This ultra-modern city, vast in scale, differs from most European – and Asian – capitals in one important way: its attractions are scattered across very different parts of town. The atmospheric historic district of Bastakiya, the tallest building on the planet Burj Khalifa, Wild Wadi Waterpark, the Palm Islands, and Ibn Battuta Mall are all far from one another. So what is the best way to tackle the city? There is no single perfect answer, but we are sure this Dubai guide in English will help you make sense of it all.

First, people in Dubai rarely get around on foot. Going for a walk in a park or around a mall fountain – sure. But actually walking somewhere useful, say from your hotel to a nightclub, is considered poor form. Most residents and visitors prefer cars. You can always take a taxi, available almost anywhere at any hour, or use the metro. And Dubai Metro is not transport “for the poor” but a high-tech way to move around the city. The trains are fully automated and run without drivers. I highly recommend taking a ride, especially since much of the line runs above ground, giving you sweeping views of this city of the future. Many stations, such as Khaleed bin Waleed, are beautifully decorated as well.

Second – staying with the topic of getting around Dubai – many hotels, mostly five-star ones, offer comfortable shuttle transfers by minibus to the city’s best-known spots. One such hotel is Jumeirah Emirates Towers, located in one of the twin towers. The other tower houses a business center. Let me say right away that this is not paid promotion but a very personal recommendation based on the hotel’s convenient location and excellent service. If your goal is to visit as many interesting places as possible, this hotel unquestionably tops my short list of Dubai hotels. Let me explain why.

Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel makes an excellent base for several reasons. The metro station of the same name is nearby, as are plenty of cafes and restaurants. Not far away you will find the Cavalli nightclub at the Fairmont and the ruler of Dubai’s residence. Most importantly, the hotel offers a free shuttle to Dubai Mall – that is, to Downtown Dubai, where Burj Khalifa and the spectacular dancing fountain are located – as well as to Wild Wadi Waterpark, the beach at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and the beach at Mina Al Salam. In my opinion, the latter is one of the best beaches in Dubai, if not the best. The biggest bonus of moving around the city this way is that not only the shuttle but also access to these beaches and the waterpark is free. And you can visit them as often as you like. The full shuttle schedule is available right in your room. When you take all of this into account – along with the great views, stylish interiors, and quality food – the room rate becomes very, very appealing.

Now let us take a closer look at the places mentioned above, along with a few we have not talked about yet. You can see where they are on the map of Dubai attractions. But it is even easier to find them on the interactive Ever.Travel map. Many more places are marked there, allowing you to build a plan for every day of your trip. And if planning is not your thing, you can download this Dubai guide for free after reading it.

In the luxurious Dubai Mall opposite, you will find every global brand from ALDO to ZARA. The total area of this shopping and entertainment complex exceeds one million square meters. For lovers of luxury shopping, the mall even has an entire boulevard lined with Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Christian Louboutin, and much more. You could spend a fortune here in a single evening! But you can also find a quality piece that will delight any dedicated shopaholic for a long time. And so you do not get lost in the mall’s many-tiered galleries, make use of the interactive information desks.

More broadly, the mall offers everything you need for an entertaining day out: you can feed fish in the giant aquarium while scuba diving, admire the distinctive gallery interiors, or relax in a cafe overlooking the dancing fountain.

In the near future, this district is expected to gain a Museum of Contemporary Art and an opera house designed in the shape of a dune. Almost every major architectural project in Downtown Dubai – and indeed in any other part of the city – must receive the personal approval of Sheikh Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai. His Highness pays close attention to the city’s architectural image, understanding that it helps shape an identity attractive to both tourists and investors.

For architects, meanwhile, Dubai is one of the best places in the world to bring bold and unconventional ideas to life. Something is always being built here, and it feels as if construction will not stop until the shapes and sizes of buildings move beyond the limits of both the possible and the impossible. Architects and developers can think on a grand scale and fit the most unusual forms and structures into the surrounding landscape. That is why every skyscraper here is unique – you simply will not find two alike. As you walk through Downtown Dubai, for example near Emirates Towers, pay attention to the silhouettes of the high-rises. Narrow, wide, crowned with clocks or turrets – they are fascinating to study. Photographers, take note: these skyscrapers love to pose and are waiting for you.

In complete contrast to modern Dubai stands Al Bastakiya, the city’s historic district, whose story began more than a century ago. Back then, the UAE had no skyscrapers, no giant shopping malls, and no man-made islands. The quarter takes its name from the Iranian town of Bastak, where the district’s first residents came from.

As a rule, Bastakiya is not crowded with tourists. Traditional Arab architecture, characterful sand-colored buildings, narrow lanes, a small mosque, cafes and restaurants where a cup of fragrant Arabic coffee feels especially right, souvenir shops, art galleries... And then there are the wind towers, which once served as natural air conditioning. One such tower is even commemorated by a monument near Al Bastakiya.

Here in the old town you will also find Al Fahidi Fort. At different times it served as a prison, a garrison, and a palace. It is one of the oldest buildings in Dubai.

Since 1970, the fort has housed the Dubai Museum, where you can see applied arts, household items, artifacts related to seafaring and trade, musical instruments, and much more. It is worth noting that the museum also uses modern audiovisual techniques to bring the emirate’s history to life.

After immersing yourself in the past, you can stroll along Dubai Creek or even ride across the inlet on traditional Arabic boats. This is where the city’s essence and true soul have been preserved in the shadow of giant skyscrapers.

Mina a’Salam Beach was one of Dubai’s most delightful discoveries for me. Giant canopies and loungers with soft beanbags, fine almost snow-white sand, an open view of Burj Al Arab, and exclusive access reserved for guests of the Jumeirah hotel group turn it into one of the most elite beaches in the world. Great photos with Burj Al Arab in the background are guaranteed. By the way, I already wrote about this symbol of Dubai in a separate article.

Mina a’Salam Beach effectively adjoins the Madinat Jumeirah resort. Its architecture echoes the old buildings of Al Bastakiya in many ways, but only on the surface. Picturesque gardens, waterways, and numerous world-class restaurants transform it into a modern Arabian fairy tale.

Many people call this place the “Venice of Dubai” – and not without reason. Just like on Dubai Creek, you can ride traditional Arabic boats here – and why should they be any worse than gondolas? Before or after relaxing on the beach, take a walk through this refined Eastern palace and allow yourself to feel at least a little like a sheikh or an Eastern princess.

Even though Wild Wadi Waterpark is within easy walking distance of Madinat Jumeirah and Mina a’Salam Beach, I recommend setting aside a full hotel day for it. Wild Wadi offers more than two dozen different rides and attractions for adults and children. They have thought of everything here.

Jumeirah Sceirah is not just a slide – it is pure adrenaline. It starts with you literally dropping through an opening in the floor and then shooting down a tube in a swirling storm of spray. The slide is more than 100 meters long, and the speed at the end can reach 80 km/h. If you still dare to try it after that description, here is one piece of advice: hold on to your swimsuit. At that speed, it can easily shift.

Lazy River and Luna Journey are two slow-moving so-called lazy rivers, each more than 300 meters long. They are especially pleasant in the hottest part of the day. Burj Surj and Tantrum Alley are two more exciting attractions. Here, descents on inflatable rafts alternate with dizzying spins through giant funnels that some visitors jokingly call toilets or drains. One has two drops and the other has no fewer than three. Then there is the Tunnel of Doom – no comment needed, because the name says it all.

Wild Wadi also features a large man-made lagoon with artificial waves, a children’s play area, an imitation tropical downpour with thunder – though it does not always run – and much more besides. A huge team of professional lifeguards keeps a close eye on everyone’s safety.

By the way, “Wild” means just that in English, while “Wadi” in Arabic refers to the bed of a dried-up river. Fill that riverbed with water, add waterfalls and lagoons, send wild streams racing through the pipes – and you have Wild Wadi Waterpark.

Beyond Dubai’s headline must-see sights, this city of the future has many lesser-known attractions and diversions. Take the already mentioned Cavalli nightclub, for example. Getting in is difficult, but possible. Face control and dress control are strict, since only fairly affluent guests who can spend serious money are admitted. The atmosphere is ultra-glamorous, the sound is excellent, and the design is stylish – as you would expect from Cavalli – though many visitors say the food does not quite live up to the prices.

Not far from the Emirates Towers twin skyscrapers stands Zabeel Palace – the residence of Sheikh Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai. Tourists are driven past the gates by bus, and getting off is strictly forbidden. The grounds are heavily guarded, cameras are everywhere, and armed security is on duty. Photography and video are prohibited, though a few images of the palace can still be found online. The sculptural group decorating the gates strongly recalls the quadriga of the Bolshoi Theatre – only here there are five horses instead of four.

And if all the major shopping is done and your skyscraper photos and singing fountain videos have long since been posted to Instagram and Facebook, I would recommend seeing the Jumeirah Mosque. It stands on Jumeirah Beach Road opposite Palm Strip Mall. It is perhaps the only mosque in Dubai open not only to Muslims but also to visitors of other faiths. This distinctive symbol of cosmopolitan Dubai can accommodate more than 1,000 worshippers. Dress appropriately before your visit: short skirts, tops, shorts, and tight-fitting clothing are not allowed.

And to conclude, I should note that Dubai offers an exceptionally high level of safety at any hour of the day or night. That alone is a wonderful reason to relax fully and enjoy your holiday. Whatever hotel you choose, whichever beach you spend time on, and whichever mall you visit, I can assure you that your stay in Dubai – this astonishing city of the future – will be bright, memorable, and full of impressions.

Story by Anatoly Selyaninov

Photos by the author, Aleksey Nasedkin, paul.bryson, Prof. Tournesol, Kristen Liang, Tony Wasserman, andlongoni, and Pragma Group