One of the tallest hotels in the world, the unique white sail shape of this luxury hotel on Jumeirah Beach is iconic to Dubai's skyline.

Mimicking a traditional Arabian bazaar, Souk Madinat Jumeirah is a popular marketplace in Dubai. It’s interconnected with waterways, lined with bars and bistros, as well as offers a picture-perfect view of the Burj Al Arab. Here, you can get adrift in a maze of stalls and browse everything from oud perfumes and glimmering jewelry to fragrant spices and Turkish pottery. You can also plan for an alfresco meal and soak in the good vibes outdoors.

Dubai is famous for its soaring skyline – and that's not the only feat of engineering to capture the world's imagination. Built from reclaimed land in a series of artificial archipelagos, Palm Jumeirah is shaped like a palm tree when viewed from above.

This luxurious waterfront district adjacent to the Palm Jumeirah is lined with glittering skyscrapers, exclusive residences, and breezy boulevards that are entirely man-made.

As one of the Emirates' oldest traditional markets, Dubai Gold Souk has over 350 retailers trading tax-free gold of different carats, designs and weights. There are also precious stones, strings of pearls, platinum and silver available here. You can bargain at the market, and enjoy better rates when paying in cash. To reach the Gold Souk, you can take an inexpensive Abra ride across Dubai Creek, and combine your visit with nearby attractions like the Bur Dubai Grand Mosque, Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood and Al Seef.

Shopping at Traditional Souks, such as Dubai Spice Souks, exposes travelers to Arab style marketplaces where goods are bought and sold. Bargaining allows you to acquire different commodities, such as spice, gold, textiles and perfumes.

Along Dubai Creek’s shoreline is Al Seef, a bustling waterfront promenade where old meets new. It has two zones: an old-world heritage area and a modern section lined with malls, hotels, and restaurants. Here, you can learn about the Gulf’s beginnings as a famous pearl diving port, explore the open-air floating market and 1950s-style souk, get a henna tattoo, and purchase handicrafts along the sikkas (alleyways). You can even hop aboard a romantic dhow boat and take in the fantastic views on a dinner cruise. Al Seef is great to visit together with the nearby Al Fahidi neighborhood on a walking tour

This oceanfront getaway is a one-stop shop for some seaside fun, with a gorgeous beach, restaurants, and awesome views of Dubai’s epic skyline. Here, you can check out the playful murals and art installations that add a dash of color to the neighborhood, lounge by the beach club, and try watersports like donut riding, flyboarding, or water biking. There's even a waterpark with thrilling slides, a wave simulator, an infinity pool, and more. Pop by this seaside destination on a city tour of Dubai, which includes other iconic attractions like The Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, and Jumeirah Mosque.

Zabeel Palace, Dubai residence and administrative headquarters of the Ruling Royal family of Dubai

Standing over 2,700 feet and 163 floors high, this record-breaking skyscraper in downtown Dubai is the tallest structure in the world. Burj Khalifa has several open-air viewing decks and swanky lounges which offer splendid views of the UAE and the Persian Gulf. The highest lounge is located at level 154, and there is even a hotel at levels 38 and 39. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill architects, this mixed-used development atop Dubai Mall is inspired by the Great Mosque of Samarra in Iraq. You might want to buy skip-the-line tickets or join a tour to avoid snaking queues at this popular attraction in Dubai.