Dubai – Fasten Ur Seatbelts

Countless times I have landed in Qatar Airways in Doha and have always said that I have to look at such a city with such an impressive airport! On our trip to Australia, I finally managed to spend two days in the capital of Qatar. Since I only had 2 days to explore the city, I was afraid that it would be too short to get a feel for the city and the people. But I was wrong!

If you’re not sure what to do in the magical city in the Middle East, take a look at what we’ve done in 48 hours.

Doha, Fasten Ur Seatbelts, Sheraton, Qatar Airways

Where to stay

It was not so easy to make the right choice at the luxurious Doha hotel deal, but we chose the Sheraton Grand Doha!

Why?

It is one of the few hotels that also has a beach. If we are already in a warm country, we always want to spend some time on the water and of course in the sun! Also, from the beach you have direct views of Doha’s skyline and if that’s not enough, you can visit the Nusr-ET restaurant on the hotel grounds.

We did not make it locally, but I have seen many impressive moments from the Nusr-ET restaurants on Instagram. We had dinner in the restaurant “La Veranda” on the seafront overlooking the skyline. The Shearaton Grand Doha is a great place to relax before heading on the next trip! The central location is ideal for exploring the city and spending little time in the car.

The Sheraton Grand Doha won me directly when the airport shuttle had Wi-Fi. I also liked the modern equipment of the gym with sea view !

What to do

Visit the Museum of Islamic Art

The Museum of Islamic Art is an absolute must in Doha. It represents Islamic art from three continents and over 1,400 years. The building itself is also beautiful, with a downstairs café and a gorgeous upstairs gourmet restaurant with spectacular views of the Doha skyline.

Visit Katara Cultural Village

Opened in 2010, Katara Cultural Village is not only a beautiful place, but also offers various workshops, exhibitions and celebrations throughout the year. Katara Masjid is one of the most beautiful masjids in Qatar and you should definitely see them! Also the way to the Katara Cultural Village is the exciting development of the city of Doha.

Visit the famous Souq Waqif

We visited the Souq Waqif during the day, I can not recommend that to you!

Visit him in the evening when not only the tourists are there, but also the locals. In many shops you can see spices and crafts and, of course, take home as a gift.

Shopping

An absolute shopping highlight is the Venetian-style Mall. As in Venice, you can take the ferries through the mall. At shops you will not miss a big name here!

Things to know

In the summer months it can be up to 50 degrees. In November it is between 25 degrees and 30 degrees. We found it very pleasant!
Qatar is a Muslim country. Especially as a woman you should always try to cover his shoulders and knees. This makes you feel safer and avoids unpleasant situations.
During Ramadan in Doha you can not eat in public places from sunrise to sunset.
No alcohol may be brought into the country. Alcohol on the spot is not necessarily cheap.
In Doha there are taxis but also UBER, which you can order via the app.
Doha is also preparing to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022, for which the country will build 12 eco-friendly stadiums, some of which can accommodate up to 80,000 people.
If you’re flying with Qatar Airways, you can enjoy a 5-star Doha hotel stay for only $ 23 offered by Qatar Airways and the Qatar Tourism Authority as part of their Qatar stopover program. This applies to both economy and business class tickets. Find out more here: Experience Qatar during your stopover.

So do not forget to check Qatar Airways on your next long-haul flight to see if you can make a quick stopover in Doha.

“Here, you will find the greatest and best in the world,” I was told by almost every taxi driver, but it’s true! Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world, Burj Al Arab is the tallest 7 star hotel in the world, and the largest ferris wheel, Dubai Eye, is currently being built in Dubai. To make sure that you will not miss one of the best, most unique and biggest attractions in Dubai, I explored them for you!

Hier findet man das Größte und Beste auf der ganzen Welt, wurde mir fast von jedem Taxifahrer gesagt – und es stimmt! Burj Khalifa ist das höchste Gebäude der Welt, Burj Al Arab ist das höchste 7-Sterne-Hotel der Welt, und das größte Riesenrad, „Dubai Eye“, wird momentan in Dubai gebaut. Damit ihr auf eurer Reise nach Dubai auch keine der besten, einzigartigsten und größten Attraktionen verpasst, habe ich Sie für euch erkundet!

1.Dubai Marina

• When I was in Dubai 10 years ago, the district with about 120,000 inhabitants did not even exist. Today, I can only advise anyone to visit Dubai Marina! Enjoy the Californian flair on the beach promenade and watch the pompous cars at Al Mamsha St in the evening, also known as “The Walk”! In the evening, you should definitely treat your palate to Seven Sands! It was not easy to find an affordable restaurant with an excellent oriental menu! But at Seven Sands, you get, for about 75 € for 2 people, a generous starter, main course, and dessert and a mocktail! Those who still have room for an alcoholic cocktail and who want to enjoy the gigantic skyline at night can visit the bar “Shades” directly at the Dubai Marina Mall. Maybe you still feel like a late shopping trip, too.

• Als ich vor 10 Jahren in Dubai war, gab es das Viertel mit ca. 120.000 Einwohnern noch nicht. Heute kann ich nur jedem raten, Dubai Marina zu besichtigen! Genießt an der Strandpromenade den kalifornischen Flair und beobachtet abends die pompösen Autos auf der Al Mamsha St! Abends solltet ihr euren Gaumen auf jeden Fall bei Seven Sands verwöhnen lassen! Es war gar nicht so einfach, ein erschwingliches Restaurant mit einem ausgezeichneten orientalischen Menü zu finden! Aber bei Seven Sands bekommt ihr für ca. 75€ für 2 Personen eine ausgiebige Vor-, Haupt- und Nachspeise und dazu noch einen Mocktail! Wer danach noch Platz für einen alkoholischen Cocktail hat und die gigantische Skyline bei Nacht genießen will, kann die Bar „Shades“ direkt an der Dubai Marina Mall besuchen. Vielleicht habt ihr ja noch Lust auf eine späte Shoppingtour. 😉

2. Burj Khalifa

• An absolute MUST in Dubai is the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa. Burj Khalifa was named after the president of Abu Dhabi because he was so kind and took over the financing in a bleak situation. You have the opportunity to visit the 124th and 125th floor for about 35 €, and the 148th floor for about 80 €. We went all the way to the top because we had “VIP” tickets and did not have to wait anywhere. The floor was not crowded at all and we were greeted with yummy little things. You can enjoy the view as long as you want! Do not forget to buy the tickets online, otherwise, it will be expensive and you have to wait a long time.

• Ein absolutes MUSS in Dubai ist das höchste Gebäude der Welt, Burj Khalifa. Burj Khalifa wurde nach dem Präsidenten von Abu Dhabi benannt, da er so nett war und die Finanzierung in einer brenzlichen Lage übernommen hat. Ihr habt die Möglichkeit den 124. und 125. Stock ab ca. 35€ zu besuchen und den 148. Stock ab ca. 80€. Wir sind bis ganz nach oben gefahren, da wir so „VIP“ Tickets hatten und nirgends warten mussten, das Stockwerk überhaupt nicht überfüllt war und wir mit leckeren Kleinigkeiten begrüßt wurden. Den Ausblick könnt ihr so lange genießen wie ihr wollt! Vergesst nicht die Tickets vorher online zu erwerben, da es sonst teuer wird und ihr lange warten müsst.

3. Atlantis, the Palm

• You want to have a day of action, fun, and relaxation? Then you are in the right place at Hotel Atlantis, the Palm! You can not only swim with dolphins or snorkel in a huge aquarium, but you can also fly over the palm with a helicopter! We first looked at the countless fish in the largest aquarium in Dubai (including sharks) and then rested on Nasimi Beach. Of course, you get hungry during such an exciting day and can eat right at the Nasimi Beach Restaurant. My personal highlight is the Underwater Suite at the Hotel Atlantis, the Palm.

• Ihr wollt einen Tag Action, Spaß und Entspannung haben? Dann seid ihr im Hotel Atlantis, the Palm genau richtig! Ihr könnt hier mit Delfinen schwimmen oder in einem riesigen Aquarium schnorcheln, aber auch mit einem Helikopter über die Palme fliegen! Wir haben uns erst die unzähligen Fische im größten Aquarium in Dubai angeschaut (inkl. Haie) und uns danach am Nasimi Beach ausgeruht. Natürlich bekommt man während so einem aufregenden Tag auch Hunger und kann direkt im Nasimi Beach Restaurant essen gehen. Mein persönliches Highlight ist die Underwater Suite im Hotel Atlantis, the Palm.

Accommodation:

Das Jannah Place Dubai Marina Hotel ist nur 5 Gehminuten von der Strandpromenade entfernt. Die Zimmer sind sehr geräumig und von hier aus kann man jeden Trip einwandfrei starten! Preislich befindet es sich in der Mittelklasse für Dubai. Direkt neben dem Hotel befindet sich allerdings eine Moschee, was für Tiefschläfer aber kein Problem ist!
Wer es lieber etwas luxuriöser mag, sollte das Amwaj Rotana Jumeirah Beach buchen. Es befindet sich direkt am bekannten Dubai Marina Walk und verwöhnt euch mit viele Annehmlichkeiten.

Jannah Place Dubai Marina is just 5 minutes’ walk from the seafront promenade. The rooms are very spacious and from here, you can start every trip perfectly! The price is in the middle class in Dubai. However, right next to the hotel is a mosque, which is not a problem for deep sleepers!
Those who prefer something more luxurious should book the Amwaj Rotana Jumeirah Beach. It is located right on the famous Dubai Marina Walk and spoils you with many amenities.

Good to know!

• Der Freitag in Dubai ist wie unser Samstag und der Samstag ist wie unser Sonntag. Sonntags fängt also in Dubai die Woche schon wieder an.
• Taxifahren ist im Verhältnis zu anderen Ländern sehr preiswert, aber auch nicht mehr so preiswert wie es mal war! UBER lohnt sich in Dubai nicht wirklich! Die Preise sind nicht günstiger! Allerdings ist es oft hilfreich den Weg mit zu verfolgen, da die Taxifahrer öfters die Ziele nicht kennen und sich auch durchfragen. Diese Zeit wird natürlich auch in Rechnung gestellt!
• Lexus Taxis sind immer teurer als normale Taxis
• Alkohol ist teurer als in Europa und in vielen Lokalen wird auch kein Alkohol ausgeschenkt. Während Ramdan wird kein Alkohol ausgeschenkt. Ihr solltet auch besser nicht während Ramadan in die Emirate fliegen.
• Was viele nicht wissen ist, dass die Emirate mit eins der sichersten Länder ist. Ihr braucht euch also keine Sorgen machen!
• Auch bezüglich der Kleiderregelung braucht ihr euch keine Sorgen mehr machen, aber respektiert die Kultur und versucht euch passend zu kleiden!

• Friday in Dubai is like our Saturday, and Saturday in Dubai is like our Sunday. On Sundays, the week starts again in Dubai.
• Taxi driving is, in relation to other countries, very cheap, but not as cheap as it used to be. UBER is not really worth it in Dubai. The price of UBER is definitely not cheaper! However, it is often helpful to follow the way, as the taxi drivers often do not know the destinations and also ask questions. Of course, this time will also be invoiced.
• Lexus taxis are always more expensive than regular taxis
• Alcohol is more expensive than in Europe and in many places, no alcohol is served. During Ramadan, no alcohol is served. You should also not fly to the Emirates during Ramadan.
• What many do not know is that the Emirates is one of the safest countries. So you do not have to worry!
• Regarding the dress code, you do not need to worry anymore, but respect the culture and try to dress appropriately.