Day 2: Dubai in one day
In this Dubai guide in one day We leave you the route that we follow during this day through some of the most interesting places in the city, making the most of all the time available, after the flight to Dubai, with which we started this trip to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Rub 'al Khali in 9 days
After arriving at the Damac de Vogue, our accommodation in Dubai for the next 4 nights and resting a little, we review the planning we have for this first day in Dubai of the trip to the United Arab Emirates and confirm that despite the cancellation of the previous day's flight and the delay, we can continue quite well with the itinerary that we had planned, so without thinking much more, we start with the first visit we have planned for this Dubai in one day.
But before we start, we want to leave you with a series of recommendations on transportation in Dubai or the best way to move, because contrary to what it may seem, it is easier than it seems and at the same time, more surprising than you can imagine.
Transportation in Dubai. How to get around the city
The first thing we should keep in mind is that Dubai is a huge city and still under construction. If we add to that the high temperatures and that it is not precisely a friendly city with the pedestrian, move around Dubai It is practically a utopia unless you want to cover very short distances.
That is why before starting to plan your route through Dubai in one day we recommend you look at some application type Maps.me or Google Maps to check the distances and see that it is impossible to cover most places to see in Dubai on foot. Just to give you an idea, from the Burj Khalifa to the Burj Al Arab there are more than 20 kilometers, so although it seems on the map that you can make this journey on foot, quietly walking, this is totally impossible.
Metro in Dubai
This is the cheapest way to get around Dubai, but only recommended if your visits are very close to any of the subway stops, since in most cases they are quite far away, although the map may seem otherwise .
In Dubai there are 2 subway lines, the red one, which covers the city from north to south and the green one that connects the main points of the Deira and Bur Dubai neighborhoods and you can link from one to the other at the Union Square and Bur Juman stations.
For use the subway in Dubai You can opt for these options:
- Buy an individual ticket (price by zones). It is the most expensive option but the most suitable if you are going to take the subway very rarely.
- Buy a rechargeable card (NOL Card), with an initial cost and a balance, which you will have to recharge as you finish it:
- Red (Red Card): This card is one of the most common for tourists. The price is 2AED and you can recharge it with a maximum of 10 routes.
- Silver Card: The price is 25AED and includes 19AED balance. If your trip lasts several days, it is the most recommended option.
- Gold (Gold Card): The price of the trips is double that of the silver card and allows you to use the Gold cars, which are first class and from where you can have a unique perspective of the city since the subway is without a driver. It is recommended to use it at least once as an experience.
- Blue (Blue Card): Only recommended for residents or if you are going to stay in the city for a long time.
Dubai Metro
Cab
For us this is the best option to move around the city, especially if you are several people, since when sharing expenses, the price is very tight and will allow you to go from door to door, without complicating yourself to reach the main tourist attractions or Find them several kilometers from the main metro stations.
The only problem is that you should be aware of the return of the exchange if you pay is cash, since sometimes they make a bad change. In addition to this, you should know that in taxis you can pay by card even if in some they tell you that it is not, so if it happens to you, insist that in the end they will connect the POS.
Uber
Our experience tells us that the price is a bit higher than that of taxis, although it is true that with this form of transportation in Dubai you avoid bad changes or problems with payment.
Tourist bus
After our city tour and even after the Dubai route in one dayWe have to say that another of the best options we have seen to tour the city is the tourist bus.
Although we are not to use it, taking into account the distances in the city and the strategic stops that it has, in all the tourist points, this can be a perfect option to know and move around the city.
The bus has three lines, one that runs through the city, another the beaches and another a tour of Dubai Marina. In addition, the day pass includes a ride on a traditional boat (dhow), a night tour of the city and entrance to 7 museums. The two-day, in addition to all the above, also includes a Dubai Marina cruise and a Sharjah excursion and 5-day pass, plus free entrance to the aquarium, a desert tour, visit the Flamingo Lagoon, walk through Palm Island and free tour to Meydan and Sharjah.
Book your pass for the Dubai tourist bus here.
Tourist bus in Dubai
It's 11 in the morning when we leave the apartment and the first thing we do is take a taxi on 40AED to go see the Burj Al Arab, one of the emblems of Dubai, which is 16 kilometers from our accommodation.
More practical information to prepare your trip to Dubai
- 10 essential places to see in Dubai
- The 5 best tours and excursions in Dubai
- Guide to climb the Burj Khalifa: tickets and price
- 10 essential tips for traveling to Dubai
- Where to stay in Dubai: best neighborhoods and hotels
Burj Al Arab
Known for being the only hotel in the world with 7 stars, the Burj Al Arab is undoubtedly one of the icons of the city and the world as well as being one of the places you can not miss in the Dubai route in one day.
Built on an artificial island almost 300 meters from the coast, the hotel has a characteristic sail shape 321 meters high and opened in 1999. Of course, you have to take into account that the average price of the room is of 1500 euros a night and all rooms are suites, the smallest being 200m2.
How to visit the Burj Al Arab hotel
Although many travelers believe that the only way to visit the Burj Al Arab is by staying in it, nothing is further from the truth because if you want, you can know the hotel and its fantastic facilities by booking a breakfast at the Sahn Eddar restaurant, in the first plant; an afternoon tea or any of the lunch or dinner options in their restaurants.
You can book the following experiences that also include the transfer to the hotel:
Umm Suqueim Beach
Located next to the Jumeirah Beach hotel, another of the best known in the city, this beach is famous for having the best views of the Burj Al Arab as well as one of the best sunsets. With several areas, one of them special for bathing, the beach has showers, a couple of bars / restaurant and surveillance service.
If you arrive here by car, on the promenade you can easily find paid parking.
Burj Al Arab
Given the heat that is practically during all times of the year in the city, it is highly recommended to come to this area early in the morning and late in the afternoon, to see the sunset and see the lighting of the hotel as well to take a walk with the tranquility of the lower temperatures.
In case you want to see the hotel much closer it can be interesting to book this boat tour to Marina, Atlantic and Burj Al Arab or this boat cruise by the port of 60, 75 or 99 minutes.
Sunset at Umm Suqueim Beach
After being in the area a little less than we thought of this Dubai in one day, since we exceed 40 degrees, it is 1 when we return to take another taxi for 35AED on this occasion and towards the Dubai Mall, just next from Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, which we will visit this afternoon.
Another highly recommended way to get to know the city is to book this entire Dubai tour or this Dubai Tour + Desert Safari, both with a guide in Spanish.
Dubai Mall
This shopping center is the most famous in the city, not only for its location next to the Burj Khalifa, but for being the largest shopping center in the world with more than 1,200 stores, almost 15,000 parking spaces and 110 hectares where you can find the best luxury stores, international brands as well as stores focused on other types of items such as utensils, accessories, bookstores and even jewelry stores, many of them located on the first floor in the area known as "souk", with a decoration that you It will make you move to another era.
In addition to all these places, the Dubai Mall has dozens of restaurants, many of them with world-famous chains and a couple of food courts, on the ground floor, where you can have lunch or dinner at tighter prices. In case you want to enjoy a more special moment, we recommend you to choose one of the restaurants on the upper floors, overlooking the fountains, from where you can see some of the light and sound shows that take place every 30 minutes every nights
As a curiosity, the Dubai Mall also has an ice skating rink, an aquarium and the largest cinema in the city as well as several rooms with recreational games.
Dubai Mall
Although as you know we are not very fond of shopping malls, in this case we have to say that it really is a real wonder and of course, one of the places to see in Dubai in one day.
In principle you can get a first impression in 2 hours or so, although whenever you can, we recommend you spend a little more time and even stay close, since the gastronomic offer is very good and have the opportunity to eat or dine every night besides watching the show of the fountains, it is a real luxury.
Dubai Mall
It's 2 noon when after touring some of the best known areas of the Dubai Mall in the Dubai in one day, we decided to make a technical stop to eat, opting at the end for Eataly, a chain that is an Italian market, where we ordered a pasta with fungui, pasta with tartufo plus lemonade and water, coffees and dessert for 265AED, which we can only recommend Since it's really amazing.
Eataly
After eating and enjoying a quiet table, we return to the shopping center a bit and when it is 3 in the afternoon we spend an hour walking around the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa, where we find the lagoon in which are the sources in which the most famous spectacle of the city is realized, of which we will speak later and the Souk Al Bahar, another of the places that we visited in this Dubai route in one day and that we also recommend you to know.
Souk Al Bahar
Located next to the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa, the Souk Al Bahar is another of the shopping centers or souks that you cannot miss in the city. Although we have read that it is best to visit it at night, to enjoy the lighting, we visit it in the afternoon and we have to say that we have loved and surprised equally.
With stores less known than those you can find in the most famous shopping centers, the Souk Al Bahar, is a haven of peace and tranquility, which you can enjoy touring its corridors while amazed, you enjoy exquisite decoration and architecture.
Souk Al Bahar
After this brief visit, you have to know one of the icons of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates, which is none other than the imposing Burj Khalifa, for which we have tickets reserved at 4pm.
Burj Khalifa
Known for being the tallest building in the world, with 828 meters high, twice that of the Empire State Building in New York, the Burj Khalifa is one of the visits you cannot miss in the city. In addition to being one of the symbols of the city, this building is famous for housing the Armani Hotel on its floors as well as several residential areas, something totally unusual until the moment of its inauguration in 2010, after 6 years of construction and Be visible 95 kilometers away.
Burj Khalifa
Viewpoints of the Burj Khalifa
Although the building alone is already incredibly striking, the best known are its viewpoints, from which you can enjoy 360-degree views of the city. The first of the viewpoints is located on the 124th floor at 442 meters high and the second one on the 125th floor, both of which are included in the same entrance, which you can book here.
The other option is to climb in addition to floors 124 and 125 to plant 148, at 555 meters high, which has become the tallest viewpoint in the world, surpassing Canton Tower in Guangzhou and from where you can enjoy some Unsurpassed views of the city and surroundings. You can book the ticket for this viewpoint here.
Viewpoint 124 of Burj Khalifa
Keep in mind that tickets are sold out very soon, especially those of sunset time, so it is highly recommended to book them in time to avoid running out of seats. In case you can't go at this time, we recommend you go up during the day, since the views are much better than those at night because Dubai is not a city with especially interesting lighting.
Where to buy tickets
As we mentioned before, it is highly recommended to book tickets to Burj Khalifa in advance, so you do not run out of seats, especially if you travel in high season, holidays, weekends or want to climb to the viewpoints during the sunset.
You can buy tickets here, both for the viewpoints, as for these and the extra of a snack or lunch or dinner.
In addition to the above, there is another more exclusive option known as "The Lounge", with which you can climb to 575 meters high and enjoy even more incredible views from its outdoor terrace that includes different gourmet experiences:
- "Tea in the clouds": It takes place between 12: 30h and 17h and includes fresh cakes and delicious desserts, along with a selection of the best teas and coffees. The price is 608 AED and you can make the reservation in advance here.
- "Cocktails under the stars": It takes place between 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. and includes gourmet drinks and canapés, enlivened by the songs of a vocalist. The price is 608 AED and you can make the reservation here.
- "Sunset with bubbles": It takes place between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. and includes champagne, gourmet canapés and musical entertainment. The price is 657 AED and you can make the reservation here.
Stunning views from the viewpoint of the Burj Khalifa
Tips for visiting the Burj Khalifa
After our experience in this Dubai route in one day, we leave you some Tips for visiting the Burj Khalifa.
- One of the best hours to go to the viewpoints is the sunset. Depending on the time of the year, the schedule changes, but we recommend you book the ticket for about an hour before sunset, taking into account that you must show up 30 minutes before the time and you will need about 30-45 minutes to arrive to the first viewpoint, with security controls.
In this way you make sure to enjoy the views of the city by day, the sunset and also, if you wait a while, see how the city is gradually lighting up. - There is no problem if you carry a backpack or large bag but you must pass security checks.
- Do not forget your passport, as they will ask for it with your ticket reservation.
- Once you are in the viewpoints, we recommend focusing on the one on the 124th floor since it has better visibility than the one on the 125th floor. Anyway, you can go from one to another without problems.
- Remember that there is no maximum time to stay, so if you like photography or want to stay longer, it is preferable to book the ticket for 1 hour before and thus have time before sunset.
- We believe that it is best to take advantage of the visit to Burj Khalifa combining it with visits to the Dubai Mall, the Souk Al Bahar and also see the spectacle of the fountains at night. This can take you a full afternoon.
- If you want to know much more about this incredible place, be sure to read the post Guide to climb the Burj Khalifa: tickets and price
Views from the viewpoint of the Burj Khalifa
After enjoying the sunset and when there are 15 minutes left before the light and sound show of the Dubai fountains begins, we descend from the highest tower in the city to stand in front of it and enjoy this incredible spectacle.
Dubai Fountain Show
With 275 meters in length, almost 7000 spotlights and 50 video projectors, the Dubai Fountain is one of the Dubai shows most recommended. Designed by the same engineers at the Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas, the show takes place in the artificial lagoon built between the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa, something that adds even more interest, since the views from any of the points, It is a true spectacle for the senses.
Dubai Fountain, one of the things to see on a route through Dubai in one day
Schedule
The schedule to see the Dubai Fountains is:
- Every day from 6pm to 11pm with a frequency every 30 minutes.
- In the mornings, at 13h and 13: 30h (Friday, 13: 30h and 14h).
Remember that the show is free.
Where to watch the Dubai Fountains show
There are several points from which you can watch the show, each with its pros and cons. We leave you a selection of those that are best for us:
- In front of the Dubai Mall gate, with the Burj Khalifa aside.
- On the bridge that leads to Souk Al Bahar, to have the Burj Khalifa in front.
- Apple store terrace in the Dubai Mall. In this case you will have to queue a bit to access. A perfect option is to arrive just when one of the shows ends and thus take the best place.
- Some of the restaurants with terrace of Dubai Mall or Souk Al Bahar. We had dinner at the Tribes Carnivore and it was spectacular.
- Dubai Opera Zone. In this place there are usually very few people and the perspective is highly recommended.
- From Burj Khalifa himself if you have gone up to see the sunset. Keep in mind that the first show is at 6pm so it can be an opportunity to see it from a totally different perspective.
- Another option to see the spectacle of the fountains is from the lagoon itself, from a totally new and incredible perspective. You can book here the show with fountains and traditional boat ride
Apple Terrace in the Dubai Mall
Recommendations to see the show
- Whenever you can, it is interesting to see the show both day and night, as it changes so much.
- In addition to this, we recommend that you not only watch a show or from the same place, since both the music and the show itself change every 30 minutes and it is worth watching a couple, minimum.
- Whenever you can, arrive 30 minutes earlier to the place from which you want to see it, since it is usually one of the most visited attractions in the city and the lagoon is usually always very busy.
- Check the locations we've talked about before to get a little clear of where you want to see it, if you can only see it once. If this is the case, we would opt for the Souk Al Bahar area.
Dubai Fountain Show
And so after seeing two shows from different areas, we say that the time has come to end this Dubai in one day Approaching the Dubai Mall again, where tonight we chose to dine at the EatGreek restaurant where we ordered a mezze, saganaki and squid entree plus water for 189AED.
Super recommended! All great and a service of 10.
And after lunch, we only have to take a taxi that takes us to the Damac de Vogue for 15AED, our accommodation in Dubai and where we fall as children after a full day.
We leave you the map with the location of all the places we have traveled during the Dubai in one day, including some of the most tourist spots in the city.
In case you Dubai route in one day Start early in the morning, we recommend adding to the day the visit to the Deira neighborhood, one of the oldest in the city, separated from Bur Dubai by the Dubai Creek, which is a natural estuary, where you can know the Dubai more old and stroll through the Gold Souk, the Spice Souk in addition to touring part of the Dubai Creek promenade and getting lost for a couple of hours in this neighborhood. We have marked in yellow and with the star symbol, the locations.
Day 3: Dubai in two days
