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As the biggest and most well known city in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai has a reputation for luxurious resorts and towering, modern skyscrapers. You can definitely find a slice of grandeur, but there are many other sides to Dubai that you may like to explore. Here are some places in Dubai that you may like to stay in while visiting this cosmopolitan city.

• Downtown Dubai



Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world and is located at the heart of Dubai's Downtown area (also known as Downtown Burj Dubai), which is adjacent to ever-busy Sheikh Zayed Road. In the vicinity of Burj Khalifa you'll find several luxury apartments, all with a spectacular view. Most of the apartments here boast jaw-dropping views of Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain, an huge fountain with water shows you won’t like to miss. This area is also where the world largest shopping center is located - Dubai Mall. Souk Al Bahar, an outdoor commercial area with several restaurants, is also one of the highlights near Burj Khalifa. The Downtown Dubai is ideal for everyone who wants to feel at the centre of the action with easy on-foot access to nearby attractions. A curious fact: the total cost for building this area from scratch reached the staggering amount of US$20 Billion.

• Dubai Marina



Dubai Marina district, south of Jumeirah Beach and established in 2003, is a man-built canal, densely populated by high-rise buildings. The second tallest building in Dubai and one of the tallest buildings in the world is residential-only Princess Tower (while there just look for the building that has a top-crown and you'll know you've identified it). At Dubai Marina you can find Dubai Media City (a state-of-the-art regional media hub) and Dubai Internet City (a technological park operating under the rules of a free economic zone). If you enjoy night strolls we suggest a visit to Dubai Marina Walk, an outdoor venue where restaurants and bars are abundant. Hotels in Dubai Marina area are housed in skyscrapers with fascinating views (specially as the night falls and the lights start to lit up) or near Marina Beach (sea views in the front, skyline view on the back). It wouldn't be Dubai if there wasn't a large shopping Mall in the district - in this case Dubai Marina Mall, one of the largest malls in Dubai. Both Jumeirah Beach and The Palm are a short-drive away.

• Jumeirah Beach



If a beach holiday with plenty of activities, clean beaches, and the option of some vibrant night life is what you’re looking for, Jumeirah Beach is a prime option. Most of the resorts dotting the coastline have private beaches, ensuring that your sunbathing will not be interrupted by overcrowding. If you’re interested in more of an adrenaline rush, there is a whole array of water sports available, including waterskiing and windsurfing, as well as a giant water park (Wild Wadi Waterpark) in the vicinity. At night, take a stroll down to the various restaurants, beach clubs, and stylish bars to sample delicious local cuisine as well as international menus.

• Palm Jumierah



A floating palm in the Persian Gulf. What started to be a dream soon became a real project and, by the end of 2014, The Palm Jumeirah artificial island was finally completed. Would you rather be away from it all and relax next to a perfect private white sand beach? In that case, you have found the right place to stay in Dubai. Luckily for you, there are many luxury hotels at The Palm to stay in. For sea views, this is most probably the best place to stay in Dubai. Dubai's skyscrapers will be distantly on the horizon so you never forget there is an exciting metropolis ready to be explored. Know that by staying in The Palm you will always need car transportation to reach Dubai Downtown, Jumeirah Beach or Dubai Marina. Again, this is the place to stay sufficiently far from the city to rest your body and soul but at the same time only a 20-minute drive to Dubai's major attractions.

• Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood



The Al Fahidi neighbourhood is said to best represent Dubai in the mid 19th century. The buildings in this area are typically constructed with traditional materials such as wood and stone, and situated in close proximity to create a labyrinth of alleys. You may also notice that many buildings still retain wind towers called “barjeel,” which served to channel wind into houses in the past for cooling purposes. This is just one example of how the Al Fahidi neighbourhood remains a whole world apart from the modernized downtown and resort towns catered to the rich and elite. Nowadays, some of the old buildings have been adapted into quaint cafes and artist’s workshops, making the neighbourhood an absolute delight to explore.

Whether you are planning to splurge a little on a lavish resort, looking for a convenient base for your business trip, or on a mission to learn more about Dubai’s history and traditional culture, we hope this list has been useful in introducing a few of Dubai’s best neighbourhoods to stay in!