Indagare's Janine Yu
"Everyone says that Dubai is like Las Vegas, but I've found it more to be like Miami—glitzy and flashy, for sure, but also international, with great dining, and a stunning beach."
Once a tiny fishing village at the edge of an empty desert, Dubai has skyrocketed into a bastion of mega malls, five-star hotels and wildly elaborate real estate projects. It is a cosmopolitan city with an international vibe, great dining and shopping, and a gorgeous coastline. Despite its much-discussed Westernization, this Middle Eastern metropolis has a strong undercurrent of Arabian tradition that imbues its modern landscape with cultural nuance.
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Perfect forAdventurers | Art Lovers | Style Mavens | Ultimate Indulgers
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When to goSeptember-November | December-February | March-May
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Ideal length of stay3-5 Nights
Designing Your Journey
Work with Indagare to design the perfect itinerary for an immersive journey. Our travel experts know the destination inside and out, and they can make recommendations based on your travel needs and preferences.
Dubai in 3 Days
Experience the highlights of Dubai’s shopping, architecture and nightlife with a customized Indagare itinerary. Here is just one example of what our destination experts can create for you.
Day 1
Enjoy an introduction to Dubai at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, by exploring the observation deck. Afterwards, go shopping at the Dubai Mall, which is the world’s largest mall (and is tax-free). If you have lunch there, stay to see the Dubai Fountain show, which takes place right outside. After taking the requisite photos of the Burj al Arab (PierChic offers the best views), spend some time browsing the regional wares at Souk Madinat. From here, drive 45 minutes out of the city for a desert safari and camel rides.
Day 2
Start the day at the Old Town, Bastakiya, on a guided walking tour. Visit the nearby souks, starting with the textile souk. Board an abra, a traditional water taxi, and cross the Dubai creek for the Spike and Gold Souk. For a deeper understanding of the city’s history, visit the Dubai Museum. Cap off the night at Buddha Bar or at 360, the circular bar at the end of the dock of Jumeirah Beach Hotel. If it’s Ladies Night at either one (ask your concierge, there’s a sponsoring bar every night), the bars give away free cocktails. At 360, they even add a dash of caviar to your champagne.
Day 3
If you have time to kill before your flight, spend the morning at Wild Wadi Waterpark. If you’re in the mood to splurge, go on either a helicopter ride or charter a yacht for a few hours on the water. Otherwise, enjoy the sun and sand if staying at a beach resort. For guests of city hotels, consider more shopping or golf. Note that if you are visiting on a Friday, the souks and museums will be closed, so you might as well do as the locals do and partake in Friday brunch, a lavish affair, especially at Indagare’s favorite restaurants.
Where To Stay
We only feature hotels that we can vouch for first-hand. At many of them, Indagare members receive special amenities, including upgrades, early check-in, breakfast, spa credits and more. Look for the Indagare Plus logo in the reviews.
Read MoreArmani Hotel
With understated splendor, the Armani offers a sophisticated and minimalist take on luxury, housed in the Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building.)
Read MoreOne & Only The Palm
The only boutique beach resort in Dubai, offering a private and intimate setting for a beach holiday.
Read MoreFour Seasons Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
Mixing Arabic design with contemporary style, Four Seasons Resort at Jumeirah Beach brings a grand sophistication to the coastal residential area of Dubai.
Read MoreJumeirah Zabeel Saray
Built to evoke an Ottoman palace, this lavish resort hits the mark in some respects, but is also overt in its projections of grandeur. Its best feature is its long stretch of gold-sand beach and some of the most well-appointed...
Courtesy Jumeirah Marketing CommunicationsRead MoreBurj Al Arab
The Burj al Arab is a testament to two things: the engineering marvel of its developers, who created a stunning and iconic building; and the marketing prowess of Jumeirah, which hyped the perception that this is “the world’s only seven-star...
