Gujju Diary

UAE · family trip

Dubai (Part-1)

A week in Dubai at family pace: an apartment with a kitchen, one or two big sights a day, and evenings at Global Village and the fountains. Big city, no rush.

April 2024

Duration
7 days, 6 nights
Season
April, warm
Getting around
Taxi and metro
Best for
Families
Stays
One apartment with a kitchen

The route

We stayed in one serviced apartment in Al Mankhool, close to Bur Dubai, and took one part of the city each day.

One base, one area a day

  1. Al Mankhool 6 nights, our base
  2. Dubai Frame old and new Dubai
  3. Palm Jumeirah The View at the Palm
  4. Dubai Marina cruise and walkway
  5. Global Village evenings
  6. Gold Souk Deira’s old markets
  7. Burj Khalifa levels 124 and 125

How the trip went

If you only read one part of this page, read this. The full day-by-day table is below it.

Days 1–2
Al Mankhool, Zabeel

Dubai, the slow way

Most Dubai itineraries try to do everything in three days. We did the opposite. A two-bedroom apartment with a kitchen in Al Mankhool meant breakfast at home, a supermarket nearby and no hunting for veg food every evening. We landed in the evening and kept dinner simple with ready-to-eat packets.

Day two was the Zabeel side of the city: the Dubai Frame, with old Dubai on one side and the new skyline on the other, then AYA Universe, the Mohammed bin Rashid Library, Children’s City and the dolphin show.

Draft note for Manan: the view from the Dubai Frame, or the kids’ favourite of the day.

Days 3–4
Palm Jumeirah, Marina, Global Village

Palm, Marina and the world in one park

Day three took us out to The View at the Palm and The Pointe, then Ibn Battuta Mall and Marina Beach, ending on the water with a sightseeing cruise and a stroll along the Marina walkway.

Day four was gentler: the Dubai Butterfly Garden in the day and Global Village in the evening, with pavilions from around the world, street food and shopping that is impossible to finish in one visit.

Days 5–7
Old Dubai, Downtown

Old souks, then the tallest view

Old Dubai was the opposite of the glass towers: the Gold Souk, Haveli and Meena Bazaar.

We kept Burj Khalifa for the final full day, going up to levels 124 and 125, then the aquarium, a long break inside Dubai Mall and the fountain show after dark. The last day was simply aaram and packing before a late flight home.

Draft note for Manan: the fountain show, or the view from level 125.

 

Day-by-day itinerary

Distances and drive times are the ones we planned with. Optional extras are highlighted like this.

Day Route and travel Sightseeing Stay Distance
Day 1 Arrive in Dubai (6:30 pm) Ready-to-eat dinner at the apartment Suha Mina Rashid Hotel Apartment, Al Mankhool Flight
Day 2 Zabeel and around Dubai Frame, AYA Universe, Mohammed bin Rashid Library, Children’s City, dolphin show Suha Mina Rashid Hotel Apartment
Day 3 Palm Jumeirah and the Marina The View at the Palm, The Pointe, Ibn Battuta Mall, Marina Beach, sightseeing cruise, Dubai Marina walkway Longest urban zipline at Dubai Marina Suha Mina Rashid Hotel Apartment
Day 4 Gardens and Global Village Dubai Butterfly Garden, evening at Global Village Suha Mina Rashid Hotel Apartment
Day 5 Old Dubai Gold Souk, Haveli, Meena Bazaar Suha Mina Rashid Hotel Apartment
Day 6 Downtown Burj Khalifa levels 124/125, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, a long break in Dubai Mall, Dubai Fountain show (evenings) Suha Mina Rashid Hotel Apartment
Day 7 Rest and pack, late flight home (10:50 pm) Aaram and packing Yacht ride or a dawn hot-air balloon if you have energy left Flight

What has changed since our trip

  • Recent trip: Nothing major we know of since April 2024. Spotted a change? Tell us in the comments.
  • Tickets: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Frame and Global Village sell timed tickets online, and sunset slots go first.
  • Prices: Left out on purpose. Check each attraction’s website before you go.

Last checked: November 2026

If you are planning this route

  • Book an apartment with a kitchen. It makes veg and Jain food easy, especially with kids.
  • Download the Global Village app. Global Village is seasonal, so check it is open on your dates.
  • Plan around the heat. Outdoor sights in the morning and evening, malls and museums at midday.
  • Indian food nearby. Atithi restaurant and the New W supermarket were close to our apartment.
  • Keep a slack last day. A late flight means a free day: we used ours to rest and pack.
  • Extras we didn’t fit in. The Marina zipline, a yacht ride, a hot-air balloon at dawn, or a night at Anantara Mina Al Arab in Ras Al Khaimah.