Help! 2 days in Dubai?

[Deleted]

I've really been slacking on trip planning! I leave for Japan next week (haven't planned out anything for that either), which includes two 20 hour layovers in Dubai on the way there and back. Both times we get in early in the morning and leave around 2:00am the next day. 

I've done that layover before flying from South Africa, but this time I'll be with my dad. Emirates gives you a hotel room that's near the airport. But obviously we'll have tons of time to explore so I kind of want to have a tentative itinerary since I'll be with my dad.

Last time, I did the desert safari. I really liked it, and I think my dad would like the SUV in the dunes, but other than that, I don't think it'd be his favorite thing to do, so I'm looking for ideas of things to do in the city.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[gtkim]

What about a visit to the Burj Khalifa?  DH and I really enjoyed that.  We also took a tour of the Jumeriah Mosque.  If I remember correctly it's at 10am and very interesting.

[thebulldog]

The Burj K is crazy. My husband is an architect and going to the top of it was mind blowing.

It is attached to one of the huge malls and on the subway (very easy to navigate).

I would do that or grab lunch at Burj al Arab and visit the neighboring property there. Both are really beautiful.

We only were in Dubai for a few days so i don't have a ton of recs but with that limited amount of time I would certainly do Burj K.

Sent from my SM-G900P using proboards

[jennybee1018]

Hmm, it depends on what you're up for!

The Burj K is just something that you should do to say you've done it. I'd suggest buying your tickets in advance - it'll save time!

www.burjkhalifa.ae/en/observationdeck/ticketinformation.aspx

You enter through Dubai Mall, so once you're done there, you can grab a bite to eat and wonder around (the Aquarium is there, as is an ice skating rink, movie theatre, etc).

The ski slope is at Mall of the Emirates if you have any interest in that.

It'll be hot but it's fun to go to the Creek area, and you can ride an abra across the creek to the souq. It's 2 AED (not even a dollar) and it's just fun to do. You could also check out the souq - it's one of the few places you can negotiate on prices :-P

Other fun suggestions: I luke Souq Madinat, which is attached to the Jumeirah Neach Resudences. It's buikt to look like a souq but has all modern stores.

I also really like The Walk at JBR (by the Marina). It's a long street with shops and restaurants. The beach is across the street so it's nice to hang out there.

My favorite place to hang out is Barasti on the Beach. It's a bar connected to the Westin. You could go for lunch, and it's very lovely!!

Let me know if you need other suggestions. I live in Doha but travel to Dubai every other month or so! :-P

[Deleted]

May 12, 2015 16:43:57 GMT -5 jennybee1018 said:

Hmm, it depends on what you're up for!

The Burj K is just something that you should do to say you've done it. I'd suggest buying your tickets in advance - it'll save time!

www.burjkhalifa.ae/en/observationdeck/ticketinformation.aspx

You enter through Dubai Mall, so once you're done there, you can grab a bite to eat and wonder around (the Aquarium is there, as is an ice skating rink, movie theatre, etc).

The ski slope is at Mall of the Emirates if you have any interest in that.

It'll be hot but it's fun to go to the Creek area, and you can ride an abra across the creek to the souq. It's 2 AED (not even a dollar) and it's just fun to do. You could also check out the souq - it's one of the few places you can negotiate on prices :-P

Other fun suggestions: I luke Souq Madinat, which is attached to the Jumeirah Neach Resudences. It's buikt to look like a souq but has all modern stores.

I also really like The Walk at JBR (by the Marina). It's a long street with shops and restaurants. The beach is across the street so it's nice to hang out there.

My favorite place to hang out is Barasti on the Beach. It's a bar connected to the Westin. You could go for lunch, and it's very lovely!!

Let me know if you need other suggestions. I live in Doha but travel to Dubai every other month or so! :-P

Thanks so much!

Do you know the best way for us to get from our hotel to the city?

From remembering my layover last year the hotel Emirates gives you is a 5 min drive from the airport. They did offer tours that left from the hotel and when I did my desert safari the suv picked me up, but if one of the days we want to do our own thing, what would be the best way to travel?

I think I remember when you first moved to Doha, how long have you been there now?!

[thebulldog]

The Souq Madinat pp talks about is what i was referencing in my post. It is a very pretty place and gives you a great view of the Burj Al Arab. We went there by accident and it was a great surprise. You can take a boat ride through the creek there if you want.

I agree too that the creek area and a ride over to the Souks is fun....be prepared to haggle and everyone wanting to sell you something (our fave line: Pashmina! Magnet! Pashmina! Magnet) but the gold and small spice market are a site to see (i don't have photos on my phone but can post some later. I did a review of our trip in nov 2013 with some).

We had an airport transfer to our hotel (we stayed closer to the creek than the new stuff). If hotel is near subway, it is pretty easy to navigate (watch for female only cars) but a cab might be your best option. Your hotel should be able to help you.

Sent from my SM-G900P using proboards

[mrsilovekeith]

Two things we did that I have not seen mentioned:

We did high tea at the Burj Al Arab. Here is my review I posted on trip advisor: High tea at the Sky Bar so we were able to visit the Burj AL Arab. As others have mentioned, you can only visit if you have a reservation or are a guest of the hotel. We got there early so we would have time to look around and still be in line to get a good table for our high tea. We spent time taking photos of the fountain, the aquarium and just around the hotel. We were the first group to go upstairs right at 1:00- our reservation time. We were able to get a table at the corner which means we only had 1 group to our left. Our spot was definitely great for photos. We had a wonderful server. The food and teas were yummy. You can order as many different types of tea as you want. We started with a glass of champagne. And then we enjoyed a selection of teas, sandwiches, and cakes served with a choice of our yummy homemade jams and the Devonshire clotted cream. We even were given chocolates to take home and my girlfriend and I each got a single red rose. Definitely pricy, but totally worth it. We not only enjoyed the views and experience, but we were also stuffed!

The other thing we enjoyed was going to Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding for a Great Breakfast and Cultural Experience. I recommend checking it out. Food was delicious and it was very informative.

Enjoy your trip! We had a great time in Dubai last May.

[thebulldog]

we did brunch at the Burj al Arab and it was awesome. pricey but totally worth it.

and i am glad PP mentioned the Cultural Center. We did not make it there and were disappointed we couldn't make it work out.

[jennybee1018]

May 13, 2015 5:35:00 GMT -5 @wandering said:

May 12, 2015 16:43:57 GMT -5 jennybee1018 said:

Hmm, it depends on what you're up for!

The Burj K is just something that you should do to say you've done it. I'd suggest buying your tickets in advance - it'll save time!

www.burjkhalifa.ae/en/observationdeck/ticketinformation.aspx

You enter through Dubai Mall, so once you're done there, you can grab a bite to eat and wonder around (the Aquarium is there, as is an ice skating rink, movie theatre, etc).

The ski slope is at Mall of the Emirates if you have any interest in that.

It'll be hot but it's fun to go to the Creek area, and you can ride an abra across the creek to the souq. It's 2 AED (not even a dollar) and it's just fun to do. You could also check out the souq - it's one of the few places you can negotiate on prices :-P

Other fun suggestions: I luke Souq Madinat, which is attached to the Jumeirah Neach Resudences. It's buikt to look like a souq but has all modern stores.

I also really like The Walk at JBR (by the Marina). It's a long street with shops and restaurants. The beach is across the street so it's nice to hang out there.

My favorite place to hang out is Barasti on the Beach. It's a bar connected to the Westin. You could go for lunch, and it's very lovely!!

Let me know if you need other suggestions. I live in Doha but travel to Dubai every other month or so! :-P

Thanks so much!

Do you know the best way for us to get from our hotel to the city?

From remembering my layover last year the hotel Emirates gives you is a 5 min drive from the airport. They did offer tours that left from the hotel and when I did my desert safari the suv picked me up, but if one of the days we want to do our own thing, what would be the best way to travel?

I think I remember when you first moved to Doha, how long have you been there now?!

A cab is the easiest way to get around and it's not expensive. You can hail them right from the street, and you can also use Uber if you have wi-fi/data. Depending on on what area I stay in, I'll use the metro which is cheap and easy, and now they also have a tram to help you get around to other parts of the city not covered by the metro.

It will be 6 years in August! Time has flown by, that's for sure!

Let me know if you need other suggestions!!

[amberlyrose]

DH and I had a car, so we went to Abu Dhabi for the day to see the Mosque. It was gorgeous! In Dubai, we found this cool little beach club by the Atlantis resort that had a good view of the skyline and sunset. Other than that, we also did the desert safari thing with dinner and a falcon show.

[thebulldog]

Did this trip happen??? What did you see in Dubai?

Sent from my SM-G900P using proboards

[Deleted]

Jun 16, 2015 8:02:48 GMT -5 thebulldog said:

Did this trip happen??? What did you see in Dubai?

Sent from my SM-G900P using pro boards

Yes!

It was just layovers, so on the way back we (I was with my dad) were really tired and didn't get to do as much as I wanted.

But we went to the top of the Burj K. Walked around the Dubai Mall. Went to the Dubai History Museum (that might not be the exact name!) Walked through the souqs by the Creek and rode and abra across. Also, went to the Mall of Emirates.

I'm sad that we didn't get to do was the Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. 

[thebulldog]

Those are some pretty good things to check off!!! How was Japan?

Sent from my SM-G900P using proboards

[Deleted]

Jun 19, 2015 12:57:48 GMT -5 thebulldog said:

Those are some pretty good things to check off!!! How was Japan?

Sent from my SM-G900P using pro boards

Japan was amazing!

I really should do a trip review as that would get my butt in gear to organize my pics.

Maybe after I come back from Puerto Rico I'll make sure to review both places and get organized!