Dubai

Heading into the heart of the city, it’s hard to miss Downtown Dubai’s key bragging rights and world-famous icons: the Dubai Mall (the most visited retail and lifestyle destination in the world), Burj Khalifa (the tallest building) and Gevora Hotel (the tallest hotel) along Sheikh Zayed Road. Record-breakers aside, visitors will find fine dining restaurants at Dubai International Financial Centre and a score of family-friendly activities including the Dubai Fountain, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, and Souk Al Bahar. The world-class Dubai Opera and its packed line-up of live performances is also found on Downtown’s palm-lined Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, along with Burj Park, a favourite host of the district’s hottest festivals and pop-up events.

At first glance, the industrial area of Al Quoz seems like an unlikely tourist destination, with rows of warehouses and factories. However, beneath the surface, Al Quoz has flourished into one of Dubai’s most vibrant art and cultural hubs, with some warehouses reborn into art galleries, boutique photography studios and performance spaces. Homegrown artisanal chocolate makers, sustainable gift stores, trampoline parks, and coffee roasters have all popped up recently in refurbished spaces. At the heart of this creative neighbourhood is Alserkal Avenue, where a series of purpose-built warehouses are home to some of Dubai's top contemporary art galleries, while community vibes abound at the Courtyard, where some of the city’s entrepreneurs have set up shop.

Dubai Marina is a waterfront city, the emerald-green waters framed by some of the tallest — not to mention some of the most architecturally impressive — residential towers in the world. Foodies flock to Dubai Marina for sky-high dining with sparkling water views, while families can entertain the little ones at shaded play areas, with organised street festivals and pop-up stalls held throughout the year. Head to the Dubai Marina Mall that sits front and centre of the impressive district. The Marina's gourmet project, Pier 7, is a destination for foodies: the tower rising from the middle of the pedestrian walk hosts seven very different, but equally delicious restaurants on each level.

Quiet and unassuming JLT (Jumeirah Lakes Towers) is a residential district built around four lakes — one of which was later filled in to create a 55,000-square-metre grass-lawn park. From dawn to well after dusk, young families, cyclists, joggers and dog-walkers populate the well-connected circuit of boardwalks and footbridges lining the waterfront, dotted with lakeside cafes, beauty salons and retail haunts. Of late, JLT has morphed into one of Dubai’s top dining destinations, with a global array of culinary treasures tucked within the district’s many skyscrapers. This is thanks in part to the neighbourhood’s own eclectic mix of nationalities, each bringing a taste of their homeland to Dubai. Try the cheesy manakish at Bait Maryam, perfect pho at Vietnamese Foodies, Greek souvlaki at Mythos, and the best steak frites this side of Dubai at Couqley.