10 Best Things to Do in Dubai Marina

In the south of Dubai, you will see the incredible Dubai Marina area, one of the must-visits during a trip to Dubai. There are 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 channel that connects to the sea at both ends. It is a popular place for locals and tourists alike, as it is ideal for outdoor sports.

The Dubai Marina neighbourhood, one of Dubai's must-see neighbourhoods, was founded in 2000 with the aim of being the largest artificial harbour in the world. The construction company in charge of building the entire structure was Emaar, building skyscrapers, hotels, parks, restaurants and fountains to give visitors breathtaking panoramic views.

In this area you can enjoy a quiet pedestrian promenade called Promenade, surrounding the entire waterfront. It is in this area that you can practice sports such as jogging and rollerblading.

This is where most of the foreigners working in the city are concentrated, so it has a different atmosphere to the rest of Dubai. In my opinion, the best time to go for a stroll around the Dubai Marina is in the evening when there's a cool breeze, and if you go on a yacht cruise with dinner included, you'll be in for a treat.

This is one of the famous shopping malls you can visit when you are in Dubai Marina, and it will start to surprise you as soon as you are in the vicinity. Its main entrance is located just off Sheikh Zayed Road, opposite the tram stop.

This mall has more than 130 shops of well-known brands (some high-end and some more affordable) where you can get the best brands in shoes and clothes for ladies and gentlemen.

This mall is especially suitable for a family stroll. You have the opportunity to do your shopping accompanied by your children in shops of recognised brands, where you will find a great variety of articles and clothes for the little ones.

Enjoy dining by day and night

There are several ways to enjoy the Dubai Marina Mall and one of them is to stroll around the mall and visit shops, cafes and restaurants offering everything from gourmet burgers to Italian food. Also, one of the best things to do in this area is to eat in front of the water or, if you need to do some shopping, visit the Waitrose supermarket.

On the other hand, some tours of Dubai stop at the marina to highlight the marina grounds and buildings, while others allow time for strolling and shopping. The Dubai Marina Mall is also on the sightseeing list for Arabian cruises on dhows, yachts and speedboats, and many of the night tours include the mall to take pictures of the city 's light-filled skyline.

The Beach is the most beautiful beach in Dubai and one of the busiest. All around 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 most famous man-made islands, the Jumeirah Palm Island, where the Atlantis Hotel is located. The surrounding hotels 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, umbrellas and towels.

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

Oh, and this beach is pollution free due to the hard work of The Beach workers who are constantly cleaning it.

If you visit the Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites you will find the amazing observatory bar called The Observatory on the 52nd floor. Through this observation deck, you will be able to appreciate a spectacular view of the Jumeirah Palm and the Dubai Marina district. This is a great option to spend your last night in Dubai and say goodbye to all its beauty and splendour.

Watching the sunset through the windows of this bar's observation deck is an experience I highly recommend. The bar's menu specialises in grilled dishes. To enter the hotel bar you need to make a reservation at reception.

Dive into luxury aboard a private yacht on this tour of the Dubai Marina where you can sail with the help of an expert guide who will give you all the information you need to get to know the place 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. Inside the boat you have access to refreshments such as water and other drinks free of charge. You are also allowed to bring your own drinks.

The tour costs approximately €52 and the private boat provides you with lifejackets and towels in case you go swimming. It's a pretty comprehensive tour, lasting 2 hours and, if you get the chance, it's well worth it.

Tour the Dubai Marina waterfront by speedboat

If you are more adventurous and adventurous, then this is the tour for you. Here you have the opportunity to sail out to sea in a speedboat.

This tour will take you to the Jumeirah Palm and back past the Atlantis Hotel, pausing for a short break to get a closer look. The motorboat route continues past the Burj Al Arab and ends at the Dubai Marina. The tour costs approximately €43 per person and can take between 60 and 90 minutes.

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

Enjoy a luxury cruise

You can enjoy a cruise aboard a Dubai Marina Cruise which can accommodate a private group of up to 10 people. On these cruises you can sunbathe, there is a lounge area, a comfortable indoor lounge, a kitchen and bathroom. A cruise tour can cost around €44.

On the cruise you are welcome to bring your own food and drinks to enjoy in the open water. During the day tour you can get the best panoramic views of Dubai's skyline and stop for a swim.

If you choose a night tour, you can be even more amazed by the view of the city and the skyscrapers full of lights.

See the sights from the sea

You can opt for something cheaper than a yacht or cruise, but with similar panoramic views. The cost is approximately €30. The boats are designed to manoeuvre quickly, so for the duration of the tour, sail out to sea with the breeze in your face and see places such as:

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

The streets of the Dubai Marina are lined with huge, eye-catching buildings. But among them all, the one that stands out the most is the Cayan Tower building. This is a skyscraper that was completed in 2013, it has 73 floors and is 306 metres high, it has a rotation of 80% that is, it has a spiral shape.

Each floor was carefully designed to have a rotation of 1.2 degrees with respect to the previous floor. This makes it a unique piece of architecture in the world. One of its curiosities is that the titanium-coloured metal panels protect the rooms from direct sunlight.

The marina in Dubai's Marina district is free to enter and you have the opportunity to do all kinds of sports, such as jet skiingand a fun ride on the beach. For this, you need to carry your ID card and be over 16 years of age. Otherwise, you are not allowed to use any of the Jet Skis available. The cost of a Jet Ski can vary depending on how long you want to pay to use it, although the minimum rate for 30 minutes is approximately €89.

This is a great plan for all the family as you don't need any prior knowledge to use it and enjoy it to the full.

If you want to enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of Dubai and get your adrenaline pumping at the same time, the XLine Marina Zip Line is your best option. This activity is suitable for thrill-seekers, but you can enjoy it with friends and family alike, as you'll receive instructions and safety instructions from professional experts.

Plus, if you book a ticket for the XLine Marina zip line, not only will you experience a thrilling adventure, but you'll also be able to take spectacular photos from high above the breathtaking cityscape of the Dubai Marina.

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

Another great place to visit in the Dubai Marina is the Jumeirah Palm, an artificial island that can be viewed from above to appreciate its palm tree shape.

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

To get to the monorail, take the **red metro line ** to Dubai Marina station, from where it connects directly to the Dubai Tram. Then get off at stop number 9. When you get off, you have to get on the footbridge to cross to Sufouh Road, and from there go straight through the covered elevated tunnel to get to a car park and follow the signs that say "Monorail". Once through the entire car park, you arrive at the entrance to the Palm Monorail.

Monorail tickets are priced as follows:

• One way: €4.80 (children under 2 years travel free).
• Return trip: €7.20
• The price may vary depending on the date

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

Become a true Dubaiite by using public transport to get to the Dubai Marina. An easy way to get there is to take the red metro line to DMCC station. This line is the one that travels to the most important destinations in the city so it's also one of the best ways to get around Dubai. Each stop has a name, so you'll find it easy to navigate. The important stops on the red line are at:

• 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 have a stop called Marina Promenade. If you are driving from downtown Dubai, follow Sheikh Zayed Road and take the tunnel after exit 32.

The last option (the most comfortable in my opinion), is to book a seat on the Big Bus which runs throughout Dubai. They run every 20 minutes and give guided tours throughout the city. Find out more about the best sightseeing buses in Dubai.

There is no doubt that this city can surprise you as you will find something impressive around every corner.