I have lived in Dubai for almost 11 years of my life and I am proud to call this city my home. Though the Emirate is still young in age, it has managed to make a name for itself on a worldwide platform. Each year, millions of people from all races, religions, nationalities and walks of life come to visit.

Downtown Dubai

One of my favourite places to go on a weekend or when I am showing friends around is Downtown Dubai. It is deemed the ‘heart of Dubai’ and there is plenty to see and do there. I would highly recommend visiting the tallest building in the world; the Burj Khalifa, which currently stands at 828m high. The views from there are incredible, particularly midday before the sunsets and the dust clears as you are able to see lights turning on and illuminating the city

If you’re not a fan of heights, I would also recommend watching the dancing fountain. Each hour, thousands upon thousands of tourists come to watch the fountain show/display as background music mirrors the water movements. If you would like to enhance your experience and have a bit of cash to spare, there’s always a boat you can rent so that you can ride in and around the fountain whilst it’s dancing. In addition, around Downtown Dubai is Dubai Mall which holds within it many restaurants, shops, a cinema, an ice skating rink and a huge aquarium. It is definitely an enjoyable experience. Whether young or old, there is always something to do there.

Kite Beach

When the weather is cooler and I want to relax, I’ll usually pay a visit to the local beaches. The beach which is the nearest distance from my house is Kite Beach in Jumeirah. It’s one of the more quieter beaches in Dubai and on the weekends when the winds sweep through the skies, you will usually find many people flying kites there; hence the name of the beach. Until recently, flags were arranged on the beach spelling out the name of UAE to commemorate UAE Flag Day.

Miracle Garden

One place in Dubai which attracts many tourists is Miracle Garden which is located on the outskirts of Dubai. Though I’ve only visited a few times, each time was a different and enjoyable experience. As you walk through the garden, you’ll find many buildings and objects decorated in flowers and even a cafe sheltered in umbrellas for the days where the temperature is scorching. A recent installment to Miracle Garden is that of the Butterfly Garden. These consist of domes filled with different butterflies of all colours and species.

Madinat Jumeirah

If you’re looking for something different, a nice place to visit is that of Madinat Jumeirah, which is a collection of hotels, souks and other buildings, reflecting the traditional Arabian architecture. There are places where you can eat, shop, relax and even enjoy a ride on an ‘abra’ (a traditional boat made out of wood) which takes you around the resort. This makes it a popular spot for tourists who are looking for a more traditional and quieter side of Dubai.

Conclusion

Whether you’re flying kites on the beach or walking through the old souks, Dubai is a place which creates a happy medium between the traditional and the modern; a place where you are able to find remnants of the past, life in the present and hope for the future.