"For the Spice of Life The Dubai Spice Souk is a traditional market located in Deira, near the famed Gold Souk. It's easy to overlook the Spice Souk if you're not looking carefully; tucked into alleyways off of Baniyas Street, the souk is small, but manages to pack a pungent punch. If you plan on purchasing spices – from cardamon to cumin to turmeric to nutmeg, and everything in between – be prepared to haggle. A good rule of thumb is to cut the vendor's opening salvo in half, and then barter upwards from there until you reach a number you're both comfortable with."

"Dubai: the Way it Used to Be One of the cheapest tickets in Dubai is to the museum. At AED 1 when I visited (about .30 cents USD), the museum is a fantastic display of the short history of Dubai . From a pearl diving town, the City has grown in the last 30-40 years into a multinational metropolis where imaginations run wild and dreams are seen to reality. This museum, full of life-sized wax mannequins, allows visitors to wander through a day in the life of many different people and nearly interact with society. This photo was taken of a ship builder. Blue tones, mirrors, and a bit of air conditioning from the hot outdoors, allow guests to feel like they are in the ocean scene; wandering around a shipyard, and watching the latest catch being brought in. If you are interested in any bit of culture and history of Dubai, this small museum will be an unexpected way to walk through time."

"Two architectural wondershelpedput Dubai on the map: the Burj Al Arab hotel, which resemblesthe sail of a ship out on the gulf waters, and the Palm Jumeirah, a residential development on a manmade archipelago that fans out in the shape of a huge palm tree. But in 2010, the sleek Burj Khalifa stole their thunder. Now the world’s tallest structure, the tower soars 830 meters (2,722 feet) into the sky. Visitors can zoom byelevator up to the124th floor to experience incredibleviews and explore interactive displays on Dubai'shistory and the tale behind the building of this futuristic marvel. Another observation deck is even higher, on the 148th floor."

"It's All Downhill From Here Admit it; you're curious. A ski hill in the middle of the desert, on the Persian Gulf, no less, is as wild an idea as humankind has ever concocted—but isn't dreaming big what Dubai is all about? The slopes at Ski Dubai are no substitute for Jackson Hole or Vail, of course, but then again, they're not supposed to be. You go simply for the experienceof leaving a housewares shop, sauntering down the hall, and hitting the slopes. Allthe gear required can be rented at Ski Dubai: They even have long overcoats for women in abayas. You can ski or sled, roll down the hill in inflatable plastic balls, frolic with penguins, or even just ride the chairlifts back and forth. When you'refinished skiing, you can head back into the mall for a meal or a movie. You know, just another day in Dubai."

"When the swell is up and the waves are high, Sunset Beach is Surf City, UAE. Count on left-breaking waves at the Jebel Ali end and right-breaking waves at the northern tip of the beach. In between, expect a busy beach full of tourists, locals, and expats soaking up the sun. Palace Beach offers easy access to the waterways of the Palm Jumeirah (perfect for kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders), a glimpse of the great sail of a building that is the Burj Al Arab in the distance, sugary white sand between the toes, and crystalline water all the way to the horizon. If you forgot your water-sportsequipmentat home, Club Joumana at the sprawling JA Jebel Ali Beach Resort rents it all—from Zapcat inflatableracing boats to paddleboards."

"Where else but Dubai could you find a church, a mosque, and a Sikh temple side by side? Thanks to just this juxtaposition inJebel Ali (a suburb of Dubai), the locals have dubbed the areaReligion City. Of particular interest is the serene and welcoming Gurunanak Darbar Sikh Temple. Enlighten yourself about Sikhism, the fifth-largest faith in the world, while enjoying a complimentary vegetarian meal from the communal kitchen, where volunteers preparefood for expats and tourists alike. Donations welcome."

"Dar al Masyaf is a tranquil boutique hotel at the end of a white-sand beach, away from the package-tour and convention crowds. It's located within the sprawling Madinat Jumeirah complex of seaside resorts and a shopping souk modeled after a traditional Arabian walled city. It's all set next to the Persian Gulf coastline within a Venetian-style network of man-made canals. Rooms, served by butlers, are accessible by footpath and electric dhow and occupy 29 two-story courtyard houses with the same traditional wind tower architecture and calm vibe of the resort’s shared Talise Spa. Closer to the resort water park are the seven freestanding Malakiya villas, with huge marble bathrooms and fully equipped kitchens for family life. Getting in and out of the resort grounds, whose more than 50 bars and restaurants are a Dubai nightlife beacon, can mean negotiating a madhouse traffic jam of taxis and high-end sports cars. But thankfully, noise does not penetrate the rooms. The palm-backed beach is large enough for guests to find private space, and evening terrace views of wind tower lights reflecting in the canals can be enchanting."

"Beloved by artists and curators attending the annual Art Dubai fair, XVA Art Hotel wraps around the three courtyards of the restored 19th-century home of the Seddiqi family, prominent traders who became the emirate’s Rolex dealers. Longtime resident Mona Hauser, founder and owner of the XVA Gallery of contemporary art, decorated each second-floor room of the traditional wind tower house in collaboration with a regional designer or artisan such as Nada Debs, a Lebanese designer known for her custom mother of pearl inlaid furniture. The on-site alfresco vegetarian lounge café—praised by chef Gordon Ramsay as his favorite place to eat in Dubai —is a hangout for independent travelers and resident creatives who linger over mint lemonade, salads, soups, and cheesecake. T here is a running trail along Dubai Creek and the hotel can recommend nearby beaches, as well as spa services and fitness centersat all price points."

"Alserkal Avenueruns through anindustrial area in Dubai where you'll find the core of the city's art scene inside agroup of warehouses. The galleries and exhibition spaceshere area must-see for art lovers and those who want tolearn more about the cultures and subcultures burgeoning in the shadow of Dubai 's megastructures. During a visit here, you'll likely rub elbows with an eclectic community of local artistsalong with the "cool kids" of Dubai . Check out the avenue’s website for community-oriented eventsincluding talks, exhibits,and movie screenings. By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Local Expert"

"Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa An hour's drive from the densely packed skyscrapers and shopping malls of Dubai , Al Maha, which opened in 1999 as the United Arab Emirates' first luxury desert resort, lies within a 55,600-acre nature reserve. Al Maha operates on the African safari model, with early morning and sunset excursions by 4x4, camel, and horseback. Linked by paved pathways to the restaurant, spa, and lobby, the resort’s 42 tented suites are spaced far enough apart from one another to feel entirely private. Decks and plunge pools provide panoramic views of sand dunes and a water hole that lures some 400 Arabian oryx, an indigenous species brought back from near extinction following 19th and 20th-century overhunting."

"Dubai isn't just about shopping and architecture. The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understandingoffersenriching and intellectually stimulating tours,meant to engage and inform visitorsabout Emirati history and culture.Visit the center for a communal Emirati breakfast followed by a walking tour ofthe surrounding Bur Dubai neighborhoods, where Dubai's rulers have lived since the early 20th century. And if you’reeager to visit a mosque, the centerrunsthe only mosque toursforguests of all faiths. The center isclose toseveral historical and cultural attractions, including Al Fahidi Historical District and Al Bastakiya. By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Local Expert"

"shopping for gold The Gold Souq: Located in downtown Doha, next to the central bus station and Al Fardan Plaza, this gold market offers anything from very affordable imported bangles and chains to locally made bridal jewelry sets worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Most of the gold available is 22-carat, although white gold, silver and platinum pieces are also available. The main attraction of this souq is that the jewelry is strictly regulated and all gold and precious gems sold here are weighed in front of the buyer, and have been previously tested and hallmarked, thus guaranteeing the purity of the metal. The must-buy accessory for tourists and expats is the necklace with the person’s name written in Arabic. These are made in just about every jewelry shop at the souq for a very reasonable price. Needless to say, haggling is mandatory."

"The largest mosque in Dubai and the only one open to non-Muslims, the Jumeirah Mosque dominates the upscale beach area. The cream-colored sandstone structure with twoslim minarets holds some 1,200 faithful. Though it looks historic, the mosque only dates as far back as the late 1970s. An hour-long guided tour takes visitors throughthe pale-yellow-and-azure interior. As you admire the magnificent ceiling decorations, you'll also get a nice break from the cityheat and noise."

"Youmayhavealready seenphotos of Dubai Mall on social media, but to visit ismore of an experience than just a trip to a mall. While the mall has a lot to offer avid shoppers, other visitorsmayinstead choose to experience the space as an art exhibit or performance piece. Hop on one of the mall’s taxicabs towhiz from one wing to the next, grab a coffee at Angelina with Dubai’s elite, or people-watch around the fancier, less crowded sections of the mall. And don’t miss the choreographed water dances and the wildlife on display at the mall’s aquarium. By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Local Expert"

"Your First and Last Drink in Dubai During the many years I lived in Dubai , I must have sipped drinks on the wide, breezy veranda of Bahri Bar hundreds of times. It was the bar I took my many visitors to Dubai—from my Mum to my old school friends—on their first night in the city and on their last. On the first night it was all about setting the scene and creating an impression and on the last it was about making my guests already start to miss Dubai—and thereby ensuring they returned again to visit me! Although an expat favorite, it's undeniably touristy. But there are few lovelier ways to start a vacation in Dubai than settling into a cushioned chair on a deck strewn with Oriental carpets and dripping with lanterns, sipping a glass of wine, a cocktail or icy cold beer, and feeling the warmth of sun on your face and a breeze wafting in from the Arabian Sea. The interior of the colonial-inspired bar is sumptuous and that's where you'll want to retreat during the warm (i.e., scorching hot) months of spring and summer. But in the cooler months (i.e., the beautiful stretch of weather from November to April) you need to snag a table on the veranda for views of the abra boats cruising on the man-made waterways, the striking sail-shaped Burj Al Arab, and the sublime sunset. Make sure you book a restaurant for dinner somewhere else, or you might never leave."

"Izakaya-Style Dining at Zuma Located near the heart of Dubai , Zuma is known for strong classical execution with a hip, contemporary twist. The menu includes both sushi and sashimi alongside modern riffs, such as delicately-sliced sea bass served with truffle oil, yuzu, and salmon roe. The food is delicious (although pricey) but if you don't want to commit to an entire dinner, the bar has a great selection of sake, as well as fun—lethal—cocktails."

"The Sum of Us offers dreamy breakfasts like stacks of ricotta pancakes, toast with lobster, or poached eggs with freshly baked roti bread. The airy and spare decor andwooden chairs and tablelendthe café a serene vibe that invites lingering. You can always opt for the freshly roasted coffee, but the beverage choices are legion and includedetox juices like Clean Green (cucumber, apple, kale, and ginger), as well as less virtuousdrinks like a banana caramel milkshake. By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Local Expert"