by The Dubai Emirate is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the world. There are an incredible variety and diversity available to explore that continues to surprise both first-timers and experienced tourists. Of late or in the last decade or so, Dubai has become one of the tourist hotspots in the world. The perfect stopover destination for passengers traveling between the west and the east. The Dubai airport is a state-of-the-art airport that features all the modern amenities that can cover a reasonable amount of time for the transit passengers who do not wish to leave the airport. For the ones who want to explore the Dubai Emirate, we bring to you the top six landmarks that you can uncover in less than eight hours here.
Traveling from the Airport to the City:
The Dubai International Airport is around 6km from the city. Taxis and the Metro is the most convenient and easily found mode of transport to commuting anywhere in the town. The taxi fares are reasonable enough and start at a standard rate of AED25 in the airport. If you are short of time, we would recommend you skip the Metro as you will lose out time in changing Metro lines. You will probably be spending 1-2 hours traveling in the taxis.
The Mighty Burj Khalifa:
This imposing structure is a sight to watch out. The tallest building in the world, standing at 828 meters above sea level cannot be ignored at any cost. The iconic Burj Khalifa is 15 km from the Dubai International Airport and would take about 25 minutes in non-peak hours for AED 50. Dubai is a busy city, so keep a buffer if you are traveling in peak hours. Placed in one of the glamorous areas of the city, the mighty Burj Khalifa is an accurate reflection of the ostentatious charm of the Dubai city. The upper half of the Burj Khalifa features private residences and offices. There is an observation deck on the 124th floor that is open to the public. The staggering views from the observation deck are merely superb and mind-blowing. Do book the tickets in advance to avoid the long queue. You can alternatively book a table at the Atmosphere, a bar on the 122nd floor of the building. It will be a date that you will probably cherish all your lifetime.
The incredible Dubai Mall:
One of the highlights of the Dubai Downtown is the Dubai Mall Dubai Mall and the dancing Dubai Fountains. Placed in the neighborhood of the iconic Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall is the biggest shopping mall in the world featuring 1200+ retail outlets. There are so much variety and diversity available in the mall that you will be spoilt for choices. Some of the highlights of the Dubai mall feature the Underwater Aquarium and the Ice Rink. The Dubai Mall can easily cover all the time you have; hence it is recommended that you try to shop fast and move on to other attractions in the city. A strict timeline needs to be defined to the shopaholics, this can leave you with a shopping hangover.
The dancing Dubai Fountains:
The Dubai Fountains is placed at the entrance of the Dubai Mall and the mighty Burj Khalifa. The Dubai Fountain hosts a water jet dance show every 30-60 minutes. There are plenty of dining options near the Dubai Fountain that will give you access to unobstructed views of the dancing fountain. Modern Arabic and pop songs of Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion are played along as the water jets dance to these tunes. You may never witness such a captivating sight in your life. Definitely a view that you will cherish in your entire lifetime.
The Jumeirah Beach or the Kite Beach:
Dubai is one of the few destinations of the world where you can witness a desert, a sea, and ice at the same time. The gorgeous beaches of Dubai are a favorite hangout spot for many tourists and visitors. Of the lot, the Kite Beach is probably the best to capture some click moments and also enjoy stunning views of the only 7-star hotel in the world, the Burj Al Arab. The water babies, lazy loungers, and the kite surfers unite at one of the tourist landmarks named the Kite Beach. There are plenty of adventurous activities for kids as well as for adults and dining options that will cover most of your time. The extreme watersports will surely challenge your capacity and skills on the water to the core. You can also relax and enjoy the warmth of the sun. There is watersport equipment available for rent on the beach. The distance from the Dubai Mall to the Kite Beach would take around 9 km, the travel time expected is 30 minutes.
Bur Dubai:
Away from the glitz and glamor of the city lies another landmark destination, the Bur Dubai. The place is known for its souks, the local market. The ambiance and atmosphere are not electrifying as the city, but worth visiting from all quarters. The journey is 20 minutes or AED 40 from the Dubai Mall. The souks are decorated with spices, fragrances, jewelry, textiles, and much more. A perfect stopover for purchasing some exotic items. The Bur Dubai is the oldest part of the city with the architecture dating back to the 1960s. We recommend you take a taxi to the Al Seef junction and head along the Creek to the Deira Old Souk Abra Station. This was a principal trading port in the city before the oil-boom. The Abra is a traditional boat that was used for trading before. The journey is only about 10 minutes and charges a mere AED 1 for the ride. Experience the wind blowing against your hair and body as you can smell exotic spices and fragrances.
The elegant Bastakiya Quarter:
Surrounded by the Dubai Creek and the Bur Dubai district on either end, the Bastakiya Quarter was one of the tourist hotspots when Dubai was known more for fishing, pearl-diving, and trading. This place has somehow escaped the extreme urban transformation that the city has gone through. The result is an unmatched area of elegance and charm like never before. The streets are decorated with ancient wind-towered buildings that are now running as galleries and restaurants. The Bastakiya Quarter also houses the Textile souk that features some of the finest and best quality of fabrics ever seen. This article is probably your answer to your question, “What should I do in Dubai if I have a layover for 8 hours or less”. We would recommend you come out of the airport and uncover the hidden jewels of this beautiful tourist destination. This is one destination that deserves to be explored from all aspects.
