Rising out of the desert, the emirate of Dubai is the steely lovechild of ambition and tradition, drawing millions to its (partially man-made) shores for business and pleasure each year. Tick off the major attractions in the Flower of the Arabian Gulf before you delve beneath its surface.

***

You’ll probably see Dubai’s two biggest attractions before you even reach the runway. Standing at a whopping 829.8m (2,722ft), the Burj Khalifa has been the world’s tallest building since 2009, and seeing it in the flesh (especially from the air) really packs a punch – while the Burj Al Arab, smaller at 321m (1,053ft) but no less iconic, stands proudly on the shore like the enormous full sail of a luxurious yacht. 

• 

Balance out these modern feats with a stop at the Al Fahidi Historic District, where narrow lanes wind through a neighbourhood dating from the 1890s, now home to a collection of small museums, galleries and cafés.  

If filling your Insta feed is a top priority, you’re in the right place. Head to the Dubai Mall to stock up on the latest designer togs, then prepare to get posing. Fancy a shot of Dubai’s surreal skyline set within an enormous gilded structure? The towering 150m (492ft)-high Dubai Frame has you covered. Prefer selfies on the sand while turquoise waves lap at your feet? Jumeirah Beach might be more your speed – or, if you like your shoreline opulent, artificial and speckled with upmarket eateries, hotels and shops, opt for a spell on the breathtaking Palm Islands.

• 

If you’d rather fill your itinerary with history than hashtags, the Dubai Museum offers an excellent introduction to the emirate’s culture through a series of galleries and exhibits, and – housed within the Al Fahidi Fort, Dubai’s oldest existing building – is as fascinating outside as in. 

Likewise, a visit to the Jumeirah Mosque is a peaceful window into the city’s Islamic traditions (though it’s also the most photographed mosque in all of Dubai, so you might want to take a few snaps), while you’ll be surrounded by 50 million flowers at the Dubai Miracle Garden – a fitting end to your time in a city which made the desert bloom.

•