Discover some of the highlights of Dubai, recently ranked the most-viewed destination on TikTok
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Iconic views… Towering skyscrapers
According to luggage firm Bounce’s TikTok Travel Index 2022, posts from Dubai have clocked up 81.8 billion views this year (New York was second at 59.5 billion). One of Dubai’s most iconic sights is the Burj Khalifa (above), the world’s tallest building. Visit the observation deck for heady views. Clients can also gaze across to it from the Sky Views Observatory at the Address Sky View Hotel where they’ll also find a slide wrapping around the exterior from the 53rd to 52nd floor.
Star attraction… Aura Skypool
Head to the highest 360-degree infinity pool in the world – at 200 metres up – for panoramic views of Dubai’s famous skyline, the iconic Palm Jumeirah Island and the wider Arabian Gulf. Elegant decking is complemented by lush greenery and sunloungers for visitors to relax on. Early morning slots start at around £50 per person, rising to full-day sessions from £125 per person.
Learn something new… Museum of the Future
This unique museum features a DNA library, viewing deck and the chance to ‘become an astronaut for the day’. Its design stands out – a seven-storey, column-less building, the façade covered with panels of Arabic calligraphy. The ‘torus’ shape represents the earth and sky, and the hole in the middle illustrates the unknown. It’s no surprise this has become a TikTok hit.
Make time for… Religious architecture
Twin-minareted Jumeirah Mosque (right) is one of Dubai’s most-photographed buildings. Its Fatimid architectural style, with intricate carvings and details, harks back to 11th-century mosques and is particularly beguiling at sunset. Also worth a visit is Dubai’s largest mosque, the Bur Dubai Grand Mosque, notable for its 70-metre-tall minaret in the style of a lighthouse. Non-Muslims have to book onto regular free tours to look around both buildings.
Where to stay…
The 31-storey W Dubai – Mina Seyahi opened in May and provides plenty of photo ops by the infinity pool, cabana, cocktail bar and DJ area. Clients will love the spa and a rooftop restaurant serving pan-Asian cuisine. All 318 rooms have a nod to Dubai’s trading history (think textured fabrics and gold accents). A room with a king-sized bed and balcony starts at £570 per night. marriott.co.uk
PICTURES: Shutterstock/Mo Azizi, ibrar.kunri, Checco2
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