EYEWITNESS TRAVEL TOP DUBAI & ABU DHABI LARA DUNSTON & SARAH MONAGHAN Eyewitness Travel – Top 10 series LAYERS PRINTED: Title-page “UK” LAYER 001_Top_10_Dubai.indd(SourceReport 1 v1.3) 17/05/2017 12:54 Date 2nd October 2015 Size 100mm x 191mm Top 10 Dubai and The Top 10 Abu Dhabi Highlights of Everything Welcome to Dubai and Culture and Tradition ...................36 Abu Dhabi ...................................5 Art Galleries .................................38 Exploring Dubai and Abu Dhabi ....6 Resorts in Dubai ..........................40 Dubai and Abu Dhabi Children’s Attractions ..................42 Highlights ..................................10 Outdoor Activities .........................44 Burj Khalifa and Around ..............12 Restaurants ..................................46 Dubai Museum .............................14 Best Bars in Dubai .......................48 Dubai Creek ..................................16 Shopping Malls and Souks ..........50 Al Fahidi ........................................18 Dubai and Abu Dhabi for Free .....52 Jumeirah Mosque ........................20 Excursions and Tours ..................54 Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.................24 Dubai Souks .................................26 Sheikh Zayed Mosque .................28 Emirates Palace ...........................30 Desert Escapes ............................32 Eyewitness Travel – Top 10 series LAYERS PRINTED: Contents “UK” LAYER 002-003_Top_10_Dubai.indd(SourceReport 2 v1.3) 17/05/2017 12:54 Date 19th June 2015 Size 100mm x 191mm CONTENTS Dubai and Abu Dhabi Streetsmart Area by Area Deira .............................................58 Getting To and Around Bur Dubai .....................................64 Dubai and Abu Dhabi .............104 Sheikh Zayed Road Practical Information .................106 and Downtown Dubai ...............70 Places to Stay .............................112 Jumeirah ......................................76 Dubai Marina and General Index .............................118 Palm Jumeirah .........................82 Acknowledgments .....................124 Downtown Abu Dhabi ..................90 Phrase Book ...............................126 Beyond the Centre of Abu Dhabi .............................96 The information in this DK Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guide is checked regularly. Every effort has been made to ensure that this book is as up-to-date as possible at the time of going to press. Some details, however, such as telephone numbers, opening hours, prices, gallery hanging arrangements and travel information, are liable to change. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for any consequences arising from the use of this book, nor for any material on third party websites, and cannot Within each Top 10 list in this book, no hierarchy guarantee that any website address in this of quality or popularity is implied. All 10 are, in book will be a suitable source of travel the editor’s opinion, of roughly equal merit. information. We value the views and suggestions of our readers very highly. Front cover and spine Madinat Jumeirah Please write to: Publisher, DK Eyewitness and the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai Travel Guides, Dorling Kindersley, 80 Strand, Back cover Dubai Marina at dusk London WC2R 0RL, Great Britain, or email Title page Riding camels through [email protected] the desert near Dubai 002-003_Top_10_Dubai.indd 3 17/05/2017 12:54 004-005_Top_10_Dubai.indd 4 17/05/2017 12:54 Top 10 Dubai and Abu Dhabi ❮❮ 5 Welcome to Dubai and Abu Dhabi Dubai and Abu Dhabi are two of the world’s most exciting, rapidly changing cities. Packed with soaring skyscrapers, chic shopping malls and luxury resorts, both offer a surfeit of hedonistic pleasures and futuristic style. With Eyewitness Top 10 Dubai and Abu Dhabi, they are yours to explore. Both these cities have rewritten the record books and established themselves as global icons with recent mega-developments. Dubai’s sail-shaped Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is one of the Middle East’s most instantly recognizable landmarks, now rivalled by the cloud-capped Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. In Abu Dhabi, the extravagant Emirates Palace hotel and monumental Sheikh Zayed Mosque have set their own raft of records, with the Abu Dhabi Louvre poised to add further lustre to the city’s ever-growing array of attractions. Although modern developments inevitably hog the headlines, both cities – Dubai especially – have an older and much more traditional side. The labyrinthine souks of Deira and the historic windtower houses of Bur Dubai are a joy to explore, while a ride on Dubai’s breezy creek is the highlight of any visit. Outside the two cities the desert landscape is spectacular, and is best appreciated with an exhilarating afternoon drive across the sand dunes. Whether you’re coming for a weekend or a week, our Top 10 guide brings together the best of everything the two cities can offer, whether shopping for spices in the backstreets of Deira or exploring the futuristic cityscapes of Dubai Marina and Al Maryah Island. The guide gives tips throughout, from seeking out what’s free to avoiding the crowds, plus nine easy-to-follow itineraries designed to help you visit a clutch of sights in a short space of time. Add inspiring photography and detailed maps, and you’ve got the essential pocket-sized travel companion. Enjoy the book, and enjoy Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Clockwise from top: skyscrapers line Dubai Marina; Burj Khalifa; traditional wooden dhow in front of the Dubai Museum; water pool at Sheikh Zayed Mosque; Aladdin shoes in a Bur Dubai souk; desert hotel Anantara Qasr Al Sarab, near the Liwa Oasis; aerial view of the Palm Jumeirah 004-005_Top_10_Dubai.indd 5 17/05/2017 12:54 6 ❯❯ Top 10 Dubai and Abu Dhabi Exploring Dubai and Abu Dhabi Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are very spread out, and away from the old centre of Dubai you won’t see much by walking. Fortunately, Dubai’s superb modern metro system makes getting around easy, while in Abu Dhabi there are plenty of inexpensive taxis. Whether you have just a couple of days or more time to explore, here are some time-efficient ideas to help you make the most of your visit. ShindaghaShindagha DeiraDeira BurjBurj Al Al Arab Arab Jumeirah Jumeirah SouksSouks MadinatMadinat Jumeirah Jumeirah AlAl Fahidi Fahidi Jumeirah Mosque Jumeirah Mosque TAXI TAXI DubaiDubai Marina Marina DEIRADEIRA ALAL Dubai Museum UMMUMM SUQEIM SUQEIM JUMEIRAHJUMEIRAH Dubai Museum WASLWASL BURBUR DUBAI DUBAI IbnIbn Battuta Battuta SheikhSheikh Zayed Zayed Road Road MallMall JUMEIRAHJUMEIRAH WafiWafi City City ISLANDSISLANDS BurjBurj Khalifa Khalifa TAXITAXI DubaiDubai Mall Mall DubaiDubai Fountain Fountain RafflesRaffles Hotel Hotel Around Dubai 0 km 50 views over the city (book your ticket SoukSouk al alBahar Bahar 0 miles 50 in advance to save money), and then browse the chic shops of the 0 km0 km 2 2 Arabian Gulf adjacent Dubai Mall (see p73). 0 miles0 miles 2 2 To desert safari Sharjah To desert safari AFTERNOON ToTo desert desert safari safari Area of main map Head out into the sands for a desert safari (see p32), starting with a spot of dune bashing. Round off the day with Desert an evening of henna painting, belly Abu Safari Dhabi dancing and other traditional activities. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES OMAN Al Ain Seven Days in Dubai and Abu Dhabi Two Days in Dubai Day 1 Day 1 Start by visiting the Dubai Museum MORNING (see pp14–15) and then explore the Visit the Dubai Museum (see pp14–15; historic Al Fahidi (see pp18–19) closed Fri mornings) and take in the and Shindagha districts (see p16). historic Al Fahidi district (see pp18–19). Towards mid-afternoon head out of Catch an abra across Dubai Creek the city on a desert safari (see p32). (see pp16–17) and explore the souks in Deira (see pp26–7). AFTERNOON Head down to the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah (see pp24–5) for afternoon tea (advance booking required), then stroll over to the Madinat Jumeirah (see p79) at sunset. Day 2 MORNING Begin with a visit to the soaring Burj Khalifa (see Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping mall, is pp12–13) for panoramic packed with stores, food outlets and attractions. 006-007_Top_10_Dubai.indd 6 17/05/2017 12:54 Exploring Dubai and Abu Dhabi ❮❮ 7 Sheikh Zayed Mosque is a truly incredible sight. The exterior is completely covered in gleaming white marble. Key Two-day itinerary Seven-day itinerary ShindaghaShindagha DeiraDeira BurjBurj Al Al Arab Arab Jumeirah Jumeirah SouksSouks MadinatMadinat Jumeirah Jumeirah AlAl Fahidi Fahidi Jumeirah Mosque Jumeirah Mosque TAXI TAXI DubaiDubai Marina Marina DEIRADEIRA ALAL Dubai Museum UMMUMM SUQEIM SUQEIM JUMEIRAHJUMEIRAH Dubai Museum WASLWASL BURBUR DUBAI DUBAI IbnIbn Battuta Battuta SheikhSheikh Zayed Zayed Road Road MallMall JUMEIRAHJUMEIRAH WafiWafi City City ISLANDSISLANDS BurjBurj Khalifa Khalifa TAXITAXI DubaiDubai Mall Mall DubaiDubai Fountain Fountain RafflesRaffles Hotel Hotel SoukSouk al alBahar Bahar 0 km0 km 2 2 0 miles0 miles 2 2 ToTo desert desert safari safari ToTo desert desert safari safari Day 2 Visit the beautiful Jumeirah Mosque (see pp20–21; closed Fri), then take a taxi or metro via Sheikh Zayed Road (see pp70–73) so that you can admire the skyscrapers en route to the Dubai Mall (see p73) and Souk al Bahar (see p72). Towards sunset, head up the Burj Khalifa (see pp12–13) for stunning views. End the day watching the spectacular Dubai Fountain (see p71). Day 3 Take a day trip to explore either the A desert safari is a popular and excellent museums and traditional thrilling way of seeing the desert. buildings of