Dubai

Only a few decades ago, Dubai was no more than a small fishing community surrounded by arid desert inhabited by Bedouins. The abundance of oil discovered in the late 1960s created the cosmopolitan Dubai that we know today. In the last twenty years, Dubai has become one of the fastest growing cities in the world. It is also famous for its seemingly unbridled and unprecedented architectural growth, thanks to internationally renowned architects.

An ascent up the tallest skyscraper in the world is a must for any visitor to Dubai. More than 828 metres tall, Burj Khalifa was designed by the architect Adam Smith from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. A trip to its observatory on the 124th floor offers an impressive aerial view of Dubai’s urban landscape, which is constantly changing. You can see the modern skyscrapers and ambitious development projects spread along the coast: The World, an archipelago of artificial islands representing the continents of the world, or The Palm, a series of islands in the shape of a palm tree. Another world-renowned monument in Dubai is Burj Al Arab, towering 321 metres tall in the shape of a giant sail towering over the Persian Gulf.

An international shopping paradise, Dubai is home to the biggest shopping centre on the planet: the Dubai Mall. Housed within the Burj Khalifa, it contains 1,200 shops, a skating rink and a huge aquarium. The shopping tradition lives on in the local souks and traditional markets as well, where you can haggle over the price of gold and crafts with the stallholders.

Avant-garde artistic neighbourhoods, like Alserkal Avenue in the Al Quoz district, are popping up all over the city, while art galleries such as The Third Line and the Green Art Gallery have helped launch local artists on the worldwide stage.

For adventure lovers, a panoramic flight on a seaplane, a helicopter or a hot-air balloon guarantees some breath-taking views of Dubai and the surrounding desert. Adrenaline junkies can try parachuting or a motor racing experience by driving an F1 car around the Dubai professional circuit. Golfers can experience the best courses the United Arab Emirates has to offer, including Jumeirah Golf Estates, designed by Greg Norman. To relax, the well-kept beaches of Dubai are the perfect place to chill out and enjoy the warm, sunny climate all year round; be aware that temperatures here can exceed 45 degrees in summer. Dubai and its internationally renowned restaurants offer a huge range of different culinary experiences, from modern gastronomy to charming local food stalls. The trendy nightlife rivals that found in Western cities such as New York and London.

With a new real estate boom and the World Expo 2020 to look forward to, Dubai is one of the most exciting cities to visit in the world. The Pullman Deira has developed a selection of top destinations in Dubai to make sure you can experience the best the city has to offer in terms of shopping, art and design, gastronomy and culture.