Dubai In 6D5N: The Perfect Itinerary For Your Emirati Getaway

[Updated 25 Feb 2020]

Before the HHWT team (myself, Suzana and Ridhwan) recently travelled to Dubai, none of us had visited Dubai or the United Arab Emirates before. To be honest, we didn’t know much about Dubai, other than the fact it’s home to the tallest building in the world (the Burj Khalifa) as well as a popular transit destination via its flagship airline Emirates.

Credit: Giphy

Well, after spending almost a week in this city, to say it’s an eye-opening experience is an understatement! We managed to explore various facets of this intriguing city that let us peek into its culture and people, its fascinating history and its gloriously modern present. And we’ve come up with the perfect 6D5N itinerary for you to discover it for yourself!

Travelling to Dubai

We flew to Dubai on Emirates, which was a wonderful experience! Emirates currently flies 28 times weekly between Singapore and Dubai. Our flight departed on 9.40am on a Thursday morning and took 7 hours and 20 minutes, and we landed in Dubai International Aiport (Terminal 3) on schedule at 1pm.

Getting through Dubai Airport was a relatively fuss-free experience. While the queue to get through immigration was pretty long, it moved at a steady pace and we were able to get through in about half an hour. After picking up our luggage, we were ready to start exploring the city!

Day 1 -  Arrival, check-in to your hotel, Dubai Old City

Arrive in Dubai and pick-up your travel essentials (1 hour)

• We had booked 4G data SIM cards ahead of our trip on Klook, which was conveniently ready for pick-up at the airport upon our arrival! You can choose from different packages available that vary in data amount (between 750MB all the way to 6GB), with a validity of 30 days for all SIM cards, so choose the plan that meets your needs ?

• To pick-up your sim card, head to the BookmyWifi kiosk - after getting your luggage, head left after exiting customs and walk until you see the Atlantis Hotel kiosk. Turn left, and you’ll see the BookmyWifi kiosk located along a row of other travel and hotel kiosks. You’ll need your passport and your Klook booking confirmation to pick up your SIM card.
• The kiosk may be a bit crowded, but the friendly staff will help to install the SIM card on your phone in no time. Now you’re all set to begin your adventure!

Airport transfer to hotel for check-in (30 minutes)

• We had also booked an airport transfer ahead of time on Klook. This was super helpful because our driver was already waiting for us when we arrived, meaning we could skip queues taxis and get our adventure started straight away!
• A representative was waiting for us in the arrivals area (just after we exited through customs) holding up a sign with our name on it. Once we went up to him, he contacted our driver and led us to the pick-up area outside, where our driver drove up to meet us.
• We were picked up in a Toyota Previa, which was super spacious and made for a comfortable ride straight to our hotel. It’s a great option if you’re travelling with your family too! Fun fact: did you know that in Dubai vehicles are left-hand drive?

Check-in to your hotel (45 minutes)

• We stayed in Sofitel Downtown Dubai during our stay. This 5-star hotel is located in the heart of Downtown Dubai, which was super convenient - besides having a metro station (Dubai Mall station) right next to it, it's also within walking distance (via a covered walkway from Dubai Mall station) to Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa.

#HHWT Tip: The covered walkway is air-conditioned, with travellators. Using the walkway, it takes about 15 minutes to get to Dubai Mall.

• The rooms at Sofitel Downtown Dubai are wonderfully spacious, and we could even partially see the Burj Khalifa from our window! Besides having free Wi-Fi, the rooms come with a Bose sound system, an iron and ironing board and signage showing the direction of the qiblah.
• After checking in, you can drop off your luggage and perform your prayers before going off to explore!

Head to Old Dubai to explore Dubai’s historical routes (25 minutes)

• Old Dubai is a historic part of town located by Dubai Creek which used to function as an important centre for all the trade and business activities in Dubai. Today, Old Dubai is still filled with many historic buildings and traditional markets (or souks) that cater to both locals and tourists.
• You can get to Old Dubai via metro from Sofitel Downtown Dubai. Walk to the Dubai Mall station - head left once you exit the hotel, you’ll see the station and the escalators leading up to the station on your right.
• Head to Al Ras station - this will require travelling five stops to Burjuman and switching from the Red line to the Green line, before travelling another three stops to Al Ras.

#HHWT Tip: To ride the metro, we purchased the Red NOL card, a paper ticket which costs AED2 and can be topped up with the amount needed to travel to where you’re headed. Metro fees depend on the distance you travel based on zones as well the number of trips you make. For our trip to Al Ras, it cost us AED8 per person (including the purchase of the Red NOL card).

Marvel at the jewellery in the Gold Souk (30 minutes)

• Walk from the Al Ras station (take the right exit after going through the gantries) to the Gold Souk, about a 5 to 10-minute walk.

#HHWT Tip: At the time we visited, the roads surrounding Al Ras station were undergoing construction and there wasn’t much signage that clearly indicated which way to walk to get to the Gold Souk. However there will likely be plenty of tourists heading that way, so you can follow the crowd ? Alternatively, just ask the locals there - English is widely spoken in Dubai, so it shouldn’t be a problem getting directions.

• The Gold Souk in Dubai is a traditional-style market famous for selling, you guessed it, gold products. The market comprises hundreds of stores selling jewellery ranging from gold and silver to other precious stones and metals.
• Even if you’re not looking to splurge on some gold, the market is still a sight to behold!

#HHWT Tip: As you walk through the souk, you may get approached by store attendants inviting you into their store. If you’re not interested, give a polite (but firm!) no and walk on.

Shop for abayas among locals at Naif Souk (1 hour)

• Naif Souk is a marketplace located in a large building selling clothing, jewellery, and electronics, among other things. It’s a great spot to buy abayas, the robe-like garment worn by women in Dubai and many parts of the Arab world.
• While the Gold Souk had a fair share of tourist visitors, Naif Souk is mostly patronized by locals. Immerse in Dubai culture and watch locals go about their shopping. While we were there we saw mothers and daughters browsing through abayas and scarves, older customers sitting on stools as they looked at products, and sellers walking around carrying trays with food to sell to shoppers.

• Pick up an abaya (or two!) - Suzana couldn’t resist the pretty abayas and bought one (it cost her AED120). Don’t forget to bargain for a better deal when shopping here!

See the amazing sights and sounds of Grand Souq Deira (45 minutes)

• Next stop: Grand Souq Deira (also known as the Spice Souk), about a 15-minute walk away from Naif Souk. Be wowed by the colourful displays of every type of spice imaginable. There are also stalls selling lamps, textiles, plates, and other food items.

• It’s a great place to pick up souvenirs - we bought a variety of nuts (about AED25 - 50 per kilo) and chocolate-coated dates while we were there.

#HHWT Tip: Similar to the Gold Souk, the stall attendants can often be insistent - when we visited, we had to firmly decline many store owners calling at us. Ridhwan even had to deal with sellers draping scarves on him in an attempt to get him to come to their stall. It may be advisable to visit the souk with a friend rather than going alone.

Ride an abra across Dubai Creek (15 minutes)

• Ride on an abra (a traditional boat) across Dubai Creek. These traditional water-taxis have been plying passengers across the creek for centuries and remain an important (and cheap!) way to get between the Bur Dubai and Deira areas in Old Dubai.
• Board the abra from Deira Old Souk (a short walk away from the Spice Souk). There’s no formal ticketing system - just get on an available abra at the dock and the driver will collect payment in cash (AED1 per person) before departing for Bur Dubai.
• The ride is a short one, about 10 minutes, but it’s a great way to travel along the creek and see the historic buildings along the waterway.

Learn about Dubai’s origins at Dubai Museum (1 hour)

• Once you cross the creek and get off at Bur Dubai, stroll towards Dubai Museum, which is about a 10-minute walk away. Walk through Bur Dubai Souk to see more shops and stalls (we came across a lamp store that reminded us of Istanbul!).
• Dubai Museum is located close to the Grand Bur Dubai Mosque within the historic Al Fahidi area and is housed in the Al Fahidi Fort, one of the oldest existing buildings in Dubai!

• Learn more about Dubai’s humble origins via the museum displays (did you know the city actually started off as a village of fishermen and pearl divers? ?).

Admission fee: AED3 (per adult), AED1 (per child)

Opening hours: Sun - Thu (8.30am - 8.30pm); Fri (2.30pm - 8.30pm)

Address: Opp. Grand Mosque, Al Fahidi St, Dubai

#HHWT Tip: If you don’t feel like navigating through Old Dubai on your own or would like a local guide to help you explore Old Dubai in more depth, you could opt for a walking tour available on Klook of Old Dubai and the souks! The tour covers the Gold Souk, the abra ride across Dubai Creek, the Al Fahidi Houses, the Coffee Museum as well as the Dubai Museum and takes about two hours (though to note, the tour commences at 10 am and it does not include Naif Souk).

Have dinner before and head back to the hotel

• Wrap up your day with dinner before heading back to the hotel.

• There are a number of casual eateries within the Al Fahidi Area (including the popular Arabian Tea House). We ended up grabbing a quick bite (no pun intended! ?) at Tasty Bite, a small shop selling falafel, gyros, shawarma and similar fare. They have set meals that cost between AED20 – 30, which were great value for money given the generous portions. We enjoyed the chicken shawarma set that we shared (though be warned: the pickled vegetables that come alongside are quite sour!).

Opening hours: 8am – 1am daily

Address: Al Fahidi Street (Opposite Dubai Nova Hotel), Meena Bazar, Dubai

• After eating, head back to the hotel and get a good night’s rest!

Day 2 - Burj Khalifa, Dubai Aquarium, Evening Desert Excursion

Admire morning views of the city atop the highest building in the world (1 hour)

• At The Top Burj Khalifa is the observation deck located on the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa, which is currently the tallest building in the world at a height of 830m.

• Book your tickets for At The Top Burj Khalifa in advance with Klook - we opted for a combo ticket that gave us access to At The Top Burj Khalifa, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Booking through Klook is cheaper than buying At The Top tickets through other avenues and the combo with Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is cheaper than buying the tickets separately. When booking your ticket you’ll have to select from the available time slots to visit At The Top (we recommend going early in the day to avoid crowds!).

• The entrance for At The Top Burj Khalifa is located in Dubai Mall (on the Lower Ground floor), where you’ll enter and head up to the observation deck on the 124th floor to enjoy the amazing views of the city.

#HHWT Tip: Once you book through Klook you’ll be issued a confirmation voucher. You’ll still need to queue up at the ticket counter to exchange the voucher for your actual tickets, but we found it to be a fast and easy process. Keep your ticket as you’ll need it to enter Dubai Aquarium and the Underwater Zoo!

Marvel at the water creatures in Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

• Dubai Aquarium is the world’s largest indoor aquarium housing up to 10 million litres of water and more than 33,000 aquatic animals including sharks and manta rays.
• Walk through the underwater tunnel that runs through the length of the aquarium, which lets you see sharks and other sea creatures swim above and around you.

#HHWT Tip: We visited the aquarium around 9.30am on a weekday and the aquarium was empty, making it a great opportunity to take photos!

• Once you walk through Dubai Aquarium (located on the Ground floor of Dubai Mall), head up to the Underwater Zoo (located on level 2). Explore the thoughtfully curated collection of animals, including the giant crocodile, penguins, and cute otters.

Have lunch at Shake Shack Dubai Mall (45 minutes)

• Refuel for lunch at popular American burger joint Shake Shack. This New York-based eatery has six outlets in Dubai, and given that they are halal, it would be a shame not to dine there!
• The outlet in Dubai Mall is located at Level 1, close to The Waterfalls art installation.
• Check out a full review of what we ate at Shack Shack here. If burgers aren’t your thing, you’ll be sure to find another eatery within Dubai Mall that’ll be up your alley!

Head back to the hotel

• After lunch, walk back to your hotel, where you can pray and have a quick breather before your next activity.
• Don’t worry, you’ll have more time to explore the massive Dubai Mall in the next couple of days! ?

Evening desert excursion (7 hours)

• While Dubai is known for its towering skyscrapers, we can’t forget that this city sits within the desert sands and a visit to the desert is a must. We booked an evening desert safari with Klook which not only came with a BBQ dinner but even provided pick-up and drop-off directly at our hotel.

• Start your excursion off with dune-bashing (where you careen over sand dunes in a 4X4 vehicle), which was surprisingly more thrilling than we expected it to be! After that, go for a camel ride or pet a falcon. We also opted for the package on Klook that includes quad-biking.

#HHWT Tip: It can get pretty bumpy in the vehicle during the dune-bashing, so we recommend taking motion sickness pills ahead of time.

• After the activities, we had some free time to admire the awesome sunset views in the desert.

• Eat a BBQ dinner served buffet-style at the campsite under the stars. Our buffet spread had barbecued chicken and meat, rice, fried noodles, hummus, pita bread, and salads. We enjoyed piling up our plate with the food available (though to note, the barbecued meats were portioned out and we could only have one serving per person!).

• Top the evening off with entertainment including traditional dances and a fire show.

Head back to the hotel

• After a full and exciting day, it’s time to head back to the hotel and get some rest for the night! Thankfully, the safari booked with Klook includes a drop-off directly back to your hotel.

Day 3 - Atlantis Aquaventure Water Park, MOTIONGATE

Have a splashing good time at Atlantis Aquaventure Water Park (4 - 5 hours)

• Take a taxi from your hotel to Atlantis Aquanventure Water Park, which is about half an hour drive away (it cost about AED50 from Sofitel Downtown Dubai).
• Book your tickets to the water park on Klook to save on the entrance fee! You can get a full day pass + The Lost Chambers aquarium combo ticket at up to SGD20 off the retail price, depending on when you book. You will still need to redeem your Klook voucher at the ticket counter to get your tickets, however, there are special counters for pre-purchase admissions to do this (which didn’t have any queues when we arrived!).

#HHWT Tip: You should also purchase your locker rental at the counter if you plan to store items while you’re in the park. There are small and large lockers (which are located in the changing rooms) available at AED45 and AED75 respectively.

• The park offers fun for everyone! For the adrenaline junkies, don’t miss rides like Poseidon’s Revenge and The Leap Of Faith. For something more mellow, ride a float along the river rapids or relax at the private beach.

• There is also a dedicated kids play area (Splashers Island) that is only open to families

#HHWT Tip: Bring your own towel, as the towels at the park have to be rented.

Admission fee: Starts from AED320 for adults and AED260 for kids (Book on Klook!)

Opening Hours: 10am - 6pm daily

Address: Atlantis The Palm, Crescent Rd, Dubai

Have lunch at The Burger Joint (1 hour)

• After you’re done at Aquaventure, refuel for lunch at The Burger Joint located at the Shopping Avenues of Atlantis The Palm (near the main entrance of Aquaventure).
• The restaurant is a bit pricey (it cost about AED80 - 100 per person for a burger, fries and a drink), but the serving sizes are pretty generous.

See your favourite movies come to life at MOTIONGATE, Dubai Parks & Resorts (4 - 5 hours)

• Did we mention that we’re not going to one, but TWO theme parks today? Given that Dubai is home to so many of them, we wanted to maximise our time and squeeze in a visit to Dubai Parks and Resorts (though please note that for families, it may make more sense to stick to one park in a day for ease of planning and coordination!).
• Grab a taxi from Atlantis The Palm and head over to Dubai Parks and Resorts (about half an hour drive away).

• Dubai Parks And Resorts is one of Dubai’s most popular theme parks and is actually home to four separate parks: MOTIONGATE, BOLLYWOOD PARKS Dubai, LEGOLAND Dubai and LEGOLAND Water Park.
• Book your tickets on Klook to skip the queues! You can opt for a ticket to visit one park in a day or up to two parks in a day. Print out your tickets ahead of time and just scan your barcode at the gantry to enter into the park.
• We visited MOTIONGATE, a Hollywood-inspired park with rides featuring DreamWorks Animations, Columbia Pictures, Lionsgate, and The Smurfs.

• Hunger Games fans will love the Capitol Bullet Train rollercoaster (in the Lionsgate zone) and a section where the train goes backwards up a vertical track.

• Don’t miss out on other fun rides such as The Green Hornet: High-Speed Chase rollercoaster and the Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs: River Expedition (both in the Columbia Pictures Zone)
• The DreamWorks zone is also a must-visit: go on rides featuring much-loved characters like Po from Kung Fu Panda and Shrek.

#HHWT Tip: Don’t forget to check the timings for meet and greets with characters such as the penguins from Madagascar! Get a park map at the entrance and scan the QR code to get the latest schedule for meet and greets.

Admission fee: Starts from AED245 (Book on Klook!)

Opening Hours: 12pm - 9pm daily

Address: Dubai Parks and Resorts, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Dubai

Have dinner at Riverland, Dubai Parks and Resorts (1 hour)

• After a full day out you’ll want a good hearty dinner. And while there are eateries in MOTIONGATE, why not explore restaurants in Riverland? Riverland is a food and shopping street that runs through Dubai Park and Resorts and connects to all the four parks.
• Riverland has areas decorated according to different themes (including a French village, 1950s America, and India) which are brightly lit at night. There are a number of restaurants available, including international chains such as Starbucks, Super Chix, Tortilla, and good old McDonald’s.

• We ate at Famous Dave’s, an American barbecue chain serving up delicious Tex-Mex dishes. We really enjoyed the beef brisket – it was super tender and flavourful!

Head back to the hotel for a good night’s rest

• Once your tummy is filled, get a taxi back to your hotel and rest well!

Day 4 - Day trip to Abu Dhabi

Get picked up from hotel and head to Abu Dhabi (1.5 hours)

• We booked a day trip to see nearby Abu Dhabi on Klook! This full-day tour includes a convenient pick-up from the hotel. Our driver met us in the lobby at 8.30am and we got onto a comfortable mini-bus. We picked up a few more tour group members (there were about 15 of us altogether) and then we were on our way!

• The drive to Abu Dhabi takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. Our guide was very knowledgeable and shared fascinating facts about Dubai and Abu Dhabi with us along the way. Did you know that UAE residents don’t pay tax, and the majority of the population are migrants?

Visit the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (2 hours)

• The mosque is Abu Dhabi’s most iconic landmark and is named in honour of Sheikh Zayed Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father and first president of the UAE.

• Marvel at the mosque’s beauty, with a structure comprising 82 domes and over 1,000 columns which can accommodate up to 41,000 worshippers. The mosque is home to the largest chandelier and hand-woven carpet in the world and is also the resting place of Sheikh Zayed, who passed away in 2004.
• Please note that there is a strict dress code for visitors to the mosque. Women are required to wear loose-fitting clothing that covers up to the ankles as well as a head covering. Our tour helpfully provided abayas for the ladies in our group that did not meet the dress requirements.

#HHWT Tip: As the mosque complex is very large and there are specific rules for visitors, be sure to listen to your tour guide and follow his instructions! If you visit Abu Dhabi in the warmer months it can get very hot with the mosque reflecting the sunlight, so apply sunblock and bring your sunglasses!

See the architectural beauty and art  of the Louvre Abu Dhabi

• After seeing the mosque, it’s time to head over to the Louvre Abu Dhabi. This art and civilisation museum is the largest in the UAE and houses a collection of art pieces and artefacts.
• This portion of the tour is free and easy and you will be given a couple of hours to explore the museum at your leisure.

• The Louvre Abu Dhabi’s appeal lies not only in its collection but also the museum architecture itself. This unique structure was inspired by sunlight shining through palm tree leaves and has a beautiful interior with light peeking through the roof.

• Fun fact: the museum is named after the original Louvre in Paris. Abu Dhabi reportedly paid the French government nearly half a million euros for the rights to use the name, along with some art pieces on loan from its namesake museum ?

#HHWT Tip: Lunch is not provided during the tour, so do have a meal at the museum. There’s a restaurant available, though if you want to maximise your time exploring the museum, you can grab a quick sandwich at the adjacent sandwich and coffee bar.

Admission fee: AED63  for adults, AED31.50 for children aged 13 -22 (included in the tour booked on Klook!)

Opening Hours: Sat, Sun, Tue, Wed (10am - 8pm); Thu - Fri (10am - 10pm). Closed on Mon

Address: Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi

Head back to the hotel after the tour (1.5 hours)

• Once you wrap up at the museum, your tour will head back to Dubai up and you’ll be dropped off back at your hotel, which would be sometime in the evening (about 5 - 6pm).

See the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall area by night (1.5 -  2 hours)

• The night is still young and it’s the perfect opportunity to properly explore Dubai Mall and its surrounds!

• Walk over to Dubai Mall via the covered walkway and explore the mall more thoroughly this time around. Dubai Mall is one of the largest malls in the world, so navigating it can get a bit tricky - we recommend downloading the Dubai Mall app on your phone, so it’s easier to find where you want to go! The app will even provide step-by-step directions using GPS to guide you to your intended destination within the mall!
• Some of the highlights we saw at the mall include American brands such as Bloomingdales, French department store Galeries Lafayette and a vast array of international eateries.

#HHWT Tip: If you’re a makeup fan don’t forget to check out the Sephora - it has a large counter dedicated to homegrown makeup sensation Huda Beauty! We also bought dates from popular local brand Bateel which sells a variety of premium dates. They’re more expensive than supermarket dates (a kilo of plain dates at Bateel cost at least AED100), but they’re so delicious! We especially loved the stuffed dates - dates filled with nuts such as pecans and cashews ?

Have a dim sum dinner at Din Tai Fung (1 hour)

• Take a break from the window-shopping to have dinner! You have a plethora of eateries to choose from at Dubai Mall, be we couldn’t miss the opportunity to eat at Din Tai Fung given that it’s super rare to find a halal outlet of this popular Taiwanese eatery!

• Savour the restaurant’s famous xiaolongbao (steamed dumplings). We also got some fried rice and braised beef noodles! It made for a tasty and satisfying meal, costing on average about AED80 per person.

Catch the Burj Khalifa light display and the Dubai Mall fountain show (0.5 hours)

• After dinner, take a stroll at the fountain area outside of Dubai Mall. The area can get pretty crowded with visitors, shoppers, and tourists, but it makes for a festive atmosphere that’s great to soak in.

• We were pleasantly surprised when we saw a light show display on the Burj Khalifa. This 2-3 minute display was an amazing show of light and sound with the tower as the screen, brilliantly illuminating the night.

• Don’t miss the famous fountain show too! Dubai Mall has the world’s largest choreographed fountain system, and shows happen every half-an-hour from 6pm to 11pm daily (there are also daytime shows on select days - see the full schedule here).

Head back to the hotel for a well-earned night’s rest

• After the night out, head back to the hotel for the night.

Day 5 - Jumeirah Mosque, La Mer, IMG Worlds of Adventure

Take a guided tour of Jumeirah Mosque (1.5 hours)

• Take a guided tour of one of the most popular mosques in Dubai. The tour is provided by the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU), a non-profit organisation in Dubai that aims to promote awareness of Emirati culture in Dubai.

• Before the tour starts, taste local delicacies like lugaimat (which is like an Arab version of a doughnut) and chabab (pancake made with spices like cardamom and saffron), along with Arabic coffee.

• Our guide Mr Rashid gave an interesting talk about Emirati culture and religious practices, including a demonstration of taking ablution. We particularly enjoyed learning more about Emirati clothing  - did you know that the black band worn by Emirati men on their head over their scarves was traditionally a piece of rope that would be used to secure camels?

#HHWT Tip: Women are required to dress modestly (including headscarf) when entering the mosque during the tour. There are abayas and scarves available to borrow.

Admission fee: AED25 per person. No advance booking is necessary.

Tour Hours: 10am and 2pm daily except for Friday (please show up 15 - 30 minutes earlier to register at the Majlis building next to the Mosque and enjoy local refreshments).

Address: Jumeirah Mosque, Dubai

Explore the trendy seaside hangout spot La Mer (30 - 45 minutes)

• After the tour, walk over to nearby Jumeirah Beach, where you’ll find La Mer, a trendy beachside development filled with shops and eateries that has become a popular hangout spot.

• Besides having facilities for beachgoers (such as changing rooms and cabanas), there is also a playground area, art installations, restaurants, shops and even a waterpark located at the far end of La Mer.
• When we visited, it was late morning and beach was mostly filled with tourists enjoying the sea - we hear the area is a lot more happening at night when people come to eat and chill in the area.

Have an early lunch at Five Guys La Mer (1 hour)

• Have lunch at La Mer at one of the several eateries available - we went with Five Guys, the popular American burger place.

• We got burgers that came with a huge serving of fries. We liked the fact that we could customise our burgers with the available toppings and enjoyed the tender beef patty.
• There are prayer facilities available at La Mer (located near the Seven Friday and Beach Bunny stores).

Opening hours: 10am - 1am

Address: La Mer, Unit 611 A Jumeirah

Have fun at the largest indoor theme park in the world (3 - 4 hours)

• After lunch, grab a taxi from La Mer and head to IMG Worlds of Adventure (approximately half an hour away) for an afternoon of fun! This theme park is fully indoors (with the exception of The Velociraptor rollercoaster whose tracks extend outside the park building), so you won’t have to worry about the heat ?

#HHWT Tip: IMG also has shuttle bus services available to and from select hotels in Dubai (see the list of hotels here).

• Book your tickets on Klook and skip the queues at the ticket counter! Make sure to print out your tickets ahead of time and just scan the barcode at the entrance.

• The park is perfect for those who are into Cartoon Network and Marvel, because it has rides featuring characters from both! The Marvel Zone had several rides featuring icons from The Avengers, while the Cartoon Network Zone was a blast from the past, with rides featuring the Powerpuff Girls as well as Ben10.

• Don’t forget to check the timings for meet and greets with your favourite characters like Ironman!
• For thrill-seekers, The Velociraptor ride in the Lost Valley section is a must-try.
• Overall, we found that this park would probably be a great place for families given the good mix of rides and attractions catering to young children. Plus, given that the entire park is indoors, it’s a good option especially in the summer as you can avoid the heat!

Admission fee: AED285 per person (Book on Klook!)

Opening Hours: 11am - 10pm on weekdays, 11am - 11pm on weekends (hour may be subject to change, check the IMG website ahead of your visit for latest hours)

Address: E311, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Rd, Dubai

Have a night out at Global Village (available only from end-Oct to April annually)

• After wrapping up your time at IMG Worlds of Adventure, it's now time for an evening of fun at Global Village! It's held right near where IMG Worlds of Adventure is located - you can take a taxi and drive the quick 10-minutes to reach Global Village.
• This incredible outdoor fair happens during the cooler months in Dubai (usually from the end of October to April) and features rides, concerts and performances, circus shows, games and more. The name Global Village comes from the fact that it highlights the various different cultures and products from all around the world. A main highlight of the festival is the amazing replicas of iconic buildings from various different places, including the Colosseum, the Eiffel Tower, St. Basil's Cathedral and more! There are also shops selling souvenir items and food from a variety of countries.
• It costs AED15 to enter the village, though you'll also need to pay-as-you-go for the rides, shows, shops and other attractions. Alternatively, you can get the Wonder Pass, a reloadable card that you can top-up and use at any of the attraction or shops. It costs AED100, and is preloaded so you can use it to access select attractions (including Ripley's Believe It Or Not galleries and the Circus Circus show) at no extra cost.

#HHWT Tip: Do note that Mondays are designated to families and ladies only, except if it's a public holiday!

Admission fee: AED15 per person for entry (Book on Klook!)

Opening Hours: 4pm-12am on weekdays, 4pm-1am on weekends (Mondays are designated for families and ladies only, except on Public Holidays)

Address: Exit 37, E311, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Rd, Dubai

Website

Head back to the hotel

• After you’re all knackered out, take a taxi back to the hotel and call it a day!

Day 6 - Quranic Park, Cultural Lunch, Arabian Tea House, head to the airport

See a park inspired by The Quran (1.5 hours)

• It’s your last day in Dubai! After breakfast, pack up your bags and check-out, leaving your bags with the concierge. Take a taxi to Quranic Park, a relatively new 64-acre park in Dubai that features elements inspired by the Quran (read our full feature on the Quranic Park!).

• Admire the beautifully landscaped gardens, and visit the two main attractions in the park: the Cave of Miracles and the Glass House (which cost AED5 each).

#HHWT Tip: To enter the attractions, you’ll need a reusable NOL card filled with enough credit. If you do not have a NOL card, be sure to purchase one at the booth at the entrance before going to the attractions.

• Learn about the miracles bestowed to our prophets in the Cave of Miracles via video displays, and see all the plants that are mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah in the Glass House.

Go for a cultural lunch at SMCCU

• Get an Uber or Careem (the local ride-hailing company), from the Quranic Park and head towards the Sheikh Mohammed Centre For Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) (to note, we found it difficult to hail a taxi from Quranic Park as not much traffic passes by the entrance, hence we recommend you download the Uber or Careem app ahead of time to call a car once you’re done at the park).

• Immerse in local traditions through a cultural lunch hosted by the SMCCU. Tuck into local food (we had local-style Biriyani and side-dishes) as your Emirati guide shares on the significance and history of local culture and practices.

• We immensely enjoyed the food and listening to our guide Ruqayya speak - we learnt fascinating facts about everyday life in Dubai.

The SMCCU hosts an array of cultural meals (including breakfast, lunch and dinner). You can read more about the meals here. Advance booking is required to attend the meal.

Admission fee: Between AED120 - 150 per person.

Meal times: Depends on the mealtime chosen

Address: House 26, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Al Musallah Street, Bur Dubai, Dubai

Walk around the historical Al Fahidi Neighbourhood

• After lunch, walk around the Al Fahidi Neighbourhood in which the SMCCU building is located.
• Admire the historical buildings and explore the alleyways filled with shops and some random treasures, such as the Coffee Museum devoted to the history of Arabic coffee.

Have tea at Arabian Tea House Restaurant and Cafe

• Have authentic local fare at the picturesque Arabian Tea House that’s in the neighbourhood.

• Order off the extensive menu (we got falafel, a salad and hummus to share, along with local teas) and have a delicious (and pretty!) meal as a great way to cap-off your Dubai trip.

Opening hours: 7am - 12am daily

Address: Al Fahidi Street, Bur Dubai, Bastakiya Opposite Musalla Post Office, Dubai

Head back to your hotel and get picked up for your airport transfer

• It’s time to head back home!
• We booked our airport transfer in advance with Klook. After selecting our pick-up time at the hotel when booking the transfer, our transfer was reconfirmed via text message and we were notified when our driver was on the way.
• The Toyota Previa we were picked up in was again a smooth and comfortable ride, and we were dropped off at the airport efficiently and quickly.

Time to fly home!

We flew with Emirates back to Singapore from Dubai. We even got to visit the Emirates Business Class Lounge ahead of our flight! Our flight departed at 9.15pm and landed in Singapore at 8.50am the next morning. Time flew by as we watched movie after movie from the extensive selection available on Emirates’ ice entertainment system (even when we should have been sleeping ?). The spacious seats, coupled with the in-flight amenities and the friendly cabin crew made for a pleasant and comfortable flight home.

And that wraps up this 6D5N itinerary to conquer Dubai! This multi-faceted city really surprised us and showed us that there’s so much more to explore. From its fascinatingly humble origins in the desert to the amazing modern developments it now boasts, Dubai is an interesting destination that deserves to be discovered by Muslim travellers. And with the added ease of booking activities and travel essentials on Klook, that’s all the more reason to visit Dubai.

This article is brought to you by Klook.