A Complete Guide to Downtown Dubai

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.

During summer, being outdoors in Dubai is a little difficult. However, wintertime in the city has incredibly pleasant temperatures and is a perfect time for people to visit one of Dubai’s many parks. The Burj Park, which lies just a short walk from Dubai Mall, offers guests a splendid view of the Dubai Fountains, as well as the Burj Khalifa, and a green place where they can relax. The park holds several events and fairs throughout the year, which always keeps it buzzing. It is truly a gem in the middle of all the skyscrapers of Downtown Dubai.

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.

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.

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.