I am so excited to share my travel guide for a stopover in Dubai which is perfect whether you visit for many days or a short layover on your way somewhere tropical like the Maldives. Personally, I was lucky enough to spend several days in Dubai following our honeymoon in the Seychelles.
Dubai is the most interesting city in my opinion. For starters, it was mostly a desert 20 years ago and did not have electricity until 1961. The MOST fascinating fact might be that Dubai creates their own rain via cloud seeding which makes artificial rainfall since the city is a hot, dry desert. Dubai has undergone quite the transformation from a dusty desert to a world renowned destination known for its luxuries, including the tallest building in the world and the hotel recognized as the only “7 star hotel”. Dubai is more than meets the eye though – there is a quieter, historic side that we so enjoyed discovering!
The Basics
- Language: Arabic is the official language, but Dubai is 90% expats so English is common.
- Religion: Islam, officially
- Currency: dirham or AED
- Adapters: power sockets are type G, 230V.
- Entry Requirements: No advanced visa required from USA for tourist stays under 30 days. Passports should have 6 months validity. As of this article, must present negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before departure. Read more here.
- Visit: October – April for cooler weather and to escape triple digit temps
How to Get to Dubai
Dubai International Airport is the busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger traffic and It’s also quite the welcome to this luxurious city with glamorous finishes throughout. On our connection to Seychelles, we flew through Dubai and spent a night in the Dubai Airport Hotel which was so convenient to have a hotel inside the airport terminals. There are direct flights on Emirates from the US, however, we flew from Washington, DC with a connection in Paris before arriving in Dubai.
Where to Stay for a Stopover in Dubai
The best hotels and resorts for a luxury vacation.
Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
Four Seasons Resort at Jumeirah Beach was the perfect home for our laid back days in Dubai. We were there to enjoy the culture and explore Dubai at a leisurely pace and this far surpassed expectations. The location is perfect, situated along the beach and close to downtown Dubai, historic Dubai, and the airport.
Service
On arrival, we were greeted outside as we got out of the car and were whisked straight to our beautiful room. I love that hotels are skipping the check in desks and handling everything as they escort you to your accommodations. The service at this hotel is world class and the Four Seasons App is one of our favorite features – perfect for arranging transportation or ordering room service!
Rooms
The accommodations at the Four Seasons Jumeirah are stunning and provide a sense of place without being overdone. The nods to Arabian decor are tastefully incorporated with local accents and materials. I personally loved the massive walk in closets to spread our things out! There are no bad views with the Persian Gulf on one side and the Dubai skyline on the other. We went for the city view because we were in such an incredible place – check out the views of the Burj Khalifa from our balcony!
Pool and Beach
Relaxing at the Four Seasons Jumeirah pool is a must! It is a peaceful environment with an adult pool as well as a kids pool. The staff comes around often with treats like ice cream, macaroons, nuts and more. There is also beach access if you want to take a dip in the refreshing Persian Gulf!
Spa
I am so glad we ended our visit with massages at the Four Seasons spa. I had my first 90 minute massage and I did not want it to end. The spa is large, but intimate with unparalleled service you expect from Four Seasons. I loved the relaxation rooms where I was given fresh tea and locally made granola bars.
Dining
There are plenty of dining options throughout the property for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks! I especially loved lunch at Sea Fu on the terrace and rooftop bar, Mercury Lounge. There were many locals that we saw visiting to enjoy the property’s restaurants. We were there during Ramadan so everyone went out to celebrate breaking their fast at sundown.
Burj Al Arab
The Burj Al Arab is considered the world’s only “7 star hotel” as a journalist referred to it with this designation. It sits on a manmade island and was built to resemble a sail on a ship. The idea was for this to be the most luxurious hotel in the world with opulence throughout the designs and decor. The Burj Al Arab is an icon for Dubai.
Al Maha Resort and Spa
Al Maha Resort and Spa is a Marriott branded property that sits on the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. It is a luxury property that treats its visitors to an intimate experience in the remote desert. We loved the idea of staying here, but due to limited time we chose to be in the city center instead. We did visit for breakfast as part of our desert tour and it was incredibly beautiful!
What to Do During a Stopover in Dubai
Desert with Platinum Heritage Tours
You can’t visit Dubai without actually going into the remote Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. This was my first time in a desert and it was so incredible to see the vast dunes in every direction. We had the best guide at Platinum Heritage Tours. They picked us up in a luxury vehicle and shared history of Dubai and Bedouin culture on our one hour drive. We were dressed in traditional Arab head wraps (kaffiyeh), got to ride a camel, see wildlife like the White Arabian Oryx, and ended with breakfast at Al Maha Resort.
Explore Old Dubai
Dubai Creek separates Old and New Dubai and it is a vast difference from one side to the other. It’s fascinating to see how the two blend harmoniously with the skyscrapers and the historic buildings of the past.
Ride in an Abra
An Abra is a traditional wooden boat used to ferry people across Dubai Creek. Take a quick ride across and admire Old and New Dubai.
Wander through the Souks
Dubai loves gold and the gold souks are endless. Explore this area and take home the perfect luxury souvenir. You can also wander through the spice and textile souks to admire these incredible artisans.
Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world at 2,716 feet. You can take a tour inside, but we admired its grandness from the outside.
The Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall is one of the largest malls in the world. It has ~1200 retail outlets and 200+ dining outlets. A mall is not somewhere I typically would have planned to see, but we visited for dinner with some local friends. It was fun to see the Dubai Fountain with the Burj Khalifa behind it in the night sky while we dined.
Tour a Mosque
We did not have time to visit a mosque on this trip, but there are so many beautiful options for you. Here are my top picks: Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque, Jumeirah Mosque, or Grande Mosque. And, if you have time for a day trip to Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is incredibly ornate.
Where to Eat in Dubai
Arabian Tea House
Arabian Tea House is located in the historic Al Fahidi neighborhood. It has become a famous spot visited by celebrities including Kate Hudson and Martha Stewart. We popped in for authentic Arabian tea after exploring old Dubai and the souks.
Roka Dubai
Roka was hands down one of the best meals I have ever had. We had fresh local fish, sushi, and finished with an over the top desert tower. I highly recommend Roka if you are in Dubai.
Sal at Burj Al Arab
Since we didn’t stay at the Burj, we decided to visit for lunch. We walked through the lobby and made our way past the pool to Sal, a Mediterranean restaurant overlooking the sparkling Arabian Gulf.
Bice Mare
Our local friends took us to dinner at Bice Mare inside the Dubai Mall. We enjoyed incredible Italian cuisine while we watched the Dubai fountain splashing in the distance.
What to Wear in Dubai – A Conservative Country
Dubai is a conservative country and you will see many people fully covered. I was hesitant about what to wear during our stopover in Dubai because although it is conservative it is also very modern. I had recently seen influencers there wearing short and low cut dresses. Even if people aren’t saying anything to you and “everyone else is doing it”, I don’t feel that it is appropriate to dress like that in a conservative country.
I feel strongly about respecting other cultures and dressing accordingly as a visitor. I recommend at least covering your shoulders and knees and staying away from anything too low cut as a female. For men, long pants and short sleeve shirts are fine. Keep in mind, it is a desert and the temps are often 100Fº+ so loose, flowy dresses work great! For reality check: I never saw anyone wearing the tight and short outfits that I had seen others wearing in Dubai on instagram.
Packing List for a Stopover in Dubai
- Flowy dresses, skirts + tops – Free People and Anthropologie are great for this style.
- Something chic for dinners
- Sandals and Wedges or Heels
- Head covering in case you visit a mosque
- Sunscreen – the sun is relentless
- Sunglasses
- More modest swimsuit and coverup
- Crossbody purse like this one.
Dubai Travel Tips
- Before your stopover in Dubai, read City of Gold to understand Dubai’s history and how it came to be the ultra-modern destination it is today.
- The Emirates are each ruled by a Sheikh. The Maktoum are the ruling family of Dubai. While you are there look out for the lowest license tag numbers – the lower the number, the higher rank in the royal family.
- Call to prayer – if you have not heard the call to prayer before it is incredibly beautiful and will be heard several times a day throughout the city.
- Ramadan – we visited over Ramadan which is when everyone fasts during daylight hours, even from water. Be aware and respectful to not eat or drink in front of others during this time. In the evening they celebrate with big Ramadan dinners! Be sure to make dinner reservations in advance during Ramadan.
- It is incredibly hot – drink lots of water!
If you have the opportunity to visit or do a stopover in Dubai, I highly recommend this unique destination. Dubai feels futuristic, but there is also so much that is ancient about it. You will learn so much about the beautiful Emirati culture. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments below – I am happy to share any info I can!
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