Dubai's luxurious waterfront development is a purpose-built canal city with parks, promenades, impressive properties and shopping complexes.

The Dubai Marina is one if the world's largest man-made canal cities. Explore the area that runs for nearly 3 kilometres (2 miles) along the Shoreline of the Persian Gulf, where extravagant high-rise buildings and impressive speedboats and yachts can be seen.

Begin your visit to the canals on a traditional Arabian dhow boat tour. Day and night tours offer excellent opportunities to experience the different atmospheres of the waterways. See luxury boats by day and the illuminated waterfront by night. There are many interesting sights to see along this entirely man-mad area. Incredibly, a process of excavating the desert, so water from the Gulf Sea could flow into the canals, created it.

There are many landscaped parks and trails along the waterfront to enjoy. Walk around the marina on the 7-kilometre (4.5-mile) Marina Walk. Stop for a cool drink at one of the bars and admire the speedboats and opulent yachts that are moored in the marina. Soak up the sun then cool off with a refreshing swim at Jumeirah Beach.

Shop at the Dubai Marina Mall, where some of the best shopping opportunities can be found within this enormous complex. Immerse yourself in over 120 shops and then browse the open-air kiosks at the Marina Market, located outside the mall. Open Wednesday through to Saturday, between October and April, the Marina Market is located along the promenade. Combine your visit with a relaxing stroll along the waterfront while taking in the sea air. As the sun sets, settle in at one of the restaurants and enjoy local and international cuisines.

More varieties of food can be explored in the mall’s Gourmet Tower. With seven levels, all devoted to cuisines and provisions, you will find a different food and dining concept on each floor. And you won’t be able to miss the stunning 360-degree views of the Persian Gulf.

The Dubai Marina is 20 kilometres (13 miles) west of downtown Dubai. It is accessible by car via the Sheikh Zayed Road and can reached by public transport via the Dubai Metro red line.