DUBAI MARINA AND PALM JUMEIRAH
Far south of the city you’ll find the most evidence of modern Dubai’s growth. Little over a decade ago most of this area was nothing but sand and sea. Now, it’s a whole new city within a city. The skyscrapers of the Dubai Marina district run unbroken for several kilometres along the coast, enclosing a futuristic marina that is backed by a swathe of beach and huge resorts. Offshore lies the Palm Jumeirah, the world’s largest artificial island, crowned by the Atlantis resort.
1. Ibn Battuta Mall
Emirates Hills • 04 390 9999 • Open 10am–10pm daily (until midnight Thu–Sat) • www.ibnbattutamall.com
Dubai’s most bizarre mall by a mile, the Ibn Battuta is designed around the travels of the legendary Moroccan traveller. The mall is themed after six of the countries visited by Battuta, including a bright red Chinese section (complete with a junk ship), an Indian section with a life-size replica elephant, and a Tunisian village at dusk. Best of all is the Persian zone, arranged around a spectacularly tiled, mosque-like dome.
Indian elephant, Ibn Battuta Mall
2. Lost Chambers
Atlantis, the Palm • 04 426 0343/ 0492 • Open 10am–10pm daily • Adm; under 3s free • www.atlantisthepalm.com
The atmospheric Lost Chambers is a vast aquarium filled with colourful shoals of tropical fish and other marine creatures, including sharks, piranhas and seahorses. Assorted fake “ruins” have been placed amid the waters, masquerading as the remains of the legendary ancient Mediterranean city of Atlantis itself.
Underwater hall, Lost Chambers
3. Boat Trips at the Marina
The marina development is definitely a place best appreciated from the water, and there are a range of boat trips available to make this possible. The cheapest and simplest option is to take a ride on one of the water taxis, which shuttle up and down the marina itself, and there are also after-dark dinner cruises aboard traditional dhows. Alternatively, catch a ride on the Dubai Ferry that runs between Bur Dubai and the marina or go for a sightseeing tour with the Yellow Boats.
4. The Marina
Centrepiece of the Dubai Marina development is the expansive marina itself, lined with millionaires’ boats and surrounded by skyscrapers on all sides. It is particularly impressive when illuminated after dark. Created out of a man-made sea inlet running parallel to the ocean, the marina is the best part of 3 km (2 miles) long. Disoriented sharks and even whales have been known to swim into it from time to time.
The Marina
5. Atlantis, The Palm
Dominating the far end of the Palm Jumeirah is the vast Atlantis, The Palm resort. This is one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks, a soaring pink colossus arranged around a vast Arabian-style archway. The lavish interior is a riot of gold columns and marble floors. Attractions include the Lost Chambers, Aquaventure and Dolphin Bay, and a vast swathe of beach.
Interior of Atlantis, The Palm
6. Aquaventure and Dolphin Bay
Atlantis, The Palm • 04 426 2000 • Open 10am–sunset • Adm • www.atlantisthepalm.com
The Aquaventure water park offers state-of-the-art rides and attractions. The highlight is the huge Leap of Faith water slide, which lands you in a transparent tunnel in a shark-filled lagoon. The adjacent Dolphin Bay gives visitors the unforgettable opportunity to swim with the resort’s resident bottlenose dolphins, offer-ing shallow-water programmes for kids and deep-water interactions for stronger swimmers.
7. Marina Walk
Encircling both sides of Dubai Marina is the pedestrianized Marina Walk. An array of cafés and restaurants line the waterfront here, along with the swanky Marina Mall. At the northern end of the marina, look out for the unmistakeable 73-storey Cayan Tower with its remarkable twisted shape – the entire building rotates over 90°. When this residential tower opened in 2013 it was the world’s tallest high-rise building, but it has now been surpassed by the Burj Khalifa.
People stepping out while enjoying the views from Marina Walk
8. The Walk at JBR
Running along the beachfront is the Walk at JBR, a long boulevard of shops, restaurants, cafés and hotels backed by the huge towers of the Jumeirah Beach Residence, which is one of the city’s most relaxed places for an outdoor stroll. Adjacent, the Beach at JBR is amongst Dubai’s most attractive recent developments, with a low-rise cluster of shops and restaurants arranged around pretty piazzas and fountains.
9. Palm Monorail
Open 10am–10pm daily (trains every 20–30 min) • Adm • www.palm-monorail.com
The only place you really get a proper view of the Palm Jumeirah is from the air. If your budget can’t quite stretch to a helicopter ride, the Palm Monorail offers the best overview of the development, running on a raised track across the island and offering great views of the Palm and the skyscrapers of Dubai Marina behind.
The Palm Monorail crossing the Gulf
10. Marina Beach
One of the marina’s top draws is its superb swathe of white sand – the best free beach in the city. The size of the beach means that there’s usually plenty of space to lounge on (although it does get busy, particularly on weekends), and there are facilities such as showers and changing rooms, plus loungers for hire. This is also the best place in Dubai to arrange water sports, with a wide selection of activities available, including sailing, kayaking, water-skiing and banana boats.
A DAY ON LAND AND OUT AT SEA
MORNING
Start your day with a pleasant stroll around Dubai Marina. Spend an hour or so exploring the shops in the Marina Mall or take a boat trip. Next, walk over to the nearby Marina Beach. Take some time to catch the rays or maybe try your hand at one of the water sports on offer there. Afterwards, explore the shops along The Walk at JBR and grab some lunch in one of the many cafés and restaurants.
AFTERNOON
After lunch, catch the Dubai tram to Palm Monorail station and ride the Palm Monorail across to Atlantis, The Palm, with bird’s-eye views of the huge Palm Jumeirah along the way. Have a look around the vast Atlantis resort’s lavish interior and visit the spectacular Lost Chambers aquarium.
EVENING
Hop back on board the monorail and head back to the mainland. From Palm Monorail station continue to the nearby One&Only Royal Mirage. You can spend an enjoyable evening here admiring the hotel’s magical Moorish architecture and endless palm trees. Start with a drink at Moroccan-style The Rooftop terrace bar, followed by dinner at one of the resorts excellent restaurants. The pool-fringed Eauzone is particularly romantic, but you will need to book ahead.
Cafés and Bars
1. Mr. Miyagi’s
Media One, Dubai Media City • 04 420 7489 • Open noon–3am daily • www.mrmiyagisdubai.com • DD
Drop by this vibrantly decorated, Karate Kid-themed venue (see Mr. Miyagi’s) popular for its delectable Asian dishes.
2. Chandelier
Dubai Marina • 04 366 3606 • Open 10am–2am daily • No alcohol • DD
This casual Lebanese eatery has a pleasant outdoor terrace, where you can also sample sheesha.
3. Bar 44
Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina • 04 317 6000 • Open 4pm–2am Fri–Wed, 4pm–3am Thu • www.bar44-dubai.com • DD
This top-floor swanky bar with comfy sofas and a giant balcony offers 44 different types of champagne.
4. The Rooftop
Arabian Court, One&Only Royal Mirage, Al Sufouh • 04 399 9999 • Open 5pm–1am daily • D
Visit this Moroccan-styled bar for views over the Arabian Gulf and a relaxed drink under a star-filled sky.
Charming interiors at The Rooftop
5. Stereo Arcade
DoubleTree by Hilton, the Walk at JBR, Dubai Marina • 052 618 2424 • Open 6pm–3am daily • DD
A rustic European-style pub with an attached room full of vintage 1980s arcade video games that are free to play when you buy a drink.
6. Nasimi Beach
Atlantis, The Palm, Palm Jumeirah • 04 426 1166 • Opening hours vary; call ahead • DD
With an outside terrace spilling onto the sand, this is an ideal place to unwind with an ice-cold drink.
7. Zero Gravity
Al Sufouh Rd • 04 399 0009 • Opening hours vary; call ahead • www.0-gravity.ae • D
This beachfront bar-restaurant is a lovely place to linger over a sundowner. A selection of food is served from breakfast until late at night.
8. Masaad
JBR 5, Near Sofitel Hotel • 04 362 9002 • Open 11am–11pm daily • www.massaadfarmtotable.com • D
One of the best cheap places to eat in Dubai Marina, this tiny café dishes up excellent Arabian light meals using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
9. Nola
Armada BlueBay Hotel, Cluster P, JLT • 04 399 8155 • Open 12pm–3am daily • www.nola-social.com • DD
A New Orleans-inspired bar with a lovely ambience (see Nola). Book ahead.
10. Barasti
Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina • 04 318 1313 • Open 10am–3:30am daily • www.barastibeach.com • DD
Barasti comes alive on the weekends, when revellers sprawl out across the sand. There is live music most nights.
Restaurants
1. Buddha Bar
Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina • 04 317 6000 • Open 7pm–1am daily (until 2am Thu & Fri) • DDD
Expect great Pan-Asian food and cocktails at this hip restaurant (see Asia Asia) with a huge Buddha centrepiece.
Atmospheric dining at Tagine
2. Tagine
One&Only Royal Mirage, Al Sufouh • 04 399 9999 • Open 7–11:30pm Tue–Sun • DD
Visit this candlelit restaurant for a magical Moroccan experience. The courtyard location adds to its charm.
3. Maya
Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort • 04 316 5550 • Open 7pm–1am Sat–Wed, 7pm–2am Thu, 12:30–4pm & 7pm–2am Sun • DDD
Experience new-wave Mexican cuisine in spacious surroundings decorated with Mayan art and modern sculpture.
4. Amala
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah • 04 453 0444 • Open 1–4pm & 6–11:30pm daily • DD
Enjoy tasty North Indian dishes in a lavish setting with traditional decor.
5. BiCE
Hilton Dubai Jumeirah • 04 318 2520 • Open 12:30–3:30pm & 7–11:30pm • DD
An Art Deco-themed Italian with an excellent selection of seafood, meat dishes and wine.
6. Eauzone
One&Only Royal Mirage, Al Sufouh • 04 399 9999 • Open noon–3:30pm & 7–11:30pm • DDD
Enjoy classic Pan-Asian dishes and contemporary fine-dining creations here under tented canopies laid out alongside a floodlit pool.
7. Nina
One&Only Royal Mirage, Al Sufouh • 04 399 9999 • Open 7–11:30pm Mon–Sat • DD
Sample traditional Indian ingredients with a new twist at this sophisticated restaurant in pretty surroundings. A live DJ plays background music.
8. Indego by Vineet
Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina • 04 317 6000 • Open 7–11:30pm daily • DDD
A contemporary take (see Indego by Vineet) on traditional Indian cuisine overseen by chef Vineet Bhatia, the first Indian chef to be awarded a Michelin star.
9. Ruya
Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina • 04 317 6000 • Open 6pm–1am Sat–Wed, 6pm–2pm Thu & Fri • www.ruyadubai.com • DD
Visit Ruya for an authentic, contemporary Anatolian cuisine in a lively, relaxed setting.
10. Rhodes Twenty10
Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort • 04 316 5550 • Open 7pm–midnight • DDD
A lively restaurant (see Rhodes Twenty10) overseen by UK chef Gary Rhodes, it features a mix of British classics and Middle Eastern-influenced dishes.