Jumeirah Beach and Old Town, the best areas to stay in Dubai
Jumeirah Beach
Jumeirah Beach is one of the most popular areas in the whole of the city as it has many things to see and do and is world renown for having some of the most highly praised resorts on the planet. Jumeirah is the most famous beach in Dubai and is a long stretch of golden sand and is met by the beautiful Persian Gulf.
There are many attractions alongside the beach like daily diving, fishing and cruise trips as well as ample water sport opportunities including jet skiing, parasailing, windsurfing and much more. The main tourist attractions in the Jumeirah Beach area are the Palm Islands and the World Islands, which are both artificial. There are two palm islands at the moment with only Palm Jumeirah being the only one completed and is literally an archipelago in the shape of a palm tree, which was built for entertainment, leisure and residential purposes.
There are many water parks in the area with the best being Aquaventure, which all the family to enjoy as well as being known as the area with the majority of huge luxury hotels including the Dubai Burj Al Arab, which self proclaims to be the best in the world. The World Islands is a group of 300 small islands that have been positioned to imitate the world and is located just off Jumeirah Beach. Most of the islands have been sold off to private investors but it is possible to take a cruise to see the islands as well as step foot on one of the islands.
The beach is a great walk, which can take you the full length of the city and the promenade is full of classy shops, bars, clubs, restaurants and hotels. Next to the beach you will also find the stunning architecture of Jumeirah Mosque, the glamorous shopping centre of Mercato Mall and find an ice-cold delicious cocktail at the Skyview Bar atop of the impressive Burj Al Arab, whilst watching the beautiful sunset.
Old Town
This part of the city is found in the centre in the Bastakiya District and is just one area that makes up ‘downtown Dubai’, which has numerous and famous landmarks. of the oldest architecture in Dubai that showcases traditional Arabian homes that are lined along the meandering pathways.
There is also the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, which is a great place to learn and understand the Emirati culture and the first art gallery called ‘Majlis Gallery’ is located close to the centre. Another must see in the Bastakiya District is the Al Ahmadiya School, which was Dubai’s first school built in 1912. There are also many traditional cafes and restaurants as well as an excellent selection of hotels and museums.
The Burj Khalifa dominates the city, wherever you are, and is only a few minutes’ walk from the old town. This building is the tallest in the world and stands at just under 830 metres (2,722 feet), which consists mainly of hotels and residential flats. The building has smashed more records than just the tallest building and is also the world’s highest nightclub, restaurant, New Year display of fireworks, elevator installation and occupied floor but is second for highest swimming pool and observatory deck. The world’s largest shopping centre is found right next door which is the breath-taking Dubai Mall and comprises of 1,200 shops, a water zoo, an ice rink and an aquarium.
Other things in the area include the Dubai Fountain, which can shoot water up to 500 feet in the air and has state-of-the-art projectors and light systems. Mall of the Emirates is another shopping mall and features more than 700 stores as well as many restaurants and even a theatre. However, the most impressive thing about the mall is that it is home Middle East’s first indoor ski and snow park.
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