Downtown
Downtown is Dubai’s trendy neighbourhood, where everyone wants to go. It’s a lively, bustling area that symbolises the luxury of the new Dubai, the modern, cutting-edge metropolis that encourages visitors to feel that this is the heart of progress and wealth, regardless of the nationality of those who stroll down its wide avenues. Cosmopolitan and unique, Dubai proudly shows this neighbourhood to visitors, because here everyone agrees that, wherever you look, everything shines and everything is prosperous. But that’s not entirely true.
This impressive and vibrant area, known as Downtown Dubai, has sprung up almost out of nowhere, and buildings that are now symbols of progress all over the world have risen up here, almost by magic, around a large artificial lake covering 12 hectares. This is certainly true of the iconic Burj Khalifa, the tallest building on the planet, with a height of 828 metres and 57 lifts, or the Dubai Fountain, which is 275 metres long and illuminated by 6,600 lights that create an incredible spectacle of water and sound. The same can be said of The Dubai Mall, the largest shopping centre in the world with 1,200 shops, 120 bars and restaurants, and an Olympic-sized skating rink.
Of course, the Dubai Opera House, the emerging Dubai Design District, and the trendy Alserkal Avenue complex in the industrial neighbourhood of Al Quoz, where many warehouses have been converted into avant-garde galleries and cafés for hipsters, are all worth a visit. The massive Dubai International Financial Centre is also an interesting visit.
The main avenue in Downtown Dubai is Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, or simply the Boulevard, and is lined with palm trees and pretty restaurants. It’s a great place to take a stroll and discover the glittering pavements, shops, and buildings as you walk along it.
And if by now, you’re tired of walking and would rather enjoy Downtown Dubai in a more comfortable way, just hop on the Dubai Trolley, a red, shiny, double-decker tram with gold trim and a very unique design. It’s the first urban tram powered by hydrogen, so it generates zero carbon emissions. To its credit, Dubai also wants to be at the forefront in terms of sustainability.
Nearby plans
Related plans
Dubai Frame, the city’s large photo frame
Dubai Frame is a structure in the shape of a picture frame that offers a magnificent panoramic view of the city and its surroundings from its vantage point. It’s one of those sights that will surprise you.
Museums in Dubai, cultural spaces from the past to the future
For an insight into Dubai’s history, culture, architecture, and innovations, there’s nothing better than a visit to exceptional museums such as the Museum of the Future or the Etihad Museum.
Burj Khalifa: the highest tower in the world
One of the most popular places to visit in Dubai is Burj Khalifa. This astonishing skyscraper is 828 metres high and has the best viewpoints in the city.