24. World’s First Temperature Controlled City
Dubai is planning to build the world’s first city that has temperature control, called the Mall of the World. It’s a huge project that will cost $6.8 billion and cover 48 million square feet. The idea is to create something like a giant shopping mall, but it will also have 100 hotels and apartment buildings. It’s going to be so big that it’s expected to draw 180 million visitors each year.
The Mall of the World won’t just be about shopping; it will also be a place where people can enjoy culture and entertainment. It will have a district full of theaters, much like New York’s famous Broadway. There will also be a special walking area inspired by a famous street in Barcelona. On top of that, there will be a ‘wellness district’ for medical tourists. With this new project, Dubai aims to make a big splash in how cities are designed, focusing on being both amazing and environmentally friendly.
25. Unusual Car Park Attendants
Welcome to Dubai, where parking your car is an adventure in itself! Forget your humdrum parking garages and their forgettable attendants—how would you like a lion guarding your precious wheels? You read that right: in a city known for its opulence and flashy cars, some car park owners have decided that the best way to protect their clients’ automotive investments is with bona fide lions. This isn’t the stuff of comic books or cartoons; these are real, live, majestic big cats that you definitely don’t want to cross.
And we’re not talking about just any cars. These lions are guarding some of the most luxurious, eye-wateringly expensive vehicles on the planet. Why settle for a security camera when you can have a 400-pound feline doing the job? It’s like having a private security detail that’s also a National Geographic special. So if you’re parking your six-figure ride in Dubai, rest assured it’s in paws—err, hands—more capable than you could ever have imagined. Would-be thieves, you’ve been warned: Tread carefully, because these attendants bite.
26. Uber Lux
Bored of regular Ubers? Buckle up, because in Dubai, every car ride can be an over-the-top extravaganza! Forget about minivans and sedans—imagine being picked up by a Lamborghini or a Bugatti when you slide your finger across that Uber app. That’s right, for just around $8 to $10 for a 10-minute spin, you’re not just buying a ride; you’re snagging a VIP ticket to the fast and the luxurious.
You might be thinking, “No way, a Lambo for 10 bucks?” Oh, yes way! You see, Dubai isn’t just rich in skyscrapers and gold vending machines; it’s also overflowing with folks who own these ritzy sports cars. Sometimes, they’re the ones who’ll swing by to pick you up when you request an Uber. So next time you’re in Dubai and need a lift, don’t just ride—ride in style, my friends! Because you never know, your next Uber driver might just rev up your day in a way you never imagined.
27. Sailing Supermarkets
Think grocery shopping is a land-based activity? Not in Dubai, where even the concept of a supermarket has taken to the seas. Welcome to Carrefour Bites & More by the Shore, a supermarket that floats and serves you right on the water. With a range of items priced between $5 and $20, you can pick up hot and cold snacks, fresh food, beverages, ice cream, and even necessities like medicine and sunscreen without ever having to go ashore.
Launched in 2018, this unique floating store was the world’s first “sail-through” supermarket. It operates six days a week from 10 AM to 6 PM, weather permitting. So whether you’re out boating, jet-skiing, or enjoying a day on a yacht, this sailing supermarket has got you covered. You can find it servicing the Kite, Jumeirah, and Al-Sufouh Beaches, making it a convenient and novel way to grab your essentials while enjoying a day on the water.
28. Pet Cheetahs
Some people in Dubai keep cheetahs as pets to show off how wealthy they are. You might see these big cats going for walks with their owners or even riding in the front seat of a fancy car. But owning a cheetah isn’t just risky; it’s also against the law and can result in big fines.
While it might look cool to have a cheetah, it’s actually not a good idea. These wild animals can be dangerous and are meant to live in places like Africa, not someone’s home. Keeping a cheetah as a pet can make the animal sick and is really not fair to them. So, it’s better to let these amazing creatures live freely in the wild.
29. Edible Gold Dishes
As if there wasn’t enough gold already, in Dubai bling isn’t just for your finger—it’s for your fork! That’s right, the city that never skimps on luxury takes gastronomy to a glittering new level by offering foods wrapped in edible gold. From gold-dusted burgers and blinged-out ice creams to cappuccinos that gleam like a pirate’s treasure, you can munch on metals all you want. But don’t get any ideas about chowing down on your gold jewelry—only culinary-grade gold, which ranges between 22 to 24 karats, is fit for consumption. So, are you feeling peckish for something precious?
If you’re a foodie with a taste for the shiny and spectacular, then you can’t miss the “Go for Gold” package at Trophy Room, a sports bar tucked away in Dubai’s Fairmont hotel. This epicurean experience serves you classic pub grub but with a golden twist: think 24-karat gold-dusted chicken nuggets accompanied by golden fries. So if you want to eat like a king or queen, you know where to go!
30. Hot Air Balloon Ride in Dubai Desert
Ever dreamt of floating high above the Dubai desert, watching the sun rise over a sea of sand dunes? You don’t have to imagine anymore. For $350, less than the cost of tandem skydiving in the city, you can make that dream come true. Picture the endless red and orange waves of sand glowing in the sunlight, creating a surreal, breathtaking landscape that’s home to countless desert creatures—though you’d be hard-pressed to spot them from up there.
But wait, there’s more! The hot air balloon experience isn’t just about the flight. Your adventure also includes a breakfast and a falcon show. Plus, you get to enjoy a 60-minute “air safari” showcasing some of the most stunning views the Dubai desert has to offer. So if you’re looking for an unforgettable way to experience the natural beauty of Dubai, this hot air balloon ride has got you covered.
31. Driverless Taxis
Hop into the future with Dubai’s driverless taxis, a game-changing venture that debuted back in 2018. Pimped-out Mercedes-Benz sedans make up the fleet, each armed with LiDAR tech—a laser system that constantly measures the distance between the car and surrounding objects. Don’t worry about speed demons here; these robotic cabs have a max speed of 20 mph, prioritizing safety over the need for speed. And with room for up to four passengers, you and your friends can experience tomorrow’s tech today.
But hold your horses—these taxis are driverless, but not without a human backup. Each car comes with a “safety driver” in the front seat. While the car is fully capable of cruising the streets on its own, this attentive human is there to seize the wheel in case of emergencies. It’s like having a guardian angel who also knows how to parallel park! So, you get the best of both worlds: a glimpse into a future of autonomous driving, paired with the peace of mind that only a human touch can provide.
32. $9.53 in Gold on Display
Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates has a really amazing sight: 250 kilograms of gold bars on display! That’s about 551 pounds of gold. The gold is arranged to look like a shopping bag and is worth about $9.53 million. You can see this impressive display at a store called Jumbo in the mall.
The gold isn’t just for looking at; it’s also a way to get people into the store. This big gold display was set up to promote a shopping festival in Dubai. Jumbo Electronics worked with the Emirates Gold Refinery and another group called DFRE to make it happen. The gold has brought lots of visitors to the store, making it a smart way to attract attention.
33. Coined Range Rover
Forget gold plating or diamond encrusting; Dubai is offering a Range Rover completely covered in coins—57,000 of them to be exact! These coins, which can be either antique or everyday-use, are meticulously hand-polished before being glued to the car’s body. The entire process is incredibly labor-intensive but leads to a truly unique vehicle.
But here’s the clincher: all those coins add an extra 375 pounds to the Range Rover, which already weighs a staggering 6,834 pounds. As CarBuzz pointed out, it’s perhaps the most “blinged-out” car wrap you’ll ever see. With an estimated value of $6,000 just for the wrap, this coined Range Rover is certainly making a statement—one coin at a time.
34. Zipline over Dubai Marina
If you’ve ever wanted to see Dubai from a bird’s-eye view while getting an adrenaline rush, XLine has got you covered. For the thrill-seekers, XLine offers one of the world’s fastest and steepest ziplines, right over the Dubai Marina. The zipline is 0.62 miles long, suspended 558 feet above the ground, and lets you reach eye-watering speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. With a single ride priced at $177 and a double at $354, it’s an experience not for the faint of heart, but then again, when has Dubai ever been about subtlety?
As you glide over the Marina, you’re treated to stunning vistas that include picturesque beaches, opulent yachts, and the pristine waters below. And if it’s the urban landscape you’re more interested in, there’s also an XLine route that takes you over Downtown Dubai. There, you can marvel at the sleek high-rises and ritzy neighborhoods that make up this extraordinary city.
35. Million Dollar Wedding Cakes
Forget everything you thought you knew about over-the-top, because Dubai is rewriting the rule book, one million-dollar wedding cake at a time. In a city where opulence is the norm and luxury knows no bounds, a life-sized bride cake is just the tip of the iceberg—or should we say, the top of the fondant?
This jaw-dropping cake isn’t just a feat of culinary skills; it’s a crystal-clear reflection of how Dubai does it bigger, better, and definitely more luxuriously than anywhere else. Seriously, in what other city can you sail through a floating supermarket or have pizza delivered by a Ferrari? Only in Dubai, where even your wedding cake can rock its own diamond-studded headdress. I mean, this city makes Vegas look like a garage sale. Brace yourselves; in Dubai, the extraordinary is just another Tuesday.
36. Planet Earth Car
Hold on to your seats, because you won’t believe this one—even by Dubai’s outrageous standards. Sheikh Hamad bin Hamdan al Nahyan, better known as the Rainbow Sheikh, has created a car that’s literally out of this world. Picture this: A drivable, globe-shaped car that’s an exact 1:1,000,000 scale replica of planet Earth. No, you’re not dreaming or stuck in a sci-fi flick; this mobile sphere is as real as it gets!
But wait, there’s more! Inside this Earth-on-wheels, you’ll find not just a steering wheel and a few seats, but two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a fully-equipped kitchen! It’s like an RV that graduated from Harvard. The Rainbow Sheikh uses this engineering marvel to trek across the vast deserts of Dubai like a roving world ambassador. And let’s not forget, he houses this beauty alongside his insane collection of cars in a museum that’s open to the public for free. In a city known for opulence, the Globe Car proves once again that in Dubai, the sky—or should we say the globe—is the limit!