Book & compare flights to Dubai (DXB) with Cathay Pacific from AUD1,742

On the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa perches Atmosphere, one of the world's tallest restaurant at 442 metres and an impressive Dubai attraction. Get a window seat (there’s plenty with 360 degrees of glass) for unparalleled views over Dubai City or the Persian Gulf, before delving into a menu of modern European cuisine. Breakfast here costs about the same as entry to the viewing decks a floor above.

Equivalent in size to more than 50 soccer fields, Dubai Mall is one of the largest shopping malls in the world. Featuring an indoor ice rink, trampoline park, and The Dubai Fountain – there's something for everyone, whether or not shopping is on the agenda. To top it off, the centre of the mall features a 10 million liter aquarium that houses over 140 species of aquatic animals, making this a place not to miss on your holiday in Dubai.

These rickety wooden raft-slash-boats made from African teak speckle Dubai Creek, ferrying locals and tourists between Bur Dubai and Deira. A public abra (traditional ferry boat) carries up to 20 passengers and takes about five minutes, but you can hire your own to explore more of the waterway — one of the best things to do in Dubai at sunset.

Dubai’s prettiest public beach has plenty to offer the active traveller from kite surfing and paddle boarding to a promenade that stretches 14km from Dubai Marine Beach Resort to the Burj Al Arab. Recently revamped to house trendy food trucks and cafes, Kite Beach now attracts a young, laid-back crowd.

Since the ‘40s, gold has been a major trade for the Emirate, which is now one of the largest gold markets in the world. You’ll believe it upon entering the Gold Souk off Old Baladiya Street, where more than 380 retailers showcase extravagant displays of heavy wedding jewellery and a Guinness World Record-beating ring.

Built in the Fatimid style that combined elements of Abbasid, Byzantine, Ancient Egyptian, Coptic architecture with North African twists, the Jumeirah Mosque is an impressive pale pink delight. Since it opened in 1979, the mosque has been key in Sheikh Mohmmed’s mission to 'Open Doors. Open Minds.’

Half of the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood village was destroyed in the ‘80s to make way for a new office block. But the rest of its 19th century buildings were preserved on Prince Charles’ recommendation. Drink at the charming Arabian Tea House Cafe, see contemporary art from the Middle East at XVA Gallery, and learn more about Dubai’s customs at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding.

Head to the Emirate’s largest National Park for a day of kayaking on the calm waters of Hatta Dam. You can trade the skyscrapers of downtown Dubai for the Hajar mountains in just 90 minutes, unless you stop at Hatta Heritage Village en route, where a sandcastle-like watchtower is one of the oldest in the city.

Spend the night star-gazing in the deserts of Sharjah with the Mleiha Archaeological Centre, who organise overnight camping trips. Aside from its otherworldly red sand, the area is also a Unesco-nominated World Heritage Site that’s home to Bronze Age tombs and pre-Islamic forts.

As you’d expect, “The World’s Only 7-Star Hotel” is the pinnacle of luxury. But for those that don’t want to pay for some of the most expensive rooms on the planet, there’s another way to enjoy architect Tom Wright’s boundary-pushing superstructure. Every evening, the Burj puts on a colourful light show, which can be seen from along Jumeirah Beach.