Dubai had been on my wish list for a long time, and in September 2022 I finally got the chance to experience it for myself. I spent four nights exploring the city, its attractions and the surrounding desert.

If you are curious about Dubai, thinking about a stopover en route to Asia, Africa or Australia, or planning a short sunshine escape, here is how my trip unfolded and why I would happily return.

Staying Downtown: Skyscrapers, Shopping & Iconic Views For the first two nights I stayed in Downtown Dubai, the modern heart of the city and home to many of its most famous landmarks.

I checked into Rose Rayhaan by Rotana, a good value 4 star hotel in a fantastic location with very spacious rooms. Some rooms even offer views of the Burj Khalifa, which is a lovely bonus when you are staying in the city for the first time.

That evening we had prebooked two of Dubai’s most popular attractions:

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo: Located inside Dubai Mall, this is a great way to escape the heat and see an impressive variety of marine life up close. Burj Khalifa: Just next door to the mall, this is a must‑do for first‑time visitors. You should be prepared for queues to reach the top, but once you are up there the views across the city are absolutely incredible. Afterwards, we had a wander around Dubai Mall. It is enormous, with every type of shop you can imagine, and you could easily spend a full day there. The food court alone has an excellent choice of restaurants, so it is also a handy spot for lunch or dinner.

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Dubai Fountain Show & Evening Atmosphere As we left the mall, we walked down to the Waterfront Boardwalk to watch the famous Dubai Fountain show. The fountains come to life every 30 minutes from 6 pm, dancing in time with music, while the Burj Khalifa lights up with its own spectacular light show to match.

It does get very busy with tourists, so if you want an uninterrupted view I would recommend reserving a table at Joe’s Café in advance. It is a lovely way to enjoy the show with a relaxed drink or meal.

Theme Parks, Futuristic Museums & Old Dubai On day two, we headed to Dubai Parks & Resorts, the Middle East’s largest integrated theme park complex. It brings together:

Motiongate Dubai Bollywood Parks Dubai LEGOLAND Dubai LEGOLAND Water Park Many of the attractions are indoors, which is ideal when the temperatures are high. The parks cater for all ages, so it is especially good for families or mixed groups who want a full day of fun.

Later, we visited the Museum of the Future, which quickly became one of my favourite modern attractions. It is a highly interactive experience that invites you to explore what the future might look like through technology, innovation and sustainability. You do not just look at exhibits – you touch, feel and imagine, and come away with a real sense of optimism and curiosity.

Discovering Old Dubai & The Souks To balance the ultra-modern side of the city, we also took a tour of Old Dubai. Walking through the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood was fascinating. The low-rise, traditional-style buildings stand in stark contrast to the towering skyscrapers of the newer districts, and you really feel the city’s heritage here.

From Old Dubai, we took an abra (traditional wooden boat) across Dubai Creek to visit the souks, including the Spice Souk and the Gold Souk. This was a brilliant experience and felt very safe. The aromas, colours and atmosphere in the markets give you a real taste of local life.

Sunset At The Palm & A Taste of Luxury That evening we enjoyed sunset at The View at The Palm, an observation deck 240 metres above the iconic Palm Jumeirah. From here you get 360‑degree views of the Palm and the city skyline. It was very humid when we visited, so the visibility was not perfectly clear, but it was still a beautiful and memorable moment, especially as the city lit up below us.

We were then invited to visit Raffles The Palm Dubai, a luxurious, brand‑new hotel on the Palm. We enjoyed dinner and a jazz night there, with fantastic food.

That night we moved to the JA Lake View Hotel in Jebel Ali. This hotel is ideal for anyone who loves golf or wants a quieter base away from the city. It overlooks a 9‑hole championship golf course and features:

348 modern guestrooms and suites with balconies Three swimming pools Four dining venues Access to a private beach The rooms were very spacious, the food was excellent and the overall feel was contemporary and relaxed. It is around a 25‑minute transfer from central Dubai. There is not much in the immediate surrounding area, which actually makes it perfect if you are looking to unwind, soak up the sunshine or enjoy the golf facilities. Another bonus is that it is relatively close to Dubai Parks & Resorts.

The Highlight: VIP Desert Safari The experience that truly stole my heart was our VIP Desert Safari, which was the absolute highlight of the whole trip.

We were collected from the hotel in a Jeep Wrangler and driven out to the edge of the desert, where our adventure began with an exhilarating dune drive. Racing up and down the sand dunes felt just like being on a roller coaster and gave us a real adrenaline rush.

As the sun started to set, we stopped at a beautiful viewpoint in the dunes to enjoy a glass of bubbly while watching the sky change colour. It was one of those moments you know you will remember forever.

After sunset, we continued on to a stunning Bedouin-style camp. When we arrived, we were welcomed with aromatic Arabic coffee and delicious dates before settling in for the evening to enjoy

A delicious BBQ dinner under the stars Traditional local entertainment A warm, atmospheric setting that felt both authentic and very special At the end of the night we were transferred back to our hotel, tired but very happy. This safari is something I will always treasure and I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Dubai.

My Overall Impression of Dubai Dubai is an incredible destination:

Immaculately clean Excellent food with a huge range of dining options Very safe and welcoming for visitors It is not a cheap city, so I would generally recommend booking on at least a half‑board basis

Dubai works brilliantly as: A short sunshine break in its own right A stopover on the way to Asia, Africa or Australia A city and beach combination, or city plus desert experience

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