DUBAI & ABU DHABI

About – A Little History

Dubai is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates and the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, the most populous of the country’s seven emirates. As of 2024, the city has a population of around 3.79 million.

Abu Dhabi is located on an island in the Persian Gulf, off the Central West Coast. Most of the city and the Emirate reside on the mainland connected to the rest of the country. As of 2023, Abu Dhabi’s urban area had an estimated population of 2.5 million, out of 3.8 million in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority is headquartered in the city, and was the world’s 3rd largest sovereign wealth fund in 2022. Abu Dhabi itself has over a trillion US dollars worth of assets under management in a combination of various sovereign wealth funds headquartered there. (Source: Wikipedia)

How To Visit

The best way to reach Dubai is to fly to Dubai International Airport (DXB). If you are including Abu Dhabi as well in your trip, we recommend flying directly to Zayed international Airport in Abu Dhabi and then drive to Dubai by renting a car. For Abu Dhabi airport, you can fly through Qatar Airways which is the best Airline for International travel in our opinion. There are also lots of convenient flight connectivity if you are flying to Dubai International Airport. Popular Airlines like Emirates, Qatar, British Airways, Delta, KLM and others. However for the direct stop at Dubai, Emirates would be the best option.

Also ensure you have a valid passport and any required visa before you make your reservations. We hold US work visa and for any valid US visa holders, the visa to UAE is on arrival for up to 14 days and you can extend your stay by an additional 14 days.

Note: 14-day visa on arrival to the UAE costs AED 100, with the option to extend it for an additional 14 days for AED 250.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Dubai for comfortable weather is the window between November and March, when temperatures in this desert climate are relatively mild. Remember that even during this time when we visited, it was still very hot for us with temperatures easily going up to 87F.

Note: If you want to attend the most popular Dubai International Shopping festival, you can go in December. Also remember its very popular during this time for the same reason which means you will pay more for flights and hotel accommodations.

Top Things To Do & See in Abu Dhabi

Top Things To Do & See in Dubai

Desert Safari with BBQ, Belly & Tannura Dance

We absolutely loved this activity. If you are visiting Abu Dhabi, we recommend doing this. You will get a chance to experience the thrill of an Abu Dhabi desert safari, enjoy dune bashing, camel ride, sandboarding and a visit to a traditional Bedouin Camp with live entertainment, henna tattoos, and a nice BBQ dinner.

How much time needed?
This is an entire day activity and we recommend you don’t do anything else on this day.

Note: This activity includes Hotel pickup and drop off. So make sure you let your tour guide know your hotel pickup location. You will get a message from Tour guide once your reservation is confirmed and when its close to your tour date. So make sure you check and confirm your pickup time and date with your tour guide.

How much does this cost?
When we went during the month of Novemeber 2024, it was 91$ per person. But its completely worth it. We loved our tour guide and everything in this activity. Plus for this price, this is the only package that offers everything you are looking for.

Where to make this reservation?
You can get all the details to this tour here: https://www.getyourguide.com/abu-dhabi-l494/desert-safari-in-abu-dhabi-t170889/

Recommendation: We must say this is a fine tuned activity for this price. We researched a lot and we were looking for like an all in one package and this was the best and we were glad we went with Get Your Guide.

Note: The fire show performance was an absolute entertainer. So make sure you stay till the end.

Visit the Grand Mosque, Royal Palace and Etihad Tower

If you are interested in visiting Abu Dhabi’s top Landmarks, this is the best tour option you can find. You will get a chance to visit the beautiful Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan Palace (Royal Palace) and the Etihad Towers. You will also get a chance to enjoy a photo stop at the Louvre.

How much time needed?
Again this is an entire day activity. So make sure you plan accordingly.

Note: The only thing we didnt like about this is, the lot of information provided by our tour guide and at some point we felt it like it was a lot of information to process and we could have visited the places sooner and ended the tour early.

Important Note: We actually were planned to take rental car the same day in the evening to drive to Dubai so we had to end our tour early. But our tour guide was very considerate about our request and even arranged for a private car to drive us back to our hotel. We then took an uber to get our rental car picked up. Fortunately we were on time to do this.

How much does this cost?
When we visited we paid 77$ USD per person but it was very well worth it for the price.

How to make this reservation?
You can find all the details here. We recommend you make this reservation through Get Your Guide, unless you are finding something with cheaper price. https://www.getyourguide.com/abu-dhabi-l494/abu-dhabi-mosque-qasr-al-watan-etihad-towers-t237897/

Dubai Attractions

SkyDive

This is a must do activity if you are in Dubai. We did this despite being scared of heights. It was more of checking off the bucket list item for us for the year 2024. We are so glad we did it. If you are thinking about being scared for the fact whether this is safe or not, you do not have to worry. Dubai is one of the popular destination for Sky Dive especially the Sky Dive over the Palm and lot of precautions and safety measures are taken.

So far they don’t have even a single incident of safety till now. So rest assured, unless you absolutely want to skip this one because of fear of heights, we recommend you do this during your visit to Dubai.

Note: We recommend doing the Tandem Skydive option which gives you the beautiful Palm view from the top. Luckily for us, the weather was so amazing and cooperative.

How much time needed here?
Depending on how many people are ahead of you and waiting, it can take anywhere from couple of hours to half a day. So plan this accordingly. Also they only do till 1PM.

How to get here?
The official address is : Al Seyahi St – Dubai Marina – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 377 8888

Note: The mesmerizing view of the Palm from above is something you can never forget in your life.

How much does it cost?
This is definitely a most expensive activity if you are visiting UAE. It costs about 2749 AED (Approx. 750$ USD) which includes photos and videos. We recommend this because they take professional photograph and give you a video that you can share on social media that way you don’t have to worry about pictures. Also someone will fly with you along with your tandem instructor just to take your photos and videos so make sure you look at the photographer when your instructor tells you to do so and also don’t forget to smile.

Also if you are looking for instagram one minute reel and a selfie, that comes with additional cost which we do not recommend since you will get videos and pictures anyways which you can share later.

For more information, visit https://www.skydivedubai.ae/experiences/tandem-skydive

Dubai Marina Cruise

If you haven’t been on any cruise, you can try the Dubai Marina Cruise from Xclusive Yachts Dubai.

How much time needed here?
This is a 90 min dinner cruise. So plan accordingly.

How to get to the boarding area?
The boarding area for the cruise is behind Al Majara Tower in Dubai. For map location, click here. One thing we didn’t like about this is the instructions to get to the boarding area were not clear. We had to call them and also ask locals to get to the boarding area.

Recommendation: One thing we recommend is to call them in advance and confirm on the boarding area. Also make sure you look out for the harbor area on the maps.

Note: If you are driving, you will need to park at the Marina Mall (3 hrs free parking)

For more information on the Dinner cruise, visit https://xclusiveyachts.com/sunset-dinner-cruise-dubai/

Physical Address and Contact
Xclusive Yachts – Yacht Rental Dubai
Address: Al Hubob St – Dubai Marina – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971 4 432 7233

How much does this cost?
The dinner cruise costs about 210AED per adult and 160 AED per child. Seats are limited so make sure you book this in advance if you are interested in this activity.

What is our Recommendation?
Having been on several water cruises in the U.S., we must say this one didn’t quite meet our expectations. However, if you haven’t experienced a cruise before, it might be worth trying. Our experience was underwhelming due to the crew’s service, the food quality, and the overall atmosphere, which felt a bit chaotic.

For instance, when we requested cold water, it took an unreasonably long time for the crew to assist us and we finally had to get it ourselves, which was disappointing. The food quality also fell short—chicken dishes lacked flavor, and vegetarian options were quite limited, apart from dessert.

Overall, the standards didn’t match what we had hoped for. Perhaps our expectations were too high, or maybe the service itself was just below par. If you’re looking for a more worthwhile way to spend your time, you might consider skipping this one.

Dubai Mono Rail – Check Atlantis the Palm

Pics left to right: Dubai Mono Rail & Atlantis the Palm view from Mono Rail

The Palm Monorail connects key landmarks of the Palm Jumeirah beginning from the Gateway Station at the entry of the Palm Jumeirah, to Golden Mile Galleria, Al Ittihad Park, Nakheel Mall and Atlantis Aquaventure station at the final stop of the journey.

Originally inaugurated in 2009, the 5.5 km monorail line is the only public transportation system on Palm Jumeirah for residents, visitors and tourists, and it is one of the most iconic ways to explore all its destinations, with a low impact on the surrounding environment.

How much does ticket cost?
The single ticket price costs about 5AED and the roundtrip ticket price costs about 10AED.

How frequent is the train?
Train runs every 15 mins with first train at 9AM and last train at 9:45PM.

For more information on the ticket prices, check https://www.palmmonorail.com/train-times/

Dubai Frame

The UAE’s latest cultural landmark, Dubai Frame is an iconic structure that ‘frames’ impressive views of Old and New Dubai, while serving as a metaphorical bridge connecting the emirate’s rich past with its magnificent present. Offering spectacular panoramic views across the city, Dubai Frame celebrates the story of Dubai from its early establishment to its ambitious plans for future development.

Hours of operation:
Dubai Frame is open all year round, including weekends and public holidays. Visit timing may vary during the holy month of Ramadan, holidays and public holidays.

Opening hours from 9:00 am till 09:00 pm.

How to get here?

By Metro:

  1. Take the Red Line: Board the Dubai Metro Red Line towards the end stop. 
  2. Get off at Max Metro Station: This is the closest station to the Dubai Frame. 
  3. Walk to Zabeel Park: From Max Metro Station, it’s a short walk through Zabeel Park to the Dubai Frame. 

By Car:
The Dubai Frame is located on Al Satwa Rd/D90. You can reach in about 15 minutes from the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. 

How much does it cost?
Costs about 50AED per adult and children (3-12) 20 AED and infant free

How to make reservations?
To make reservations, visit https://www.dubaiframe.ae/en

The View At the Palm

How to get here?
The view at the palm, is located on the 52nd floor of the Palm Tower in Nakheel Mall. You can take public transportation, taxis, or ride-hailing services or if you rented a car you can drive to The View at The Palm by taking Sheikh Zayed Road/E11 and following the directions to the Palm Jumeirah or Nakhlat Jumeirah. The nearest parking lot is at The Palm View West. The nearest metro station is Al Khail Metro Station.

Getting to the Palm Tower:
Once you arrive at the Nakheel Mall, the Palm Tower is located on the 52nd floor and you can take a direct elevator from the entrance of the Palm Tower to the observation deck.

Where to get tickets?
https://www.theviewpalm.ae/en/buy-tickets

Museum Of the Future

Museum of the future is a building located in the Financial District of Dubai, UAE. The museum, with 7 floors, is dedicated to exploring the future of science, technology, and innovation. It is housed in a torus-shaped building with windows in the form of a poem in Arabic about the future, written by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Physical Address
Sheikh Zayed Rd – Trade Centre – Trade Centre 2 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971 800 2071

The closest landmark is Emirates Tower (500 m away and 6 mins walk) and Emirates Towers Station on the Dubai Metro Red Line is the best way to reach here. However, since we had a rental car, we drove directly to the venue and parked in self-parking area. Note: There is an hourly charge for the parking.

For information on the metro map and getting Nol Cards, visit https://www.visitdubai.com/en/articles/guide-to-dubai-metro

Admission Tickets
General Admission: 159 AED and Pioneer Pass: 400 AED

Burj Khalifa & the Fountain

A skyscraper in Dubai, UAE with a total height of 829.8m and a roof height of 828m, is world’s tallest structure. This is a must visit if you are in UAE. There are multiple experiences options to visit the Burj Khalifa with general ticket admissions starting from 159AED and the premium experience starting from 400AED per person to VIP experience which costs about 769AED per person.

How to get tickets?
Visit https://ticket.atthetop.ae/tickets/ for more information.

How to get here?
To visit the Burj Khalifa, you must go through the Dubai Mall. Entrance to the tallest building is located on the ground floor of the mall, accessible by the metro, bus, or taxi. Visitors with tickets for “At The Top” or “At The Top Sky” can enter through a designated elevator on the lower ground floor. 

Note: If you are looking for public transport, then you can take the Dubai Metro Red Line and get down at the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Metro Station. If you are driving you can park at the Dubai Mall parking which has ample of parking spaces.

Important: Make sure you arrive early as it can get very crowded especially during evenings on a weekend. We spent more than an hour to almost two hours by the time we got down. Plan accordingly.

Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall was inaugurated on 4 November 2008, with about 1000 retailers. In 2011, Dubai Mall was the most visited building on the world and it attracted over 54 million visitors. In January 2023, the shopping mall announced that it was officially changing its name from “The Dubai Mall” to “Dubai Mall”.

Dubai Mall is the largest shopping mall in Dubai. The mall is part of Downtown Dubai and is located adjacent to the Burj Khalifa and as of today it includes over 1200 shops.

This mall is like a small US city and to cover at least decent portion of the mall, you will need an entire day here. We only spent few hours or close to half a day.

What can you do here?
Visit the famous branded retailers, along with that don’t forget to try the famous Kunafa a traditional Turkish dessert at Hafiz Mustafa 1864 store inside the mall on the LG Floor along with Kunafa the store is also famous for Turkish delights, baklavas, puddings, teas, and assorted sweets. Dubai mall is also home to a massive underwater Aquarium, and over 200 dining options and packed with 1200 shops and much more.

Physical Address
Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Operating Hours:
10AM – 12AM

Dubai Gold & Spice Souk

One thing people don’t forget to do when visiting Dubai is to visit the Gold and Spice Souk. This is a must visit for anyone who visits Dubai. The main reason people buy gold from Dubai is for its exemption from Taxes. As a tourist, after you buy gold, make sure you get a VAT refund before leaving UAE.

The souk is located in Dubai’s commercial business district in Deira, in the locality of Al Ras. The souk consists of over 380 retailers, most of whom are jewelry traders. As of 2020, some of the shops are four decades old, while others are new.

Physical Address
Deira – Al Ras – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Hours: Saturday – Friday -> 9AM – 9PM

Important: Dubai Gold Souk has been site of several Guinness World Records, including the World’s largest Gold Bar and world’s longest Gold Chain and world’s largest ring weighing 64kg (you can see in the above picture).

Spice Souk

Dubai Spice Souk or the Old Souk is a traditional market in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Spice Souk is located in Deira, in eastern Dubai, and is adjacent to the Dubai Gold Souk. The Spice Souk is in the locality of Al Ras, on Baniyas Street, near the Old Souk abra station on Dubai Creek.

Physical Address:
779W+3H4 – Deira – Al Ras – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Explore Old Dubai – Al Seef

We really loved this part of the area and our stay at the famous Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton. For more information on the stay at this beautiful heritage hotel, read more under where we stayed and dined section of this blog.

Al Seef is a waterfront lifestyle district in Dubai, situated on the historic Dubai Creek. It blends traditional Arabic architecture with modern amenities, offering a unique experience for visitors. Al Seef is known for its diverse dining options, shopping experiences, and entertainment venues. 

Important: This area is close to Gold and Spice Souks

Al Seef is a unique blend of Old and New Dubai, with access to the stunning views of Dubai Creek and the traditional dhow boats. You can also explore plenty of retail stores, dine at various restaurants, and participate in cultural events. Dont forget to visit the historic Starbucks in this area.

Visit Historic Stabucks

This historic starbucks is a must visit if you are in the al seef area of old Dubai. Unlike US coffee shops, this coffee shop is open till midnight everyday.

Physical Address: Marsa Al Seef – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 419 0014

Al Seef Heritage Hotel & Local Shopping

Dubai Creek Area

Aya Universe

Aya Universe is a captivating experience with stunning sound, lighting effects and great graphics in an area of 3716 square meters, divided into twelve zones with different themes.

Physical Address
Wafi City – Oud Metha – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971 4 542 0300
Hours Of Operation: 10AM – 10PM Sunday – Thursday and 10AM – 12AM Friday and Saturday

For more information, visit https://www.aya-universe.com/#experience-zones

Where We Stayed & Dined

One surprising realization after moving to the U.S. was how much you have to pay for a decent hotel stay—often, even at a high price, you end up with just a modest motel. In contrast, the same amount could get you a five-star hotel in the UAE. This comparison really puts into perspective how much less you receive for your money in the U.S. versus the UAE, making you appreciate the true value of a dollar. Of course, if you visit the UAE during peak seasons, as we did, prices will be on the higher side. However, at least the quality of accommodation feels justified for the amount you pay.

We will now cover on the hotels we stayed and where we dined. Below are some of our recommendations and reviews to give you a better idea for your next visit.

Fascinating Fact: Any hotel you go in Dubai/Abu Dhabi, you will get Dates and Arabic Tea/Coffee to start your day. Its like a tradition in UAE to have dates with Tea/Coffee. It was so refreshing and hands down!! the best dates we tasted so far.

Royal M Hotel By Gewan – Abu Dhabi

This was a nice hotel in Abu Dhabi. No complains and breakfast buffet was amazing. We got a sea facing room which was another highlight.

Physical Address:
Al Bateen Marina King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
phone: +971 2 777 1000

How much we paid?
We paid 207$ USD for one night stay.

We recommend this hotel if you are looking for accommodations in Abu Dhabi. For more information and to make reservation, visit
https://gewanhotels.com/hotels/royal-m-hotel-resort-abu-dhabi/

Ritz Carlton – Abu Dhabi (A must Stay recommendation)

Hands down, the best hotel we stayed at in Abu Dhabi! The accommodation was fantastic, the service was top-notch, and the breakfast buffet was the best we’ve had so far. In fact, no matter which decent hotel you choose in Dubai, you won’t regret the breakfast experience. Once you leave Dubai, you’ll truly miss the food and hospitality—not just at luxury hotels, but even at mid-range ones. Unless, of course, you’re traveling to India, which also excels in hospitality.

Unfortunately, in the U.S., unless you’re staying at high-end hotels like The Ritz-Carlton or Four Seasons, you rarely experience such exceptional service.

The guest rooms were outstanding—easily the best we’ve stayed in. During our visit, the hotel was preparing for a wedding event, and it was clear that this would be a perfect venue for such occasions.

Tip: We booked our stay in the middle of the week to get a reasonable price. If you’re planning to stay here, try booking on weekdays for a better deal, as weekends can be quite expensive.

How To Get Here?
Physical Address:
Al Karamah Street – Al Rawdah – المَقطَع – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 2 818 8888

How much we paid?
We paid 300$ USD for one night stay which is still a good price for the type of service you get.

You can make reservations here: https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/auhrz-the-ritz-carlton-abu-dhabi-grand-canal/overview/?scid=f2ae0541-1279-4f24-b197-a979c79310b0

Radisson Blu Hotel – Dubai Media City

Although this hotel is close to the marina area with easy access to Downtown Dubai, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Marina, and the Palm Jumeirah we would not recommend this hotel just because of the fact that the rooms were very small even for two guests. After lot of back and forth, we had to shift to Premium room, even then it felt the rooms were cramped to put our checkin bags.

Physical Address: Al Sufouh – Dubai Media City – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 366 9111

How much we paid?
We payed around 90$ USD for our one night stay.

You can make reservations here.

Hotel Al Seef – Old Dubai (A must Stay recommendation)

Do you want to stay in a hotel which is constructed to mimic Old Dubai Architecture? This is the one for you. You actually get to see a different style of Dubai. Situated on the banks of Dubai Creek, its located in the Al Seef Heritage District, opposite famous spice and Gold Souks via water taxi. Guests can enjoy the pool, spa, and fitness center at the nearby Canopy by Hilton, with free transport.

You will get an Authentic Emirati Experience and this hotel is the perfect destination for that.

Tip: A best hotel for an amazing price which also includes Breakfast Buffet.

For more information on the reservations, visit https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/dxbasqq-al-seef-heritage-hotel-dubai/

Parking: Free Valet Parking on site and also includes EV Charging on site.

Physical Address:
Dubai Creek – Al Seef St – Umm Hurair 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 707 7080