Dubai in 24 hours!

Skyline of Dubai

'Dubai will never settle for anything less than first place!'

With the world’s preeminent luxurious accommodation, Burj Al Arab (7-star), its tallest building, Burj Khalifa (2717 ft/828 m), and, not to forget, its largest choreographed fountain system, Dubai Fountains (6,600 lights and 25 colored projectors), Dubai has risen to #7 out of the 150 most visited cities in the world!

People aren’t only attracted to Dubai’s extreme offerings, but also to its location and role as a transit hub. It’s a perfect stopover when traveling from Europe to Asia or from South African to European countries.
Even though the city has a lot to offer, it can easily be squeezed into 24 hours. However, these hours should be spent wisely.
Let’s get straight into tasting Dubai’s utmost in just 1 day!
A perfect start is to spend some time in its luxurious hotels, as Dubai’s definition for luxury is simply on another level: the service, the room, its view and all the facilities around it. Above all, it leaves you feeling no less than a Sheikh or Sheikha.

The inside of Dubai Mall

The first tourist attraction to kick-start the day is one of the largest shopping malls in the world, Dubai Mall (5.4 million sq. ft.). It gives a sense of the city’s luxury, its residents and, most importantly, its exclusive shopping experience.
Before moving on to some great sightseeing, it is a good idea to get some energy!
Choosing to lunch at the mall itself will help save time. Moreover, there are a lot of great restaurants and cafés offering a lavish variety. From salads to spare ribs and from club sandwiches to Japanese sushi – just think of it and it’s there!
Sightseeing in Dubai-style? Instead of using the regular road tours, head to the harbor and choose your mode of water transportation! It takes you to the highlights (skyline, luxury hotels) and landmarks (Sheiks’ properties, yachts) of the city. An excellent and enjoyable way to explore Dubai.

Atlantis, The Palm Hotel

Burj Al Arab – 7 star hotel

As this way of sightseeing avoids the terrible road traffic, there is enough time to visit the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa.
Burj Khalifa does not only carry the name of the tallest building, it also allows visitors to experience magnificent 360 views of Dubai!

Lift to the top of Burj Khalifa

View from the top

The view from 2717 ft/828 m gives a good overview of the geography and development of Dubai. Most of the City, actually most of the UAE, consists of desert and is uninhabited. What is visible, in the picture above, is the part that is developed, consisting of the Dubai Fountains, Dubai Mall, some skyscrapers, and industrial and residential areas.
After having been high in the sky at Burj Khalifa, upon return to earth it might be nice to relish some sweets, have coffee or maybe a fresh juice. As the Dubai Mall is within walking distance, it is the best option.
Moreover, there are various options for a little snack within the Mall. The last and probably most exciting part to experience is the Dubai Fountain Show! These musical fountains have witnessed many romantic events, such as wedding proposals.

Lights shining on Burj Khalifa

It is truly magical, the finest way to end a day, and the best part is that these fountains are surrounded by amazing restaurants that give a mesmerizing view. Meaning, that you can dine while falling in love with the choreographed water show – it’s just unbeatable

Dubai Fountains Show

After this 2-in-1 treat, it is time to say good-bye. Each individual has his or her own preferences; therefore, each individual makes different choices. To incorporate these varying preferences, Dubai has some more to offer…
Apart from all the activities mentioned above, there is another leading tourist attraction: the Desert Safari. It starts with the safari itself, which is harsh driving in a jeep in the middle of the desert. This is followed by a camel ride and a dip into Arabic culture, including entertainment, food and shopping. The experience is worthwhile; however, within the constraints of 24 hours, it leaves no time for any other attraction. Also, Ferrari World, indoor ice skating and skiing, Mosque visits, waterparks such as the Wild Wadi, the Miracle Gardens with thousands of flowers and plants, and the Underwater Zoo are some of the many more activities that can be combined to fill up the 24 hours. At the end of the day, it all depends on the interests and ambition of the trip to this amazing city, Dubai!

Quote: the best way to sum up Dubai

Written by Ankita Anand, founder of Beautistaa.com

Ankita Anand

beautistaa.com

‘Travel. It leaves me speechless, then turns me into a storyteller’

Ankita is a New York-based, independent blogger. Born and raised in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, she is a business administration graduate, but soon discovered her attraction to blogging. In 2016, she started beautistaa.com to share her personal experiences and views on all matters relating to beauty, fashion and travel. With this platform, she wants to motivate and inspire young women to taste life’s utmost by trying to leave their comfort zone and letting the magic around them happen…
Ankita has extensively traveled the world and has lived in Amsterdam, Vienna, Delhi and, most recently, New York. In early 2017, she will move to Singapore, providing many more opportunities to explore Asia!