Dubai grew from a Creek-side trading post to a global city in a single lifetime, and you can feel that energy everywhere—from the abra boats gliding past spice-scented alleys to the audacious skyline crowned by Burj Khalifa. Oil wealth sparked its rise, but commerce, design, and hospitality keep it humming today.

Fun fact: November is one of the best months to visit—warm days, cooler nights, and outdoor season in full swing. Expect glittering malls, inventive museums, long beaches, and a culinary scene that spoils vegetarians with everything from thalis to Levantine mezze.

Practical notes: Carry a Nol transit card for the Metro and trams, dress modestly when visiting historic districts and mosques, and prebook popular attractions like the Museum of the Future and Burj Khalifa. Currency is AED; taxis and ride-hailing are plentiful; tap water is safe but most visitors drink bottled.

Dubai

Dubai is equal parts living museum and sci-fi city. Wander Al Fahidi’s coral-stone lanes, then ride a glass elevator to the clouds. Shop for saffron at the Spice Souk, then watch the Dubai Fountain dance beneath the world’s tallest tower.

• Top sights: Burj Khalifa, Museum of the Future, Dubai Frame, Al Fahidi Historic District, Abra ride across Dubai Creek, Gold & Spice Souks, JBR & Kite Beach, Alserkal Avenue, The View at The Palm.
• Museums worth your time: Museum of the Future (timed entry), Etihad Museum (UAE unification story), Al Shindagha Museum & Perfume House (beautifully curated Dubai heritage).
• Where to stay (areas): Downtown (icon views, central), Dubai Marina/JBR (beach and nightlife, tram access), Al Seef/Creek (heritage ambiance), Al Barsha (budget-friendly, Mall of the Emirates Metro).

Book your flights (Bangalore ⇄ Dubai): Nonstop flights take ~3.5–4 hours. Round trips often range ₹18,000–35,000 per person if booked early. Compare on Kiwi.com or Trip.com. From DXB Terminal 1/3, the Metro Red Line reaches Downtown and Marina; taxis to Downtown cost ~AED 60–80.

Where to book stays: Browse a range of hotels and apartments on Hotels.com (Dubai) or VRBO (Dubai).

Hotel ideas, mid-budget friendly:

• Rove Downtown: Smart, stylish, walkable to Dubai Mall; great value, pool with Burj views.
• Millennium Place Marina: Easy to JBR Beach and Dubai Marina Mall; roomy, good service.
• Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection: Traditional architecture on the Creek; atmospheric evenings.
• Zabeel House by Jumeirah – The Greens: Design-forward, laid-back neighborhood, quick taxi to Marina or Mall of the Emirates.

Day 1 (Nov 19): Creekside Heritage, Souks, and Burj Khalifa by Night

Morning: Land at 7:00 AM. Clear immigration, grab a Nol card, and drop bags at your hotel (early check-in on request). Head to Al Fahidi Historic District for a slow breakfast: XVA Café (all-vegetarian, Middle Eastern plates in a serene courtyard) or Arabian Tea House (fresh breads, salads, and karak chai under bougainvillea).

Afternoon: Stroll Al Fahidi’s museums and art houses, then walk to Dubai Creek. Ride a wooden abra (AED 1) to Deira and dive into the Spice and Gold Souks—look for saffron, dates, and rosewater. Snack on falafel wraps at Al Mallah (Satwa) or mezze at Operation Falafel (JBR and City Walk) for affordable vegetarian bites.

Evening: Take the Metro/taxi to Downtown for the Burj Khalifa “At The Top” sunset slot. Afterward, watch the Dubai Fountain shows (every 30 minutes after dark) from the waterfront. Dinner: Kailash Parbat in Dubai Mall (pure veg chaat, Sindhi specialties) or Time Out Market across the bridge in Souk Al Bahar for variety with veggie stalls; then a gentle walk back under the glittering skyline.

Day 2 (Nov 20): Beach Morning, Museum of the Future, Souk Madinat

Morning: Unwind at JBR Beach: swim, stroll The Walk, and linger over breakfast at Baker’s Kitchen (homemade breads, plenty of veg options) or Brunch & Cake (ricotta pancakes, colorful bowls). Lounge under an umbrella or rent bikes along the promenade for a breezy start.

Afternoon: Head to the Museum of the Future for a timed-entry visit—immersive, story-led galleries that feel part sci-fi film, part design lab. Coffee after at % Arabica or Nightjar pop-ups when available. If you prefer faith and architecture, the Jumeirah Mosque offers hosted tours most days—arrive early, dress modestly, and bring questions.

Evening: Uber or taxi to Souk Madinat Jumeirah for shopping in lantern-lit arcades and canal views of the Burj Al Arab. Book a short abra-style boat ride inside the resort waterways. Dinner ideas: Folly (fine, with veg options) for a special date night; or head to Rasoi Ghar (JLT) for a budget-friendly Rajasthani/Gujarati thali feast that changes daily.

Day 3 (Nov 21): Alserkal Avenue and Desert Safari Sunset

Morning: Explore Alserkal Avenue, Dubai’s contemporary arts district. Pop into Leila Heller, Carbon 12, and Third Line galleries, then refuel at Nightjar Coffee (excellent filter and cold brew) or Wild & The Moon (plant-based bowls, smoothies).

Afternoon: Rest at your hotel pool or enjoy a spa hour—save energy for the dunes. Most desert safaris pick up ~3:00–3:30 PM and include dune bashing, sandboarding, a camel ride, and a sunset stop. Request a vegetarian dinner at the camp—operators routinely provide veg BBQ, salads, dal, and breads.

Evening: Under a blanket of stars, watch tanoura or folk performances and sip mint tea before returning to the city around 9:30–10:00 PM. If you’re peckish later, MyGovindas (Karama) stays lively and serves comforting North Indian vegetarian classics.

Day 4 (Nov 22): Dubai Frame, Palm Views, and Marina Afterglow

Morning: Visit Dubai Frame at Zabeel Park to “walk through time”—Old Dubai on one side, New Dubai on the other. Glass-floor skybridge photos are a must. Breakfast nearby at The Sum of Us (veg-friendly bakes and specialty coffee) or slide to Seva Table (Jumeirah 1) for a tranquil, plant-based garden café experience.

Afternoon: Make for Palm Jumeirah. Ride the monorail to Nakheel Mall and ascend The View at The Palm for sweeping, map-like vistas of the fronds and skyline. For a laid-back day, consider a beach pass at Riva Beach Club (veg pizzas, salads) or simply relax along Palm West Beach promenades.

Evening: Sunset back in Dubai Marina along the waterfront. Dinner: Maharaja Bhog (JLT) for unlimited thali; or Govinda’s (near Jumeirah) for a sattvic-style, pure vegetarian menu with vegan and Jain options. Grab gelato and watch the yachts glide by.

Day 5 (Nov 23): Miracle Garden, Global Village, and Late-Night Departure

Morning: Dubai Miracle Garden (open Nov–Apr) is a whimsical, 150+ million-flower wonderland—arrive near opening to beat crowds and heat. Photograph the floral tunnels and giant installations, then head to Al Barsha for lunch at Bikanervala (chaat, sweets, and full veg menu) or Sangeetha (South Indian tiffin and thalis).

Afternoon: Rest and pack. If you still want to browse, Meena Bazaar (Bur Dubai) is great for textiles, tailoring, and budget-friendly gifts; haggle with a smile. Consider a daylight abra ride for a final Creek breeze.

Evening: Global Village opens in late afternoon—arrive ~5:00 PM for cultural pavilions, affordable shopping, live shows, and excellent vegetarian street food (falafel, manakish, kunafa, potato spirals, dosa stands in the India pavilion). Depart for DXB around 10:00–10:30 PM to comfortably catch your 1:00 AM flight on Nov 24.

Vegetarian-friendly places to bookmark:

• Pure veg: Rasoi Ghar (JLT/Karama), Maharaja Bhog (JLT), Kailash Parbat (Dubai Mall, Karama), Govinda’s and MyGovindas (multiple branches), Saravana Bhavan (Karama).
• Vegan/plant-forward: Wild & The Moon (Alserkal, Downtown), SEVA Table (Jumeirah 1), Comptoir 102 (Jumeirah).
• Levantine/cheap eats: Al Mallah (Satwa), Operation Falafel (various), Allo Beirut (JBR/City Walk).

Getting around and money-savers:

• Buy a Nol Silver card (~AED 25 incl. credit) for Metro/tram/bus; top up as needed. Red Line covers airport–Downtown–Marina.
• Taxis are abundant; intra-city rides are typically AED 25–60. Dress light; carry water; November is pleasant but sunny.
• Free or low-cost highlights: Abra across the Creek, JBR & Kite Beach walks, Dubai Fountain shows, Alserkal galleries, Al Seef promenades.

Accommodation booking links: Compare options on Hotels.com (Dubai) and VRBO (Dubai). For flights, check Kiwi.com and Trip.com.

Optional pre-trip idea in Bangalore (veg-focused)

If you have time before departure day, warm up your tastebuds with a guided vegetarian street food walk—fun, safe, and delicious.

• Street Food walking tour in Bangalore with a food evangelist

  

Suggested daily costs (mid-range): Meals AED 60–120 per person/day (more for splurge dinners), local transport AED 20–60, attractions AED 50–200 each depending on venue; desert safari AED 125–250 per person. Your stated budget “50/100” fits this plan with room for one or two premium experiences.

From sunrise landing to a starry desert night, this 5-day Dubai plan balances heritage neighborhoods, beaches, modern marvels, and great vegetarian food. You’ll fly home with saffron in your bag, sand in your shoes, and a camera roll full of golden-hour light.