Last Updated: November 2024
I’d been flying between London and Australia with Emirates for years, each time transiting through Dubai airport, but never actually leaving the airport. Some years I would transit through that airport four times in a year, and yet Dubai still remained a mystery to me.
Finally, in 2016 I took the plunge and decided to have an extended stopover on my way back to Aus. I loved it so much that since then, I’ve been every year for a cheeky long weekend vacation.
That first time in Dubai I had possibly the best Dubai experience any visitor could ever have, and even the times since then have been pretty epic.
So, wanna know how you can have the same, in just a weekend? Let’s go!
If like me you’re flying Emirates Business Class, make sure you book your complimentary Chauffeur in advance to save on trying to get a taxi at the airport.
If not, you can always arrange a transfer through the hotel, or just head outside and get an official taxi that is beige with a coloured roof (usually red or green).
Check in at: Four Seasons Resort Jumeirah Beach
I’ve mostly stayed at my friend’s apartment when I’ve visited Dubai, but one time I treated myself to a stay at the Four Seasons Resort Jumeirah Beach, and it was hands down one of the best hotel stays I’ve ever had.
The resort itself is ridiculously beautiful, the breakfast is epic (hello ice-cream bar), and I loveeeed the room and the pool area.
There are also a myriad of bars and restaurants to enjoy, from Sea Fu to Coya.
What to Pack for Dubai
It’s important to remember that Dubai is a Muslim country and therefore your clothing should be respectful and adhere to the rules.
Many places such as shopping malls and mosques require you to have your knees and shoulders covered, but bars, beach clubs, and restaurants don’t tend to have dress codes and anything goes.
If your clothing is very short or revealing however, especially in public areas and hotels, you will draw unwanted attention to yourself, so I suggest just making sure you’re covered to a certain extent. You’ll also feel far more comfortable!
Day 1 in Dubai
9am: Dubai Mall
Head to Dubai Mall for a morning of shopping and sightseeing at the World’s Largest Shopping Mall!
Be respectful and cover your shoulders, chest, and knees, and as soon as you enter go and snap a selfie with the fish and sharks swimming in the humongous aquarium right in the middle of the mall.
Grab a map from an info point, and after doing a spot of shopping and having a Parisian hot chocolate at Angelina’s (and yep, it tastes exactly the same as the Paris one!), go and check out the waterfall with the diving men, and the Burj Khalifa outside.
Both of your nights in Dubai are #GoHardOrGoHome situations, let’s be honest here.
Now the next 12 hours of your life are going to be a whirlwind of cocktails, taxis, pools, beaches, and pure indulgence, before you have a few hours sleep and do it all again tomorrow.
12noon: Zero Gravity Beach Club
Depending on what day of the week you’re in Dubai head to Zero Gravity Beach Club in Dubai Marina for a few hours.
This place is awesome. So, so awesome.
Make sure you get changed at the hotel before you get a taxi down there as there’s no need to cover up for the beach club.
Towels are provided, and you can opt to get a sunbed on the beach or a large sun lounger for a group of people by the pool. There’s also free wifi, and a DJ playing all day and night!
I had so much fun at Zero Gravity I actually went two days in a row. The first day we got sunbeds on the beach, which was nice.
But the second day we went hard, and had a large sun lounger by the pool with magnums of Vodka and non-stop food being delivered to us. The benefits of having an expat friend in Dubs who knows all the best places in the City!
3:30pm: Drinks And Swim at Shades
Head across to Shades at The Address hotel in Dubai Marina. It’s just a 5min taxi ride from Zero Gravity, and is the perfect place for a swim and a cocktail before you go back to the hotel and get changed for dinner.
Sadly we didn’t go during the day so couldn’t get any decent photos, but make sure you get a snap in that infinity pool!
I also highly recommend the Strawberry Daiquiris.
6:30pm: Head to Tamoka for dinner
I went to Tamoka inside the Ritz-Carlton JBR on my trip in 2022, and absolutely fell in love with it.
With Latin American party vibes and great food and cocktails, it’s right on the beach and has a stunning outside beach bar as well as the more polished interior.
9pm: One & Only Bar Crawl
After dinner at Tamoka, get a taxi or Uber to Jetty Lounge at One & Only.The One & Only bars were two of my absolute favourites from my 7 night trip to Dubai, they’re glamorous, trendy, and serve delicious cocktails.
9pm: Start by going to Jetty Lounge at One & Only Royal Mirage Dubai
A gorgeous and glamorous bar right on the beach, this is the perfect place for a cocktail or two to get your bar crawl started.
10pm: Get the boat across to 101 Bar One & Only The Palm Dubai
Not only will you get an incredible view over the city from here, but you literally feel as though you’re in another world.
This was my all-time favourite bar in Dubai (I’ve tested out around 20 of them now), so don’t miss it!
11:30pm: Head to Surf Club on The Palm
I promise you won’t regret it.
Book in advance and dress to impress, and make sure there are more girls than guys in your group or an equal mix so you have no issues getting in. 
Day 2 in Dubai
10am: Madinat Jumeirah
Madinet Jumeirah is one of my favourite places in Dubai. It’s a luxury hotel that’s been built in the traditional architectural style, and is a resort set around a river.
There are loads of shops to browse in, cafes and restaurants, and it’s just a nice place to have a wander.
12:30pm: Brunch at Ce La Vi Dubai
Now, get a taxi to Ce La Vi in time for the start of brunch at 12:30. Make sure to book a table in advance!
I went to Ce La Vi for brunch in 2022 and had SO much fun!
It’s such an iconic venue thanks to the infinity pool overlooking the Burj Khalifa, and the brunch is a great, more low-key brunch than others in Dubai.
It’s a bit more relaxed, and the food is probably the best brunch food I’ve had in Dubai.
Read my full review of brunch at Ce La Vi Dubai!
3pm: Drift Beach Club
I finally went to Drift Beach Club in 2023 and loveeeeed it!! It was incredible!
Drift beach club is part of One & Only Royal Mirage, and has an exclusive partnership with Missoni, bringing the iconic Italian fashion house’s renowned style and sophistication to their pool and beach area.
It’s truly beautiful, and I love the view over Dubai from the beach. The pool itself is very photogenic, and it’s just a lovely, relaxed beach club.
Sun loungers cost 150-250 AED depending on the day and what time you arrive. You can also buy VIP cabanas. I highly recommend booking in advance.
7pm: Dinner at Akira Back, Dubai
Akira Back is still one of my favourite restaurants in Dubai. It’s inside the W hotel on The Palm and is glamorous, effortlessly cool, and they serve the most delicious Japanese food.
Check out my full review of Akira Back Dubai!
10pm: Drinks at At.Mosphere at Burj Khalifa
Check the times online before you go as they change every so often. But try and time your drinks at Burj about 20mins after the Dubai Fountain time.
Book a table in advance at the lounge at At.Mosphere – we ate in the lounge and loved it!
11pm: Four Seasons Bar Crawl
Now, after the Burj, get a taxi back to your hotel and have a nightcap in the Mercury Lounge at the Four Seasons and stare in awe at the Burj Khalifa where you’ve just been.
After one or two of their delicious cocktails, stumble across the road to Coya for a Pisco Sour or three in their bar.
Midnight: Head to Provocateur at Four Seasons Resort Jumeirah Beach, this is an awesome club that I absolutely loved!
If you’re a guest of the hotel just tell them on the door and you shouldn’t have any issues getting in.
Also it means you’re just steps away from resting your sleepy head on your bed before your flight the next day.
Day 3 in Dubai
If you have any time left before your flight, spend a lazy morning at the Four Seasons.
Make the most of their epic breakfast buffet, chill out by their beautiful swimming pool, and relax before your next plane journey.
Maybe even squeeze in lunch at the magical Sea Fu if you have time!
Phew, give yourself a high five, you’ve just completed an epic weekend in Dubai!
If you have more than 48 hours, head to Abu Dhabi for a day trip, or visit Deira for the historical side of Dubai.Â
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Catherine Lux is a veteran travel blogger by night and the Head of Content Marketing at Amazon by day. Originally from Surrey, she spent four years living in Australia (2007-2009, and 2016-2018), and now lives in London. An ex-party girl sometimes prone to relapses, she loves nothing more than sharing her fine dining and luxury travel experiences with her loyal readers.
Dubai is massively on my list for a stopover stay one day.
I was pleasantly surprised by Dubai. Some very pretty architecture. Fabulous food. I stayed at the Atlantis on the Palm–very nice.
I have been in Dubai this summer, this is too hot.
Dubai is a place of luxury, money and artificial things.
It is a place you should be there once, for me i will never live there.
You covered quite a lot in 48 hours, very productive! I've only been twice, and for all the flak that Dubai gets (superficial, artificial, etc), I think everyone has to experience this stunning city.
Ah no, I was there for 7 nights 😉 but half the time was spent doing things I haven't included in this, I just whittled it down to my favourite things to do in Dubai 🙂 I did however try 11 bars and clubs in 4 nights, so this itinerary is definitely doable!
Totally agree though, I absolutely loved it and thought it was beautiful!
C x
Summer was probably the wrong time to go as even the locals and expats barely leave their homes during summer as it's too hot. I went in October and it was 37 degrees most days, but I loved it and would love to go back!
C x
I've never really considered going to Dubai, mainly because I'm convinced I'd do something wrong and end up getting arrested! But you've really sold it to me, the food and architecture look incredible xxx
Lucy @ La Lingua | Life, Travel, Italy
I love Dubai, have been there many times and I always love to return. Great suggestions!
Reading all about your party antics have made me equal parts jealous and exhausted – so impressed at how you really made the most of your stopover!
Great post! Fingers crossed that I'll get a chance to experience this one day (:
Camilla | http://cammi.dk
Loving your photos, dear! Starting to miss Dubai just by looking at them! Hope you had a wonderful time there!
https://www.teletextholidays.co.uk/guides/united-arab-emirates/dubai
Dubai is definitely on my list of places to travel to — every time I see pictures of the city or read blog posts about it, it moves up a little higher on the list.
Looks like you had a great time! x
Michelle
dressingwithstyle-s.com