We decided to spend three days in Dubai on our way to India in 2015, flying Emirates. It turned out to be one of the best travel decisions we made.

Where We Stayed

We stayed at the Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel & Residences, which was close to the mall and easy to get around from. The Creek area has a more local vibe compared to the ultra-modern Marina district.

Burj Khalifa

You can't visit Dubai without going up the Burj Khalifa. We got tickets to At The Top, the observation deck on the 124th floor. The elevator ride alone is something – you shoot up so fast your ears pop.

The views are absolutely insane. The city sprawls out in every direction – gleaming skyscrapers and highways on one side, endless desert on the other. Book your tickets in advance online because the walk-up lines can be long.

Dubai Fountain Show and Fresh Fish Dinner

After coming down from Burj Khalifa, we caught the Dubai Fountain show. These fountains shoot water over 500 feet in the air, all choreographed to music. Shows run every 30 minutes in the evening, and it's completely free.

We ate dinner at a fish restaurant right there, facing the fountains. You pick your fish live from tanks at the front – point at what looks good, they weigh it, and cook it however you want.

Desert Safari

This was hands-down the best part of our trip. We booked a private evening desert safari with hotel pickup in a 4x4.

Our safari took us through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, which is actually a protected area. It's cool knowing that the desert experience isn't just for tourists – they're actively working to preserve the natural desert ecosystem and the wildlife that lives there.

At the desert camp, we tried camel riding and caught the sunset. The sky turned this incredible orange-pink as the sun dropped behind the dunes.

They had henna artists doing designs, and served Arabic coffee, dates, and camel milk. We tried the camel milk – it's a little saltier and thinner than regular milk, kind of an acquired taste, but interesting to try. Entertainment included belly dancing, tanura dancing with massive spinning skirts, and a fire show. Dinner was a huge BBQ buffet with grilled meats, rice, salads, and vegetarian options.

Spice Market and Abra Ride

We spent a morning wandering the old souks in Deira. The Spice Souk smells incredible – saffron, cardamom, dried limes, turmeric. We picked up bakhoor (traditional Arabic incense) to bring home.

To cross Dubai Creek, we took the abra – traditional wooden water taxis that have been running for decades. Costs a couple of dirhams, and you're sitting with local workers commuting across the creek. The ride takes five minutes, but it's a cool glimpse into everyday Dubai life. More memorable than some expensive tours we've done.

Gold Souk

The Gold Souk is completely overwhelming. Shop after shop filled with gold jewelry – necklaces, bracelets, rings, everything. The amount of gold is mind-boggling. Worth walking through just to see it, even if you're not buying.

City Tour and Beach

We hit some of the main city highlights. We stopped for photos at the Burj Al Arab, that iconic sail-shaped hotel. You can't go inside unless you have a restaurant reservation, but seeing it from the outside is still impressive.

We visited Jumeirah Beach to check it out. The sand is clean, the water is warm, and you get views of the Burj Al Arab from the shore. There are public beach areas that are free to access.

Worth the Stop

Three days in Dubai were perfect. We saw the highlights without rushing, and it made a great break on our way to India. The contrast between old Dubai (souks, abra, traditional culture) and new Dubai (Burj Khalifa, beach, modern everything) is what makes the city interesting.

Flying Emirates made it easy – they have so many flights through Dubai that building in a stop is simple. If you're traveling to or from that part of the world, we'd definitely recommend adding a few days in Dubai.

3 Days in Dubai: A Stop on Our Way to India