Dubai may be recognized as the glitzy-glamorous Rich-Boy-and-Rich-Girl shopping capital, but this character-filled city has so much more to offer. From secret alleys to traditional souks, the majestic desert, and a multitude of activities that include experiencing traditional Emirati culture, 6 days in Dubai might not be enough to discover this special Middle Eastern destination. Please bear in mind that this guide not only teaches you about best places to visit in Dubai, but it also shows you how to explore Dubai off the beaten road.
Few Best Tips Before Kicking Off Your Week
When to Go in Dubai?
Summer, from June to September, can be avoided at all costs. Temperatures in July and August average 45oC, and it is highly humid. Temperatures fall marginally in September, but humidity remains high, making it difficult to spend time indoors, even at night. Try to visit between mid-October and mid-May. By the way, keep in mind that the UAE is a Muslim nation with very stringent Muslim Sharia rules. As a consequence, Western travelers must exercise caution and refrain from behaving as they might in their home countries.
What to Wear in Dubai?
Dubai is a society with two moral code points. In the one side, in areas where expats congregate, the beaches are crowded with girls wearing fine bikinis, and in the glitzy bars, you’re likely to see girls performing in dresses that resemble a bikini. These areas are very accepting of how you wear, but in more traditional areas of the region, essentially in locations where the locals congregate, you can still cover both your shoulders and knees, but the good news is that you never need to cover your ears.
Remember that Alcohol Tolerance is 0 when You’re Driving
Driving with merely a trace amount of alcohol in the blood is punishable by prison time. I never had an alcohol control screening in three years of living and driving there, so if you were in an accident and they find alcohol in your veins, you will be absolutely f&”? percent ed.
Same Goes for Drug
The UAE still has no preference towards drugs. And if they discovered 0.1g of marijuana in your possession at airport customs, you’d be finished and possibly locked up for a long time.
This might sound exaggerated, but it does happen, and there are a number of true horror tales about individuals who have micro-remains from their last joint in their pocket and the dogs were able to detect it.
Our 6 Days in Dubai – How to Get Around?
By Metro
There are two metro lines that can carry you to the majority of the tourist attractions. The metro has a lot of air conditioning and is very new. A single ride costs less than a US dollar, but keep in mind that distances in Dubai are vast, so getting from one location to another can take some time. Furthermore, the metro serves the most famous tourist destinations, but beyond that, your options are tight.
By Taxi
That’s the way to go. Moving around is expensive per kilometer, but since distances are large, it may be costly. The shortest trip costs about 15AED (4USD). Traveling from the Marina to Old Dubai can cost between 60 and 70 AED (16-19USD).
How to Travel to Abu Dhabi from Dubai?
Bus
From 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., there is a bus every twenty minutes from Dubai’s Al Ghubaiba Bus Station to Abu Dhabi. The buses are excellent, with air conditioning, and the fare from Dubai to Abu Dhabi is just 25AED (7USD).
Taxi
A one-way flight from Dubai to Abu Dhabi would cost you 300AED (81USD).
Places to Visit in Dubai in These 6 Days
Day 1
If you only have one day in Dubai, I suggest you visit the two most popular landmarks:
Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa
Dubai is known for its lavish and bizarre architecture; thus, the city’s two biggest attractions are the world’s largest mall and the world’s tallest hotel, which is connected to the mall.
I don’t like the Dubai Mall because I don’t like shopping, but I do like the Burj Khalifa. By the way, despite being the largest mall, it was enlarged in 2018 by introducing an extra luxury area. Nobody may argue that the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, is an incredible 160-story structure. It won’t be the tallest for long, since its two main rivals, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, are already constructing two new towers that would be higher than the Burj Khalifa itself.
Burj Al Arab and Souq Madinat
Some say that Souq Madinat is a forgery that attempts to mimic a typical Arab Souq. I like to concentrate on the positive aspects of travel, so this is clearly the translation of an Arab bazaar to the true definition of Dubai, which is a 21st century, comfortable, and multicultural region.
Souq Madinat is really very lovely, with some cool canals and giant turtles swimming about, and since it is connected to a lot of hotels, there are lots of bars and high-quality restaurants selling beer.
Day 2
Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach
The Western expat land, home to a fun beach walk that, in several ways, attempts to mimic Santa Monica’s in Los Angeles, is a collection of skyscrapers that look more like a resort than a real community, yet they only house a few hundred residents.
Marina is the spot where people hang out, from visitors to Western expats, residents, and 18-year-old kids who spend the day cruising around the city only to show off their flashy vehicles. It has as little as 10 or 15 years of history and a fairly good beach where you can ride a camel while looking at 60-story houses.
Day 3
The Palm Jumeirah
If you proceed along the coast after the Marina, you can come to the beginning of The Palm, the prominent palm-shaped island that is connected to the Dubai mainland and has an Atlantis Hotel replica at its farthest tip.
You will get to the very edge by taking a monorail that runs 20 meters above the pavement, which is my favorite aspect of this short trip because it gives you a sense of the shape of the island. Otherwise, walking across it seems like you’re on a regular lane, and the island itself is dull.
Kite Beach and Jumeirah Mosque
Following the road along the coast for 18 kilometers after The Palm (as I previously said, distances in Dubai are enormous), you can arrive at Jumeirah, a collection of streets lined with luxury villas inhabited by local Emiratis.
I like this place because it is one of the only walkable areas of Dubai and also because it contains the Jumeirah Mosque, a tiny yet beautiful mosque that non-Muslims can visit and the only cultural site in the city’s new section.
here is no metro line that comes here, but a bus leaves from Marina’s main route.
Day 4
Old Dubai
My favorite aspect of the UAE is Old Dubai because it is the only location with a true spirit. You can get there quickly by metro. The area is vast, however, and there are many metro stations.
Bastiqaya and Bur Dubai
This area has been inhabited by Indians for hundreds of years, while the nearby Arabs were only Bedouins living in the desert. It was once one of the most important centers of the pearl trade and industry, and one of the region’s major economic foundations.
Today, Bastiqaya and Bur Dubai are mainly populated by Indians, who can have a more authentic cultural experience than soulless Dubai. There are authentic (and cheap) Indian eateries packed with tens of Indians, true bazaars, and traditional architecture to be found here. Bastiqaya is the spot to get lost among its narrow alleys while savouring some genuinely authentic cuisine in the many restaurants that, according to Indians, serve the best Indian food in the world because it tastes just like home but is far more hygienic.
Day 5
Get Off the Beaten Track
These are my favorite off-the-beaten-path events in Dubai. You can’t do it all in one day, but you can choose one or two or substitute any of the previous fancy stuff with some of these places:
Camel Racing
At the Al Marmoom Racetrack, deep in the desert sands, you will experience the adrenaline-pumping action that is so essential to Emiratis. It’s an unforgettable experience; about 60 camels rush out of the gates, long legs spinning in both directions, racing as hard as they can down the track while the jockeys guide and hang on for dear life.
Their owners follow them in 4X4s, shouting at their camels and jockeys to do better. The joy is infectious, and before you know it, you’ll be barking at your beloved camel (yes, you heard that correctly) much as you would at a horse race.
Horse Racing in Meydan
Horse racing is the national activity of the UAE, and they have some of the biggest and most valuable horses in the country. If you want to see something both traditional and new, don’t skip the weekly horse racing at Meydan racing stadium, which takes place every Thursday at 7 p.m. from November to March.
The races are incredible, as is the atmosphere, with attendees varying from affluent residents to ex-pats and laborers. The general admission ticket is free, but you may also buy a premium table, which requires connections to the bar and restaurant.
Day 6
Visit Sheikh Zayed Mosque
This is one of the world’s oldest mosques, with the world’s largest carpet and chandelier. The mosque will hold a whopping 40,000 worshippers. It features 82 domes, 1,000 marble columns, and 24-carat gold gilded chandeliers inside.
The main prayer hall is dominated by one of the world’s largest chandeliers, which measures 10 meters in diameter, 15 meters in height, and weighs twelve tons.
As if that wasn’t enough, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque is home to the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet, produced by Iranian carpet weavers. Reflective ponds cover the mosque, enhancing its charm. What glitters gold and white in the sun is turned at night by a one-of-a-kind lightning device that represents the moon’s phases. The mosque is better seen at dusk, about 5:30 p.m. At the time, the mosque offers a ‘Sunset Hour’ sightseeing tour to enable tourists to see the best of the mosque. Going there it will cost about 300AED (one way), so renting a car or, even cheaper, going on a tour is the better choice. If you are not self-driving, I suggest booking the tour with the desert safari Dubai, as they have some interesting offers for visiting the mosque that you can mix with other locations in Abu Dhabi.
