A Complete Guide To Downtown Dubai

There is no doubt that Downtown Dubai is the place to stay when visiting the city. It’s impressive that one neighborhood can fit so many different attractions, hotels, and restaurants, and this cool area of town does, indeed, have it all. With so many things to see and do in Downtown Dubai, where does one start exploring? Culture Trip has created a complete guide that will not only help visitors get situated but also make sure that no one will miss all the awesome experiences Downtown has to offer.

Dubai Mall Complex

Dubai Mall is infamously known for being the biggest shopping mall in the world. This venue has 1,200 outlets, and visitors can spend a whole day walking around the mall and still not see everything it has to offer. In addition to this must-see attraction’s various stores and restaurants, visitors can also see the famous Dubai fountains and be in awe by the dancing waters. The fountains stand just outside the mall, in front of a bridge that leads to Souk Al Bahar—a traditional market-inspired mall that is perfect for those looking to buy traditional items or grab a drink with friends, as it is home to trendy bars and restaurants.

Burj Park

Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa is probably the main attraction of Dubai; it is the tallest building in the world and is even visible from other areas located farther away in the city. However, visitors can get up close and personal with this skyscraper by visiting Downtown. People have the opportunity to take pictures in front of this epic structure or even take the elevator to At The Top, where they can go as high as the 148th floor of the building and see Downtown Dubai—as well as most of the city—from above.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard

Sheik Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard is Downtown Dubai’s most popular road and a feast for any visitor’s eyes. Driving down this winding road, people can see all of the main attractions of Downtown, including the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Opera, and Souk Al Bahar. Additionally, some of the best restaurants in town call this boulevard home. During the cooler months, this is an excellent place for visitors to walk around, check out trendy cafés and chic restaurants, as well as doing a full loop of Downtown Dubai and experiencing everything it has to offer.

Dubai Opera

The Dubai Opera is one of the newer Downtown additions, having opened their doors only in 2016, that draws in tourists. However, this architectural masterpiece designed by Zaha Hadid should be on every visitor’s itinerary. While this is a costly experience, it’s completely worth it. The design of the opera house is just as impressive as the shows it hosts—past showings included Broadway classics CATS and Mary Poppins (to name a couple), as well as world-renowned operas such as La Bohème. The Dubai Opera is the cultural and artistic soul of Downtown Dubai.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.