Dubai Experience in a Whirlwind 5 Days Tour
Updated: May 12
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I'm not one to boast, but after eight years of living in Dubai, it's hard not to be swept up by the Dubai effect. Dubai's been a blissful part of my married life, and even welcoming our two kids into the world there adds to the opulence (fitting word I say). With my sister and her family still calling Dubai home, my insider tips and suggestions are as fresh as ever. Every time someone asks me about Dubai, I feel like I'm leveling up my game.
Is Dubai amazing for families with kids on a vacation?
Let's jump head in by just asking if it's going to be amazing or just more amazing! Dubai is a vibrant city with plenty to see and do, even in just four days. Dubai's tourism appeal is as undeniable as its desert heat. It's like the city saying, "Come for the sights, stay for the shopping, and don't forget to Instagram it all." It's like a theme park for adults, but with skyscrapers instead of roller coasters. Dubai for kids is like stepping into a giant candy store. They will just go crazy trust me! And even the littlest travelers feel like VIPs, with adventures around every corner and more fun than you can shake a camel at. Just be prepared for them to ask, "Can we stay forever?"
Just remember to pack your sunscreen and your selfie stick – you're going to need both!
Day 1: Dubai Marina and Souk Madinat Jumeriah
Souk Madinat Jumeriah and Burj Al Arab
Start your day at Souk Madinat Jumeriah, a typical Arabic souk and soak in views of Burj Al Arab. Have lunch at one of the many restaurants in the outdoor courtyard (if the weather is good) or indoor restaurants lined by the canal. For Indian food, USHNA restaurant has amazing Indian food. Or head to Indian palace restaurant on Jumeriah road for its Butter chicken, Lassi, Kebab.
Noteworthy: You can all take a tour of the Burj Al Arab.You can book your tour via this LINK.
The guide will meet you at the Valet Parking of Jumeriah Beach Hotel.
Jumeirah Beach Residence
If you're not keen on heading back to the hotel and prefer to relax, Jumeirah Beach Residence offers a fantastic option with its vibrant atmosphere, sunny beaches and lazy beach beds. It offers top-notch dining, shopping, and exciting water sports. But beware of the summer sun, it can royally toast you.
Dubai Marina
Then just before sundown, cruise aboard a yacht in Dubai Marina and take in the spectacular views of the dubai Marina skyline and dine on board with live music.
When we lived in Dubai, we took this tour on a number of occasions. You can book your tour on this link HERE.
OR walk along the Marina starting from the Dubai Marina Smart Fountain and walk towards Pier 7 which is a highend harbour side dining spot. You don’t need to walk it till there but if you fancy a walk, it’s a nice stretch.
For Indian food, you can dine at Bombay Bungalow (Indian cuisine) or Saarangaa Bhojan Shala Dubai Marina (South Indian food). There are plethora of great options in the adjoining neighborhood of Jumeriah Lake Towers, namely:
Streetery Food Hall
Vietnamese Foodies
Pitfire Pizza
Bait Maryam
Latino street food
Optional: If you have time, head to:
Kite Beach (food trucks and flea markets)
Bluewater island (It has the iconic Ain Dubai, the world's largest observation wheel but I think it’s not functional currently. You get breathtaking views of the city skyline and the Arabian Gulf from on it.)
If you’re fond of fancy brunches, you can go to Atlantis the royal or jumeirah zabeel saray on palm.
Day 2: Abu Dhabi Mosque and Desert Safari
On this day, you will be heading to the capital emirate Abu Dhabi. The itinerary for the day includes Grand Mosque, lunch and Desert Safari. Plan your day accordingly because pick up for Desert Safari is normally around 3 pm from your pickup point.
Grand Mosque
Plan your day visiting the Abu Dhabi mosque first thing in the day. The Grand Mosque of Abu Dhabi is the 8th largest mosque in the world and is a wonder to behold! All details for visiting the Grand Mosque is included in this LINK. You can purchase your tickets at the mosque or online from their website and you don’t need a guide because you will be provided with an audio guide but for ease of convenience and managing transportation from Dubai, you can also book your tour HERE.
OR just hail an Uber to Grand Mosque and back. See what works out cheaper and convenient for you.
Punjab Grill Abu Dhabi or Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant are both great options for lunch which are very close to the mosque.
Desert Safari
The driver will come to pick you up in a 4WD vehicle. The rest of the exciting day is driving into the desert, dune bashing, camel riding, buffet dinner in the Bedouin camp with belly dancing and fire show. Please make an arrangement with your driver beforehand for drop off to your hotel in Dubai or you will need to hail a taxi to Dubai from Abu Dhabi.
You can inform your driver to pick you up from the Grand Mosque or any other location at a set time.
Alternatively you can also visit the Grand Mosque in the morning and head back to your hotel in Dubai. And then book your Desert Safari experience in Dubai. The Dubai experience is more popular than the one in Abu Dhabi. That way you are ensured easy pick up and drop off to your hotel. Book your Dubai Desert Safari experience here.
Heads up: This is going to be the most touristic thing but it’s worth it because it’s what Dubai offers.
Day 3: Dubai Mall, Aquarium and surroundings (Musical fountain, Burj Khalifa, Souk Al Bahar, Museum of the Future)
Dubai Mall
In a whopping space of 12 million square feet, The Dubai Mall flaunts a treasure trove of 1,300 retail stores and an impressive array of 200+ culinary delights. You need an entire day at this mall. Dubai mall itself has a ton of attractions - Dubai Aquarium, Dubai ice rink, the world’s largest musical fountain, at the top of Burj Khalifa. When at Dubai Mall, make sure to treat yourself to the heavenly cheesecakes at Cheesecake Factory and ignite your taste buds with P.F. Chang's dynamite shrimps served in a cocktail glass.
Walk across from the mall to Souk Al Bahar to experience a world of rich tradition and exotic charm.
Buy Dubai’s best dates from Cafe Bateel and enjoy some great Lebanese food at Abd El Wahab, Souk Al Bahar with the view of the Burj Khalifa (ask for outside seating).
If you fancy Indian food, then I will recommend Patiala l Indian Restaurant & Bar in the souk itself. Even Rang in Dubai Mall has excellent food.
Burj Khalifa at the Top
Welcome to the tallest building in the world at a towering height of 452 meters - Burj Khalifa! Its an engineering marvel my friends. It has 163 floors, with a high end restaurant Atmosphere on the 122nd floor, 'At the Top' situated on the 124th and 125th floor, 'At the Top Sky' on the 148th floor, the Armani Hotel Dubai, residential apartments, and corporate suites.
To avoid the queues at security and elevator for the Burj Khalifa at the top, Purchase Your Ticket Here. This also gives you the option of selecting the sunset hours for your tour.
Pro Tip: I strongly suggest choosing the SKY VIP experience. With its serene atmosphere at the 148th floor of the Burj Khalifa for enjoying the views and the excellent hospitality offering complimentary drinks and snacks in the lounge, it's an experience worth trying.
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater zoo
Would you believe that inside a mall lies an underwater zoo and aquarium showcasing more than 140 species of marine life? Only in Dubai can you find the wit to believe such extraordinary occurrences within a mall. You can literally walk through a see-through tunnel surrounded by sharks, manta rays, and all kinds of fish. In the underwater zoo, you can discover unique interactive exhibits, including a touch tank and a virtual reality underwater experience. People even book their adventure to meet penguins up close and witness feeding sessions with fascinating aquatic creatures. It surely is an unforgettable underwater journey many families from what I've heard, however I have never been too impressed by the thought of cuddling up with wild animals in captivity.
For an immersive experience of the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater zoo in dubai mall, purchase your tickets from here. If you want access to the penguin cove too, you need to Purchase Your Tickets On This Link.
Dubai Musical Fountain
If yuo want to experience the Dubai Fountain in its full glory by riding in a boat of the lake it surrounds, then there is the option of boarding a traditional Abra for front row seats to the world's largest performing fountain. Book your ticket here. Or, you can also step onto The Dubai Fountain Boardwalk, offering a closer view of the captivating performances with a 272-meter stroll just 9 meters away from the fountains.
Museum of the Future
Adjacent to the mall, is the technology museum, Museum of the Future, if you’re interested at exploring that. Opened in February 2022, this museum is an architectural genius, and stands tall as a beacon of innovation, inviting visitors to delve into the forefront of ideas and solutions addressing global dilemmas. You can book your tickets on their website or here.
Day 4: Old Dubai and Global Village
Al Fahidi neighbourhood and Dubai Souks
Alternatively, I’d use the morning and noon to explore Old Dubai.
First, go to Al Seef. Explore the old Al Fahidi neighbourhood called Al Bastakia. Arabian Tea house (middle eastern cuisine) is an amazing place to have lunch. After exploring the neighbourhood, from there walk towards Meena bazar (5 minutes walk) for Indian and Pakistani clothing. There are several textile trading shops here, namely:
The wholesale market for clothes and fabrics Bur Dubai
Bur Dubai Souk Market
Bur Dubai Textiles
FASHION FABRICS L.L.C WHOLESALE
Rawnaq Albahar Textile Trading L.L.C. / Shagun Online Fashion
At Bur Dubai Abra station, you can board the abra (dingy boat) to head to the spice and gold markets.
Best Indian restaurants to eat in Old Dubai
(Simple restaurants in the neighborhood with really tasty food, but not fancy or expensive.)
Mumtaz Mahal Indian Speciality Restaurant (biryani and curries)
Sangam Restaurant & Sweets (south Indian thali is good)
Vasanta Bhavan Family Restaurant (South Indian food)
Elco (for chaat and street food)
Ravi Restaurant (Indian cum Pakistani cuisine)
Rangoli (for Gujarati Thalis)
Maharaja Bhog (Rajasthani thali)
Global Village
Book an Uber to take you to Global Village. It’s a 30 minutes drive from Dubai Marina. Gates to Global Village open 4 pm. There are plethora of rides, attractions and activities for adults and kids alike. You are guaranteed loads of entertainment and great food in Global Village. Dont miss out the spectacular fireworks that take place!
Tip: Explore the African pavilion as it’s the most cultural and have wares which are genuinely made in Africa. I can’t vouch for the wares from the other pavilions as they are all mostly china made.
Operating dates and times:
18 Oct 2023 - 28 Apr 2024
Sunday - Wednesday : 4:00pm - 12:00am
Thursday - Saturday & Public Holidays: 4:00pm - 1:00am
Tickets can be purchased from their website at €6 per person or from this link here - https://www.globalvillage.ae/buy
Day 5: Palm Jumeirah and Atlantis
Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk
Sticking out into the Persian Gulf from southern Dubai, the Palm Jumeirah is an artifical palm tree-shaped island surrounded by a cool crescent barrier. It's the king of man-made islands and the world's largest, luring folks in with fancy hotels, fun theme parks, and loads of shopping spots. From the boardwalk, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea on one side and the luxurious hotels on the other. It's perfect for a leisurely stroll, stretching 11km long and 6 meters wide, dotted with numerous food trucks, refreshment stands, and souvenir vendors.
Start by taking the palm monorail to Palm Jumeirah and stroll along the Boardwalk. The Palm Gateway station, the first stop, offers over 1,600 parking spots, allowing you to park at the tip of Palm Jumeirah and take the monorail for the day. Accessible via the Dubai Tram, the Palm Gateway station offers stunning views of the meticulously designed fronds. For fans of SRK, Shah Rukh Khan's Dubai villa, known as Jannat, is situated on the picturesque Palm Jumeirah Island, boasting a stunning beachfront location.
Please note: Bicycles and motorized vehicles are prohibited, as are dogs, games, seating areas, and shade.
More details on https://www.palmmonorail.com/
Atlantis
Explore the renowned Atlantis, the luxurious Palm resort, and its attractions, offering a myriad of entertainment and leisure options. You can spend a fun-filled day at Atlantis with your family, exploring its thrilling waterpark Aquaventure Waterpark, where you can experience heart-pounding rides and encounter marine life at the Lost Chambers Aquarium. This aquarium houses more than 65,000 marine animals and engaging interactive displays.You can enjoy a relaxing time at the pristine beaches if your stay includes a night at the resort. You may indulge in gourmet dining at the resort's world-class restaurants, and end the day with a performance of the Dolphin Bay show (I have concerns about the captivity of dolphins and the treatment of marine animals in entertainment venues, but thats my opersonal opinion, however if its your thing, there is an opiton for you here :)
Dubai's Bonus Adventures
Additional activities to consider in Dubai if you have extra time:
Explore the waters and go kayaking at La Mer.
Immerse yourself in the magic of entertainment at Dubai Parks and Resorts.
Indulge in a delicious brunch experience at Eggspectation at JBR.
Discover a vibrant blend of shops, dining, and entertainment at City Walk.
Experience snow in the desert with skiing, snowboarding, and snow play activities at the indoor ski resort Ski Dubai in Mall of Emirates.
Experience thrilling races and driving experiences at Dubai Autodrome.
Enjoy a day of arcade fun and entertainment at SEGA Republic.
Test your shooting skills and enjoy outdoor activities at Jebel Ali Shooting Club.
Race around the track and enjoy karting excitement at Emirates Kart Zone.
Sing your heart out at karaoke nights at Rock Bottom Club, Al Barsha.
Join in the fun at bingo nights every Monday at Crown and Lion.
Try skydiving at Skydive Dubai for an exhilarating aerial adventure.
Other Emirati Gems
Things to do in other emirates in UAE:
Sharjah paintball park
Wadi adventure
River rafting at Al Ain
Al Ain zoo
Kayaking in hatta
Para sailing at Ras Al Khaimah
Sir Bani Yas Island
Desert oasis petting zoo
Al Tamini stables
Emirates park zoo Abu Dhabi
Khorfakkan waterfall in Fujairah
Snorkelling with turtles in Fujairah
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