Last week I shared a little bit about where we stayed, ate & a fun adventure to take if you make it to Dubai and today I wanted to share all about what to do & what to see! The hop on and off tours were high on that list because you get to see everything in a matter of days! We’ve done this in Paris & London and it’s our favorite way to see the whole city. We use them as our taxis, plot out the sites that we really want to see & then keep on going. We chose City Sightseeing Dubaiwhich gives you a discount if you fly with Emirates, which was great! There were 4 routes that we were really interested in and the best part is that buying a 2 day pass gives you a ton of other extras including free tickets to the Dubai Aquarium & underwater zoo as well as free entry into the Dubai Museum (lots more but we only took advantage of those). Let’s start with the good stuff – the shopping!
I knew the shopping in Dubai was going to be amazing, I just didn’t realize how many stores they pack into their malls and I didn’t expect my husband to spend as much time in the mall with me & NOT complain!
Mall of the Emirates//
Mall of the Emirates//
This was the mall closest to our hotel and boasted over 700 stores and included Ski Dubai! You can tell while walking through it has a ton of Mediterranean elements and if you’ve ever been to Vegas and walked through the hotel malls…it reminds you of that.
This space reminded us of Musee D’Orsay in Paris
So many cute little pastry shops
Dubai Mall//
Dubai Mall//
Probably the most notable mall of them all is Dubai Mall…this is a monster! 1,200 stores, an aquarium, an entire level dedicated to a souk, a full scale version of a dinosaur & musical fountains are just some of the attractions!! Even if you aren’t a big shopper, this has something for everyone and I think now you can see why Gary didn’t mind spending time here with me!
Now that the shopping is out of the way – let’s get into the sights!! For Dubai being such a “young” city – it really only started to expand once oil was found in about the 1950’s- they have built it up so much.
First stop was the Dubai museum, not too much history, but with a free ticket and 40 minutes to spare it’s well worth a visit! Even though the city itself is young, there is history to the people and how they lived pre-oil days!
It was and still is “hub” being a port with the creek & sea so these little boats were everywhere!
Next stop was the old souk. We did a lot of our shopping for gifts here and can I just tell you how easy it was to barter!! I don’t think Gary thought I had it in me, but I was firm with my prices and got what I wanted!!
The creek itself is really beautiful and actually looks like you’re along the Venice canals! All the fisherman still make their rounds on the boats & if you take a bus tour you can actually take a trip down the creek! Personal Tip: Unless you’re in the market for gold – you can go ahead and skip the Gold Souk. Not much to see here, it’s indoors and of course the staff here tend to be pushy because they want your business!
Don’t miss out on these sights
Burj Khalifa
I’d say being on top of the world’s tallest building is a must do in Dubai! We didn’t order tickets ahead of time, but didn’t have any problems purchasing directly from the Burj Khalifa website. Personal Tip: If you want to go straight through, purchase an earlier in the day ticket (we went for 9:00 AM and were able to go up at 8:30 AM) – it wasn’t packed! If you want to go later in the day to see the fountains I’d suggest ordering a few days in advance.
Burj Al Arab
Unless you’re staying at the actual hotel or have reservations at one of the restaurants, you sadly won’t be able to get any closer than the gates to take a picture in front of the Burj Al Arab so we opted for the beach right next door.
If we had more time we absolutely would have spent some of it at the beach…the water was so warm and it would have been nice to relax a bit as well! Next time 🙂
Dubai Marina
The marina really has it all – shopping, beach and amazing restaurants. If given the chance we’d probably hang out here a little more as well. This is also where we had dinner for Gary’s birthday, but during the day it’s so different and really family friendly.
Final Thoughts…
As if this post isn’t long enough…I had to share my final thoughts on Dubai without dragging this out into three posts!
Dubai was incredible!! The people were friendly, there was so much to do and so much to see! It was almost over stimulation at times because of how epic everything really is! Would we go back? Absolutely!! Probably in 5 to 7 years when they expand even more we’d love to go back!
Thank you so much for reading along!! I hope you enjoyed these recaps!
Linked up with Kerri, Emily & Kate for Wanderlust Wednesday
Ok, those malls are insane. And I thought the Edmonton mall was huge! I can't get over how pretty the water is there. I love that they call that a creek. That's like a full on river haha! Glad you guys had so much fun! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
There is no way I could make it up to the top of that building, I'm so afraid of heights! I chickened out in Paris and gave away my Eiffel Tower tickets! I've heard the shopping in Dubai is amazing.. So jealous you got to experience it first hand!
Christina :: Simple and Delish
You guys did so much in Dubai!! I had heard about the Dubai mall and about the worlds tallest building. It really seems like such an amazing city! I would absolutely love to go there one day!!
Wow, y'all made the most of your trip for sure. All of your pictures are amazing, especially the mall, tallest building and the blue blue water. So glad you had such a great time!
Amazing!! Seriously, no words!
Wow!! The Burj Khalifa is amazing! Such gorgeous architecture! The malls, WOW! And I love that it was easy to barter. Just looks like such a beautiful area with much to do and see! Definitely the trip of a lifetime!! So glad you got to experience it!!!
Looks like so much fun!! Enjoy your trip! xo
publiclivessecretrecipes.com/2016/03/wine-night-aka-every-night.html
It definitely looks like an epic trip! After seeing this post, and hearing from a friend this weekend who just got back a couple of weeks ago, too, I'm convinced I need to go (MG's already been and raves). Maybe one day! In the meantime, I'll live vicariously through your photos 🙂
Oh my gosh that mall is massive!! I want to checkout Ski Dubai too. You’re seriously giving me the travel itch to head to that part of the world!
Those malls are insane! Looks like such an amazing trip! And the beach looks perfect, how beautiful is that shade of blue!
I could stare at the picture of that beach all day long!!! The water is stunning! I'm so glad to hear that you would go back. what an adventure!
xo, Whitney and Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
That mall sounds amazingggg. I would be in heaven!! Definitely the trip of a lifetime… I hope I have the chance to go one day!
I like hearing that you would go back again, that is always my final decision with how successful a place is. 1200 shops? I would be all of over! Was that snow I see on the inside of one of your pics?
I love that you bartered!! I'm always so nervous to do that – I don't know why. Oh yes, western influence, lol!! It's amazing how fast Dubai has grown! I tried to convince my parents to let me study abroad there… but no dice, lol.
ah it looks amazing girl! the shopping is def unreal there. and the architecture – so cool! my friend lives there and i'm thinking i need an excuse to go visit! you got so much done in a short -ish amount of time. great tips!
xoxo cheshire kat
I'm so envious of your trip! Adding this to the bucket list!
xx Leah / eatpraywearlove.com
1,200 stores?! Wow!! Sounds like an adventure. I’m glad Gary was a trooper. I was thinking the creek resembled the Venice canals also, how cool. The water is beautiful. For growing so much in such a short amount of time, Dubai is really detailed and beautiful from all the pictures I see. Can’t wait to visit. I’ll be pinning this to my travel Pinterest board so I can refer back to your reviews in the future 😉
I would love to go someday! I've heard about the mall from my BIL who is in the Navy. His wife visited him over there and they had a blast!
Traci
waltzmetoheaven.com
That mall is insane!!!! It also does kind of remind me of Vegas haha. Your pictures are beautiful and I would definitely go there. Question, wasn't it really hot there? How were you guys able to walk around in pants and long sleeves?! So glad that you guys had a nice time and thank you for sharing your recaps!! 🙂
I loved seeing all of your adventures in Dubai! It looks like such a cool city and I had no idea. That water? Gorgeous!
I'd still be in that mall… that is CRAZY it has that many stores!!!!
& girl – you are totally selling me on your shoes. They go with EVERY outfit you have on!
The malls look insane and all of the buildings are incredible! I love how you really packed so much in, because Dubai seems like it can be so overwhelming! You two look so happy in every picture 🙂
I would never guess there were so many gorgeous sights in Dubai!! That mall looks insane and that water is so blue and pretty!!
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
700 stores! That’s insane and amazing all at the same time! The tallest building looks amazing and all your photos are so pretty!
I would LOVE to visit Dubai! It looks beautiful…and the malls, WOW! Glad you two enjoyed yourselves!
xo, Lily
Beauty With Lily
I loved all your recaps! That water looks gorgeous and I bet the view from that building was amazing! So fun!
-Leah
Chasing Texas
Wow! So many amazing things to do. I would definitely have to make a stop at the mall haha! Whenever we are on vacation, I have to find a mall! And the world's tallest building — so cool! I'm sure the views were unbelievable!
xo, Rachel
A Blonde's Moment
Seriously…Gary didn't think you could haggle/negotiate?! You're the only other person (besides Mike) who I would want on my hagglin' side!! The malls. Seriously. Vegas on crack!! Make today work, Rachel -CubicleCouture
The shopping situation in Dubai is legit, to say the LEAST. Loving these shots- the tallest building in the world?! Amazing! Thanks so much for sharing this, lady!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Wowwww!! This is gorgeous! Thanks for all of the insight.
Xo
Sara Kate Styling
Again, so jealous of this trip. Dubai is a major bucket list trip to me, seems like an absolutely amazing place to see…even if only once!
Shannon
Clothes & Quotes
Stunning post! Dubai looks so good, especially the shopping!
Gemma x
jacquardflower.uk
I've been wanting to check out Dubai for so long just for the shopping and incredible beaches alone. Nevermind all the other amazing sites and hotels. The Burj Khalifa must have been a surreal experience, love it all! Come back and link up with us tomorrow 😉
Green Fashionista
The sights are so beautiful!!!
Kisses,
Sarah
EverydayStarlet
This is so cool! I had no idea Dubai had so many awesome things to visit! Those malls look amazing!
So beautiful. I cannot believe those malls. Dubai is starting to inch up my list now!
Ok, that's it, I'm packing up and moving to Dubai, lol! First off, those malls! 1,200 stores?! That's crazy, I would seriously be in all my glory walking around in there! I love all the photos you took and how you shared your experience and suggestions in both 1 & 2, very helpful! Thanks so much for sharing, beauty, and I hope you have the best day!
XO,
Jalisa
thestylecontour.com
Those malls are crazy. I can't even wrap my head around how big they must have been. Everything looks so gorgeous!
Wow! What an amazing trip!! These pictures are so great and that water. We have a campus in Qatar and I've always wanted to go visit with a layover in Dubai.
Shelly
The Queen in Between
WOW! I really had no idea what Dubai was all about or had to offer, but it looks incredible! Thanks for sharing girl!
Ahhh I could probably live in that Dubai mall! Your photos are out of control! Loved seeing everything you did!!!
Xox Dana Ivy // iadorewhatilove.com
These photos are amazing, you truly had such an awesome trip. I sure hope you took advantage of all that shopping!
Holy moly – 700 stores in the mall?! I can't even picture a mall that big! And girl – the malls in Vegas are my FAVES so that would be right up my alley. Hubs and I used to go to Vegas every year before we had kids and it's one of my favorite places!
I just love looking at all of your gorgeous photos- what an incredible trip!
Amazing! I've always wanted to go to Dubai!
XO
Molly
trendychickadee.com
To be honest, I'll probably never have the opportunity to visit Dubai, but man oh man does it look out of this world. I mean, those malls?! Think of the damage of 700 stores. I'm drooling.
wow, both malls are insane! that is awesome that Gary didn't complain, i reckon KC wouldn't last 5 minutes lol. but really, love all the info and everything, hope we get to go one day and see it, and hope you guys get to go back!
This looks amazing!
You know me, I always love vacation recaps! I can't believe how huge all of the malls were and that they have a full scale dinosaur and a ski slope in one! That's awesome that the tallest building wasn't crowded so you were able to go in whenever you wanted!
What an amazing trip, I am loving all your recaps! Shopping, Beach and Great Restaurants all in one sounds like my kind of place! Xo, Stephanie
wow! so many things to see!!! What an exhaustive, gorgeous guide. you dressed perfectly for it too!
Absolutely SUPERB!! It wasn't too long to me at all!!! I could CONTINUE to read about it! Your photos are just fabulous (you and Gary are adorable!) and I felt as if I was right along with you. You write so beautifully, thank you for sharing your adventure with us! xoxo catchatwithcarenandcody
Wow! Sounds like a trip of a lifetime and an incredible experience. Those malls sound insanely big but with so much to do. I didn't realize there were nice beaches over there too….That water looks amazing!
This seriously looks like such a phenomenal trip! So amazing you got to experience all of that – I'm a little bit jealous!
I would love to visit the malls there!!! I could spend days in a mall with 1200 stores!
Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts
I could probably get the hubs to go for Ski Dubai alone. I'm glad you said you'd go back. That definitely means it was a great trip. And all those stores!I think I'd be overwhelmed.
Holy crap, those malls.
I love hop on hop off when I have limited time in places.
Wow Dubai looks incredible! I'm blown away by that mall – seems like such a fun trip!
That mall alone would've made the whole vacation for me, lol! 700 stores?! AHHHHHHHH!!! SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!
I can't get over all of these amazing spots–seriously beautiful, you got so many great pictures! Thanks for sharing our travels with us!
1,200 stores?!!? Oh my gosh, how did you even choose?! So much fun! This trip looks amazing. I am also obsessing over your cat-eye sunglasses! Gorgeous pictures, friend!
Everything looks so amazing! The mall was incredible – I was loving all of your snaps while you were there and that beach!! I can't get over how blue the water is! An epic trip indeed!
Beautiful pictures! Love DUBAI!!
Xoxo,
Love from trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}
That mall though – such great recaps and now I definitely want to go!
Zelle
Southern Style
It looks STUNNING there! That is my kind of mall! And the water is just gorgeous! What awesome memories!
rosyoutlookblog.com
Biana, it looks like you simply had an INCREDIBLE time! Thank you for the great and fun photos! You are lucky to have been!!! This is definitely on my list to visit someday!
laurenfarrellny.com/blog
That's the most gorgeous mall I've ever seen! I look reading about your trip to Dubai!
thecourtneydiaries.com
Wow what a mall!! I have never really wanted to go to Dubai but now with all this shopping talk, I totally want to go! What a trip!! How was the heat?? haha I heard it is always super hot. The heat and I are not friends.
yayyy! i was so excited to see this shopping recap up! and so many great tips, too. thanks girl!
This looks amazing!! I would love to see that mall in person one day!
amemoryofus.com
I've heard so much about Dubai and it would be awesome to get a chance to visit there some day:-)
<3: Jasmin N | littlethingswithjassy.blogspot.fi
Wow, sooo cool. What an interesting city for sure!! Curious – what was the temp like there!? I always think of it as 150 degrees there, but you both are dressed like spring here so guessing it wasn't too hot?
Beautiful pictures. Sound like you had great time there. xx
Nina
ninasstyleblog.com
LOVE this post! So many amazing photos! I would love to travel to Dubai.
~Samantha
goldcoastgirlblog.com
I cannot believe you went to Dubai! How freakin' cool! Would love to get there with my hubby! Great post.
~Ashley @ A Cute Angle
acutelifestyle.blogspot.com
Looks like you had a fabulous time darling, I love Dubai – it's such a glamorous city and the shopping is amazing! Thanks for sharing lovely
Elizabeth xo | Elizabeth-Daisy.com
Seriously I don't know how you fit all that into your days! Lol. The on and off tour sounds like a really good way to make use of your time and to get around. The buildings, malls, and scenery is just stunning!
I'm obsessed with city architecture and just know I would love it there!!
What a great recap! I can't imagine 700 stores – where do you start!
Lisa
Daily Style Finds
OMG that looks amazing!! You are so right, that shopping mall totally reminds me of Vegas.
Erica
pumpsandpushups.com
Wow these photos are amazing, and the pastry shop is too cute.
artadorned.com/
Gorgeous photos and such amazing shopping!
Heidi || Wishes & Reality
1,200 stories?! How amazing is that! So neat y'all went up to the world's tallest building! I bet the views were incredible!
Dubai looks incredible! The water looks so inviting. And the shopping! Did you say 1200 stores?? Great photos. I would love to go there one day!!
Taffeta & Tulips
Love the casual dinosaur in the mall. I think I'd like the old souk, that looks like fun (but hot?). Actually, how hot was it? And how covered up did you have to be in public? Asking for a friend who may or may not freak out if they get too hot in long sleeves.
I am dreaming for years now to visit Dubai. Maybe when I will retire. Thank you for those gorgeous pictures.
What an amazing experience! Incredible views!
http://redreticule.com
Ciao Bebe, I am so glad that you loved Dubai. I told you The Dubai mall was insane; those 1200 stores made me dizzy, and it's so easy to get lost ! I am glad that you booked a desert safari and saw all of the main attractions 🙂 Un bacio con amore Julia.
I have so much blog reading to catch up on after being gone for so long – I was so looking forward to your India and Dubai posts so they're some of the first ones I went back and read! Your trip looked SO amazing, I know I just got done with a lot of traveling, but now I'm already wanting to plan a trip to Dubai! It's been on my list of places to visit soon, even more so now after seeing your pictures. And can I just tell you how gorgeous your sari was for your friend's wedding? I want to wear one!
I can't believe just how big those malls are! A lady I work with has a sister that lives in Dubai and is always talking about the shopping there! But that water is gorgeous! Seems like a trip of a lifetime.