National, September 2023: Make a detour to Dubai during your global travels and elevate your journey to a mini vacation. Positioned conveniently along numerous flight paths with unlimited things to do, Dubai stands out as the ideal stopover destination. With two-thirds of the world’s population located within an eight-hour flight to Dubai, it’s no wonder the metropolis is one of the busiest travel and connecting hubs, and a growing destination for stopover holidays.
Whether you have just one night or a few days in your itinerary, you can easily book a break in your journey and explore the sights and sounds of the sunny city, from the beautiful beaches to the record-breaking attractions. An international tourist hotspot, the city is easily accessible, and safe and offers many famous landmarks for a quick getaway or sightseeing adventure.
Explore varied facets of Dubai on your stopover ranging from luxury malls, unique art and technology museums, souks to Michelin-star dining.
1. Coffee Museum
Coffee has always been an important part of Arabic culture. The museum is located in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, hidden inside the narrow lanes of the old district, among many other treasures.
The Coffee Museum Dubai also showcases the celebration of coffee culture across the globe, as well as in the Arabic traditions. One can stop by to discover the origins of coffee, dating all the way back to the legend of Kaldi, a goat herder who is believed to have found the humble coffee bean – and how it made its way into the region from the Ethiopian highlands.
Coffee grinders used in the First World War, historical data dedicated to coffee and old brewing pots are just a few of the artifacts on display.
2- Explore next-generation science, technology and innovation at Museum Of The future
The museum explores how society could evolve in the coming decades, combining elements of traditional exhibition, immersive theatre and themed attractions so visitors can look beyond the present and towards the future’s limitless possibilities. Discover the world’s greatest ideas, prototypes and inventions, and attend special workshops and talks that explore high-tech solutions.
3- Wander through the world’s largest shopping, entertainment, and leisure destination, Dubai Mall
No matter how fleeting your Dubai stopover is, there is always time for shopping and The Dubai Mall should be top of your list for retail therapy. Featuring over 1,200 stores, two major department stores and hundreds of food and beverage outlets, The Dubai Mall is the world’s largest destination for shopping, entertainment and leisure, covering an area equivalent to 200 football pitches. Even an entire day spent here is not enough to see it all. Along with its 1,200-plus shops and 150 restaurants, the venue is home to a range of other fun attractions.
4- Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
Discover what life in Old Dubai was like during the mid-19th century at Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood. Located along Dubai Creek, this district is a key heritage site with much of the original infrastructure preserved and intact.
The traditional wind towers – constructed from sandstone, teak, gypsum, palm wood and sandalwood – represent only a small part of Al Fahidi’s history. Each alley, twisting pathway and breezy tower tells a story of a life before the seven emirates.
5- Mott 32 Dubai A Modern Approach to Chinese Cuisine
Mott 32 Dubai is the latest joint in the city and located on the 73rd floor of Address Beach Resort. It is a tribute to Hong Kong culture and culinary tradition and represents a modern Chinese city.
The restaurant is best known for marrying traditional Chinese cooking and modern culinary innovation, with a range of delectable dishes on offer. Try the popular applewood roasted Peking Duck, which takes 48 hours to prepare and is carved table-side, or savour the jasmine flower smoked black cod and freshly made dim sum.
Mott 32 gets its name from the address of the first-ever Chinese grocery store in New York, and the restaurant’s chic interior is in keeping with its NYC roots, with the added charm of Hong Kong. Expect low lighting and hues of rich mahogany brown. As the evening progresses, the resident DJ turns up the volume on the music, making this a vibrant nightlife destination too.
