It’s Valentine’s Day! So what better day to share my next blog on the place I love most, than today?! Dubai is my favourite city – I’ve been four times and every time it feels so different to the last! With skyscrapers emerging from the golden sands of the Arabian Desert to becoming one of the most glamourous and futuristic cities, Dubai has it all. Here’s the top 10 reasons why I love this city!

1) Emirates A380

As other Avgeeks will admit, when we hear the word ‘Dubai’ we often associate it with the Emirates A380. The Airbus A380 is the biggest and best passenger plane, and can seat up to 853 passengers. It’s so smooth and quiet that you barely feel the take offs and landings. Emirates has 115 A380’s in its fleet, making it the world’s largest operator of the iconic whalebus. For a fly-tastic start to your trip, I definitely recommend choosing Emirates when flying to Dubai. You can get some good deals on the Emirates A380, which will transport you to Dubai in style!

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2) The world’s tallest building

The absolutely breathtaking Burj Khalifa – soaring 818m into the sky – can be seen when landing into DXB and from literally anywhere in the city. I first visited the Emirate in 2004 when the construction of the skyscraper had begun and went back in 2010, when the iconic structure officially opened. It was exciting to head up to the observation deck which provided incredible 360° views, and being able to witness the world’s largest fountain show from up there too.

In 2019, I stayed at the amazing Villa Rotana, located on Sheikh Zayed Road. My suite provided magnificent views of the Burj – I stared out of the window so much that I didn’t even need to turn on the TV during my whole stay.

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3) Skyline and architecture

This urban metropolis has one of the most glamourous skylines in the world. The cityscape consists of modern architectural structures, with the best views from the Dubai Marina.

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4) Beaches and the Palm Islands

Dubai isn’t only about the glitzy skyscrapers…the golden sands and blue-tiful seas are yet another reason why I love Dubai! Jumeirah Beach is my favourite, which also offers amazing views of the iconic seven-star Burj Al Arab hotel.

The gorgeous Palm Islands, built on the coast of Dubai, are some of the most impressive engineering projects ever undertaken. As the name suggests, the Palm Jumeirah is shaped like a palm tree, with the Atlantis Hotel located at the tip. The Pointe, a waterfront complex on the Palm, opened in 2019, and is located opposite the Atlantis. Its long beachfront makes for a picture-perfect photo!

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5) Best shopping experience in the world

The city, which as you can see, feels like it has the world’s biggest everything, also has the world’s largest shopping mall! Dubai Mall is situated next to the Burj Khalifa and includes over 1,200 shops, a huge food court, an ice rink, indoor waterfall and an aquarium!

If you head out of Downtown to Al Ghubaiba Road, you’ll find yourself in Meena Bazaar, Dubai’s ‘little India’! It’s filled with thousands of traders selling everything from traditional spices and tupperware, to sarees and jewellery. If you want to get any custom tailoring done, this is your place!  I never miss an opportunity to visit the famous Gold Souk and Spice Souk in Deira – a great place to wander, take photos and embrace the culture of the city.

And while you’re in the area, don’t miss out on an abra ride across Dubai Creek, which only costs 1 dirham, the equivalent of 20p!

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6) The city of the future

Dubai never fails to impress! Every time I visit, there are always new things to see and do. During my last trip to the city in 2019, new developments included the classy Dubai Frame, the Dubai Miracle Garden and The Pointe. As the pictures portray, they all took my breath away!

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7) Contrasting landscapes

Whether you’re at the top of the Burj Khalifa gazing out over the horizon, admiring the Emirate from the Dubai Frame or are roaming around Downtown and Deira, you will instantly see this is a city of old and new. The traditional vibes and cultural heritage mixed with booming urbanisation makes Dubai unique.

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8) Dubai Metro

If, like me, you live in London, you’ll know that travelling on the Underground isn’t always as smooth a journey as it could be. On the contrary, the Dubai Metro feels like a very luxurious way to travel! The driverless metros are fully automated and provide comfortable and reliable journeys, with extraordinary views whilst riding along the city.

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9) Weather

You’re always guaranteed amazing weather in Dubai. I’ve visited during different seasons and it’s always been warm with the sun shining, although in the summer months the temperature often rises above 40°C.

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10) Safety

You can be rest assured that Dubai is a safe destination – crime rates are very low. It’s a very welcoming place, where people from around the world and many different cultures live, work and enjoy life.