Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Why we love it: It's a man-made desert oasis.
Must see and do: Drinks atop of the Burj al Arab, indoor skiing, dune bashing
Dates traveled: January & February 2008
Must see and do: Drinks atop of the Burj al Arab, indoor skiing, dune bashing
Dates traveled: January & February 2008
Explore
It is worth renting a car in Dubai because the city is so spread out. There is a partially completed light rail system, but this is not a practical way to get to most of the things you’ll want to visit. The current line runs along the main highway spanning the city, and unless you are going someplace right near one of the stops, you may have a long and frustrating walk along streets that were not designed for pedestrians, potentially in 100+ degree heat. With that in mind, renting a car is definitely the way to go. You will probably encounter some brutal traffic jams, particularly around rush hour (remember the Dubai work week is Sunday-Thursday), but it’s really your best option.
Book a ‘dune bashing’ tour in the desert where you can drive over giant sand dunes at high-speed in a souped-up SUV. You can also try dune surfing and, if you choose, camp overnight under the desert stars. Most tour companies will pick you up at your hotel.
Try to get to a camel race. We were there in the off-season, but hear they are a good time!
Check out the indoor ski run, Ski Dubai, in the Mall of Emirates.
Wander through the gold souk (market) in the old part of the city. Even if you’re not in the market for gold, it’s worth a stroll through.
Go to the top of the Burj Khalifa. This was not yet complete when we were there, but how could you not want to go to the top of the highest building in the world?
Take a day-trip to Abu-Dhabi. It’s about a 1-1.5 hour drive and you can see some beautiful old palaces and mosques. Abu Dhabi is more casual/laid back culturally than Dubai. Many professionals in Dubai view Abu Dhabi as a great place to raise a family, and many commute down to Dubai for work.
Book a ‘dune bashing’ tour in the desert where you can drive over giant sand dunes at high-speed in a souped-up SUV. You can also try dune surfing and, if you choose, camp overnight under the desert stars. Most tour companies will pick you up at your hotel.
Try to get to a camel race. We were there in the off-season, but hear they are a good time!
Check out the indoor ski run, Ski Dubai, in the Mall of Emirates.
Wander through the gold souk (market) in the old part of the city. Even if you’re not in the market for gold, it’s worth a stroll through.
Go to the top of the Burj Khalifa. This was not yet complete when we were there, but how could you not want to go to the top of the highest building in the world?
Take a day-trip to Abu-Dhabi. It’s about a 1-1.5 hour drive and you can see some beautiful old palaces and mosques. Abu Dhabi is more casual/laid back culturally than Dubai. Many professionals in Dubai view Abu Dhabi as a great place to raise a family, and many commute down to Dubai for work.
Dune Bashing
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eat, drink, be merry...snooze
Make a reservation for drinks at the bar on top of the Burj al Arab, the sail-shaped hotel on its own island in the gulf. Try to go around sunset and get a seat by the window. Food is overpriced and disappointing, so going just for a drink or two is the best, and cheapest, option (although ‘cheap’ here is relative). You do need a reservation to get past the guard tower – be sure to book well in advance.
Check out Buddha Bar – Grosvenor House Hotel (Marina area) – Cool atmosphere, lounge, eats and tunes. Make reservations for dinner and hang out in the lounge for drinks after, or just go later at night for drinks.
There is a big clubbing scene in Dubai – there are many different types, usually co-located with hotels. Most get going later at night. Stick with the Marina area – there are lots of fun places around, including some outdoor bars on the water.
Avoid beef in Dubai - it tastes a bit funny. Stick with lamb, which is abundant and tasty. Also, try the camel if you feel the urge, but keep your expectations low. Dubai also boasts lots of great Indian food.
The hotel we stayed at was a mid-range business hotel that no longer seems to be in existence. However, we would suggest staying in the Marina area (rather than the downtown area or the old city) – there are a lot of nice hotels at a variety of price points, and lots of local nightlife.
Check out Buddha Bar – Grosvenor House Hotel (Marina area) – Cool atmosphere, lounge, eats and tunes. Make reservations for dinner and hang out in the lounge for drinks after, or just go later at night for drinks.
There is a big clubbing scene in Dubai – there are many different types, usually co-located with hotels. Most get going later at night. Stick with the Marina area – there are lots of fun places around, including some outdoor bars on the water.
Avoid beef in Dubai - it tastes a bit funny. Stick with lamb, which is abundant and tasty. Also, try the camel if you feel the urge, but keep your expectations low. Dubai also boasts lots of great Indian food.
The hotel we stayed at was a mid-range business hotel that no longer seems to be in existence. However, we would suggest staying in the Marina area (rather than the downtown area or the old city) – there are a lot of nice hotels at a variety of price points, and lots of local nightlife.
tips
Find out when Ramadan is going to be and try not to let it coincide with your visit. While Dubai is more laid back about this than many other parts of the Muslim world, it can still limit your options, particularly for outdoor dining / bars, and in general feels less appropriate to party. Also avoid summer time as you won’t want to be outside during daylight hours due the scorching heat.
