Dubai beach named one of world's best

Jumeirah Beach in Dubai has been named as one of the best city beaches in the world.

A list of the top nine urban shorelines across the globe has been compiled by CNN, which ranks Jumeirah sixth.

'Soaring skyscrapers, mega-malls and manicured golf courses all catch the eye but the center of attention in the Middle East's most fantastical city-state remains its beautiful coastline,' the news provider's report stated.

CNN ranked beaches based on giving them a score out of five for five criteria - cleanliness, visual stimulus, food and drink, safe swimming and party factor.

Jumeirah Beach scored best for safe swimming due to the shallowness and warm waters of the Gulf. It was also rated particularly highly for food and drink thanks to the range of Jumeirah Beach Road and party factor due to beach bars such as Barasti.

'When the emirate's ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, decided to bank Dubai's future on its tourism potential, he rightly saw the spotless beaches and crystalline waters of the Gulf as one of his main assets,' CNN's report added.

Rio de Janeiro's Ipanema Beach was ranked as the best city shoreline in the world, followed by Sydney's Bondi Beach and Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The UK's Brighton Beach was rated the fourth best in the world, while Barceloneta Beach, Barcelona came in fifth.

Coming behind Jumeirah Beach were Miami Beach, Kitsilano Beach in Vancouver and Clifton Beaches in Cape Town, South Africa, which completed CNN's top nine.

Jumeirah Beach is not Dubai's only attractive sandy shore and its wide range of beautiful sea spots is one of the reasons it has become so popular as a tourist destination. Other beaches in the emirate include Habtoor Grand Beach Resort and Spa, Palace Beach, Umm Suqeim Park Beach and Mercato Beach.

With sunshine throughout the year and temperatures that regularly exceed 30 degrees C, it is no surprise sun seekers head to Dubai from across the world.