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I finally managed to visit Dubai, one of the most talked-about cities in the world. With its futuristic architecture, bustling souks, luxurious hotels, and golden sandy beaches, Dubai offers a blend of traditional charm and modern extravagance that has only been matched by Baku on my travels.
Dubai Airport (DXB) is the busiest airport in the Middle East with the local airline, Emirates, offering connections between Europe, Asia and Africa. It’s worth availing of a stopover in Dubai as there are many things to see and do.
The problem with spending only 1 day in Dubai is that it’s only one day! You’ll need to choose and plan your activities with precision. Also, Dubai isn’t just a city; it’s an emirate, the equivalent of a county elsewhere. Therefore, distances are large, hence the further need to plan carefully. Dubai is better suited to a stay of a few days, but if you only have one day or a stopover, read on!
1 DAY IN DUBAI: WHAT TO SEE/DO
When I visited Dubai, four types of activities stood out: Shopping, sightseeing, adventure, and beach. Out of the four, you’ll probably only get to see/do two activities in one rushed day.
Shopping:
Retail therapy is what Dubai does best. For modern shops and outlets, head to Dubai Mall near the Burj Khalifa. More shopping opportunities can be found in Deira, while north of this area lies the Old Town with its traditional souks where locals and businesses purchase their stock and needs. There are individual souks for specific merchandise (spice, gold, textiles etc).
If you want to combine shopping with the beach, Italian-style Mercato Shopping centre is near Jumeirah Public Beach while Mall of the Emirates is on the way to the Palm Jumeirah. Dubai Marina Mall is near the Marina/Jumeirah Beach Residence public beach area.
Sightseeing:
There’s old and new to discover in Dubai. New towers above you at every opportunity in the form of skyscrapers including the iconic Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. Breath-taking views of the city can be had from its observatory deck. The night-time fountain show near the Burj Khalifa also comes recommended.
As mentioned, the traditional souk is worth visiting to get a glimpse of traditional Arabic markets. Crossing Dubai Creek on an abra (traditional boat) is also a must, but make sure you hold on tight!
To be honest, the best way to get an overview of the area is by taking the City Sightseeing bus, given Dubai’s size.
Adventure:
For adrenaline junkies, there’s no shortage of thrilling experiences in Dubai. Take a desert safari and go dune bashing, sandboarding, ride a dune buggy, experience traditional falconry, or ride a camel. For those who want to splash the cash, they can soar above the city on a thrilling helicopter tour. GetYourGuide has a selection of activities you can book in advance.
Beach:
We could only find a handful of free public beaches in Dubai: Kite Beach (popular for kite and windsurfing), D-Marin Marsa Al Arab Marina south of Kite Beach (come here to get a picture of the iconic Burj al Arab hotel in the background), and Jumeriah Beach Residence beach.
Other than those, it’s either book a stay in a hotel with beach access or pay to access an expensive beach club. We stayed in the Tryp by Wyndham where we upgraded to include access to Soluna Beach Club for a fraction of the daily access cost. If the Tryp doesn’t suit your needs, there are thousands of other hotels available in Dubai, but ensure they have beach access if that’s your priority.
OTHER THINGS TO NOTE
Safety:
Despite having a reputation as a haven for dubious individuals, Dubai is an exceptionally safe place to spend time in. We never felt threatened nor saw any evidence of anti-social behaviour. While I travelled with my partner (male), I would recommend Dubai to solo female travellers.
Multicultural:
Dubai is up there with New York and London as one of the most multicultural places on earth. Such multiculturalism brings with it a vibe and an energy that is uplifting. Arabic is the official language but English is widely spoken and written. Just sitting in a restaurant or hotel lobby and listening to all the different languages being spoken is an activity in itself. The world converges on Dubai and it’s a beautiful thing.
Weather:
Like our trip to Agadir, we wanted a destination with warm weather in January. Dubai’s weather made for a perfect winter destination. With temperatures hovering in the low to mid-twenties Celsius, the weather was great for sightseeing, sunbathing, and swimming. From May to September, temperatures around 40°C (i.e. very hot) can be experienced.
Clean:
Dubai is also an exceptionally clean place. We travelled on the metro a number of times and you could practically eat your lunch off the floor. There is a but…
Air pollution:
I struggled with Dubai’s air pollution – see images below that I screenshot during my stay. As an asthmatic, I was reaching for both inhalers up to 6 times a day, as opposed to twice a day as medically prescribed. Also, those who want a room in the non-smoking part of their hotel should contact their hotel in advance to arrange this. Smoking is a big thing in Dubai.
Prices
Dubai is a luxury destination with luxury prices. Hotels, bars, cafes and restaurants are expensive. My tip to cut down on costs is go half-board or full board at your hotel. I also recommend that if you want the beach, ensure that you have a hotel by the beach or has beach access.
However, the price of goods in supermarkets were reasonably priced, so perhaps self-catering is an option for those on a budget who wish to stay for longer.
DUBAI: FINAL THOUGHTS
With its winter sunshine, cosmopolitan atmosphere, safety, and exceptionally high level of service, I enjoyed Dubai. While we stayed for a couple of days, I believe one day in Dubai is all you need to get a flavour of the emirate. The air pollution was a problem for me, but I look forward to exploring other parts of the United Arab Emirates in the future.
Arrivals Hall 