A Design Lovers Travel Guide To Dubai In A Day

For those who love design and style, Dubai truly is a dream destination. Pretty much every hotel, restaurant and mall is a design masterpiece. For a Design Lover, 24 hours in the city is far too little time to see all the trendy and impressive shops, galleries and more. However, it’s guaranteed that dedicating a whole day to just enjoy the Dubai’s design wonders will be a fantastic and singular experience.

A Morning at Alserkal Avenue

This collective of warehouses in Al Quoz, a industrial area of Dubai, has emerged out of nowhere to change how Dubai sees design and art. Alserkal Avenue is composed of several art galleries, unique furniture shops and even has its own theater. This is the perfect place to start your morning, grabbing coffee at one of Alserkal’s many hipster cafe and looking at the galleries.

Ikonhouse

Ikonhouse combines the best materials and impeccable craftspersonship to create original pieces of furniture, lighting and flooring. This space is innovative and inspiring, and is an ideal destination for those who truly appreciate design. Ikonhouse doesn’t only showcase their items at the space, but also holds regular events and even educational Design Talks.
Ikonhouse, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, +971 4 388 1848

Limah Design Consultants

This international firm is all about combining functionality and design, creating an environment that combines functionality and inspiration. Limah Design Consultants has its own space at Alserkal Avenue and is a go-to for all things urban and cool in the world of design and art.

Limah Design Consultants, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, +971 4 385 0090

Grab Lunch at Dubai Design District

Art and Design Pop-Ups

Dubai Design District, better known as d3, definitely honors its name. This is the most current and popular design and fashion hotspot in Dubai. One of the best features in d3 is that most art and design shops are pop-ups, meaning that the place has constant movement and innovation. It is the perfect place to stroll and build up an appetite before lunch.

Dubai Design District

The Lighthouse

For those looking to grab a bite without stopping their tour of Dubai’s design masterpieces, The Lighthouse at d3 is the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine and feast the tummy and the eyes. This concept store offers a curated selection of food and design. It took over a year just to select the perfect pieces for the space, and this has paid off with the best aesthetics, quality and style. The Lighthouse prides itself on its delicious Mediterranean food and design choices. This is also the perfect place to buy trendy souvenirs to take back home.

The Lighthouse, Dubai Design District, +971 4 422 6024

Afternoon at Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)

Although DIFC is known as Dubai’s financial hub, this neighborhood is home to some of the most high-end art and design galleries in town. Spend the afternoon strolling around some of the city’s most popular galleries, like The Opera Gallery, The Empty Quarter, Cuadro Gallery and seven others. The galleries offer everything from fine arts to photography.

Dubai International Financial Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, +971 4 362 2222

Evening at Souk Madinat Jumeirah

Design lovers could easily spend a whole day just shopping at Souk Madinat Jumeirah. This space is inspired by the old traditional Arab markets, and is a great place to get traditional decorations from all over the world in one place. From bigger shops to stalls, shoppers can find fabulous Persian Carpets, African sculptures and Arab art, among other things. End the day shopping for some unique decor.

Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Al Sufouh Road, +971 4 366 8888

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.