Dubai is a city that dazzles with its mix of futuristic skyscrapers, luxury resorts, sprawling malls, cultural souks, and desert landscapes. Often called the Vegas of the Middle East, without the gambling or drinking, Dubai is a global hub where East meets West, tradition meets innovation, and cultures from around the world come together.

In this episode of the Travel Squad Podcast, we’re taking you along on our two-day stopover in Dubai. While Dubai has endless things to see and do, our short visit gave us just a taste of its opulence, adventure, and unique cultural experiences. From sunrise camel trekking in the desert to luxury dining inside an aquarium, we packed a lot into a quick trip!

Trip Highlights from Our 48 Hours in Dubai Include:

• Staying at the luxurious Atlantis, The Palm resort – complete with a balcony view, private beach, and access to the waterpark & aquarium
• Riding camels on a sunrise desert safari with a traditional breakfast in the sand dunes
• Splashing all day at Aquaventure Waterpark, with thrilling slides like the Leap of Faith and Shark Attack tunnel
• Dining at Ossiano, a 9+ course underwater tasting experience next to the aquarium – with live piano music and unforgettable dishes
• Visiting the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, and taking in the panoramic city views
• Stopping by the Burj Al Arab, Dubai’s iconic 7-star hotel, and learning how you can gain entry
• Exploring the Dubai Mall with its world-class shopping and cuisines from around the globe
• Walking through the Dubai Marina for coffee, hookah, and stunning waterfront architecture

Dubai isn’t a city you can fully experience in just two days – there’s so much more we didn’t get to do. But if you’re on a quick layover or short visit like we were, this episode will give you plenty of ideas on how to maximize your time and still leave feeling amazed by this incredible city.

If you have more time to spend in the area, take a look at these additional recommended activities to do in Dubai via Viator.

There is no shortage of amazing hotels to stay in while in Dubai; however, our recommended favorites include:

• Atlantis, The Palm
• Jumeirah Beach Hotel Dubai
• Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Dubai
• Burj Al Arab

If you're looking for a flight deals to Dubai, or anywhere else, we recommend signing up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠⁠⁠ ⁠to get daily flight deals (points & cash) emailed directly to you! Use our promo code TS10to get $10 off your first year subscription.

Since this is an international trip, make sure you can stay connected and access internet and data on the cheap with Airalo. Airalo is an E-Sim instant download that allows you to avoid the high costs of accessing internet and data with your home country cell provider while traveling internationally.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shop:⁠ ⁠Trip Itineraries⁠ ⁠⁠&⁠ ⁠⁠Amazon Storefront⁠ ⁠⁠

Connect:⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠, and⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.