Why go to Dubai?
As a ‘halfway house’ location between the UK and the Far East, Dubai has become popular as a stopover destination. The good news is that the city has excellent short break potential and there are plenty of deals on Dubai flights and hotels.
Here’s our 48-hour plan of action for a Dubai city break in 2016.
Here’s our 48-hour plan of action for a Dubai city break in 2016.
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Day One
Morning
Start the day with breakfast at Eggspectation (The Beach, Jumeirah Beach Residence), where, alongside a plethora of egg-based dishes, you’ll find a wide range of smoothies – not to mention great coffee.
From here, spend a few hours easing into your Dubai city break by kicking back on the beach. There’s a great deal more to Dubai than shopping and sightseeing, after all.
Afternoon
After a lazy lunch at the Al Marsa Lounge (Jumeirah Beach Hotel), where you’ll be treated to a fine view of the Burj Al Arab, catch a cab across to the Burj Khalifa (1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard).
As of 2016, this remains the tallest building on the planet, at over 828 metres (2,716 feet), so by buying a ticket for its 555-metre (1,821-feet) observation decks you’ll be treated to the kind of view more usually seen from a plane. Thanks to the panorama, you can map out the rest of your short break in Dubai from up on high.
Evening
Nearby Dubai Mall is more than just a shopping centre. It’s large enough to cover 200 football pitches, for a start, almost making it a Dubai short break destination in its own right. You can visit the aquarium, take a spin on the ice rink, try out the rides at the indoor theme park or even arrange a session in an Emirates A380 simulator.
Dinner options in the area are similarly numerous; we recommend the fresh Thai menu at Thiptara (The Palace Downtown Dubai). The restaurant also gives great views of the half-hourly fountain show.
Day Two
Morning
Breakfast at Baker & Spice (Marina Promenade, Dubai Marina) is a fine way to begin the second day of your Dubai break, particularly if you treat yourself to one of their home-baked cinnamon caramel buns.
You can work off the meal by spending the morning at the nearby Aquaventure Waterpark (Atlantis, Crescent Road, The Palm), where a multitude of rides and slides will send your pulse rocketing. There’s even the chance to put on a specialised underwater helmet and wander through a shark lagoon.
Afternoon
Bring a touch of home to your Dubai city break by booking lunch at Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen & Bar (Atlantis The Palm). If it’s Friday, when the restaurant’s high-class brunch deal runs from 12.30pm to 4pm, then so much the better.
Continue the afternoon in style on an Arabian Sea boat cruise from Atlantis The Palm.
Evening
Your break in Dubai is almost over, but no trip to the city would be complete without a proper night out. It’s perfectly possible to have a cheap break in Dubai, there are plenty of short-break deals available, but you might regret not splashing out on an evening at the spectacular 360˚ club, based a kilometre out to sea at the end of a long jetty. Expect guest DJs, rooftop drinking and a lively circular dancefloor.