When I first moved to Dubai I was determined to make the most of my time here and experience everything Dubai has to offer. But after almost 7 months into my Dubai adventure I found my goal slipping as I struggle to adjust to the demands of working life in Dubai and it's alluring nightlife.
After some reflection at the start of this week I decided enough was enough, it was time to refocus and get back on track and start developing a comprehensive list of everything I want to see and do before my time here is up, however long that may turn out to be.
Whether you are a visitor to Dubai or an expat resident like me, I hope that My Dubai Bucket List will act as an inspirational guide and help you to maximise your time in this amazing Emirate.
After some reflection at the start of this week I decided enough was enough, it was time to refocus and get back on track and start developing a comprehensive list of everything I want to see and do before my time here is up, however long that may turn out to be.
Whether you are a visitor to Dubai or an expat resident like me, I hope that My Dubai Bucket List will act as an inspirational guide and help you to maximise your time in this amazing Emirate.
Afternoon Tea at the Burj Al Arab
Thanks to the growing Brit community 'afternoon tea' has quickly become a Dubai institution. At 350 dirhams per person, this afternoon tea might be a bit on the pricey side but with exorbitant room rates this is possibly one of the cheaper ways to experience this 7 star hotel.
Thanks to the growing Brit community 'afternoon tea' has quickly become a Dubai institution. At 350 dirhams per person, this afternoon tea might be a bit on the pricey side but with exorbitant room rates this is possibly one of the cheaper ways to experience this 7 star hotel.
Book a Desert Safari
With so many tour options available, there is a desert safari tour to suit all tastes and budgets. Keep your eyes peeled for desert safari deals on Groupon.
With so many tour options available, there is a desert safari tour to suit all tastes and budgets. Keep your eyes peeled for desert safari deals on Groupon.
Drinks and dancing at 360
Have a few drinks and watch the sunset at Dubai's circular nightspot featuring panoramic views of Dubai's shoreline and the Burj Al Arab.
Have a few drinks and watch the sunset at Dubai's circular nightspot featuring panoramic views of Dubai's shoreline and the Burj Al Arab.
Experience a bird's eye view of Dubai
A seaplane tour of Dubai is one of the best ways to see the entire Emirate at a glance.
A seaplane tour of Dubai is one of the best ways to see the entire Emirate at a glance.
Try paddle boarding
Sign-up for paddle boarding at The Beach at JBR or Surf School UAE which offers tours around the Burj Al Arab.
Sign-up for paddle boarding at The Beach at JBR or Surf School UAE which offers tours around the Burj Al Arab.
Skydive (without jumping out of a plane)
For the more adventurous amongst us, Skydiving is often top of most Dubai to-do lists. If, like me, you're not brave or crazy enough to actually jump out of a plane you can still discover what it feels like by learning to skydive indoors.
For the more adventurous amongst us, Skydiving is often top of most Dubai to-do lists. If, like me, you're not brave or crazy enough to actually jump out of a plane you can still discover what it feels like by learning to skydive indoors.
Swim with dolphins
Visit Dubai Dolphinarium at the Atlantis and meet their resident dolphins.
Visit Dubai Dolphinarium at the Atlantis and meet their resident dolphins.
Visit The Royal Island Beach Club
Escape Dubai's stresses by visiting this remote public beach located on The World’s Lebanon Island. To ensure a truly relaxing experience - hire a cabana for the day.
Escape Dubai's stresses by visiting this remote public beach located on The World’s Lebanon Island. To ensure a truly relaxing experience - hire a cabana for the day.
Ride in a hot air balloon
Watch a sunrise on-board a hot air balloon for the ultimate airborne adventure.
Watch a sunrise on-board a hot air balloon for the ultimate airborne adventure.
Experience traditional Dubai
Visit the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding and go on a walking tour around Dubai’s oldest district – Bur Dubai.
Visit the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding and go on a walking tour around Dubai’s oldest district – Bur Dubai.
Dhow Boat Dinner Cruise
Have dinner on one of Dubai's many floating restaurants.
Have dinner on one of Dubai's many floating restaurants.
Party on the beach at Sandance
Watch live music acts at the Atlantis music festival.
Watch live music acts at the Atlantis music festival.
Stay at a desert resort
Stay overnight at one of Dubai's desert resorts.
Stay overnight at one of Dubai's desert resorts.
Have a picnic at the Miracle Garden
After a leisurely lunch take a leisurely stroll through the park and discover over 45 million flowers.
After a leisurely lunch take a leisurely stroll through the park and discover over 45 million flowers.
Visit Dubailand
Visit one of Dubai's entertainment and retail hubs located on the outskirts of the city.
Visit one of Dubai's entertainment and retail hubs located on the outskirts of the city.
Visit the 6 other Emirates
Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain.
Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain.
Ride an Abra across Dubai Creek
Take in the sights along Dubai Creek.
Take in the sights along Dubai Creek.
Stock up on Arabic souvenirs
Visit traditional Dubai souk's to stock up on momentos and soak up the ambience.
Visit traditional Dubai souk's to stock up on momentos and soak up the ambience.
Watch the Dubai Fountains
Grab a tea or coffee and a cupcake from Magnolia Bakery and watch the spectacular fountains against the backdrop of the Burj Khalifa.
Grab a tea or coffee and a cupcake from Magnolia Bakery and watch the spectacular fountains against the backdrop of the Burj Khalifa.
Eat dinner at Dubai’s revolving restaurant
Literally watch the world go by from the Al Dawaar revolving restaurant located in the Hyatt Regency Dubai in Deira.
Literally watch the world go by from the Al Dawaar revolving restaurant located in the Hyatt Regency Dubai in Deira.
Stay overnight at a luxury Bedouin camp in RAK
Get back to nature and sleep out under the stars in a luxury campsite.
Get back to nature and sleep out under the stars in a luxury campsite.
Ride the Dubai Ferry
Take a relaxing cruise along the Dubai coastline. RTA offer 2 routes: from Dubai Creek out around the Burj Al Arab and from Dubai Marina around the Palm Jumeirah. Read my review of the Dubai Ferry.
Take a relaxing cruise along the Dubai coastline. RTA offer 2 routes: from Dubai Creek out around the Burj Al Arab and from Dubai Marina around the Palm Jumeirah. Read my review of the Dubai Ferry.
Overnight escape on a dhow in Musandam, Oman
Sleep overnight on a traditional dhow boat. Tours also feature dolphin watching, kayaking, snorkeling plus much more.
Sleep overnight on a traditional dhow boat. Tours also feature dolphin watching, kayaking, snorkeling plus much more.
Visit Kite Beach
Watch experienced kite surfers do their stuff at Kite Beach or, for the more adventurous, sign-up for lessons and give it a go yourself.
Watch experienced kite surfers do their stuff at Kite Beach or, for the more adventurous, sign-up for lessons and give it a go yourself.
Invest in custom-made, bespoke clothing
Purchase made-to-measure clothes at a reasonable price. Popular tailors include the Hollywood Custom Tailor in Bur Dubai and Dream Girls in Karama.
Purchase made-to-measure clothes at a reasonable price. Popular tailors include the Hollywood Custom Tailor in Bur Dubai and Dream Girls in Karama.
Spend the day at Al Mamzar Beach Park
Grab some friend and pack a picnic for a day of relaxation.
Grab some friend and pack a picnic for a day of relaxation.
Go on the Big Bus Tour
Explore Dubai in an air conditioned bus that travels the length and breadth of Dubai.
Explore Dubai in an air conditioned bus that travels the length and breadth of Dubai.
Go to the Rugby 7s
Watch rugby and party to into the wee small hours at this yearly event operated by Emirates.
Watch rugby and party to into the wee small hours at this yearly event operated by Emirates.
Visit the Irish Village
Immerse yourself in the Irish culture with the full Irish experience in the heart of Dubai.
Immerse yourself in the Irish culture with the full Irish experience in the heart of Dubai.
Visit Global Village
Experience the world's largest tourist and entertainment venue.
Experience the world's largest tourist and entertainment venue.
Visit the Festive Village at the Atlantis (Christmas 2014)
Get into the festive spirit with a visit to the Atlantis' festive village.
Get into the festive spirit with a visit to the Atlantis' festive village.
Invest in custom-designed gold jewellery
Get rings, necklaces and bracelets designed to your own individual taste for a fraction of the price you would pay back home.
Get rings, necklaces and bracelets designed to your own individual taste for a fraction of the price you would pay back home.
My Dubai Bucket List is a work in progress and I will be updating it regularly as I continue to discover new and exciting things to see and do in Dubai.
Feel free to download this FREE printable version (coming soon!) of My Dubai Bucket List designed to help you make the most of your time in Dubai.
What are you waiting for? Get your pens (or pencils) at the ready and start ticking off your Dubai to-do list today!
Keep up to date with my progress on getting through this ambitious list by following me on Twitter, Google+ and Facebook.
Feel free to download this FREE printable version (coming soon!) of My Dubai Bucket List designed to help you make the most of your time in Dubai.
What are you waiting for? Get your pens (or pencils) at the ready and start ticking off your Dubai to-do list today!
Keep up to date with my progress on getting through this ambitious list by following me on Twitter, Google+ and Facebook.
