Joanna Stich

Welcome to Dubai Blog Part Two!

In this post I will list everything you MUST do or see while you are in Dubai and there’s a LOT. So without further ado:

• Desert Experience: Majority of hotels will have a concierge service that will be able to assist you with organizing desert trips. Be that a Safari, Quad Bikes or Camel Rides. Our hotel used a company called Desert Gate and we booked a Desert Safari. What the Desert Safari offered was: 1 hour dune bashing in a 4×4; sunset at the desert; camel ride; traditional Arabic dinner served buffet style in a desert camp; flavored shisha; henna tattoos; belly-dancing show and traditional Tanoura Dance show; traditional Arabic outfits and sand boarding. Desert Safari cost 280AED which is roughly €65.00 (per person) and it lasts from 4pm until almost 10pm.

• Atlantis Hotel: Trip to the Atlantis the Palm is an experience in itself. To find out more you can view my first post here. The Atlantis offers: The Lost Chambers Aquarium; Aquaventure Water Park; Dolphin Bay; SeaLion Point; Scuba diving. We have only done the Lost Chamber Aquarium which was unbelievable. Admission is 110AED which is approximately €25.00 per person. There were sharks, piranhas, stingrays and a what feels like million other creatures I’m unable to name. For anyone looking to visit the Atlantis please note, you will not be able to gain admission to the hotel or its beach unless you are a resident.

• Burj Khalifa: Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world with a panoramic view of the city reaching 160 floors. There are 2 different ticket types: Floor 124 & 125 and Burj Khalifa Sky Floor 148. Floor 148 is the highest floor public can reach and within the ticket price you will receive complimentary refreshments. Floor 124 & 125 give you an inside & outside view of the city and Dubai Mall especially. We purchased our tickets via Groupon – read about it here, therefore I will not be able to comment on current admission prices, however I have linked their official website here.

• Dubai Mall: Largest Mall in the world – to this day we have never left through the same door we entered and still haven’t seen it all! Dubai Mall has shops literally from all around the world, so if you are a fan of shopping in the US you will love it here. They have places such as: Cheesecake Factory; Victoria’s Secret – your head will spin! They also have an Underwater Zoo, Aquarium and an indoor Waterfall. You can get Free Admission to Underwater Zoo & Aquarium if you purchase the 48 hour City Sightseeing Bus Ticket. In Dubai Mall you will also see the Fountain Show which is Free and it runs every 25 minutes from 6pm onward daily – make sure you get a good spot to watch it.

1. Dubai Museum: For those who like a little culture this is a super cute museum of history of Dubai pre-glam. It’s tiny, if this is the sole reason you’d go toward the old town I wouldn’t “bother” as walking through it will take you less than 10 minutes. You will receive a Free admission to this museum with a 24 hour City Sightseeing Bus Ticket.
2. Souks: Old, Gold, Spice, Textile, Perfume. The local markets are in the old Dubai called Deira. You will be able to bargain with the locals for cashmere scarves, gold jewelry or even souvenirs. Even if you are not intending on shopping I’d strongly recommend to see it, as it really portraits of what life is like for the working class.

3. Jumeirah Mosque: This mosque was opened to public by the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum from Saturday – Thursday at 10.00am daily. You will need to arrive at least 15 minutes earlier, as late admission is not available. Modest clothing is required especially for women. The tour costs symbolic 20AED – approximately €5.00 per person and it includes refreshments and local delicacy – Dates.

4. Burj Al Arab: The self-rated 7 Star Hotel is not accessible by public unless you have a reservation for either the restaurant or a bedroom. The hotel has it’s own private bridge with security at the front – you will not be able to get anywhere in close proximity of the hotel. If you would like to have a photo with the hotel in the background, take the stop called “Open Beach Umm Suqeim” (one stop before the Burj Al Arab) on the City SightSeeing Bus Tour.

5. Souk Medinat Jumeirah: One of the luxurious Souks next to Burj al Arab (one stop after The Hotel on the bus tour). It almost gives you a feeling of being in Venice. There is a little lake/canal outside in which people ride on little boats. The stalls inside are luxurious and quite impressive. Visiting this particular Souk is an experience in itself and you get a nice view of the hotel in the distance.

6. Mall of The Emirates: Second biggest mall in Dubai with a ski slope inside. You can watch children and adults learn skiing and having fun in what can only be described as a winter wonderland. This mall does request a modest clothing for women i.e. cover your shoulders.

7. Dubai Marina & The Beach Jumeirah: Dubai Marina offers a promenade walk with impressive views of the business side of the city. It’s within 10 minutes walk from the beach where you can rent out kayaks or do a sky dive.

8. Wild Wadi Waterpark: A huge water park right next door to Burj Al Arab. For those who are persistent, perhaps you will get a better view of the hotel climbing on one of the rides in there.

9. Times Square Ice Bar: Unfortunately we didn’t make it there as we ran out of time, however this is supposed to be a great experience especially during summer months. You get large puffy coats to keep you warm and as the name suggests everything is made from ice.

That sums up everything I’d recommend, have done or have been recommended to do in Dubai. One thing I regret not doing is the Sky Dive over the Palm, as I heard the view of the Palm is incredible from above (obviously) but I just chickened out. Next time (hopefully).

I’d love to hear if you have done any of the above and what your experience were or if I have missed something so I can note it for my next trip!

Joanna x