Dazzling Dubai in 4 Days

Overview

Big. Fast. Bright. Movement. Colour. Noise. Freneticism. Traffic. People. Buzz. This is Dazzling Dubai! And here is your guide on the best things to do and see in 4 days!

Welcome to the most well known city in the Middle East. And it’s not even a capital city!

Moreover, 60 years ago, the land that current day Dubai exists upon was merely a desert dwelling for nomadic Emirati tribes.

History

The history of Dubai actually begins in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. See my post on the beautiful city of Abu Dhabi in this link. In 1793, the Bani Yas tribe settled with political power in Abu Dhabi and at this time Dubai became a dependency. Dubai was a walled city in the 1800s, the remnants of which can be seen to this day in ‘Old Dubai’, which includes Al Fahidi Fort, the Grand Souq, Bur Dubai and Deira.

However in 1820, the British negotiated a maritime truce with local rulers. After this, important trade routes opened which catapulted Dubai into the limelight as an international business hub.

Then in 1833, Maktoum bin Butti of the Bani Yas tribe led his people to the Dubai Creek where they declared Dubai’s independence from Abu Dhabi and it became a village well known for fishing, diving and pearling.

The discovery of artificial pearls in Japan in the 1950s caused some uncertain financial territory for Dubai until 1966, when everything changed. It struck oil.

The modern era

Since 1966, the city of Dubai has been transformed from a modest fishing village into one of the largest and most modern metropolis’ of the world. It has the world’s tallest building in Burj Khalifa, the world’s largest shopping centre, Dubai Mall, and the world’s only 7 star rated hotel, the Burj Al Arab. (Officially, there is no such thing as a 7 star rating however a visiting journalist considered it well beyond the maximum 5 stars). Dubai’s nightlife is famous across the globe, as are its luxury shopping venues, its ultramodern architecture and skyscraper skyline. Basically, if you think Dubai, think BIG.

And it’s all thanks to the discovery of oil.

Current day Dubai is full of mesmerising man-made architecture, artistic features and tourist attractions. However, it pays to see some of Old Dubai if you’re interested in the rapid transformation of this desert dwelling village into the large scale city that it is today.

Planning your itinerary to Dubai

The below itinerary could actually be achieved in a weekend however this would involve pushing through activities at galactic speed. You’d also need a private driver who had arranged all ticketing procedures prior, with fast lane access to achieve it. If you have at least 4 days and up to a week to enjoy these activities, you’ll be much more relaxed! The majority of the well-known tourist sites are in ‘New Dubai’, although I’ve also highlighted some important sites in Old Dubai. If you’re looking for convenient hotels in Dubai that are close to (or within!) Dubai International Airport then click the link to find some incredible options.

Other incredible (and unique!) trip ideas within UAE

Please see my post on Abu Dhabi for more information on the best time of year to visit the UAE. It also highlights some important cultural considerations to keep in mind. If you have any additional time in the UAE, then please check out my posts on Sir Bani Yas Island Safari Escape, Zaya Nurai Island Resort, Saadiyat Island Beach Staycation and Jebel Hafeet Mountain near Al Ain. These all offer such unique experiences and I can guarantee you will not be disappointed! (You may possibly have a slightly diminished bank balance, however). I also have an entire set of posts dedicated to the less well known country of Bahrain. Don’t miss the fun here either!

A few last words…

Be prepared to see lots of UAE flags, large scale photos of the Sheikhs in every mall and venue you attend (and sometimes even on the side of buildings!), marble floors everywhere and even airconditioned bus stops.

However, keep reading to see what best to do in Dubai for 4 days!

Itinerary

Old Dubai

Airport
Grand Souq Deira
Dubai Creek
Al Fahidi Historical District, Bur Dubai
Dubai Frame

New Dubai

Jumeirah Region
Burj Al Arab
Black Palace Beach
Jumeirah mosque
Saga World
Souq Madinat Jumeirah (“Little Venice”)
The Palm Jumeirah
Atlantis
Dubai Marina
JBR Beach
Zero Gravity

Downtown
Burj Khalifa & Evening Light Show
Dubai Mall
Pearl Divers Waterfall at Dubai Mall
Dubai Aquarium

Other Essentials
Rooftop bar at night
Brunch on a Friday

Old Dubai

Airport

Landing at Dubai International Airport is somewhat of a tourist mecca in itself. With seemingly limitless shops, restaurants and cafes and even a Hard Rock Cafe, it’s not the worst place to be for a long layover. (Unfortunately I have spent 24 hours here after a missed flight however, and I would say that is too long!).

Don’t underestimate the amount of BLING you will encounter in Dubai International Airport!

Grand Souq Deira

If this is your first taste of the Middle East, then the Grand Souq is a must. Situated just steps from the Spice Souq entrance, this traditional shopping site was established in 1850 due to its close proximity to the harbour area, where merchants received goods from ships arriving from Africa and the subcontinent. Today it holds more than 220 historic building facades that have been refurbished, selling Arabesque goods such as trays, spices, perfumes, herbs, shawls and fabrics. You’ll also find more modern items on sale such as toys and household items.

Note that it can be quite overwhelming for single female travelers to wander through alone, as merchants are quite vigorous in their attempts to hold your attention in their store. Whilst your personal safety will not be breached (aggression towards females is a severe offence in UAE) I’d suggest going with a friend or in a group for moral support in negotiating your way around the various markets. I was alone and sadly didn’t spend much time here for this very reason.

Dubai Creek

Dubai Creek is a large salt water creek that separates Bur Dubai and Deira: two very important historical regions within Old Dubai. In the 19th century, it was along the Bur Dubai Creek area that members of the Bani Yas tribe first settled, establishing the Al Maktoum dynasty in the city of Dubai. It served as a minor port for dhow boats coming from India and East Africa, facilitating trade and the early pearling industry. Dubai Creek also supported a wide variety of marine life rendering it perfect for the fishing trade. In order to facilitate the passage of larger vessels and commercial activity, it was further developed in 1955.

Currently it is home to the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, which is an 18-hole tournament golf course, clubhouses, residential developments and the Park Hyatt Hotel.

Al Fahidi Historical District, Bur Dubai

In addition to the Dubai Creek, be sure to check out the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood where you’ll encounter traditional houses showcasing barjeel wind towers, the city’s oldest building (Al Fahidi Fort built in 1787, now the Dubai Museum) and various other niche museums. It’s also a foodie’s mecca with hidden cafes tucked into laneways and the Meena Bazaar, Dubai’s Little India, so be sure to tuck in to some delicious food packed with spices. Don’t forget to complete the Bur Dubai experience with a ride on an abra, a traditional wooden boat that has traversed the creek waters for centuries.

Dubai Frame

Completed in January 2018, the Dubai Frame is a relatively new installation and is positioned as such in order to showcase ‘Old Dubai’ when looking through it from one direction and conversely the ‘New Dubai’ when viewing through the other side. It also serves as a metaphorical bridge that connects the emirate’s rich past with its magnificent present. In reality, it’s a grand big gold rectangular frame that stands at 150 metres tall, which you’ll see from miles away.

Visitors ascend a lift to the top beam of the frame, where you can walk across an illuminated glass floor, with magnificent panoramas of the city.

At the base of the frame is a dancing musical fountain with frequent light shows throughout the day.

New Dubai – Jumeirah Region

Think Jumeirah. Think luxe.

With it’s beaches, high-end shopping, opulent accommodation and Michelin-star rated chefs, Jumeirah offers both the ultimate in relaxation and in glam experiences. It’s perfect for the avid shopper and you’ll find a variety of fashionable cafes and boutique shops hidden within luxurious villas by the sea.

This prestigious region has undergone quite an evolution in the past few years and is home to several projects currently in construction, as well as to already completed residences, a 5-star resort, private islands and a marina.

Burj Al Arab

Chances are if you’ve ever looked into visiting Dubai, you would have heard of this monumental structure. The Burj Al Arab is the world’s only 7 star hotel and if you’re wondering why, then check out the impressive fun facts below! It sits on its own private man-made island and has the iconic shape of a sail. This incredible structure definitely needs to make it on to your list of what to do in Dubai in 4 days.

Black Palace Beach

Often referred to as the ‘secret beach’, this stretch of pristine white sand overlooking the Gulf is one of the most beautiful beaches in Dubai. It’s quite a mission to get to but it’s great for those wanting some peace and quiet, or those with a camera in hand wanting some excellent photos of the Burj Al Arab or the ornate oriental palace that faces the water.

Jumeirah mosque

The Jumeirah Mosque opened in 1979 and has been open to the public from 1998. It is built in traditional Fatimid style which originated from Syria and Egypt, so has a slightly different feel to most other mosques in the region. There are guided tours from 10am daily.

If you don’t have time to arrange a trip here, you’ll certainly have limitless other options of mosques to photograph, with one on virtually every corner.

Saga World

There are malls everywhere in the Middle East. It’s the hang out zone for people either trying to escape the heat or a catch up for a social occasion, particularly for locals. However what makes Saga World mall different is that it sells traditional art work, carpets, furniture and fashion in a high-end Arabian style setting. It’s a great pace to find a quality souvenir piece or unique gift for a loved one.

Souq Madinat Jumeirah (“Little Venice”)

I absolutely adored walking around “Little Venice”. You can read all about my experience of Souq Madinat Jumeirah here! This part of Dubai is an entire precinct done up to replicate Venetian architecture with an Arabesque feel – think tourist shops and souqs within an Italian facade! Complete with channels of canals that weave between the shops and restaurants, and tourists being serenaded in their gondolas, it’s quite a fun region to explore, although slightly kitsch.

There’s also great views of the Burj Al Arab from Souq Madinat Jumeirah.

My morning was spent wandering around the sand stone patios whilst enjoying the sights of bright pink flowers cascading down the walls and the boats passing by at leisure. Before moving on from Little Venice, it was time for a quick pint of Hoegaarden at the Belgian Beer Cafe!

The Palm Jumeirah

The Palm Jumeirah is an entirely man made archipelago in United Arab Emirates, produced by utilising reclaimed land. From above, it resembles a stylised palm tree and each frond is 2km long. With residential housing, luxury resorts, fine dining options (think Nobu and 101 Dining Lounge) and even thrill seeking options such as skydiving; there is something for everyone! It is well developed with public transport options and has its own Palm Monorail. Be prepared to book popular restaurants months in advance!

Atlantis

Atlantis The Palm is another iconic hotel in Dubai. Perched at the very end of The Palm, it has divine views across the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf from one side, and across the enchanting Dubai skyline from the other. This hotel is a great option for families with children. The kids will love the Aquaventure Waterpark, complete with gigantic water slides, a huge aquarium and interactive dolphin experiences! For the adults, you’ll find celebrity restaurants such as: Nobu, Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen Restaurant & Bar, Hakkasan and Ronda Locatelli.

Keep an eye out for Atlantis The Royal which is scheduled to open in 2021, with what appears to be a mesmerising feat of architecture!

Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina is a stunning 7km stretch of waterway between towering residences and streetside restaurants. A wide pathway runs either side of the canal, allowing a wonderful option for outdoor exercise in a city that sometimes struggles to cater for this. You’ll see all manner of boats in the harbour, ranging from traditional dhow crafts to multimillion dollar yachts.

I spent the better part of an afternoon meandering along the pathways, past gorgeous restaurants and funky pop up eateries.

It’s true that in Dubai you can’t go anywhere without a mall (or a mosque). Thus I was hardly surprised when I came across the Dubai Marina Mall half way along the Marina Walk. Naturally I stopped in for a quick peek!

Also situated on the promenade is Pier 7, which holds a collection of some incredible awarded fine dining restaurants, including Atelier M and Asia Asia.

Finally my stomach was calling to me and I just could not go past a delicious lunch of grilled octopus, fresh bread and butter and a glass of pinot grigio at the quaint and fanciful French Bistro des Arts that I happened across at the perfect time! I’d highly recommend it!

JBR Beach

Running parallel with the Dubai Marina behind the dividing stretch of sky scrapers (Jumeirah Beach Residence), is JBR Beach.

True to Dubai form, this beach has it all: watersports, parasailing, wakeboarding, banana boating, shopping, dining, bars, a cinema, minigolf, a 600m running track, outdoor gym and a beach volleyball court. The adjacent Jumeirah Beach Residence is a trendy residential district, also home to a large number of expatriate workers. It’s nice for a walk along the beach and has an almost carnival feel to it, with pop up stores and attractions along the shoreline. Don’t come expecting a quiet day out however!

Zero Gravity

If you’re a serial instagrammer, you would have seen group photos of ladies in bikinis standing in a pool with a see through glass wall while working themselves into some extreme poses. This is Zero Gravity, the trendy bar for socialites in Dubai, at the northern end of JBR Beach. It’s a huge complex, with an indoor venue and outdoor sunbeds, where you can order drinks and snack food and laze the day away while listening to soft house beats and the ocean lapping at the shore. In the evenings, the venue turns into a nightclub and in addition to its own DJs, has boasted international artists such as Fatboy Slim, Sigala, Jonas Blue, James Arthur and John Newman.

New Dubai – Downtown

Burj Khalifa

Fancy standing at the highest possible land point in the world?? Then this one’s for you!

The Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building at 829.8 metres and it holds the world’s tallest observation deck on level 124 at 555 metres, which you can reach in a mere 77 seconds!

Fun Facts about the Burj Khalifa!

Dubai Mall

Calling all shoppers out there: the Dubai Mall is the largest shopping mall in the world! It even has its own app you can download that will give you live directions to walk to the store you wish to visit! Boasting over 1200 retail stores, over 200 food and beverage outlets, an underwater aquarium, an ice rink, virtual reality park, phenomenal art displays and even a hotel, you could spend a month here alone and still not have it covered!

Beyond all this, it’s truly aesthetically divine. Walking through all the installations, lighting and art work will have you feeling as if you’re visiting a gallery as well as a mall.

Pearl Divers Waterfall at Dubai Mall

Even if you don’t plan on shopping up a storm, it’s worth a visit to the Dubai Mall to see the exquisite Pearl Divers Waterfall, where art, history and architecture converge. An homage to its recent past pearl diving trade, the waterfall stands at 24 metres tall and spans 4 levels, showcasing fibreglass sculptures of pearl divers which shimmer in the mall lights and reflect daylight passing through the mall’s atrium. The figures also appear to moving, an incredible illusion created by the rhythmic recycled water that passes through the cascade.

Dubai Aquarium

The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is a a centre feature of the Dubai Mall. It’s impossible to miss the dazzling incandescent blue lights and the array of marine animals swimming within! With over 300 species, it’s a wonderful experience inside! However, you can also see the fish, sharks and rays from within the mall if you choose not to purchase a ticket.

Rooftop bar at night

Your trip to Dubai is absolutely not complete without the big city experience of a rooftop bar, taking in the dazzling Dubai skyline at night. There’s truly a myriad of options to choose from. Additionally, it’s a thrilling way to immerse yourself in the night lights of this incredible desert town.

Since this is Dubai in 4 days, if you only have one to choose from, then go to Level 43 Sky Lounge.

It’s magnificent large open air terrace is located 155 metres above the ground on the 43rd floor of Four Points by Sheraton. From here you’ll feel tinier than ever. Just wait as you eyes take in a magical 360 degree view of the entire Dubai from within the very heart of the city centre. The Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Atlantis, Dubai Mall and sunset views over the Jumeirah coastline: it’s all visible from. here. There is nothing quite like being seated in this stylish and sleek setting, sipping on a signature cocktail whilst being completely surrounded by skyscrapers. Settle in at a comfortable lounge for some delicious sushi or even the famous Level 43 Lobster Slider. You’ll be whisked away to another world as resident DJs set a rhythm to your fabulous evening.

Weekend Brunch

Brunch in the middle east is an institution. I’ve written of my previous experiences of brunch in Bahrain and also in Abu Dhabi. Dubai is no exception and lauds itself as a worthy contender for hosting the greatest variety of brunches in any gulf city. Traditionally brunch was held on a Friday afternoon but you’ll now see many places advertising Thursday night brunches, Friday night brunches and Saturday afternoon brunches. See my previous posts on just what these 4-5 hour ‘unlimited eats and drinks’ sessions entail. Book one if you dare!

Which brunch would I recommend for a quick trip to Dubai?

This post is geared towards getting the most from a quick tourist trip however, and so my recommendation would be to try BRUNCHOLOGY. This is the quintessential Friday afternoon brunch at Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre. I’ve written in detail on this extremely luxurious, well-rounded, all inclusive and close-to-the-airport hotel.. This is because I really do think it serves as one of the best accommodation options to stay in for a quick trip to Dubai.

The Le Meridien brunch is extremely lively with impeccable food, sensational desserts, liquid treats, live music, entertainment and a great party mood. There’s an indoor and outdoor seating area providing some great dining options. Additionally, there are so many food stations that you’ll need to do a few laps before deciding what your plate will hold for round one!

P.S. If you didn’t take a pre-brunch hotel selfie of your fresh blow wave hair, it didn’t happen!