Dubai. The city that has everything—and that’s exactly the problem. When you only have two days, narrowing down what to do feels harder than surviving the heat (and that’s saying something).
Extra tall, extra shiny, and extra hot. And somehow… extra futuristic. The skyline looks like it was pulled straight from the future, and I honestly half-expected flying saucer cars to zoom past us like something out of The Jetsons. Even the malls are extra—one literally has an aquarium bigger than most local zoos inside it.
We spent two days in Dubai as a family, armed with sunscreen, snacks, and a teen whose main academic requirement for the trip was:
“But does this count as schoolwork?”
Spoiler: yes. Sharks and Rays = Marine Ecosystem = science. #HomeschoolWin
Additional teen requirement: ensuring we ate Dubai chocolate… in Dubai. Non-negotiable. Mission accomplished.
If you’re wondering what 2 days in Dubai actually looks like, here’s our real-life play-by-play—what we did, what we ate, what we skipped, and how many times we muttered “wow” while staring at the Burj Khalifa.
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Day 1: Dubai Mall, Aquarium & The Burj Khalifa
There’s nothing quite like stepping out of the airport and immediately feeling like you’ve opened an oven door. Welcome to Dubai.
We started our trip where Dubai does best: big, air-conditioned, and slightly ridiculous—the Dubai Mall.
Dubai Mall & Aquarium
Confession: I’m not a mall person. But Dubai malls are basically indoor theme parks, and when it’s scorching outside, they make a lot of sense.
Inside the Dubai Mall you’ll find the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. Overall verdict?
✔️ Cool to see
✔️ Very impressive tank
✔️ A little overrated… except for one thing
👉 The animal experience. I did a penguin encounter—and yes, petting a penguin absolutely redeemed the entire visit. Note: these animal experiences are an additional cost. I wanted to hug him, love him, and take him home… but apparently that’s frowned upon.
Our daughter turned the aquarium into a science lesson, filling her notebook with gems like:
- “Jellyfish = weird but cool”
- “If we had this tank at home, I’d never leave my room”
- “Feeding fish other dead fish = gross”
I highly recommend pre-purchasing your tickets to the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo ahead of time.
📌 For a full breakdown, including whether the aquarium is worth the price, keep an eye out for our upcoming post:
“Is the Dubai Aquarium Worth It?”
Lunch & Dinner
- Lunch: Shawarma at the mall—simple, satisfying, and proof that shawarma > almost everything.
- Dinner: Sushi (we were craving something fresh and light). After days of travel food, this absolutely hit the spot.
Burj Khalifa & Fountain Show
We didn’t go up the Burj Khalifa—but honestly? Just standing at the base is an experience.
You feel tiny. Like an ant. A very sweaty ant.
If you do want to head into the Burj Khalifah, I would 100% recommend booking tickets ahead of time.
We ended the night watching the Dubai Fountain Show, which somehow feels both over-the-top and magical at the same time. Music, water, lights, skyscrapers—it’s classic Dubai spectacle.
Day 2: Old Dubai, Souks & the Beach
Day two was all about slowing down and seeing a different side of the city.
Old Dubai & the Souks
Wandering through Old Dubai feels like stepping into a contrast-heavy version of the city—less glass, more texture, more history.
The souk markets sell a lot of the same things on repeat:
- Pashminas
- Souvenirs
- Perfumes
- Rolex (apparently)
- Spices
- Gold jewelry (so shiny it practically requires sunglasses)
And yes—the vendors are pushy. Friendly, but persistent. Expect a lot of:
| “Good price for you” and “Just looking? Come, come.” |
It can feel overwhelming, but if you take it for what it is and keep walking when you’re not interested, it’s part of the experience. The spice souks, in particular, stood out—piles of saffron, cinnamon, turmeric, dried roses, and fragrant blends stacked in vibrant, colorful displays that are genuinely fascinating.
Abra Boats: Crossing Dubai Creek
One of the easiest—and most authentic (and maybe touristy?)—ways to get around Old Dubai is by abra boat.
Abras are small wooden water taxis that cross Dubai Creek, connecting areas like Deira and Bur Dubai. Locals use them daily, and they’re refreshingly simple compared to most things in Dubai.
You have two options:
- A quick crossing for just a few dirhams to reach more souks and markets on the other side of the creek
- Or a 30–40 minute harbour tour, which gives you a relaxed loop around the water and a great break from walking (highly appreciated in the heat)
Both options are very inexpensive and offer a glimpse of everyday Dubai that contrasts nicely with the city’s futuristic image.
Arabian Tea Houses: A Much-Needed Pause
If you have the time, build in a stop at an Arabian tea house. After the noise and energy of the souks, these places feel like a reset button.
Arabian tea houses are traditional courtyard cafés where things slow down. Think shaded patios, wooden furniture, soft music, and menus full of fragrant teas, Arabic coffee, and light Emirati dishes. They’re not rushed or flashy—and that’s exactly the appeal.
Two excellent options in Old Dubai:
- Arabian Tea House (Al Fahidi Historical District): The classic choice with white-and-blue décor, a huge tea menu (saffron, mint, rose, black lime), and traditional Emirati food.
- XVA Café: A quieter, artsy spot tucked into the Al Fahidi area, offering teas, Arabic coffee, fresh juices, and lighter, vegetarian-friendly dishes.
If you only make one non-shopping stop in Old Dubai, let it be a tea house. Your feet—and your nervous system—will thank you.
Lunch by the River
We ate lunch at Golden Fish, right by the river—and highly recommend it.
- Shawarma (again—no regrets)
- A spiced Middle Eastern chicken dish wrapped in roti
(It looked kind of like a quesadilla and tasted incredible.)
Simple, flavorful, and exactly what we wanted.
While we were finishing lunch, a woman was walking up and down the waterfront near the restaurants offering henna. Our daughter immediately locked eyes with us, deployed the full puppy-dog-eye strategy, and—unsurprisingly—it worked… again. She got henna, which ended up being the perfect cultural keepsake from Old Dubai.
Harbour Walk & Waterfront Wind-Down
After the chaos of Old Dubai and hours in the heat (did I mention it was hot?), heading to the Dubai Harbour area felt like a reset. The vibe here is more open and spread out, with boats bobbing in the marina and people strolling along the waterfront, which at least made it feel less crowded.
Of course, this is still Dubai, so even the beach activities are a little over the top. Case in point: a yellow Ferrari-shaped speedboat you can rent and tear around the water in—because apparently regular boats just won’t do.
We wandered along the beach and harbour, watched the light change over the water, and eventually decided we were done. We had officially run out of energy.
Did I mention it was hot?
Because it was hot.
Where We Stayed: Rove Downtown ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We stayed at Rove Downtown, and it was one of our favorite hotels of the trip.
Why we loved it:
- Unreal views of the Burj Khalifa right from our window
- Clean, modern, and cute
- Convenience store inside
- Safe
- TGI Fridays on site (teen-approved)
- Great location for a short stay
Highly, highly recommend—especially if you want Burj views without luxury hotel prices.
Getting Around Dubai
Because Dubai isn’t a very walkable city, especially in the heat, and we were only there for two days, we opted to use taxis to get everywhere.
- Taxi > Uber in Dubai
Uber exists, but taxis are easier to grab, often cheaper, and very efficient. Dubai also has its own ride service called Careem, which works similarly. - Metro
The metro is very clean, modern, and easy to use—but given the distances between attractions and the heat, we were more than happy to taxi rather than try to piece everything together
| Syps Family Dubai Tip Box 💎 Book big attractions early. Burj Khalifa, aquarium, anything with a line— reserve online. 💎 Respect the dress code. Shoulders and knees covered in religious sites. 💎 Use the metro. It’s clean, efficient, and way cheaper than taxis. 💎 Hydrate constantly. Dubai heat is no joke. 💎 Don’t skip local food. Yes, you’ll see every chain restaurant imaginable. But shawarma > Starbucks. |
The Syps Survival Summary
Did we survive the Dubai heat? Barely.
But that’s coming from me, a total Goldilocks when it comes to weather. Not too hot, not too cold—I need it just right.
Heat aside, our two days in Dubai were a whirlwind of contrasts and surprises.
Would we go back? This might surprise you, but… probably not.
Dubai is fascinating and impressive, and we’re genuinely glad we experienced it. But for us, once was enough. The best way I can describe it is an elegant, ultra-polished version of Vegas—glamorous, over-the-top, and very much a city of excess. And while that’s incredible to see, it’s just not really our travel style.
That said, we don’t regret going for a second. We admired futuristic skylines, ate fantastic food (yes, including the all-important Dubai chocolate), turned sharks into schoolwork, wandered spice-filled souks, and soaked in the sheer spectacle of a city that feels like it leapt straight out of the future.
Dubai was bold, shiny, hot, and unforgettable—and sometimes, that’s exactly what a destination needs to be.
Next stop: hot and humid destinations.
If I barely survived Dubai’s dry heat, let’s see how Goldilocks handles sauna-level humidity.
Stay tuned.