Review: Dubai Full-Day City Tour, Grand Mosque & Qasr Al Watan

So, you’re thinking about taking the “From Dubai Full Day City Tour” that visits the Grand Mosque and Qasr Al Watan? Like, good choice! Dubai, with all that glitz and, like, that sparkle, is only a small part of what the UAE has available. To just visit those tall buildings feels a bit like you’ve missed the older soul of what’s happening. I mean, I went on the tour, and, like, here’s what I thought.

Setting off into a day of wonder

We, as a group, started bright and early, which, honestly, is something I always drag my feet at, but the early start? It’s very worth it. The UAE sun can, like, be a real beast as the day goes on. The initial leg of the tour mostly involves a relaxing drive outside of Dubai, very heading towards Abu Dhabi. As a matter of fact, even that drive is very pretty, as the landscape slowly shifts. It goes from those high rises to a more desert look and feel.

The stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Very first up? Like, it’s the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. It’s seriously breathtaking. The pure, bright white of the marble, and, like, that crazy elaborate detail, all shimmering in the sunlight… Pictures don’t even begin to really do it justice. We wandered all through the courtyard, took pictures, and our guide, as a matter of fact, told us so many things about the design and about Islamic culture. Like, did you know it can hold over 40,000 people? Plus, I was also informed that the carpets are handmade, very, from Iran. Just, wow.

Dress appropriately, though! As I was saying, they are pretty, very strict about modest clothing. If you’re not properly covered up, they’ll give you an abaya to wear. Like, it’s respectful, for sure, yet, for some it might disrupt those Instagram plans if the fit just doesn’t fit!

Qasr Al Watan: A peek into the palace

Like, after the peace of the Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan, or, the Presidential Palace, gave a real insight into, very, the country’s governance and culture. It’s so much more recent than the Mosque. I mean, wandering through those grand halls and seeing, very, like, all that opulent decor, the chandeliers that shimmer, the artwork, it’s all pretty amazing. That Hall of Gifts? Is that what success looks like or what? Plus, it’s interesting to see how they blend, as I was saying, traditional Arabic design with more contemporary elements.

I have to be honest, it feels very staged, and a little, too, sanitized? Is that how palaces usually are? That would be cool. At any rate, don’t expect, like, a super informal vibe. In a way, it’s all about projecting that sense of power and also, you know, respect. Which makes, I guess, perfect sense!

Lunch and those Little Moments of downtime

Like, lunch was included, too, in this trip. That buffet that was there had different choices. From what I hear, that choice kind of changes depending on which tour you book. The food was, arguably, OK. Nothing special. Like, I’d recommend, for you, to pack a snack in advance. That way, you, at least, know that you have some very yummy options.

We did have a few photo stops. Yet, because we went during the summer, the weather kind of wrecked those shots a bit, so too it’s almost something that I think others may wish to factor in as well.

Things That Seemed Great about the Full-Day Tour

• The convenience. Very! Getting picked up and dropped off from your hotel is nothing to take for granted. So, the logistics? Is that sorted for you? Yes.
• Seeing two major landmarks in one day. In a way, this trip really gets you two impressive sites, without, as a matter of fact, all that hassle of doing it yourself.
• Our tour guide had knowledge of all that culture. So, hearing all about the history from a person? Pretty, very priceless.

A couple of not-so-good things on the Full-Day Tour

• Like, some bits felt rushed. More or less, you get only a fixed amount of time at each location, which may feel like a mad dash sometimes, basically if you want to really explore.
• The lunch, as I said, was average. I mean, don’t expect a fine thing; that would be the most gentle way to say it.
• I mean, this tour isn’t very cheap. You may want to figure out if the convenience factor justifies those expenses if your budget is super tight.

So, in Summary: Worth Doing?

Is that full-day city tour worth your money and also your time? Very! But that all depends on you and your own preferences. Like, are you OK with sacrificing in-depth exploration for that convenience of seeing the highlights? Is a jam-packed schedule something you find great? If that is a “yes,” go for it. But if you are someone who really likes traveling at a very leisurely pace? Maybe think about planning things on your own, so that it works best.

Oh and yeah – that Grand Mosque really is very very special.

Quick Tips before You Go

• Wear very loose, comfy clothing (remember, you’ll likely be in that hot sun for a while!).
• Carry some sunscreen, like, sunglasses, and a hat too.
• And, be sure to drink a lot of water to not feel light headed.

At any rate, no matter how you do it, you definitely don’t want to miss the Grand Mosque and the Presidential Palace. Like, it’s a way of experiencing those two sides of what the UAE has to offer, just be sure that whatever plan that you come up with, suits your needs. The adventure? Definitely should be fun. That should always be your compass, just make sure you’ve accounted for the sun.