Travel & transfer: Arrival at Dubai Airport DXB
Landing, immigration and baggage. The flight is not booked yet, so plan it so that you arrive around 11 am.
Weekend like a local · 15 stops
Dubai: weekend like a local
Two relaxed days in Dubai focused on coffee, art and local food: arrive with old-town charm in Deira and Bur Dubai, then enjoy art and specialty coffee in Alserkal Avenue and Al Quoz.
- Pace
- Relaxed
- Budget
- Mid-range
- Season
- February
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Plan with your own wishesDay 1 · Dubai
Arrival and old-town flavours
Arrive in Dubai, check in at Barsha Heights, then enjoy a quiet afternoon in Al Fahidi and Bur Dubai with coffee, art, an abra ride and dinner at Ravi in Satwa.
11:00
12:00
12:15
13:15
Travel & transfer: Taxi transfer to the hotel
Take a taxi from the airport to Barsha Heights, or alternatively the metro to Dubai Internet City.
Ramada by Wyndham Dubai Barsha Heightsapprox. 70–110 AED pp13:15
13:45
Stay: Drop off luggage at Ramada Barsha Heights
You arrive before 3 pm, so you drop off your luggage first. The room will be ready later. Alternative accommodation: Rove Dubai Marina.
Ramada by Wyndham Dubai Barsha Heightsapprox. 250–650 AED / night40 min by public transport
14:30
15:45
Lunch: Late lunch at Bait Al Mandi
Bait Al Mandiapprox. 40–70 AED pp20 min by public transport
16:30
17:45
Sightseeing: Stroll through Al Fahidi
Quiet lanes with wind-tower houses, small galleries and courtyards in the late afternoon. Take the metro or a taxi from Karama.
10 min on foot
17:55
18:40
Café: Coffee break at Mawaleh Coffee Roastery
Small roaster with specialty coffee nearby. If closed: a café on Al Fahidi Street.
Mawaleh Coffee Roasteryapprox. 20–40 AED pp12 min on foot
18:52
19:22
Activity: Abra crossing over Dubai Creek
Take the traditional wooden ferry for 1 AED to Deira and back to the shore, in the evening light.
Bur Dubai Abra Stationapprox. 1–2 AED pp25 min by taxi
20:15
21:30
Dinner: Dinner at Ravi Restaurant
Legendary Pakistani restaurant in Satwa with curry, biryani and fresh naan at fair prices. Alternatively: a nearby restaurant in Satwa.
Ravi Restaurantapprox. 35–60 AED pp
Day 2 · Dubai
Galleries, coffee and departure
A relaxed departure day in Al Quoz: galleries at Alserkal Avenue, specialty coffee and a local brunch, then off to DXB airport with a generous buffer.
08:30
09:30
Breakfast: Breakfast at Ramada Barsha Heights
A quiet start at the hotel, then check out and take your luggage with you, as you go straight to the airport.
09:30
09:50
Travel & transfer: Hotel check-out
Check out and stow your suitcase in the taxi for the ride to Al Quoz.
20 min by taxi
10:10
11:10
Café: Specialty coffee at Nightjar Coffee Roasters
Local roastery in Alserkal Avenue with very good filter coffees and flat whites, perfect for settling in.
Nightjar Coffee Roastersapprox. 30–60 AED pp3 min on foot
11:20
12:50
Activity: Galleries in Alserkal Avenue
Wander through the warehouse galleries with contemporary art from the region. Admission is usually free.
10 min by taxi
13:05
14:30
Lunch: Late brunch at Syrian Gate Café
Levantine cuisine in Al Quoz with hummus, manakish and falafel, easygoing and local. Fallback option: Wild & the Moon.
Syrian Gate Caféapprox. 50–90 AED pp15 min by taxi
14:45
15:15
Travel & transfer: Pick up luggage
A short stop to collect your luggage, if it stayed at reception.
40 min by taxi
15:55
16:55
Travel & transfer: Ride to DXB airport
Take a taxi or the metro to the airport, with a generous time buffer before check-in.
Flughafen Dubai DXBapprox. 60–90 AED pp
Planned with AI and checked with OpenStreetMap. Opening hours and prices can change – please double-check on site.
FAQ
How many days do you need in Dubai?
Three to four days are enough for the main sights, the old town, the beach and a desert tour. With two days you will have to limit yourself to Downtown, the old town and the souks.
Where is the best place to stay in Dubai?
On a first visit, Downtown Dubai is central, while the Marina is well suited to the beach and nightlife. You will find cheaper accommodation in Deira or Bur Dubai.
Is Dubai expensive?
Accommodation and attractions are often expensive compared with many European cities, especially in winter. Food, taxis and public transport, on the other hand, are cheap.