Stopover in Dubai
The Globe-Trotters Collective
Dubai is a great city to make a stopover if you’re traveling from the Americas to Asia (and vice-versa). We stopped in Dubai for 2 days as we were moving from Singapore to Panama, and discovered that Dubai has far more to offer than we had expected. Beyond its gigantic malls and exuberant architecture, Dubai has a fascinating history and a growing local art scene. Our globe-trotting friends – Maru, Wolfgang and Andrés – who lived in Dubai, shared their favorite spots and helped us compose the following recommendations.
WHAT TO SEE AND VISIT
Burj Khalifa (photo courtesy of Arabian Business)
Burj Khalifa
Tallest man-made structure in the world, 830 meters (2,722 ft). To visit the Burj Khalifa, you can either go to the observation deck called At The Top, or go for drinks or tea at At.Mosphere (the lounge) in the Armani Hotel, which is located in the Burj Khalifa. The best time for both plans is 5-5:30 (sunset) because you will be able to enjoy the view both by day and by night.
Note: it is important to make reservations in advance!
Address: 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates [MAP]
Metro Station: Burj Khalifa/ Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall (photo courtesy of Dubai Mall)
The Dubai Mall
Biggest mall in the world. Connects to At the Top in Burj Khalifa, to the Dubai Fountain and Souk Al Bahar. Don’t miss the aquarium, the Level Shoe District, the Fashion Avenue and Kinokuniya Book World (nice, huge, bookstore).
Address: Financial Center Road, Near Souk Al Bahar Bridge, DownTown Dubai, United Arab Emirates [MAP]
Metro Station: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall (Red Line)
Book World by Kinokuniya
Adddress: The Dubai Mall, Level 2, DownTown Dubai, United Arab Emirates [MAP]
T: +971 4 434 0111
The Dubai Fountain (photo courtesy of Dubai Mall)
Dancing Fountains/Dubai Fountain
Similar to the Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas, they are the world’s largest dancing fountains. You can see the Dancing Fountains from the Dubai Mall or Souk Al Bahar. The show schedule is as follows: 1 & 1:30PM (except Fridays: 1:30pm & 2pm) and every 30 minutes from 6PM to 11PM.
Metro Station: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall (Red Line)
Mall of the Emirates
Our favorite mall, not as modern or big as the Dubai Mall but much more manageable. Ski Dubai is located in the mall. The concept is cool (an indoor ski slope) but in our opinion, not a must.
Address: Al Barsha 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates [MAP]
Metro Station: Mall of the Emirates (Red Line)
Mall of the Emirates (photo courtesy of Dubai Metro)
Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Reproduction of a traditional Arabian souk. Beautiful! A Must! Great restaurants are also there, such as The Meat Co. (steakhouse). Located at the heart of the Madinat Jumeirah Resort, the souk is open daily from 10am to 11pm. To get there, you can take the Metro (Red Line) to the Mall of the Emirates Metro Station and take a taxi from there.
Address: Interchange 4, Exit No 4, Jumeirah Rd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates [MAP]
T: +971 4 366 8888
Souk Madinat Jumeirah (photo courtesy of Jumeirah)
Burj Al Arab (photo courtesy of Jumeirah)
Burj Al Arab
Its architecture is stunning however, the décor inside is very arabesque and in our opinion, a bit tacky. Nevertheless, it is supposedly the most luxurious and only 7 star hotel in the world. You can only go inside if you are staying there or have brunch/lunch/tea/dinner reservations. For light snacks, afternoon tea or drinks, go to the Sky View Bar on the 27th Floor (be ready to spend money!).
Note: reservations are a must! Best way to get there is by car/taxi/Uber.
Address: Jumeirah Beach Rd, Jumeirah 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates [MAP]
T: +971 4 301 7777
Dubai International Financial Centre (photo courtesy of Arabian Business)
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
Dubai’s financial centre. Very trendy area at night. The Ritz Carlton downtown is located here and there are a bunch of trendy art galleries and amazing restaurants such as Zuma, Roberto’s, La Petite Maison and Gaucho (all excellent, see additional details in the "Where to Eat" section below).
Address: Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates [MAP]
Metro Station: Financial Centre (Red Line)
Below are a few cultural sights worth seeing in Dubai’s historic district:
Dubai Museum (photo courtesy of Jumeirah)
Dubai Museum
If you’re interested in finding out about the history of Dubai, check out the Dubai Museum. You literally “walk through the years,” and get to see how Dubai grew from a small fishing town to a global city and commercial center for the Gulf Region. Really worth a visit!
Address: Al Fahidi Fort – Opposite Grand Mosque, Near Arabian Court Hotel – Al Fahidi St, Dubai, United Arab Emirates [MAP]
Metro Station: Al Fahidi (Green Line)
T: +971 4 353 1862
Al Bastakiya Historical Neighborhood
After the Dubai Museum, check out Dubai's historical neighborhood, located a few minutes away from the Al Fahidi Fort/Dubai Museum. To get there, walk along Al Fahidi St., away from the Museum and towards the roundabout. The neighborhood is pedestrian-only and is a nice oasis of tranquility. Look for XVA Gallery, stop by the café and try their legendary mint lemonade! XVA Café is also a good spot to have lunch (tasty local food at reasonable prices).
XVA Café (photo courtesy of XVA Art Hotel & Gallery)
Gold Souk
A souk dedicated to gold. Touristy but fun to see the daily gold rate that appears on digital billboards displayed along the souk. Be ready to get hassled by vendors selling fake designer bags and watches (just act uninterested and they will leave you alone). The souk is quite small and can be visited quickly.
Address: d – 24 D 85, Dubai, United Arab Emirates [MAP]
Metro Station: Al Ras (Green Line)
The Gold Souk
Deira Spice Souk
A short walk from the Gold Souk, the Spice Souk is a bit touristy but you’ll be able to see – and smell – all sorts of colorful and fragrant spices from the region.
Address: D 85, Dubai, United Arab Emirates [MAP]
Metro Station: Al Ras (Green Line)
The Spice Souk (photo courtesy of Dubai Tourism)
If you’re into contemporary art and want to get off the tourist track, check out the Al Quoz Industrial Zone, where many local artists have their workshops and galleries.
Al Quoz Industrial Zone
There are many cool art spaces in Al Quoz and we only got to see a few because of time-constraints (our 2-day trip was too short!).
We recommend that you check out Alserkal Avenue where you’ll find art spaces, including galleries, workshops and collaborative spaces. We also wanted to go to The Courtyard but didn't have time to make it there.
Alserkal Avenue
Address: Street 8, Al Quoz 1 (EXIT 43 off of Sheikh Zayed Rd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates [MAP]
T: +971 50 556 9797
At Alserkal Avenue, stop by A4 Space, a collaborative space for artists, writers and the culturally curious to create, connect and collaborate. Check out the cultural library at The Loft and have a coffee at Appetite Café, both located inside A4 Space. Look up the calendar of events to see what's going on while you're in Dubai!
To get to Alserkal Avenue, you can take the Metro (Red Line) to either Noor Bank or First Gulf Bank (Gold & Diamond Park) and take a cab from there. Additional information on how to get there can be found here.
Note: it can be difficult to find a cab in Al Quoz to make it back Downtown around rush hour (5-5:30pm) so make sure you plan ahead.
A4 Space / The Loft (photo courtesy of Alserkal Avenue)
WHERE TO EAT
Wafi Gourmet / Dubai Mall Branch (photo courtesy of Wafi Gourmet)
Wafi Gourmet (Lebanese)
Delicious and authentic Lebanese cuisine. Serves a wide selection of mezze, kebabs and seafood. The Dubai Mall branch is located a few steps from the Burj Khalifah and has a nice terrace, where locals have shisha while enjoying the view of the Burj Khalifa Lake. Good spot for lunch or dinner.
Address: Lower Ground floor, Dubai Mall, Downtown Burj Khalifa [MAP]
T: +971 4 330 8297
La Petite Maison (photo courtesy of La Petite Maison)
La Petite Maison (French)
Very trendy. Located in DIFC (Downtown Dubai).
Address: Gate Village No, 8, Dubai International Financial Center, 312th Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates [MAP]
Metro Station: Financial Centre (Red Line)
T: +971 4 439 0505
Roberto's (photo courtesy of Roberto's)
The Meat Co. (Steakhouse)
Great selection of steaks but also serves fish. Located by the waterway in Souk Madinat. Nice spot for dinner.
Address: Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates [MAP]
T: +971 4 368 6040
MeatCo @ Souk Madinat (photo courtesy of The Meat Co.)
Pai Thai (Thai)
Located in Al Qasr Hotel, one of the boutique hotels in Madinat Jumeirah. Go to Souk Madinat and take a small boat that takes you to the restaurant.
Address: Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah Resort, Al Sufouh Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates [MAP]
T: +971 4 366 5866
Pierchic (Seafood)
Super romantic. Expensive but has the best view of Burj Al Arab. Located at the end of the pier at Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah. Access from Al Qasr pool and beach area.
Address: Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah Resort, Al Sufouh Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates [MAP]
T: +971 4 366 5866
Pierchic (photo courtesy of Jumeirah)
WHERE TO GO OUT
101 Lounge & Bar (photo courtesy of One & Only The Palm)
101 Lounge & Bar
Beautiful for drinks at sunset time 5:30PM. A Must! Located in the One & Only The Palm (Palm Jumeirah).
Address: West Crescent, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates [MAP]
T: +971 4 440 1030
The Act (photo courtesy of The Act)
Globe-Trotting Contributors
Maru Velez and Wolfgang Harten, previously based in Dubai and currently living in Quito (Ecuador)
Andrés Pages, previously based in Dubai and currently living in Panama City (Panama)
Marie-Adélaïde Mol and Rafael Fernandez, previously based in Singapore and currently living in Panama City (Panama)
Maru + Wolfgang
Andrés
Marie-Adelaide + Rafael