Everyone who knows Dubai knows the city’s large, bustling heart. Home to many luxury hotels such as the Armani Hotel and the Address Downtown, the area is popular with tourists and locals alike, and is a great place to explore on foot or by using the city’s efficient public transportation system.
Top things to do in Downtown Dubai include:
- Visiting the Burj Khalifa: Take a tour of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, and enjoy panoramic views of the city from its observation deck.
- Shop at the Dubai Mall: The Dubai Mall is one of the largest shopping centres in the world, with over 1,200 stores, an indoor theme park, and an ice rink.
- See the Dubai Fountain: The Dubai Fountain is a spectacular water, light, and music show that takes place every evening in the lake outside the Dubai Mall.
- Take a stroll through Souk Al Bahar: This traditional Arabic market is located next to the Dubai Mall and offers a range of souvenirs, handicrafts, and other items.
- Visit the Dubai Opera: The Dubai Opera is a world-class performing arts venue that hosts a wide range of music, theatre, and dance performances.
- Go on a desert safari: Take a tour of the desert surrounding Dubai and experience the thrill of dune bashing, camel riding, and sandboarding.
- Try indoor skydiving: The iFly indoor skydiving centre at the Dubai Mall allows you to experience the sensation of skydiving in a safe, controlled environment.
- Play at KidZania: KidZania is an interactive theme park that allows children to role-play as adults in a miniature city, complete with its own economy.
There are many residential options near Downtown Dubai, ranging from apartments and townhomes to villas and mansions. Some popular areas for housing near Downtown Dubai include:
- The Old Town: The Old Town is a popular area for expats. Featuring a range of high-rise apartment buildings and townhomes, this area is just 30 minutes away from Al Barsha.
- The Greens: The Greens is a residential community located near the Dubai Internet City metro station and features a range of apartments and townhomes. This area is within a 20-minute drive from Laya Heights.
- Business Bay: Business Bay is a commercial and residential district located just west of Downtown Dubai and features a range of high-rise apartments and townhomes.
- Palm Jumeirah: Palm Jumeirah is a man-made island located off the coast of Dubai that is home to a range of luxury villas and mansions.
- Dubai Marina: Dubai Marina is a popular area for expats and features a range of high-rise apartments and townhomes, as well as a number of luxury villas.
- Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT): JLT is a residential and commercial district located just east of Downtown Dubai and features a range of high-rise apartments and townhomes.
- International City: International City is a large residential area located just east of Downtown Dubai that is home to a range of low- to mid-rise apartments and townhomes.
