We will travelling with Emirates via Dubai and we are thinking about using their Stopover programm for a short stay.

We will not be too interested in shopping, our interests are more sightseeing. The more we read about Dubai, the more it seems there are not many sights in the city and shopping is the main purpose. If true, how long should we put aside for sightseeing in Dubai?

thanks for any help

There is a really nice museum in and under the old fort, and the wharf area with the Dhows is interesting. You can also arrange trips out into the desert.

I would budget 1/2 day if you only want to see the city sites.

If you won't have R&R or beach stops during your time in Africa, I would suggest you look at a stop-over on the return trip - homebound. Believe Emirates allows up to 96-hrs without need for visa, and they do have packages on their website. Check those out. You can spend time at some of the lovely hotels and arrange a day-trip out to the desert. Though you might not be interested in shopping, you'll be tempted, so do know what you'd pay back home as comparison before you put your money down... there are deals and then there are not! Again, I'd to the stopover on the way home after bumping around Africa.

Thanks for the replies.

If there is only really a half day worth of sights in the city itself, then the idea of a trip out to the desert sounds interesting.

Emirates offers one that includes the following: Dhaid and Bithnah Oasis, and the towns of Dibba and Fujairah.

For those in the know, does this sound like a good drive into the desert?

Sandi: Actually we have a beach resort holiday for 5 days planned later on in the trip but it is a good idea!!

Thanks again for your help

adwinn - Even if you already have a beach stop midway in your holiday, Dubai is an interestng stopover, so go for it. I'm certain it will be an interesting experience... and you might not be back this way again.

My husband travels to Dubai a lot on business and loves it. I always send him to the spice market to pick up saffron threads for super cheap. If you are into cooking, you will enjoy a trip to the spice market.

Hi

My wife and I went to Dubai on vacation a couple of years back and we enjoyed it. We stayed in Dubai for about a week and we went sightseeing, went to the beach, went shopping etc. I have posted a trip report with pictures on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com. Maybe you can find some useful information there

Regards
Gard
Stavanger, Norway