea, a...

Qasr Al Hosn

Abu Dhabi

　　Featured on the back of the Dhs1000 note, this fort started life in 1760 as a watchtower that safeguarded a precious freshwater well. After an expansion, it became the ancestral home of the ruling Al Nahyan family in 1793 and remained a royal residence until 1966 (its watchtower is Abu...

Emirates Palace

Abu Dhabi

　　What the Burj Khalifa in Dubai is to the vertical, the Emirates Palace is to the horizontal, with audacious domed gatehouses and flying ramps to the foyer, 114 domes and a 1.3km private beach. Built for Dhs11 billion, this is the big hotel in the Gulf, with 1002 crystal chandeliers...

Corniche

Abu Dhabi

　　The waterfront Corniche, with its white sandy beaches and generous promenade, stretches the entire length of the northwest shore of the city. Giving spectacular views of the iconic high-rise tower blocks assembled along the seafront, it also offers one of the city's main recreation opportunities with dedicated cycle paths along...

Umm Al Emarat Park

Abu Dhabi

　　You almost walk away from this five-star urban park feeling like you've visited a museum. Manicured to perfection and full of design-forward and thoroughly interesting distractions, it more than justifies its admission fee. Highlights of the wonderful smoke-free space include a poignant memorial to the words of Sheikh Zayed; a...

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi

　　If you want bragging rights to having 'done' Formula Rossa, the world's fastest roller coaster, visit this indoor (perfect in summer) temple of torque and celebration of all things Ferrari in a spectacular building. Accelerating from 0km/h to 240km/h in 4.9 seconds, this is as close to an F1 experience...

Founder's Memorial

Abu Dhabi

　　After six years of planning and construction, this memorial celebrating the life and achievements of Sheikh Zayed, the founder of the United Arab Emirates, was inaugurated in April 2018. Set inside the landscaped garden is The Constellation, a giant avant-garde 3D art piece reflecting the portrait of the sheikh. By...

Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital

Abu Dhabi

　　Standing outside Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, watching anxious owners from across the region delivering their hooded 'patients' in person, you will quickly realise that this is a much-needed and much-loved facility. Falcons are an integral part of traditional Gulf culture, and no expense is spared in restoring these magnificent birds...

Louvre Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi

　　Designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Jean Nouvel, the highly anticipated Louvre Abu Dhabi finally arrived in late 2017. Through 12 galleries, the world-class collection traces humanity's artistic achievements from the Neolithic up to the present day, all the while breaking all norms of traditional museum curation. Here, artworks are grouped...

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Abu Dhabi

　　Rising majestically from manicured gardens and visible from the bridges joining Abu Dhabi Island to the mainland, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is an impressive welcome to the city. With more than 80 marble domes on a roof-line held aloft by 1000 pillars and punctuated by four 107m-high minarets, it's...

Majlis Gallery

Dubai

　　Dubai's oldest fine-art gallery was founded in 1989 by British expat Alison Collins and presents mainly paintings and sculpture by international artists inspired by the region, as well as high-quality pottery, glass and other crafts. It's located in an old wind-tower house on the edge of Al Fahidi Historic District....

Museum of the Poet Al Oqaili

Dubai

　　In 1923 this beautifully restored home tucked into the narrow lanes on the edge of the Spice Souq became the home of Saudi-born Mubarak Bin Al Oqaili (1875–1954), one of the most important classical Arabic poets. A bilingual exhibit charts milestones in his life and work and also displays original...

Movies Under the Stars

Dubai

　　Every Sunday night during the cooler months, clued-in cinephiles invade the rooftop of the Pyramids Building, next to the Wafi Mall, to drop into a giant beanbag and enjoy a free classic flick. A great deal for film buffs. 　　Food and nonalcoholic drinks are available. ...

Dubai Police Museum

Dubai

　　You can't miss this place, mostly thanks to the plethora of super-car police vehicles parked outside. Part of Dubai Police Academy, this small and somewhat curious museum is full of historical info on Dubai’s police force and has interesting pictures, cannons and vintage pieces of equipment. ...

Coin Museum

Dubai

　　This is a highly specialised museum which will appeal to anyone with an interest in rare and historic coins. Located near the Diwan Mosque in the Al Fahidi Historic District, this small eight-room museum presents nearly 500 rare coins from throughout the Middle East, including Egypt, Turkey and Morocco. The...

Al Fahidi Historic District

Dubai

　　Traffic fades to a quiet hum in the labyrinthine lanes of this nicely restored heritage area formerly known as the Bastakiya Quarter. Its narrow walking lanes are flanked by sand-coloured houses topped with wind towers, which provide natural air-conditioning. Today there are about 50 buildings containing museums, craft shops, cultural...

Alserkal Avenue

Dubai

　　Edgy contemporary art from the Middle East and beyond has found a home in Dubai thanks to the vision of Abdelmonem Bin Eisa Alserkal. The local developer and arts patron has turned a sprawling warehouse complex in dusty Al Quoz into a buzzing gallery and cultural campus that also features...

Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary

Dubai

　　Incongruously framed by highways, this surprising sanctuary on Dubai Creek is an important stopover for migratory waterbirds on the east Africa–west Asian flyway. Gracious pink flamingos steal the show in winter, but avid birdwatchers can spot more than 170 species in this pastiche of salt flats, mudflats, mangroves and lagoons...

Cartoon Art Gallery

Dubai

　　This bi-level space is the first gallery in the Middle East dedicated to cartoon and animation art from across the entire spectrum of media, from paint to video and print. Exhibitions might feature artwork and posters illustrating the world of Tintin or present animated cartoons by such famous names as...

Coffee Museum

Dubai

　　This cute private museum in a historic Emirati home offers an aromatic bean-based journey around the world and back in time. Learn about the importance of coffee in different cultures, examine a rotating roster of old grinders, pots, roasters and related implements, and sample freshly brewed Ethiopian coffee (Dhs10) prepared...

Sheikh Zayed Bridge Waterfall

Dubai

　　This illuminated and motion-operated waterfall cascades down both sides of Sheikh Zayed Bridge, stopping only for passing vessels. It's an impressive sight to enjoy while strolling alongside the canal. ...

XVA Gallery

Dubai

　　Tucked into the Al Fahidi Historic District since 2003, XVA has a knack for ferreting out top-notch up-and-comers from around the Middle East and India. Works often express the artists' cultural identities and challenge viewers' preconceptions. It also participates in prestigious art fairs such as Art Basel and Art London...

Dubai Miracle Garden

Dubai

　　Covering some 2000 sq metres and touted as the largest natural flower garden in the world, there’s a sense of Alice in Wonderland–esque surrealism when entering this place. Wander past quirky bloom-covered peacocks, clocks and castles (a full-size Emirates Airbus A380 was the 2017 showstopper). Alternatively, chill out in a...

Dubai Design District

Dubai

　　Creative folks have a new HQ in Dubai. The fresh-off-the-drawing board Dubai Design District (d3) has drawn both regional and international talent and brands, including hot shots like Adidas and Foster + Partners. Visitors can tap into this laboratory of tastemakers by checking out the edgy architecture and public art,...