Dubai First timer's Guide

Madinat Jumeirah view

View from Shangri La Hotel

Dubai is one of my favourite cities as it is perfect for a short stay or long vacation. You are guaranteed good summer weather all year round, along with the great cuisine options, shopping, spa, and entertainment choices. Having a good time here is easy. Recently some friends were heading there for their first time for a 3 night stay and asked me for a quick guide of what they could do in 72 hours. This lead to me putting together the top 15 for a short stay. There is so much more to do in the rapidly evolving Dubai but hopefully this helps the first time travellers:

Sightseeing, festivities, and Culinary Experiences combined:

1. Burj Khalifa: To start things off go to the world’s highest building for a beautiful lunch and the great views. Atmosphere restaurant offers Lunch 12.30-1500 & Dinner 1830-2330. Book lunch here so you can enjoy the views from the top during the day. Formal dressing and reservation required.

2. The Palm: Saffron Located on the palm, right at the end. Buffet to die for. Gives you a chance to check out the palm and Atlantis hotel while you are there.

3. Mall of Emirates: The mall offers great shopping options placing Milan, Paris, New York and London fashion in one mall. Food court in Mall of Emirates (Old School but everything you need at a bargain). If you looking for some traditional international cuisine (Mostly Asian). I had some great Masala Dosa here in between all the shopping. By the way doing the full mall may take 6-12 hours.

4. DIFC: Roberto's Italian Restaurant. Make a reservation for dinner here. This is in the Dubai International financial center and is a nice area to check out as well day or night.

5. Downtown: To see the fountains, don't do the tourist thing and go up front and personal. Go to: Restaurant CALABAR at The Address Downtown Dubai Hotel. Get a table outside on the terrace at this premium cocktail lounge with a vibrant Latin vibe and spectacular views of Burj Khalifa from its terrace. A great place for savoury South American specialities and sundowners. Best view of the fountains.

So above you would have done the Mall of Emirates, Burj Al Khalifa,The Palm, and the Fountains.

6. Burj Al Arab: Jumeirah Beach Hotel Bar 360 go for drinks at 10ish and Enjoy views of this hotel and the famous Burj Al Arab.

7. The ACT Dubai:Shangri la hotel top floor: The ACT Bar & Club with show. Dinner options as well but the food is okay so I would recommend skip the food and go for the drinks & show.

8. Jumeirah Beach: Jumeirah beach to just chill and get some sun during the day. If you looking for music and sun then look at number 13 below.

9. Madinat Jumeirah: : Madinat Jumeirah (modern souk in amazing architecture) you can do beach and this on the same day.(9 above)

10. Dubai marina/ The walk: The walk in Jumeirah, near Dubai marina. Place to check out the Shopping, cars, restaurants, and people watching. (9,10,11 can be done on same day)

11. Sheisha time: Find an outdoor restaurant/cafe in the downtown area or Jumeirah, and smoke the hooka/sheisha pipe, have a lemon mint juice (local speciality). Enjoy a relaxing chill out session.

12. The Music Hall: If you want a special musical experience with drinks and food then check out The Music Hall(Near the Palm). A special night our group had here with all the music, drinks and locals.

13. Blue Marlin Ibiza: If you looking for a daytime party with poolside music and drinking then head down to Blue Marlin Ibiza.

14. China White: If you still carrying on strong from 13 above and looking to carry on into the night then head to China White.

15. Transportation: : From the airport you can take a normal taxi or a luxury taxi. The Luxury taxi costs twice as much and usually is a Lexus Sedan. Take the Luxury option and take the drivers name and number. Do this with the taxi options at the hotel as well. You can text or call this drivers later and they can help you get around the city much easier. For example after shopping or clubbing you can have the driver pick you up from the same sport where they would drop you off, this will save you time from all the taxi queues..

Events that you should build your trip around:

Dubai World Cup: The Dubai world cup is the biggest sporting and social occasion on the Dubai calendar, the US$30m Dubai World Cup day is held at Meydan Racecourse on the last Saturday in March every year. Get your tickets for the Apron views area. This is where the party is at, sip on the champagne, enjoy the fashion show, actually you can participate in the fashion show as well with prizes for Best Dressed Lady', ‘Best Dressed Man’, 'Best Dressed Couple’, 'Best Hat', ‘Most Creative Hat’ and ‘Most Elegant Lady’.

Formula One Abu Dhabi: Yas Island hosts another blockbuster event that needs to be done here. Abu Dhabi is an hours drive and a more relaxed city then Dubai. However during F1 week it is busy. You can get tickets to the actual races here, or simply rent out a yacht with friends and party.

Stay tuned for a more detailed Dubai guide in the future.

Dubai World Cup

Bar 360