Layover in Dubai... first time... what to do?

[lifesurfer]

I have a 7 hour layover in Dubai. This is my first time in town, and I'd like to tour the city for a bit. Any recommendations? ...good places to see in a hurry, good local/affordable guides that can run me around for a few...

Thanks.

 

[globetrotter]

7 hours is pretty good

I would grab a taxi at the airport and make a deal to spend the day with you. you don't need a guide to see Dubai, but it can be a ***** to catch a taxi, so don't let your taxi go.

1. old city/spice market/gold market - also, catch a ferry across the creek and back
2. mall of the emirates, see teh indoor skiing place
3. burj al arab hotel - 7 star hotel, must be seen
4. Medinat Jumera mall

the last 3 are pretty close to each other. 1. should be done in the morning, or between 5-7 in the evening, the others would be best around 7-9 in the evening, depending on when your layover is.

 

[Julie Sherwood]

boss! dubai is full of good places.
all are special.

 

[Joffrey]

Go skiing and ride a camel

 

[Nugget]

Globetrotter has got it pretty much spot on.

though you should be able to get taxis at 2,3,4 pretty easily.

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by Nugget

Globetrotter has got it pretty much spot on.

though you should be able to get taxis at 2,3,4 pretty easily.

actually, you are pretty much right - the one problem with taxis will be the old city/down town. but you could probrably catch taxis everyplace else without a problem.

 

[Nugget]

a trip to the Red Lion at the metropolitan hotel can be fun to watch the Arabs necking pints, but probably not worthy in a 7 hour trip.

Buddha Bar in the evening is pretty nice too.

 

[merkur]

..

 

[lifesurfer]

Great ideas everyone... thanks!

 

[lifesurfer]

merkur:

Depends on my race, eh?

I'm 1/2 Irish American 1/2 Indian -- so where does the place me?

 

[Nugget]

I'm not convinced the race thing matters that much. yes, the UAE nationals may have some fairly odd views, but who cares? You will barely see any of them anyway.

I just spent 4 months there and spoke to less than a handful of locals.

My only warning would be that the taxi drivers can be a bit on the primitive side to females who appear to be from the developing world (esp. asian, african).