10 Best Things to Do in Dubai Marina

To the south of Dubai, you will see the incredible Dubai Marina area, one of the must-see attractions during a trip to Dubai. There you will find restaurants, beaches, the Dubai Marina Mall and residential buildings such as Al Majara, among many other things.

You can also see the 3.5-kilometre-long artificial water canal that connects to the sea at both ends. It is a very popular place for residents and tourists alike, as it is ideal for outdoor sports.

The Dubai Marina neighbourhood, one of the must-see areas of Dubai, was founded in 2000 with the aim of becoming the largest artificial port in the world. The construction company responsible for building the entire structure was Emaar, which built skyscrapers, hotels, parks, restaurants and fountains to give visitors breathtaking panoramic views.

In this area, you can enjoy a peaceful pedestrian promenade called the Promenade, which runs along the entire waterfront. This is where you can enjoy sports such as jogging and skating.

This is where most of the foreigners who work in the city gather, so it has a different atmosphere to the rest of Dubai. In my opinion, the best time to go for a walk around Dubai Marina is in the evening, when there is a cool breeze, and if you take a yacht trip with dinner included, it will be an unbeatable experience.

Dubai Marina Hall at night

This is one of the famous shopping centres you can visit when you are in Dubai Marina, and it will begin to surprise you as soon as you arrive. Its main entrance is located next to Sheikh Zayed Road, opposite the tram stop.

This shopping centre has more than 130 well-known brands (some high-end and others more affordable) where you can find the best brands in shoes and clothing for men and women.

This shopping centre is especially suitable for a family outing. You can shop with your children in well-known stores, where you will find a wide variety of items and clothing for the little ones.

Enjoy the cuisine day and night

There are different ways to enjoy the Dubai Marina Mall, and one of them is to stroll through the shopping centre and visit shops, cafés and restaurants offering everything from gourmet burgers to Italian food. In addition, one of the best things you can do in this area is to eat by the sea or, if you need to do some shopping, visit the Waitrose supermarket.

On the other hand, some Dubai tours stop at the marina to highlight its venues and buildings, while others allow time for strolling and shopping. The Dubai Marina Mall is also on the list of visits for Arab cruises on dhows, yachts and speedboats, as many of the night tours include the shopping centre for taking pictures of the city skyline full of lights.

Visiting The Beach in Dubai Marina

The Beach is the most beautiful beach in Dubai and one of the busiest. Around it, you can admire the towering residential buildings, such as Jumeirah Beach, the Hilton hotel and the amazing Cayan Tower.

You can also see one of the city's best-known artificial islands, Palm Jumeirah, where the Atlantis Hotel is located. The hotels around it have a good part of the beach reserved exclusively for them, but there are also public areas, so it is possible to access them. In any case, the private area of the beach can cost between £12 and £26, as the price varies depending on the rental of sun loungers, parasols and towels.

The public area, although well sheltered and maintained, does not allow the use of umbrellas. So if you go there, don't forget your sunscreen and hats to protect you from the strong sun.

Oh, and this beach is pollution-free thanks to the hard work of The Beach staff who carry out constant cleaning.

If you visit the Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, you will find the amazing viewpoint of the bar called The Observatory on the 52nd floor. From this viewpoint, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Palm Jumeirah and the Dubai Marina district. This is a great option for spending your last night in Dubai and saying goodbye to all its beauty and splendour.

Watching the sunset through the windows of this bar is an experience I highly recommend. The menu specialises in grilled dishes. To enter the hotel bar, you must make a reservation at reception.

Immerse yourself in luxury aboard a private yacht on this tour of Dubai Marina, where you can sail with the help of an expert guide who will provide you with all the information you need to get to know the area aboard a private yacht for up to 10 people.

The most exciting part of this tour is that it makes a short stop at a lagoon where you can swim freely. On board the boat, you have access to free refreshments such as water and other drinks. You are also allowed to bring your own drinks.

The tour costs approximately £45 and the private boat provides life jackets and towels if you want to swim. It is a very comprehensive tour, lasting 2 hours, and if you have the opportunity, it is well worth it. These are the best ways to sail around Dubai Marina:

Tour the coast of Dubai Marina by speedboat

If you're more daring and adventurous, then this type of tour is for you. It gives you the opportunity to sail out to sea in a motorboat.

This tour will take you to the Palm Jumeirah and back, passing close to the Atlantis Hotel and stopping briefly so you can see it up close. The speedboat route follows the Burj Al Arab and ends at Dubai Marina. The approximate price is £43 per person and the tour lasts between 60 and 90 minutes.

On this tour, you will not only get a close-up view of the impressive sea, but also the most beautiful landscapes and hotels. Once you return to the Marina, you can enjoy a delicious meal in one of its restaurants.

Enjoy a luxury cruise

You can enjoy a cruise aboard a Dubai Marina cruise that can accommodate a private group of up to 10 people. On these trips, you can sunbathe, and there is a relaxation area, a comfortable indoor lounge, a kitchen and a bathroom. A cruise trip can cost around £40.

You can bring your own food and drinks to enjoy on the open water. During the day tour, you can enjoy the best panoramic views of the Dubai skyline and make stops for swimming.

If you choose a night tour, you will be even more amazed by the view of the city and the skyscrapers lit up with lights.

Discover the most popular tourist attractions from the sea

You can opt for something more economical than a yacht or cruise, but where you can enjoy similar panoramic views. The cost is approximately £30. The speedboats are designed to manoeuvre quickly, so during the tour, you can sail out to sea with the breeze on your face and discover places such as:

• Atlantis Hotel.
• The Jumeirah Palm.
• Burj Al Arab.
• Several royal palaces.
• The Dubai Lagoon.

The streets of Dubai Marina are surrounded by huge, eye-catching buildings. But among them all, the one that stands out the most is the Cayan Tower. This skyscraper was completed in 2013, has 73 floors and is 306 metres high. It rotates 80%, meaning it is shaped like a spiral.

Each floor was meticulously designed to rotate 1.2 degrees from the floor below, making it a unique piece of architecture. One of its curiosities is that titanium-coloured metal panels protect the rooms from direct sunlight.

The marina in the Dubai Marina neighbourhood is open to the public and offers the opportunity to practise any sport, such as jet skiing
and takinga fun ride along the beach. To do so, you must bring your ID and be over 16 years of age. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to use any of the available jet skis. The cost of a jet ski can vary depending on how long you want to use it, although the minimum rate for 30 minutes is approximately £89.

This is a great plan for the whole family as you don't need any previous experience to use it and enjoy it to the fullest.

If you want to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Dubai while getting an adrenaline rush, the XLine Marina zip line is your best option. This activity is suitable for thrill seekers, but you can enjoy it with friends or family, as you will receive instructions on how to use the zip line and safety guidelines from professional experts.

What's more, if you book a ticket for the XLine Marina zip line, not only will you enjoy an exciting adventure, but you'll also be able to take spectacular photos from above the impressive urban landscape of Dubai Marina.

The experience includes all safety equipment, a locker for small items and video and photo images of your jump! Definitely an experience not to be missed.

Another of the most recommended visits you can make in Dubai Marina is Palm Jumeirah, an artificial island that can be seen from above to appreciate its palm tree shape.

One of the island's most famous landmarks is the Atlantis Hotel, which was built at the top and is accessible by car or by taking a ride on the Palm Monorail, which runs along the entire length of the palm tree trunk.

To get to the monorail, take the **red metro line to ** Dubai Marina station, which connects directly to the Dubai Tram. Then get off at stop number 9. When you exit, go up the footbridge to cross Sufouh Road, and from there go straight through the covered elevated tunnel to reach a car park and follow the signs for "Monorail". Once you have crossed the car park, you will arrive at the entrance to the Palm Monorail.

Monorail ticket prices are as follows:

• One way: £4.80 (children under 2 travel free)
• Return: £7.20
• Prices may vary depending on the date

Another attraction at Palm Jumeirah is Atlantis Aquaventure, a water park built next to the Atlantis Hotel. Numerous villas have been built on the fronds of this palm tree , each costing billions of euros and with its own access to the street and private beach.

Become a true Dubai local by using public transport to get to Dubai Marina. An easy way to get there is to take the red metro line to DMCC station. This line serves the city's most important destinations, making it one of the best ways to get around Dubai. Each stop has a name, so it's easy to navigate. The main stops on the red line are:

• Dubai International Airport terminals
• Burj Khalifa
• Dubai Mall
• Dubai Marina
• Ibn Battuta Mall

Another option is the tram, which stops at Dubai Marina station. Buses also stop at Marina Promenade. If you are travelling by car from central Dubai, follow Sheikh Zayed Road and take the tunnel after exit 32.

The last option (and the most convenient, in my opinion) is to book a seat on the Big Bus, which tours the whole of Dubai. They run every 20 minutes and offer guided tours of the entire city. Find out more about the best tourist buses in Dubai.

This city will undoubtedly surprise you, as you will find something impressive around every corner.