Beach beauty: An undeveloped strip of sand on on luxury Jumeirah Bay Island has sold for $34 million.
Jumeirah Bay Island: The seahorse-shaped island is "the most exclusive of the exclusive," says Andrew Cummings of Knight Frank Dubai, the real estate agency which handled the sale.
Why Dubai?: If you're considering a trip to Dubai, or even a property purchase there, here are some of the attractions on offer. The intricately decorated Museum of the Future opened in 2022. Its squashed donut shape is constructed of nearly 2,400 fiberglass and stainless steel panels, adorned with Arabic calligraphy. Tickets are AED 149 (around $40).
Plunge into the world's deepest pool: Deep Dive Dubai proves that the city of skyscrapers can build down as well as up. Home to the world's deepest dive pool, a staggering 60 meters (196 feet) in depth and holding 14 million liters of water, it is at least four times as big as any other in the world. Beneath the surface are artificial wrecks and ruins waiting to be explored. The facility offers snorkeling, SCUBA and freedive lessons and sessions. Prices start at 400 AED ($109).
Go old school in Al Fahidi: Dubai's historical district Al Fahidi is the place to go if you want a glimpse of what the city was like before all the steel and glass -- in fact, before it was a city. There are dozens of traditional buildings, including wind towers, a form of ancient air conditioning. Take a tour at the winding streets and drop into Calligraphy House and the Coin Museum on the way.
Have afternoon tea on the QEII: The Queen Elizabeth II, one of the great ocean liners, has been open for business in Dubai since 2018, when it received a new lease of life as a static hotel, restaurant and events space. Visitors can soak up the ship's distinctly period charms and hit the deck for a spot of afternoon tea. Prices start at 175 AED ($48) (no shorts or flip-flops, thank you very much).
Look down from the world's highest infinity pool: Address Beach Resort is the place to be if you want to cool off with one of Dubai's best views. Nearly 1,000 feet (294 meters) up, the infinity pool is nearly twice the length of an Olympic-sized swimming pool, but a mere 4 feet (1.2 meters) deep. There is a catch, however: the pool is only open to hotel guests 21 years old and over.
Get out of town with a trip to Hatta: Dubai's rocky exclave to the east is a hotspot for outdoor sports. The Hajar Mountains are perfect for bikes (both road and mountain), while the lake formed by the Hatta Dam is popular with kayakers and canoeists. Many visitors go for a day trip, but if you want to stay, a range of options, from camping to glamping to lodges and the Ja Hatta Fort Hotel mountain resort have you covered.
Trot off to the races: Situated 10 minutes from the Dubai World Trade Centre, Meydan Racecourse is the home of horse racing in the city.
See a view as pretty as a picture from Dubai Frame: With a golden design and proportions reflecting the golden ratio, Dubai Frame is also a golden opportunity to see a lot of the city in one go. It contains exhibitions including 3D projections of old Dubai, before taking visitors to the top for 360-degree views, before descending to another exhibition imagining Dubai in 50 years' time. Open 09:00-21:00 every day (sunset is a popular time). Prices from 50 AED ($14).
Sleep (or eat) with the fishes at Atlantis, The Palm: Out on the artificial archipelago the Palm Jumeirah an is iconic hotel and resort Atlantis, The Palm. The hotel's Underwater Suite has floor to ceiling windows into its giant aquarium. Evening diners can visit Ossiano, the hotel's restaurant with underwater views (would it be insensitive to order the fish?). If you'd just like a tour, it's open between 10:00-21:00 (book tickets online).
Escape the city without leaving it at Ras al-Khor: The only desert wetland in Dubai, Ras al-Khor covers around 620 hectares on the banks of Dubai Creek. A peaceful idyll a stone's throw from the hubbub, the wetland is home to 450 animal species including 180 types of bird, such as the greater spotted eagle, kingfishers and, in winter, thousands of flamingos.
Dress up for a night at the opera: Despite the name, Dubai Opera is a broad church, and within its sweeping curves you can watch all manner of live performances. There's opera, but also live stand up, ballet, musicals and stage plays. If you want to learn more about the building, book a tour for 150 AED ($41).
Look down on the clouds from the Burj Khalifa: The Burj Khalifa has been the world's tallest building for over a decade, and it's still well worth a visit to the observation deck for a unique perspective on the city. The package "At the Top, Burj Khalifa Sky