DUBAI TRAVEL GUIDE: 6 DAY GUIDE FOR FIRST TIMERS

My first trip to Dubai was in 2015 and it’s now been 6 years. So much has changed since then and there is so much more to do now as well! My husband and I spent 7 nights and 6 full days in Dubai for our babymoon and to celebrate the New Year. Dubai is a great destination to celebrate New Year but it’s also the most expensive, and busiest season. While planning our trip I’ve created a list of top things to do, so here’s my Dubai Travel Guide! A 6-day guide for first-timers!

BEST TIME TO VISIT DUBAI

The best time to visit Dubai is from October to March when the weather is not too hot. During our trip at the end of December, the weather was in the 70s. We did get a few days of rain which is pretty uncommon, but it does not last for more than a couple of hours.

If you do plan to visit in April or later make sure to check when Ramadan is. Even though many places now stay open, some places may be closed and there is no alcohol during Ramadan.

HOW TO TRAVEL TO DUBAI, VISAS & PCR REQUIREMENTS

Since we were visiting family in Canada during this time we flew with Air Canada to Doha to Dubai. We needed to show proof of vaccination and a negative PCR test within 72 hours of our departure flight from Canada AND from Dubai. When we landed in Doha they also checked our tests before boarding the flight, this is important to know that your test should not have expired by the time of your departure for Dubai if you have a connection. You can check for changes and requirements here.

There are also direct flights from Dubai to New York, we flew direct with Emirates on our way back and even though the United States requires either a negative PCR or Antigen test, Emirates has its own rule. They require a PCR test starting Jan 1, 2022. So please always check the government websites and airline requirements.

When we landed in Dubai we got our visa on arrival when showing our passport. Everyone from our flight also had to do a mandatory PCR test at no cost. We downloaded the DXB Smart App and had our results sent here the following morning. I suggest getting a flight where you land in Dubai at night while you wait for your results.

TRAVELING WHILE PREGNANT

I got this question quite a bit over on Instagram so I’ll share my experience. I was traveling during 23-24 weeks. We had an overnight flight on our way to Dubai and had the row to ourselves which was helpful. I was able to lay down and sleep most of the flight. I wore compression socks during the flight and made sure to get up every few hours when I can to walk around. I did the same thing on our flight back, but we did upgrade our seats to premium economy on Emirates and it was totally worth it!

I did also notice my lower back and feet would hurt if I was out walking around a lot so we tried to limit walking around and sat down to rest when I can.

GETTING AROUND DUBAI

We mostly used Taxi’s which I found to be around $5-10 within downtown or up to $30 if we went to Blue Waters/The Palm etc which is about 20 mins away. The cheapest option is using taxis, they also offer fancy Lexus taxis which are pricier but not necessary. There is a metro system as well if you choose to use that option.

WHAT TO WEAR IN DUBAI

A lot has changed in Dubai since 2015 and the city itself is one of the most Westernized cities in the United Arab Emirates. If you’re visiting just the city and visiting touristy locations dress code for women is totally fine bearing shoulders and knees. Do not wear short skirts, shorts, crop tops, or show too much skin between your shoulders and knees. From speaking with locals, it’s totally fine to wear tank tops, shorts, skirts, dresses but always be mindful of the culture by being respectful and tasteful. I always had a cardigan with me everywhere I went just in case.

If you do visit Old Dubai or anywhere outside of the city, be respectful and cover shoulders and knees.

Men can wear shorts, pants, shirts, and t-shirts.

HOW MUCH TO BUDGET IN DUBAI

I got this question a lot from sharing my trip, Dubai can be a very budget-friendly destination if planned during the right time and depending on what you prefer to do. Our largest expense was our hotel and flights. As I’m a big foodie and a luxury blogger my expenses were quite a bit higher with a few pre-fixe meals and we also traveled during the busiest season.

I found most prices to be equivalent to prices in New York. Most lunches were around $50-$60 and dinners were around $150+ with some drinks for two people Activities to observatories were roughly $40 per person. I’ll share more about all the food options below.

Their currency is called “dirham” or AED for Arab Emirates Dirham. We mostly used our visa credit card as they do not accept American Express. The only place that accepted American Express was our hotel.

WHERE TO STAY

Shangri-La Hotel: I absolutely loved Shangri-La! The rooms are very spacious and the rooftop has the absolute best view of the Burj Khalifa! Guests are allowed to the rooftop so I was here most sunrises and we also reserved a private breakfast one morning. Guests can also reserve a romantic dinner for sunset as well. They also have a gorgeous pool with a view of the Burj Khalifa on the rooftop along with an outdoor pool on a lower level with Burj Khalifa views.

The location is in downtown Dubai but not walkable to many locations. We had to take a taxi everywhere but it’s easy to get a taxi and only about a 10-minute drive to The Dubai Mall.

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Address Fountain Views: Address Hotels has multiple properties in Dubai all mostly in the downtown area and connected to The Dubai Mall which makes it super convenient. I picked Address Fountain Views since their rooms have a balcony and the Burj Khalifa view. The infinity pool is also stunning! The only con to the property is the hotel restaurant was average and they do not allow professional cameras on the property so beware of this!

I would also suggest looking into their other properties: Address Sky View for their amazing rooftop pool, Address Downtown, and Palace Downtown.

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BUDGET-FRIENDLY HOTEL WITH A VIEW OF THE BURJ KHALIFA

Rove Downtown: If you’re looking for a budget-friendly hotel with a view I suggest Rove Downtown. Their pool has a great view of the Burj Khalifa!

DUBAI TRAVEL GUIDE: 6 DAYS

Below is my Dubai travel guide on everything we did and places on our list that we did not get to experience. We did everything in 6 days which I think is perfect for Dubai but we could have easily spent more days here too.

BURJ KHALIFA

Visitors have to visit the tallest building in the world when visiting Dubai! I only went to the 124 & 125th floor this trip but I suggest paying the extra cost to visit the 145th floor too, tickets are for At The Top and Burj Khalifa Sky. Make sure to get tickets in advance as the line is super long when purchasing the same day. Tickets are 379 AED (around $100).

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THE DUBAI MALL

The Dubai Mall is huge! It’s considered one of the largest malls in the world and trust me you will get lost. There is so much shopping, a lot of amazing restaurants, an aquarium and even an ice skating rink. We spent a lot of time at the mall dining at some of the best restaurants with a view. Sharing them all below.

SKY VIEWS OBSERVATORY

This is one of the newest attractions in Dubai that opened in Nov 2021. It’s located inside the Address Sky Views Hotel. It has a glass slide that is included in your ticket and if you’re adventurous you can try The Edge Walk! I loved visiting Sky Views Observatory! It was fun and not very crowded when we went, but the line for the glass slide did go fairly slow. Tickets are 70 AED for adults (around $20).

I also suggest making reservations for lunch or dinner before or after your visit to Celavi! It’s located at the rooftop of the Address Sky Views and the food is amazing! Sharing more details below!

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AIN DUBAI/BLUEWATERS ISLAND

Ain Dubai is located at Bluewaters Island and is the world’s largest and tallest observation wheel! It opened in October 2021. I recommend visiting around sunset and expect to spend around an hour here. Tickets are 130 AED (around $35).

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After the ride, walk around Blue Waters. There’s a lot of food stands and we tried Shaka Waka acai bowls which were so cute and yummy! Or make sure to make reservations at Alici Seafood Restaurant. I really wanted to dine here as it has a gorgeous view and is an Amalfi-themed restaurant.

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DUBAI MIRACLE GARDEN

The Dubai Miracle Garden is around 20 minutes from Downtown Dubai. It’s such a fun area to visit especially with children. It has more than 150 million flowers in full bloom and themed decorations. It changes each year but the floral heart remains the same since I visited in 2015! We spent about an hour or hour and a half here. Tickets are 55 AED (around $15).

If you have time, visit the Dubai Butterfly Garden next to the Dubai Miracle Garden. Home to more than 15,000 butterflies!

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GLOBAL VILLAGE

Global Village is also near The Dubai Miracle Garden but it does not open until 4 pm. We made this mistake as we thought we could visit in the afternoon! Global Village is a multi-cultural theme park and great for the family. Park entry tickets are 15 AED.

THE VIEW AT THE PALM

The View At The Palm is also one of the newer observation decks in Dubai! It opened in April 2021 located at the largest man-made island, Palm Jumeirah. If you want to see it from above this is where it is or you can always go skydiving too! Tickets are 100 AED (around $28).

ATLANTIS THE PALM

Atlantis The Palm is the first luxury hotel built at Palm Jumeirah. It’s a great resort for families, with lots of activities and great restaurants. Kids and adults love The Adventure Waterpark, The Lost Chambers Aquarium and my favorite is dining at the underwater fine-dining restaurant, Ossiano.

EXPO 2020

If you’re visiting Dubai through March 31st, 2021 you’re in luck to visit the Dubai Expo! We did not have time to visit but if you do I heard it’s worth it! However, be prepared to spend at least half a day here!

JUMEIRAH BEACH RESIDENCE (JBR)

Spend an evening or day at the beach! Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) is a public beach in Dubai. We were supposed to do this for sunset during one of our last evenings in Dubai but due to rain, we weren’t able to.

I suggest making lunch reservations at a beach club: Drift, Ula, Nammos, or Shimmers which is where I wanted to try! You’ll also get a nice view of Burj Al Arab in the background!

BURJ AL ARAB

Visit Burj Al Arab if you can! It’s Dubai’s most iconic hotel, they even call it the 7-star hotel. Ryan and I dined at the top in 2015 for afternoon tea but this time around when I tried to make reservations the afternoon tea is now in the lobby. They still offer a fine-dining option at the top I believe.

Visitors can now purchase tours to visit Burj Al Arab and other activities here.

DAY TRIP TO ABU DHABI

If you don’t have time to stay in Abu Dhabi, I recommend doing a full-day tour so you can experience the top activities! I did this back in 2015 and it was worth it (read the blog post here)! Abu Dhabi is a little over an hour from Dubai so it’s not far at all. However, Abu Dhabi is more conservative, and please remember to respect the culture when visiting.

DESERT LUXURY RESORT EXPERIENCE

If you have time I recommend spending 2 nights at a luxury resort such as Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa. ! I tried to do this but it was completely sold out. It’s about 45 minutes from Dubai.

DESERT SAFARI

During this trip, we did not do a desert safari or dune bashing activities since I’m pregnant but I highly recommend it! We did this in 2015 and it was so much fun! I haven’t used this tour company but I heard great things about Platinum Heritage which is an eco-friendly luxury desert safari company that offers multiple experiences such as camel rides, dinner, cultural entertainment, and more.

DESERT PHOTOSHOOT

We did however do a maternity/couple photoshoot with Floganza. They offer flying dress rentals, 10 edited/photoshopped images (they offered 6 extra for me), transportation, and make-up/hair services at an additional cost. They do offer to give all raw images so I was able to edit my own images on some that did not need any photoshop work.

I did the Exclusive package for 2,739 with makeup and highly recommend it! My makeup artist, Roxana came to my hotel and I loved my makeup! If you’re following me on Instagram you will see more images and Dubai content on my page @tourdelust.

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WHERE TO EAT IN DUBAI

First, I want to mention the food in Dubai is some of the best I’ve had! Almost everything we had was amazing, prices were pretty reasonable and comparable to New York City prices. For cafes, we mostly went for breakfast or lunch and the cost was around $50-$60 for two people. Most dinners for two cost around $150+ with some drinks. I do recommend making reservations for dinners.

Some restaurants included the tax and service charges on the bill. It’s recommended to leave between 10-15% tip for the staff depending on how you think the service went.

INSTAGRAMMABLE CAFES

• Forever Rose Cafe: Dubai’s 2D cafe! I’ve always wanted to visit a 2D cafe and the food was actually amazing! I highly recommend the waffles and oatmeal!
• Saya Cafe: They have multiple locations and I visited the Wasl 51 location which has a 2D cafe on one side and a pink floral design on another. The decor is absolutely cute but the food wasn’t the best. Could have been what I ordered which was the truffle croissant sandwich.
• Secret Garden: Secret Garden has a few locations. I visited the one inside The Dubai Mall which was gorgeous! It had stunning florals and all their drinks looked pretty Instagrammable. All the drinks are mocktails and I tried the Beauty and the Beast and loved it! Totally recommend this place for a quick drink or dessert.
• L’eto Dubai Mall: If you’re looking for a cafe with a view, this is located inside The Dubai Mall with a view of the fountain. I had the blueberry pancakes and was not a fan but the acai bowl was great.
• Cake and Brunch: This place just looks perfect! The food is too pretty, I wish we had time to try it!
• Ilona Cafe: A pink cafe with floral decor. The food looks beautiful! We didn’t get a chance to try it but I’ll definitely be back.
• Arabian Tea House: I’m super bummed we missed this! I heard such great things about it, so definitely look into trying this Middle Eastern Cafe!

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FOUNTAIN VIEWS DINING

• Bebabel: Middle Eastern restaurant located at The Dubai Mall with views of the Fountain. We dined at lunch without reservations and the food was great! Order the skewers plate! Our bill was $65.
• Somewhere: We found this restaurant on New Year’s Eve walking around The Dubai Mall. We didn’t have reservations anywhere so luckily we got a seat. They do have outdoor seating with views of the fountain if you’re able to reserve this. Highly recommend this for Mediterranean food, and the price was great! One of the best meals we had. What to order: Shrimp Kunafa, Chicken Bao, and Umm Ali for dessert! Our bill was $70.
• Tulum: Located inside The Dubai Mall with views of the fountain. We had a table outside and they had live music. The food was really good too, I definitely recommend the guacamole and tacos. Our bill was $130.
• L’eto: Another restaurant inside The Dubai Mall with views of the fountain. We went here for lunch and the food was average but really cute! The Acai bowl was good but I wasn’t a fan of the blueberry pancakes. Our bill was $66.
• Timeout Market Dubai: If you don’t have a lot of time to try a lot of restaurants, I recommend visiting Timeout Market Dubai. There are a lot of amazing food vendors so you can try multiple restaurants all in one place! They also have an outdoor seating area with views of the fountain.

Other restaurants with a view of the fountain include Huqqa, Opso, Joe’s Cafe, and Thiptara is located at The Palace Hotel.

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AFTERNOON TEA AT ATMOSPHERE

A must in Dubai is doing afternoon tea! I highly recommend making reservations for Atmosphere which is located at the top of the Burj Khalifa! You get the same views and amazing food. We spent 3 hours here but could have easily stayed longer. The food and drinks were awesome, dinner would also be great here too. Window seating is 503 AED per person and nonwindow is 430 AED.

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FINE DINING UNDERWATER RESTAURANT AT OSSIANNO

If you’re looking to splurge on one meal for a special occasion or just to experience a fine dining restaurant, the underwater restaurant at the Atlantis Hotel is a must! Ossiano is one of my favorite experiences during our trip, we had a 7-course meal dining with fish and everything we ate was delicious. Be prepared to spend about 4 hours here, but it was totally worth it! The total cost for two people is 1,790 AED. Price may change as we dined during the holidays.

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CELAVI

Celavi is another restaurant I highly suggest making reservations for even for lunch! It’s one of the most recommended and rated restaurants in Dubai. We had lunch here and everything was amazing! I would rank this as one of my top 3 favorite restaurants in Dubai. It’s located on the rooftop of the Address Sky Views Hotel so it has an awesome view of the Burj Khalifa. Guests can also go to the infinity pool outside the restaurant for photos. What to order: Truffle Beef Croquettes, Gem Salad, and Salmon. Our total bill was $150.

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AMAZONICO

Amazonico is a Latin American restaurant, the interior decor is stunning! The prices are a bit pricey but the food was also one of our favorite dining options! What to order: Cheese bread, Arroz con Mariscos, Short Ribs if you like fatty meat! Our bill was $420 which included a few drinks.

BB SOCIAL DINING

BB Social Dining is an Asian Restaurant with delicious Bao, bowls, ramen and so much more. We mostly had the Bao which we loved. What to order: Crispy Sprouts, Truffle Gem Salad, and we tried a few of the Baos but I can’t remember which ones! They were all good though! Our total bill was $195.

BEACH CLUB RESTAURANTS

• Drift
• Ula
• Nammos
• Shimmers for a view of the Burj Al Arab

OTHER RESTAURANTS WORTH VISITING

II Borro Tuscan Bistrot is next to Burj Al Arab

Fi’lia Restaurant is an Italian restaurant at the SLS Hotel. It has an amazing view of the city and the Burj Khalifa.

Mura Restaurant is located at Palm Jumeirah and is a lemon-themed restaurant that is super Instagrammable!

Alici Seafood Restaurant is an Amalfi-themed restaurant located under the Dubai Eye/Ain Dubai.

I hope this Dubai Travel Guide was helpful in helping you plan your next trip to Dubai! It’s such a beautiful city and it was the perfect destination for our babymoon!

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