For us, we were on our way to Norway and decided to spend a few extra hours exploring beyond the Dubai airport. For us, it was like preparation for our trip, and it turned out to be an epic stopover experience! Why take a vacation when you can have two?
So, if you have the opportunity to visit Dubai next time, here’s what you can do in less than 48 hours
Pre-trip Essentials
Flights: Dubai is about 7-8 hours away from Singapore, so take a midnight flight and get a good night’s sleep. We took the 1:20am Emirates flight, arriving in Dubai at 4:50am (Dubai time), just in time for sunrise. Check out our full review of the Emirates experience!
3G SIM card: Stay connected by pre-booking your SIM card and picking it up on arrival at Dubai airport. SIM card packages range from 200MB to 3GB and are valid for 1 month so you can still use it on your return.
Best time to visit: November to March are the most popular months to visit Dubai, as the average daytime temperature is around 25°C and the average nighttime temperature is a pleasant 16°C. Summer temperatures between April and October can reach 50°C, but if you’re nearby at this time, you’ll find accommodation much cheaper and the tourist attractions much emptier.
Round-trip flights to Dubai start at S$580.
Day 1: Modern Dubai
*Walk around: Buy a 1-day pass at a metro station for 22 dirhams (about S$7). This gives you unlimited rides on the metro (across all zones), buses and trams.
9:45am: Visit Jumeirah Mosque
This mosque, built in 1976, is one of the most photographed mosques in Dubai, with a blend of Egyptian and Syrian origins. Operated by the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU), Jumeirah Mosque is the only mosque in the country that openly welcomes non-Muslims into its compound.
The daily tours, which begin at 10 a.m., are among the most impressive religious tours I’ve ever encountered. From covering traditional aspects to interesting anecdotes, it was a 75-minute educational tour.
What I found most meaningful was that the sessions were conducted entirely by a British woman who was not actually born into the religion. Her wit and openness in sharing her experiences and answering questions ranging from the stereotypical to the personal kept the entire hall full of non-Muslim audience engaged and interested throughout the session.
Cost: Tour fee: Dhs25 (approx. S$9) Open
Time: Arrive around 9:45am for the tour
How to get there: Take the Red Line to ADCB station, then take the C10 bus, take 6 stops to Dhiyafa 1, then walk 650 meters. Alternatively, take a local cab from ADCB subway station (approximately AED15-20)
*Men and women need to dress appropriately, but you can borrow traditional dress and headscarves.
Aside from the dining and shopping, the most striking feature is the 10 million liter aquarium located on the ground floor of the mall. You can pay to enter the tunnel to explore the underwater zoo, but just staring at the two-story tank from the outside was enough to fascinate us as much as the kids next to us.
With a huge variety of marine life, you can find all kinds of sharks, stingrays and fish. If you have a PADI license, you can even sign up for one of their fun specialty dives.
