a journey to dubai

Dubai Itinerary for up to 7 Days (+Map & Planning Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: June 3, 2024

Visiting Dubai in the United Arab Emirates for the first time and wondering how to plan your trip so that you can see most of the top sights in Dubai?

What are the ‘must-sees’? How many days do you need? And how to plan your time so that you can make the most out of your trip, no matter the duration…

In this guide, we share  a recommended Dubai itinerary for 7 days.  Why 7? Because this is about the minimum amount of time you need if you want to see most of the top places in Dubai, take a day trip to Abu Dhabi (must-do!), and keep your trip somewhat relaxed and enjoyable.

Our suggested one-week Dubai itinerary is described below in detail, including the map indicating all the top sights and attractions. We also included our experience-based tips to help you with the practical side of planning a trip (such as which tickets to pre-book in order to avoid disappointment).

If your trip is shorter and you have less than a week in Dubai, you can simply adjust our recommended Dubai itinerary based on your interests and the time that you have. To make it easier to decide what to see, we listed the very best places and top attractions first. So for example, with three days in Dubai, follow the itinerary described on days 1, 2, and 3. With 5 days in Dubai, follow the recommendations for the first 5 days, etc.

Of course, you can also ‘mix and match’, pick the activities that interest you the most, switch the days around, and plan your own perfect trip. Use this just as inspiration for the top places to see and what can actually be done in Dubai in a week. And if your trip is shorter, you can also find some suggestions for half a day, a day or two in our guide on planning a stopover in Dubai .

Dubai Itinerary Overview & Map

Here you can see our recommended Dubai itinerary in a nutshell as well as the map indicating all the top sights mentioned in our article.

Further below, you can find a detailed day-by-day itinerary with more info, tips, and photos. It will give you a better idea of what to expect and how to plan your time so that you can see the very best of Dubai in a week or less.

This is our recommended 7-day itinerary for your first trip to Dubai:

• DAY 1: Downtown Dubai (Burj Khalifa) + Museum of the Future
• DAY 2: Old Dubai + Desert Tour
• DAY 3: Burj Al Arab, The Palm, Marina
• DAY 4: Abu Dhabi Day Trip
• DAY 5: Dubai Miracle Garden + Global Village or IMG Worlds of Adventure
• DAY 6: Waterpark (or an alternative day trip)
• DAY 7: Dubai Frame + AYA Universe + iFly Dubai

Good to know: In this itinerary, we grouped the best places to see in Dubai and top activities based on their location and the time that you need in order to visit them and to travel in between. Traffic can be really busy, so it’s important to keep that in mind when planning your Dubai sightseeing itinerary! For more tips, be sure to also read our Dubai travel tips .

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

Practical Info & Planning Tips

Here is some practical information to help to plan your trip to Dubai:

Getting around: The cheapest and fastest way to cover big distances in Dubai is the metro. However, depending on where you are staying/going, a taxi is a very good and affordable option as well. See our guide to Dubai public transport for more info.

Renting a car is quite affordable, but parking can be a real hassle in Dubai. Plus, most guided tours include pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation, so renting a car is not a must.

Where to stay: For a short trip to Dubai with sightseeing as the main focus, stay close to Dubai Mall (e.g. Sofitel Dubai Downtown ). If you are staying for a week or longer, consider the Dubai Marina area (e.g. JW Marriott Hotel Marina ) or Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) near the Marina (e.g. Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach ).

Our experience: We tend to stay on the beach when visiting Dubai. Once we stayed at Doubletree by Hilton JBR Beach , and recently we stayed at Rove La Mer Beach Hotel which is at the beach, but also close to the Dubai Mall area. This area is still under development but has a very hip and relaxed feeling.

Tickets and tours: If you wonder whether you need to pre-book anything/everything, my advice is simple: if you don’t want to miss it, be sure to book it in advance. Tickets to the most popular attractions in Dubai often sell out, some even weeks upfront. And even if you can get them on the spot, they are usually (a lot) more expensive than online. For tours, it depends. Usually, you should be able to book last minute, but if you find a tour you like, just reserve it.

Good to know: Most of the attraction tickets and tours we recommend can be booked via the GetYourGuide website which offers very flexible cancelation so you have nothing to lose. This is the website we personally used for all our tickets and tours in Dubai. In our detailed day-to-day itinerary below, you can find more information about tickets and tours that we recommend.

Please note that all the hours in our itinerary are only indicated for your reference so that you have a better idea of how much time approximately you need everywhere. Don’t forget to foresee plenty of buffer time between the attractions that work with timed entry slots!

Museum of the Future – Sky Views Observatory – Dubai Mall – Burj Khalifa – Dubai Fountains.

Day 1 – planning info/tickets to book:

• Museum of the Future – timed entry tickets (book at least a few weeks in advance!).
• Sky Views – timed entry tickets or tickets + Edge Walk .
• Burj Khalifa – timed entry tickets (book well in advance!).
• Optional: Burj Lake boat ride , Dubai Aquarium .

Good to know: Some of these attractions can also be booked together, as a combo deal. For example, Burj Khalifa + Dubai Aquarium ticket can save you about $20 per person. You can find more options and bundle deals here .

Here’s what your first day in Dubai could look like:

Museum of The Future

9.30 – 11.30 AM.

Start your day with one of the most popular attractions in Dubai – the Museum of the Future . The iconic building is one of the most remarkable landmarks of Dubai and the museum is the most sought-after ticket in the UAE.

A visit to this museum gives you a peek into the future of space travel and climate change, but also health, robotics, and AI. With lots of interactive displays, it’s an interesting place that the whole family will enjoy. But frankly, a lot depends on your expectations – some people love it, others say it’s over-hyped. Either way, it’s worth visiting even if just for the remarkable architecture.

PRO TIP: Book your tickets for this museum well in advance. They are usually sold out at least 2-3 weeks upfront. In addition, if you want to be able to pick a time slot as well, you really should book at least a month in advance.

Practical info: The museum is open from early morning and you will need a couple of hours for a visit. So ideally you start your day here and keep the afternoon for the Dubai Mall area. Booking the first time slot is also the best way to enjoy the exhibits without a big crowd!

12 – 1.30 PM

Next, take a metro to Dubai Mall. It’s just two metro stops from the Museum of the Future and as you exit the station, you’ll be right at the next place we recommend visiting – Sky Views. Alternatively, you can also take a taxi, just be sure to ask them to drop you off at the right place depending on what you decide to visit first (the Dubai Mall area is huge!).

Sky Views is an observatory at 720 ft (219.5 meters), offering some of the best 360° views of Downtown Dubai. From here, you have an unparalleled view of the iconic Burj Khalifa, which is located just nearby but also at a nice distance to admire it to the fullest.

In addition to the viewing platform, there is also a glass-bottom walkway , a bit like at Dubai Frame (more about it on day 7 of this itinerary).

Plus, all tickets include one go on the Sky Glass Slide , a short transparent tube that ‘floats’ at the side of the building. Don’t worry – it’s not nearly as exciting as it sounds, and frankly, I’m still not sure if I would queue for it for almost an hour again… But if it’s not too busy, be sure to give it a try. It’s fun!

Good to know: At an additional cost, you can get a ticket that includes the Sky Edge Walk . Attached with a harness, you walk on an open platform on the 52nd floor. This looks so cool and could easily become one of the best experiences you do in Dubai.

Since one of our kids has a serious fear of heights, I couldn’t try the Sky Edge yet (on the most recent trip, I was in Dubai alone with the children, so hanging on the side of a building while the kids waited inside wasn’t really an option ;)). But if you are up for it, give it a try – it looks amazing and everyone we talked to who did it was very enthusiastic.

Talking about heights, the same kid was totally ok with the glass slide, but he wouldn’t step on a glass-bottom walkway… Go figure…

Practical information: Book timed-entry tickets (with or without the Sky Edge Walk option) in advance. To be on the safe side, give yourself at least half an hour to get to Sky Views Observatory from the Museum of the Future. The metro ride is just 3 minutes, but you also need to walk to the metro and find your way around the Dubai Mall station, etc.

AFTERNOON + EVENING.

Next, time to visit the famous Dubai Mall . Inside, you will find plenty of places for lunch . From fine dining options and pricier restaurants overlooking Dubai Fountains to lower-budget fast-food chains, the choice is overwhelming.

The entrance to Burj Khalifa is also located here, at the lower level of the Mall. Depending on your preference for daytime or nighttime views and/or which time slot you can get for Burj Khalifa (more info below), you can explore the Dubai Mall first or after visiting the tower.

The Dubai Mall complex is so huge and has so much to offer that you could easily spend an entire day and still not see part of it! In addition to hundreds of stores and restaurants, you will also find all kinds of family-friendly attractions here, including an indoor ice skating rink, KidZania , MirrorMaze, cinemas, indoor playgrounds, and many others.

TIP: Do not miss the Dubai Mall Waterfall and Dubai Aquarium. Both can be admired for free, but if you want to visit the aquarium inside, you’ll need a ticket (and it’s really expensive for what it is and even worse if you didn’t think to get your tickets online…). So if you want to visit here, consider this combo ticket with Burj Khalifa (and book in advance!).

Good to know: Dubai Mall is huge and overwhelming for a first-time visitor. There are multiple levels, interconnected with countless staircases and elevators, plus multiple entrances and exits. So foresee plenty of time for everything and don’t plan too many attractions on the same day. Or do the things you absolutely want to do first and then see if you still have time and energy left for the rest.

Burj Khalifa

The highest building in the world, Burj Khalifa is the most popular tourist attraction in Dubai. While you can admire this iconic building from outside as much as you like, you will need a ticket to visit the ‘At the Top’ experience.

There are several options for which levels you can visit, and ticket prices vary depending on that, but also on the time of the day when you come.

The standard ticket includes levels 124 and 125 and gives you access to unparalleled 360° views over Dubai and the Arabian Gulf. You can also opt for this ticket that includes levels 124 and 125 as well as lunch or dinner at Rooftop, The Burj Club.

PRO TIP: We recommend getting this ticket that includes access to SKY Level 148 (in addition to standard levels). This ticket also gives you priority access to security and the elevator, which will save you a lot of time and stress. That’s worth a higher price in itself. It also includes an introductory tour with a guest ambassador and access to the lounge with snacks and hot drinks (except during the daytime in the month of Ramadan).

Practical information: The busiest and most expensive time to visit Burj Khalifa is ‘around’ sunset, which in practice means the entire late afternoon. For example, if the sunset is at 6.30 PM, ticket prices are higher between 3 PM and sunset time… But if you only enter at 6.30, the sun will long be gone by the time you get to the top, so I see no point in paying more for the time slots that are too close to the actual sunset time…

TIP: If you want to enjoy daytime views, the sunset, and night views, book a time slot about 1.5-2 hours before the sunset. That way, you should be able to get to the top in time, even if there are long queues. Alternatively, as already said before, get priority tickets which will save you a lot of queueing.

Dubai Fountains & Burj Lake Boat Ride

+-15-30 MINUTES.

No trip to Dubai would be complete without seeing the famous Dubai Fountains show at Burj Lake . You can find these fountains outside of the Dubai Mall, at the foot of Burj Khalifa.

While this area is always nice to explore and walk around, the best time to be here is in the evening, when you can see a musical show and the fountains dancing with the backdrop of Burj Khalifa.

The fountain schedule is as follows: daily at 1 PM and 1.30 PM, plus every 30 minutes from 6 PM to 11 PM. On Fridays, there is no show at 1 PM, but there is one at 2 PM. The shows are always slightly different and if you come here in the evening, you’ll likely catch a few of them.

TIP: In addition to seeing the fountains from land, you can also opt for a short scenic boat ride on Burj Lake . These boats also give you a front-row seat during a fountain show. It looks very touristy, but the kids wanted to do it on our recent trip and we all enjoyed it more than I expected. It’s quite affordable for Dubai standards and we all found that it was well worth it. It’s also a nice way to rest your legs a bit after all the sightseeing.

Spend the rest of your day/evening in the Dubai Mall area. Afterward, take a metro or a taxi back to your hotel.

Good to know: The taxi and Uber stands at the Dubai Mall are located at one of the underground levels, quite far from the Dubai Fountains, and are very confusing to find (plus, the taxi stand is not the same as the one for Uber).

So if you want to call it a day after visiting the fountains, simply walk to any public road on either side of Burj Lake and call a taxi from there – it’s so much easier! For example, there is a taxi drop-off point on the main road behind the Dubai Opera.

Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood – Dubai Creek – Traditional Souks – Dubai Desert.

Day 2 – planning info/tickets to book:

• Old Dubai – we recommend visiting with a guided tour .
• Dubai Desert tour – there are many options including various activities .

When you think of Dubai, you probably associate it with skyscrapers and all the iconic modern-day landmarks. However, no trip to Dubai would be complete without exploring its old town and the desert.

So on your second day, we recommend that you spend some time getting to know the more traditional side of Dubai.

Here is what your day could look like:

9.30 AM – 12.30 PM.

In the morning, take a couple of hours to explore the Old Dubai.

Start at the nicely restored Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood . Here, you can find several low-key museums and a few traditional restaurants, but the best thing to do is simply walk around the area. Here, you will find a completely different Dubai, as it used to look in the not-so-distant past.

Afterward, take a ride on a traditional Abra boat to the northern side of Dubai Creek. Here, you will find the two most popular traditional markets in Dubai: the Spice Souk and Gold Souk .

TIP: We recommend visiting this area with a local guide . Not only because it’s easier and you don’t need to plan anything, but it’s also a nice way to get to know more about the history of the UAE and learn about local traditions and customs. Plus, you can get some tips for haggling at the markets.

Good to know: There are many tours that visit the Old Town. They all cover pretty much the same places, including the boat ride. Most tours take about 3 hours, are very affordable, and have great reviews. The main difference is that some of them include some/more local food and drinks.

Frankly, it’s really hard to choose a tour. I wasted hours reading descriptions and reviews and was still none the wiser… So save yourself the trouble and just pick any highly-rated tour that suits your itinerary and you should be fine.

In the end, we chose this guided tour because it includes quite a lot of local food at one of the best traditional restaurants (in addition to the markets and other sights that all tours visit). But if you are less interested in food and more in the area, you can find plenty of cheaper tours as well. Most of them include at least one local snack too.

On our first visit to Dubai many years ago, we opted for a bit longer city tour that included a few other areas as well. The old town part of both these tours was very similar.

After visiting the old town, get back to your hotel and take some time to relax and enjoy the pool. Depending on the location of your hotel, which desert tour you booked, and the pick-up time for the tour, you should have a couple of hours of free time.

Good to know: When booking a tour that includes a pick-up/drop-off at your accommodation, keep in mind, that they will usually pick you up about 30-45 minutes before the official starting time. If you book tours online, they will usually reach out to you via WhatsApp either the evening before or in the morning.

TIP: Don’t eat too much for lunch if you book a desert tour that includes a BBQ dinner. There is so much food on these tours (and it’s delicious) – you won’t be hungry. Plus, if you opt for a dune-bashing in a jeep, it’s better that you haven’t eaten too much just before that…

Desert Safari

3 – 10 PM.

A visit to the desert is another experience that should be in any Dubai itinerary. No matter which tour you choose, you are in for a good time, but be sure to read tour descriptions so that you know what exactly to expect!

There are  many desert tour options , either about 4 or 7 hours. Unless you want to go on a hot air balloon (in which case it will likely be in the morning), we recommend looking into afternoon/evening tours that include a BBQ dinner.

On these longer tours, there is usually one main activity, such as a 4×4 dune safari in a jeep, a quad bike ride, or a camel ride. The rest of the time is spent in a Bedouin camp where you can find all kinds of different experiences (sandboarding, taking pictures with falcons or camels, traditional dance shows, henna painting, etc.) which are all included with the tour.

The food on these tours is usually very good and plentiful. Water is included and most of the time, soft drinks and local warm beverages are included as well.

Our experience:  We have been on two different desert tours in Dubai (on different trips). They were both evening tours including dinner, had very similar itineraries, and were both very good. The main activity on  the first tour we did was dune bashing in a jeep. Other activities included sandboarding, a very short camel ride, a traditional Tanoura dance show, etc.

On a recent trip, we opted for  this highly-rated tour . The main activity this time was a 45-minute camel ride. Other activities included taking pictures with falcons, henna tattoos, shisha pipe, traditional dance shows, a fire show, etc.

Good to know: Just like with the old town tours, there are so many desert tour options that it can be overwhelming to pick one. First, decide what you want to do – for example, quad biking , a camel ride , etc. Then, read the description so that you know what’s included. For example, many tours include a short camel ride (for a picture), but only very few do a longer trek through the desert.

In general, all these tours are quite similar, and – at least in our experience – very good. Just be sure you know what you are booking so that you don’t end up on a quad bike while you were expecting to sit on a camel…

Burj Al Arab – Souk Madinat Jumeirah – The Palm – JBR Beach – Dubai Marina.

Day 3 – some ideas for activities on this day:

• Inside tour or a Royal Suites tour + gold cappuccino .
• The View at The Palm Observatory
• Sightseeing Helicopter Ride
• Luxury Yacht Sightseeing Tour .
• Zip Line Across Marina .
• Marina E-scooter Tour .

On your third day in Dubai, we recommend visiting the area around Burj Al Arab, The Palm, and Dubai Marina and potentially also the nearby JBR Beach .

If you just walk around without visiting many attractions, then you can easily see all these places in a day. If, however, you opt for any of the activities, you will have to adjust your itinerary depending on the place/time of whatever you decide to do.

There are a lot of attractions that you can choose from on this day, but none of them are ‘must-do’. So a lot depends on your interests and budget. Also, don’t book too many different activities at different locations for the same day, and keep traffic in mind.

Here is what your third day in Dubai could look like:

Burj Al Arab & Souk Madinat Jumeirah

+-10 AM – 1 PM.

The sail-shaped Burj Al Arab is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Dubai. It’s renowned as one of the world’s most luxurious hotels with lavish interiors and extravagant experiences.

You can just see the hotel from the outside, or you can also book a tour of the interior . If you want to get a taste of true luxury, upgrade to this luxury tour which includes their world-famous gold cappuccino and a visit to the 25th floor where you can see the Royal Suites.

Set against the backdrop of the Burj Al Arab, Souk Madinat Jumeirah is a bustling souk with traditional Middle Eastern charm. This area also has some picturesque waterways offering nice views of the Burj Al Arab.

Good to know: Depending on what you decide to do in this area, you can visit both places in about half an hour. If you book one of the tours, you’ll need at least 2 hours. In that case, we recommend booking the earliest tour, at 10 AM, and having lunch at the souk.

+- 1.30 – 3 PM.

The Palm Jumeirah is a man-made island shaped like a giant palm tree. Stretching into the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf, The Palm is connected to the mainland with bridges and tunnels. The island is home to a large number of luxurious hotels and opulent residences.

One of the most famous attractions here is Aquaventure Water Park at Atlantis Hotel, but since you need at least a day for it, we recommend visiting the water park separately – see day 6 of our itinerary.

On this day, I would just focus on sightseeing. The best place to be is The View at The Palm Observatory from where you can enjoy nice 360° views including a good overview of this unique island. Alternatively, for even better aerial views, you can also opt for a sightseeing tour by helicopter .

If you are looking for nice views and want to relax at the pool, you could also check out the Aura Skypool . Keep in mind that no kids are allowed and that you will need to reserve a specific time slot in advance.

Good to know: Also here, the timing will depend on the activities you choose to do. If you just visit The Palm Observatory (and prebook timed entry tickets in advance!), 1 – 1.5 hours should be sufficient. A helicopter tour takes less time and is better organized, but you also need to arrive a bit earlier, etc. so to be on the safe side, I’d plan about an hour as well.

Dubai Marina

LATE AFTERNOON & EVENING.

Next, head to Dubai Marina , just 10 minutes drive from The Palm. Or – if you want to make the most out of your day – visit Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR Beach) first and then the Marina after that (the two areas are just next to each other).

The JBR – Marina Beach has a very nice waterfront area with access to a public beach and many cafes and restaurants. In the distance, you can also see the Dubai Eye (Ain Dubai), the world’s largest Ferris wheel. However, it’s been closed for years. The area is nice, but since it’s on a separate ‘island’, you would need quite a lot of extra time to visit there.

Dubai Marina is one of the nicest walkable areas to explore in Dubai. There is not one specific place that you ‘must’ see here and the best thing is to simply walk around along the Marina Walk (see our map for details). On the way, you can also visit the Marina Mall . Alternatively, consider joining a guided e-scooter tour – it’s a great way to see a lot of this vast area without having to walk.

In addition, there are quite a lot of activities that you can do at Dubai Marina. The most popular are luxury yacht sightseeing tours . If you are interested in water sports, you can go jet skiing or parasailing . Adrenaline seekers will love the zip line across the Marina …

TIP: Dubai Marina is also very nice in the evening. The atmosphere is great, there are lots of good restaurants, etc. So no matter how you plan this day of your Dubai itinerary, I recommend that you end it at the Marina. Scenic boat cruises in the dark are also really great, offering wonderful night-time views of the Marina skyline.

Good to know: We recommend at least an hour or two for the Marina Walk. In addition, boat tours in this area are really worth your time and some of them can take 2-3 hours. All in all, I would plan a good half a day in this area.

Day 4 – planning info/tickets to book:

• Abu Dhabi day tour – there are tons of options .

No trip to Dubai would be complete without visiting Abu Dhabi , the capital city of the UAE. It’s about 1.5- 2 hours drive from Dubai, so doable as a day trip.

Just to be clear – there is a lot more to see and do in Abu Dhabi than you could possibly see in a day.

Half a day tour is a good option if you are really short on time and just want to visit the main landmark – Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. But with a week in Dubai, you could definitely spare a day. So we recommend taking a full-day tour to Abu Dhabi. That way, you can see several other places and get a much better idea of what Abu Dhabi is like.

Abu Dhabi Day Trip

Our experience: We booked this highly-rated day tour and I can highly recommend it. It’s one of the most complete Abu Dhabi tours I could find.

It includes a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Etihad Towers observation deck, and the Royal Palace, Qasr Al Watan.

For more information, the best tour options, and tips for planning a day trip to Abu Dhabi, please see our detailed guide via the link below.

LEARN MORE: Abu Dhabi Day Tour From Dubai

Days 1-4 of our recommended Dubai itinerary include most of the must-sees. But there are quite a few other attractions that are also very popular and considered ‘must do’. However, I find that a lot depends on who you are traveling with, what your interests are, and also on your budget.

Anyway, to help you plan your time, we highlight several of the most popular tourist attractions in Dubai on days 5-7 of this itinerary. We grouped them taking into account their location so that you can make the most out of your time. Take a look below!

Day 5 – planning info/tickets to book:

• Dubai Miracle Garden – ticket .
• Global Village – tickets .
• Optional: Dubai Butterfly Garden .
• Alternative for families: IMG Worlds of Adventure .

Dubai Miracle Garden and Global Village are located very close to each other and can be easily visited on the same day/evening. There are also tours/private transfers that can bring you to both places (in about 6 hours).

Good to know: The Miracle Garden is open from 9 AM until 9 PM (11 PM on weekends) so could be visited at any time. However, Global Village is only open from 4 PM (6 PM during Ramadan) until midnight (1 AM on weekends). Furthermore, Tuesdays are reserved for families and women.

TIP: You could spend a good part of this day at the pool/beach and only do sightseeing in the late afternoon/evening. Or, if you absolutely want to make the most out of your time, you could also visit the Dubai Butterfly Garden which is located just next to Miracle Garden.

Alternatively, families might enjoy a visit to IMG Worlds of Adventure , one of the largest indoor theme parks in the world. The tickets are pricey so if you opt for this, you’ll likely want to spend the whole day here.

Miracle Garden

+- 1-2 HOURS.

Miracle Garden Dubai is a huge floral wonderland with over 150 million flowers. It boasts a breathtaking array of meticulously crafted floral displays, sculptures, castles, and all kinds of structures, all adorned with millions – yes, millions – of blooming flowers.

Some of their sculptures have won various Guinness World Records. You probably already get the vibe in the UAE – everything is big, bigger, the biggest… This impressive garden is no exception. They even have a flowery version of the Emirates A380 airbus, covered in more than 500,000 fresh flowers and plants. 

However, remember that you are in the middle of a desert so it’s difficult to keep most plants alive in a climate like this. That’s probably the reason why the overwhelming majority of flowers are petunias, in just a few different colors.

Good to know: Book tickets in advance and count about 1-2 hours for a visit here. The morning hours are the quietest, but if you want to visit Global Village as well, then it’s best to come in the afternoon and visit both places together.

Global Village

+- 3-4 HOURS.

Global Village Dubai offers an immersive cultural experience taking you on a journey ‘around the world’. The name pretty much says it all – it’s a place where you can experience different cultures while exploring pavilions, each representing another country.

Over 90 countries are represented, showcasing their unique heritage, traditions, products, and traditional foods. From sampling diverse cuisines to shopping for handicrafts, clothing, and souvenirs from around the globe, there’s something for everyone. In addition, they also have live performances, cultural shows, carnival rides, etc.

Good to know: Global Village is one of the most affordable attractions in Dubai and regular tickets cost just a few bucks. However, this is just a ticket to get inside and you’ll have to pay extra for most of the attractions – a bit like visiting a country fair. Plan to spend at least 3-4 hours here.

TIP: Global Village is one of the most visited attractions in Dubai, popular with locals as well as international tourists. So avoid weekends and try to be at the entrance a bit before it opens because it quickly fills up. Friday and Saturday evenings can get crazy busy.

Day 6 – planning info/tickets to book:

• Atlantis Aquaventure – various ticket options .
• Wild Wadi – entry ticket .
• Dubai LEGOLAND – water park or theme park .

Alternative ideas for this day:

• Snorkeling day trip to Fujairah .
• Al Ain ‘Garden City’ day trip .
• Half-day camel trekking .
• Half-day falconry safari .

If you have a week in Dubai, we highly recommend visiting at least one of the water parks, especially if you are traveling with children or teenagers and there’s only that much sightseeing they can handle in the hot desert climate.

But no worries if you are not interested in spending a day on water slides, there are tons of other amazing things to do in and near Dubai. In that case, see our alternative suggestions above . For more info about waterparks – see below.

Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark & Lost Chambers Aquarium

There are several water parks in Dubai. By far the best and most popular is Aquaventure at Atlantis The Palm , the biggest water park in the world. With over 100 rides and attractions, Aquaventure has something to offer for the whole family. You can also meet dolphins and sea lions, and enjoy all kinds of water sports. In addition, you can visit the Lost Chambers Aquarium which is located just near the water park entrance.

Wild Wadi and LEGOLAND Water Park are also nice water parks. They are much smaller, with about 30 rides and attractions at Wild Wadi and about 20 at LEGOLAND.

These water parks are nice for families with younger kids and are incomparably less busy than Aquaventure. But if you want to experience the very best waterpark in Dubai, Aquaventure wins every time.

Good to know: You can spend the entire day at any of these water parks.

PRO TIP: Atlantis Aquaventure tickets are cheaper if booked online and over a week in advance. We recommend a combo ticket that includes entry to the Lost Chambers Aquarium (it’s open late in the evening so you can easily visit after you leave the water park). For more tips and helpful information for your visit, see our detailed guide via the link below.

LEARN MORE: Tips & Tricks for Visiting Atlantis Aquaventure

Day 7 – planning info/tickets to book:

• Dubai Frame – timed-entry tickets .
• AYA Universe – timed-entry tickets .
• Optional: iFly Dubai and/or Green Planet Indoor Rainforest .

On the last day of this itinerary, I want to highlight some additional experiences that we personally really enjoyed on a recent trip to Dubai. They are located not too far from each other in the northern part of the city (not too far from the airport) and could be done on the same day.

If you want to take it easy on your last day in Dubai, you could also just visit one or two of these attractions and spend the rest of the time chilling by the pool.

The two places that we recommend the most are Dubai Frame and AYA Universe. Our kids also LOVED iFly Dubai , but it’s located quite a bit further away and is probably also not for everyone’s interests. The Green Planet indoor rainforest is also amazing (and definitely not just for kids). You can find more info about each of these below.

Dubai Frame

The Dubai Frame cannot be missed (quite literally). You will see this architectural landmark towering in the city skyline when driving around the city and from many other places. But if you want to visit it, you’ll need to allocate a few hours.

Looking like a gigantic picture frame, this iconic structure consists of two vertical towers connected by a glass-bottomed bridge. From its observation deck, you can enjoy panoramic 360° views of the city’s evolving skyline on one side and the historical old town on the other.

The views are ok but – in our opinion – not as good as from the other observation platforms which we mentioned earlier in this itinerary. Still, we found a visit here quite worth it, because the building itself is truly remarkable.

Good to know: Depending on how busy it is, you’ll need 1-2 hours for a visit. Be sure to book tickets online or you may not be able to enter at all (we saw a few disappointed families turned away at the entrance). Even with timed tickets, the queues are still long, especially in the afternoon. So if you want to visit without wasting too much time, I recommend booking an early morning time slot.

AYA Universe

One of the more recent attractions in Dubai, we stumbled upon AYA Universe by coincidence. And so glad we decided to visit because it became one of our favorite experiences in the city!

It’s difficult to describe this unique attraction. It’s like stepping into a dreamy world with captivating light displays and mesmerizing high-tech experiences. If anything, I could compare it to the worlds you see in Avatar movies. A colorful, fairytale-like universe that guarantees lots of positive emotions. Recommended!

AYA Universe is located inside WAFI City Mall. The interior of this shopping center is inspired by an Egyptian theme and is quite interesting to see as well.

Good to know: Count about 45 minutes for a visit here, an hour if you also want to walk around the Mall (it’s very small compared to most others in Dubai). Book your tickets online if you want to be able to visit AYA Universe at a specific time slot. There were just a few people when we arrived here in the morning but quickly got much busier. It’s a rather small facility and I think they cap the number of visitors that are allowed inside at the same time.

iFly Dubai is an indoor skydiving center located in Mirdif City Centre Mall. This is your chance to experience skydiving in a safe and controlled environment. Btw, they have the real thing in Dubai too – see skydiving tours here .

Before you start, you get a short training session explaining some basic techniques. The regular experience includes two 1-minute flights. It may not sound like much, but they say that when you leap from a plane when actually skydiving, the free-fall time is even shorter than a minute.

Good to know: They work with time slots and allow about 10 people per half an hour, so it’s best to book in advance . iFly Dubai says that it’s suitable for all ages. Most people in our group were children and teens, but also a few adults. Count about an hour for the whole experience.

Despite the name, City Centre Mirdif Mall is not located in the center at all. It’s actually quite a drive from most other attractions in Dubai (about 15-20 minutes from Dubai Frame or AYA Universe). This shopping center is quite big and has many nice restaurants, so you can also have lunch here.

The Green Planet

+- 2 HOURS.

The Green Planet is an indoor rainforest featuring several thousand tropical plants and a variety of birds and animals freely roaming inside. If you’ve ever been to a rainforest in Costa Rica , the plants and the animals you can see here are similar.

The Green Planet has several sloths, squirrel monkeys, and all kinds of reptiles. You can also visit a bat cave, see all kinds of colorful birds, and admire the world’s largest man-made and life-sustaining tree.

It’s particularly nice for families with children but is very enjoyable for adults as well. Recommended.

Good to know: The Green Planet is located next to the City Walk Mall in the center, not far from the Dubai Mall area. You can get tickets online . Plan about 2 hours for a visit. The Green Planet closes at 6 PM (much earlier than most other attractions), so keep this in mind when deciding which places to visit on this day and in which order.

So, this sums up our recommended Dubai itinerary. As you can see, there’s A LOT to experience in Dubai and a week will fly by before you know it.

The nice thing about planning a trip to Dubai is that it has such a wide variety of activities and attractions allowing you to personalize your trip and find something that everyone in your group/family will enjoy.

I hope that our suggested itinerary gives you some inspiration on what to see and do in Dubai and helps you plan a perfect holiday.

READ ALSO: What to Wear in Dubai

More info & travel inspiration for Dubai:

• Dubai Travel Tips
• How Expensive is Dubai
• Dubai Public Transport
• Dubai in February
• Best Things to Do in Dubai
• Best Tours in Dubai
• Abu Dhabi Tour from Dubai
• Best Things to Do in Dubai with Kids
• Free & Cheap Things to Do in Dubai
• Interesting Facts About Dubai

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

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Ultimate Guide to Visiting Dubai: 7-Day Detailed Itinerary with Costs

The ultimate travel guide to dubai.

Sara Santos | September 26, 2023 May 9, 2023

We spent seven days in Dubai in February 2023. We did a lot of research about the best places to visit, must-do experiences, how to use public transportation, where to stay, and much more.

In this article, we’ll share with you our detailed 7-day itinerary with tips, costs, and our honest opinion about the places we’ve visited, so that you can take out the most of your visit to Dubai.

Visiting Dubai: Practical Information

• Best time to visit: winter (from November to February)
• Currency: AED
• Language: UAE’s official language is Arabic, but English is spoken by almost everyone in Dubai
• Visa: check visa requirements
• How to get there: Dubai Airport or Abu Dhabi Airport
• How to get around: taxi (check the Careem app) and public transportation
• How to pay for stuff: cash and card are widely accepted
• Plugs : plug type is G (like in the UK)
• Safety : one of the safest places in the world when it comes to crime

Summary of Dubai 7-Day Itinerary

Day 0 in Dubai : Arrive and Check-in at your Accommodation

Day 1 in Duba i: Palm Jumeirah and Madinat Jumeirah

Visiting The View At the Palm

Ride at the palm monorail, the pointe – best place for pictures of the atlantis, visiting jumeirah souk madinat, dinner and stroll at dubai marina.

Day 2 in Dubai : Jumeirah Mosque and Burj Khalifa

• Cultural Tour at Jumeirah Mosque

Ethiad Museum (alternative)

• At the Top of Burj Kalifha
• Dubai Fountain Show

Dubai Downtown

Day 3 in Dubai : Mall of the Emirates and Old Dubai, and JBR

Ski at Mall of the Emirates

Explore old dubai and visit the souks, stroll jbr walk – jumeirah beach residences.

Day 4 in Dubai : Desert Adventure

Day 5 in Dubai : Etihad Museum, Museum of the Future, Dubai Frame, and Global Village

Ethiad Museum

Dubai frame, museum of the future, global village, miracle garden.

Day 6 in Dubai : Aquaventure Waterpark

• A Day at the Aquaventure Waterpark

Day 7 in Dubai : Day Trip to Abu Dhabi and Going Back Home

Day 0 in Dubai – Arrive and Check-in at your Accommodation

We assume that your flight will arrive later in the afternoon like ours. So you won’t have much time to explore and you’ll go straight to your accommodation. If your flight arrives early in the morning or in the afternoon, you can skip to the next day. 

How to Get To Dubai?

We arrived at the Abu Dhabi airport from Bari (Italy) at 18:30. The flight cost 39.99€ per person with Wizz Air (only a small bag). You can get similar prices with Wizz Air from other European cities.

Depending on where you’re flying from, you might want to go to Dubai Airport (DXB) instead. You can use Skyscanner to check the best prices for flights to Dubai.

Do you need a Visa to travel to Dubai?

We have Portuguese passports, so we got our visa on Arrival. The process was super simple and quick. Check the following website to see the visa requirement for your passport.

• Dubai Visa Rules

How to Get a SIM card in UAE?

After that, we got a SIM card from Virgin right after passport control. We paid 150 AED for 21 GBs for 7 days (limited to 3GB per day).

There’s also another popular internet provider called du . If you arrive at Dubai airport, you’ll get a free SIM card with 1GB.

You’ll find counters to buy SIM cards in most malls and some metro stations as well.

Alternatively, you may opt to buy an e-SIM using the airalo app. If you use my referral code, you’ll get a 3$ credit. Use the referral code below on your first purchase:

How to Get from Abu Dhabi Airport to Dubai?

• Abu Dhabi Airport Express Bus : the cheapest and most practical way to go from Abu Dhabi Airport to Dubai is using the Abu Dhabi Express Bus. It runs every hour 24/7 and the journey takes approximately one hour. The price is 35 AED per person.
• Taxi : you can get a taxi from Abu Dhabi airport direct to your accommodation in Dubai.
• Private transfer : you can book a private transfer in advance using GetYourGuide , for example.

Once we got to the arrivals hall, we purchased a ticket to the Abu Dhabi Airport Express Bus to Dubai. This is the most convenient way to get to Dubai from Abu Dhabi. At the moment, there are no machines to buy tickets. You buy the ticket at the counter when you arrive. The ticket is valid for a certain departure hour. It costs 35 AED per person and the journey takes approximately one hour.

There are buses every hour 24/7. We recommended checking the Abu Dhabi Airport Express bus website for more information .

The bus arrives at Battuta Mall in Dubai, where you can get the metro from there to your accommodation, or get a taxi if that’s more convenient.

Once in Buttuta Mall, we catch the metro to our hotel’s nearest metro station. From the metro station to our apartment was a 20-minute walk. On the way there, we stopped at the Marina Mall to have some dinner. A 20-minute walk was possible because we traveled in the winter. Otherwise, it might be impossible to walk such a distance in Dubai’s summer temperatures.

Using Dubai’s public transportation is super cheap and easy (with the help of Google Maps).

How to Get from Dubai Airport (DXB) to your accommodation?

If you’re arriving at Dubai international airport (DXB), there are several ways to get to your accommodation:

• by taxi : you can get a Taxi to your accommodation. Taxis in Dubai are super affordable. For example, a ride from Dubai Airport to Dubai Mall should cost approximately 55 AED.
• by metro : there are stations on Terminals 1 and 3, with both stations on the Red Line. The trains are safe, modern, and comfortable. To ride the metro, you need a nol card. Learn more about nol card here .
• by bus : depending on where you’re staying, it might be more convenient to go by bus. You need to buy a nol card in advance to use the bus—you can’t pay directly to the driver.

Where to Stay in Dubai?

If you’re in Dubai for the first time, we recommend staying near Dubai Marina, JBR, or the area around Burj Khalifa. Those are lively zones where you’ll always have something going on at night with plenty of restaurants and great access to public transportation to all the most important highlights. If you’re on a budget, you can stay in Deira or Bur Dubai where you’ll find the most affordable stays.

Try to book your accommodation in advance so that you can get better options for a better price. We booked our accommodation using Booking and besides receiving 10% back to use in future stays, we also got 40€ to spend on attractions.

>> Click here to book your hotel in Dubai

We stayed in an apartHotel in Dubai Marina—the Royal Regency Suites. We booked a studio apartment, but we were upgraded to a one-bedroom apartment. The staff was great. The apartment was huge and with a great view of Dubai Marina (see picture above). It was only a 5-minute walk to the Marina Walk, a promenade with shops, restaurants, and views of super modern skyscrapers.

We also had access to the hotel pool and gym, but we were so busy visiting all the city highlights that we didn’t even step foot there.

How to Use Dubai’s Public Transportation?

To use Dubais’s public transportation as a tourist you need to buy a nol card . There are several options for nol cards. As a tourist, we recommend getting a red nol card. A red nol card costs 2 AED. You can get a card from ticket machines at metro stations. You can top-up your nol card with different products:

• Trips (1-zone, 2-zone, or 3-zones);
• Cash : you tap your card when you enter and exit the metro/bus. It will automatically calculate the amount to deduct from your card.
• Day ticket : unlimited travel using public transportation like metro, tram, and bus (the monorail at Palm Jumeirah is not included)  

Once you buy a product on your nol card, you can only top up with the same product. If you have a day ticket, and on the following day you only want a trip, you’ll need to get a new nol card.

You can top-up your nol card up to five times. After that, you’ll need to get a new nol card. The ticket machines accept cash and card. Please note that bus stops don’t have ticket machines (at least we didn’t see any on the ones we used).

Here’s a summary of the costs:

• Nol card price: 2 AED
• Day ticket: 20 AED
• 1-zone trip: 4 AED
• 2-zone trip: 6 AED
• 3-zone trip: 8.50 AED

These are the prices for the economic class. You may opt to get the same products but in gold class, which is double the price.

For the most up-to-date information and prices, check the RTA website .

Cost of day 0 in Dubai

Food: Dinner at Marina Mall (2pp): 35€

Transportation:

• Abu Dhabi Airport Express to Dubai (2pp): 18€
• nol card + 1-zone trip (2pp): 3€

Virgin SIM card 21GB: 38€

TOTAL: 94€ (2pp) → 47€ per person

Day 1 in Dubai: Palm Jumeirah and Madinat Jumeirah

On this day, we visited Palm Jumeirah, the famous tree-shaped artificial island, and Madinat Jumeirah, a promenade with great views of Burj Al Arab.

Day 1 in Dubai: Visited Places and Activities :

• The View at the Palm
• Monorail ride at Palm Jumeirah
• The Pointe (best view to Atlantis hotel)
• Souk Madinat
• Burj Al Arab
• Marina Walk

The best way to see Palm Jumeirah is from The View at the Palm . We got a taxi ride from our apartment to The View at the Palm. The entrance is done through the Nakheel Mall. We recommend buying your tickets in advance to avoid spending time in lines. Check the links below to get your tickets to the View at the Palm. Your ticket will be valid for the day and time you specify.

The visit starts with an animation projected on the floor with an explanation of the construction of the island by a guide. The audio was quite bad, so it was a little difficult to understand what was being said.

After that, you’ll watch a short video (that seems like an inspirational video) about the dream of creating the island. When the video is over, you’ll get to a room with several facts and curiosities about the island and its construction. In my opinion, this room was very interesting, but I saw many people going straight to the next part, without even looking at this room. Don’t rush your visit. You can spend any time you need before going to the actual viewpoint.

Finally, you’ll enter an elevator to go to the top of the building to actually see the Palm. From the top, you can see the shape of the island and the famous Atlantis Hotel on the opposite side. You can also see several other interesting sights. You can see Burj Al Arab (the famous seven-star hotel), the Ain Dubai Ferris wheel on the Bluewaters island, and if you’re lucky and there isn’t much fog, you can also see Burj Khalifa.

Taking good pictures in this place might be quite challenging because there are some metal bars all around the windows. Additionally, we visited near midday and the sun was not helping to get a good light.

We spent approximately one hour at the top to take some pictures and soak up the views and we think that was more than enough.

If you don’t want to spend much money on food for lunch, take the time to lunch at the Nakheel Mall after you visit the Palm. We went to the Waitrose supermarket. You can get super cheap pastries and other already-made meal options.

Now that you are at the Nakheel Mall, it is super convenient to catch a ride on the Palm Monorail. From the Monorail, you can get very interesting sights along the journey. So, in our opinion, this ride is an attraction in itself. Additionally, it’s also a cheap way to get to the Pointe. A nice beach with a great view of the Atlantis Hotel.

You can get to the Monorail from the Nakheel mall. Just follow the signs for the Monorail. Buy a one-way ticket to the Pointe. You need to buy the tickets from the counter. There aren’t ticket machines. The ticket from Nakheel Mall to The Pointe costs 5 AED per person.

Try to go in the front of the monorail to get the best views. I was a bit disappointed because the front windows are quite small and there were too many people so that we could get a nice view at the front.

We got out at The Pointe Station and we took some pictures from the monorail station. It actually has a great view of the Atlantis Hotel. From there, we went to The Pointe beach where we eat ice cream and relaxed a bit on the beach with some views of the Atlantis Hotel. This is a very nice place to get those insta-worthy pictures.

This beach is public and you can lay down on the puffs provided for free. It’s nice to visit this place, but I don’t recommend it if you have the idea of actually going to the beach and the water. This is a super touristic place, there are always people coming, going and taking pictures. The beach is small and the water is very shallow.

Once we’ve had enough of that place, we caught the monorail back to the Palm Gateway. It costs 10 AED per person. From there, you can get a bus or a taxi to Souk Madinat Jumeirah (use Google Maps to see the best route). We caught a bus, and we had to walk for about 10 minutes.

Jumeirah Souk Madinat is like a mall with an old style resembling the old souks. It has a promenade with restaurants and stores and great views of the Burj Al Arab hotel.

If you want to see Burj Al Arab from close, you can walk from there. It’s approximately 10 minutes on foot. It was already dark when we got there. So, we weren’t able to get good pictures. If you want to get good pictures, we recommend getting there earlier.

If you want to experience the luxury of the seven-star hotel from the inside, you can get a guided tour of the hotel. Check the tickets to the Burj Al Arab guided visit here .

Because we were staying at Dubai Marina, we caught a taxi to our accommodation. You can go to Dubai Marina to have dinner, or decide to have dinner at Souk Madinat if it’s more convenient for you.

We had dinner at Habib Beirut and the food was really good. After that, we went for a stroll on Marina Walk.

Alternatively, you can also book a yacht cruise along Dubai marina with dinner included. Check the different alternatives on Get Your Guide .

We like to book our activities in Get Your Guide because you can cancel up to 24 hours if your plans change and you can check the reviews of hundreds of other people. Additionally, you get 10% off on your first bookings.

Cost of day 1 in Dubai

• Breakfast: at the apartment (2pp): 3.5€ 
• Lunch at the supermarket (2 pp): 4€
• Ice cream at The Pointe (2pp): 7.50€
• Dinner Habib Beirute (2pp): 44€

Activities:

• The View at the Palm (2pp): 49.90€
• Taxi ride (Dubai Marina to The View at the Palm): 11.50€
• Palm monorail ride (2pp): 7.5€
• Palm Gateway to Souk Madinat Bus (nol card + ride) (2pp): 5€
• Taxi ride (Burj Al Arab to Dubai Marina): 10€

TOTAL: 143€ (2pp) → 71.5€ per person

Day 2 in Dubai: Jumeirah Mosque and Burj Khalifa

On our second full day in Dubai, we went to visit Jumeirah Mosque, went to the top of Burj Khalifa, and explored Dubai downtown.

On this day, we would make a lot of trips by public transportation. So, we decided to get a nol day ticket. The card costs 2 AED and the daily ticket costs 20 AED. Getting a day ticket is super convenient to get around because you don’t have to worry about the balance on your card and you can take any type of public transportation.

Day 2 in Dubai: Visited Places and Activities :

• Jumeirah Mosque and/or Ethiad Museum

At the Top of Burj Khalifa

Jumeirah mosque visit.

Jumeirah Mosque is the only Mosque in Dubai that can be visited by non-muslims. They offer cultural tours every day, except Fridays, at 10:00 and 14:00. No prior booking is required. Just make sure you get there half an hour earlier to register and eat some breakfast at the included buffet. It costs 15 AED per person. For more information, check the Jumeirah Mosque website here .

To visit Jumeirah mosque make sure you dress appropriately. Women and men must cover their legs and shoulders and women must cover the head. If you don’t have a scarf to cover your hair, you can buy one there. Additionally, they provide an abaya for women or kandora for men, if you are not dressed appropriately.

During this visit, they explain the basics of the Islamic religion including the purification ritual. You can also ask any questions about their culture and religion. This visit was very interesting, and I totally recommend it to anyone that wants to know more about their culture.

Next to Jumeirah Mosque is Ethiad Museum. This museum explains the founding of the UAE and information about the founding fathers of the seven different Emirates. It also includes a visit to the Union House, the birthplace of the UAE in 1971, and the Guest Palace.

The museum is huge and the building is a beautiful piece of architecture.

We didn’t have the time to visit this museum on this day because we had already a booking for Burj Khalifa in a couple of hours. So, we ended up visiting this museum on another day. If you have the time and want to know more about the foundation of UAE and its founding fathers, take a visit to this place. Admission costs 25 AED. You can buy the tickets when you arrive.

The next stop on our itinerary is Burj Khalifa—the highest building in the world with 828 meters.

The best way to get there is by metro. The entrance to the Burj Khalifa is made through Dubai Mall. There’s a metro station that stops at Dubai mall. So, this is a very convenient way to get there.

Dubai Mall is huge, so take some time to visit the mall and its attractions.

It is home to the biggest aquarium. You can see the aquarium from the outside for free. You can also get tickets for the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Make sure you get your tickets in advance. There’s a combo ticket that includes a visit to the Top of Burj Khalifa and a visit to the Aquarium and underwater zoo.

In the Dubai Mall, there’s also a very interesting waterfall that it’s worth visiting.

We ended up not visiting these attractions on this day, but make sure you take a look at them on the same day you visit Burj Khalifa if you have fewer days in Dubai.

If you want to go to the top of Burj Khalifa, make sure you buy your tickets in advance. You need to choose the day and time of your visit. Some hours are more expensive than others. You can get a ticket to floors 124 and 125 or a ticket that also includes floor 148. The ticket to floor 148 is almost four times more expensive than the other ticket. But, it may be worth it if you want to get a premium experience with fewer people.

You can get tickets to At The Top of Burj Khalifa using the Get Your Guide app. You can get a 10% discount code to use on your first purchase.

The Dubai Mall is huge and it might be a little difficult to get to the entrance of Burj Khalifa. Once you get into the mall, go down to the ground level, then catch the elevator to the lower ground (LG). After that, just follow the signs to At the top of Burj Khalifa . The visit to the Burj Khalifa might take some time. So, don’t go there hungry. You can eat something at the Mall food court. Or if you want to save some money like us, go to the Waitrose supermarket and eat something from there.

There were many people at the entrance to Burj Khalifa, but it was pretty quick to get to the elevators, around 20 minutes. The elevator is pretty fast and you can feel the changes in pressure on your ears.

Once you reach level 124, you can soak up the views around the building. There were many people at the top, all wanting to take pictures in the windows. It is pretty difficult to get some decent pictures with so many people and the reflections on the windows (depending on the time of the day).

Don’t forget to also go to level 125 using the stairs. The views are almost the same, but there are few people there, so it might be better to take some pictures.

We spent about one hour at the top and it was more than enough. The line for the elevator to go down took about 10 minutes.

If you don’t want to spend so much money to visit the top of Burj Khalifa, seeing it from the ground level, outside Dubai Mall is also a great experience.

Right outside the Dubai Mall, it’s where the famous Dubai Fountain Show takes place every day every 30 minutes from 6 PM to 10:30 PM (weekdays) or to 11:00 (weekends). It’s the world’s tallest performing fountain (as high as 140 meters). It takes about three minutes and it’s accompanied by different songs.

The show is free to watch. There are plenty of people waiting to see the show, but we were always able to get a good place.

If you want a better experience of the Dubai Fountain show, you can go on a traditional abra boat ride during the show .

There are plenty of restaurants around the fountain. We ended up having dinner at KFC with a great view of the fountain.

The whole area around the Dubai Fountain is worth visiting and exploring. We took some nice pictures at Downtown Palace and at the Burj Park at night and we saw the fountain show from several different angles.

We also visited the place where the famous Wings of Mexico are located. There was a line of people that wanted to take a picture there. To be honest, I didn’t find it much interesting, so I didn’t take a picture there.

After a long day, we took the bus and the metro to get back to our accommodation at Dubai Marina.

Cost of day 2 in Dubai:

• Lunch at the supermarket (2 pp): 9.5€
• Dinner KFC (2pp): 15€
• Jumeirah Mosque Visit (2pp): 7.5€
• At the top of Burj Khalifa level 124, and 125 (2pp): 88.50€
• Nol card + daily ticket (2pp): 11€

TOTAL: 129€ (2pp) → 64.5€ per person

Day 3 in Dubai: Mall of the Emirates, Old Dubai, and JBR

On our third day in Dubai, we visited the Mall of Emirates, the area of Old Dubai, and the JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residences) area. While we don’t think the Mall of the Emirates is worth a detour, Old Dubai is a must that you should not skip.

For this day, we topped up our nol card with a day ticket—the most convenient for all the trips we did on this day.

Day 2 in Dubai: Visited Places and Activities

• Mall of the Emirates (Ski Dubai)
• Al Seef, Al Fahidi, and Al Bastakiya Historic Neighbourhood, and traditional souks
• Dubai Museum
• Traditional Abra boat from Bur Dubai to Deira
• Traditional Deira souks: gold souk, spice souk, textile souk, and perfume souk
• JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residences)
• Bluewaters Island (Ain Dubai – World’s biggest and tallest Ferris Wheel)

On this day, we needed to buy a power adapter. Because the Mall of the Emirates was on the way, we decided to make a stop there.

The Mall of the Emirates is house to the Ski Dubai. An indoor ski resort where you can ski, snowboard and experience other winter activities. You can actually see the ski slopes without having to actually enter Ski Dubai. In my opinion, the place was quite disappointing. You can’t see much from the outside, and the place seems quite small. Probably the experience is different if you pay to actually go there skiing. The prices are quite affordable for such an activity and they even provide all the gear.

As in other Malls in Dubai, there are plenty of places to eat. We eat at a super cheap Lebanese restaurant in the Mall. One menu was more than enough for the two of us.

In my opinion, this wasn’t worth the detour and there are better attractions in Dubai.

This part of Dubai is super interesting and different from all the other attractions and places. So, we really recommend visiting this area. To get there by public transportation, exit at the Bujurman Metro station.

After getting out of the metro station, we walked for about 15 minutes to Al Seef.

From there, we explored Al Fahidi and Al Bastakia Historic Neighbourhood. These places are super beautiful and showcase the old traditional Arabic houses and wind towers made of sandstone. There are plenty of places to take great pictures and souks where you can buy some souvenirs.

We also suggest taking a look at the Wall of Old Dubai and visiting Dubai Museum. The Dubai Museum is housed on the Al Fahidi Fort and it showcases Dubai’s history and its original heritage. Basically, you can see how people used to live before the discovery of oil in the UAE. The entrance fee is just 3 AED. Unfortunately, at the time of our visit, the museum was temporarily closed. But, we think it is well worth the visit. Combining this museum with the Ethiad museum will give you a better idea of Dubai’s history (both old and most recent events).

If you’re hungry, stop by the Arabian Tea House Restaurant and Cafe. This place is super well-rated and with great decoration for awesome pictures. We didn’t go there, we just passed by and it was almost full. If you want to take some good pictures, they have a set outside of the cafe where you can take pictures for free.

We continued walking to Deira Creek until Bur Dubai Station to ride a traditional abra boat to Bur Dubai at the other side of the creek. The journey takes about 5 minutes, and only costs 1 AED per person (you pay directly on board to the driver)—absolutely recommended. You can also book a private abra boat for a tour around Dubai Creek. While you’re waiting for the next boat, get some juice from the street sellers. We bought a pineapple juice (10 AED) and it was delicious.

Once we arrived at the Deira district, we explored the traditional souks: perfume souks, textile souks, spice souks, and the famous gold souk. The sellers are a bit pushy on these souks, but nothing out of this world, just say “no, thanks” and continue walking. If you don’t want to be bothered too much by the sellers on the souks, go in the late afternoon, after 4 PM for example. The sellers are already tired and won’t bother you too much. At least, that was what we experienced.

If you prefer, you can also take a guided tour of the souks and old Dubai . I think it must be a rich cultural experience.

If you want to buy something, don’t forget to haggle over the price. They will always start with a price that is way higher than it is worth—make sure you have an idea of the price of the things you want to buy so that you don’t end up paying more. For example, I’m sure I paid too much for a bracelet in a gemstone store, even though I could reduce the price to half. If you want to buy some simple souvenirs like magnets, little purses, and bookmarks, you’ll find plenty of options at very affordable prices.

At sunset, we returned to Bur Dubai, also by abra boat. We were presented with a magnificent sunset with seagulls flying over the water. You can also opt to catch a ferry to another part of Dubai. For example, we could have caught a Ferry to Dubai Marina. It would have been a good experience to see Dubai’s coastline from a different perspective.

After visiting old Dubai, we got back to Dubai Marina. From there, it’s just a 15-minute walk to JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residences).

This is a lively area by the coast along Marina beach and The Beach. It’s bordered by a promenade, the JBR Walk. The JBR Walk is filled with restaurants, stores, and perfume vendors. It’s also where you’ll see some people riding their luxury cars. We had dinner there at an Indian restaurant. If you fancy something more adventurous, you can have Dinner in The Sky. You’ll eat on a dining platform suspended by a crane—I’m sure you’ll get great views from there and a wonderful experience.

From JBR you have a lovely view of Ain Dubai, the world’s biggest and tallest Ferris wheel located on Bluewaters Island. If you like walking and you’re visiting in the winter, we recommend walking there and admiring the scenery of the super modern JBR skyscrapers. You can also opt for dining or eating ice cream at Bluewaters Island instead of JBR.

Cost of day 3 in Dubai

• Breakfast at the apartment (2pp): 3.5€ 
• Lunch at Dubai of the Emirates (2pp): 7.40€
• Pineapple juice: 2.50€
• Dinner at India Palace (2pp): 38.50€
• Souvenirs: 45€
• Top up Nol card with daily ticket (2pp): 10€
• Abra boat from Bur Dubai to Deira and return (2pp): 1€

Total: 108€ (2pp) → 54€ per person

Day 4 in Dubai: Desert Adventure

This is one of the top experiences you cannot miss in Dubai: a desert experience. You’ll need to book a guided tour to visit the desert. We book ours using Get Your Guide . There are many tour providers with different packages to choose from. All tours that I’ve seen will pick you up at your hotel or a place nearby. Choose yours accordingly to what you want to experience.

Here’s a list of the activities provided by most tour operators:

• Dune bashing : you go on a jeep that drives at different speeds over the soft dunes—this was our favorite part of the experience;
• Sandboarding : it’s similar to snowboarding but you go down on sand dunes—it was fun and not scary at all;
• Camel ride;
• Bedouin Camp visit with dinner included;
• Camp activities : shisha, henna painting, photos with falcons, and shows (tanoura, belly dance, and fire shows).

Dubai Desert Safari – How much does it cost?

The cost of a desert tour in Dubai will greatly vary depending on what’s included in the package. Group tours can start as low as around 30€ per person to 150€ depending on the tour operator and the activities included.

The cheapest Dubai desert tours usually include dune bashing, sandboarding, and camel ride. It’s a great option if you want to have a desert experience without spending a lot of money.

Most complete tours include all the activities like dune bashing, sandboarding, camel riding, quad biking, a visit to a bedouin camp with dinner or lunch, and camp activities.

The tour we booked costed around 50€ per person and it included dune bashing, sandboarding, camel ride, quad bike (for an extra cost), visit to a bedouin camp with dinner and camp activities (free and extra cost activities).

For you to have an idea of what a desert tour looks like, we’ll describe our experience. Please note that it might be different from other tour providers.

Dubai Desert Safari – What it’s like? Overview and our Opinion

When you book your tour, you need to provide the place where you’re staying and they will pick you up at your accommodation or at a place nearby. Our guide picked us up at around 2 PM. The car was a 4×4 Toyota Landrover and it takes 6 people plus the driver.

After picking up everyone, he drove for about 50 minutes to a meeting point with other cars from the same and other tour operators. The meeting point was basically a place on the road next to the desert with a cafe, restrooms, and several vendors selling the typical desert head scarf and souvenirs.

Quad Bike Ride

At the meeting point, there was a closed track if you wanted to ride a quad bike for an additional cost.

Some tours already have the quad bike option included (of course, they are more expensive). We opt not to do the quad bike activity. To be honest it didn’t seem worth it because it was in an enclosed flat terrain. I believe there are other tours with different quad-biking experiences where you actually ride in the desert. We stayed at this place for approximately 40 minutes. After that, all cars departed at the same time to the desert.

Stop for Pictures

We finally entered the desert terrain and just after three minutes, we made a stop to take some pictures. To be honest, there wasn’t much opportunity for nice pictures because all cars started arriving with people that also wanted to take pictures. So, it was a bit difficult to get some decent photos without cars or people in the background. Our guide was super nice and took some pictures of me and my boyfriend, even though they didn’t turn out that well.

The place is very different compared to what you see on Instagram pictures. You’re not that far from the road, you can see the buildings at the side of the road; there are some green bushes on the sand; there are many other people also having the same experience.

Dune Bashing

After approximately a 20-minute stop for pictures, the actual dune bashing started. This part was my favorite, the driver turned on some super cool music remixes while driving through the dunes. This is way more fun than it seems. When talking to the other guests on our tour, this was also their favorite part.

Sandboarding

Next, we stopped for sandboarding (our car and all the other cars on the tour). Our car was the first one to arrive at the sandboarding point, so we didn’t have to wait to experiment sandboarding for the first time. It was easy and super fun, so make sure you give it a try—it’s included in almost all desert experiences. While we waited for the others, we took a few more pictures.

It was time to go to the camp to ride the camels and have dinner. But before that, the drivers stopped in a place to adjust the tire pressure and clean the sand from the car. There were also some simple stores in this place. They will clean the sand from your feet and footwear for free but will push you into their stores to buy something.

Sunset and Camel Ride

After approximately 20 minutes, we headed to the camp for the sunset, camel ride, and dinner. The camel ride was included in our package, but we preferred not to do it and just watch the camels. I’m not a fan of riding animals, but these seemed very well looked after.

Additionally, the ride was pretty short, about two minutes. The line to ride the camels was not that long, so there’s no excuse if you really want to do it. They take a picture of you on the camels and will try to sell it during the dinner.

I was pretty disappointed with the sunset. The view from the camp wasn’t the best, and when we arrived the sun was already too low. I believe watching the sunset from the actual desert would be more interesting or if we have arrived earlier it would have been better.

Diner and Bedouin Camp Activities

Finally, we entered the camp. The camp looks pretty good with a nice decoration from the inside and there are some camp activities that you can do.

There was a designed shisha place where you can smoke for free (already included in the package). If you wanted to take it to your table you had to pay a small amount. You have access to unlimited soft drinks, but you’ll need to pay for alcohol. You can do a small (pretty small) henna tattoo for free. If you want something bigger, you’ll have to pay. You can also take pictures with a falcon for a small fee (there were other tour operators that already included this in the price).

When you entered the camp, you can get Arabic coffee and tea and you can go straight to the starters. To be honest I don’t know the name of what we eat. But you can take a look at the picture above.

After a while, the tanoura dance started. This is a folkloric dance performed by men with big skirts. The performer spins throughout the whole show without stopping. It’s pretty impressive and I really enjoyed this show. This was followed by a fire performance that was also pretty good.

Finally, it was time for dinner. There was a vegetable, salad, and sidedishes buffet and some traditional barbecue. There were plenty of options in the buffet. We were served generous portions and the barbecue was pretty good, especially the chicken skewers.

The dessert included some traditional pastries and food. Some of the cakes were good and others I didn’t appreciate that much.

The last performance was a belly dance show, which in my opinion wasn’t that good. The dancer was good, but the show was a bit awkward. Once the belly dance show was over we headed back to the car for our 50-minute drive to our accommodation. We arrived at our hotel around 10 PM.

Dubai Desert Safari — is it Worth it?

So, was the Dubai Desert Safari worth it? Absolutely. It’s a must, especially if you’ve never been to in the desert before. I described in detail our Dubai Desert Safari experience. Please note that it might be different depending on the tour provider. This was one of the highlights of our visit to Dubai and for the price (only 50€ per person with dinner included), it was well worth it.

There were some things that were not exactly as I was expecting, but that’s also part of the experience. The red sand dunes were beautiful and the colors are amazing. There are many camps spread throughout the desert land for different tour operators. Something that disappointed me a lot was the number of small plastics and plastic bottles on the sand dunes next to the camps.

There are other more complete and more expensive tours that include more activities. For example, some tours already include falcon pictures and Arabic attire, as well as quad biking. On our tour, this was not included in the price (it was available for a small fee). Those were not activities that we were interested in, so we thought it wasn’t worth it to pay more than 100€ per person.

See what the different tours have to offer and choose wisely. Some tours also offer spending the night in the desert with the possibility of stargazing—I believe this should be an amazing experience.

Cost of day 4 in Dubai

• Dinner (included in the desert tour)
• Dubai desert tour (2pp): 100€

Total: 104€ (2pp) → 52€ per person

Day 5 in Dubai: Etihad Museum, Museum of the Future, Dubai Frame, and Global Village

On this day we visited the Etihad museum, the Dubai Frame (the largest frame in the world), and the Global Village. An alternative to this itinerary is to visit the Museum of the Future instead of Dubai Frame and Miracle Garden instead of the Global Village.

Day 5 in Dubai: Visited Places and Activities

• Dubai Frame and/or Museum of the Future
• Global Village and/or Miracle Garden

If you’re visiting Jumeirah Mosque, we recommend visiting the Etihad museum on the same day because they are very close to each other. We didn’t have the time to visit on that day, so we decided to include it on this day. This museum explains the founding of the UAE and information about the founding fathers of the seven Emirates. You can visit the Union House and the Guest Palace. To go there you can catch the metro and then the bus. There’s a bus stop just a 5-minute’s walk from there.

The next stop on our day was the Dubai Frame. There’s a bus next to the Ethiad Museum that stops right at the entrance of the Dubai Frame. We had already bought our tickets in advance so we went straight to the entrance. We went on a Friday afternoon and it was pretty crowded. We had to wait approximately 30 minutes before entering the frame.

The visit starts by showing some representations of the craftsman in old Dubai and how life was to look like in the old days.

After that, you go by elevator to the top of the frame. It has a big glass wall, so you can actually see it going up. Once you reach the top, you can walk on a glass floor and see old Dubai on one side of the frame and modern Dubai on the other side. It’s quite interesting to see the differences between those places. You can also see the famous Sheik Zaeyd picture from there. We spent about 40 minutes at the top of the frame and it was more than enough.

Going down to the ground floor, you’ll be presented with some modern 3D projections showing what Dubai can look like in the future with modern technology. Right before going out, there is some information with statistics about the constructions of the frame.

Is Dubai Frame worth visiting? In my opinion, it depends. Dubai Frame is a great piece of architecture and the visit is a great experience. From the top, you can see old Dubai on one side of the frame, and modern Dubai on the other side. Even though I liked the visit, I don’t think it is a must, especially if you’ve already gotten to the top of Burj Khalifa and The View at the Palm. However, I absolutely recommend stopping by the frame to appreciate its nice architecture and taking some great pictures with the frame for free without having to go to the top.

We didn’t have to pay to go to the frame, because we’ve received credits to spend on attractions on Booking.com .

Instead of Dubai Frame, you may opt to go to the Museum of The Future. Or you can visit both. The Museum of the Future opened in February 2022, so it is a very recent attraction. It features several interactive exhibits about what Earth and our lives would look like in the future. I recommend booking your tickets way in advance. We really wanted to visit this museum and it was already sold out a month in advance. I’ve heard very good reviews about this museum, so don’t miss it.

Make sure you also take a look at the museum from the outside. The building’s architecture is unique and absolutely marvelous

After our visit to the Dubai frame, we got a taxi to Global Village. In our opinion, the best way to get there is by taxi. There are some packages that already include transportation when you book your tickets to the Global Village.

The Global Village is a themed park that features several pavilions representing different countries or continents of the world. You’ll find typical products, food, and dance shows from different countries. The park also features different amusement rides, that are not included in the ticket price.

There are many food stalls selling street food from different countries. We tried several different foods and everything was delicious. The park only opens in the late afternoon and is most beautiful after sunset, when they turn on all light decorations.

We really enjoyed our visit to Global Village and the admission ticket is super affordable, less than 6€. This is a great place, especially for those who have kids.

To get back to your accommodation, you can get a taxi when you exit. There’s a huge car park with a huge line of taxis (I’ve never seen so many taxis in the same place before).

Instead of Global Village, you may opt to visit the Miracle Garden. It’s only open during the winter and spring months. It is one of the world’s largest flower gardens and it features numerous flowers arranged in different shapes and patterns, one of the most famous is the A380 airbus, the Mickey Mouse sculpture, and the path with the heart-shaped decorations.

Here you’ll also find a butterfly garden, a floral castle, and various themed areas. We didn’t have the time to visit this place, but from the pictures we’ve seen, it seems out of this world.

Like the Global Village, the best way to get there is by taxi. You can also get packages with tickets and transportation included.

Cost of day 5 in Dubai

• Food at Global Village (2pp): 22.50€
• Top up Nol card with daily ticket (2pp):: 10€
• Taxi from Dubai Frame to Global Village: 19€
• Taxi from Global Village to Dubai Marina: 17.50€
• Ethiad Museum (2pp): 12.50€
• Dubai Frame: 0€ (paid with credits on Booking.com)
• Global Village: 0€ (paid with credits on Booking.com)

Total: 85€ (2pp) → 42.50€ per person

Day 6 in Dubai: Aquaventure Waterpark

On this day we visited the World’s largest waterpark, the Aquaventure Waterpark. We also visited the Dubai Mall Aquarium that we didn’t have the time to visit on the other days.

Day 6 in Dubai: Visited Places and Activities

• Aquaventure Waterpark
• Dubai Mall Aquarium

A Day at the Aquaventure Waterpark – What it’s Like

We love waterparks and amusement parks, so we shouldn’t miss a visit to the World’s Largest Waterpark, the Aquaventure Waterpark located at the Atlantis Hotel in Palm Jumeirah. If you’re staying at the Atlantis hotel, you can get free access to the waterpark. You can also get free access on the week of your anniversary.

The entrance to the Aquaventure Waterpark was not cheap. It cost approximately 80€ per person. There are other affordable options like the Wild Wadi waterpark, or Legoland aimed at the younger crowds.

If you’re not a fan of waterparks, you may opt to go to an amusement park, some of the best options are MotionGate and Warner Bros, Bollywood, or IMG Worlds of Adventure.

We arrived at the Aquaventure Waterpark before the opening time, and there were just a few people. You can rent a locker to save your most valuable stuff, but most people just let their bags on the sunbeds. We also left our stuff on the sunbeds without any problem. Because we like to travel light, we diddn’t bring our watershoes, but no problem, we can get water socks for free from the Guest Services stalls along the park.

The best rides are divided around three main towers: Tower of Neptune, Tower of Poseidon, and Trident Tower. We experimented almost all rides on these towers in the morning without any crowds. We even repeated some of the rides.

There are also two great areas for the little ones: the Splashers Island & Mountain, and the Splashers Lagoon & Cove. You can also find experiences with dolphins and sea lions. Additionally, you also get access to the Aquaventure Beach. To be honest, with such a big waterpark, I don’t think it’s worth to spend your time on the beach when you paid so much for the waterpark entrance.

There are several places where you can eat. We ordered a hot dog menu for the two of us and it was just the right amount so that we could get back to the slides right after.

In the afternoon the lines were bigger and sometimes the waiting times were up to 45 minutes. If you don’t want to wait in the lines you can buy a Aquaexpress pass to skip the lines.

We visited the waterpark in the Winter (February 2023) and around 4 PM it started to get a little bit chilly. Even though, we stayed in the water until closing time.

There are changing rooms next to the exit, where you can change clothes and have a shower, but it was super crowded at closing time.

After your visit to the Aquaventure Waterpark, you can visit the Lost Chamber Aquarium. You can get a combined ticket for both attractions. We did not visit the Aquarium but we’ve seen beautiful pictures of it.

At the exit of the Atlantis, we got a free shuttle bus to Marina Mall. We didn’t even know this kind of shuttle existed, it was pure luck that we found it at the exit.

How to Visit Aquaventure Waterpark? Our tips

After visiting Aquaventure Waterpark, here are our best tips to make the most out of your visit:

• Go on a weekday for fewer crowds (except Friday);
• Buy your tickets in advance;
• Arrive early, around 30 minutes before opening time;
• When you arrive (early), go straight to the rides. We were able to experience all the best rides without waiting in line;
• Get free water socks in the Guest Services stalls for free to protect your feet;
• Food portions are big. Share a portion with your partner. It will save money and you’ll be able to go back to the rides after a few minutes;

Dubai Downtown (Again)

Since it was still early when we left the Waterpark, we decided to visit Dubai Downtown (Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, and Fountain Show) again. We visited the Dubai Mall Aquarium (just from the outside, but you can buy tickets for a complete experience), and watched the Fountain Show several more times. We had Dinner at Five Guys with a view of the Dubai Fountain.

Cost of day 6 in Dubai

• Lunch at Aquaventure Aquapark (2pp): 18€
• Dinner at Five Guys (2pp): 38€
• Ice cream at Dubai Mall: 4.80€
• Taxi from Dubai Marina to Aquaventure: 12.50€
• 2-zone ticket nol card (2 trips) (2pp): 6€
• Aquaventure Waterpark (2pp): 160€

Total: 243€ (2pp) → 121.50€ per person

Day 7 in Dubai: Day Trip to Abu Dhabi and Going Back Home

Our flight back home departed from Abu Dhabi airport around 10 PM, so we decided to visit the Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque on this day.

If your flight is from Dubai airport, maybe it is better to go on a complete guided tour of Abu Dhabi. It includes the most famous Abu Dhabi highlights including the Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque. There are plenty of tour options to choose from.

Day 7 in Dubai: Visited Places and Activities

• Battuta Mall
• Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque

Visiting Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque

Visiting the Sheik Zayed Grande Mosque is free, but you need to register before. You can register on site or in advance. We registered when we arrived. The entrance to the mosque is done via a shopping mall. There, you can register for your visit. There are plenty of stores where you can buy a hijab and abaya or have something to eat. There’s also a cloakroom where you can leave your belongings. We didn’t know this beforehand and we paid to store our backpacks at the airport.

To visit the Mosque both men and women need to cover their shoulders and legs. Additionally, women need to cover the head. If you’re visiting during the day, we also recommend using sunglasses, the light reflection on the white marble makes it difficult to open your eyes.

I don’t have words to describe the beauty of the Mosque and the attention to detail that was put into building this place. It’s absolutely breathtaking. You can take pictures at the mosque without any problem. The best places for pictures are even marked with a photo stop sign.

There are free guided visits to the mosque. Check the timetable at the entrance. We took the guided visit and we enjoyed it very much. The guide explains some interesting facts about the Mosque’s architecture and you can also walk on the carpet inside the Mosque while he explains all the details. Did you know that it has the largest hand-woven carpet in the world?

We recommend spending some time in the Mosque and waiting for the sunset so that you can see the Mosque at night.

After our visit to the Mosque, we headed to the airport, which was just 15 minutes by taxi.

Qasr Al Watan (if you still have time)

If you still have time in Abu Dhabi, consider visiting the Qasr Al Watan, a beautiful presidential palace of the United Arab Emirates. The entrance is not free. Prices start at around 17€. I’ve seen some pictures of the Palace and it is stunning. A visit not to miss if you have more time in Abu Dhabi.

Most Abu Dhabi day tours already include this in their itinerary.

Cost of day 7 in Dubai:

• Breakfast at the apartment (2pp): 3.5€
• Lunch at Battuta Mall (2pp): 17€
• Dinner at the Abu Dhabi Airport (1 menu for 2): 15€
• 1-zone nol ticket (2pp): 2€
• Bus from Battuta Mall to Abu Dhabi Airport (2pp): 18€
• Taxi from Abu Dhabi Airport to Sheik Zayed Mosque: 15€
• Taxi from Sheik Zayed Mosque to Abu Dhabi Airport: 15€
• Luggage storage at the airport: 14€

Total: 99.50€ (2pp) → 50€ per person

Itinerary Suggestions for 1, 2, and 3 Days in Dubai

If you’ll spend fewer days in Dubai, adjust the itinerary accordingly to the activities you would like to do. The places we recommend if you just have a few days are Burj Khalifa and the whole Dubai Downtown area, Old Dubai, and a Desert Adventure.

1-Day Dubai Itinerary

If this is your first time in Dubai, and you only have one day, we recommend visiting Burj Khalifa and the whole nearby area. You’ll find plenty of things to do to keep you busy all day.

Here’s our suggestion of things to do if you only have one day in Dubai:

• Go to At The Top of Burj Khalifa
• Visit Dubai Mall and the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
• Watch the Dubai Fountain Show
• Explore the whole Dubai Downtown area

2-Days Dubai Itinerary

If you have two days to spend in Dubai, and you’re a first-time visitor, we recommend visiting Burj Khalifa and the whole nearby area and Old Dubai. Alternatively, you can also visit Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina instead of Old Dubai.

Here’s our suggestion for a 2-day itinerary in Dubai:

• Learn about arabic culture and Islam on a visit to Jumeirah Mosque
• Explore Al Seef, Al Fahidi, and Al Bastakia Historic Neighbourhood
• Shop on traditional souks: gold souk, spice souk, textile souk, and perfume souk
• Visit Dubai Museum
• Go on a Traditional Abra boat from Bur Dubai to Deira
• See Palm Jumeirah from The View at the Palm
• Go on a Monorail ride at Palm Jumeirah
• Relax at the Pointe (best view to Atlantis hotel)
• Explore Souk Madinat and appreciate the views of Burj Al Arab
• Go for a stroll on Marina Walk

3-Days Dubai Itinerary

If you have three days in Dubai, we recommend adding a desert tour to the previous suggestions.

7 Days in Dubai – Total Cost Breakdown

How much did we spend on our seven-day trip to Dubai? In total, we spent approximately 2760€ for the two of us. Which means 1380€ per person. This price will greatly vary depending on where you’re flying from, what type of accommodation you’re staying in, and the places you’re eating.

We went on low-cost flights with layovers in European cities. We went with Ryanair and with WizzAir (basic option, only personal item).

Our accommodation was a bit on the expensive side because we didn’t book in advance. You’ll find better prices if you book in advance. Of course, you can spend way more if you want to stay in luxury hotels, or way less if you stay in more affordable areas like Bur Dubai or Deira.

We used mostly public transportation, we had breakfast at the apartment with what we bought from the grocery store. We skipped lunch many days and on other days we ate something from the supermarket. For dinner, we ate mostly at fast-food and low-cost restaurants.

As for the activities, we did all the activities we wanted, including a day in the Aquaventure Waterpark, which was a bit more expensive than the other activities.

See the detailed costs in the table below:

Cost of 7 days in Dubai

Flights way and back from Portugal with layover in European cities (Ryanair + WizzAir)

308€ per person

Accommodation (7 nights in Dubai Marina)

1100€ (2pp)

Transportation

207€ per person

Travel Insurance

32.50€ per person for seven days

Other expenses

Approximately 1380€ per person

Wrapping Up

In this travel guide, we shared with you our detailed 7-day Dubai itinerary. We also suggested other itinerary options if you have fewer days in Dubai. In our opinion, the whole area around Burj Khalifa should not be missed, you can visit it if you have a 24-hour layover in Dubai. Besides that area, I really liked visiting Old Dubai. The desert experience was one of the highlights of our trip.

We shared our honest opinion about the places we visited, our top tips, and the total cost breakdown of our trip. Finally, we would like to share a summary of our best tips:

Tips For Visiting Dubai

After visiting Dubai, here are some of our best tips:

• Visit Dubai in the Winter months.
• Use public transportation—it’s very affordable.
• Install the Careem app to get a taxi. You can also get a taxi from the street—the starting fee is cheaper than in the Careem app. Getting a taxi is cheaper than Uber.
• If you’re going to a lot of different places in one day, get a nol day ticket.
• If you’re on a budget, have lunch at the supermarkets. They provide several options at very affordable prices.
• Eat at the Mall. All Malls we’ve been to in Dubai have a wide range of restaurant chains. You’ll save some money if you eat at the Mall rather than at a “real” restaurant.
• Book your activities in advance to avoid waiting in lines and to secure your spot.

Have you been to Dubai? Share with us your best tips. Do you have any doubts about our itinerary? You can write a comment down below.

We hope you found this travel guide useful.

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Dubai Travel Guide

It’s hard to believe when confronting the sheer scale of Dubai, but most of the city was built in just the last 50 years. It makes the world’s biggest shopping mall, tallest skyscraper, and a host of ultra-luxurious hotels all the more bewildering. Still, amid all the glamor and superlatives, there are vestiges of a pre-skyscraper Dubai, in its winding souks and the vast empty desert that surrounds the city. Here’s how to navigate both sides of this always-growing metropolis.

Plan Your Dubai Trip

Editor Hotel Recommendations

The Best Things to Do in Dubai

The Best Places to Eat and Drink in Dubai

Editor Restaurant and Bar Recommendations

More from Dubai

More Destinations

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Dubai International Airport Guide

Public Transit

Currency in Dubai

Safety & Laws in Dubai

48-Hour Itinerary

Day Trips From Dubai

Top Things to See & Do

Free Things to Do in Dubai

Things to Do at Palm Jumeirah

Best Museums

Best Beaches in Dubai

Dubai's Coolest Architecture

Adventure Activities

Dubai Marina

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Jumeirah Mosque

Must-Try Food

Best Restaurants

Nightlife in Dubai

Your Trip to Dubai: The Complete Guide

LeoPatrizi/Getty Images

Dubai is renowned for having the tallest building in the world, amazing beaches, and fantastic shopping like the Dubai Mall . It is also home to some of the most luxurious hotels in the land and fun-filled adventures such as dune-bashing and Ski Dubai . Whatever your heart's content, it can be found in the City of Gold. Get lost zipping through the souks in Old Dubai or be stricken by the beautiful architecture and design throughout the city. Use this guide to lead you on your way exploring the enchanting city of Dubai.

Planning Your Trip

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Dubai is from October through April. This is the most comfortable time to explore the city as the months are cooler and much more bearable. It’s the best time for enjoying outdoor activities and festivals.

Language: Arabic is the official language in Dubai. However, English is widely spoken throughout the UAE.

Currency: The Emirati dirham (DH) is the official currency of Dubai and the UAE.

Getting Around: Dubai has an extensive public transport system consisting of buses, monorail, tram, taxis, and the Dubai metro. The Road and Transport Authority (RTA) is the official operator of the public transport network.

Travel Tip: If you are a fan of ridesharing apps like Uber or Lyft, make sure you download Dubai’s version Careem prior to your trip. The app also offers food delivery and access to bike-sharing services.

Things to Do

While most have a desire to visit the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, while visiting Dubai, there are plenty of other things to see and do. From visiting one of the museums to enjoying fine dining at the assortment of international restaurants and soaking up some rays at the public beaches, Dubai has even more experiences to enjoy.

• Visit one of the many theme parks available in Dubai such as the Dubai Parks and Resorts , which features Motiongate Dubai and 27 themed rides. If you desire to cool off instead, then consider exploring IMG Worlds of Adventure , which is the biggest indoor theme park in the world featuring the Lost Valley Dinosaur Adventure. The kids will rave for days from this action-packed experience!
• Dubai is home to the Guinness Book of World Records   largest structure made of flowers at the Dubai Miracle Garden . It features a real life-sized Boeing A380 full of over 500,000 floral arrangements. The Miracle garden also offers the Dubai Butterfly Garden, which houses 15,000 butterflies of more than 26 species.
• Dubai also features the largest shopping mall in the world the Dubai Mall. Explore this feast on the eyes, which offers the Dubai Ice Rink and the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. The aquarium features more than 300 sharks and other species of fish, which can be seen for free from outside of the tank while walking by with friends and family.

Explore more attractions with our full-length articles on the most adventurous activities to in Duba i, the 10 best day trips from Dubai , and Dubai’s top 10 beaches .

What to Eat and Drink

Dubai has an assorted food scene, considering that more than 80 percent of residents in Dubai are from various nationalities there is no wonder why. Whatever type of food that you desire, it can be found at one of the many fine-dining restaurants or street food stalls on Jumeriah beach.

Check out our complete guides to which foods to try, the best bars , and where to eat at the Dubai Marina .

Where to Stay

There are a host of hotel options in Dubai for the discerning traveler to the globetrotter willing to shell out the big bucks in the City of Gold. Many travelers enjoy staying closer to the southern end of the city in the Jumeriah Beach and Dubai Marina areas. Nevertheless, the Downtown Dubai and Business Bay area offers both high-end and affordable options as well such as Rove Downtown and the Palace Downtown , an Address hotel. 

Check out our recommendations for the 9 best Dubai hotels and a guide to Atlantis The Palm, Dubai .

Getting There

The main airport in the city is Dubai International Airport (DXB), which is a hub for many international destinations. It was operated with more than 86 million customers in 2019   , thus making it one of the world’s busiest airports for international passengers. Dubai also has the smaller Al Maktoum International airport at Dubai World Central (DWC), which is linked to the city and Dubai International airport by buses operated by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Culture and Customs

Some people may think of the Middle East and have concerns about safety there. Nevertheless, it is safe to travel to Dubai . The UAE actually is one of the safest countries in the world   . While Islamic culture may be different than what we are used to in Western cultures, as long as you respect the culture in Dubai, you will be respected as a tourist here.

It is advisable to dress conservatively in certain areas like visiting a mosque or traditional areas. This may include covering your arms past your elbows and legs past your knees. It’s a good idea for women to keep a scarf on them for visiting holy places so you can cover your hair. Again, respect is the key term here and better to err on the side of caution.

Money-Saving Tips

Many think that when you travel to Dubai you have to spend loads of money on entertainment, food, and shopping. You will more than likely pay for a tour for certain activities and will like to experience other unique activities popular in the city like Dinner in the Sky and more. However, there are some ways to stay on budget while in Dubai.

• The Entertainer is a booklet and app that many locals and visitors can use to get great discounts and deals at restaurants, activities, and hotels. It offers great two-for-one specials on various theme parks, attractions, clubs, restaurants, and more throughout the city. The booklet is available at bookstores and supermarkets, or you can download the app prior to your trip.
• Instead of paying for pricey taxis from one side of the city to the next, consider taking the Dubai Metro for a cheap ride across the city. It is available for transport from the airport to locations south of the city.
• Consider cutting back on those drink price by attending a happy hour at places like the famed McGettigan’s to Perry & Blackwelder’s, or one of the many other options.

Learn more about inexpensive ways to have fun by exploring 10 free things to do in Dubai .

Guinness World Records. " Largest Flower Arrangement/Structure ."

Reuters. " Dubai airport sees rare annual drop in passenger traffic in 2019 ."

Numbeo. " Safety Index by City 2020 ."

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Unique Experiences in Dubai

Dubai is a city that always surprises and delights visitors with its unique experiences. Here are some extraordinary activities that will make your trip to Dubai unforgettable.

Desert Safari

Escape the city’s glitz and glamour and venture into the vast Arabian desert. Embark on a thrilling desert safari where you can ride camels , dune bashing in a 4×4 vehicle, Quad Bike , and witness a mesmerizing sunset over the dunes. End the evening with a traditional Bedouin-style dinner under the starlit sky.

Skydiving over Palm Jumeirah

For adrenaline seekers, skydiving over Palm Jumeirah is an experience like no other. Feel the rush of freefall from thousands of feet in the air and enjoy breathtaking views of this palm-shaped island and the glittering Dubai skyline. This is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that will leave you exhilarated.

Skiing at Ski Dubai

Believe it or not, you can ski in the desert! Visit Ski Dubai , an indoor ski resort in the Mall of the Emirates. Prepare for exciting winter fun with snowboarding on the slopes, or enjoy building snowmen and sipping hot chocolate in the cozy Alpine-themed setting.

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Planning Your Itinerary

Planning your itinerary is essential to make the most of your trip to Dubai. Here are some tips to help you create a well-rounded and enjoyable schedule.

Prioritize Must-See Attractions

List the must-see attractions and experiences you don’t want to miss. This could include iconic landmarks like the Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah and prepping for adventure activities such as desert safari rides.

Consider Travel Distances

Dubai is a sprawling city, so consider the distances between attractions when planning your itinerary. Group together attractions close to each other to save time and avoid unnecessary travel.

Be Mindful of Prayer Times

Dubai is an Islamic city, and respecting prayer times is essential. These occur five times a day and can impact certain activities and services.

Accommodation Options in Dubai

Dubai provides diverse lodging choices tailored to meet various budgets and individual preferences. From the tallest hotels , and luxurious resorts to budget-friendly rooms, you can explore various popular options for your stay in Dubai.

If you want to indulge in ultimate luxury, Dubai’s resorts will leave you pampered and awestruck. From the iconic Burj Al Arab , the world’s only 7-star hotel, to the beachfront resorts on Palm Jumeirah, you can experience luxury and world-class service.

For those who want to be in the heart of the action, downtown Dubai is the best place to stay. Here, you’ll find various hotels offering convenient access to famous landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and the Dubai Opera. You can savor breath-taking views of the city skyline and a bustling atmosphere.

Tips for a Smooth Trip to Dubai

To ensure a seamless and pleasurable journey to Dubai, here are some insider tips to help you make the most of your experience.

Dress Modestly

While Dubai is a cosmopolitan city, it’s essential to respect the local culture. When visiting public areas, such as shopping malls or religious sites, dress modestly by covering your shoulders and knees. Doing so will ensure you are welcomed and respected by the locals.

Respect Local Customs

Dubai is an Islamic city with strong cultural values. Be respectful of the local customs. Refrain from consuming foods, drinking, or smoking in public during fasting hours, and be mindful of local businesses and etiquette.

Respect Photography Restrictions

Dubai is a photographer’s paradise, but respecting privacy and photography restrictions is essential. Do not capture images of individuals without prior consent, and be mindful of restricted areas where photography is prohibited.

Transportation in Dubai

Getting around Dubai is relatively easy, thanks to its well-developed transportation system. Dubai’s metro system is clean, efficient, and the best travel method.

With two lines, the Red Line and the Green Line, the metro covers the most popular tourist destinations, including the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, and Dubai Marina . The subway system runs from 5:30 a.m. to 12:00 on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 12:00 on Fridays.

Taxis are readily available throughout Dubai and offer a convenient way to travel, especially if you’re exploring areas not covered by the metro. Using official taxis with a Dubai Taxi Corporation logo is advisable to ensure your safety and avoid any scams. You can also save plenty on Dubai bus tours , such as Dubai hop-on and hop-off sightseeing tours.

Dubai is a city that promises endless delights and unforgettable experiences. Dubai offers something for everyone, from its iconic landmarks to its rich cultural heritage.

Whether exploring the city’s towering skyscrapers, indulging in world-class shopping, or immersing yourself in its vibrant culture, Dubai will leave you spellbound.

Planning your itinerary carefully, choosing the right time to visit, and embracing the local culture will make your journey memorable. So pack your bags, get ready to be dazzled, and embark on a memorable trip to Dubai.

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3-Day Dubai Discovery: Iconic Sights & Wonders

May 7, 2024 · 2 min read

Embark on a three-day adventure through Dubai, a city that defies the ordinary with its blend of futuristic marvels and ancient traditions. Begin your journey at the Museum of The Future, where innovation meets art, spending 1.5 hours immersed in a world of possibilities. Dive into the aquatic wonders of the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, and marvel at the panoramic views from the iconic Burj Khalifa's observation deck. As the sun sets, be enchanted by the choreographed dance of The Dubai Fountain. On your second day, frame your memories at the Dubai Frame's observation deck, then wander through the historic lanes of Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. Cruise along Dubai Creek and haggle for treasures at the Dubai Gold Souk. Your final day is a splash at Aquaventure Waterpark, with an entire day dedicated to thrilling water rides and relaxation. Before you depart, take a quick peek into The Lost Chambers Aquarium to conclude your Dubai escapade. This itinerary promises a blend of awe-inspiring attractions and unique experiences, ensuring your time in Dubai is unforgettable.

• 3 Days in Dubai Itinerary: Day 1

Museum of The Future

Kicking off our Dubai adventure, we first step into the realm of innovation at the Museum of The Future. Located on the bustling Sheikh Zayed Road, this architectural marvel isn't just a museum; it's a journey to tomorrow. Spend about 1.5 hours exploring interactive exhibits and immersive experiences that showcase the world of the future. The museum's unique design and cutting-edge technology make it a beacon of creativity and a testament to Dubai's vision for the future.

Attraction Info

• Sheikh Zayed Rd - Trade Centre - Trade Centre 2 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
• Suggested tour duration: 1.5-3 hour
• Open from 9:30am-9:00pm，The scenic spot will be temporarily closed in the afternoon on February 11, 2024. Please arrange your travel time reasonably. The business hours of the scenic spot may be temporarily adjusted, please refer to the official website.

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Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

Next, dive into an aquatic wonderland at the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, nestled in the heart of The Dubai Mall. With just an hour here, you'll be transported into an underwater realm where thousands of marine creatures call home. Marvel at the majestic sharks, graceful rays, and colorful schools of fish as you walk through the tunnel. The aquarium is not only a monument to marine conservation but also a museum that educates and entertains.

• The Dubai Mall, Doha Street, Off 1st Interchange - Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai, U.A.E
• Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
• Open on Mon-Thu,10:00am-11:00pm;Open on Fri-Sun,10:00am-0:00am，During Ramadan (approximately March 11-April 10, depending on local announcements), the opening hours are: Weekdays – 10:00 AM to Midnight – Last entry at 11:15 PM. Weekends – 10:00 AM to 01:00 AM – Last entry at 12:15 AM.

Burj Khalifa

As the sun begins to dip, we ascend to the skies with a visit to the iconic Burj Khalifa. Spend two hours gazing out from the world's highest observation deck, with panoramic views that stretch across the desert and beyond. The Burj Khalifa is more than just a tall building; it's a symbol of Dubai's sky-high ambitions and a must-visit for any traveler seeking to touch the sky.

• 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd - Downtown Dubai - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
• Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
• Open 24 hours

The Dubai Fountain

Our day culminates with a mesmerizing display at The Dubai Fountain. Set aside half an hour to witness this choreographed masterpiece, where water, music, and light come together in a dance of sheer beauty. Located at the base of the Burj Khalifa, the fountain's performance is the perfect endnote to an unforgettable day, leaving us with lasting memories of Dubai's dynamic spirit.

• Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd - Downtown Dubai - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
• Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 hour
• Open from 6:00am-11:00pm

Where to Stay Tonight

Higuests - souk al bahar, tasteful apt cls to burj khalifa dubai mall.

• 3 Days in Dubai Itinerary: Day 2

Dubai Frame

Begin your second day in Dubai with a visit to the iconic Dubai Frame, a striking piece of modern architecture that offers panoramic views of the city's past and future. As you step into this architectural marvel located in Zabeel Park, prepare to be whisked up to the observation deck where the city unfolds beneath you in a breathtaking display. Spend an hour here, capturing the contrast between the old and new Dubai through the Frame's expansive glass windows.

• Zabeel Park Jogging Track - Za'abeel - Al Kifaf - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
• Open from 9:00am-9:00pm

Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

Next, immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Dubai's history at the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. This cultural gem is a labyrinth of narrow lanes lined with meticulously restored historic buildings. As you wander for about an hour, you'll feel the stories of yesteryear come alive around you, with monuments and traditional wind towers whispering tales of the city's vibrant past.

• Al Fahidi - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
• Open from 7:00am-8:00pm

Dubai Creek

Following the echoes of history, make your way to the lifeblood of old Dubai, the Dubai Creek. Here, you can spend a couple of hours exploring the bustling waterway that was once the hub of the city's trade. The Creek is not just a gym for the body but also for the soul, offering a chance to witness the harmonious blend of commerce, culture, and people that makes Dubai truly unique.

• Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Dubai Gold Souk

Conclude your day's adventure with a visit to the Dubai Gold Souk, a characteristic neighborhood that glitters with the allure of precious metals and gems. Spend an hour in this traditional market, where the air is thick with the promise of a good bargain. Let yourself be dazzled by the intricate jewelry designs and perhaps even take a piece of Dubai's golden splendor home with you.

• Deira - Al Ras - Dubai - United Arab Emirates

CUBE HOTEL DUBAI

Gold sky avenue hotel.

• 3 Days in Dubai Itinerary: Day 3

Aquaventure Waterpark

Kickstart your final day in Dubai with a splash at the Aquaventure Waterpark, a thrilling world of aquatic fun located at Atlantis The Palm - Crescent Rd - The Palm Jumeirah. As the first stop of the day, immerse yourself in an entire day of water-based excitement, from adrenaline-pumping slides to lazy river rides. The park's extensive collection of attractions ensures there's something for every age and thrill level, making it a perfect family-friendly destination to create lasting memories.

• Atlantis The Palm - Crescent Rd - The Palm Jumeirah - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
• Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 day
• Open from 04/17-12/31,10:15am-7:00pm;Closed all day on 04/16,Tue

The Lost Chambers Aquarium

After a day of sun-soaked thrills, wind down with a visit to The Lost Chambers Aquarium, just a stone's throw away from the waterpark. This underwater world, nestled within Atlantis, The Palm, offers a serene contrast with a 20-minute journey through the mysterious ruins of Atlantis, accompanied by the tranquil beauty of marine life. The aquarium's enchanting ambiance and up-close encounters with exotic sea creatures provide a soothing finale to your action-packed Dubai itinerary.

• 44J9+V7P Atlantis, The Palm - The Palm Jumeirah - Dubai -United Arab Emirates
• Suggested tour duration: 20-30 minutes
• Open from 04/18-04/19,Thu-Fri,3:00pm-9:00pm;Open from 04/01-04/17,10:00am-9:00pm;Open from 04/20-12/31,10:00am-9:00pm

Atlantis, the Palm

Presidential suite near at palm jumeirah beach, top things to do in dubai-2024.

• The Burj Khalifa is a global landmark building and a feat of engineering. It is also the conceptual "heart" and soul of the city of Dubai.

• The Burj Khalifa is 828 meters high. You can enjoy the unparalleled views from two observation decks. They are the top of the city on the 124th and 125th floors and the world's highest observation deck on the 148th floor.

• The Burj Khalifa is like a steel flower blooming in the desert. No matter how bad the weather is in spring, summer, autumn and winter, the tower remains like spring all year round.

△ Levels 124 | 125

Take the double-deck elevator directly to Level 124 at an impressive 10 metres per second! In less than 60 seconds, the elevator reaches the observation deck, one of the world's highest public observation decks with an outdoor terrace. Enjoy the majestic views of the surrounding emirate with breathtaking 360-degree panoramas at your disposal. Learn all there is to know about the design and technology behind this architectural wonder while feasting your eyes on modern and historical views of the city with one of the deck's telescopes.

△ Levels 148 | 125 | 124

Soaring high at 555 meters, At the Burj Khalifa SKY is fittingly one of Dubai’s most iconic destination. Your journey begins when you step into the Burj Khalifa SKY lounge, from where you will be personally escorted to a dedicated elevator. Inside, watch in amazement specially-designed projections as you ascend to Level 125. Get ready to enjoy exclusive access to the redefined, highest outdoor observatory in the world, spread across levels 148, 125 and 124 of Burj Khalifa.

△ Levels 154| 153| 152

Explore the world's highest lounge at 585 meters, with an exhilarating outdoor terrace as you enjoy your afternoon tea in the clouds or an intimate evening of cocktails and canapes.

• To see, touch, and shape our shared future

• Go on a journey through possible futures

• Bring hope and knowledge back to the present

△ Interactive Exhibits: The museum features a range of interactive exhibits that allow visitors to experience and engage with future technologies and innovations.

△ Futuristic Architecture: The building itself is a work of art, with a unique design that reflects the museum's focus on the future. The structure is made up of seven floors, each with its own theme and exhibits.

△ Virtual Reality: The museum offers a range of virtual reality experiences that allow visitors to explore different future scenarios and technologies in an immersive way. From flying cars to space travel, the VR experiences are designed to inspire and educate visitors about the possibilities of the future.

• Location: The Palm resort on the Palm Jumeirah island in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

• Theme: The aquarium is designed to resemble the lost city of Atlantis, with its ruins and ancient artifacts.

• Marine Life: The aquarium is home to over 65,000 marine animals from different parts of the world.

△ Atlantis-themed: The aquarium is designed with a captivating Atlantis theme, featuring ancient ruins and artifacts that create an immersive underwater experience.

△ Extensive marine life: The aquarium houses a vast array of marine species, including sharks, rays, fish, and jellyfish. Visitors can witness the beauty and diversity of these creatures up close.

△ Interactive experiences: The Lost Chambers Aquarium offers various interactive activities for visitors, such as scuba diving, snorkeling, and feeding sessions, allowing them to engage with the marine life and have a hands-on experience.

▴The location where Nakheel Tower is located is on the 52nd floor, and is 240 meters high. From the outdoor terrace and cocktail lounge you can enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of the Palm Jumeirah, the Arabian Gulf and other areas.

▴Enjoy stunning views of Palm Jumeirah from the highest point of the Palm Tower at Next Level at The View. Enjoy beautiful views of the city and explore new activities like Cheers at the View, afternoon tea and sunrise breakfast.

▴Ride the unique Nakheel train that crosses the beautiful Palm Jumeirah island and explore Nakheel’s impressive landmarks.

* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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The Ultimate Dubai Travel Guide

Dubai Travel Guide - Are you currently in the process of organizing a journey to Dubai? You are about to experience a delightful surprise.

Mundo Maya Travel

• Updated: December 7, 2023
• 12 min read

Dubai Travel Guide – Are you currently in the process of organizing a journey to Dubai? You are about to experience a delightful surprise.

Our complete Dubai travel guide has everything you need to make your vacation to this dynamic city unforgettable.

Dubai offers everything—beautiful architecture, world-class shopping, delicious food, and thrilling desert excursions.

Dubai has something for everyone—luxury, adventure, and culture. So saddle up and prepare to conquer this stunning city!

What awaits you in Dubai? Stop looking elsewhere! Our complete Dubai travel guide covers prominent sites, must-see neighborhoods, and local suggestions.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Overview of Dubai : Often perceived as a luxury stopover, Dubai is a city with deep cultural roots and a range of activities that go beyond its glitzy surface. It's a blend of conservative culture and a Middle-Eastern version of Las Vegas.
• Burj Khalifa : The world's tallest building with observation decks offering panoramic views.
• Desert Safari : A day-long adventure in the desert, including jeep tours and traditional food.
• Global Village : A cultural and entertainment extravaganza showcasing Middle Eastern cultures.
• Dubai Miracle Garden : The world's largest natural flower garden with over 150 million flowers.
• Kite Beach : Popular for kitesurfing and water sports, with various amenities.
• Exploring the Marina, shopping malls, and the Grand Mosque.
• Visiting old Dubai for a traditional experience.
• Enjoying the Jumeirah Beach and Palm Islands.
• Experiencing local and international cuisine in various restaurants.
• Hostel and budget hotel prices are provided with an average cost for food, transportation, and attractions.
• Three suggested budgets: Backpacker (260 AED/day), Mid-range (870 AED/day), Luxury (1,425 AED/day).
• Use Groupon and The Entertainer for discounts.
• Eat in Old Dubai for cheaper meals.
• Choose accommodations near the metro for convenience and cost-effectiveness.
• Use a reusable water bottle as tap water is safe to drink.
• Accommodations : Limited hostels available; advance booking recommended.
• Public transportation is efficient with a metro and bus system.
• Taxis and ridesharing options like Uber and Careem are available.
• Bicycles can be rented for short trips.
• Car rental is advised only for trips outside the city.
• Best Time to Visit : November to April for cooler weather; avoid May to August due to extreme heat.
• Safety Tips : Dubai is generally safe, but conservative behavior and dress are advised. Awareness of local laws, especially regarding public behavior and photography, is important.
• Travel Insurance : Recommended for all travelers.
• Booking Resources : Various recommended platforms for booking flights, accommodations, and tours.

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15 Best Restaurants in Singapore: From Fine Dining to Budget-friendly Eats

Table of Contents Show The Best Places to Eat in Singapore 10 Best Restaurants in Singapore for Fine Dining 5 Best Restaurants in Singapore for Fine Dining 1. Odette 2. Waku Ghin 3. Nouri 4. Cure 5.... Read more .

The Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, and local secrets will be revealed. Want to shop at the world’s largest mall or go desert dune bashing? You’re covered.

Sit back, relax, and let us take you on a magical tour of Dubai.

Unlock the Wonders of Dubai: Your Complete Travel Handbook

Photo by Christoph Schulz

Dubai is an incredible city that provides a one-of-a-kind blend of luxury, culture, and adventure.

Whether you want to explore towering buildings, engage in world-class shopping, or immerse yourself in the rich Arabic culture, Dubai has plenty for anyone.

In this comprehensive Dubai travel guide, we will take you on a journey through the geography, attractions, activities, cuisine, and transportation options that Dubai has to offer.

Geography and Climate

Tucked away on the Arabian Peninsula in the bustling Middle East, Dubai is nestled on the southeastern coastline of the Persian Gulf, staking its claim as the largest city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Now, don’t go thinking it’s all vast expanses, though. With an area covering just around 1,588 square miles, it’s a bit of a pocket rocket in terms of land size.

But, don’t let its compact size fool you! This city is like a Pandora’s box, jam-packed with an endless treasure trove of attractions and experiences waiting to be explored . Dubai’s got more than just a few aces up its sleeve!

One thing to note – Dubai serves up a healthy dose of heat! With a climate that’s as dry as a bone, you can expect sweltering summers that often tip the scales at a toasty 104°F (40°C).

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A visit during these months means you’ll want to drink like a fish and slather on sun protection to keep from frying like an egg under that relentless sun.

On the flip side, winter in Dubai is a whole different ball game.

Picture perfect days ranging from a mild 64°F (18°C) to a balmy 86°F (30°C), making it an idyllic time to play tourist and explore the city . So, folks, pack your bags and let’s dive headfirst into the wonders of Dubai!

Dubai Travel Guide: Getting to Dubai

Embarking on an adventure to Dubai? We’ve got you covered! Navigating your way to this gleaming jewel in the United Arab Emirates is a breeze with our handy guide.

From flights to visas, let’s unpack the essentials of getting to Dubai, your gateway to an unforgettable vacation.

Dubai International Airport (DXB), one of the busiest airports in the world, serves the city.

It is well-connected to major cities worldwide, with multiple airlines providing direct flights to Dubai. When you arrive at the airport, you can take a cab, metro, or bus to the city center.

Road Travel

If you want to travel to Dubai, there is a network of motorways connecting it to other emirates in the UAE and other countries.

Dubai’s roadways are well-kept, and driving in the city is quite simple. Keep in mind, though, that Dubai’s traffic can be crowded at peak hours.

Dubai is also a popular cruise destination, with several cruise lines including a stop in the city on their itineraries.

If you arrive by boat in Dubai, you will dock at the Dubai Cruise Terminal, which is conveniently positioned in the city center.

Our Recommended Accommodations in Dubai

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5 (2,695 reviews)

One-bedroom apartment, close to Dubai Mall, self check-in

3.52 (237 reviews)

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Frank Porter - Goldcrest Executive

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Dubai offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit every budget and preference. From luxurious hotels to cozy vacation rentals, you will find the perfect place to stay during your visit .

Luxury Hotels

If you are looking for a lavish experience, Dubai is home to some of the world’s most luxurious hotels.

From the iconic Burj Al Arab, known as the world’s only seven-star hotel, to the Atlantis, The Palm, which is located on the stunning Palm Jumeirah island, these hotels offer unparalleled luxury and indulgence.

Budget Hotels

For travelers on a budget, Dubai also has a variety of budget-friendly hotels and guesthouses.

These accommodations provide comfortable rooms and convenient amenities at an affordable price, allowing you to save money while still enjoying your stay in Dubai.

Vacation Rentals

If you prefer a more home-like experience, consider booking a vacation rental in Dubai. There are numerous options available, ranging from apartments to villas, many of which offer stunning views of the city’s skyline or the Arabian Gulf.

Vacation rentals are a great choice for families or larger groups, as they usually provide more space and privacy than traditional hotel rooms.

Top Dubai Attractions

Dubai is known for its iconic landmarks, modern architecture, and unique attractions. Here are some must-visit attractions in Dubai:

Burj Khalifa

Photo by Riyas Mohammed

No visit to Dubai is complete without a trip to the Burj Khalifa. Standing at a towering height of 2,722 feet (829.8 meters), the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world.

Take an elevator ride to the observation deck on the 148th floor, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city and beyond.

The Dubai Mall

Photo by Noah Bikoro

Adjacent to the Burj Khalifa is The Dubai Mall, one of the largest shopping malls in the world. With over 1,200 retail outlets, including high-end fashion brands and international retailers,

The Dubai Mall offers a shopper’s paradise. Don’t forget to explore its entertainment offerings, such as the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo or the famous Dubai Fountain show, which takes place on the mall’s waterfront promenade.

Palm Jumeirah

Photo by Thomas Haas

Shaped like a palm tree, Palm Jumeirah is an artificial island that stretches out into the Arabian Gulf.

It is home to luxurious resorts, such as Atlantis, The Palm, and offers a stunning coastline with pristine beaches.

Take a walk along the Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk or indulge in water sports activities such as jet skiing or paddleboarding.

Exciting Activities and Entertainment in Dubai

Photo by ZQ Lee

Dubai offers a multitude of activities and entertainment options that cater to all tastes and preferences. Here are some popular choices:

Desert Safaris

Embark on a thrilling desert safari and experience the beauty of Dubai’s vast sand dunes. Take a ride on a 4×4 vehicle through the desert, try sandboarding, or enjoy a mesmerizing sunset over the dunes.

You can also indulge in a traditional Bedouin-style dinner and live entertainment, including belly dancing and henna painting.

Water Parks

Escape the heat and have a splashing good time at one of Dubai’s water parks. Aquaventure Waterpark, located at Atlantis, The Palm, offers thrilling water slides and a unique aquarium experience.

Wild Wadi Waterpark, situated in front of the iconic Burj Al Arab, is another popular choice, featuring adrenaline-pumping rides and wave pools.

Dubai is a shopper’s paradise, with a multitude of shopping options. From traditional souks to modern malls, you are sure to find whatever you’re looking for.

Explore the traditional souks, such as the Gold Souk and the Spice Souk, where you can haggle for unique jewelry, spices, and traditional Arabian goods.

If you prefer a more modern shopping experience, head to the Dubai Mall or Mall of the Emirates, which offer a wide range of international brands and designer boutiques.

Cultural Experiences in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Photo by Fernando Jorge

While Dubai is known for its modernity, it also offers a wealth of cultural experiences that allow you to immerse yourself in the local traditions and heritage. Here are some cultural highlights:

Dubai Museum

Located in the historic Al Fahidi Fort, the Dubai Museum offers a glimpse into the city’s past. Explore the exhibits that showcase traditional Emirati life, ancient artifacts, and archaeological findings.

The museum provides a fascinating insight into Dubai’s transformation from a small fishing village to a global metropolis.

Jumeirah Mosque

Photo by Mitesh

Visit the beautiful Jumeirah Mosque, one of the most significant landmarks in Dubai. This stunning mosque is open to non-Muslim visitors and offers guided tours that provide an in-depth understanding of Islamic culture and traditions.

Cultural Tours

Take a cultural tour of Dubai to explore its diverse neighborhoods and learn about the city’s heritage.

From the vibrant Al Fahidi Historic District to the picturesque Bastakiya Quarter, these tours offer a deeper understanding of Dubai’s local culture, art, and architecture.

Cuisine and Dining in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is a melting pot of cuisines, offering a wide range of culinary delights that will satisfy every palate.

Here are some dining options to consider:

Local Delicacies

Indulge in traditional Emirati cuisine and savor flavors such as lamb machbous, a spiced rice dish, or harees, a creamy wheat and meat dish. You can also try local delicacies such as camel meat, which is available in select restaurants.

Fine Dining

Dubai is a haven for food enthusiasts, with numerous fine dining restaurants helmed by renowned chefs.

From Michelin-starred establishments to celebrity chef-owned restaurants, you can indulge in gourmet cuisine from around the world.

Street Food

For a more casual dining experience, explore Dubai’s street food scene. Head to the city’s vibrant food markets, known as souks, and sample delicious treats such as shawarmas, falafels, and kunafa, a traditional Middle Eastern dessert.

Shopping Experience in Dubai

Dubai is famous for its shopping, offering a wide range of retail therapy options to suit every taste. Here are some shopping highlights:

Traditional Souks

Experience the authentic charm of Dubai’s traditional markets, known as souks. The Gold Souk is a bustling market where you can find exquisite gold jewelry, while the Spice Souk offers a sensory experience with its aromatic spices and herbs. Don’t forget to haggle for the best prices!

Mall Shopping

Dubai is home to numerous world-class shopping malls that offer an unparalleled shopping experience.

From the luxurious Mall of the Emirates to the elegant Dubai Mall, you can find everything from high-end fashion brands to electronics and homeware.

Gold and Spice Souks

If you are looking for a unique shopping experience, head to the Gold and Spice Souks in Deira. In these vibrant markets, you will find an array of gold and precious gems, as well as a variety of aromatic spices.

Exploring these souks is an exciting way to immerse yourself in the local culture and discover hidden treasures.

Transportation Options in Dubai

Dubai’s transportation system is efficient and well-developed, making it easy to get around the city. Here are some transportation options:

Metro and Public Buses

Dubai has a modern and extensive metro system that connects major attractions and neighborhoods.

The Dubai Metro is clean, reliable, and offers a cost-effective way to travel around the city . If you prefer buses, Dubai’s public bus network covers most areas, providing an affordable mode of transportation.

Taxis and Ride-Sharing

Taxis are readily available in Dubai and are a convenient way to get around, especially if you prefer door-to-door service.

You can easily hail a taxi on the street or book one through a taxi app. Ride-sharing services such as Uber and Careem are also popular and provide an alternative to taxis.

From Skyscrapers to Sandy Dunes: Your Ultimate Dubai Travel Guide

Photo by David Rodrigo

Dubai, pals, is an out-of-this-world destination, boasting a smorgasbord of experiences to tickle any traveler’s fancy.

You’re in for a treat, whether you’re itching to gawk at architectural marvels, splurge on posh shopping sprees, or dive headfirst into the local culture.

From the sky-kissing Burj Khalifa to the lively, scent-filled souks, each nook and cranny of this city is a treasure trove of wonders .

So, what are you waiting for?

Stuff your suitcase and buckle up for an unforgettable Dubai escapade, where a blend of luxury, thrill, and warm Arabian hospitality is ready to roll out the red carpet for you.

Hold on to your hats, folks, because Dubai is all set to blow your socks off!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days in dubai are enough.

For a comprehensive Dubai experience, a stay of 4 to 7 days is typically recommended. This duration allows you to explore the city's major landmarks like Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and the Dubai Fountain, as well as enjoy desert safaris, explore traditional markets (souks), and relax on the beaches. If you're interested in day trips to nearby emirates like Abu Dhabi, consider extending your stay.

How much should I budget for a trip to Dubai?

The budget for a Dubai trip can vary greatly depending on your travel style and choices. For a budget traveler, planning around $70 to $100 per day can cover basic accommodation, public transport, and modest dining. For a mid-range experience, budget around $150 to $250 per day for better accommodations, more dining options, and activities like desert safaris or entry to attractions. Luxury travelers should budget $300 or more per day, as Dubai offers a range of high-end experiences. Keep in mind that shopping, high-end dining, and certain experiences like skydiving or luxury desert tours will increase your budget.

Can I plan a Dubai trip on my own?

Absolutely, you can plan a Dubai trip on your own. Dubai is well-equipped for tourists, with extensive information available online for hotels, activities, and transportation. The city is known for being safe and having an efficient public transport system, making it relatively straightforward for independent travelers to navigate. However, consider researching local customs, rules, and necessary bookings for popular attractions in advance.

What are the rules for female tourists in Dubai?

Female tourists in Dubai should be mindful of local customs and laws to ensure a respectful and trouble-free visit. While Dubai is modern and relatively liberal, it is still important to dress modestly, especially in public areas like shopping malls and when using public transport. This typically means avoiding excessively tight or revealing clothing and ensuring shoulders and knees are covered. In more traditional areas and when visiting mosques, it's advisable to cover your arms and legs fully. Public displays of affection should be minimal, and cohabitation for unmarried couples, while generally overlooked, is technically illegal. It's also important to note that during Ramadan, eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours is prohibited.

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Welcome to Dubai

Beautiful beaches, record-breaking attractions and experiences like no other – Dubai is the place to be in 2024. It's no wonder we are the first city to be named Tripadvisor's #1 Top Destination in the World for three years running. Let's explore!

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Dubai Travel Guide: What To Do | Budget Tips | Day Trips & More

Things to do in Dubai Dubai Travel Guide Dubai Travel Guide

Get ready to go on an epic adventure as I spill the beans on one of the most dazzling gems of the Middle East – Dubai! I've called this city home for quite some time, and let me tell you, it's a place that never ceases to amaze me. In this comprehensive travel guide, I'm dishing out all the deets from A to Z – why you absolutely must visit Dubai, how to prep for your journey, the top-notch things to check off your bucket list, breezy ways to get around, hidden gems near the city, the scoop on the best neighborhoods to crash, cozy hotels to make your stay memorable, and of course, the lowdown on what and where to chow down. Stick with me, and we'll even explore how to enjoy this dazzling destination without burning a hole in your pocket. Buckle up, let's dive into the fabulous world of Dubai together!

4 reasons you should visit Dubai

How to prepare for your trip to Dubai?

Visa requirements.

Navigating the UAE's visa landscape is like picking out the perfect outfit for your Dubai adventure – it's essential, and the options are diverse! Depending on your passport, you could either walk in visa-free, get one online, or apply for one at the embassy in your country. For the short-term fling, there's the UAE Tourist Visa, perfect for stays under 30 days. For a longer affair, you can dive into the world of UAE Residence Visas – Student, Work, Family, Retirement, or even the Dubai Digital Nomad Visa. Level up with the Long-Term Residence Visa, offering 5-10 years of UAE bliss. Just passing through? The UAE Transit Visa has your back.

Health insurance

Before you get swept away by the glitz of Dubai, let's chat about health insurance. Trust me, it's like having a golden ticket to the healthcare wonderland. While not a must for citizens from visa-free countries, snagging travel insurance is a savvy move. In a city where healthcare costs can empty your pockets, you want to be covered. Think ambulance rides, doctor dates, and unexpected hospital shindigs. Opt for a policy that hugs you in emergencies, guards against trip disruptions, shields your luggage and even has a plan for getting you home if things go sideways.

Best time to visit

Buckle up for the prime seasons – November to February, where the city flaunts its A-game. The desert escapades, live gigs, and perfect weather make it a dreamy getaway. March, April, September, and October dial it down for a laid-back escape without the hustle. Dubai's got a year-round charm, thanks to futuristic cooling tech! High season (Nov-Apr) rocks with cooler temperatures, lively events, and festive vibes, but brace for pricier tags. Low season (May-Aug) suits budget travelers with great summer deals, and my favorite, shoulder season (Sep-Oct), beckons with sea frolics on a budget.

Language Arabic

Time zone GMT +4

Country Code +971

Socket Type G

Currency AED

Top things to do in Dubai

Dubai's a massive playground I've been lucky enough to explore every nook! From the towering heights of Burj Khalifa to the mind-bending views at Dubai Frame, the wild wonders of Safari Park, the floral magic of Miracle Garden, the chilly thrills at Ski Dubai, the heart-pounding Desert Safari, and the cultural extravaganza at Global Village – we're diving into the city's beating heart.

Landmarks in Dubai

Adventure in Dubai:

Buckle up for Dubai's adrenaline buffet – where adventures are as bold as the skyline! From dune bashing and a free-fall euphoria with Tandem Skydiving, to frosty fun at Ski Dubai and breezy Sailing escapades, get ready to turn your vacation mode into a full-throttle adventure!

Observation decks in Dubai

Elevate your Dubai experience to new heights with the city's jaw-dropping observation decks. Get ready for eye-popping panoramas at The View at the Palm and Burj Khalifa's At The Top. Immerse in futuristic vibes at the Dubai Frame, and soak up the cityscape at Sky Views Observatory. These decks aren't just platforms; they're front-row seats to Dubai's glittering skyline

Unmissable experiences in Dubai

Brace yourselves for Dubai's show-stoppers – the unmissable experiences that'll add a dash of magic to your trip. Glide through the city lights on enchanting Dhow Cruises, savor the sky-high culinary thrill with Dinner in the Sky, and get ready to be mesmerized by the aquatic wonders at La Perle.

Getting around Dubai

Before we get into the ways of getting around Dubai, let's talk about the magic wand of Dubai commuting – the NOL card. This little card is your golden ticket to glide through the city hassle-free. Just tap your NOL card at Metro and Waterbus gates, RTA Bus entrances, and parking meters – and voilà, you're on your way! Load it up with credit before your adventures begin, and you're set to conquer Dubai's transport wonders. Metro rides, breezy bus journeys, water escapades, tram adventures, and even parking – NOL's got your back.

• Metro: Hop on the sleek Dubai Metro for a hassle-free city tour. With the Red Line stretching from Dubai Intl Airport to UAE Exchange and the Green Line meandering from Etisalat to Al Qusais Creek, it's the ultimate transit duo. Switch lines at Union or Bur Juman for a seamless ride, making exploring Dubai's vibrant neighborhoods a breeze.
• Bus: Feel the cool breeze in air-conditioned comfort aboard Dubai's RTA buses. Equipped with NOL card sensors and accessible for all, these buses cover the city efficiently. Even the bus stops are cooled – a thoughtful touch to combat Dubai’s heat.
• Trams: Ride the modern wave with the Dubai Tram, connecting Dubai Marina to the Palm Jumeirah and Al Sufouh. With Wi-Fi, disabled access, private cabins, and dedicated metro police, it's a deluxe journey with seamless transfers to the metro and Palm Jumeirah monorail.
• Cabs: Dubai's ubiquitous taxis offer convenience at a cost. Despite being pricier, their availability and comfort make them a go-to choice. Spot them at malls, tourist attractions, or simply hail one on the road.
• Monorail: Glide along the Palm Islands with the Dubai Monorail, the Middle East's first. The Monorail also accepts the NOL card now. Connecting to the mainland and having future plans to link with the Metro Red Line, it's a unique journey, where a one-way ticket opens the door to Palm Jumeirah's wonders.
• Abras: Step back in time with Abras, Dubai's traditional water taxi. Half boat, half raft, they gracefully traverse the Dubai Creek, providing a link to the city's rich history. As you float across the waters, it's a nostalgic nod to the old days, offering a serene and scenic ride.
• Ferries: Embark on a journey with a touch of tradition on Dubai Ferries. Echoing the design of Abras, these boats ferry passengers along the picturesque 14-km stretch of the Dubai Creek.

Places to visit near Dubai

Buckle up for nearby city jaunts that'll add a pinch of diversity to your journey. Sneak off to Abu Dhabi, the UAE's glitzy capital, just a road trip away, flaunting architectural wonders and cultural gems. Sharjah, a cultural haven, beckons with vibrant markets and artsy vibes. Craving beach bliss? Head to Ajman, where pristine shores await. For an old-meets-new vibe, Ras Al Khaimah's got you covered with historic sites, adventurous activities at Jebel Jais, and modern luxuries. These neighboring gems are like Dubai's cool cousins, each offering a unique flavor to savor.

Best neighborhoods to stay in Dubai

For the views, nightlife & beaches, on a budget, luxury stay, where to stay in dubai for the views - downtown .

Downtown is the heart of Dubai. It is where the glitz and glam take center stage. It's the Dubai you've seen on TV, boasting the iconic Burj Khalifa, luxe shopping havens, and chic boulevards. This vibrant hub is the reason Dubai is in the spotlight. With dazzling club nights, fountain spectacles, and the world's largest mall, Downtown is the ritziest playground in Dubai. Do your research on cheap accommodation here because this area can get quite expensive!

Where to Stay in Dubai for Nightlife & beaches - Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence

The lively duo of Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence (my home turf) is the epitome of Western vibes in this cit. Spending the best of my 20s growing up in JBR, with its sandy shores and chic promenade was a dream! Peek beyond, and the Marina's towering skyscrapers and scenic canals steal the show. Living here is a breeze for European expats with endless bar options, relaxed beach vibes, and fewer wardrobe restrictions. It's the hub of fun, flaunting a beachy charm, diverse dining, and a skyline that'll leave you in awe.

Where to Stay in Dubai on a Budget - Bur Dubai & Deira

If you're chasing the heart and soul of Dubai without breaking the bank, Bur Dubai is your hidden gem. Steeped in history, this Old City haven offers narrow alleys, bustling bazaars, and authentic vibes. Inhabited by vibrant Indian communities, it's a cultural immersion you've been craving. Affordable accommodations and some of the city's best wallet-friendly Indian eats? Check and check! Now, if you're feeling the modern buzz, wander into Deira – a bit more polished but still flaunting that old-world charm. Both areas let you stretch your dirhams without sacrificing the essence of Dubai.

Experience Luxury in Dubai - Palm Jumeirah

If your idea of a dreamy Dubai stay involves glam, glitz, and a dash of exclusivity, Palm Jumeirah is your golden ticket. The Palm Jumeirah is a colossal palm-shaped island tethered to Dubai's mainland, flaunting opulence at every turn. Stretching for kilometers, it culminates in the lap of extravagance – the Atlantis Hotel, a mirror image of its Bahamian counterpart. This is the playground for those craving ultimate luxury vibes. From lavish accommodations to the mesmerizing Palm views, it's a haven for the discerning traveler. First time in Dubai and ready to splurge? Palm Jumeirah is where luxury whispers your name!

Where do expats stay in Dubai - Al Barsha

If you're craving practicality and pocket-friendly living without sacrificing city perks, Al Barsha is your Dubai haven. Sure, it might not shout glamour, but here's the deal – it's functional, well-connected, and a budget-friendly gem. Nestled near the metro, it's a commuting dream, linking you seamlessly to Marina and Downtown. The Mall of the Emirates is at your doorstep, and the area is a budget-friendly haven with a few Carrefour markets, diverse shops, and an array of local eats, from Arabic delights to top-notch Indian and Pakistani flavors.

Hotels in Dubai

• WeStay Hostel
• Marina Homes
• Hawana Hostel
• Bollywood Beach Hostel

Mid-range Hotels

• Royal Club By RVHR
• Aloft Palm Jumeirah
• Roda Beach Resort
• Rove La Mer Beach
• Hyatt Regency

Budget Hotels

• Montreal Barsha Hotel
• HIcon Delux Hotel Apartments
• Ramee Rose Hotel
• Signature 1 Hotel
• ibis Dubai Al Barsha

Luxury Hotels

• Atlantis, The Palm
• Burj Al Arab
• Bulgari Resort Dubai
• Nikki Beach Resort & Spa
• Kempinski Hotel

What to eat in Dubai

1. Manakish Dubai's manakish scene is a flavorsome journey through Levantine delight. These thin, crispy flatbreads adorned with cheeses, meats, and herbs have conquered hearts for centuries. Akawi Oven, a standout, crafts pizza-style manakish with a tantalizing array of toppings, from classic sausage and cheese to the intriguing meat with grenadine.

2. Arabic coffee and Dates Dubai's coffee culture is a delight, especially the complimentary Arabic coffee sprinkled across the UAE. For a top-notch experience, swing by Café Bateel and savor their signature qahwa – a traditional Arabic brew blended with lightly roasted beans and cardamom, accompanied by organic local dates.

3. Luqaimat Meet Luqaimat – Dubai's delectable dumplings, a lot like doughnuts but with a unique twist. Swing by Local Bites Café in Jumeirah for a morning delight. Freshly made, dripping in date sauce, and sprinkled with sesame seeds – a perfect sweet treat with your coffee!

4. Oozie Dubai's got a culinary gem – Oozie, a star at weddings and Ramadan. It’s basically rice, chicken, and a flavor explosion. Scoop it with yogurt or sprinkle some nuts for pure comfort. During Ramadan, it's a must-try, offering a taste of Dubai's festive flavors.

5. Al Harees Savor the heartwarming delight of Al Harees in Dubai – a culinary treasure of wheat, meat, and a pinch of salt slow-cooked to perfection. Traditionally enjoyed during Ramadan, Eid, and weddings, this dish embodies Dubai's rich culinary heritage. Experience its magic at Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe.

6. Iranian Sangak Dive into Dubai's culinary charm with Iranian Sangak, a whole wheat flatbread sensation. Served plain or gluten-free, it's a health-conscious foodie's dream. For the best bite, swing by Al Adedh Baker - Harmoodi Irani – your go-to spot for top-notch Sangak delight!

BONUS: How to save money in Dubai

1. Use City Cards Maximize your Dubai adventure without maxing out your budget with a Go City Dubai Explorer Pass or a Turbo Dubai City Pass . Unlock top attractions, tours, and experiences at a steal. It's your golden ticket to explore, save, and make the most of dazzling Dubai without burning a hole in your pocket!

2. There are loads of affordable food joints (and they're delicious) Eat at Karama, Bur Dubai, and Deira. These hidden gems serve up tasty treats starting at just AED10. Savor Pakistani delights at Ravi's and Iranian kebabs at Al Ustad Special Kebab. Don't overlook mall food courts for wallet-friendly fast food.

3. Choose the right neighbourhood If you're chasing affordable vibes in Dubai, check out areas like Al Barsha and Bur Dubai. They're not flashy, but they're practical, well-connected, and budget-friendly.

4. Use public transportation Maximize your dirhams with the budget-friendly Dubai Metro – a wallet-wise ride to key spots, from malls to the airport. Grab a 'Nol' card for metro, trams, and buses covering every nook. For Old Dubai charm, cruise the Creek on AED1 abra rides, blending savings with scenic views.

5. Groupon Groupon is the go-to magic wand for unlocking discounts galore! Whether you're itching for adventures, dining out, or some pampering, Groupon's got your back. It's the city's treasure trove of 2-for-1 specials and wallet-friendly deals. Planning a day out or craving a fancy dinner? Before you say 'let's go,' peek into Groupon for a high chance of snagging a sweet discount.

6. Travel during off season While it's sizzling outside, the city cools down its prices. Bag incredible hotel deals, snag budget-friendly airfares, and score discounts galore. Top-notch malls and attractions offer summer specials, letting you beat the heat indoors.

Amulya Chintaluri

Amulya's love for travelling was a natural consequence of her moving around so much as a child. Throw in her love for writing into the mix, and there's no better way to spend her time. A person who collects hobbies like Infinity Stones, she loves reading, sketching, drawing, painting, dry pressing flowers, music, cooking, eating cake, watching TV and sleeping.

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Dubai , Middle East , Solo Travel , Travel Tips , UAE

My solo trip to dubai (seven days itinerary).

Dubai  in the United Arab Emirates is vastly famous worldwide as a great shopping destination where the majority of the tourists started to shop from the airport due to the duty-free tag . But Dubai is more than a shopping hub. It is also common to enjoy a family trip to Dubai. I had a fun solo travel  in Dubai and found a city like Dubai is not even boring to travel alone. Therefore, I’m sharing my Dubai travel tips and experiences so that you can also explore in a group or even solo. Visiting Dubai for the first time? My Dubai seven days itinerary will help you to explore almost all the top attractions in the city. Get all the details inside to travel to Dubai and entertain you the best.

For a fun vacation, there are many  coolest things to do in Dubai .  You can happily spend one day, even more than a week in the city. Dubai offers a lot to explore from many unique landmarks to desert safari, traditional old souks to luxury shopping malls, lovely beaches to beautiful water parks, and more. It was a relaxing solo trip to Dubai, even in the summertime, and had many indoor to outdoor activities. However, my Dubai tour seven days itinerary can be followed for any season.

I took the direct flights to Dubai from Dhaka. It was nice to fly for the first time with Emirates Airlines. I loved their service and delicious Asian dish ‘Kheema Mutter (Minced mutton with peas, served with Khichuri)’ for breakfast. The  UAE  tourist visa requirements are not the same for all countries. They offer On Arrival Visa for some countries, and  UAE visa information  will help you to know all the details to apply. I got a month’s visa and stayed a total of 11 days, including Abu Dhabi.

Table of Contents

• 1 Best Time To Visit Dubai
• 2 Is Dubai Safe For Solo Female Travel
• 3 Places to Stay in Dubai
• 5 Some Money-Saving Tips For Dubai Trip
• 6 Are You On Pinterest? Click To Save This For Later Read!

Best Time To Visit Dubai

November to March became the best time to visit Dubai. Also, during the peak season, most tourists travel to Dubai in the cold months. But during winter also the average temperature is 24°C – 26°C. Most of the hotels and flights are fully booked in the high season. During winter, it became more crowded for the biggest Dubai Shopping Festival, which is held every year in the city for one month (January-February). Furthermore, Dubai Miracle Garden is only possible to visit in this season. Global Village Dubai is open for all tourists from October to April.

Summer is the off-season in Dubai due to excess temperature but also the best time to visit if you want to avoid extra tour costs and overcrowding. April to October are the hot months in Dubai. The temperature between 33°C – 38°C is bearable unless it is humid. However, you can avoid the heat by enjoying all indoor trips, spending more time in the mall, swimming pools, and water parks. It is also possible to join the evening Dubai safari tours, Dubai city night tours, and cruise tours with dinner. So, it can be even fun to visit Dubai in the summertime, plus you can save some cash.

Is Dubai Safe For Solo Female Travel

The United Arab Emirates is a land of many expatriates. It is one of the safest countries in the world. English is widely spoken everywhere and follows strict rules and regulations. I didn’t feel insecure during my entire UAE trip. The second-largest emirate Dubai is also safe for a woman traveling alone. I found many South Asians, along with other citizens in Dubai. It is wise to respect and abide by the cultural and religious values when in Dubai and other emirates. Dubai is a smart and modern city, yet modest dress up always recommended.

It was all safe to even enjoy the night tours in the city. I didn’t face anything awkward besides some suddenly started to follow on the road and come up with more interest to talk. It’s better not to accept any offer even it sounds free and lucrative. Remember, no extra precaution required to travel alone in Dubai. It just needs to be smart to handle extra curiosity and motive around. Understanding body language is a must. Mostly guessed I work here, or I need a job, hehe.

There is also a Women-Only taxi service in Dubai. The first day I took the Ladies Limo service from Dubai International Airport to the hotel, and the driver was from Bangladesh. It was lovely to know about this standard transport facility where women only carry women and let you travel safely. But Ladies Limo is an expensive one compared to the RTA Taxi service. The meter started at 25 AED.

Places to Stay in Dubai

Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah are two of the famous places to stay in Dubai and best for the luxury traveler. Dubai Downtown is also a popular area to stay close to Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. All beach lovers prefer to stay in the Jumeirah Beach Road areas, and you can book any accommodations from budget to mid-range and luxury. For the budget traveler, Old Dubai is the best and possible to get many standard budget hotels to stay in Bur Dubai and Deira. Overall, for long-time travelers, it is budget-friendly to remain in apartments, which is standard in Dubai. There are hostels as well but not an excellent idea in the city.

I preferred to stay in Bur Dubai at the Gateway Hotel. The Dubai International Airport is just 7 km away from the hotel. The hotel area is very close to Meena Bazaar or Al Souk Al Kabir and is best for budget shopping and sightseeing attractions in Old Dubai. The walking tour is fun near the hotel area. The majorities of the people in Bur Dubai are from Kerala, India. There are many shops, Asian restaurants, and hotels in Bur Dubai. The communication system was the best. You can quickly get a taxi, and Dubai Metro GreenLine is very close to the hotel.

Gateway Hotel is the best choice for a luxury yet affordable stay in Dubai. I had my best six nights in the hotel at Deluxe Single Room with all comfort, modern amenities, and services. This family-friendly hotel was safe to stay. For booking desert safari, I took their tour desk service. The hotel offers all complimentary buffet breakfast and free access to Wi-Fi. There is also one fitness center, rooftop pool, and buffet dinner services for the guests. I loved their buffet breakfast for a lot of healthy and delicious food items from vegetarian to continental and halal. Moreover, the buffet dinner cost me little but had the best dinner time in Dubai.

By staying in Dubai, you can go for day tours in three other famous emirates Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah. Sharjah is just 28 km away from Dubai. It takes only one and half an hour to reach Abu Dhabi by taxi, and the distance is 139 km. But I’ve also stayed four nights in Abu Dhabi and had a fun three days city tour with Big Bus Tours.

Seven Days Dubai Tour Itinerary

This one-week Dubai itinerary will take you to explore the best, even not spending a lot. My solo travel in Dubai gave me a good impression of the city from the airport until the end of the day. I had the best time in the city. There are many things to do in Dubai alone. It was more interesting to enjoy adventurous new stuff for the first time during my trip to Dubai. Furthermore, here are 7 books to read before traveling UAE if you’re planning a trip to the Middle East for the first time.

Mostly I liked visiting Dubai’s iconic skyscrapers, walking tours in the famous tourist spots. Shopping was the real fun from the old souks to the local malls. In almost all photos, my various travel outfits and accessories were purchased from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. I’ve loved all about Dubai Mall; it was like another world where possible to do many best things besides shopping.

I purchased a local SIM from the airport to use all smart facilities during my trip. Getting around Dubai is much easy and safe for cool apps and city services. Many smart travel apps will make your life easy in Dubai. For quick transportations, you can use Careem, Uber, Dubai Metro, and RTA apps. The Dubai Mall app is a must to use to explore this gorgeous and largest shopping mall in the perfect way. The Entertainer is one of the best coupon apps for getting all special offers. I even enjoyed using the VOX Cinemas app for the current update of all movies running in Dubai, cool right for movie lovers?

For moving around Dubai, I took the RTA taxi service and was lucky to get almost all tourist places completely for me for the low season. There were less traffic and fewer peoples on the road. All the popular public places were practically empty, and photography was fun facing the iconic Dubai landmarks. All the beaches were not overcrowded and booking any tours was comfortable, the price was reasonable.

My hearty thanks to Mohammed from Bangladesh, who guided me three days in Dubai with an RTA taxi. It was safe and great to explore all the best places in Dubai plus got to know all the good things about this most-visited emirate in the UAE.

Bur Dubai, Dubai Creek, Deira, Al Souk Al Kabir, Dubai Mall

The first day I mainly kept for Old Dubai and took an  abra ride across Dubai Creek , which connects Deira and Bur Dubai. The traditional boat is locally known as ‘abra’. It is convenient to travel from Bur Dubai to Deira or vice versa by boat. I had a walking tour around Bur Dubai, Meena Bazaar, and Deira. For authentic shopping, many old souks or traditional markets are Old Dubai’s best places.  Roaming around old towns Deira and Bur Dubai will give you unique experiences. You’ll see all the old-styled buildings and souks.

Al Souk Al Kabir is also known as Meena Bazaar. The oldest area in Dubai but now more famous as a budget shopping destination where many shops sell products from 1$-10$, and bargaining is a must. A little fancy shopping is fun from the Meena Bazaar. You can taste the variety of Asian dishes from many South Asian restaurants in the area. Dubai Museum and Al Fahidi Fort are two of the popular tourist attractions in Al Souk Al Kabir.

If you’re looking for traditional outfits, Textile Souk is best to explore in Bur Dubai. You’ll like to purchase various Pakistani and Indian salwar suits from those souks. There is also one beautiful Iranian Mosque in Bur Dubai and free to visit.

Spice Souk and Gold Souk are must-visit in Deira. Tax-free jewelry shopping is fun from the famous Gold Souk or Gold Souq in Dubai. Whatever you’ll buy will get back the tax amount from the Dubai Airport before leaving Dubai. I purchased one dainty gold chain from one gold souk, also exchanged one of my old earrings. Najmat Taiba, the world’s most massive gold ring, is one of the top attractions in Deira, which has showcased in one souk for everyone to see.

In the evening, I visited the world’s second-largest Dubai Mall in Downtown Dubai. Fashion Avenue Dubai Mall is 12 km away from Bur Dubai and was surprised to see how vast is this mall. It is not possible to explore all things in a few hours. The interior is so gorgeous and one of the best entertainment destinations in Dubai. You can also get many exclusive offers from different outlets in the mall.

Every year many tourists visit Dubai Mall for the world’s tallest iconic landmark Burj Khalifa. You can also get the top view of Bur Al Khalifa from the beautiful Promenade of the Dubai Mall. No entry ticket is required to explore all the free things in the mall. I spent some of best hours and also enjoyed the fantastic  Dubai Fountain Show on the Promenade ,  and it is free for all.

Dubai Marina, Bluewaters Island, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach, Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary

On the second day you can explore Dubai Marina and the artificial Palm Jumeirah Island on foot or by taxi. A walking tour is best here to visit many popular tourists spot, and the entrance is free.  Dubai Marina Walk  will give you the best view of Dubai’s iconic 90 degrees twisted building Cayan Tower or Infinity Tower. And then  walk along the Palm Jumeirah Promenade , this area popular among tourists for long boardwalk with the skyline view and the sea breeze.

The roadside beauty of Bluewaters Island and Palm Jumeirah Island is the best in Dubai. You’ll get a close view of the big wheel of Ain Dubai in Bluewaters Island. Car driving is also fun while enjoying the remote view of the blue sea waters, and these are all Dubai’s artificial islands.

I enjoyed a 1.5-hour  speedboat tour around Dubai Marina, Atlantis The Palm, and Burj Al Arab . It was an excellent experience and booked this tour online with GetYourGuide. Such kind of yacht tour starts from Dubai Marina Pier 7, and you can also directly buy the ticket from the counter. Waitrose Supermarket Chain is also located here and is best to visit for fresh produce and other shopping or to spend the fun time.

You’ll get some fantastic close photos facing the world’s luxurious, iconic hotel Atlantis The Palm and Burj Al Arab from Palm Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim 3 Area. By taxi, I took a quick entry to visit the famous Golden Horses of the Al Qasr Madinat Jumeirah, the luxury resort in Dubai. On the way, you’ll also find Dubai Zabeel Palace, the ruler of Dubai Palace, but tourists are only allowed to take photos from the outside.

Many public beaches are there on Jumeirah Beach Road. Jumeirah Beach  is the popular one for watching the sunset and swimming even at night. The best part is to enjoy the best view of the famous Jumeirah Beach and Burj Al Arab Hotel. However, I kept another day visiting all the calm beaches in Dubai.

Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary  in Dubai is best to visit in winter for watching many pink flamingos and other migrating birds. The entrance is free for all.

Fashion Avenue Dubai Mall, Dubai Mall Promenade, Dubai Mall Waterfall, Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, At The Top of Burj Khalifa, Dubai Fountain Boardwalk

The third day had the ultimate fun in Downtown Dubai. It was astonishing to do many exciting things inside the massive Dubai Mall.  Dubai Mall Waterfall is free for all, and it is so creatively beautiful. You can directly get a ticket for the entrance of the world’s most massive Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo . All aged people will be surprised to explore 48 meters long Dubai Aquarium Tunnel, which is the home to more than 300 different species.

Dubai is too gorgeous at night and was excited to see the  best Dubai panoramic view at the top of Burj Khalifa . Moreover, a tour in Dubai is incomplete without exploring the tallest Burj Al Khalifa. The iconic Burj Khalifa is one of the best places to visit in Dubai, and you’ve to take the entrance from the Fashion Avenue Dubai Mall.

At the Top tickets, counters are located on the lower ground level of the Dubai Mall, but you’ve to get tickets online. I purchased At the Top SKY, Burj Khalifa & Dubai Fountain Boardwalk ticket, and explored during the sunset and night hour. Burj Khalifa SKY is the world’s highest outdoor observatory deck including 125 and 148 levels of Burj Khalifa.

How about enjoying the ultimate fun time at the Waterfront Promenade of Dubai Mall ? You’ll love the entire area for the Burj Al Khalifa and Dubai Fountain. The big heart-shaped Love Me sculpture has also been placed at the Dubai Mall Promenade. Souk Al Bahar Bridge is the top spot among tourists where you can get the best view of the Waterfront Promenade.

I enjoyed the fountain show at night from the  Dubai Fountain Boardwalk , a 272 meters long floating bridge located on the Fountain Lake or Burj Al Khalifa Lake. A traditional abra ride is another fun activity on the lake.

City Centre Al Shindagha, Al Awir Desert Safari Camp Site

The fourth day was for the desert safari tour in Al Awir Desert Safari Camp Site. In the morning hour had some shopping from local stores in the Al Souk Al Kabir neighborhood and at the City Centre Al Shindagha. It’s a famous local shopping center beside Carrefour supermarket in Bur Dubai, where you can enjoy quality shopping at a reasonable price. I liked to shop from Brands For Less at Shindagha and took one Lee LaCroix Handbag. Later that stylish handbag (in the photo) became one of the  best travel bags  to carry the rest of my Dubai and Abu Dhabi tours.

A  Desert safari tour in Dubai is best for dune bashing and Arabian hospitality in the desert camp. I went for a group tour with Unique Tours, and they picked me in the afternoon from the hotel. We enjoyed an adventurous desert safari in a Land Cruiser before the sunset hour. The entire desert safari was exciting and one of the top things to do in Dubai.

The highlighted activities were camel ride, henna for women, smoking shisha, snacks with cold drinks, live performances of Belly Dance, Fire Dance, and Tanoura Dance. The tour ends up at night after the BBQ dinner. The whole atmosphere of the camp was very relaxing and pleasant.

Palm Jumeirah Monorail, JBR Beach, Kite Beach, Al Mamzar Beach Park, Last Exit Al Khawaneej, Quranic Park, VOX Cinemas

On the fifth day just from curiosity, I wanted to enjoy a scenic Palm Jumeirah Monorail ride , which runs down the trunk of the Palm Jumeirah Island. The 3 miles long journey to the Aquaventure Waterpark of the Atlantis The Palm was relaxing. A round trip will cost you 30 AED. I loved the coastline view from the monorail. For visiting the watermark, you have to prebook tickets.

You can have the  ultimate fun in the Dubai beaches .  All white sandy beaches are very nicely maintained by the beach authorities and safe to visit. They have all the standard facilities and are also family-friendly. Almost all beaches are best for swimming and have a changing room.

Kite Beach is best for kitesurfing and located in Umm Al Sheif Area. The Jumeirah Beach Residence or JBR Beach is open for all to visit and one of the popular ones in the residential area.

Sharjah skyline view from Al Mamzar Beach, which is located close to the border of Dubai Sharjah, is fascinating.  Al Mamzar Beach Park is not free to visit. On the way to Al Mamzar Beach Residential Area, you’ll find some of the beautiful spots to photograph facing Burj Al Khalifa.

Al Khawaneej is just 29 km away from Dubai city and best to explore Last Exit Dubai, the popular Street food truck park. The entire rustic theme park has become famous for the Love Locks or Promise Bridge, which is free to visit.

The newly opened educational Quranic Park  is also worth visiting in Al Khawaneej for a better understanding of the Islamic heritage based on the Holy Quran. You can get free entry here.

You may also watch movies in VOX Cinemas at the City Centre Al Shindagha. After a long, I watched one Bollywood movie from VOX Cinemas, and it was safe to go for a night show even alone. I found Bur Dubai is secure and so moving around the nearby area at night was not risky.

Queen Elizabeth 2, Jumeirah Mosque, La Mer Beach, Atlantis The Palm Helipad, Dubai Frame, Arabian Tea House Restaurant & Cafe 

On the sixth day, my solo trip to Dubai started knowing about Queen Elizabeth 2 Hotel for the first time. It is an iconic floating hotel on the docks of Port Rashid Marina in Dubai. Like other iconic hotels in Dubai, Elizabeth 2 has become a popular attraction for taking photos.

A  culture trip to the iconic Jumeirah Mosque will give you the chance to learn Islam and the custom and culture of the Emirate.

La Mer Beach in Jumeirah 1 is one of the coolest decorated ones in Dubai. Moving around the beach area in the evening is more popular among tourists. It has all the modern facilities with cute cafes and a waterpark.

I enjoyed 12 minutes  helicopter tour in Dubai from the Helipad of Atlantis The Palm . It was one of the thrilling experiences to admire the extreme beauty of the Palm Islands from the sky. The cost was 649 AED per person with Alpha Tours and maintained all safety regulations.

Skydive from the Burj Al Khalifa will also give you the chance to see the Palm Islands. First, I wanted to go for afternoon tea at Burj Al Arab for the view of the Palm but later changed my mind and instead enjoyed a helicopter flight.

The entrance ticket is a must to visit the most substantial frame in the world, Dubai Frame. It is 150 meters long and located in Zabeel Park. The new and old Dubai landmarks are possible to view from the top of the Dubai Frame.

Arabian Tea House is Dubai’s first authentic Emirati restaurant to try various Arabian food in a traditional atmosphere. I had the delicious BBQ dish Samak Mashwi and Moroccan Iced Tea with Mint from Arabian Tea House Restaurant & Cafe located in Al Bastakiya historian neighborhood. This beautifully decorated oldest restaurant was built in 1997 and still provides the best service and carries Dubai’s old heritage values.

Global Village Dubai, Dubai Miracle Garden

On the seventh day, I left Dubai in the morning by taxi for four days city tour in Abu Dhabi . On the way to Abu Dhabi, we were passing by the Global Village Dubai and Dubai Miracle Garden. These two top places in Dubai remained close in the summer for rejuvenation if you’re traveling between October to April worth visiting during your Dubai trip.

You can see now there are many best places to visit in Dubai. Besides all the mentioned activities you can do many other things during your visit. You’ll love to roam in Dubai and have things to do on your own. Dubai is the fastest-growing city in the world, and every time you travel will find something new to explore. Next, I wish to visit Dubai during the winter. Isn’t it worth revisiting?

Are you traveling to other cities in the United Arab Emirates? Check out  a complete guide to travel UAE along with all travel tips.

Some Money-Saving Tips For Dubai Trip

Interestingly Dubai is not all about luxury; you’ll find many  top free things to do in Dubai .  So, it is possible to visit Dubai even on a budget. The following money-saving tips will help you to do so.

• Renting apartments is the best option to stay for a long time in Dubai. Otherwise better to stay in the Old Dubai around Bur Dubai and Deira areas. You’ll find many standard budget hotels also safe.
• Moving around by public transports like bus and metro and they provide all the standard services and fully air-conditioned. In Old Dubai, you can take an abra ride (1 AED per person) and enjoy travel like a local.
• Fly with low-cost carrier Fly Dubai and save a significant amount in flight booking.
• Need a pre-booking at least three months prior to the flights and hotels if you’re traveling to Dubai in the peak season to avoid the rush and extra costs.
• Visit Dubai in the low season to save at least half the cost from all reservations (flights, hotel bookings, and even tour packages).
• If you’re more comfortable traveling by taxi instead of using Careem and Uber transport apps, go with RTA Taxi Service. It is safe to travel anywhere in the city by Dubai Government Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), and the meter starts from only 5 AED. By that, you can save a lot of money on transportation. Careem taxicab service is more prevalent in Dubai than Uber.
• Enjoy Dubai day tours with Big Bus Tours, it is budget-friendly, and you’ll be able to visit many places within a short time. But such type of tour is more prevalent in Abu Dhabi for less traffic and wide roads.
• Enjoy a lot of cheap eats yet the yummy Asian food ever from the various Bur Dubai restaurants.
• Have all the fun in the Dubai public beaches; all are free for the tourists.
• Luxurious Dubai Mall is not all about shopping you can be able to do plenty of free things inside the mall and the famous Promenade of the Mall.
• Keep an eye on special offers while shopping from the big malls. You can get exclusive deals from many brand outlets during the festive time. Summer sales are best to enjoy a lot of shopping, even in the low season.
• Use The Entertainer money-saving app and get many discounts offers on restaurants, hotels, travel, beauty center, and shopping in Dubai.
• Furthermore, visit Dubai between January and February if shopping is all you want to enjoy during your stay. You can have great fun shopping with great deals from the biggest Dubai Shopping Festival event.

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Any other thoughts or more information about a trip to Dubai? Share your travel experiences in the comments below!

Nafisa Habib

Nafisa Habib loves nature and often got fascinated by old beautiful architecture. Here she is with My Own Way To Travel to share her adventures on the road. To her nothing is so interesting than exploring new destinations around. And knowing a new culture and meeting new peoples on the road? Oh, yeah she just loves that too.

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Travel Tips to Dubai: 21 Things to Remember When You Travel to the Emirates

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1. When To Visit? 

2. What To Pack?

3. essential documents.

4. Common Financial Hassles

5. track electricity and emergency, 6. accommodation research.

7. Dress Up, but Be Modest

8. Observe and Note Local Etiquette

9. equality is dubai .

10. Capturing Memories

11. the middle east and alcohol.

12. Drugs and Medication 

13. eating in public is offensive.

14. Public Transport or Private Taxis - Make Your Choice!

15. Tick the Tip?

16. prohibit the footwear at houses and mosques.

17. How Necessary is Arabic

18. lgbt and dubai.

19. Foodies, Dubai is Your Haven!

20.  Turn Away From Political Gatherings

21.  desert ventures or ocean sunbaths.

This post was published by Shreyasee Deb

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Discovering Dubai: A Journey Through the Jewel of the Emirates

Tysheda Williams

https://www.foratravel.com/guides/N5YWYT/discovering-dubai-a-journey-through-the-jewel-of-the-emirates-tysheda-williams

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Day 1: Immerse Yourself in the City

On your first day in Dubai, whether you arrive in the morning or late evening, immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of the city. Take advantage of your arrival time to embark on a leisurely stroll and explore the bustling streets, adorned with modern skyscrapers and traditional architectural marvels. Indulge in the culinary delights offered by your hotel or venture into the city to sample authentic Emirati cuisine and international flavors. As you wander, seize the opportunity to capture the essence of Dubai through your lens, framing its iconic buildings and dynamic urban landscape. Embrace the true essence of the city, soaking in its unique ambiance and setting the stage for an unforgettable journey ahead.

Day 2: Dubai City Tour

On day two of your Dubai adventure, I highly recommend embarking on a comprehensive Dubai city tour. This curated experience allows you to delve into the city's rich tapestry of culture, history and modernity, providing invaluable insights into its dynamic character. From exploring the labyrinthine lanes of traditional souks to marveling at the sleek facades of contemporary skyscrapers, each stop on the tour offers a glimpse into Dubai's multifaceted identity. The highlight of the day undoubtedly awaits at the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. Ascending to dizzying heights, you'll be treated to panoramic vistas that stretch across the city's iconic skyline and beyond. From this vantage point, Dubai's allure unfolds before your eyes, offering a breathtaking perspective that etches itself into memory. Moreover, the city tour serves as a compass for future explorations, allowing you to pinpoint areas of intrigue and inspiration for further discovery. Whether it's revisiting a captivating cultural enclave or uncovering hidden gems nestled within the cityscape, the tour lays the groundwork for a deeper immersion into Dubai's enchanting realm. In essence, concluding your day at the Burj Khalifa epitomizes the quintessential Dubai experience—a soaring ascent that mirrors the city's boundless ambition and an unparalleled vista that encapsulates its allure. It's a momentous must-see that leaves an indelible mark on any traveler's itinerary.

Day 3: Tour Through the Arabian Desert

Day three in Dubai promises an unforgettable adventure with an Arabian desert tour, an experience that epitomizes the essence of the region's mystique and allure. As the sun begins its descent, you'll be whisked away from your hotel into the vast expanse of the Arabian desert, where endless dunes stretch as far as the eye can see. Here, amidst the shifting sands and whispering winds, you'll have the opportunity to pause, breathe, and embrace the timeless beauty of the desert landscape. The journey continues with a seamless transition to a bustling desert campsite, where a vibrant tapestry of local culture awaits. Immerse yourself in the festivities as you explore traditional souks, adorned with intricate handicrafts and vibrant textiles. Indulge in the ancient art of henna painting, a cherished tradition that adorns hands with intricate patterns, serving as a tangible memento of your desert sojourn. As the evening unfolds, prepare to be captivated by mesmerizing displays of local dance and music, each performance a celebration of the region's rich heritage and artistic expression. The pièce de résistance awaits at the dining area, where an array of tantalizing aromas beckons. Delight your palate with a sumptuous feast of traditional Emirati cuisine, a culinary symphony that tantalizes the senses and leaves an indelible imprint on the taste buds. Amidst the flickering glow of lanterns and the rhythmic beat of drums, the Arabian desert tour transcends mere spectacle, offering a profound glimpse into the heart and soul of the desert landscape. It's a journey that ignites the spirit of adventure and leaves you with cherished memories to last a lifetime.

Day 4: Streets of Dubai

On day four, indulge in the freedom of exploration by venturing out on your own to traverse the captivating streets of Dubai. This day offers a chance to revisit places that sparked your interest earlier or stumble upon hidden gems that await your discovery. Take leisurely strolls along the bustling avenues, allowing the rhythm of the city to guide your footsteps and uncover its myriad treasures. A stop at the Dubai Mall promises an immersive experience like no other, where the boundaries between shopping, dining, and entertainment blur into a seamless tapestry of indulgence. Lose yourself in a labyrinth of luxury boutiques and designer labels, or immerse yourself in the vibrant ambiance of bustling food courts offering a tantalizing array of culinary delights from around the world. For a truly awe-inspiring encounter, venture into the depths of the Dubai Mall's underground wonders—the mesmerizing Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Here, marvel at the kaleidoscopic diversity of marine life as you traverse through underwater tunnels, encountering majestic sharks, graceful rays, and a myriad of other aquatic wonders. It's a journey into the depths of the ocean's realm, offering an intimate glimpse into the mysteries of marine ecosystems.

Day 5: Yacht Cruise

Day five in Dubai beckons with a serene yacht cruise, offering a luxurious escape to the tranquil waters and captivating coastlines. Indulge in the opulence of a brunch or lunch excursion, where panoramic views of Dubai's skyline unfold against the azure backdrop of the Arabian Gulf. Embark on a leisurely journey across the shimmering sea, relishing in the freedom and relaxation that the yacht cruise affords. Delight in gourmet delicacies and refreshing beverages, served amidst the cosmopolitan charm of Dubai's waterfront. Surrender to the rhythm of the waves as you savor the splendor of Dubai from a unique vantage point, embracing the tranquility and beauty of the open sea. Day 5 offers an unforgettable voyage of discovery and indulgence, where every moment is a celebration of luxury and serenity amidst the boundless expanse of the Arabian Gulf.

Day 6: A Culinary Journey

Day six presents an opportunity for a remarkable dining experience at the iconic Burj Khalifa, ideal for celebrating special occasions or simply indulging in a memorable meal. Make reservations at one of the Burj Khalifa's renowned restaurants, where exquisite cuisine is paired with breathtaking views from high above the city. Elevate your culinary journey as you ascend to dizzying heights within the world's tallest building, where every bite is savored amidst the awe-inspiring panorama of Dubai's skyline. From gourmet delicacies to world-class service, dining at the Burj Khalifa promises an unforgettable fusion of gastronomy and luxury. Whether it's a lunchtime rendezvous or an evening affair, dining at the Burj Khalifa offers a sublime experience that transcends the ordinary. Immerse yourself in the ambiance of refinement and opulence, as you toast to unforgettable moments and create cherished memories against the backdrop of Dubai's glittering skyline. Day 6 beckons with the promise of culinary splendor and panoramic vistas, making it a highlight of your Dubai escapade.

Overview of additional days

For the ultimate thrill-seekers, consider the awe-inspiring Dinner in the Sky experience, a pinnacle of Dubai's culinary adventures. Suspended high above the cityscape, indulge in a three-course meal while embracing breathtaking views and feeling the gentle winds caress your senses. Whether under the radiant sun or the twinkling stars, Dinner in the Sky promises an unforgettable journey into the skies, where culinary excellence meets daring heights. Surrender to the exhilaration of the moment and immerse yourself in a dining experience unlike any other, ensuring that your Dubai escapade reaches new heights of excitement and wonder. Dubai's captivating blend of modernity, culture, and opulence makes it a city you simply can't afford to miss. From its iconic skyscrapers to its vibrant cultural scene, Dubai offers an unforgettable experience that leaves visitors in awe.

Need to Know

Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, Saint Lucia Adventure .

This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Dubai .

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Dubai’s Ultimate Bucket List: Must-See Attractions and Hidden Gems

Dubai. Just the name evokes thoughts of futuristic architecture, endless deserts, and opulent luxury.

But, ever wondered why everyone seems to be packing their bags for this desert oasis? Why is this city such a magnetic draw for globetrotters?

• Dubai boasts a stunning juxtaposition of futuristic marvels and historic charm.
• From the world's tallest skyscraper to golden sand dunes, the experiences are unparalleled.
• Dive in for the ultimate guide to making the most of your Dubai trip .

Why Dubai Captivates Travelers Worldwide

According to the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, a staggering 16.73 million tourists visited in 2019.

It's not just about the luxury shopping or the desert safaris, though they're incredible. It's the spirit of the city, a blend of the old and the new, that truly captivates.

The Towering Majesty: Burj Khalifa

Rising from the heart of Dubai like a silver needle piercing the sky, the Burj Khalifa stands as an emblem of human tenacity and vision.

Holding the record as the world's tallest structure, this colossus reaches a vertiginous height of 828 meters , dwarfing every other man-made edifice on Earth. Visitors venturing to its observation decks on the 124th and 148th floors are rewarded with panoramic vistas that are nothing short of ethereal.

On a clear day, the sweeping views extend far into the horizon, giving a bird's eye perspective of the ever-evolving metropolis below.

But the Burj Khalifa isn't just about height. It embodies the essence of Dubai – a city that dreams big and stops at nothing to realize those aspirations.

The tower's shimmering facade, resembling a lattice of diamonds at sunset, mirrors the audacity and glamour of the city it calls home.

For travelers, it's more than just a tick on their bucket list; it's an experience, a realization of what humanity can achieve when imagination meets ambition. Indeed, the Burj Khalifa is not merely a building; it's a testament to the limitless possibilities of the human spirit.

The Desert's Song: A World Beyond the Skyscrapers

As Sarah Khan, travel writer for The New York Times, aptly put it:

"Dubai is... a city that's shaped by a futuristic vision, yet rooted in a rich past. It's a place where you can ride a camel in the desert, explore spice markets and gold souks, and eat cuisines from around the world, all within a day."

Beyond the glitz and glamor of its soaring skyscrapers, Dubai offers a mosaic of experiences that beckon the traveler to dive deeper. The echoing calls to prayer, the scent of fragrant oud wafting through the air, and the intricate tapestries of traditional Emirati life are as integral to Dubai's fabric as its contemporary marvels.

Experience the serene beauty of the deserts . It's not just sand; it's a landscape that tells a story, from the time when Dubai was just a small fishing village. The desert whispers tales of Bedouin tribes, of ancient trade routes, and of the spirit of resilience that transformed this arid landscape into a global hub.

Venture out on a moonlit night, and you might just hear the rhythmic beats of traditional drums and see the fluid movements of the Tanoura dancers, painting a picture of a culture that's as vibrant today as it was centuries ago.

Dive Deeper: Unconventional Dubai Delights

Culinary wonders.

Dubai is a veritable melting pot of global flavors, a testament to its cosmopolitan flair. Begin your gastronomic journey savoring Emirati delicacies under the starlit desert sky.

Relish the aromatic Al Harees, cooked in clay pots and traditionally served during festivals, or the succulent Lamb Ouzi, a lavish dish typically reserved for grand celebrations. But Dubai's culinary landscape doesn't stop at local delights.

At Atlantis, The Palm, dine at Ossiano for an underwater experience, with exotic marine life swimming by as you savor sumptuous seafood.

From high-end restaurants with celebrity chefs at the helm to humble street food stalls churning out mouth-watering Shawarmas, every meal in Dubai is an exploration in itself.

Art Galleries in Al Fahidi District

The winding lanes of Al Fahidi District are a cultural treasure trove.

Whitewashed walls house numerous art galleries that showcase the city's burgeoning artistic talent.

Majlis Gallery, for instance, offers a peak into traditional Middle Eastern art, while the XVA Gallery delves into contemporary pieces that challenge and intrigue.

The district is a testament to how Dubai respects and nurtures its rich history while embracing modernity with open arms.

Secret Beaches

While Dubai is famed for its glitzy waterfront resorts, there's a side to its coastline that remains unsung.

These are the serene, lesser-known stretches of sandy bliss, untouched by the footprints of mass tourism.

Locals cherish these hidden havens, and they're hesitant to share their secrets. But here's a tip: strike up a conversation with Kevin Erickson if you happen to bump into him.

With a little persuasion and a shared love for sun, sand, and surf, he might just whisper the coordinates of his cherished beach spot, away from the bustling crowds—a piece of unspoiled paradise in a city of marvels.

Getting Around: Tips from Kevin Erickson

Dubai's public transportation is top-notch, but consider renting a car if you want to explore outside the city.

Remember, Friday mornings are quiet since it's the local weekend, making it perfect for sightseeing.

A Personal Conclusion

This desert jewel, once a humble trading post, has metamorphosed into a beacon of modernity and luxury, a testament to what vision, ambition, and determination can achieve. It's easy to be swayed by its glittering skyline and opulent shopping centers, but the heart of Dubai pulses in its old neighborhoods, its bustling souks, and the tales of its inhabitants.

There's a harmony here, a balance between the ancient and the ultra-modern. Where else can you find robot jockeys racing camels in the morning and attend a world-class opera in the evening? Where the echoes of age-old Bedouin chants seamlessly blend with the beats of international DJs?

The intricacies and nuances of this city are what make it extraordinary. It's a place that challenges perceptions, shatters expectations, and invites you to experience a mosaic of cultures, traditions, and innovations. As you wander through its streets, sail along its creek, or soar above its skyscrapers , you begin to grasp the true essence of Dubai.

For Kevin Erickson, and indeed many of us, Dubai is a reminder of the limitless boundaries of human creativity and the timeless allure of history.

It's more than just a stopover or a vacation spot; it's a journey through time, an adventure that leaves an indelible mark on the soul. And like all great tales, it beckons you to return, to uncover another layer, another story, in its ever-evolving narrative.

Is Dubai safe for American tourists?

Absolutely! Dubai is one of the safest cities globally, with a very low crime rate.

What's the best time to visit Dubai?

While Dubai is a year-round destination, the cooler months from November to March are most popular.

Do I need to dress conservatively in Dubai?

It's respectful to dress modestly in public areas. However, at beaches, pools, or clubs, regular western attire is acceptable.

How many days do I need to explore Dubai?

A week is ideal, but even in 3-4 days, you can cover many major attractions.

Is English spoken widely in Dubai?

Yes, English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas and businesses. 

• Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing
• The New York Times - Travel Section
• Atlas Obscura - Dubai's Hidden Gems

I took my kids to Dubai for our first international trip. It would've been better if we'd avoided these 4 mistakes.

• I took my kids to Dubai on our first international family vacation , but we had some missteps. 
• We should've paid closer attention to the hours and days popular attractions are open.
• Walking shoes  and having some advanced reservations would've made our trip better. 

My husband and I recently traveled to Dubai with our two kids and his mother on our first international trip together as a family.

It seemed like a solid pick. After all, Dubai was the No. 2 most attractive city destination last year for travelers, according to the annual report from Euromonitor International, a global market research company.

On our 10-day trip, we had a lot of fun and family time. We had a great time and would go back.

But although we set out with a spirit of adventure, we made mistakes along the way and didn't make "full use" of our time as well as I'd hoped.

Our trip to Dubai could've been way better if we hadn't made these common mistakes.

We didn't allocate enough time for each of the places we visited

When visiting the Dubai Mall, we knew we didn't want to miss seeing the famous musical fountain shows, which start every half an hour until 11 p.m.

But while exploring the extensive mall's aquarium and waterfall and grabbing dinner, we missed the last show. We had to go another night to experience it.

Looking back, I wish we'd scheduled more time to explore the millions of square feet of the Dubai Mall and its many attractions.

We also underestimated how long it would take us to explore Legoland Dubai. We got there at 1:30 p.m., and our kids didn't have enough time to see all of the attractions before the park closed at 6 p.m.

After Legoland, we headed to the neighboring Motiongate theme park. My kids were disappointed to find most of the rides closed before 7:30 p.m. It turns out the park closes at 8 p.m. most days.

Honestly, I'd say all three of these places needed at least a full day to experience them fully.

We learned too late that some attractions have varying hours depending on the day

Throughout our trip, we explored Dubai at all times of the day or night. It was difficult to rouse the kids up for the next day's itinerary, and we invariably ran late.

But we learned that a few hours could make all the difference depending on the day.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi 's galleries and exhibitions close at 6:30 p.m. most weekdays and 8:30 p.m. from Friday through Sunday. The museum is closed on Mondays.

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Unfortunately, the day we visited, the exhibits closed at 6:30, and we didn't arrive until late afternoon. We didn't get to see much, but we were glad we got to explore the space-themed children's museum.

I also wish we'd confirmed which days of the week some places close.

We thought the kids would love Dubai Dolphinarium, a massive family entertainment space filled with aquatic animals. But we didn't end up going because we realized too late it's closed on Tuesdays, the only day we were available.

We didn't book tickets in advance for attractions we really wanted to see

We didn't want to overload our itinerary, but we learned the hard way that some popular attractions require visitors to book really far in advance.

For example, we wanted to take the kids to the highly recommended Museum of the Future, which is filled with virtual-reality experiences and three-dimensional displays.

When we checked online for tickets during our trip, the only ones available were for dates three months away.

We should've packed comfier walking shoes

We walked a lot throughout our trip to Dubai, probably 8,000 to 10,000 steps each day. It was exhausting, and not having proper walking shoes didn't help.

On our next trip to this city, we plan to pack shoes that are made for walking.

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• Before You Fly

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Find out how much baggage you can take with you as well as what you can bring on board as cabin baggage. If you need a bit more, you can buy extra baggage allowance online. And you can find out how to check in items like sports equipment, musical instruments, or mobility aids.

Check if there are any prohibited items for your destination and read our guide to dangerous goods so there are no surprises at the airport.

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Depending on your passport and destination you may need to arrange a visa before you fly. Check whether you need one and how to apply here. You can also see the different types of visa you can get for the UAE and how we can help you with the process.

We’ve also added useful information about US visa rules and airport security checks.

Travel information

This is where you’ll find information about family travel, booking our Unaccompanied Minors service, as well as all the details of our special meals for dietary requirements.

You’ll also find flying notices, rules and regulations, as well as your customer rights. And before you pack, check if you’re carrying an item that’s not allowed in the UAE as well as how to get approvals for certain medications.

Health information

Get set for a safe and comfortable journey with tips and health advice on vaccines, medication, travelling during pregnancy, arranging assisted travel and more.

We’ve also offered some reassuring advice on what to do if you feel unwell on board, as well as tips for staying healthy when you arrive like tackling insect bites and beating jet lag. There’s a list of our contact details so you can get in touch with us wherever you are.

Dubai International

Explore our home airport before you arrive. Learn how to get around and transfer between the different terminals. And have a look inside our hub at Emirates Terminal 3.

If you’re on your way through Dubai, make the most of your experience with a short stay at the Dubai International Hotel. Or add a few days with a Dubai Stopover package. If your connection time is particularly long, you could be entitled to our Dubai Connect service.