If you’re looking to escape the cooler winter months, the UAE offers a warmer getaway with the occasional breeze. This year, I took a trip down to Dubai. While most of my visit was spent with family, as it usually does for most third-culture kids when they have relatives spread all over the world, in between the family time, I got to explore everything the city has to offer.
The city is a blend of culture and tradition with innovation. While rooted in the traditions of Arab culture, the city still progresses forward with innovation, especially in its architecture. Different neighborhoods offer different vibes, from the more nautical aesthetic of the Marina to the metropolitan skyscrapers and malls across downtown Dubai.
One of the city's biggest industries is tourism, so it’s no stranger to welcoming new people and offering great hospitality. Outside of this, they are known for their luxury and innovation, offering scenic views of skyscrapers and other man-made structures, an indulgence of culture through art, food, and so much more.
While it can seem overwhelming with so many things to explore, we’ve narrowed it down to the must-sees across the city.
You can’t visit Dubai and not see the iconic Burj Khalifa. The skyscraper is the tallest building in the world, standing at 2,716 ft, with unbeatable views. Outside of the Instagrammable backdrop of the whole city, you get to learn about the history of the building from idea to execution. The building took six years to build and stands as a beacon of the future in the heart of the city. Different floors on the top levels offer different experiences, starting with more interactive photo ops and observation decks on the 124th floor, and as you go higher up you’ll get dining and lounge experiences with 360 views of the city.
Day Trip to Abu Dhabi
The UAE comprises seven different emirates led by seven different kings, with Abu Dhabi as the capital. The city is a little under a two hour drive away from Dubai, but offers so many great spots to visit that it's worth the drive down for a day. As you enter the city, you start off with Yas Island, which houses many theme parks and tourist attractions. My personal favorite was Ferrari World. While it was smaller in comparison to Disneylands and Universal Studios, it housed the world's fastest rollercoaster, and that alone was worth the day trip and whole pass to the park. From there, drive into the city to see their iconic Mosque and Temple, see the sunset over the Emirates Palace, and enjoy a nice dinner at a local restaurant.
You can’t travel to an Arab country without experiencing the Arabian Desert. This was definitely the highlight of the trip with many experiences, both adventurous and cultural, wrapped into the safari ride. Most Desert Safari experiences start with dune bashing in your tour guides SUV, your own solo drive through the sands in a buggy, even a camel ride. On the cultural side, you end the night at a campsite, where they offer local food and snacks as well as dance and fire shows. One thing to note about the Safari experience is that some things are included in the package while others, like the buggy, come at an additional cost. Whether or not you splurge for a VIP experience, you’re bound to have a fun time.
Mall of Dubai
Dubai is known for its luxurious lifestyle, and what is more luxurious than a little retail therapy? Mall of Dubai is known as the second largest mall in the world, and when I tell you they have everything, I’m not exaggerating. Brands from all over the world can be found in this huge emporium in Downtown Dubai. Trust me when I say, this isn’t your average middle school hang-out spot, it’s more of a shopper's heaven.
Global Village
While Dubai is a great representation of the UAE and Arab culture, it's also a global city that celebrates diversity. One of the biggest landmarks to represent this is Global Village. A market that represents over 90 countries, Global Village offers food, shopping, and entertainment that celebrates different nationalities.
Meena Bazaar
Coined as the little India of the city, Meena Bazaar offers different markets and stores of Indian food, clothing and so much more. While Dubai is an Arab country, about 38% of the population is Indian, making them the majority population in the city. As a result, you'll find locals speaking in Hindi and selling Indian food in little corner shops. Even dedicated neighborhoods, like Meena Bazaar, celebrate the culture and everything it has to offer.
You can’t visit the UAE without enjoying the local cuisine. Al Safadi is a Lebanese restaurant with a few chain locations around the city. A much more casual joint, they still promise quality authentic food that gives you all the flavors of the Mediterranean. I personally enjoyed the hummus with pine nuts, a fun take on the classic dip. As well as the spiced potatoes, which are little fried potato cubes dressed with spices and finished with some lemon juice. It’s the perfect combination of spiced and earthy with a refreshing and acidic finish.
If you’re looking for a more creative take on the local cuisine, consider dining at Nammos. This beach side restaurant has been raved about all over social media for its ambiance, but it’s also celebrated for its unique take on Mediterranean cuisine. This includes creative spins on traditional dishes, fresh seafood to celebrate the coastal cuisine, and some of the finest cuts of meat sourced from the best farms. While it is a more upscale restaurant, you’re splurging for so much more than just food, but for a full experience.
One of the best sushi restaurants in the world, Nobu, is known for blending Japanese and Latin American cuisine. While that is another favorite in the city, a lesser-known, but still highly praised, gem with a similar palette is Sushi Samba. Located in the center of the Palm overlooking the whole island is this fusion Japanese restaurant. Aside from great food that showcases the diverse blend in the city, it offers luxurious views and vibes from great hospitality and ambiance.
While this isn’t located in Dubai, it may make its way in your itinerary as you travel around the country. Derwandi is another Lebanese restaurant located in Abu Dhabi. Aside from the classic kebabs, some of my other favorites from this restaurant included the lentil soup and grilled halloumi. Outside of this, they had a great list of cocktails. I opted for the Hugo 78, a different take on the Hugo Spritz that had a great balance of sweet and floral notes from the St. Germain. While it isn’t as upscale as Nammos, it is still a nice place to dine with great service.
Just like any other vacation, we love styling the perfect outfit for each experience. Dubai is known for its luxury, which means they are no stranger to high fashion. With that being said, influences of more conservative cultures mean more modest dress codes to respect the local population. I experienced the city in the early months of the year, which meant pleasant days with the sun out and the occasional breeze, but much chillier evenings. Here is a list of must-haves to pack in your suitcase to make sure you look and feel great on your adventures out in the city.
