Dubai —
the skyline, the heat and the best ladies night cocktails
In 2019 we stopped in Dubai for two nights on the way home from South Africa — staying on the iconic Marina, doing a city tour that took in the Burj Khalifa skyline, sweating through a pool day in stifling heat and finishing with a ladies night that had half price cocktails. Dubai is extraordinary, expensive and unlike anywhere else on earth. Even two nights gives you a proper taste of it.
Dubai — two nights that packed in more than you'd expect
Dubai was a stopover on the way home from South Africa in 2019 — two nights on the Marina, squeezed in between one adventure and the flight home. It turned out to be a brilliant decision. Even 48 hours in Dubai gives you enough to understand why the city has become one of the most visited destinations on earth.
The Marina was the perfect base — beautifully designed, walkable along the waterfront, with the extraordinary skyline rising on all sides. Staying there gives you an immediate sense of the ambition and scale of what Dubai has built in an extraordinarily short space of time. The Burj Khalifa dominates everything — even from the Marina it is an unmistakable presence on the horizon.
Day one was the city tour. Day two was the pool. The heat on day two was genuinely ferocious — the kind of heat that makes you very happy there is a pool and a sun lounger and coconut water on tap. And then the evening saved everything — ladies night, half price cocktails and a Dubai night out that was brilliant craic. Expensive city, but that one was good value. 😄
The Marina — the best place to base yourself in Dubai
The Dubai Marina is one of the most impressive urban developments in the world — a purpose-built waterfront district of skyscrapers, hotels, restaurants and a beautiful marina walk that stretches along the water. Staying here puts you right in the heart of modern Dubai, with everything within walking distance and the famous JBR beach just minutes away.
The skyline from the Marina at night is extraordinary — towers lit up in every direction, the reflections in the water, the boats and yachts moored along the waterfront. It is one of those cityscapes that you genuinely have to see in person to appreciate the scale of it.
What to see in Dubai — the highlights
The tallest building in the world at 828 metres — visible from everywhere in the city and genuinely awe-inspiring even from the ground. We didn't go up on this visit but the views from the base are extraordinary in themselves. If you have time, booking the observation deck is absolutely worth it.
Dubai Mall — attached to the Burj Khalifa — is one of the largest shopping malls in the world and contains an indoor ice rink, an aquarium and more shops than you could visit in a week. We were tempted but the heat outside made the pool win on day two. Absolutely worth a visit if conditions allow.
The older part of Dubai around the Creek — the Gold Souk, the Spice Souk, the traditional abra water taxis crossing the water — offers a completely different side of the city to the Marina and Downtown. Fascinating and well worth including on any city tour.
One of the most popular Dubai experiences — a desert safari taking you out into the dunes for sandboarding, camel riding, a traditional Bedouin camp dinner and stargazing. We didn't do it on this visit but it is absolutely on the list for next time.
Jumeirah Beach Residence — the beach right beside the Marina — is one of Dubai's most popular and accessible beaches. Clean, well-maintained and with the extraordinary backdrop of the Marina towers behind you.
One of the most architecturally stunning buildings in the world — a torus-shaped structure covered in Arabic calligraphy that houses exhibitions on future technology and innovation. An extraordinary addition to the Dubai skyline.
Ladies night — Dubai's best kept value secret
Dubai is an expensive city — there is no getting around it. Alcohol in particular is heavily taxed and a round of drinks can come as a genuine shock. Which is why ladies night is such a brilliant institution. Most bars and restaurants across the Marina and Downtown offer women heavily discounted or complimentary cocktails on specific nights of the week.
We found ours, got our half price cocktails, had a brilliant evening and felt considerably better about Dubai's price point as a result. If you are visiting Dubai and you are a woman or with women — find out which night is ladies night in your area of the city and plan around it. It makes a significant difference to the bill.
Our honest take on Dubai
Dubai divides opinion — some people love the ambition and glamour of it, others find the artificiality jarring. We found ourselves somewhere in between. The skyline is genuinely extraordinary. The Marina is a great base. The people — a mix of Emiratis, expats from all over the world and tourists — are warm and friendly. The heat in summer is a genuine consideration.
The expense is real. Dubai is not a cheap city and if you want to do it properly — good hotel, meals out, drinks, experiences — the costs add up quickly. Budget carefully. Find the ladies nights. And book the Burj Khalifa observation deck in advance if you can — we regret not going up.
Would we go back? Yes — there is more to see. The desert safari, Abu Dhabi and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Burj Khalifa from the top. Dubai rewards more than two nights if you can give it.
Book a Dubai tour through TourRadar
Dubai combines brilliantly with other Middle East destinations — Abu Dhabi, Oman, Jordan — on a wider UAE and Arabian Peninsula tour. TourRadar has excellent options covering the region.
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Things to do in Dubai — via GetYourGuide
Desert safaris, Burj Khalifa skip-the-line tickets, Dubai Marina cruises, city tours and more:
Disclosure: If you book through these links we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Common questions
Dubai FAQ
What to pack for Dubai
Dubai packing essentials
Dubai means heat, sunshine and some of the most air-conditioned spaces on earth — pack accordingly.
The Dubai sun is fierce — essential for any time spent outdoors, at the beach or the pool.
View on Amazon →The air conditioning in Dubai malls, restaurants and hotels is extremely cold. A light layer is essential — you will sweat outside and freeze inside.
View on Amazon →Staying hydrated in the Dubai heat is essential. Coconut water from the pool bar is also an excellent option. 😄
View on Amazon →Stay connected in the UAE without roaming charges — essential for maps and navigation around the city.
View on Amazon →For visiting souks, mosques and older areas of Dubai, modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is respectful and often required.
View on Amazon →UAE uses Type G plugs — same as the UK, different to Ireland. Don't get caught out on arrival.
View on Amazon →Disclosure: These are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Planning your own Dubai trip?
Book the Burj Khalifa in advance. Find the ladies night. Stay on the Marina. And embrace the heat — the pools are worth it.
Affiliate disclosure: if you book through our links we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.