Skyscrapers line the city skyline, and opulence defines the characteristics of one of the most visited destinations. Dubai is a global hub attracting over 200 nationalities. It is no surprise that 85% of the population of Dubai are expatriates. This city has a strong foothold over the financial power and opportunities. And of course, there are iconic landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa and the only 7-star hotel in the world- Burj- Al -Arab. The best time to visit Dubai is from October to March when the weather is pleasant. I visited Dubai in November. Being my first visit, these popular places in Dubai have left quite an impression.
Stay In Dubai:
I stayed at the Mercure Gold Hotel on Al Mina Road. This 4-star hotel is located in Bur Dubai, a commercial area with established hotels and restaurants. Bur Dubai is one of the popular places in Dubai. It has a traditional aspect to it where it is separation from Deira.
Mercure Gold Hotel has room types ranging from standard rooms to family suites. The airport is just 20 minutes away from the hotel. It is also close to popular places in Dubai such as the Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai Mall, and Jumeirah Beach.
Day 1: Museum of the Future & Helicopter Ride
Activity 1: Museum of the Future
This is one of the most popular places in Dubai and the inauguration was in 2022. As the name suggests, the museum is an experience centre where technology, revolution, and vision come together to represent the future. I was mesmerized by the architectural structure of this museum. It is an engineering marvel where the letters of the Arabic language are engraved in the structure. Culture and innovation form a visual outlook of the imagined future in the year 2071. Some segments of the museum have a guide that briefs us about the changes that would be implemented in space and technology.
OSS Hope
This is the first segment of the museum with a screen displaying the digital versions of the people in front of it. At first, I did not observe this but when we saw the screen detecting the people’s movements, I was quite fascinated by it. The screen is also a door where it opens up to an elevator and is part of the space sector called OSS Hope. The objective of OSS Hope is to educate viewers about the renewable energy source from the moon that benefits the entire planet. The interiors of this elevator are designed like a space shuttle with screens shaped like windows. OSS Hope shows what it feels like to view Earth from space. With screens displaying clouds and space equipment approaching, the experience felt very real.
We entered the space station set up in the second segment of OSS Hope. In the middle of the setup, there is a solar system model. The walls around are equipped with screens showing Earth’s view from space. The screen displays different parts of Earth and gives you experience of how the spacecraft functions. There is also a room where visitors can stand in front of screens that are programmed to capture the facial features of an astronaut getup. Kids would enjoy this, making it a fun activity for a family holiday in Dubai.
Heal Institute
The Heal Institute, a recreation of the Amazon rainforest, briefs us on how deforestation and climate change affect the majority of the forest. This was my favourite part of the museum. It felt so surreal and mystical to fit into the forest’s canvas. Hearing the birds chirp and seeing fireflies create a glow in the forest, I could relate it to the backdrop of movies like Avatar and Life of Pi.
Heal Institute also has a DNA library divided into 2 sections. It is a display of various plant and animal species. The lighting keeps shifting between various shades of fluorescent colours. It felt so therapeutic being enclosed in a visually appealing space.
Al Waha
In all things pink, the section “Al Waha” has chambers that look like a candy factory. In the centre is a huge carpet where it detects the movement and waves form while walking on it. It felt very similar to bioluminescence, a chemical reaction formed in waves by living organisms that produce a blue light.
Al Waha’s concept revolves around wellness. This dome has light and water above it, and the room has seats all around. You can relax here and admire how the reflection creates a spider web-like pattern all over the room.
Robotics and Automobiles
This is the last section inside the museum where you can see an Audi Car and an AI Robot. You can also see unique models like a cyber dog. On this floor, there are a few informative boards too which are good for educational purposes, making it beneficial for a family holiday in Dubai.
Observatory
When I was beneath the circular enclosure of the building, I truly realized how huge the museum was. By observing the Arabic calligraphy up close, the excellence of human potential was certainly evident. The highlight of the observatory is a splendid view of the Sheikh Zayed Road. The road connects to Downtown Dubai, one of the most popular places in Dubai. It is also a highway leading to other cities in the UAE.
Museum Merchandise
Near the entrance is the shopping section where you can find products like stationery, accessories, and souvenirs.
Tips to enhance your experience at the Museum of the Future:
- Since the museum is among the most popular places in Dubai, it is tricky to get the ticket so I suggest you schedule your bookings two months prior. Out of sheer luck, I got the ticket a week prior at Thriophillia but it is recommended to book tickets in advance. You can also check websites such as Klook.
- To have a hassle-free experience and avoid waiting hours, I suggest you book the morning slot at 9:30 a.m. as the rush is minimal.
- It costs between Rs. 3000 – Rs. 4000 for the standard ticket. The fast-track ticket is about Rs. 9000. Upon booking the first slot, the waiting time is about 10-15 minutes so the duration is manageable.
- It took me about two hours to complete the museum tour. But if you would like to explore each section in detail, it would take about 3-4 hours.
- This museum is for the science and technology buffs so the experience would surely be amplified.
Activity 2: Helicopter Ride
As kids, I am sure we all have memories of randomly spotting a helicopter from the terrace and we would wait till it disappeared from our sight. I wondered what it was like to sit in a helicopter and on this trip, I finally got the experience. The day’s second activity was in Heli Dubai, located in the quarters of the Dubai Police Academy. It is one of the most popular places in Dubai for luxury tourist activity.
The ride packages range from 12 minutes to 40 minutes. We opted for the Iconic Sharing Package of 12 minutes and booked the tickets on Thrillophilia. It costs about Rs 16,000 – Rs 17,000 per person. Up to 5 people can sit in the helicopter so that makes it a suitable activity for a family holiday in Dubai. You can pick your flight time from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. However, the timings can vary depending on various factors. Our ride slot was at 3:45 pm, and the briefing started one hour before the scheduled time.
We reached Heli Dubai at 3:00 p.m. Upon arrival, we had to follow certain procedures, and the operators collected information regarding each person’s weight to ensure a smooth and safe ride. We were then redirected to the briefing room where we were informed about safety norms and instructions to follow while boarding the helicopter. While entering the helicopter, we were seated according to our weight and had to put on the headset so the pilot could brief us about the landmarks throughout the ride.
As we took off, the ride headed towards Palm Jumeirah, the largest artificial island known for its upscale hotels, apartments, and luxury experiences making it one of the most popular places in Dubai. We then headed towards landmarks like Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa, The World Islands, Corniche Beach, The Gevora Hotel (the world’s tallest hotel), and Deira. I was in awe of the panoramic view of the blue-green coastline and the skyscrapers.
This experience was excellent and the entire ride was very comfortable as the helicopters are air-conditioned. If you want a collective experience and get the best of Dubai, you must definitely visit Heli Dubai.
The staff and pilots at Heli Dubai are highly professional, knowledgeable, and courteous. Everything was carried out smoothly, making it worthwhile. As it is a unique experience, you can also look at the wall of fame displaying Heli Dubai’s part in Hollywood movies like Fast and Furious, Mission Impossible, and Star Wars.
2. Dubai Mall (Burj Khalifa) & The Walk at JBR
Activity 1: Dubai Mall
Dubai Mall is the second largest mall in the world, covering 13 million square feet. It has about 1,200 stores, leisure and entertainment options, such as an Indoor Aquarium, Reel Cinemas, and about 200 eateries. It is no surprise as to why it is one of the most popular places in Dubai and is also the most visited. Dubai Mall has access to Burj Khalifa. You can also find an ice rink and other children’s activities inside the mall, giving endless options to make the most out of a family holiday in Dubai. As the mall is huge, you would require half to an entire day to get the best out of it.
We then made our way towards Burj Khalifa. As it is an iconic landmark, the main viewing area was quite crowded. Surrounded by an artificial lake and a chain of skyscrapers built by Emaar (a real estate developer in the UAE), seeing Burj Khalifa during sunset gave the advantage of witnessing the tower in golden hour glory and during late evening when the glamour of downtown Dubai was in the spotlight. The glass panes of this tower shimmered against the sunlight.
The largest orchestrated light show and fountain also surrounded Burj Khalifa. The first light show begins at 6:30 pm and takes place every half an hour. During the first show, we found a place a bit further from the fountain due to the crowd. The crowd usually clears up after each show so to have a closer view, you can move further ahead before the next light show. During this hour, you can also see a variety of animations playing on the exterior of Burj Khalifa. If you want to opt for the Burj Khalifa observatory, you should book your tickets in advance as it is the most popular place in Dubai.
Activity 2: The Walk at JBR ( Jumeirah Beach Residence)
Located near Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residence is a beachside avenue that is a popular place in Dubai. Since the exhaustion hit after strolling across Dubai Mall, spending time at the beachfront of JBR was quite relaxing. The beachfront had the view of Ain Dubai, a Ferris wheel located on the bluewaters island. Spread across an area of 1.7 km, this boulevard is all about extravagance with a range of luxury hotels like Sofitel, restaurants, boutiques, high-end shopping & leisure centers, six high-rise buildings, and, of course, the beach on the other side.
While wandering the street, I came across a dessert shop called Vinci Dolci. The aesthetics of this place gave the feel of a European café where the outdoor seating offered a stunning view of one of the most popular places in Dubai. The cozy interiors are enriched with a brown and white palette. Along with dessert, you can also find the breakfast option here including dishes like pancakes, croissants, English breakfast, omelette, and more. The ice cream here was heavenly. I had the dark chocolate ice cream with a scoop of vanilla. Topped with a wafer, savouring the bittersweet flavours in a large ice cream cone made all the difference.
Due to time constraints, we could spend just 1 hour here. However, to make the most of the walk at JBR, you would ideally require 3 hours or more.
Day 3: Global Village
Global Village is a theme park where more than 7 million visitors gather each season to witness the cultural diversity of several countries. The main entrance is called Gate of the World and the architecture depicts Dubai’s cultural heritage. Among the other tourist spots, Global Village was my favourite destination.
Global Village has 30 pavilions representing each country’s delicacies, traditions, and backdrops. From different types of honey, high-end attar, Oud perfumes, Pakistani suits, and Iranian cookies to traditional cutlery, you will be overwhelmed by the numerous shopping options at Global Village. Out of the pavilions, the ones from Middle Eastern countries had the best experience as everything from the products, the setup, and the dining were authentic.
Upon entering Global Village, the first pavilion was Turkey where I got to experience the actual style in which the ice cream vendors cater to customers. The Turkish ice cream was not that great but the experience surely had elements of fun and goofiness. This became one of my favourite memories from the trip. The vendors at each pavilion are very welcoming and polite.
Some of my highlights from Global Village were watching the Lebanese folk dance known as ‘Dabke’. Upon visiting the Afghanistan pavilion, we encountered a potter who showcased his artistry by displaying his creation of pots, mugs, and cups. The potter was also kind enough to teach me the basics of pottery-making. While conversing with him, we learned many interesting insights about the kind of mud used for pottery making.
Global Village also has more than 195 rides making it a great destination for a family holiday in Dubai. Global Village is quite aesthetically pleasing and this is why it is one of the popular places in Dubai. There are many spots where you can get Instagram-worthy snaps. To name a few, you can head to the celebration walk, the dry fountain, and the dragon village.
Tips to enhance your experience at Global Village:
- The opening hours of Global Village are from 4 PM- 12 AM. Season 29 is functional till 11/05/2025.
- You can book the tickets on Thrillophilia / Klook. The entry ticket costs about Rs. 500—Rs. 600.
- It is advisable not to have any other activity before Global Village, as there will be a lot of walking. In that case, make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
- Do try out the mango sticky rice while visiting the Thailand pavilion.
- If you love spicy Korean noodles, you will find a booth in the South Korea pavilion where you can make these instant noodles.
- Since Global Village was huge, we could not explore each spot. But make sure to visit the Pakistan pavilion as it is a favourite amongst Indians since you can find authentic textiles and fur jackets.
- You can bargain at the pavilions while shopping, however, it would matter depending on different vendors.
Day 4: Desert Safari
When it comes to Dubai, the Desert Safari is one of the most awaited activities. Since we visited during November, it was the perfect time to enjoy this activity as the weather is pleasant. The popular desert safaris are usually during evenings and the duration is about 6 hours. We booked our package on Thrilliophilia with the inclusion of a hotel pick-up and drop-off. The pick-up usually takes place around 2 pm and it would require about 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the desert. Seeing the arid land and the camels on both sides, the desert was now just a few moments away.
When we reached the desert, our first activity was Quad Biking. On the same counter, you can wear a Keffiyah, a headdress worn by Arab men. Wearing this headdress is optional if you want to get the authentic feel of being in the UAE.
Initially, the terrain made riding the quad bike a bit challenging. But as time went by, this activity became super fun, and I wanted to keep going. However, it is advised not to spend too much time here as you would miss the sunset during Dune Bashing.
As we headed into the 4X4 vehicle, we approached the dunes. It was quite a bumpy and thrilling ride as we felt the rush of adrenaline through the terrain. You would then get about 10-15 minutes to spend at the sunset point. In the expanse of the golden-brown dunes, the sunset looked so ethereal with the orange and pink hues spread across the horizon.
While heading back, we went to the desert camp where there were other cultural activities. You can watch the performances of belly dancing, the Tanoura Show, and the Fire Show while enjoying the barbeque dinner at the camp. The artistry presented in all these shows was outstanding.
A plus point of the dinner was that the majority of the dishes were vegetarian, which is quite beneficial for vegetarians.
Tips to enhance your experience at the desert safari:
- There are several packages for desert safaris. Depending on your preferences, you can check out the options on Thrilliophillia. We opted for the Desert Safari—VIP Majilis with shared transfers, which cost about Rs 4,800 per person. This package is also suitable for a family holiday in Dubai, as the vehicle would accommodate up to 7 people. This gives you a hassle-free experience, avoiding queues at the BBQ Dinner.
- Avoid having heavy meals before the desert safari as you would experience tossing and sliding off your seat during dune bashing.
- Wear comfortable shoes to be able to walk on the dunes.
- Carry wet wipes and sunscreen.
- Other activities included in the package are Camel Riding & Falconry.
- Quad Biking is not included in this package.
Day 5 : Gold Souk – Deira
While one part of Dubai is all about glamour and lavishness, the other transports you to the traditional and cultural backdrop of Dubai. Deira is an old town and another popular place in Dubai located at Dubai Creek. The banks of Dubai Creek separate this part of the city from Downtown Dubai.
As our return flight was late at night, we explored the markets in Deira during the day. Deira has many souks such as gold souk, spice souk, grand souk and Meena Bazaar. In this part of Dubai, you can find Arabian architectural styles of mosques and buildings.
There are about 300-400 retailers in gold souq that deal with tax-free gold jewellery and ornaments. The bazaar also has a range of Arabian spices, saffron, souvenirs, high-quality attar & Oud fragrances. One of the fascinating finds in this market is the world’s heaviest gold ring which holds the title of the Guinness World Record. To explore more of Deira, you can take a traditional abra ride across Dubai Creek which takes you to popular places in Dubai like Meena Bazar and Grand Souq. We paid about 2 AED per person for the ride. The tranquil blue waters of Dubai Creek give a serene view of how modernity and history blend into one frame.
Conclusion:
Dubai is a destination that invites all kinds of travellers. The city is just 53 years old, and its innovation has developed tremendously. Dubai is also very safe, giving an advantage for solo women travellers. Even though I visited many popular places in Dubai for five days, I would love to visit Dubai again to explore other spots we could not cover. And of course, to visit Global Village again because that place has my heart.
About Vidhi Ashar
Vidhi Ashar is a freelance content writer & poet from Bangalore, India. She helps businesses monetize their overall content strategy and guides brands to implement practices that meet the best standards. On the creative writing front, she has been published in journals such as Under the Basho, Failed Haiku, tsuri-doro, Sonic Boom, Otoliths, Scarlet Dragonfly Journal, Seashores Journal, and many more.