Book a flight to Dubai with Qatar Airways

Dubai has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a small desert settlement. Its current status as a global hub is evident when taking an abra (boat) ride along the Dubai Creek to the Dubai Museum on Al Fahidi Street. Delve deeper by exploring the souqs and traditional Arabian buildings in the historic Bur Dubai area.

An entirely different side of the city awaits you in Deira, which is part of the old town. This is where the bustling Gold Souq is located. Peruse precious metals or glittering gems, then head to the Spice Souq to stimulate your senses.

However, the highlight of a trip to Dubai is the chance to ascend the world’s tallest building. The 828-metre, 163-storey Burj Khalifa is the ideal place to visit, provided you have a head for heights. The ‘At the Top’ tour will take you to floors 124 and 125. Ticket prices vary depending on time of day and your age, and you are advised to book in advance. If floor 125 just isn’t high enough for you then, for a premium rate, you can take the ‘At the Top Sky’ tour, which goes all the way to floor 148.

Dubai also boasts almost two dozen of the world’s 100 tallest buildings, each of which provides stunning panoramic views of the city.

Though it’s probably better known for exclusive shopping, Dubai has plenty of art and culture to experience, too. A good place to discover some of the best is at the Art Night in Gate Village, at the Dubai International Financial Centre.

There are also numerous festivals throughout the year, such as Dubai International Jazz Festival in February and the cookery events at Taste of Dubai. What’s more, there is even a festival dedicated to shopping.

If you feel the need for an interlude from the towering glass skyline, there are plenty of tour operators that can whisk you away for a desert safari. Alternatively, take a cruise or head down to one of the city’s beaches for some water sports.

If you’re travelling to Dubai with children, the city’s theme parks will keep them engaged. Some of the family-friendly attractions in the city include Legoland Dubai Water Park and IMG Worlds of Adventure.

Dubai is home to an ever-growing number of five-star restaurants featuring Michelin-starred celebrity chefs. And because it is a cosmopolitan city, the emirate provides an ideal venue for you to eat your way around the world.

Whatever you fancy, Dubai has it. You’ll find the very best of French, Italian, American and Asian cuisines here, but there are also plenty of restaurants where you can sample Middle Eastern favourites such as falafel, hummus and richly varied mezzes.

A retail aficionado’s paradise, Dubai is home to the world’s largest shopping mall. The Dubai Mall has more than 1,200 shops, almost 200 food outlets, a waterfall, a skating rink, and a three-storey aquarium and aquatic zoo. The mall is adjacent to an artificial lake, on which extraordinary nightly fountain shows take place, starting at dusk. Every 30 minutes the water dances in time to different musical tracks from around the world, all under the watchful gaze of Burj Khalifa.

Elsewhere in the city you’ll find everything from high-end fashion stores to exclusive perfumes, high-tech electronics and much more. Dubai also holds an annual month-long shopping festival. Dubai Shopping Festival spans December and January, but exact dates vary each year.