Dubai: city days & seaside stays

What you can do

• Book Burj Khalifa At The Top for late afternoon and stay for the fountain show
• Cross Dubai Creek on an abra for one dirham and walk the gold and spice souks
• Spend one beach day at JBR or Kite Beach, and one water park day at Aquaventure
• See Old Dubai properly: Al Fahidi district, the Coffee Museum and a Emirati breakfast

Food to try

Dubai eats the world. For local flavour try Arabian Tea House in Al Fahidi, Al Fanar for Emirati classics, and Ravi or Bu Qtair for cheap plates that residents queue for. Everything mainstream is halal.

Culture & customs

The city is relaxed but the rules are real: swimwear at the beach and pool only, no public affection, no drinking outside licensed venues. During Ramadan, eating in public during daylight is avoided out of respect.