Final Day in Dubai: Museum of the Future & Gold Souk Markets

Our last day in Dubai was supposed to be a calm one, but it turned out to be quite a colorful mix of experiences. We made the most of our farewell day – started with a morning swim in the rooftop pool overlooking the city, visited one of the most futuristic museums in the world, and even had time to explore the old part of Dubai with its chaotic markets and historical atmosphere. And all that before our evening flight back to Budapest, where we, as usual, slept on the airport floor and caught the Flixbus home the next morning.

How did we start the day? The Museum of the Future

We kicked off the morning with a refreshing swim in the rooftop pool of the Voco hotel – a routine we could definitely get used to at home. After our swim, it was time for our planned midday program: a visit to the Museum of the Future. We smartly booked our tickets through the GetYourGuide app, which meant no standing in lines – we just walked right in through the fast track. And the best part? The ticket isn’t tied to a specific time slot, so you can arrive anytime during the day.

The building itself looked like it was teleported straight from the year 2150 – a massive ring with a hollow center, like a portal to another dimension. Inside, we entered a world full of technology – from robots and futuristic cars to interactive games, simulations, a periodic table of elements, and even a zone with music and psychological exercises. It felt like walking through the mind of a mad scientist – just a lot more luxurious.

From the Future Back to Reality: Gold Souk Markets and a Test of Patience

Be sure to set aside at least 2 to 3 hours for the Museum of the Future. Seriously. With all the interactive installations, games, and experiments, you lose track of time faster than when Wi-Fi kicks back in after an outage – boom, and you’re in.

After that tech-filled adventure, we decided to snap back to reality – heading to the old part of Dubai, specifically the Gold Souk, a famous marketplace where chaos meets carat sparkle. We got off at the metro station of the same name and were immediately greeted by the familiar buzz of scooters, honking cars, and a mix of aromas – plus a hint of smog. That’s when we knew we were in the right place. There were even signs along the street pointing the way, so we could easily find the heart of the action.

What Should You Watch Out For?

We weaved our way between buildings and merchants who scanned us with their eyes before we even noticed their goods. These guys are seasoned pros, half fluent in at least five languages – and at least one of them is yours. Their mission? Convince you that their magnet is the magnet.

One tip: if someone reaches out to shake your hand, it’s a trap. Suddenly, they’ve got you locked in like an old friend and are already pushing a watch, perfume, scarf, or – at the very least – a smile with a price tag into your hand. And they won’t let go. Not when it gets awkward. No – especially when it gets awkward. So, practice your defense: firm posture, strategic eye contact, and a polite but firm “No, thank you.”

Trade War in the Gold Souk & Shift to the Sandstone World

These vendors… they’re not just some guys selling magnets. They’re linguistic illusionists – switching from Russian to Spanish, German, French, Czech, and sometimes even tossing in a bit of Slovak dialect (almost). They’re not afraid of your accent – in fact, the more they sound like you, the more you think they’re your buddy. And then suddenly, your wallet’s a little lighter.

But you know what? It was actually fun. A little tension, a little acting. Like true Slovaks, we walked away three times before they gave us a better price. Then we returned – “by accident” – and the dance over a few dirhams began. In the end, we got everything we wanted and even scored a bulk discount. As they say – markets aren’t just about buying, they’re about the game. It is way of life.

They even can get angry that you do not want to play bargain game. And this was a good one. Turns out, the guy we were buying from owned several shops, but everything we needed was in just one – complete with a secret upper floor where he kept bringing out more treasures.

Dubai Old Village

With our bags full of loot and heads full of impressions, we headed to the next part of old Dubai – the so-called Dubai Old Village. Everything there was made of sand, the shops ridiculously fancy, and the prices higher than the Burj Khalifa. It was beautiful to look at, sure, but clearly designed to strip tourists of both their sense and savings. We just smiled and moved on.

Across the Water for One Dirham

And then it happened – the secret passage into the past. No plan, no map. Just a small port, a wooden boat, and a local guy who nodded, “To the other side? Come on.” It was probably the Al Sabkha Marine Transport Station, but in that moment, we simply followed our instinct.

And that instinct didn’t fail us. The ride cost just 1 dirham per person, roughly €0.25. You can’t even get a chewing gum for that price today, but here? You get taken into another world. A part of Dubai with no skyscrapers, no luxury restaurants. Just sand, old walls, heat, and silence.

On the other side, we were greeted by what felt like a sandcastle town straight out of a fairytale. Beautiful, historic… and almost deserted. Tourists must skip it or have no idea it even exists. We wandered around for a while, gazing at shuttered shops and listening to the sand crunch beneath our feet. It all felt like a movie set – stunning, yet lifeless.

Final Chill Before Departure and Tony Stark on the Plane

After we’d seen it all, walked it all, and even bought a few things, we still had some time left – about six hours before our flight. So we said: let’s make the most of the hotel. We were already checked out, but we gave it a shot. We left our backpacks at the reception and asked with a smile if we could still use the pool. The answer? “Of course.”

So we enjoyed one last peaceful hour in the rooftop pool, gazing out at the glittering skyscrapers and the sky slowly shifting colors. That contrast – luxury and serenity, knowing we were leaving, yet still having a moment to relax… it was an experience you can’t buy in a travel agency.

But then came the question: What now with the wet swimsuits? So we laid them out on concrete pillars in front of the hotel. With 35°C outside, it was like having our own personal dryer. And we just laughed – standing in front of a 5-star hotel, drying swimsuits like we were at a campground. Classic.

The ride to the airport went smoothly, everything was under control, and we finally boarded the plane. And then – the guy next to us had an Apple Vision Pro. Like Tony Stark, waving his hands in the air, switching windows, browsing photos and videos – total sci-fi in real life. It was my first time seeing one in person, and honestly, I watched him more than anything else on board. There wasn’t even in-flight entertainment, we flew Wizz Air.

Then came the landing in Budapest, a classic overnight sleep on the airport floor (a true low-cost nomad ritual), and in the morning – Flixbus homebound. Our minds full of memories, legs a bit tired, but hearts completely content.

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

Flying Easterner