How to celebrate Dubai's incredible culture, both past and present
Yet behind the futuristic skyscrapers, Michelin-star restaurants and glamorous malls, Dubai's traditional heart remains. The streets of the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood and the scented souks, fragrant with spices and vibrant with colour, are ripe for exploration.
Discover new tastes at Dubai's Spice Souk, filled with stalls offering exotic spices
Credit : Getty
The rich heritage of the nation is perfectly juxtaposed with Dubai's modernity, where international cuisine and beach life are set against the backdrop of an ancient culture.
Dubai Creek takes you on a whirlwind trip back in time, where you can cross between Deira and Bur Dubai on an authentic abra boat. Enter the labyrinthian Spice Souk in Deira Wharf, with its sacks and bags of brightly hued fragrant spices, or head to the even more highly scented Perfume Souk. And don't miss the dazzling sight of the Gold Souk, where you can barter for gems and diamonds, precious metals and jewellery.
For an authentic journey like those enjoyed in the past, take an abra boat trip at Dubai Creek
Credit : Getty
Bur Dubai is the oldest part of the city, where dhow boats are moored at the water's edge and the distinctive narrow streets and Arabian wind towers – a traditional way to cool buildings – define its Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. Here, you'll also find museums and galleries, artisans honing their craft, and peaceful, shaded courtyards. You can learn more about Emirati traditions and enjoy a traditional meal at the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding.
Head out on a Dubai desert safari Land Rover tour for an unforgettable trip over the dunes
Credit : Getty
Travel further back in time by leaving the city behind you and heading into the wilderness for a desert dinner visit, isolated under the starlight and lit by torches. A desert safari tour will show you Dubai as it was in the 1950s, taking you in open-top vintage Land Rovers on a spectacular journey through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve to a Bedouin camp.
After soaking up Dubai's history, it's time to return to the present. Nothing brings you more up to date than the city's striking architecture. The impressive Museum of the Future is housed in a steel torus-shaped building covered in Arabic calligraphy.
Dubai Opera brings the best of the performing arts to the very heart of Dubai
Credit : Shutterstock
You can soak up awe-inspiring views from the top of the tallest building in the world – the Burj Khalifa – and explore the heritage of the UAE within the gleaming white curves of the Etihad Museum. The Dubai Opera is a fittingly glamorous venue for a whole variety of performances, while the Dubai Frame doesn't just present the cityscape in a novel way, but also tells the story of the Emirate and its future, and offers the feeling of walking on air as you cross its glass bridge.
There are art galleries, such as the Ayyam and Majlis galleries, showcasing contemporary Middle Eastern art, and the culinary scene encompasses everything from modern Emirati chefs creating home-grown havens to the glamour of celebrity show-stoppers, fabulous brunches to cosy cafes.
Majlis gallery is a must-see for its range of fine arts including paintings and sculptures
Credit : Majlis Gallery
Golfers will enjoy the opportunity to tee off on some of the world's most spectacular courses, including beachfront, desert and pristine parkland.
For car lovers, there's a wealth of vintage and luxury cars, both driving around the streets and on display in one of the city's many car cafés. These venues not only celebrate motorsports, but offer the chance to see some incredible cars up close.
And of course, the beach clubs are simply sublime, with sun, sea and sand spreading out before you under shady palms; plus sumptuous dining, sultry music and a lively party atmosphere.
Arrive in style by flying with Emirates
Award-winning Emirates has flights to Dubai from eight UK airports: Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow. With comfortable cabins and only a four-hour time difference between the UK and Dubai, you'll arrive refreshed. Economy passengers can settle in to enjoy the acclaimed food and entertainment (there are 6,500 channels).
Premium Economy guests can recline further thanks to the extendable leg rests. And Business-Class passengers can snooze in lie-flat comfort and stretch their legs in the onboard lounge. All while Emirates' cabin crew give you a taste of the warm hospitality you'll experience in Dubai.
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Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
The 21 best restaurants in San Sebastián
San Sebastián 's reputation as a culinary capital is built on contrast: high-end tasting menus on white linen and two-bite pintxos eaten elbow-to-elbow at the bar. With more Michelin stars per capita than almost anywhere else, the city is known for excellence but it's the sheer range of flavours, from charcoal-grilled turbot to slow-braised beef cheeks on toast, that makes this spot worthy of flying for. While the pintxo, San Sebastián's answer to the tapa, has evolved into a miniature art form, its spirit remains delightfully informal: one drink, one bite, and on to the next. At the same time, locals pack into sit-down restaurants for hearty Basque classics made with pristine market ingredients. The proper way to eat here is all of the above: a bar crawl, a steakhouse and a tasting menu if you can. Few places reward the hungry like this coastal city. All our recommendations below have been hand-selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best restaurants in San Sebastián. Find out more below, or for more San Sebastián inspiration, see our guides to the city's best hotels, bars and things to do. Find a restaurant by type: Best all-rounders Best for families Best for cheap eats Best for fine dining Best for walk-ins Best for pintxos Best all-rounders Casa Urola Many an unwitting diner has popped a pintxo or two downstairs at Casa Urola and moved on, not realising that upstairs sits one of the best restaurants in San Sebastián. Pablo Loureiro is a chef's chef, sticking to his guns when it comes to extreme seasonality and carefully sourced product. It's impossible to go wrong with the menu of vegetables, grilled meats and fish, and Basque specialties like cod kokotxas and line-caught squid. Share plates to try the most of what is, quite literally, the best produce you will find in town. Area: Old Town Website: Prices: ££ Reservations: Essential Best table: Technically, the restaurant is upstairs; however, there is a table for friends and insiders at the back of the pintxo bar, hidden behind a screen. Astelena 1997 Astelena 1997 is a local's favourite for a special meal out, mostly thanks to chef Ander Gonzalez's solid market-based cooking in which the only surprise factor is how consistently good it all tastes. It doesn't hurt that he is also at the helm of one of the top cooking television shows in Spain, for which he has traversed the Basque Country's winding roads to interview its most authentic farmers and artisans. It makes sense, then, that the sourcing is impeccable throughout the menu, from the squid rice to the tripe to the char-grilled steak. Don't miss the famous hake pate. Narru Chef Iñigo Peña has been perfecting the use of local produce at Narru for a decade – first in Gros, then on the shores of La Concha, and now under the shadow of the Buen Pastor cathedral. At Narru, you'll find some of the city's best kokotxas – the fleshy, gelatinous cheeks or throat of cod – and that's saying something in the cod-revering Basque Country. You'll also find all of San Sebastián's highish society – Narru is wildly popular. Be sure to order from the off-menu specials, as that's where you'll find the hyper seasonal produce and seafood. Area: Centro Website: Prices: ££ Reservations: Essential Best table: For a less formal atmosphere, reserve a table on the terrace, under the historic palisade arches. Maun Grill Bar What started as an informal pop-up in the San Martín market has evolved into one of San Sebastián's best stops for produce purists. Chef Mateus Mendes and Unai Paulis get the best from the greengrocers, butchers and fishmongers in the market, and their winning formula consists of cooking it perfectly with not much more than a kiss of smoke from the grill. The menu is short, so go in a group and order one of everything. Don't miss the rice dish – this is perhaps the only decent paella in the Basque Country, thin with edges crisped to perfection. Laia Laia is a theme park for meat lovers, where you can hop on the 140-day, dry-aged steak train or ride the roller coaster of a horizontal tasting of one-, two- and even five-month-aged beef. Chef Jon Ayala, winner of the National Spanish Grilling Contest, knows his way around a cut of beef, and at Laia, he showcases meat parts that rarely make menus, from heart to fat to bone marrow. Located on the gently sloping hills of the Txingudi bay, the asador also sees a rotation of spectacular local sea bream, squid, and other fresher-than-fresh seafood. Ganbara This family-run spot is still run daily by mother and son, Amaia and Amaiur, who deftly balance greeting longtime customers with placing orders and putting together their famous ham and cheese croissant. Don't be surprised if it's hard to spot them over the gigantic piles of seasonal produce. There are generally at least three types of exotic wild mushrooms on offer, which are seared and plated to order with a simple, silky egg yolk. Peppers, asparagus, artichokes – whatever the season has to offer occupies nearly half the bar, and this spot's pintxos are elegant classics designed to let the raw product shine. Back to index Best for families Zelai Txiki Zelai Txiki serves up traditional dishes with a modern touch, from a hill on the edge of San Sebastián. The ethos is self-sufficiency and control over every aspect of the food they cook and serve: vegetables come from their own garden, picked by the chefs, bread is made from a seven-year-old starter in a wood-fired oven, and even the txistorra sausage is made in house with a luscious mix of pancetta and presa, a meltingly tender cut of pork. The menu uses local produce in a playful way, topping traditional mains like squid with a tomato ice cream (it works) or using spherified citrus juices as a way to add a tart note to lobster. To try their famous wood-roasted suckling pig and lamb, reserve at least two days ahead. Zazpi STM Chef Paul Arrillaga and Maite Mujika built a following at their beloved pintxo bar, slinging flavourful oxtail ravioli and mini-dishes of rice with salsa verde for the masses. They uprooted their small operation to take up residence in the sprawling Museo San Telmo, San Sebastián's fine arts museum, and regulars have come to love the elevated versions of their cooking. Always surprising (try the squid rice with coconut and an ink 'snack') and deeply flavourful (confit suckling pig in its jus), Zazpi never disappoints. Patxikuenea This grill house sits in the hills outside of San Sebastián, and day after day, chef-owner Aitor Manterola does what he does best: stoke the flames and grill. His special passion for steak borders on obsession; from the selection and ageing of the meat to the application of salt and heat, Aitor has strong opinions on the best way to cook a txuleta. This makes Patxikuenea, which has been in the family for two generations, perhaps the best spot to try the thick-cut Basque steak. Eat as tradition mandates, crowned by roasted red Piquillo peppers, a sharp simple green salad, and fried potatoes. La Viña With its retro pintxos that still tout innovation awards from over two decades ago, La Viña would be easy to write off if it weren't for one thing: the cheesecake. Dozens are made and sold per day, and once they are gone for the day, they are gone. Order a slice of this ethereal tarta de queso, which has gone viral everywhere from Asia to the United States, and enjoy it with a dark glass of Pedro Ximenez sweet sherry for the perfect ending to a night of pintxos. Back to index Best for fine dining Arzak If you can only fit in one round of Michelin stars, book a table at Arzak. Juan Mari is one of the founders of the New Basque Cuisine, a movement dating back 50 years that combines Basque respect for ingredients with innovative techniques and molecular gastronomy. The restaurant is now driven by his daughter, Elena, and a research and development lab that churns out a selection of new dishes every year. Take the tasting menu, a comprehensive journey through both the seasons and some of the restaurant's greatest hits, like the capa de bogavante, a lobster salad wrapped in a thin carrot slice and garnished with wild flowers. Area: Intxaurrondo Website: Prices: £££ Reservations: Essential Best table: The chef's table in the kitchen is the most exclusive, but if you can't get in, ask for a table downstairs where natural light is abundant. Mugaritz This restaurant, opened in 1998 by a young, dream-filled Andoni Luis Aduriz, has come to dominate best restaurant lists (currently number 30 in the world) from its farmhouse out in the countryside. Synonymous with creativity and intellect, Mugaritz pushes the envelope more so than any other restaurant in San Sebastián. Diners should keep in mind that the tasting menu is as mentally challenging as physically satiating – some dishes, such as a pile of ice topped with scarlet prawn concentration, fare better when judged with the head than the palate. There are plenty of delicious dishes as well, and all of them surprising, thanks to a research and development department that devotes a third of every year to 'creativity'. Rekondo On the outskirts of San Sebastián, Rekondo has an exterior like that of any other Basque farmhouse. Inside these walls, however, lies one of the world's best wine cellars, captured and transcribed on a wine menu over 250 pages long. Owner Txomin opened the restaurant in 1964 to show off his personal wine collection, which features priceless bottles of everything from Rioja to Mouton Rothschild. Food refuses to fade into the background – Rekondo's menu is marked by refined Basque favourites. Order the two specialities: rice with clams and squid in its ink. Area: Antiguo Website: Prices: ££ Reservations: Essential Best table: In the summertime, ask for a table on the shaded, romantic terrace. Elkano Smack in the centre of the tiny fishing village of Getaria, about 25 minutes from San Sebastián, sits Elkano and its humble-looking outdoor grill. Worth what is a slight pilgrimage, this family-run restaurant focuses not on making lists and gaining stars but on maintaining a tightly-knit, decades-old relationship with local fishermen. Aitor Arregi is the second generation, and he continues that jovial relationship to bring in the freshest catch from the port, where they get their turn on the huge grill. The speciality is the wild turbot, which Aitor often serves himself, taking care to point out the cuts rarely given a second look, from the tiny cheeks to the gelatine gathering around the fin. Back to index Best for cheap eats Arenales The diminutive chalkboard menu at Arenales is like a greatest hits album –nothing but the best. At this tiny spot, run by Cynthia Pereira behind the bar and Santiago Torres Carrossia in the kitchen, every dish sings. From roasted carrots with mint and labneh to cured beef served with torn mozzarella, endive and almonds, the offerings have a delicate sensibility that veers slightly left of the city's standards. The wine menu is the most extensive natural wine offering in the city, with excellent bottles from the likes of Partida Creus and Matassa, which draws quite an eclectic, interesting crowd. Area: Centro Contact: 00 34 943 43 59 53 Prices: £ Reservations: Advisable, especially on weekends and in summer Best table: The restaurant is small and narrow; get the table in the front window for people watching and more space. Bodega Donostiarra Despite its ever-growing popularity, locals still line up for Bodega Donostiarra's individual Spanish omelettes, tomato-stewed meat, and cider-braised chorizo. The bustling bar has a gorgeous, pintxo-crowded marble bar top, where its famous banderillas glisten on their toothpicks. The Indurain is the one to try – a big chunk of conserved tuna, delicate pickled guindilla chilis, olives and the salt-cured anchovies the region is known for. Vie for a seat on the terrace and watch the world go by over a glass of fizzy txakoli wine. Eguzki Berri Awards scatter the wall of this hip pintxo bar in the corner of Gros. The space is small and the bar is packed with pintxos plated quite cheekily, in coffee cups or half-opened tins. A selection of nearly 20 vermouths (served up with a drop of bitters, gin, and dehydrated citrus fruits) pairs perfectly with the fried calamari with ink aioli, making this an ideal spot for a weekend pintxo hop. Back to index Best for walk-ins Bells Bar It's not every day that a new pintxo bar opens up in San Sebastián's old town, crowded as it is with family-run institutions. Bells Bar is a welcome addition, with a Spanish omelette so gooey and savoury it immediately became a neighbourhood legend. Chef Lancelot has worked across many of the best pintxo bars in the old town, and he fuses this experience with his English upbringing and his partner Sarah's Colombian culture to craft a menu of pintxos and small plates unlike anything else in the pintxo radius. Don't miss the croquetas de sancocho, fried balls redolent of the delicious Latin stew, or the crumpet topped with spider crab a la donostiarra. La Espiga If you only have time for one pintxo in San Sebastián, make it the delicia. This simple bite, from one of the city's oldest pintxo bars, defies the general rule that bar-top pintxos aren't worth the stomach space. A thin slice of bread with two thin slices of hard-boiled egg, salt-cured anchovy, and a finely chopped mixture of onion and garlic on top, finished with a dash of Worcestershire sauce – this pintxo also defies the laws of matter, packing more flavour than seems humanly possible into two small bites. Back to index Best for pintxos Txepetxa Txepetxa is an old-school spot, with walls covered in photos of famous guests and ceramic replicas of its famous anchovy toasts on the bar. The foundation of the menu is a daily selection of the freshest anchovies in the market, marinated according to a secret family recipe by second-generation chef and owner Manu. Try the silvery filets atop freshly toasted bread, garnished with signature mixtures from spider crab cream to the vinegary onion and pepper jardinera. Antonio Bar The nondescript frontage and minute size of Antonio Bar belies one of the best pintxo bars in the city. Gregarious owners, Humberto and Ramón, personally greet customers both new and old from behind the bar, half of which is weighted down by a selection of house-cured anchovies, salmon, cured beef and sardines, in casserole dishes filled with olive oil. Placed upon freshly toasted bread and served with unique garnishes, they are Antonio's signature. Be sure to order whatever is displayed in the way of fresh produce, like the porcinis (served with an egg yolk and foie) or green guindilla peppers (served flash fried and sprinkled with salt). Borda Berri A sign over the bar at this packed pintxo spot on Fermín Calbetón, San Sebastián's rowdiest street, reads ' Aki se guisa ', or 'Here, we cook slow'. A closer look reveals a bar empty of pintxos, scattered instead with diners, glasses of wine, and hot pintxos of braised meats and sauces shiny with demi-glace and solid cooking know-how. This is the spot to try traditional fish and meat dishes, from beef cheeks to cod tongues, each coaxed to tender perfection by the deft hands of chef Marc Clua. How we choose Every restaurant in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets, from neighbourhood favourites to Michelin-starred restaurants – to best suit every type of traveller's taste – and consider the food, service, best tables, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up-to-date recommendations. Marti Buckley I have lived in the delicious city of San Sebastián since 2010, and still think it's absolutely perfect (minus the rain). I left my job as a cook in the States and moved here for the food. I've since gone on to publish two acclaimed cookbooks, Basque Country and The Book of Pintxos, and you can find me trying every new pintxo in the name of research on my blog.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
The English seaside town with no arcades or rides but named the best in the UK
And it can be easily reached by train SANDS GREAT The English seaside town with no arcades or rides but named the best in the UK IT MIGHT be a little unusual to want a seaside spot without arcades - let alone find one in the UK - but one top seaside town offers an arcade-free experience. Littered with pastel-coloured holiday villas and fisherman's huts selling the daily catch, Aldeburgh in Suffolk doesn't just offer an arcade-free spot, but a wealth of history too. 3 Aldeburgh in Suffolk doesn't have any arcades Credit: Getty Most famously, the town is known for its links to the Tudor period and shipbuilding. Aldeburgh comes from 'Alde' and 'burgh' meaning 'old fort'. Henry VIII himself even gave the port town its borough status. And later, it became the site where famous ships were built including Sir Francis Drake's Golden Hind and the Virginia Company's Sea Venture. Today, the town still celebrates its rich history and has a literary festival each year. There are some famous faces that call the town home too, such as former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane. Locals also boast about the town's fish and chips, with The Suffolk recommended by Michelin. Along the high street, instead of arcades you will find clothes boutiques, antiques shops and independent book stores. One stop to head to is O&C Butcher - a 130-year-old clothes store selling top brands including Barbour and Gant. The town is also known for being the home of famous composer, Benjamin Britten. I visited the seaside town with the UK's best fish and chips Today, during the summer months, visitors can head to his home, The Red House. Britten shared the home with Peter Pears and it is nestled in a five acre garden, with a farmhouse, gallery space, shop and cafe. And there is a historic cinema in the town too. However, it doesn't look like your average cinema from the outside, as it features timber framing. The beach itself boasts both shingle and sand and backs onto the town, making it the ideal spot for adventuring to after exploring the town. On the beach you will also find The Scallop - a sculpture that is a tribute to Benjamin Britten. 3 But it is still worth exploring with a great highstreet and picturesque beach Credit: Alamy The Times recently named the seaside town the best in the UK. It stated: "The East Anglian coast often seems stuck in a bit of a time warp, and if anywhere exemplifies this it's Aldeburgh. "Aldeburgh is a vision of the English seaside of yesteryear: wooden shacks and bathing huts, boats pulled up on the shingle, strolls along the prom with ice cream in hand. "It's super for coastal walks, and there's bird-spotting at the nature reserves of Dunwich Heath and Minsmere — one of only a dozen or so places in Britain where it's still possible to hear the boom of the bittern." It takes about two hours on the train to head to either Saxmundham or Darsham from London - the nearby train stations. Then it is a short drive to Aldeburgh. There is also an English seaside destination where prehistoric creatures once roamed and it has been named one of best places to visit in the world. Plus, the English seaside district that used to be its own island is ranked amongst best places to visit in the world this summer.
Scottish Sun
19 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Inside Scotland's underrated city oozing with history & good food – and it's NOT Edinburgh
And it's just more than 30 minutes from Glasgow I'VE always had a fascination with Scottish history. But it's the more gritty history that piqued my interest — the kind with swords and spears, of fierce battles for glory and relentless fights for survival. 8 Stirling is filled to the brim with interesting history Credit: Getty 8 It's the perfect spot for a staycation - or for tourists from further afield Credit: Alamy 8 We stayed at the Stirling Highland Hotel Credit: Fraser Band Despite that, I realised I'd spent my entire life without properly visiting the site of one of Scotland's most notorious battlegrounds, the site of William Wallace's triumph in a city steeped with history. I'm talking of course about Stirling. A city — modest in size — often (wrongly) overlooked by tourists who would favour a visit to Edinburgh or Perth for their medieval fix. Its cobbled streets and towering castle (nestled on top of a 350 million year-old volcanic rock, no-less), coupled with a modern, bustling city centre, proved the perfect staycation spot for me and my family. And we didn't have far to drive - a quick 35 minute hop in the car from Glasgow and we were there. 8 The room was perfect - spacious but with a cosy feel Credit: Stirling Highland Hotel 8 The hotel seamlessly blended old school architecture with modern amenities We'd booked the wonderful Stirling Highland Hotel — a charming Victorian building and former school steeped in history. The hotel seamlessly blends old school architecture (it was built in 1845!) with stylish fittings and top-range amenities, including a heated indoor pool, gym, squash court and a wide range of ESPA treatments. It even has a dog-friendly offering for those with four-legged friends! Oh, and not to mention the fully functional observatory that can be hired for stargazing — once gifted to the school by the former Prime Minister Henry Campbell-Bannerman before his time in office in 1905. I was visiting with my wife Aleena and daughter Leela — a toddler who is just starting to get her confidence exploring the world — and to say this hotel was a perfect spot would be an understatement. The check-in process was a breeze thanks to their wonderful staff — something that takes the weight off the shoulders when trying to wrestle with a little one too impatient to stay in one place for too long! Our walk to our room took us down cloisters reminiscent of a scene from a Harry Potter film, with nods to the former school signposted the whole way. The room was perfect, spacious but with a cosy feel, complete with a nice TV and travel cot for Leela. An ideal base to prepare for our adventure and to return to relax after a long day. GO: Stirling A double room at the 4* Stirling Highland Hotel is from £100 a night, two sharing. See Of course, one thing you can never count on in Scotland is the weather. On arrival we were met with absolute downpours. Not letting it get us down, we ventured to the pool and were relieved to see a family changing room — it's little things like that which make a huge difference. We took turns supervising our little paddler while the other relaxed with a steam or sauna, the perfect way to unwind before dinner in the appropriately named, award-winning Scholars Restaurant. The menu was brilliant, a real mix of traditional Scottish cuisine with modern twists on some all-time classics. For starters, we shared Irn-Bru glazed chicken lollipops (yes, you read that right . . . and yes, it was as good as it sounds). 8 We took a visit up the Wallace Monument... but be wary of the steps! Credit: Alamy 8 Stirling Castle is a must-visit for all touristsCredit: Alamy 8 I visited with my wife Aleena and daughter LeelaCredit: Jack Aitchison Aleena opted for the pan roasted sea bass for her main. I'm a creature of comfort and couldn't resist the ribeye steak — expertly cooked with a side of fries. Perfection. And for Leela, the chef was more than willing to cater to her dietary needs — while the serving staff were also on hand to patiently talk us through the menu. Full praise all round! All that was left to do now was explore. A short walk up took us up to Stirling Castle (the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots) and after devouring the history there, it was a quick drive to the Wallace Monument . . . and its 246-step spiral staircase! Stirling proved to be the ideal blend of past and present, offering a brilliant experience for all ages and leaving us eager to return.
