Souks, safaris and spectacular sunsets – what’s not to love about Dubai? In a city where everything is virtually on tap – except alcohol – it’s the perfect international stopover destination for your teens to let their hair down without you tearing yours out!

From below and above ground level, Dubai’s swathe of edge-of-your-seat thrills and glitter strip offerings reveal an insta-genic split personality that offers up more magical experiences than Harry Potter’s first day at Hogwarts and boasts enough A-list celeb appeal to satisfy the pouty demands of any groupie Gen Z’er. Here’s our quick pick of what’s ‘lit’ in the UAE’s largest city.

Mall hopping

Dubai is an irresistible lure to those seeking out the latest fashion trends and accessories which is why shopping rates as the desert city’s number one activity. Vans-wearing VSCO girls will go giddy with 96 malls across the city in which to shop to their scrunchie-loving heart’s content. In central Downtown, the giant Dubai Mall offers over 1200 outlets alone. Tech fans can fill up hours checking out Apple’s latest smart technology at the equally impressive Mall of Emirates.
To make pocket-money stretch further hit the Dubai outlet mall – with discounts of up to a whopping 90 per cent on regular retail prices.
For shoppers, the best time to travel is between December and January during the Dubai Shopping Festival when the best in the business spruik their top styling tips on site, shoppers can enjoy live music, fireworks displays and enter mega prize giveaways.

Souk it up

Beyond the polished facades, along Dubai Creek’s charming street souks, tweens and teens can venture beyond their air-conditioned comfort zone by breaking in their unblemished sneakers amongst the hawkers and heady aromas of the perfume and spice markets and pick up some shiny new accessories in the gold markets while experiencing a more authentic Arabian atmosphere.

Tall stories

Trade has brought great wealth to this Middle Eastern metropolis and the Emirati have no shame in flaunting it. From couture to cuisine and now architecture, the definition of ‘haute’ has been seriously redefined here thanks to the Burj Khalifa. Piercing the sky for nearly a kilometre above sea level, this impressive 160-storey tower beside Dubai Mall, is currently the world’s tallest structure. And yes, you can climb it, figuratively, via the world’s tallest service elevator. The highest of its two observation decks scales a vertigo-inducing 555 metres. Parents can pay a premium (from 370AED/AUD$140) to skip the long queues at the bottom and enjoy Arabic refreshments in the luxurious Sky Lounge on Level 148.

Stroll among the stars

To ensure Dubai’s star pulling power is second to none, the Burj Khalifa’s owner, Emaar Properties will soon add to its portfolio of nearby premier attractions (which includes the Dubai Mall, Dubai fountains and Dubai Opera) with Dubai Stars – a walkable tribute to 10,000 stars and influencers from all over the world – and set to be four times larger than the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Action stations

‘Action’ is not just a cinematic buzzword. In Dubai, the promise of it draws in thrill seekers and adventurers across the globe.
While temperatures may sizzle outdoors, pack a beanie alongside your board shorts and bikinis for some below zero thrills in the Mall of Emirates’ infamous indoor ski centre. Dubai Ski has five ski runs, a toboggan run and chairlift and you can pose for a pic with a penguin. Later, line up for a perfect continuous break at Wave Rider, part of Atlantis, The Palm’s newest entertainment precinct, the Wavehouse.

The highlight on our family stopover was 4WD dune bashing in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve before enjoying a camel ride and dinner in a traditional Bedouin-style camp.

Sky diving, circuit car racing, go-karting, outdoor cinemas, hot air ballooning, zip lining, sand boarding, jet skiing, mega theme parks, water parks, aquariums, arcades and beaches – day or night there are endless places in Dubai for teens to be and be seen.