Details about my 5 Days in Dubai
There's so much to see and do in Dubai. The city is so clean and well-organized. And the people are so friendly and polite! I felt like a VIP everywhere I went. From shopping in the world-famous malls to riding camels in the desert to skydiving on top of Palm Jumeirah, I had the time of my life!
If you're thinking about taking a trip to Dubai, I would say go for it! You won't regret it. In this post, I will go over what we did in 5 days in Dubai. I will go over the major expenses so you can budget if this is a trip you would like to do in the future.
First details about our flight and hotel
Nonstop flight with Emirates
Emirates Airlines is based in Dubai and is one of the most luxurious airlines to fly. I preferred to take this Airline to travel because of the nonstop flight from AID (Dulles) to DXB (Dubai). Emirates is also known for its amazing service and top-notch amenities. Which I was delighted to enjoy on 13h+ flights. It wasn't the cheapest but pretty much affordable for a nonstop flight with two free check-in bags, at $940 in September.
5-star hotel: Taj Dubai
We stayed at the Taj Dubai, located in the Business Bay area of Dubai, near the Burj Khalifa. When we arrived at the hotel, we were impressed by the beautiful lobby and friendly staff. We had a welcoming party with Indian dance and delicious aromas. The hotel had several restaurants and bars, as well as a spa and swimming pool. Breakfast at the hotel was not included in our room rate which was about $555 for five nights.
Our room was on the 9th floor and had an amazing view of the city. The room was very spacious and had a large bathroom with a walk-in shower. The bed was extremely comfortable and we had no trouble sleeping through the night. Overall, we were very pleased with our stay at the Taj Dubai. If you're looking for a luxurious and spacious hotel room in Dubai, the Taj Dubai is the place for you.
Day 1 - Friday 9/16
After a long flight, we were so excited to finally be in Dubai! We took an Uber from the airport to our hotel, which was located in the heart of downtown. We arrived around 9 am which is early for check-in. But our 5-star hotel let us know our room will be ready in one hour! so we decided to go for a walk around the neighborhood to get a feel for the city. However, it was steamy hot outside, so we settled for coffee and a small snack at a local cafe close to the hotel.
At around 10:30 am our room was ready and after checking in and getting settled into our room, we went to Kite Beach. The weather was not compliant - sunny and in the high-90s. We walked along the beach, scenery watched, and relaxed. After a few hours, we were exhausted it was time to head to our reservation at Auraskypool.
Aura Skypool
Suspended 656 ft in the air, AURA is the world’s highest 360° infinity pool offering incredible views of the iconic Dubai skyline, Palm Jumeirah, and the glistening horizon of the Arabian Gulf. It is located on the 63rd floor and the entry is from St Regis Hotel, the Palm. The lowest entry fee is $68 for a bed and city view from 3p to 7p. A nice introduction to our trip and the perfect spot to watch the sunset.
Day 2 - Saturday 9/17
We woke up early on our second day in Dubai to make the most of it! By the way, we planned our whole trip itinerary and paid for most of the tours and reservations before traveling! Today was Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa day.
Dubai mall
Huge and luxurious, you can find just about anything you want in there from high-end fashion to local souvenirs. There's an indoor aquarium, an ice rink, and a dancing fountain show in front of the world's tallest building - the Burj Khalifa. We spent a couple of hours walking around the mall, doing some shopping.
I had to leave the mall to go visit my cousin, so I hopped on the metro. The Dubai Metro is one of the cheapest and most efficient ways to get around Dubai. A single ride costs about $0.50, and you can purchase a day pass for about $7.
Burj Khalifa
Afterward, we went to the top of the Burj Khalifa. We went up the 125th floor which is not even halfway to the top! While the view of the building from the outside is impressive, I felt underwhelmed by the "At The Top" experience. Still, dope views from up high and cool to say that I’ve been to the tallest building in the world!
Dinner with fountain view
For dinner, we went to the Lebanese restaurant Wafi Gourmet next to the dancing fountain. The Dubai Fountain is a spectacular light show that takes place every 30 minutes in front of the Burj Khalifa. After dinner, at around 10:30p, the mall was still open and bustling with people. But we had to head back to the hotel to get ready for our next outing.
Armani Privee nightclub
Armani Privee is located on the ground floor of the Burj Khalifa. While the venue is high-end and appears exclusive, the dress code is pretty lax. We got in without any issues and were able to snag a spot near the dance floor in front of the lively DJ station. The music was great, and the vibe was fun and upbeat. No entry fee but expensive drinks inside!
Day 3 - Sunday 9/18
On our third day we woke up early again, jetlag didn't seem to affect us much at this point. The schedule for the day was already set, so we knew to brace ourselves to walk the streets of Dubai in the heat.
Dubai Frame
Imagine a gold frame 492 feet high that offers views of old and new Dubai. From the top of the Dubai Frame, you can see the skyscrapers in the distance on one side. You can also see traditional houses on the other side of the frame. Another grand monument showcasing Dubai's impressive architecture. I was impressed by how huge and artistic the frame is. Plus, the golden color makes the monument look even more amazing.
Dubai old souks
A promenade from the spice souk to the gold souk, so much to see and do. With over 300 shops, the gold souk is a great place to buy jewelry. The vibrant and fragrant spice souk is one of the oldest markets in Dubai and offers a wide variety of spices from all over the world. I enjoyed haggling with the shopkeepers and trying out different aromas.
Arabian Tea House
The Arabian Tea House is located in the heart of the Old Souk district. This quaint cafe is the perfect place to relax and enjoy some traditional Arabic tea and coffee. The decor is beautiful, and the friendly staff makes you feel right at home. I highly recommend this spot if you're looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Cruise dinner
After a long day at the markets, we decided to do something a little more relaxing with a breeze and took a cruise down Dubai Marina. The cruise was relaxing, and the views of the city at night were stunning. We had dinner on the boat, and it was a great way to end the day.
Day 4 - Monday 9/19
Per our Itinerary, day 4 looked easy since we only had two things (already booked) on the schedule.
Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi
From 8a to 12:30p, we visited Abu Dhabi. Another great highlight of the trip is Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Grandiose and serene, and it was a great way experience to the Muslim religion and culture. The architecture and design of the mosque are amazing, and it's worth a visit if you're in the area!
The inside of the mosque is just as breathtaking as the outside, with intricate Muslim designs and artwork adorning the walls and ceilings. It's a place of worship for Muslims, but it's also open to visitors of all religions.
Safari Desert
From 3p to 10p was another fantastic experience in Dubai! Desert safari is a must-do when you visit. You ride around, see the desert landscapes and wildlife, and then finish with a delicious Arabian BBQ dinner and some belly dancing entertainment. So much fun! Check out my Instagram feed for more pictures and fun stories.
Day 5 - Tuesday 9/20
The last day in Dubai started with adrenaline. I went skydiving from 7:30a to 12:30p while my friend decided to book a 2-hour spa at the hotel.
Skydiving
This was the most exhilarating experience of my life! And to top it all off, the views of Dubai from up high were breathtaking. More videos and photos on Instagram. Don't mind my face and grimaces in the images, it's because I was freaking out free-falling through the sky at more than 120mph!
Michelin star restaurant: REIF kushiyaki
In the afternoon, we looked up a Michelin-starred cuisine for lunch. We decided on a Japanese restaurant called REIF kushiyaki. Everything was amazing, from the food to the service. From huge wall art to small manga books at the counter, Astro boy seems to be the centerpiece of art in the restaurant.
I ordered grilled octopus, sea bass, and matcha latte. For dessert, I went for a strawberry shortcake. The service was wonderful and the ambiance was perfect. If you're looking for a fine dining experience in Dubai, REIF kushiyaki unconventional Japanese food is the place to go!
Museum of the future
After that, we went to the museum of the future. The shape of the building is very unique, and it's located in a prime spot for some great sunset shots. Museum of the Future is Dubai's newest attraction, and it's pretty cool! It's an interactive museum that explores future technologies and predicts how they will shape our lives.
Check-out
We left the hotel at 11p forfeiting the rest of our last night. this is because our flight was at 2 am, which is convenient when you take into consideration the time zones.
And that's a wrap! Our 5-day trip to Dubai was packed with adventure, culture, and relaxation. This trip was an amazing experience, and I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to visit Dubai. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed my travel diary!
