With so many Irish now living in the Middle East, Dubai has become a popular holiday destination for those visiting friends and family. And the city, which is part of the seven emirates that form the United Arab Emirates (UAE), certainly has the wow factor.

What it lacks in culture it makes up with in size. Dubai is home to the world’s tallest building, as well as the biggest mall, man-made islands and indoor theme park.

Not much is beyond the realm of possibility here – you can even forget you are in the desert by visiting penguins in the Middle East’s first indoor ski park, while it hits 40°C outside.

As superficial as it may be, if you are looking for luxury, Dubai is worth a visit. Here are some of the top attractions.

Burj Khalifa

At 2,716.5ft and with 160 storeys, the Burj Khalifa casts an imposing figure on Dubai’s skyline. A regular ticket will take you to level 125, while VIP access goes up to 148, but your ears will start popping at around the 50th floor. We don’t recommend a visit if heights are not your thing.

The views are extraordinary, especially beyond Dubai, where you can see the contrast of the desolate desert to the modern buildings of the city.

Access is through Mall Dubai and queues can be long, so book online at www.burjkhalifa.ae to avoid waiting for hours. It is not cheap to say you have been on top of the world’s highest building, costing AED 200 (€52) for admission to level 125 during peak hours, and AED 500 (€129) for the premium experience on the 148th floor.

Dubai Fountain

In the shadow of the Burj Khalifa, you can view the impressive light show at the Dubai Fountains, just outside the Dubai Mall. It was our favourite attraction during our visit. Plus the show is free – a nice bonus, given that Dubai is not a cheap city to visit.

The show lasts around five minutes and is set to different playlists. When the sky is dark, the Burj Khalifa gets in on the action, lighting up in time to the music. The effect is dramatic and jaw dropping. Shows run every half hour from 6pm to 11pm. Go early to nab a good viewing spot near the fountain.

Shopping

There is no shortage of shopping centres in Dubai, which thankfully are all well air-conditioned.

We will start with the world’s largest – Dubai Mall. With shops and restaurants ranging from Tiffany & Co to the Cheesecake Factory to Five Guys, you would be forgiven for mistaking it for a shopping centre in the States.

As much of the city’s activities centre around this point – from trams to sightseeing tours and the Burj Khalifa – you will invariably end up spending a bit of time here.

In addition to shops, of which there are many, it is also home to the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, which merits a look, especially if visiting with children.

Then we have the Mall of the Emirates, which contains the aforementioned ski park and penguins – but how many people visit the desert to ski? For those who appreciate the novelty, Ski Dubai contains five runs, with lessons in skiing and snowboarding available.

For a more authentic Emirati experience, visit Dubai’s souks, which are open-air marketplaces. The gold and spice souks are dazzling and offer an experience you won’t find in a mall.

Mosques

For those hoping to take in more of the Emirates culture, a visit to a mosque is recommended. The Jumeirah Mosque is based in Dubai and is the only mosque in the city that welcomes non-Muslim guests six days’ a week.

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Abu Dhabi, you can see the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. It is the main place of worship in the country and is regarded as a work of art, featuring 82 domes and 24-carat-gold gilded chandeliers.

Food tour

Just under 20% of the people living in the Emirates are native to the country, with a high proportion of the rest of the population made up of expats from Asian countries such as Iran, India and Pakistan. The food in Dubai reflects the diversity of its inhabitants, and a food tour is a great way to experience this.

One that comes recommended by the Irish Farmers Journal’s Clodagh Carey is the Frying Pan food trail, which comprises a guided food tour of Old Dubai

Says Clodagh: “It provided a lovely evening of flavours and conversations. We embarked on a four-hour journey exploring foods from a subset of Middle Eastern cultures.

“From the most flavourful falafels in the city to fragrant saffron-kissed ice cream, this will be one authentic Arabian Night your tastebuds won’t forget.”

The tour isn’t suitable for vegetarians, people with serious food allergies or anyone seeking a high-end dining experience. The price of the tour, which was 388AED (€100) per person, included unlimited water and any food ordered by the host.

You can also avail of a complimentary shuttle bus from a common meeting point. To book your food tour, visit www.fryingpanadventures.com.

flights

Emirates operates direct flights to Dubai from

Dublin airport.