If you like to combine a bustling city break with lots of visits to the beach, you can’t go wrong by booking flights to Dubai.

This Arab nation is situated on the coast, south of the Persian Gulf, and is well placed to cater to those who enjoy sunbathing, as well as tourists who want to be in the heart of a driving metropolis.

Located in the Arabian desert, Dubai is a warm city perfect for beach bums, but when you arrive, you’ll likely want to spend some of your time exploring the vibrant emirate.

After landing and completing your cheap flights to Dubai, settle into your accommodation and decide what you’d like to do. If you are near the marina, you can enjoy a stroll around this man-made harbour, with its many glittering skyscrapers, which is an especially attractive sight at night.

When choosing to visit some of the landmarks that Dubai has to offer, you may want to keep in mind that the city is divided into two sections: north and south of the creek. To get from one point to another, you’ll need to take a water taxi, which can be a nice experience in itself.

There is much to see and do in the city, from visiting historic buildings and archaeological sites to dancing the night away in some of the popular clubs or enjoying some retail therapy in what has been dubbed the commercial capital of the Middle East.

Why not start your tour of the sights in Bur Dubai’s southern location? Here you will find the picturesque old district of Bastakiya with its narrow streets and tall wind towers that were once the only way to cool homes in the area before electricity became commonplace. Here you will also discover the imposing Fahidi Fort, built in 1799, alongside a large concentration of traditional courtyard houses.

If you want to learn more about your destination, venture inside the castle and you’ll find the Dubai Museum, which houses exhibits related to life and trade in the desert. See artifacts, musical instruments, and weapons, among other items of interest, before heading to some architectural wonders.

One such building is the Great Mosque, which boasts the tallest minaret in the city, more than 50 domes, and beautiful stained glass windows. Also in the area is the museum of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, the grandfather of the current ruler. The house has been restored to its former glory and is now considered a fine example of regional architecture.

To see more impressive buildings, take a water taxi to the northern part of Dubai, Deira. Here you can see the Burj Nahar watchtower, built in 1870. The landmark is surrounded by exotic gardens and is a perfect place to enjoy the greenery in the midst of the vibrant city. Head next door to a pearl merchant’s house: Heritage House, built in ancient bastakiya style with coral and plaster.

You can also visit the coastal residential area of ​​Jumeirah, which is popular with tourists for various reasons. One of them is the beach, so it is ideal if you want to spend a few hours in the sun. Another attraction is the fact that one of the most important archaeological sites in the United Arab Emirates is located here.

Artifacts dating back to the 6th century were unearthed and historians have said the site may have been in use as early as the 3rd century.

If you’re interested in exploring Dubai further, get a taste of the local culture by visiting the markets, known as souks. In Deira’s Covered Souk you’ll find textiles, henna, spices and kitchen utensils, while Deira’s Spice Souk offers what its name suggests: all kinds of aromatic ingredients that fill the narrow streets where vendors sell their wares directly. of the sacks that chamber inside

Meanwhile, there is also a thriving gold market, where you can pick up beautiful pieces of jewelery at bargain prices, mirroring the thriving precious metal market in Dubai, which is fast becoming a global business hub.

Signs of this economic growth can be seen throughout the city. For example, you might want to gaze out over the sea at the World Islands, a collection of man-made islands created for those with deep pockets to shop. Or look skyward to see the world’s tallest tower, Burj Khalifa, which stands at 2,716 feet.

Don’t forget to visit some of the beaches before you think about catching your flight home, and if you haven’t managed to take in all the sights, you may want to look into cheaper flights on your way back to the city.