Dubai's allure has long captivated me, despite my usual preference for nature getaways.
With its blend of stunning views, iconic architecture, desert excursions, family-friendly attractions, water sports, historical sites, futuristic vibe, and shopping opportunities, it's the perfect destination for all ages.
So, we planned our trip with friends, and as a group of 5 adults and two toddlers aged 3.5 and 1.5, we embarked on our adventure to the City of Gold.
Here's our 6 days itinerary to help you plan your trip.
Arrival in Dubai
We flew Air India from Bangalore to Dubai via Mumbai, and arrived at 6 pm local time. Transit, baggage collection and immigration takes about an hour. Visa has to be applied prior to travel. We did this with the help of a travel agent and got reduced fees for kids under the family visa plan.
Where to Stay?
Hotels in Deira and Bur Dubai are cheapest options. However, they are a bit far from some attractions like Burj Khalifa, JBR Beach, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah etc. However, public transport connectivity through metro, bus and waterways is excellent. Staying in Downtown area or Palm Jumeirah will provide faster access to attractions but at a higher cost.
Short Itinerary:
Day 1: Dubai Mall, Dubai Aquarium, Dubai Fountain
Day 2: At the Top, Burj Khalife(sunrise) & Desert Safari
Day 3: Dolphinarium, Museum of the Future(free), Dubai Creek
Day 4: The View at the Palm, Palm Broadwalk, The Pointe, JBR Beach
Day 5: Old Dubai, Miracle Garden, Global Village
Day 6: Dubai Frame, Yacht ride in Dubai Marina
DAY 0:
We reached our hotel in Bur Dubai at around 8 in the night and rested. However, there are many places which can be visited at night, like Dubai fountain, Dubai Creek Harbour, The Pointe at Palm Jumeirah, Blue water island or even a walk in Al-Fahidi.
DAY 1: DUBAI MALL, AQUARIUM & FOUNTAIN
Our Dubai exploration kicked off with a visit to Dubai Mall, and my initial reaction upon entering was sheer awe at its immense size. Although shopping wasn't our priority, we couldn't resist capturing moments at some of the mall's iconic photo spots:
1. This spotted leopard
2. The Human Waterfall
3. The Dino Fossil
Following that, we headed to the Dubai Aquarium, a mesmerizing tunnel showcasing exotic marine life, including stunning stingrays and sharks. While a portion of the aquarium can be seen for free from the mall, it's worthwhile, especially with children, to explore the full experience, including the underwater zoo.
After the aquarium, we visited the underwater zoo on the same ticket, two levels above. We marveled at a variety of marine life, including penguins and the king croc.
Later, around 5:30 pm, we left the mall for the fountain area, capturing numerous photos with the Burj Khalifa. We then moved to Souk al Bahar to witness the Dubai Fountain spectacle at 6 pm, repeating every half hour. From 6:30 onwards, the LED lighting on the Burj Khalifa dazzled every 15 minutes. Experiencing both synchronized events with Adele's "Skyfall" as the background score was truly breathtaking.
DAY 2: SUNRISE @ BURJ KHALIFA AND DESERT SAFARI
On our second day, we started early to catch the sunrise from the Burj Khalifa. Despite my initial concerns, we managed to find a taxi at 5 am and arrived at Dubai Mall before 5:30 am. Being there before 6 am was key, as it allowed us to enjoy the stunning night view of Dubai, the sunrise, and the clear day views from the observation deck
After witnessing the sunrise, we had the option to wait until 8 am for complimentary access to the 125th floor. Despite plans to visit Wings of Mexico and Burj Park, fatigue led us to skip both. So, we collected our complimentary breakfast snacks at the ground-level café before returning to the hotel.
In the afternoon, we embarked on the highly anticipated Desert Safari adventure. Our activities included an ATV ride (extra charge AED 250), thrilling dune bashing in the Lahbab Desert, falcon photography (AED 10), sandboarding, and desert photography. At the camp for dinner, we opted for premium seats at upgrade price of AED 50 per person(not recommended). While the food was underwhelming, the performances were outstanding. We concluded the evening with a memorable 5-minute camel ride, a highlight for the little one.
DAY 3: DOLPHINARIUM, MUSEUM OF THE FUTURE & DUBAI CREEK HARBOUR
Arriving at the Dubai Dolphinarium for the discounted 11 am show (only on Saturday and Sunday), we were met with heavy rain outside and a crowded interior with prime seats already occupied. Nonetheless, we enjoyed watching the seals and dolphins perform their stunts and felt it to be a must-visit spot for families with kids.
After the show, it was still raining so we decided to go and visit Museum of the Future. The lobby and the first level, connected to the metro bridge, are free to explore. Additionally, the robotic dog and flying penguin make hourly appearances, adding to the experience. While we didn't purchase tickets, it's advisable to book at least two months in advance if you plan to enter, as tickets tend to sell out quickly.
Later in the evening, we visited The Viewing Point, a newly opened observation deck at Dubai Creek Harbour. Admission is free, and it provides a breathtaking view of the Dubai skyline, especially captivating after sunset when the lights are aglow, casting mesmerizing reflections on the water below.
DAY 4: THE VIEW AT THE PALM, PALM MONORAIL & PALM BROADWALK
On our fourth day in Dubai, we opted to discover the renowned Palm Jumeirah, a luxurious man-made island off the coast. Our initial destination was The View at the Palm, situated on the 52nd floor of the Palm Towers. Accessible through Nakheel Mall, they provide a comprehensive overview of this remarkable engineering feat before reaching the observation deck.
Among all the observation decks I visited in Dubai, this one stands out as my favorite. The views are absolutely breathtaking!
Our next agenda was to visit The Pointe, but upon finding the monorail station closed, we decided to take the monorail to Atlantis instead, and it turned out to be quite an enjoyable ride!
At Atlantis the Palm, we enjoyed strolling along the Palm Boardwalk, just opposite the hotel, admiring the beautiful sea views and the iconic Atlantis hotel. Unfortunately, our plans were cut short by the evening rain, leaving us unable to visit JBR beach and Bluewaters island for sunset and night views.
Due to two days of unexpected rain, we hadn't been able to explore old Dubai, where we were staying. Therefore, on our fifth day, we ventured into the narrow streets of old Dubai. Our first stop was the Gold Souk, known for its extravagant displays of gold ornaments. Afterwards, we proceeded to the Spice Souk, picking up some date chocolates along the way.
Then we crossed over from Deira to Bur Dubai in an Abra which cost AED 1 per person, and there was no ticket or queue.
On Bur Dubai side, we went towards Al Seef. However, we were short on time, so we didn't explore the complete street. Instead, we went to have lunch at the famous Arabian Tea House in Al-Fahidi. It was an authentic, exquisite albeit very expensive meal.
After lunch, we went to Miracle Garden. We got late and reached just as the sun was setting. So we were not able to see much of the daylight colours. Nonetheless it was really beautiful.
Our final stop of the day was Global Village. It was really grand, but we were too tired to enjoy it completely. In fact, after all the places we'd visited in Dubai so far, it seemed a bit of a letdown.
DAY 6: DUBAI FRAME, DUBAI MARINA YACHT RIDE
On our final day, we decided to consolidate our entire journey by visiting the Dubai Frame. It showcases Dubai's past as well as it's envisaged future. The glass elevators are amazing, as is the transparent walkway. It was a really enjoyable and budget friendly experience.
After this we had lunch and headed towards the Dubai Marina Yacht Club for a sunset yacht ride. It is a wonderful way to cruise around the Marina. In fact we chose it over the more popular and cheaper option of a Dhow Cruise. It was unexpectedly cold on the upper deck as the evening progressed, so take some jackets with you.
This was the last activity of our trip, and finally, the next day it was time bid adieu to Dubai.
Each day of our trip was unique in its own way, filled with activities we had carefully chosen, and which we really enjoyed. We purposefully avoided a day trip to Abu Dhabi, because we felt that it would become a bit hectic with kids in tow. We also avoided the usual 'kid friendly activities' like theme parks and water parks because our kids were very small, and they would not enjoy most of the rides.
Thus, the key to a successful Dubai trip is right time(Nov & Feb are cool, cheap and less crowded giving best value for money) and right activities.
Have you been to Dubai? Tell us your favorite memories in the comments or write about it on Tripoto.