Sometimes the best way to visit a new country is to make it part of the journey to somewhere else. That's exactly how we ended up spending less than 48 hours in the United Arab Emirates, and I'm so glad we did!
Dubai is one of the world's major international aviation hubs, and if you've flown Emirates Airlines between North America, Europe, Asia, or Africa, there's a good chance you've connected through Dubai International Airport. But here's something many travelers don't consider: instead of rushing to catch your next flight, you can deliberately plan a long layover or overnight stop and actually explore the city.
That's what we did on our way to Vietnam. And because I love finding creative ways to use points and miles, our route had an additional attraction: the chance to fly Emirates First Class on the Airbus A380, complete with its famously over-the-top amenities, including an onboard shower. Yes, a shower. On an airplane!
But the airplane was only part of the adventure.
We arrived in Dubai early in the morning and had arranged a private city tour through Withlocals. Our guide, Sandy, and driver, Jose, met us right at the airport and whisked us away to explore the city. For approximately $125, we had a guide, driver, transportation, and the convenience of not having to figure out how to navigate an unfamiliar city while recovering from a long flight.
It was an excellent way to make the most of our limited time. Dubai is sprawling, and while public transportation is available, having someone drive us directly between attractions meant we could see far more in a single day.
And there was plenty to see!
Dubai is a city of almost unbelievable contrasts. One minute you're admiring futuristic skyscrapers and some of the most extravagant hotels imaginable, and the next you're wandering through traditional markets where merchants have been selling spices, textiles, and gold for generations.
We saw the magnificent Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, admired the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab, and explored the city's lavish hotels and shopping districts. At the Jumeirah Al Qasr hotel, eighteen enormous gold-plated bronze horses greeted visitors at the entrance. Because apparently regular bronze horses simply wouldn't do in Dubai!
The sheer extravagance was fascinating, even if it isn't necessarily how I'd choose to spend my own money.
As impressive as the modern skyline was, I was especially drawn to Old Dubai.
We explored the spice souks, where colorful mounds of fragrant spices filled the storefronts, and the gold souks, where glittering jewelry seemed to cover every available surface. There were even gold-plated sneakers! Apparently, if you've ever felt that your footwear needed a little more bling, Dubai has you covered.
We also crossed Dubai Creek aboard a traditional wooden abra, one of the small boats that have long transported people between the neighborhoods on either side of the water. It was a simple, inexpensive experience and one of my favorite parts of our visit.
I enjoy seeing the famous landmarks when I travel, but I'm usually more interested in the neighborhoods where people actually live, work, shop, and eat. The older parts of Dubai offered a welcome contrast to the enormous malls, luxury hotels, and dazzling skyscrapers.
Rather than staying in one of the city's glamorous high-rise hotels, we chose the Al Seef Heritage Hotel, a Hilton property in the historic Al Seef neighborhood along Dubai Creek.
The hotel was designed to resemble traditional Arabian homes, with charming courtyards, narrow alleyways, rustic furnishings, and an atmosphere that felt worlds away from the glass towers of modern Dubai. It was a lovely place to spend the night, and at just over $200, it was considerably more affordable than many of the city's luxury properties.
We had less than two days in the country, but we managed to experience two very different sides of Dubai.
One of my favorite travel-planning strategies is to turn a connection into an opportunity. If you're already flying halfway around the world, why not see whether you can add another destination along the way?
Dubai is particularly well suited to this approach because Emirates connects the city with destinations around the globe. Depending on your itinerary, you may be able to arrange a long layover or an overnight stop without adding a separate round-trip flight. Just be sure to check the airline's stopover options, fare rules, and UAE entry requirements before booking.
You don't need a week to get a taste of Dubai. With a little planning, even a single full day can be enough to visit the major landmarks, explore the traditional souks, take a boat across Dubai Creek, and enjoy a memorable overnight stay.
I especially recommend arranging a private guide or driver if your time is limited. Having someone meet us at the airport made the entire experience remarkably easy, and we didn't waste precious sightseeing hours trying to coordinate transportation.
Of course, if you have more time, there's plenty else to explore. I'd love to venture beyond Dubai on a future visit, perhaps to Abu Dhabi to see the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre Abu Dhabi, or into the desert for a completely different perspective on the Emirates.
Our visit was brief, and Dubai is the only part of the UAE we've explored so far. I certainly wouldn't claim to understand an entire country after less than 48 hours!
But what a fascinating introduction.
Dubai's combination of extraordinary wealth, ambitious architecture, traditional markets, and cultural influences from around the world makes it unlike anywhere else we've visited. I enjoyed seeing the glamorous side of the city, but the spice souks, the abra ride, and our stay in Old Dubai were what made the experience feel more personal.
And perhaps my favorite part was knowing that we hadn't needed to plan an entirely separate vacation to experience it. We simply took a journey we were already making and turned a connection into another adventure.
Below, you'll find the story of our whirlwind visit to Dubai, including our Emirates First Class experience, the places we explored, where we stayed, and practical tips for making the most of a short stopover.
Next time you're booking a flight through Dubai, take a look at your connection options. You might discover that a long layover is an opportunity rather than an inconvenience!
Come explore the United Arab Emirates with us!
Visiting Dubai? Read about how we spent a day and Dubai and find inspiration for your own trip. Read on for tips on traveling to and getting around Dubai, where to stay, and what to do! The Journey It’s all about the journey, isn’t it? When I am traveling, I...
Dubai, UAE
A Spice Souk in Dubai, UAE
Old Dubai, UAE
Dubai, UAE
On The Palm, Dubai, UAE
Dubai, UAE
Dubai, UAE
Dubai, UAE
Dubai, UAE
Dubai, UAE
Dubai, UAE
18 full-sized bronze, gold-plated horses greet you at the entrance to the palatial Jumierah el Qasr hotel in Dubai.
Dubai, UAE
