Ten amazing activities in Dubai with Engin Altan Düzyatan

Always one to embrace an adrenaline rush, Engin headed straight to Skydive Dubai and leapt out of a plane above the iconic Palm Jumeirah. You too can feel the rush – and see the emirate from a very different perspective – with a breathtaking free-fall and parachute ride. If you’d rather take the leap over the vast Arabian desert, Skydive Dubai has a second location outside the city too.

Step back in time and see what life was like in Dubai during the middle of the 19th century. Engin visited the heritage area along Dubai Creek, where he engaged in his passion for photography and met a live falcon, the UAE’s national bird. Here you can also explore the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU), the Coins Museum, the Calligraphy House, performances by local craftspeople and more.

After a relaxing lunch, it’s time to test your head for heights. Perched 219.5m above ground, on top of the Address Sky View hotel in Downtown Dubai, this attraction comprises three pulse-quickening activities – the Observatory, Glass Slide and Edge Walk. Ever the daredevil, Engin particularly enjoyed the Edge Walk – swinging happily off the side of the building while strapped to a safety harness.

Named one of the most beautiful museums in the world by National Geographic, the Museum of the Future explores how society could evolve in the coming decades using science and technology. Engin and his wife Neslişah visited the stunning landmark with their two children, where they enjoyed a wealth of interactive activities from exploring the colourful DNA library to playing with a friendly robot dog.

Children can unlock the power of positive play and let their imaginations run free at OliOli, an experiential play museum comprising eight galleries in Al Quoz. The attraction captivated Engin and Neslişah’s youngsters (as well as their parents), as they conducted fascinating aquatic experiments in the Water Gallery, witnessed the wonders of gravity in the Air Gallery and much more. 

Offering incomparable views from 240m above Palm Jumeirah, this observation deck presents 360-degree panoramas of the iconic manmade island alongside the Arabian Gulf and Dubai skyline in the distance. Engin and family headed up to level 52 of The Palm Tower, where they took in the spectacular sights and snapped some eye-catching photos to mark the occasion.

The best of British is on the menu, as celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay showcases old school favourites including a signature beef wellington, fish and chips, shepherd's pie and top-notch roasts. After a packed schedule of sightseeing, Engin brought his family to this popular restaurant at Atlantis, The Palm, where they tucked into all manner of delicious dishes and reminisced about their unforgettable visit to Dubai.