7 record-breaking reasons to visit Dubai

1. Tallest building

The Burj Khalifa pinched this title in 2009 from the Taipei 101 in Taiwan, and in a couple of years it’s going to know exactly how its predecessor felt. The Tower is still a glitzy artist’s impression at the moment, but give it a couple of years and the Burj will slip into the list of former winners. For now, though, it’s still top dog.

To really get a grasp of how tall it is, imagine The Shard, Big Ben and the Leaning Tower of Pisa stacked on top of one-another. Pop the Eiffel Tower on top for good measure, and you’re still 66 metres short. Basically, if you’re visiting, you’d better like heights.

2. Biggest sweet shop

Probably best not to tell your dentist about this place. Candylicious is like an Aladdin’s cave of chocolatey, sugary goodness – the problem is deciding which treat to try first. The shelves are piled high with cookies, pick ‘n’ mix, truffles – you name it, they’ve got it. It’s the biggest sweet shop in the world, and you don’t need a golden ticket to get in. Take note, Wonka.

3. Highest theatre

You’ll need a head for heights if you want to take in a show at The Act – a vintage-style theatre on the 42nd floor of the Shangri-La Hotel. Renaissance artwork, velvet seats and antique furniture make it stand out from its ultra-modern surroundings. Show-wise, you can expect everything from circus performers to old-school thespians.

4. Largest indoor ski slope

Ski Dubai is the be-all and end-all when it comes to indoor snowsports. There are alpine-style lodges at the foot of the slopes, and the whole place covers a whopping 22,500 square metres. If you don’t know a ski pole from a snowboard, you can book in for beginner’s lessons. There’s also a black run, the world’s first to be mapped out indoors, if you fancy yourself as a bit of a pro.

If active days out are your bread and butter, keep an eye out for Dubai’s movie inspired theme park, which is due to open in October this year. Motiongate™ Dubai will offer 27 movie-themed attractions, including rides based on The Hunger Games and Ghostbusters.

5. Biggest choreographed fountain

What’s better than a dancing fountain? Try a dancing fountain with music, more than 6,000 lights and 25 colour projectors thrown in for good measure. The Dubai Fountain, in the Burj Khalifa Lake, was designed by the same outfit that came up with the famous Bellagio water feature in Las Vegas. This version is choreographed to shoot 22,000 gallons of water more than 500 feet into the air, in time to music. Impressive? Not half.

6. Largest shopping mall

The Dubai Mall is right at the foot of the cloud-piercing Burj Khalifa, and much like its lofty neighbour, this place has got a world record to its name. You can try to stick to window shopping, but with 1,200 stores and 160 places to eat, you’ll probably end up splashing out. If shopping’s not your bag, there’s an ice rink and an amusement park to keep you occupied.

And if you make a bit of a dent in the holiday fund, don’t worry. We’ve got your back. Here are some of the best bargain brunches in Dubai where you can fill your boots without breaking the bank.

7. Biggest artificial island

Shaped like a giant palm tree, the Palm Jumeirah was a real labour of love. It took five years before the first properties were ready on this quirky man-made island, but the end product is pretty special. Now, it’s one of the most sought-after spots in Dubai, lining up top-of-the-range hotels, fancy apartments and swanky villas.

The pick of the bunch is the mighty Atlantis, The Palm, which was designed like a huge palace, with grand turrets and a huge Arabic archway in the centre. If you’re feeling brave you can try its Mayan Temple waterslide, which launches you into an underwater tube surrounded by sharks.

Ready to see a few record-holders up close?

Take a look at more of our holidays to Dubai, plus some of our top tips for things to do while you’re there.

Even if it’s just flights you’re after, we’ve got you covered. Just search for Dubai flights and take a look at some of our deals.

Author: Shaun Ringwood