Meet me in Downtown Dubai

This is day two, second part of your ultimate 3 day itinerary in Dubai.

This itinerary touches on the most famous landmarks and areas of Dubai. What this blog offers different than the other blogs, is that here you will find out about best tricks and tips how to get the best view of Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, take best shots of Burj Al Arab, how to discover hidden gems of historical district in Dubai etc.

The itinerary is focused on three main areas of Dubai, Old Dubai, Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina. Since the city itself is quite spread out, I have divided the itinerary into three days in order for you to avoid spending a lot of money on transport. Also, these landmarks are open throughout the whole year, so you will be able to visit at any time. For other intriguing places that I would suggest, you will find them is separate posts. All three days itinerary start in the afternoon, as it might be quite difficult to accommodate during the hottest hours of the day.

Click below to check out the rest of your ultimate Dubai itinerary

Day 1 Discover magic streets of Dubai, where it all started

Day 2 Meet me in Downtown Dubai

Day 3 Dubai Marina

Map link: <iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/embed?mid=1l8hn0MvMvfxp-fNuDP2zMISyucJjz-XY" width="640" height="480"></iframe>

*If you are happen to be in UAE during winter months, November- March, walking outside still may be possible without you fainting on the street. However, if you are there in any other months, your visit to the landmarks might be limited. Therefore, for your second day I have included Flamingo watching, if you are there during winter months, if not, just start your day at any of the beaches and then start exploring in the afternoon.

Experience the real thrill of wild Flamingos

15:00-15:45

About

Ros Al Khor Wildlife Santuary is a wetland located at the head of the 14 km long watercourse known as Dubai Creek, and covers an area of 620 hectares featuring saline flats, inter tidal mudflats and mangroves, small lagoons and pools. The Sanctuary is a protected bird sanctuary that’s home to over 20,000 water birds and over 500 species of flora and fauna.

Flamingo hide 2, is the most popular one and this is place where you can find flamingos roosting and coexisting with other birds. You may also spot the largest species flamingo in the world, the Greater flamingo enjoying the delicious queen fish or the meter-long milk fish. If you are lucky, during summer you might be able to see over 400 species of birds chasing their fish. Some precious rare birds can be spotted here such as the Lesser Spotted Eagle Red-crested Pochard, Pied Kingfisher, and many more.

Opening hour 09:00-16:00 Saturday to Thursday

Admission: Free

Tips and tricks***

Save on your map Ras Al Khor Flamingo Viewing Deck Park, as most probably your taxi driver will not know where to take you. Feeding times are around 09:30 and 15:00.

Note that hides are fenced and except from the set routes, any other kind of entrance into the sanctuary is prohibited by law.

If you are visiting as a part of group or media member, you will need a permit to enter which can be obtain by registering on this website https://www.dm.gov.ae/

More info: http://wildlife-ae.herokuapp.com/en/visit/visitation.php

Dubai Mall

16:00-17:00 10.5 km, 14 min drive from Ras Al Khor Sanctuary

In order to cool down from your outdoor hot experience, you will be moving to Burj Khalifa area. This is also a place where you will be able to see Dubai Opera, Dubai mall and Souk Al Bahar, traditional but also modern residential and tourist area.

About

Dubai mall is the largest mall in the UAE, and one of the top 10 largest in the world. You will find shops and brands from all around the world, however if there are no sales, I would pretty much advise you to refrain from spending any money, because prices tend to be higher than in other places.

Apart from myriad of shops, Dubai mall offers a lot of entertainment ideas, ice skating, you may drive the biggest plane on earth Emirates A380, for adrenaline seekers there is a Hysteria room to experience the first hunted attraction in the region, Dubai Aquarium and much more.

More info: https://thedubaimall.com/en/entertain

What is there to see for free in Dubai Mall

I would suggest simple walk through the Fashion Avenue on Ground floor for few pics under the white butterfly sky, which is located in one of the passing next to the Fauchon Café and Armani Café. Then proceed to the 24 meter tall Waterfall with falling human sculptures. The waterfall uses recycled water and the lights from walls around and illuminated skylight makes the experience even more appealing. End your visit by walking to the Aquarium. You don’t have to plan a visit inside; you may simply walk next to it.

Best spot to see waterfall and wild marine animals for free

If you are not going for the tour inside the Aquarium, then you can simply pop up to the top floor where you will have the best view of Aquarium animals and there are not many people that know this spot, so it would be a good place for great shots.

The Aquarium stretches from the Ground until the top floor of the mall, and from outside you may spot numerous species of fish, including sharks, stingrays through the glass wall. The Aquarium itself is a home to 33 000 marine animals, including 300 sharks. There are many ways of exploring the Aquarium including King Croc, ray and shark encounter, ticket fares start from 90aed.

Opening hours: 10:00-02:00

More info: https://tickets.thedubaiaquarium.com/index.php?lang=en

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Burj Khalifa

17:00-19:30

About

Burj Khalifa named after Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nayan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of UAE, is the tallest tower-“burj” in Arabic, until Saudi Arabia by its promise will build 2,716 feet/828m tall skyscraper. This building was a part of a project to build Downtown Dubai and it took 22 million man hours to build the tower. It houses the first Armani hotel, At.mosphere restaurant the world’s tallest restaurant located at the 122 floor, also offices and residences.

How and when to book your tickets for Burj Khalifa

If you arrive around this time, late in the afternoon, and want to visit the top of Burj Khalifa remember that it will be the best to book your visit in advance, because your ticket at the counter will cost more. Bear in mind that booking your ticket for a visit after 15:00, also increases your ticket fare. At the moment ticket fee is starting from 135aed. The website offers different combination ticket where you can include Aquarium or some other exciting sites. On a clear day, the view from the observation deck on level 124 is absolutely stunning, however if you happen to be there after the sandstorm, or just during the period of fog which can take for days, you might not be able to enjoy the visit.

The visit at the top of the Burj Khalifa will certainly include the tour that will explain to you the whole story about its construction. However, if you simply want to enjoy the view of Dubai from that high up, you may want to book a table at At.mospehere restaurant. The restaurant requires booking in advance and on certain hours, there is a minimum spend, but from 23.30-02.00 there is no minimum charge and window tables will be subject to availability at the moment of entry.

Opening hours: 08:00-23:00 daily

To book a visit to Burj Khalifa: https://tickets.atthetop.ae/atthetop/en-us?_ga=2.5515312.2043380768.1538661274-864714807.1537381333

At.mosphere restaurant: http://www.atmosphereburjkhalifa.com/

Burj Khalifa for free

If you are simply happy with observing this majestic building from the outside, you may walk through the shopping mall, exit and cross the bridge over to Souk Al Bahar, take a right and walk next to the fountain pool turn left and settle in Shakespeare and Co and have dinner there. This medieval designed restaurant offers a lot of Western and modern Arabic style food items for affordable price, and it is a place from where you can take a perfect shot of Burj Khalifa in its full size if you are only having your phone camera with you.

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Dubai Fountain

About

After finishing your dinner and taking shots, prepare for a sensational performance of Dubai Fountain.

There are two shows in the afternoon (13.00 and 13:30), except on Fridays (1:30 and to 14.00). The evening display begins at sundown at 18.00 and takes place every 30 minutes until the final song plays at 23.00. On every hour,an Arabic song is played, and on every half hour, there is an English song. Song lasts just for couple of minutes so try to save a good spot on time for watching and taking pics.

Tips and tricks* Best place to take pictures of Dubai Fountain**

I would recommend the Souk Al Bahar side, or the Observation deck which is located after passing the Dubai Opera. There are usually too many people at the bridge or just in front of the mall, so be prepared before time. There is also an option for you to observe all of it from a floating floor inside the fountain. For that experience, you would have to pay 20aed, and for free you will have the possibility to get splashed by the fountain.

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Dubai Opera

Unless you have planned to take a tour inside Dubai opera, or you have already purchased a ticket to see one of the performances, you might as well just go in and see its interior. The guards will tell you exactly where you can take best pictures.

Tips and Tricks***

There are two kinds of Dubai opera tours: Backstage experience and it lasts around one hour, while there is An Exclusive Backstage Experience that happens only once a month 4 times a day.

Admission fee: Free to enter for the view of the interior,

Backstage tour: 75aed, Exclusive Backstage tour: 175aed which includes a cup of tea or coffee.

To book: tours@dubaiopera.com

https://dubaiopera.etixdubai.com/shows/show.aspx?sh=TOURSUMB

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