Local before arrival
The best time to fly over this imposing desert city is just before sunset, when the light bounces off the skyscraper windows and the rolling waves. This bird’s eye view, overlooking the manmade Palm islands and Dubai’s more than 1,300 villas, makes the dimensions of the city clear—while offering guaranteed goose bumps and the opportunity for great souvenir photos. A 20-minute flight costs around $275. Custom routes can, of course, also be arranged.
