Got a stopover in Dubai? Then what are you still doing at the airport?
Sprint over to the taxi rank and get going as there is so much to do in Dubai, no matter how long you are here for.
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Check out the iconic sights, sample dishes from all around the world and be sure to squeeze in some sunbathing whether you have eight, 12 or 24 hours to use up.
But don’t worry, you needn’t make a plan either — we’ve done it all for you.
How to make the most of your stopover in Dubai
8-hour stopover
Where to go: If your layover is shorter, it’s best not to stray too far from Dubai International Airport. A taxi to Burj Khalifa should take around 30 minutes, letting you pack everything you can into those precious few hours.
There really is no place like the view At The Top inside Burj Khalifa, taking you to at least 124 floors up and 452 metres high. But if a viewing platform that high makes your legs wobble, admire the building with your feet firmly on the ground at the bottom. For a good spot to look up at the world’s tallest building, we recommend the bridge connecting Dubai Mall and Souk Al Bahar.
If you can, be sure to have a whistle-stop tour of Dubai Mall in all it’s glory – window shop, raid the rails, then take a quick look at everything from the Dubai Aquarium and The Souk to Chinatown. It can be easy to get lost, so use the interactive screens to plan your route according to where you want to go.
At The Top, prices vary. Daily 9am-10pm. Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, burjkhalifa.ae (04 888 8124).
What to eat: You’re in Downtown Dubai — so you need to checkout Time Out Market. An eclectic mix of some of the city’s best restaurants, get a tray and sample some of the incredible offerings, from a crispy Pitfire Pizza to the crispy lamb kibbeh at Allo Beirut for something more traditional.
Open from noon most days and 10am on weekends, the market also boasts an outdoor terrace with a front row seat to watch the record-breaking Dubai Fountains, which go off every 30 minutes from 6pm. As tick lists go, this one offers a triple whammy of food, fountains and fabulous views (of Burj Khalifa).
Time Out Market, Mon-Thurs noon-midnight, Fri noon-1am, Sat 10am-1am, Sun 10am-midnight. Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai, timeoutmarket.com (054 375 2421).
If you get the chance:
Jump in a taxi or walk round the corner to The Address Sky View Hotel, and head up to the 54th to CÉ LA VI restaurant.
If it’s not too hot, book a table on the outdoor terrace, and look down on Downtown Dubai in all its glittering glory. The view is great in the day but even better after dark, when you can see the buildings lit up in gold and Burj Khalifa shimmering next door.
Sip a glass of bubbly for Dhs190, or nibble on the salmon volcano maki as you survey the city and savour a slice of the high life.
CÉ LA VI, Level 54, Tower 2, Address Sky View Hotel, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, celavi.com, reservation-dxb@celavi.com (04 582 6111).
12-hour stopover
Where to go: If you have a little more time to explore, make sure you spend some of it on Palm Jumeirah. Taking anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour by taxi (depending on traffic), it’s worth seeing this manmade island.
If you’re all about the views and seeing the sights, book a ticket for The View at the Palm, where you’ll be whistled up 240 metres to enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of the city by day or night. If you’re looking for a quick Instagram post, this is where to get it.
Prices vary, The View at the Palm, open daily 9am-8.30pm, Nakheel Mall, Palm Jumeirah, theviewpalm.ae (800 8438 439).
What to eat: For those who just want to chill out between flights, book a bed at SĀN Beach Club on Palm Jumeirah and enjoy a glass of something cold in its sunken swim-up bar. When you get peckish, order the salmon passion ceviche or the Wagyu maki, and if you have room for something sweet, make sure the mochi dessert platter gets a try.
For if you’re looking for a dinner spot, head along The Palm to chic Mediterranean restaurant Lucky Fish, and dive into some fresh flavours of the ocean. If you’re hungry, try the fritto misto – an entire net of locally hooked fish, prawns, squid, smoked chilli, aioli and wafer-thin home-made potato chips. This favourite hot-spot will give you all the right vaycay vibes for however long you’re in town.
From Dhs200. SĀN Beach Sun-Fri 9am-midnight, Sat-Sun 9am-1am. West Beach, Palm Jumeirah, sanbeachdubai.com (04 458 0499).
Open daily 10am-3am. Palm Jumeirah, luckyfishdubai.com (04 569 3447).
If you get the chance: Take a drive around Palm Jumeirah and check out Atlantis The Palm and Atlantis The Royal hotels.
There might be just enough time in your itinerary to pop in for a quick tipple at the Elements lounge at Atlantis The Royal. Watch the hotel’s own fire and water show as you relax in a sunken table and take in the last few moments of your Dubai tour.
24-hour stopover
Where to go: 24 hours in Dubai, what a treat. If you’ve managed to bag a great stopover deal with your airline, or you’ve just got lucky, get ready for a day of fun in the city.
You can pack a lot into a day, so we recommend delving into local culture a bit more and fitting in an hour or two in Al Seef. Just a 20 minute taxi from Dubai Airport, get a taste of traditional culture and stroll the streets as of this old Emirati village-designed destination filled with bazaars, coffee shops and hidden galleries. Keep the Dubai Creek on your right, and make your way towards an RTA crossing point to pick up an abra.
Keep strolling with Dubai Creek on your right, and make your way towards an RTA crossing point to pick up an abra. From there, pay just Dhs2 to sail the boat across the water to the Gold Souk and Spice Souk on the other side, where you can do some haggling with local vendors for some spices and souvenirs.
Al Seef, Dubai Creek, alseef.ae
What to eat: While you’re in Al Seef, dine out with views over Dubai Creek at Sabaa inside the Al Seef Heritage hotel to tuck into a traditional Emirati spread.
Or if you’d rather something more cosmopolitan, make a reservation for Clap in DIFC and check out its quirky Asian decorations over a plate of corn shrimp tempura and black cod miso.
Sabaa, Open daily 7am-1am, Al Seef Heritage Hotel, Hilton.com (058 200 5850).
Clap Dubai, Mon noon-2am, Tues-Fri noon-3am, Sat-Sun 1pm-3am, DIFC Gate Village, claprestaurant.com (04 569 3820).
If you get the chance: Got a little time left on your 24-hour stopover? Then Burj Khalifa is well-worth seeing, so add in a visit before you need to check-in for the next flight. To really get in amongst the action, book an abra on the water for under Dhs70 per person and watch the jets soar right above your head.
Or if you’re not fussed for Downtown Dubai and want a different view altogether, take a taxi to The Address Beach Resort in Dubai Marina, and book a table at Zeta Seventy-Seven. One of the most incredible views in the city, enjoy a meal or a few sundowners from floor 77, either on the terrace or in one of the sunken pool tables. Sound good? If yes, be sure to book in advance if you want to add it to the itinerary, as the venue doesn’t accept walk-ins.
Whilst this end of town, take a stroll along The Beach at JBR if the weather’s on your side, to soak up the sun-kissed culture of Dubai. The seaside strip is peppered with restaurants, cafes, boutiques and loads of things to see and do, so it’s the perfect place to enjoy a taste of the city by the sea.
Abra Dubai Fountains,from Dhs64, various times and prices, Downtown Dubai, atthetop.ae
ZETA Seventy Seven, open daily noon-2am, Address Beach Resort, Dubai Marina, addresshotels.com (04 879 8866).
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