Crew Tip Dubai: (100)1 Night in Mustafa's Favourite City

In our "Crew Tips" section, one of our crew members shares their favorite spots at a SWISS destination. Get a first-hand glimpse of where our crews like to eat, shop and enjoy the cultural life. This time, Cabin Crew Member Mustafa shares his impressions of the ultra-modern city in the Middle East.

My name is Mustafa and I have been working for SWISS for one and a half years as a cabin crew member and member of the PR team. I would like to give you some tips for our Oriental medium-haul service to Dubai (DXB). As I have been flying to Dubai almost twice a month for the past year - I usually request this route in our crew planning tool - I have become a Dubai expert.

Mustafa in front of SWISS wallpaper.
Mustafa has been working for SWISS as a Cabin Crew Member for one and a half years.

Rooftopbar Treehouse
We all know the feeling when we disembark from the Airbus A330 in Dubai at around 21:00 local time in the evening and drive a little tired to our fantastic crew hotel. Usually we still have some energy left in the evening due to the time difference. So here's my first recommendation. Treehouse Dubai is a fantastic place to relax after work. The rooftop bar has a great view of the Burj Khalifa. No need for reservations, and the prices are reasonable. Since people generally dress nicely in Dubai, it's a good idea to wear something a bit fancy, but it's not a must.

A bar with wooden lamps.
From the rooftop bar you can enjoy a great view of the Burj Khalifa.
Mustafa sitting on a couch in the bar.
Mustafa likes to go to the Treehouse for an after-flight drink.

Dubai Mall
My next tip is the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping center, where you can not only shop but also enjoy some food. On the second floor in the food court, you'll find various fast-food chains and international cuisines with dishes at affordable prices. Among my favorites are the Turkish restaurant "Günaydin" and the Persian restaurant "Noon Kabab" with their delicious kebabs.

The front of the Dubai Mall building.
Dubai Mall is one of the largest shopping centers in the world.

Sheikh Zayed Moschee in Abu Dhabi
Of course, you can also take a day trip to the capital, Abu Dhabi. My next suggestion: The Sheikh Zayed Mosque. One of the officially largest mosques in the United Arab Emirates. I recommend planning the entire day for this and setting out in a rental car in the morning. I advise against taking an Uber or bus there, as it's faster and more cost-effective with a rental car. At DXB Airport (usually in Terminal 3), you can rent a car for approximately CHF 30 for the whole day. The drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi takes about an hour. I did this little trip with my best friend back then, and it was just fantastic.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
For a day trip, Mustafa recommends visiting the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
The courtyard of the mosque.
The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates.

Jumeirah Public Beach & Burj Al Arab
For those who enjoy going to the beach and sunbathing, I recommend the Jumeirah Public Beach. It's a public beach, so there's no entrance fee. The water is crystal blue, and you can cool off in the water during the hot weather in Dubai - a little paradise. Of course, you can also visit the 7-star Burj Al Arab hotel, one of the famous landmarks of Dubai. However, you need to purchase an online admission ticket for approximately CHF 70.

Desert Tour
If you prefer something exotic, then a desert trip would be ideal. Hence, my next suggestion: the desert tour. You can explore various offers, with prices ranging from CHF 20 to CHF 120 per person, and the duration typically lasts between four and a maximum of eight hours. Online, there are many providers such as shouf.io, getyourguide.com or safariridedubai.com, where you can find great deals.

Dubai's desert.
If you want to see another side of Dubai, you can explore the desert through various tours.

Museum of the Future & Dubai Frame
During our layover, you can also visit the Museum of the Future and capture great memories with photos and videos. Admission is CHF 35, and tickets can be booked directly on their website. The museum showcases how society will evolve by the year 2071 and the technologies expected in the next 50 years. Additionally, with this combo ticket, you get access to the 124th and 125th floors of the Burj Khalifa – brilliant!

For fantastic photos and videos, the Dubai Frame is also recommended: the world's largest picture frame. Take an elevator 150 meters up for a fantastic view of Dubai. Here, you'll take a journey through the past, present, and future of Dubai. Admission is approximately CHF 12.

At night the Dubai Frame shines in a variety of colors.
You can enjoy beautiful views of the city from the Dubai Frame.

Bastakia Disctrict
The Bastakia disctrict is the oldest part of the city, considered the historical center of Dubai. Bastakia is renowned for its authentic buildings, with one of the main attractions being the wind towers. It's a very picturesque place that you must see. You can also capture excellent photos in the Arabic old town here. I recommend visiting this place in the morning or during sunset, as it is a popular tourist attraction in Dubai.

The old town of Dubai.
To get the most out of the Bastakia district, Mustafa recommends going there in the morning or at sunset.

Dinner 50 meters above ground
Sky Dubai, also known as Dinner in the Sky, offers you lunch and/or dinner 50 meters above ground. You are elevated onto a special platform and seated in chairs with four straps - similar to a jump seat. You pre-book a table, select the dishes, and the chef prepares them for you in the sky. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the view. Tickets can be booked through dinnerinthesky.ae, ranging from CHF 140 to CHF 200 per person. Enjoy your meal - bon appétit!

Now, I hope I've provided you with great tips for our destination, Dubai. Dubai is a beautiful city with numerous activities to explore. Even though the layover for us as cabin crew members is relatively short, there are many things to do in the Arabian metropolis. I wish you a lot of fun in DXB!