Joanna James
A bucket-list destination for authentically thrilling experiences, this glamorous oasis city consistently surprises seasoned visitors with brand-new allurements revolving around culture-rich innovation. Here are some of Dubai’s most irresistible novelties to savour in 2023.
A striking mosaic of cutting-edge recreation hubs, heritage-infused futuristic architecture, Bedouin-style adventures in the undulating desertscapes, and adrenaline-fuelled escapades, from extreme sports, skyscraper vantages, and indoor rollercoasters to exclusive upmarket retail offerings and jaw-dropping sensory spectacles, Dubai effortlessly enthrals even the most blasé of globetrotters! If you’re seeking to be moved and motivated to make a meaningful change toward solving global crises, Dubai’s majestic Expo City is a smart, eco-conscious, and entertaining realm of avant-garde avenues featuring stunning Pavilions dedicated to exploring eye-opening issues and sparking innovation-driven solutions. From spectacular architectural marvels like Al-Wasl Dome, the falcon-shaped UAE Pavilion, and the otherworldly Terra structure to immersing in kaleidoscopic perspectives showcased in the ethereal zones dedicated to different countries, there’s plenty to enrich the soul and expand the mind.
From jewel-toned souqs, vibrant kiosks, and world-class designer boutiques to intimate wilderness expeditions like dolphin watching, tree-surfing, dune bashing, and luxury glamping, Dubai offers the perfect medley of down-to-earth and larger-than-life enticements. If you’re in the mood for a bougie shopping spree through eclectic designer stores, delectable cuisines in epicurean havens, or an adrenaline-pumping joyride on the record-breaking Storm Coaster, head to Dubai Hill Mall. Whether it's feasting on waffles coated in luscious Belgian chocolate, embracing your inner ninja and free fall jumping in the Adventure Park, or shopping for ‘everyday’ necessities that stand out from the ordinary at the Flying Tiger Copenhagen, your every whim will be satisfied with style!
If flying penguins, robot baristas, space shuttle rides, and a digitally replicated Amazon Jungle sound engaging enough to you, this arresting structure, ingeniously shaped like an oblong silver ring carved with ebony Arabic calligraphy, hosts all of this and more, with each of its floors powered by game-changing technology that enhances your every step. If you’re seeking outstanding hotel Apartments in Sheikh Zayed Road proffering prime access to Dubai’s chief enticements, venture no further than the likes of La Suite Dubai Hotel and Apartments.
If you want to literally wander inside an open book, this wonderous masterpiece in architecture, designed to look like a tome placed on a Turkish lectern, is a library-slash-exhibition centre that no book lover’s imagination can compete with! This 2022 addition to Dubai’s groundbreaking portfolio of multi-faceted aesthetic structures, with its eco-friendly design and astounding craftsmanship, houses over 1 million physical and digital books, ranging from young adult and children’s stories to manuscripts, periodicals, and reference reads in multiple languages. If you aren’t a die-hard bibliophile, you can still get blown away by ample stimulating resources in the library’s state-of-the-art information and media centres.
If you’re a hardcore Instagrammer seeking ethereal photo opportunities or simply adore being swept off your feet by otherworldly AI-powered creativity, this immersive entertainment park is filled with grippingly realistic imagery, from rivers of myriad colours, luminescent gardens, and swirling dunes to prismatic light shows, cosmic ecosystems, and reverse waterfalls, that encapsulate and celebrate the pristine beauty of our universe.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
