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Dubai is a surprising, ultramodern city, where anything is possible. Situated between the shores of the Persian Gulf and the desert, the capital of the emirate of Dubai is famous for its skyscraper-studded cityscape, its palm-shaped artificial island and its luxury shopping malls. With its major international airport, the city is often a stopover for intercontinental flights, with travellers obliged to spend a few hours or days there. It would be a shame not to take advantage of this break to get a glimpse of this unique city.
So, what can you do in Dubai during your stopover? Here's a mini guide to making the most of the city in 24 hours: discover some of Dubai's must-see places and addresses that will make you want to return and spend more time there.
Al Fahidi. Photo: Zosia Korcz on Unsplash
Breakfast and exploring old Dubai
To start your day in Dubai, what could be better than a rich and nourishing breakfast? Served between 8am and 12.30pm, Lana Lusa's breakfast is a welcoming and colourful experience. The choice is vast: you can opt for a hearty English Breakfast, indulge in gourmet maxi-pancakes or eggs Benedict, or choose something healthier like chia pudding, served with fresh fruit and seeds. And don't leave without trying our homemade pasteis de nata. During the rest of the day, the house offers Portuguese-inspired dishes.
After filling up on delicacies, head to the Old City to discover Dubai's historic centre. Founded in the 18th century, the city began life as a small pearl fishing village. Made up of narrow streets and small buildings, the historic districts of Al Fahidi, Deira and Bur Dubai retain their original character. After a tour of the old houses and a visit to the fort, head for the gold, spice and fabric souks, where you can shop for local handicrafts and make culinary discoveries: don't forget to negotiate prices. The districts of the old city are divided by the Khor Dubai river, which you can cross in an abra, a small wooden boat traditionally used to transport goods. The journey costs just a few dirhams, so don't miss out on this authentic experience.
Tago Mago. Photo: author's own
Lunch at the beach club
The weather in Dubai is fine all year round. The best time to visit the city is between November and April, when temperatures are pleasant and vary between 23°C and 30°C during the day, allowing you to enjoy the many beaches and swimming pools the city has to offer. If you love the beach, head to Tago Mago for a relaxing lunch. The Rikas Hospitality Group's brand-new beach club is the perfect place to enjoy the white sandy beach on the Palm Jumeirah, where you can settle back on a sun lounger in the shade of an orange parasol and sip Ibiza-style cocktails. The establishment also has a beach bar and restaurant where you'll feel like you're in the Balearics, with a festive atmosphere, colourful decor and a menu worthy of the best tapas bars: spicy croquetas and patatas bravas, padrón peppers and paella, grilled octopus and fried chipirones, churros and Basque cheesecake. Absolutely irresistible.
If you're more of a pool person, Twiggy is the place to be. Nestling in the vast Park Hyatt Dubai hotel complex, this beach club offers a 100-metre infinity pool on the edge of Dubai's creek. A refined, musical atmosphere, Champagne and a great crowd make this the perfect place for socialising on the beach. Food-wise there are grilled meats, lobster rolls, lobster linguine, sushi and caviar to choose from amongst things, and a restaurant offering fresh, gourmet Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, designed by Gilles Bosquet, the Executive Chef of the Rikas group.
If you're stopping off in the city during the summer months when temperatures soar above 40°C, protect yourself from the scorching heat in one of the city's countless malls, the huge shopping centres where you can luxury shop or enjoy incredible indoor activities. For example, how about skiing at Ski Dubai, the world's largest indoor ski slope, located inside the Mall of the Emirates?
Museum of the Future. Photo: Aftab Khan on Unsplash
Afternoon at the museum
After a relaxing break in the sun, how about a trip to the Museum of the Future? As Dubai is such an ultra-modern city, it's bound to have a museum dedicated to the city of the future. Housed in a stunning steel building with an elliptical, hollow structure, the museum offers a glimpse of the innovative, futuristic projects that will change life in the city in the (more or less) near future.
On your way out of the Museum, if you miss French flavours, make a quick trip to the Emirates Towers next door to buy a madeleine at Madeleine et Marcel, a French-inspired corner where you can enjoy delicious pastries and a cup of coffee.
Atlantis The Royal Dubai
Tea time and bling
If you're in the mood for glitz and glamour, the new Atlantis The Royal Dubai is a not-to-be-missed stopover in the city. Opened in January 2023, this ultra-luxurious resort at the end of Palm Jumeirah is home to several gourmet restaurants from renowned chefs (including Nobu Matsuhisa, José Andrés, Gaston Acurio and Heston Blumenthal), a shopping centre, several swimming pools and an aquapark.
If you visit in the afternoon, head to the hotel's marvellous lobby for tea with a view of the enormous aquariums, the water features of the fountains and the celebrities passing by. Created in collaboration with French pastry chef Christophe Devoille, you can choose between L'Afternoon Tea Signature, which offers a delicious selection of savoury dishes and exceptional pastries, and L'Afternoon Tea Emirati, which focuses more on Middle Eastern sweets. Special mention should be made of the tea menu, offering exceptional blends from all over the world. Before you leave, take a trip to the Little Venice Cake Company, the patisserie run by Mich Turner MBE, the British queen of world-famous couture cakes.
A cocktail at Mimi Kakushi
A 100% Japanese evening
Dubai is a world of flavours and atmospheres. To start the evening with an exquisite cocktail, plunge into the atmosphere of Japan in the 1920s at Mimi Kakushi, number 58 on The World's 50 Best Bars list. The establishment offers an unusual cocktail menu, designed by beverage manager Manja Stankovic: sit at the bar and browse through the vinyl records to choose the liquid creation that will please you, paired with a song and prepared with care by the bar people.
Then, sit down to enjoy the restaurant's intimate, trendy atmosphere and contemporary, refined Japanese cuisine. Special mention should be made of the omakase experience, a carte blanche menu offered by Japanese chef Go Nagano: seated at the counter overlooking the kitchen, you can sample delicious sushi, sashimi and other dishes made according to the rules of Japanese culinary art. A moment of Japanese indulgence you won't want to miss.
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