Dubai: Is It Really Just About Luxury Cars and Gold Jewelry?

After the northern winds of Denmark, I took a short break — but not for long. I already knew the next planned trip would be a whole different league. I packed my passport, good vibes, and headed out with my dad on an adventure — this time to the Arabian Peninsula, straight to the United Arab Emirates. And yep, it was our first men trip, just me and him. Our first real “vacation” adventure together — one I won’t forget anytime soon.

But don’t worry, we didn’t go there just to tan and drool over supercars. There was also a semi-professional reason behind it — we had an exhibition to attend a few days later. But first, some context. I had just finished high school, diploma in hand. The big question: get a job or go to university? The answer was clear — time to hustle! But before diving into the work life, we treated ourselves to a week in these futuristic, insanely rich cities that feel like Disneyland for entrepreneurs — just with AC and luxury on every corner.

The journey to Dubai: when low-cost also means low-comfort

We booked both the flights and hotel through the portal ESKY – all in one reservation, no stress, no running around. I’ll drop the link for you HERE. Everything seemed idyllic… until we landed. It was my first time using this service, and honestly, everything went super smoothly.

We flew from Budapest with Wizz Air – how else, classic Eastern European low-cost setup. Three-hour drive to Budapest, flight delayed an hour due to a thunderstorm, nothing too crazy. We landed in Dubai a bit later than planned, but hey – we made it, didn’t we?

Fog, smoke, or the end of the world? And then we got lost

The plane hadn’t even touched the runway and the show had already started. Suddenly, the whole cabin was filled with smoke – some passengers started to panic, others just looked around confused. In reality, it was just air condensation, but when that happens in a sealed metal tube above the ground, your brain instantly screams: the end is near. Oh, and by the way – there was some “influencer” sitting in front of us who instantly pulled out her phone and posted a story to calm the masses: “It’s just steam, chill.”

Right after landing, we got ourselves a public transport card – in Dubai, it’s called the NOL card, and it’s used for all forms of public transport: metro, buses, trams, even water taxis. There are several types – we had the classic silver one, which is rechargeable. And of course, we tested it right away… just in the wrong direction.

Luckily, a guy on the bus with an ID badge helped us out – he told us we were heading the wrong way, advised us where to get off, and pointed us in the right direction. Thanks, random public transport hero. Oh, and don’t forget to tap out when you exit the bus – otherwise, you’ll be charged for the full ride, as if you went all the way across the city.

One more thing that truly impressed us – right after arrival, they hand you a free SIM card with mobile data valid for 24 hours. That is, 24 hours from the moment you activate it by putting it into your phone. At passport control, you get a stamp and a SIM – just like that. And of course, being two proper Slovaks, we each grabbed one.

But honestly? We barely needed them. Dubai has Wi-Fi pretty much everywhere – from the metro to public parks. So, no worries about internet access.

Voco, panic, and Arabic keyboards – the journey to the hotel continues…

After a wild bus ride and one tricky metro transfer, we finally made it to our hotel – Voco Dubai, standing over 230 meters tall with 51 floors, located right on the iconic Sheikh Zayed Road. This is one of the most important and longest roads in the UAE, stretching through the entire city of Dubai, lined with skyscrapers, banks, business centers, and luxury hotels. If it’s your first time in Dubai, this street will blow your mind – especially at night when everything lights up like Las Vegas on a Friday night.

Just when we thought the stress was over, we hit the “hotel panic”. At the reception, a chilled-out guy welcomed us at 1 AM and casually told us he had no reservation under our name. Instant sock-sweating moment. But after a few minutes, he realized the issue – Arabic keyboard layout. European names don’t work well with it. He switched the input language and boom – there we were, booking found, room ready.

We finally checked in and collapsed into bed. And that’s when it hit you – you’re in Dubai, struggling to breathe in the heat (it was 35°C even at 1 AM), but everything around you feels like a different galaxy. And tomorrow, we’re heading to Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.

First steps and day one in the city

We wanted to keep our first day a bit more relaxed and kick it off with the most iconic spot – the area around Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa, which is currently the tallest building in the world, standing at 828 meters. It looks like a giant silver needle piercing through the city skyline. Our mission was clear – to see it up close and reach the top, where Dubai stretches out beneath you like a map.

With temperatures around 37°C, we started each morning chilling by the hotel pool on the 7th floor. The view was top-notch, and the lifeguard – super chill and chatty – gave us great tips on places to see. After the pool session, we hopped on the Dubai Metro and headed downtown.

The Dubai Metro is incredibly modern, spotless, and fully automated – no drivers. It operates on a zone and distance-based fare system, meaning you don’t pay a fixed price, but rather based on how many zones you travel through and where you tap out. If you forget to scan your card at the exit gate, you’ll get charged as if you traveled to the very last station on that line – which could cost you more. The city is split into four main zones (1, 2, 6, 5), and there are two metro lines – the red line (running along Sheikh Zayed Road) and the green line. We mostly used the red line since it goes past all the major attractions, including Burj Khalifa. (Pro tip: you can get there directly from the metro via a fully air-conditioned walkway, so you won’t melt in the heat.)

The Hunt for Downtown

We headed straight for Dubai Mall, which is the largest shopping mall in the world by total area – with over 1,100 stores, its own aquarium, ice rink, waterfall, and even theme parks for kids. And the food? Endless. It took us a while to decide because it felt like a culinary Las Vegas. Not like back home in Optima, where you’ve got Subway, kebab, McDonald’s and that’s it. Just the food court here was the size of an entire mall back home. We eventually ended up at a restaurant overlooking a giant ice rink, where people were ice skating inside the shopping mall – yes, in Dubai. Watching people skate while it was 37°C outside was surreal, but cool at the same time.

After lunch, we strolled outside to the Dubai Fountain, which sits right at the base of Burj Khalifa. It was designed by the same team behind the Bellagio Fountain in Las Vegas, so you know it was going to be epic. Music, lights, water shooting up to 150 meters, all perfectly synchronized. The fountain show runs every evening from 6:00 PM, repeating every 30 minutes until 11:00 PM. There are also a few shows during the day, usually around lunchtime. It’s a must-see experience.

And since we were already there, of course we had to go up Burj Khalifa. The entrance is located inside Dubai Mall, and it’s well signposted, so you won’t get lost. But heads-up – tickets must be bought in advance, otherwise you’ll probably be out of luck. When we went around 2 PM, the queue was fairly short, which was a bonus. We booked everything via GetYourGuide, where you can choose the exact time and ticket type. And let me tell you – totally worth it. You learn about the building’s history, soak in the breathtaking views, and pick up some cool trivia along the way.

The Way Up

We took the elevator up to the 124th and 125th floors of the Burj Khalifa – one of the most accessible and at the same time the highest observation decks in the world. And let me tell you – the feeling when you look outside? Visual orgasm. The city lies at your feet, everything looks like it’s made of Lego bricks, and suddenly you feel like someone… bigger. You can even step out onto an open-air terrace, where only a glass wall separates you from the wind and dizzying height. Yes, the skyscraper sways gently, and the wind up there is strong, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. In fact – it’s part of the experience.

If you’re into tech, you’ve got to try the VR attraction – you put on a headset and suddenly you’re in a virtual mission, flying like an eagle around the entire Burj Khalifa, swooping between skyscrapers and collecting points like in a video game. The whole thing lasts a few minutes, costs about 7 euros, and it’s worth every cent – seriously epic!

A Few Words About This Marvel

Burj Khalifa isn’t just the tallest building in the world – it’s a full-on statement about what happens when you have too much money, sand, and ambition. At 828 meters high (yeah, almost a kilometer into the sky), it’s an architectural marvel that broke every record – from sheer height to the number of elevators. Inside you’ll find luxury apartments, an Armani hotel, restaurants, offices, and of course, the famous observation decks on the 124th, 125th, and even higher – the 148th floor.

And here’s the cherry on top: It barely rains in Dubai, which means the city doesn’t have a traditional sewage system. So what does that mean for the Burj Khalifa? Every day, dozens of tanker trucks come in to collect the waste from this megastructure – yup, it’s basically a moving septic service, operating like clockwork. Kinda funny that a building this modern still runs on such an old-school system.

Traditional Arab Outfit

Our visit to the Burj Khalifa ended in style – with a little shopping trip to Souk Al Bahar, part of Dubai Downtown, where vendors were eagerly offering up Arabian perfumes left and right. The mix of scents was so intense it could make your head spin. We had one goal – to buy that traditional white Arab robe – you know, the one worn by sheikhs. Mission accomplished! We got the full set – the robe, headscarf, and belt – right under the Burj Khalifa. So yeah, we probably overpaid, but after some bargaining we walked away with it for around 100 euros.

Not exactly cheap, but walking through Dubai dressed like that? I felt like a young sheikh from Košice.

View of the Burj Khalifa and an Adrenaline-Fueled Walk

To cap off the day, we had one last adrenaline rush – a visit to the Sky Views Observatory. It’s a pair of modern towers opposite the Burj Khalifa, connected by a pool nearly 220 meters above the ground. You walk across glass floors, with the streets, cars, and all of Dubai beneath you, like something out of a video game. Think you’ve got nerves of steel? Then take a seat – literally – on the glass slide, which lets you glide between floors with nothing but clear air beneath you.

And as we looked up at the Burj Khalifa once more, now glowing in the night sky with the dancing fountain below, I knew this was a memory I’d carry for the rest of my life.

The return trip by metro was much more humble – mostly because Dubai’s metro only runs until around midnight, something we’d come to regret a bit later (but more on that maybe next time). So if you want more travel stories from a different world, hit that follow button on Instagram and sign up for the newsletter so you don’t miss the next part of this fascinating journey through the city of dreams.

Cross your boundaries – that’s where the treasure you’re seeking is hidden.

Flying Easterner