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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!