Dubai in 3 days...what to see, can it be done!

geordiescouse

Hi

We are planning a 3 day break in Dubai in February. We arrive at 4am on Sunday morning and leave at 11pm on Tuesday. What are the must see's and how long should we allocate to each? I know we'll be really tired at the end of it....but I want to pack in as much as possible. We'd really like to see Jumeirah Beach, the palms etc, perhaps visit a waterpark and also cram in a bit of shopping. Also what is the best way to get around? As yet we're undecided whether to stay at the Grand Millenium on Sheik Zayad Road or the Royal Club Palm on Jumeirah Palm.
Any suggested itineries?

Thanks in advance!

Tojo_Ralph

....
To be honest, you can do the Dubai must see's in 24 hrs.

Given that most of Dubai's attractions can be appreciated through the window of a taxi cab and done in a day and a half, have you considered hiring a car and taking in Abu Dhabi as well?

Anyways, assuming you will be there during the first half of February, you will be in Dubai during the annual shopping festival, however with the exchange rate in the state it is and the premium room rates, you aren't going to benefit much unless you spend big...... If it's the second part of February, things change.

So to the must sees.

Jumeirah beach isn't really anything you can see, rather it's a strip of hotels that stretch along a beach and other than the "walk" (youtube it) at the jumeirah beach residence / Hilton / Sheraton, there's nowt much to see.... And even that's just a concrete beach sorta front.

The Palms and the Atlantis..... Well they are worth a run out to just for the scale. Worth stopping for lunch at the Atlantis, lots of choice if not a tad pricey, or do the day there at the water park, but beware that whilst the Hotel has started to stop offering it's bargain deals, the Atlantis is a hotel with a public water park and thus there are plenty of families out to get every cent of value from their day pass.

Burj Dubai..... Worth a stop off for a 30 minute gander for no other reason than it's icon and BIG.

Desert Safari..... Worth it if you get a good driver who will leave you wondering how he never rolled the damn thing and some would say worth it for the rather sanitised touristy, camel rades, dancing, henna, hookah experience.

Hookah experience..... For an altogether different kind of hookah experience, try the Rattlesnack out back of the Metropolitan Hotel Sheikh Zayed or any number of places within the area dubbed the pu6ic triangle.

Burj Alarab..... Again, its iconic status makes it a place to go see and whilst some might marvel at its decor, nobody would want their home decorated quite so garishly.

Spice market/Creek/Dhows/Museum..... Bopping about on the Dhows with the locals is fun, but kinda weird because the locals are ex-pat Asians. The spice/gold markets are as touristy as heck, but the museum and nearby market are sort of quaint.

Monorail..... OK, now I'm struggling.

Shopping..... Don't think for one single solitary minute I am going to suggest shopping... It's a holiday !!!!!!.

itsarichmansworld

Madinet Jumeriah is a nice souk you should go there.

Also the malls are amazing if you fancy some retail therapy.

Wild Wadi waterpark and also the atlantis.

pennylane99

3 days is more than enough time...unless you planning 2 days of shopping, prices are not cheap either.

theres a hop on hop off sightseeing tour

http://www.bigbustours.com/eng/dubai/default.aspx

Tojo_Ralph

pennylane99 wrote: »

3 days is more than enough time...unless you are planning 2 days of shopping?

That's my kind of one liner.

jcorbygas

I think you should think about your hotel choice again. The Palm is a bit far from everything if you are only staying a short while. You have chosen an expensive time of year for hotels but let me know your budget and I will think of some better hotels for you. Also, bear in mind that you might not get into your hotel room till 2pm although in practice it should be earlier, and you will have to check out by noon unless you pay for another night. As previous posters say, you could see most things from a taxi window, but there again depending on your budget you could have afternoon tea at the Burj, visit the incredible fountains and aquarium at Dubai Mall, see the Palm from the Observatory Bar at Harbour Hotel, take a Big Bus tour and see older parts of Dubai, go to Jumeirah beach park , go on a Desert safari etc.
Any further advice, I would be pleased to help.

robbiecaratiger

I would recommend going to The Dubai Mall. Best shopping experience going !

Doshwaster

robbiecaratiger wrote: »

I would recommend going to The Dubai Mall. Best shopping experience going !

Always amazes me that some people's idea of being on holiday is shopping :rolleyes:

For me, the highlight of Dubai was the desert safari. Maybe not the most environmentally friendly pastime, but the dune bashing was great fun.

BusinessStudent

pennylane99 wrote: »

3 days is more than enough time...unless you planning 2 days of shopping, prices are not cheap either.

theres a hop on hop off sightseeing tour

http://www.bigbustours.com/eng/dubai/default.aspx

When I did this tour a ticket inspector kept on checking my ticket virtually every few stops! It got really annoying!!!

geordiescouse

Thanks for all your advice.

I have actually re thought the hotel and have booked le Meridian Mina Seyahi Beach Resort as this looked a bit nearer the action.

Would love to go out on a desert safari but not sure there will be time particularly as you pointed out about the room check in times and the fact that I'm bound to be exhausted with the overnight flights. May have to be a quick nap on the sunbeds before hitting the sights!

Contrary to popular belief though I'm not just going for the shopping - one mall will do!

Am sooooooooo excited to be going - any thoughts on the best way of getting from the airport? I had heard of a monorail (?) but have failed to find any maps when I googled it.
Thanks again

pennylane99

The Dubai Metro, only opened about a month ago

http://dubaimetro.eu/dubai-metro-map