2 day dubai trip

2 Days in Dubai: The Perfect Itinerary (First Time Visit)

The best itinerary for 2 days in dubai (+ where to stay).

You have decided to go 2 days in Dubai and you’re looking for the best places to visit and activities?

You’re at the right place!

In order to help you plan your stay , I have prepared for you this perfectly optimized 2-day itinerary in Dubai that will allow you to discover the must-see attractions of the city.

In addition to the best things to do for each stage of your itinerary, I will also give you all my best tips to save time and money as well as accommodation suggestions depending on your budget.

So, ready to discover the best places to visit in Dubai in 2 days?

Let’s go!

1. Dubai Explorer Pass

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Over only a few years time span, Dubai quickly became one of the most visited cities in the world.

Every year, millions of visitors come to Dubai to discover the city’s best places to visit.

You can thus expect to wait for long time to get inside all must see attractions! I’m especially thinking about the Burj Khalifa or Dubai aquarium .

If you have already been to big European cities such as Amsterdam , London or Rome you probably know what I’m talking about.

Hopefully, there are several ways to save a lot of time and optimize your 2-day itinerary in Dubai 😁.

You want to save time and money during 2-day trip to Dubai?

I have the solution for you: You should buy the Dubai Explorer Pass.

There are several versions of the Dubai Pass , depending on the number of activities you would like to do.

There is a Dubai Pass for 3, 4, 5 or 7 attractions.

Unlike for other city passes, the duration of your stay doesn’t matter. The only important thing is the number of activities you would like to do during your 48 hours stay in Dubai.

It’s thus very important to plan your visits in advance to know how many activities you would like to do and choose the correct version of the City Pass.

The Dubai Pass grants you access to no less than 50 different attractions, including of course all the most famous ones such as the Burj Khalifa, the day trip to the desert and the entrance to the Aquaventure park of Atlantis hotel.

To order your Dubai Explorer pass , you just have to click here or on the green button located a bit below in the article. You will then receive in the mail with your pass (you can print it or download it on your smartphone).

The only thing you will then have to do is to present the pass at the entrance of all tourist attractions.

After booking, in addition to the city pass, you will also receive by email a guide with all the necessary information about the attractions (schedule, how to get there etc..).

Here are the most popular attractions included in the Dubai Explorer Pass:

• Access to the observation deck on the 124th and 125th floors of the Burj Khalifa
• Aquarium and underwater zoo
• Ticket for Dubai Hop On Hop Off Bus
• Boat trip from Dubai Marina or in Dubai Creek
• Aquaventure Waterpark, at the Atlantis Hotel
• Desert Excursion with Barbecue
• Motiongate Dubai
• Legoland Dubai
• IMG Worlds of Adventure.

To get the full list of activities, you can click here: Activities included in the Dubai Explorer Pass .

To purchase your Dubai Explorer Pass , it’s very simple – you just have to click on the green button below:

2. Skip-the-line tickets for Dubai’s tourist attractions

If you don’t want to buy the Dubai Pass, the other solution for your 2-day stay in Dubai is to purchase skip the line tickets for each attraction you want to visit.

In that case too, you will need to plan your weekend in Dubai a bit in advance in order to get your tickets.

And that’s what we’re here for, as it will allow to save time and money 😎!

Yes, in Dubai, online tickets are cheaper than the tickets sold directly at the ticket office.

In order to make it easier for you, I have prepared the list of all skip the line tickets that will be useful for your 2-day trip to Dubai. By purchasing them using these links, you are 100% sure to get the official tickets.

The great thing is that in addition to the entrance tickets to the tourist attractions, you will also be able to book amazing guided visits and activities such as a day cruise on a yacht!

To check the prices and to book, just click on the links below (you’ll also find them throughout the article):

• Guided tour of old Dubai (Deira + Bur Dubai)
• Traditional boat tour
• Luxury cruise with gourmet dinner
• Dubai Frame
• Aquarium + Underwater Zoo
• Burj Khalifa
• Dubai zip line
• Marina cruise on a luxury Yacht
• Mall of the Emirates
• La Perle Show
• Aquaventure Waterpark
• Aquaventure + The Lost Chambers
• Excursion to the desert
• Excursion to Abu Dhabi

If you want to book other activities in Dubai, you should always use this reliable and safe website: Click here to book official entrance tickets and activities in Dubai .

And for even more information about the best activities and excursions in Dubai, you can also read my article: The 30 Best Activities and Excursions in Dubai.

If you already know your travel dates (or as soon as you will have them!) , you should really book your accommodation.

As Dubai is one of the most touristic cities in the world , the hotels offering the best value for money are often fully booked months in advance.

As a seasoned traveler, I can assure you that it’s always by planning as far in advance as possible that I’ve found the best hotels or apartments deals.

You agree that it would be a shame to somewhat ruin your stay in Dubai by ending up in a not-so-great hotel that costed you a fortune, right? 😅

So your best bet is to take 5 minutes now to have a look at  traveler’s favorite hotels in Dubai.

And if you like one of the hotels you find, book it!

It’s fast, it’s easy and most accommodation offer free cancellation. That’s the best way to protect yourself from the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the best hotels deals in Dubai, simply click on the green button below:

After securing your dream stay, it’s time to continue reading this guide!

Dubai in 2 days: the best itinerary

It’s now time to plan your 2-day itinerary in Dubai!

For each day of your stay, I will give you all the details you need to organize your visits , as well as a map showing the attractions of the day.

This itinerary is perfectly optimized , you can follow it and enjoy a stress-free stay in Dubai !

I assume that you will be staying in Dubai for 2 full days and that you have purchased the Dubai Explorer Pass or Skip-the-Line tickets .

This way, you won’t waste time waiting in line to buy tickets and will be able to see as many places as possible during your 2 day stay.

If you still have any questions after reading this guide (or need help to organize your trip), you can ask me in the comments section located at the bottom of this article.

Day 1 – Old Dubai

Day 1 visits:

A. Deira district B. Bur Dubai C. Dubai Museum D. Dubai Frame E. Dubai Garden Glow

You will start your 2-day itinerary in Old Dubai , one of the oldest districts of the city.

To get there, the easiest is to take the metro and stop at Al Ras station.

Far from the skyscrapers, the old Dubai (and Deira district especially) is well known for its colorful souks.

During your stroll, you will discover:

• The gold souk , a long alley lined with stores offering sumptuous (and very imposing!) gold jewelry. But don’t worry, if you’re looking for something more discreet, you’ll find it too!
• The Perfume Souk, located on Sikkat Al Khail Street. You can’t get lost, just follow the smells!
• The spice souk and its countless spices: curry, chili pepper, saffron….

If, in addition to doing a bit of shopping, you want to learn more about Old Dubai’s history , you should really opt for a guided tour.

The best one is about 3 hours long and will take through Deira’s alley, the maze of the souks and to Dubai Museum (I will tell you more about it a bit below).

It’s the perfect tour to learn everything you need to know about Old Dubai and the local lifestyle!

*This guided tour of Deira and Bur Dubai includes everything from section A to C of this first day itinerary.

You need to book your guided tour of Old Dubai by clicking on the green button below:

In Dubai, Friday is a holy day (like Sunday in Europe). Stores in Deira (but also in other parts of Dubai) are usually closed in the morning and open again in the late afternoon.

You should start your 2-day trip to Dubai in Deira district for a very simple reason : it’s the best place in Dubai to change your money!

The exchange rates are better here than at the airport or in the shopping malls.

After Deira, let’s stay a bit more in Old Dubai and visit Bur Dubai , the other ancient district of the city.

To get there from Deira , it’s super easy: you will just have to take an abra (a traditional boat) to cross Dubai Creek. It takes 5 minutes and only costs 1 AED!

When you disembark, you can start by taking a walk along the Creek , towards the house of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum . There is a museum housing documents and photos of the city’s history there.

Then, you can turn around (get back to the boat pier) and enter the Old Souk , the heart of Bur Dubai district.

The Old Souk is a great place to purchase souvenirs , however you will need to bargain if you don’t want to pay the “tourist price”!

In Bur Dubai, you will also find numerous Indian stores all around Hindi Lane and Meena Bazzar.

It will then probably be time for you to have lunch, and you will have several options:

• One of the many small restaurants frequented by locals. Perfect if you’re looking for cheap traditional food!
• Al-Seef Market , featuring restaurants and stores located in replica traditional houses
• Sheikh Mohamed Cultural Center: lunches are organized every day in a traditional house with an inhabitant of Dubai. Perfect to learn more about the local culture! It needs to be booked in advance by clicking here .

As Bur Dubai is located on the Creek river, it’s the perfect place to go on a dinner Cruise.

It’s a great way to enjoy a boat ride on the river and discover the city from another angle!

This boat trip is offered in 2 versions (click on the orange links for more details):

• A traditional boat cruise + Buffet dinner + Demonstration of local folk dances
• A luxury cruise with gourmet dinner .

A cruise is also included in the Dubai Explorer Pass .

During your 2-day stay in Dubai, there is one place you should visit to learn more about the city’s history: Dubai Museum .

As it’s also located in Bur Dubai , that’s your next destination for today!

From the origins of the city , to the incredible economic boom of the 60’s and then the crazy future projects , you will learn everything about the history of Dubai.

You will see, the museum is very interesting and is a great way to understand the evolution of the city.

The entrance fee is 3 AED only, so you have no reason to skip this visit!

*Please note that the museum is closed on Friday mornings.

For the rest of the afternoon, you will explore the modern part of the city and discover the extravagant side of Dubai!

And for that, there’s no better way than to head to Dubai’s brand new attraction: The Dubai Frame.

You can climb to the top of this 150m high golden photo frame to admire a superb panorama.

The view is truly unique, with the old districts of Deira and Bur Dubai on one side and Downtown Dubai’s skyscrapers (including the famous Burj Khalifa of course!) on the other.

And to make it more sensational (otherwise we wouldn’t be in Dubai), a part of the floor is made of glass!

To reach Dubai Frame from the museum, you have 2 options:

• The metro, from Al Fahidi station to Al Jafiliya station
• Take a taxi – A 5 km trip (taxis are cheap in Dubai) and the driver will drop you off right in front of the park entrance where the Dubai Frame is located.

To visit the Dubai Frame , you should really buy your ticket in advance. This activity is not yet included in the Dubai Pass Explorer, so you have to book your ticket directly by clicking on the green button below :

To end the evening in style, you will want to head to Dubai Garden Glow , your last visit of this 1st day.

This large park is known for its hundreds of sculptures coming to life every evening during light shows with musical backgrounds.

And it’s not just for kids!

The park is so well done that it will please both children and adults alike. It’s really a great place to make beautiful photos and videos and spend a great moment.

The ticket price (65 AED) also includes the entrance to another park located just next door: The Dinosaur park . It features true size dinosaur sculptures, and some of them even move and growl when you pass by.

You should start with the Dinosaur Park at the end of the day (around sunset time) and then visit the Dubai Garden Glow after dark.

Dubai Garden glow is open from 4pm to 11pm.

At the ticket office, you will be offered tickets for 2 more parks:

• Magic Park (30 AED): there, you can take funny pictures based on optical illusions in a 3D decor.
• Ice Park for (45 AED): it’s not really worth it in my opinion, it’s a bit too expensive to see a few ice sculptures.

Day 2: Sightseeing and activities in Dubai

Day 2 visits:

A. Etihad Museum B. Jumeirah Mosque C. La Mer D. Dubai Mall E. Dubai Fountain Show F. Burj Khalifa

To start your 2nd day in Dubai, you should visit the Etihad Museum.

It’s the perfect place to learn more about the foundation of the United Arab Emirates. In 1971, The 7 Sheikhs signed the “ Declaration of Union”, the important first step to kickstart the country’s economic development.

In the museum, you can discover their testimonies through several films and interactive terminals explaining this historical moment.

This visit is a perfect complement to your visit to Dubai Museum on the first day!

It takes around 1 hour to visit Etihad Museum and the entrance fee is 25 AED.

To get to the Etihad Museum, take the subway to the World Trade Center and then a taxi.

After leaving the museum, walk along the road for about 10 minutes to arrive at Jumeirah Mosque.

To visit the Mosque, you must be accompanied by a guide . He will teach everything you need to know about Muslim traditions and the 5 pillars of Islam.

The 1h15 visits take place every day (except Fridays), usually around 10am and 2pm.

Please note that you can only enter the mosque with your legs and shoulders covered (applies to both men and women). In addition, women must also cover their hair .

Even if you don’t want to do the guided visit, you can at least admire the Mosque’s architecture as you walk by: Jumeirah Mosque is close to Etihad Museum and on the way to the next stop of this itinerary.

If you want to take the guided tour , you should rather visit the mosque first and then go to Etihad Museum, as the latter doesn’t open until 10am.

As the mosque is only a 10-minute walk from Etihad Museum, it doesn’t make much difference.

After the mosque, keep walking for about 5 minutes to arrive at “La Mer” waterfront promenade.

In La Mer, you will find many restaurants and cafes with terraces . It’s the perfect place to have lunch by the sea!

You can then walk along the seafront and enjoy the splendid view of the whole Dubai skyline.

And of course, if you want to do relax, simply rent a deckchair and enjoy some time at the beach.

Spending 2 days in Dubai without going to the Dubai Mall , the most visited mall in the world, is literally impossible!

To get there, the easiest is to take a taxi from La Mer.

There, you can enjoy shopping in more than 1200 stores : Luxury boutiques or international brands like H&M … There is something for everyone!

The hardest will probably be to find your way around this huge shopping center. Hopefully, you can download the Dubai Mall app or grab a map and find your favorite shops easily.

And if you don’t feel like shopping, that’s not a problem either: in the mall, there are numerous cinemas, an ice rink, a go-kart track and a flight simulator waiting for you.

While in Dubai Mall, you should also go to the aquarium and underwater zoo : you’ll start by going through the glass tunnel featuring sharks and rays before before reaching the underwater zoo.

There, you can see marine life from around the world as well as King Croc , the star of the aquarium and one of the largest living crocodiles in the world.

There is always a long waiting line in front of the aquarium , at any time of the day.

Hopefully, you can purchase tickets online in advance and save time and money!

There are 2 types of tickets for the aquarium (click on the links to book):

• The classic: Aquarium + Underwater Zoo ticket
• A combined ticket: Aquarium + Underwater Zoo + Burj Khalifa – Certainly the most interesting for you , as you will visit the Burj Khalifa at the end of the day. A great way to save money!

The aquarium and underwater zoo are included in the Dubai Explorer Pass.

To get to Dubai Mall from La Mer , you should take a taxi (5 km ride). Unfortunately, there is no metro station near La Mer.

In the late afternoon, as soon as it gets dark, head to the large artificial lake outside Dubai Mall to attend the famous Dubai Fountain Show.

The Dubai Fountain Show takes place every 30 minutes between 6pm and 11pm.

There are several version, with different music tracks, so don’t hesitate to watch a few shows if you are around for the evening!

As the show is extremely popular (honestly, I didn’t expect to see so many people!), you should arrive a bit early to get a good spot by the water.

And if you want to admire the show from a unique viewpoint, you should opt for boat tour on the lake.

It needs to be booked by clicking the button below:

Another nice place to see the show are the 2 terraces of the Apple Store, in the Dubai Mall.

After the fountain show, it will be time for one of the most thrilling experience of your 2-day itinerary in Dubai: visiting the Burj Khalifa.

You could admire the skyscraper from all angles from the lake and from many places in Dubai, but now it’s time for you to go up!

I saved this visit for last for a good reason: the view is much more impressive at night when the whole city is lit up than during the day.

From the observation deck on the 124th and 125th floors of the world’s tallest tower , the view is simply breathtaking.

And that’s not all! If you feel like it (and purchase the correct tickets), you can go higher, up to the 148th floor.

Located 555 meters above the ground it’s simply the highest observation deck in the world.

However, don’t even try to go up to the Burj Khalifa without booking your ticket first!

There won’t be any time slot available or you’ll have to wait for hours.

Here are the 3 different tickets available (click on the orange links for information and to book):

• Entrance ticket At The Top Burj Khalifa – Access to the 124th and 125th floor
• VIP Ticket – At The Top Sky – Access to the 148th floor of the Burj Khalifa + 124th and 125th floor + fast track entry at the security checkpoints and elevator
• Ascent to the 124th floor + dinner at the Burj Club restaurant.

And if you want to visit the Aquarium and Burj Khalifa , you should buy this ticket:

The entrance to Burj Khalifa is included in the Dubai Explorer Pass .

The entrance to the Burj Khalifa is located on the LG level of Dubai Mall. You will then need to follow the signs “At The Top Burj Khalifa .”

Day 2 in Dubai – Option 2

You wanna do something different during your 2nd day in Dubai?

No problem, here is another option!

The following visits will be different: in the morning, you won’t go to Etihad Museum, the Jumeirah Mosque and La Mer.

Here is what I suggest instead:

In the morning, let’s first head to Dubai Marina and go for a luxury yacht cruise!

You can choose between the 2-hour cruise with breakfast that starts around 9am, or the one that includes a barbecue lunch and departs around 11:30am.

In both cases, you will discover some of Dubai’s highlights from the sea: Ain Wheel, the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, JBR and its beaches lined with luxury hotels and residences and of course the famous Burj Al Arab hotel!

To book your luxury yacht cruise, it’s very simple, you just have to click on the green button below:

After your cruise, you can take advantage of being in Dubai Marina to try out one of the best activities of the city: Dubai Xline, the longest urban zipline in the world!

You will start from a rooftop at 170 meters high and enjoy a 1km long flight above the Marina.

Of course, the photos and videos of your experience are included in the price: A great memory of your flight amidst the skyscrapers in Dubai!

To book your zip-line ride in Dubai , simply click the button below:

If the ticket isn’t available, you can also check on this other website (click here).

From the Marina, you can then take the metro directly to Dubai Mall and continue the itinerary I talked about in “option 1” :

• D. Shopping at Dubai Mall
• E. Visit to the aquarium
• F. Fountain show at the end of the day
• G. Get to the top of Burj Khalifa when it’s the night falls.

Simply click here to get back to the detailed explanation for that part of the itinerary.

Now that you know the best itinerary to visit Dubai in 2 days, you still have to take care of one thing: finding the perfect hotel for your stay!

In order to help you out, I have prepared this list of the best hotels in Dubai depending on your budget , ordered by districts.

And as Dubai is the city of luxury and excess, I have also dedicated a special section to the best luxury hotels in Dubai , so you know where to look if you want to treat yourself or for a special occasion!

In any case, you should book as early as possible to get the best prices. The hotels that offers the best value for money in Dubai are often fully booked months in advance!

The best hotels in Downtown Dubai (near the Burj Khalifa)

• DoubleTree of Hilton Dubai – Business Bay: Located 1.5 km from Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall. Very spacious and comfortable room, well decorated and equipped from 110€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: free shuttle to the Dubai Mall, good breakfast, comfort, tranquility. This my favorite hotel in Dubai for its exceptional value for money!
• Rove Downtown: Only 600 meters from the Dubai Mall. Bright and clean double room with view on Burj Khalifa, from 150€, breakfast for 15€. Strong points: Access to the Dubai Mall on foot, helpful staff, free shuttle service to the beach, Dubai Museum or Madinat Souk.
• Taj Dubai: Located 800 meters from Burj Khalifa. Modern and luxurious room with bay window overlooking the city and marble bathroom starting at 220€ per night, breakfast at 32€. Strong points: The magnificent view from the roof, the Indian decoration, the large swimming pool. An excellent hotel in Dubai city center, perfect for a romantic stay!
• Palace Downtown: Located on the lake at the foot of the Burj Khalifa, this 5-star hotel offers magnificent rooms with balcony, with an exceptional view of the Burj Khalifa. From 380€ per night, breakfast at 39€. Strong points: the exceptional location, the beautiful surroundings, the very attentive and helpful staff. This is my recommendation for a luxury stay in Downtown Dubai!

The best hotels in old Dubai (Deira and Bur Dubai)

• Golden Sands Hotel Apartments : Located in Bur Dubai, 1.5 km from the Dubai Museum. Apartment equipped with kitchenette and washing machine, from 80€ per night, breakfast from 11€. Strong points: Cleanliness, the heated swimming pool, the comfortable apartments
• Swissôtel Al Ghurair Dubai: Located in Deira district. Warm and spacious room from 115€, breakfast at 27€. Strong points: the pleasant staff, the view, the good breakfast. It’s my favourite in Old Dubai for its excellent value for money!
• Hyatt Regency Creek Heights Residences: Located next to Creekside Park. Very spacious, super comfortable and very well equipped rooms starting at 130€ per night, breakfast at 33€. Strong points: 5 minutes walk from the metro, the warm welcome, the quiet location, the spa.
• Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek : 5* hotel located in Deira bay. Double room with balcony overlooking the bay from 150€, breakfast at 29€. Strong points: The proximity of the metro and the shops, the beautiful swimming pool, the comfortable bed and the amazing view. This is my recommendation for a luxury stay in Old Dubai!

Dubai’s best beach hotels

• Delta Hotels by Marriott Jumeirah Beach, Dubai: Located 300 meters from the beach. Rooms and apartments with sea view from 125€, breakfast at 27€. Strong points: The view, the comfortable beds, the location near the beach and the harbor.
• Amwaj Rotana, Jumeirah Beach – Dubai: Located along “The Walk”. Rooms with balcony overlooking the Gulf and Palm Jumeirah from 175€, breakfast at 24€. Strong points: the exceptional view, the proximity of the tram and metro, restaurants and shops at the foot of the hotel.
• Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach: Located 150 meters from the beach. Contemporary room with balcony and sea view from 230€, breakfast at 22€. Strong points: the infinity pool, the very good breakfast, the spa, the ideal location to enjoy the sea.
• Grosvenor House Hotel and Apartments: Located on the port promenade. Elegant and bright double room from 290€, breakfast at 42€. Strong points: Comfort, access to the private beach, the quality of the food.

The most beautiful luxury hotels in Dubai

• Atlantis The Palm, Dubai : One of the emblematic hotels of the city, located in Palm Jumeirah. Room from 300€, breakfast from 42€. Strong points: Includes access to Aquaventure Park and The Lost Chambers aquarium, private beach, swimming pools.
• Rixos The Palm Hotel & Suites – Ultra All Inclusive: Also located in Palm Jumeirah, this luxury hotel offers all inclusive rooms (all meals included) from 452€. Strong points: the quality of the meals, the setting, the amazing rooms.
• The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai: Located directly on the beach of JBR Walk. Elegantly furnished rooms with balcony and sea view from 500€ per night, breakfast at 39€. Strong points: 6 swimming pools, a private beach, the spa, the very helpful staff.
• Armani Hotel Dubai: Located in the Burj Khalifa Tower! Rooms decorated by the fashion designer Giorgio Armani, starting at 550€ per night, breakfast at 41€. Strong points: the privilege of sleeping in the Burj Khalifa, the refinement of the place, the view.
• Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah: Located in Palm Jumeirah. Luxury suite with living room and dining room starting at 750€, breakfast included. Strong points: The private beach, the huge swimming pool and the beautiful gardens.
• Burj Al Arab Jumeirah: THE luxury hotel, one of the rare 7* hotels in the world! The “smallest” suite is 170m² and prices start at 1290€, breakfast at 74€. I can assure you that your stay in Dubai will be truly exceptional and unforgettable!

If you’ve planned to spend 48h in Dubai with your kids , you will be happy to hear that this itinerary is totally doable with familly.

Public transports in Dubai are super convenient and you can easily take the metro with a stroller.

And if you prefer to take taxis , the great thing is that they are quite cheap and there are no scams . They always put the taximeter and you’re sure to pay the right price (unlike in Thailand for example).

Here is a quick recap of the best activities you can do during your 2 days in Dubai with your family:

• The souks of Old Dubai: take a stroll and discover the colorful stalls full of nice souvenirs to bring back. Your kids will like it for sure!
• Dubai Garden Glow and its enchanted universe. Don’t miss the Dinosaur Park located nearby
• Spend some time at the beach to play in the sand (The Walk and the Beach)
• The aquarium and underwater zoo , in Dubai Mall. Perfect to discover the marine wildlife!
• Dubai Fountains music and light show
• Going to the top of Burj Khalifa .

If you want to add activities for your children and modify this two days itinerary in Dubai a bit, you can go to:

• Laguna Waterpark , more suitable for young children than the Atlantis park, as the attractions are smaller
• Miracle Garden , for a stroll through structures covered with millions of flowers
• Dubai Creekside Park, a huge public park with several outdoor playgrounds
• IMG Worlds of Adventure: an indoor theme park
• Dubai Parks and Resorts: Several theme parks, including one about cinema and cartoons or another one dedicated to the LEGO universe
• The Green Planet , to discover animals and plants of the tropical forest.

The itinerary you’ve just read is the best way to see as many must-see attractions as possible in 2 days.

However, don’t hesitate to personnalize it by modifying or adding activities!

So if you want to know more about the other places to visit in the city, you should read my guide: Dubai: The 30 Best Things to Do .

To help you visualize your daily itineraries during your 2 days in Dubai, I have created this map with all the places to visit day by day . You can view the legend of the map by clicking on the top left button, the one with a little arrow.

You can thus see the suggested itineraries for each day.

As always, you should book your plane tickets as early as possible to get the best prices.

To check the rates and schedules for flights to Dubai, you can use our flight comparator, in partnership with Skyscanner:

Discover all my articles about Dubai : All my articles to help you plan your trip to Dubai are listed there.

• Dubai: The 30 best places to visit – All best things to do and activities!
• 2 days in Dubai – The perfect itinerary for 48h!
• 3 Days in Dubai – The best 72h itinerary
• 4 Days in Dubai – The defitinive guide to plan your trip
• 5 Days in Dubai – How to spend 5 days in Dubai
• 1 Week in Dubai – The best itinerary to visit Dubai in 7 days!
• Burj Khalifa: The definitive guide to all tickets + Tips
• Dubai Aquarium: discover one of Dubai’s must see attraction
• Dubai Mall: How to plan your visit of this huge shopping center!
• Dubai Old Town: 10 best things to do
• Dubai Fountain Show: all my tips to enjoy it to the fullest!
• Palm Jumeirah: the 15 best things to do!
• TOP Activities in Dubai – The 30 best activities and excursions to do in Dubai!
• Dubai Zipline – Price, info and reservations for the best experience in town!
• The best desert safaris in Dubai – my 7 favorites! (4WD, quad, buggy and more)
• Where to stay in Dubai? The guide to the best hotels by district, for all budgets
• Dubai Pass: The best way to save time and money in Dubai!

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Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

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WHAT TO DO IN DUBAI IN 2 DAYS – ITINERARY FOR 2024

2-DAY DUBAI ITINERARY + TRAVEL TIPS

Table of Contents

Are you planning to visit Dubai but are unsure what to do in Dubai in 2 days or how much to fit into your 2-day Dubai itinerary? Then this post is for you – here is how to create a perfect itinerary for first-time visitors plus many travel tips.

I often visit Dubai – whether as a stopover or as a 1-week trip. It is such a unique city and I am happy to share how to spend 2 days in Dubai.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means I will earn a small commission when you buy a product/service via my links (at no extra cost to you). More about it  here .

2-DAY DUBAI ITINERARY

Here are some FAQs before talking about the actual itinerary.

ARE 2 DAYS IN DUBAI ENOUGH?

2 days in Dubai is a good amount to get an idea of the city. You can visit some of the main sights and attractions, but it is not enough to see some hidden gems or really see all of the main sights. 

DUBAI ITINERARY FOR 2 DAYS – THINGS TO DO AND SEE

Here are places I suggest visiting in Dubai in 2 days. I also give a time frame, but of course, it really is up to each person how much you can actually do and see.

HERE ARE THE PLACES TO VISIT ON DAY 1 IN DUBAI:

• GOLD AND SPICE SOUK
• LA MER OR JUMEIRAH BEACH
• BURJ KHALIFA
• DUBAI WATER FOUNTAIN

HERE ARE THINGS TO DO ON DAY 2 IN DUBAI:

• DUBAI MARINA
• DUBAI DESERT
• IN WINTER ONLY: MIRACLE GARDEN

DAY 1 OF 2 DAYS IN DUBAI

So, let´s start your 2-day trip by visiting the souks in Dubai (markets).

Stop 1: Gold and Spice Souk in Deira

ℹ️  Most stores open around 9 am to 10 pm , and it gets busy quickly. On Fridays, the shops might open later.

ℹ️  I recommend starting early in the morning (around 9 am or so) before all the other tourists come and it gets even more hectic.

You can buy souvenirs, clothes (including Arabian clothes), gold, spices, rugs, and all kind of things . The prices are much better than in the malls (especially for souvenirs) and if you are about to buy something, then do it here.

ℹ️  TIP : If you buy something, you must haggle. It is part of shopping in this area, and actually, it can be fun if you do it in a nice way.

ℹ️  TIP FOR SOLO FEMALE TRAVELERS: I love this area, but as a solo traveler, it is not easy. There are stares. There will be shop owners who approach you. Overall, it is safe, so there is no need to worry, but it can be tiring.

Stop 2: Abra Ride / Bur Dubai 

The most authentic abra ride is near the gold and spice souk . You can walk towards the abra station of Deira Gold Souk and get to the other side (Bur Dubai) by taking an abra.

The ride just takes a few minutes and costs a few cents and is a nice and cheap way to get to the other side of the creek where you can continue your travel. You can also have the whole abra to yourself for 5€. This allows great photo opportunities with no one else in the picture. However, if you make it to the front of the abra, you can take good pictures even with other people on the boat.

ℹ️  In Bur Dubai are some museums and another souk where you find more spices, gold, and other things.

ℹ️  Of course, you can spend a whole day exploring this part of Dubai, but if you only have 2 days in Dubai, I recommend planning 2-5 hours to see  these two areas of Dubai. If you want to budget your time more wisely, you can plan in one hour. 

Stop 3: La Mer

La Mer is a new beachfront area with tons of cool and hip restaurants/cafes, street art, cool graffiti , and fun details. It is a great place to chill though it can be quite busy (for Dubai standards when it comes to beaches). However, it is a place you should not miss out on – especially as the beach at La Mer comes with a Burj Khalifa view.

Take a dip in the ocean , or do some water sports – water enthusiasts definitely will love that place but even those who need to rest for an hour or two, will enjoy La Mer.

Have some lunch, enjoy the graffiti (there is quite a lot) and then head to the next place.

ℹ️  Check out my guide on La Mer .

Stop 3: OR Jumeirah Beach / Kite Beach

Many beaches in Dubai are private and reserved for relevant hotel guests. Jumeirah Beach is open to the public and free of charge. And though it can get busy, it does not get as busy as we know from European beaches.

The open Jumeirah Beach  also offers nice views of the only 7* hotel in the world, Burj Al-Arab. Luckily, the Burj Al-Arab is huge, so the pictures do not really show Burj Al-Arab’s distance to Jumeirah Beach because it is quite far from here. Here you can rest or take a dip and cool off.

ℹ️  Jumeirah Beach is not too far from Dubai Deira and the souks. You can get there by bus or taxi.

ℹ️  From there, get a bus or taxi to Downtown Dubai.

PERSONAL OPINION : If I had time for one beach, I would choose La Mer over Jumeirah/Kite Beach.

Dubai Downtown

After some time at the beach, slowly head to Dubai Downtown. Dubai Downtown is stuffed with many interesting attractions – among others,  Dubai Mall , Dubai Fountain , and Burj Khalifa .

• There is no train connection (neither from Jumeirah Beach nor from La Mer), but you can get there by bus or taxi.

Stop 4: Burj Khalifa

ℹ️  You should plan at least 2-4 hours for visiting the Top of Burj Khalifa (depending on how busy it is).

ℹ️  To get to the top, you have to use the entrance inside Dubai Mall .

ℹ️  The waiting lines to get on top can be very long.

ℹ️  You can either get tickets for levels 124 & 125 or get a ticket for levels 124 & 125 & 148. Of course, the ticket that includes entrance to level 148 is much more expensive. With a ticket to level 148, you can skip the lines – vital if you have little time. I have been on levels 124 & 125 three or four times already but never bought a ticket for level 148. After reading reviews, I found out that the views are not much different – it is mostly about the service and skipping lines.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR BURJ KHALIFA

• ➡️ Check out Burj Khalifa ticket prices for levels 124 & 125
• ➡️  Check out Burj Khalifa ticket prices for levels 124 & 125 &148 (including skip-the-line)
• ➡️  Check out my Burj Khalifa travel guide for more info

Stop 5: Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall is definitely worth a visit, even if you are not a big shopper because it is not only about shopping. You’ll also find the Dubai Aquarium and more attractions here. You could spend several days at the Dubai Mall, so it really depends on how much you are into malls and shopping.

ℹ️  Dubai Mall is located right next to Burj Khalifa, so there is no travel time. You can start your window shopping straight away.

ℹ️  You can spend anything between 30 minutes to many, many hours here.

ℹ️  Dubai Mall also has a food court that offers affordable food from all around the world. Of course, there are also all kinds of restaurants in and near Dubai Mall, including many luxury hotels.

Stop 6: Dubai Fountain

Next to Dubai Mall is the Dubai Fountain. Here you can watch nice water fountain shows in the evening. 

Sitting there and watching tourists while Burj Khalifa is beautifully illuminated at night is a fun day to end your day. Evening shows take place from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM – every 30 minutes. Check out more information here.

It gets busy, so secure yourself a good spot to watch it, and get there way before a show takes place. Also, the show just takes a few minutes, so be on time or you will miss it.

ℹ️  Free to watch.

ℹ️  Dubai is safe, and this area is safe at night, and you can also sit there by yourself in the evening.

Read more: Best places to visit in Dubai at night

Where to Eat in Dubai – Day 1

Deira is great for cheaper food – you´ll find many different cuisines at the Gold and Spice Souks. I suggest having lunch there or at La Mer.

I recommend having dinner in Downtown. Restaurants with a fountain view tend to be more expensive, but there are also good restaurants in the medium-price segment. For the cheapest dinner options, check out the Food Court of Dubai Mall. 

DAY 2 OF 2 DAYS IN DUBAI

Day 2 in Dubai starts in Dubai Marina.

Stop 1: Marina

Start with a nice stroll through Dubai Marina , which is probably one of my favorite parts of Dubai.

This man-made marina is one of the largest in the world . I really liked the Marina with the canal and all the yachts. I could spend hours walking aimlessly around and having a drink once in a while. Besides skyscrapers, you will also find many bars and restaurants.

Dubai Marina is a beautiful place to visit at any time of the day. It might be even more fun to visit in the evening when it gets busier, livelier, and prettier with all the lights. However, for the evening, I also have another place you could visit (more on that later).

➡️  To see Marina from a different perspective, I recommend a Marina Cruise.  There are several options, so look at which one is the perfect choice for you by clicking here .

➡️  I suggest spending a few hours here (and having lunch) and then adding one or two more stops for the day .

Stop 2: JBR Walk

Since it is within walking distance (20-30 minutes) to Dubai Marina, you could also combine it with a trip to Dubai Marina. If you prefer some beach time rather than strolling in Marina, I suggest visiting JBR-The Walk only.

It is the perfect place to swim – there are many options to rent water sports equipment. You can find some street art , so also get away from the beach and walk around. Hop on the “Flying Cup”, which is a ride that takes you up 40 meters, to get a great bird’s-eye view of the beach and JBR Walk.

You can buy tickets just at the Flying Cup. It is also great to have good food – there are so many restaurants and cafes that you will be happy to have a wonderful lunch in a lovely place.

➡️  There is no entrance fee for JBR – The Walk.

Stop 3: Desert Safari

A desert safari tour incl. BBQ normally starts around 3 or 4 pm, so reserve half a day for a trip to the desert. 

You can do the desert tours either in the morning or afternoon.

A morning desert safari is great as it often includes activities like sandboarding or  dune bashing . It surely is a great experience if you do not have so much time to do shorter tours. The Morning Dune Drive takes about 4 hours instead of 7-8 hours.

BOOK YOUR DESERT SAFARI HERE

➡️  Find out more about a morning desert safari here.

➡️  If you have two full days in Dubai, I actually suggest the Sundowner (afternoon) tour. Ending the day in the desert is a great experience. Click here for a desert safari tour in the afternoon/evening. If you have a meal included and are vegetarian/vegan, you can request this in advance – I was so pleased to see the many vegetarian options.

➡️  Often, you will be picked up at your hotel and also be dropped off there as well.

➡️  If your tour starts around 3 pm, make sure to be back at the hotel in time. Plan in possible traffic on your way back from Dubai Marina or JBR – The Walk. It would be a pity if you missed out on the safari because of being late at the pick-up location.

Alternative: Miracle Garden 

If you visit in the winter months, you could also add Dubai Miracle Garden to your 2-day itinerary. Miracle Garden is a very Instafamous flower park, located a bit further from the other popular tourist attractions. 

➡️  The tickets are about 19€.

➡️  Seeing all pieces should take about two hours.

➡️  Miracle Garden is only open in the winter months (normally, it is open from November to May).  Check out their website for more info.

Where to Eat in Dubai – Day 2

For lunch , I suggest having it at Dubai Marina or JBR – The Walk. If you book a desert safari with a BBQ , you have already found a perfect dinner spot. 

TRAVEL TIPS FOR DUBAI IN 2 DAYS

Here you´ll find essential travel tips for your trip to Dubai.

Safety Tips for (Solo Female) Travelers

Dubai is a super safe city to travel to, and I think it is even great to visit as a solo female traveler. However, Deira – the area where you have the souks – is NOT the best place to spend the late evenings alone. I would not say, it was scary but it is uncomfortable as a – female – traveler. So, I avoid this neighborhood in the evening.

Here are some tips on the dress code for females –  it helps you to avoid stares and show your respect to the local culture.

How to Get Around

Dubai has good public transportation.

• However, some stations are spread out, which means that some walking may be required.
• The metro trains and trams are super clean, safe, reliable, and fast.

Using taxis/uber is an easy and safe way to get around.

• Make sure to use the official ones – they have a sign on the taxi. I normally just hail a taxi on the street or take one while waiting at taxi stops at tourist attractions.
• The black Lexus cabs are more expensive than the normal ones, which are super fine to use.
• There is a meter which has to be on when you get into the taxi. You normally do not have to worry about scams in Dubai. You pay what you see on the meter (and feel free to tip).
• Dubai also has Uber.

Sightseeing Buses

One of my favorite ways to get around in Dubai is by getting a hop-on and hop-off ticket.

Where to Stay

Accommodation in Dubai is top – even a 3* hotel is often better than other 3* hotels worldwide. I stayed at all of the ones I mention below.

You can also find budget hotels but you cannot expect super bargains. The best prices are often in Deira, and though I recommend visiting this fun area, it is not an area I recommend staying at – especially not as a female traveler. 

I recommend staying in a central area, so you don’t waste too much time driving around. With a weekend in Dubai only, you don’t want to be stuck in traffic from your hotel to the attraction.

Dubai Marina is the best place to stay if you prefer to be in a lively part of Dubai. With the Marina close by, restaurants and cafes are numerous, but the hotels do not have direct beach access. However, you are quite close to several attractions.   Grosvenor House in Dubai.

➡️  BOOK YOUR STAY AT DUBAI MARINA HERE

JBR Walk is a lovely area with many restaurants and shops. Most hotels have beach access. It is also close to Dubai Marina and Madinat Jumeirah. Check out this  4* Resort: JA Ocean View Hotel Dubai.

➡️   BOOK YOUR STAY AT JA OCEAN VIEW HOTEL DUBAI HERE

Extra tip : 3* A decent  budget hotel is Ibis Al Barsha.  It is not perfectly located, but it offers good value for money and is still quite close to Dubai Marina.

➡️   BOOK YOUR STAY AT IBIS AL BARSHA HERE

My full Dubai accommodation guide is here – all the best areas and all the best hotels for all budgets.

More Things to Know About Dubai

Here are a few more posts for your Dubai trip.

➡️  Click here for money-saving tips in Dubai

➡️ Find out what to pack for your Dubai Trip

PIN ME FOR LATER – 2-DAY DUBAI ITINERARY

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FINAL THOUGHTS ON DUBAI ITINERARY 2 DAYS

I’m thrilled to share with you an itinerary that’ll make the most out of your 2-day stay in Dubai. Although some may say that it lacks hidden treasures, I believe Dubai is a unique place to visit and this Dubai 2-day trip is a terrific way to experience this marvelous city for the first time.

Don’t worry about missing out on anything either, as this top-notch plan covers all the essential highlights. However, if you do have more time, there’s plenty more to discover! I hope this itinerary inspires you to explore the best of Dubai in 2 days. Have an awesome trip!

If you have decided to extend your stay and stay longer than 2 days in Dubai – a good idea, by the way – check out my other itineraries.

• ➡️  Itinerary for 3 or 4 days in Dubai
• ➡️  Itinerary for 5 days in Dubai
• ➡️  Itinerary for 7 days + in Dubai

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Two days in Dubai, a Detailed Itinerary

Planning to spend 2 days in Dubai? Nothing really beats the glitz and glamor of Dubai and with this 2 -day itinerary we will show you how to make the most of your time in this amazing city.

Dubai is able to perfectly cater to the needs of every type of traveler – the party lover, the shopper, the foodie, the adventure junkie…Dubai is all sorts of extravagant. Traveling to Dubai is an overwhelming sensory journey.

With exotic Arabian souks snaking their way through a futuristic infrastructure, world-class hotels, restaurants and shopping malls, and entertainment venues on almost every block – it’s very hard to get bored in Dubai.

The city effortlessly blends the modernity of the West with the traditions of the East, and in just two days in Dubai, you can pretty much do everything. From spending your morning on the beach, visiting cultural souks in the afternoon and sipping on fine cocktails in the evening – it’ll be very hard to get bored.

Here’s how to spend two full days in Dubai!

Table of Contents

Two Days in Dubai: Where to stay?

Jumeirah Al Qasr : This stunning beachfront hotel overlooking the Arabian Gulf has an Arabic design with canal-style waterways meandering through the expansive grounds. The hotel benefits from an on-site seafood restaurant, spa, swimming pool, plus complimentary shuttle service. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices. DAMAC Maison Dubai Mall Street : A glamorous-looking aparthotel with extremely welcoming staff and great views of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain, this accommodation benefits from an outdoor pool, indoor pool, fitness center, and spa. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices. Palace Downtown : A gorgeous hotel located in a traditional palace of contemporary middle-eastern style with outstanding views of the Dubai Fountain. Close to the hustle and bustle of Downtown, this hotel benefits from a peaceful environment with 4 on-site restaurants, a spa, and a pool. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.

How to spend two days in Dubai, A Perfect Itinerary

Two Days in Dubai: Day One

The best way to acquaint yourself with the city is to start with its major attractions. Luckily for you, Dubai is very easily accessible and transportation is convenient and easy to use. Also, most major attractions are stacked near each other, so you won’t be wasting time going from one place to another.

A lot of people think that Dubai Mall isn’t really a tourist attraction. And I get it. Although malls usually don’t count as tourist attractions, Dubai Mall is quite different. It should be one of the top things to do in Dubai.

This is the largest shopping mall in all of Dubai and boasts all sorts of things to do. If you feel like skating around an ice rink – you’ve got it. If you feel like shopping at one of its hundreds  of stores, you’ve also got it! Honestly, Gallerie Lafayette is one of the top things you need to check out there. The mall brings the glitz and glam of Paris straight to you in Dubai.

If you have kids with you, then I recommend spending some time at Sega Republic.

Dubai Aquarium

Whether you’re a marine animal enthusiast or not, the Dubai Aquarium is a sight that you need to see. It’s not just about exploring over 33,000 marina animals, it’s about the experiences you can have at the aquarium.

Apart from learning about the diverse eco-system there, you can join in on interactive activities. I am talking diving with sharks, having a cage experience with sharks and crocodiles, or even boat riding (with a glass bottom so you can see the marina animals) if you’re feeling tamer.

Burj Khalifa

After you’re done with Dubai Mall, move to Burj Khalifa. The building soars into the skyline of Dubai and is one of Dubai’s most symbolic icons.

Apart from its architectural feast for the eyes, make sure you actually climb up the tower for some unreal panoramic vistas of all Dubai. The 124 th floor is where you’ll get to see Dubai in its full grandiose.

Click here to book your time entrance ticket to levels 124 & 125. Alternatively, you can book your skip-the-line tickets for levels 124, 125, and 148.

Dubai Fountain

Go to Dubai Fountain by sunset where you’ll get to see the most extravagant show of light and music play together with the water of the fountain as the golden hues of the sun are reflected unto the scene. If you want to have an even more interesting experience, I recommend taking an abra ride through the fountain.

Souq al Bahar

Dubai isn’t all about luxury and sumptuousness. Before Dubai became what is evident today, it was a small fishing town with a rich Middle Eastern cultural heritage. Every Arabic city boasts a labyrinth of souks and bazaars , and Dubai is no different. Travel back in time to the authentic Souq al Bahar, the old town that reflects the Emirati culture perfectly.

Savor the smell of spices around you, shop unique products, sip on some mint tea at one of the many restaurants and truly take in the incredible union of past and present.

Spend your evening dining at one of the many restaurants with gorgeous views of  the Burj Khalifa.

Two Days in Dubai: Day Two

Jbr walk & dubai marina.

Spend your morning walking around the JBR and the Dubai Marina. It’s a great place to have breakfast, explore the multiple shops there and get to be amidst some of Dubai’s most incredible skyscrapers.

Head down to Old Dubai for another cultural experience and a lot of shopping! You’ll get to check out the Gold Souk, one of the world’s most renowned gold souks with over 300 shops filled to the brim with some of the cheapest gold you’ll see.

Reminisce of a forgone era as you walk through the hustle and bustle of merchants trying to lure you in with their goods. It’s a perfect place to get perfumes, souvenirs, and even spices!

Take an abra ride

I recommend taking an abra ride along the creek (for as little as 1AED)!

Desert Safari

A desert safari is one of those things you have to do on your trip to Dubai. Get cultured about how the Bedouins live, take part in plenty of activities (including dune bashing and camel riding), and have an Arabian dinner between the dunes as a belly dancer sways to the beat of the music. Don’t forget the shisha!

Click here to book the Premium Red Dunes, Camel Safari, & BBQ at Al Khayma tour.

How to get to and from the airport

Metro: The red line of the metro goes from the airport (Terminals 1 and 3) to Financial Centre station and Burj Khalifa Dubai Mall station. Trains run every 4-7 minutes between Sat to Wed 05:30-00:00 Saturday-Wednesday, until 1 am Thursday and between 10.00-01.00 Friday. Price: AED 4-8.50 Duration: 19-24 minutes

Bus: There are a variety of buses going from the airport to the city centre.

Airport Bus 401 and 402 depart from terminals 1 and 2 every 30 minutes 24/7. Bus 401 goes to Deira stopping at  DNATA, Al Maktoum Road, Deira Taxi Station, and Al Sabkha Bus Station. Bus 402 goes to the other side of the creek stopping at Deira City Centre, Al Karama, Golden Sands, Al Mankhool, and Al Ghubaiba Bus Station.

Taxi: Dubai taxis do not have a flat-rate fee for airport journeys. The price is determined by distance as per the taximeter with a surcharge of AED25 for getting the taxi from the airport.

Dubai addresses do not have building numbers so you’ll need to know where your hotel or destination is close to based on a landmark, large hotel, or intersection.

Private Transfer: Welcome Pickups operate to/from Dubai airport. Just book online and you’ll have a flat-rate fare without the surcharges of the taxi companies and the headache of activating public transport with your luggage.

Click here for more information and to book your private transfer.

Two days in Dubai will get you quite acquainted with the city. Of course, it’s not enough to see everything all at once, but you’ll have plenty of time to check out the basics!

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48 hours in Dubai: A 2 Day Itinerary

The United Arab Emirates has come a long way from being a sleepy sea trading post in the desert. These days, you cannot talk about glitz, glamour, opulence and sky scrapers without mentioning this ultra-modern country.

The jewel in the crown of this 7-federation country is Dubai; a tourist’s dream. Spread over an area of 4,114 km 2 , with a population of over 3 million (most of whom are expats), Dubai is chock-a-block with some of the tallest, glitziest buildings and attractions.

At the same time, this city retains a connection to quaint, simpler times with museums harking back to its roots and heritage.

Long ignored as a destination for travellers, Dubai is fast catching up and making a name for itself as a world-class travel destination.

Dubai is now home to jaw-dropping buildings, sky-diving venues, Hollywood movie locations and some of the biggest, most extravagant shopping malls in the world. This guide will show you how to be use 48 hours in Dubai: A 2 Day Itinerary for Dubai.

Plan your trip?

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• Affordable car rental options
• Affordable sightseeing tours and day trips
• Travel Adapter – All in one so you don’t have to carry a bunch around
• Don’t be silly and forget Travel Insurance ! Get hurt and you’ll regret it…

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. You can also read our content/editorial policy here .

Table of Contents

The Best Time to Visit Dubai

Travelling to Dubai and not bringing along sunscreen is like going to London and not bringing an umbrella. There will be plenty of sun, there’s no denying it. If you can’t take the heat, then Dubai probably isn’t your cup of tea, especially in the summer.

Visiting Dubai in summer can save you a considerable amount of money in the accommodation area, as the rent drops down drastically during those months. However, it can be incredibly hot, so you either need to consider yourself a tough cookie who loves the heat or stick to indoor adventures.

That being said, the weather cools down significantly by the end of October. So, the best time to come to Dubai is between November and February. This is the period when Dubai is literally teeming with outdoor activities.

A visit to Dubai in winter will guarantee your money’s worth and you can pack in a lot of stuff in a small amount of time.

Things to Do in Dubai

The Dubai Mall is reputedly the largest shopping mall in the world. Whatever you’re craving, you can bet your bottom dollar you’ll find it there.

With more than 1,200 shops, you can’t go wrong here. Be sure to look out for shopping festivals where top of the line brands clear their shelves with unbelievable discounts and sales. There are plenty things to do in Dubai in 2 days.

A visit to the Dubai Mall isn’t complete until you stop and witness the Dubai fountain, which puts on a free dazzling show.

There is a show after every half hour, from 5 pm all the way till an hour before midnight. Once you’ve seen the fountain show, take a walk around and look at the breath-taking buildings, none more so than the Burj Khalifa .

During the winter, seeing the top of the Burj Khalifa disappearing into the clouds is an unforgettable sight. Getting to see the whole city laid out before you is also possible if you buy a ticket for the 124 th floor of the building.

There are two type of entrance tickets; the non-prime ticket costs AED 135 and the prime-entry ticket costs AED 210.

Places to Visit in Dubai

The jumeirah mosque.

The Jumeirah Mosque is the only religious building in Dubai that allows non-Muslims to enter. No wonder then that it’s also the most photographed. Built in 1976, the mosque borrows architectural designs from Syria and Egypt.

It’s one of the top places to go in Dubai. The mosque is operated by the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding.

Tours of the compound cost AED 25. It’s advisable to wear clothes that cover the knees and arms and a scarf for the head, or national attire can be borrowed upon arrival.

If you get on the red line at the metro, you can get off at the ADCB station. From there, you can take the C10 bus which drops you off at Dhiyafa 1.

The mosque is only a walk of 650m from there. Or if you prefer, you can just take a cab from the metro station to the mosque, which should not cost you more than AED 20.

Sky Diving Above Palm Islands

If you’re a fan of the Mission Impossible movies, then you cannot miss sky diving over the Dubai skyline. For adventure junkies, the panoramic view of the Palm Jumeirah as you sky dive from the back of a plane has got to be one of the most riveting experiences ever.

Here in Dubai, you can tick that off your bucket list. Depending on how much you’re willing to cough up, you can either land in the desert or at the Palm. The former will set you back by AED 1699 while the latter costs AED 2199.

The full package for either dive includes digital photos of the entire experience plus an expertly shot video. It’s advisable to book your dive well in advance, though.

You can get to the drop zone at the Palm by taking the red line metro to Damac Properties. From there take the T1 tram and get off at Marina Towers.

Where to Stay in Dubai

For travelers sticking to a budget in their 2 days in Dubai tour, there’s the option of living in a hostel which you can explore through hostelworld.com.

The living is very spartan, but it gets you in the right mode for a global nomad. You can hang out with fellow travellers and exchange notes on the do’s and don’ts of 2 nights in Dubai what to do.

Airbnb is another option for finding Dubai accommodations . For those who prefer a good night’s sleep and value where they get to rest, Dubai has options which suit all sorts of travellers.

A mid-range hotel should cost you anywhere between AED 200-400 per night, depending on how early you book it and the time of the year. We have also written an extensive guide on Where to stay in Dubai.

How to Get Around Dubai

Dubai has one of the longest and most efficient metro system in the world, so getting around Dubai cheaply if fairly simple.

A one day ‘NOL pass’ can be bought at any metro station for AED 22, and provides free and unlimited rides on the city’s metro, bus and tram system. You can even top it up in case you run out of balance.

If you want to exercise while taking a Dubai city tour, you can book a bike online and cycle all over the city. For AED 30 you can rent a bike for three hours. There’s a new jogging/cycling track known as the Jumeirah Corniche where you can cycle along the coast from Burj Al Arab all the way up to Jumeriah Mosque.

The Dubai hop on hop off bus route takes you on a fun-filled tour of downtown Dubai sightseeing. You can see the Dubai Mall, Opera District and Burj Khalifa. A day pass for the trolley costs AED 20. Children under the age of 12 are free of charge.

Tours to Do in Dubai

Sometimes it’s hard to imagine that the metropolis of Dubai was once a desert. However, that fact is one that’s a source of local pride. In fact, no trip to Dubai is complete without a desert safari experience .

There are enough to choose from, but make sure that the company you choose is a reputable one with good online reviews.

A good safari tour will pick you up from your Dubai accommodations, and will employ Dubai travel guides who are comfortable speaking in English. The most recommended desert experiences are the Sunset Dune Dinner Safari and the Desert Dune Buggy Driver.

Prices vary from company to company, but you can expect to pay around AED 315 per person,   on average. However, if you want to experience driving in the sand dunes on your own, that will cost you AED 730, provided you have a valid driving licence.

A Dubai stopover is a popular way to see the city. Although in no way a complete and comprehensive itinerary, we’ve put together a two day Dubai itinerary with some of the best things to do in Dubai.

Dubai Itinerary Day 1

Burj khalifa.

When thinking of places to visit in Dubai, there’s no better way to start off your mini tour than by visiting the iconic Burj Khalifa . Book in advance to avoid the long lines.

There is something for everyone at the largest shopping mall in the world. If you plan in advance, you can find great discount deals and offers from big brands.

Dubai Fountain

A visit to the Dubai Mall isn’t complete without watching the fountain show. The day and nighttime shows are two totally different and equally amazing experiences. Don’t miss out on the longest dancing fountains in the world.

Be dazzled by visiting the famous gold shops in Dubai. Wonder at the intricate artistry and the unending rows of gold on display.

Dubai Creek

Get a taste of old Dubai on a water taxi journey trip along the city skyline. The water taxis show the old trading routes of the boats and connect Diera and Bur Dubai. A basic ride will cost you AED 1. You can even charter a boat if you want a more exclusive Dubai sightseeing experience.

Dubai Heritage and Diving village

The heritage and diving village is situated next to the creek and is a throwback to simpler times. It is perfectly preserved example of how the city used to be. Step back in time and experience a traditional Emirati locale on your Dubai city tour.

If the test of any city is the quality of its drinks, then Dubai is top notch. Have a drink at the highest restaurant in the world. Located at the 122 nd floor of the Burj, Atmosphere offers a view of the whole city spread out below as you enjoy a fancy cocktail.

Dubai Itinerary Day 2

Get more of the old Dubai by visiting Bastakiya, which shows what a local Dubai neighbourhood looked like. The mud thatched buildings have been well preserved with distinct wind towers or ‘barjeels’ as they are commonly known. The old-school buildings are still being used as souvenir shops, cafes, boutique hotels and museums.

Sky diving or jump on a helicopter

Get your Ethan Hunt on and jump off a plane over the beautiful Palm Jumeriah. You not only get to make memories for life, but you will have the photos and video to prove it. If this is too scary for you, perhaps take a ride over Dubai in a helicopter .

Jumeirah Mosque

Understand the religion of Islam as it is worshipped by Muslims all over the world. See the mosque from inside and marvel at the architecture. Achieve something substantial by appreciating a different religion.

Barasti Bar

Cap off your whirlwind Dubai city tour by kicking back and relaxing at the beach and having a drink at the Barasti Bar. You can lounge inside or outside on the wooden deck and listen to the live music playing almost all the time.

Recommend budget tours in Dubai

• Dubai Desert 4×4 Dune Bashing, Sandboarding, Camel Riding, Dinner
• On Air Dinner Adventure in Dubai
• Full-Day Tour of Abu Dhabi City From Dubai
• Dubai Helicopter Tour
• Dubai Top Five Attractions Tour Including Dinner
• Dubai City Tour including Burj Khalifa ‘At the Top’ and Lunch at Burj Al-Arab
• Red Dune Desert Safari with BBQ, Sandboarding and Camel Ride
• Dubai Hot Air Balloon Flight Including Gourmet Breakfast and Falconry Demonstration
• Dubai Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark Admission
• Big Bus Dubai Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

Get your guide is a Great company, that often offers heavily discounted tours! Check out a few options below:

If you’d like to save it for later, please save it to Pinterest.

Sam, a seasoned traveler across four continents and 49 countries, is a leading authority in travel planning. Her website, Travelling King, offers tailored itineraries and expert guides for seamless trips. Sam's expertise in luxury travel, fast travel, and destination guides keeps her at the forefront of the travel community.

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2 days in Dubai Itinerary: Perfect Weekend City Break

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The Middle East, at one time a very unpopular destination with visitors because of decades of war and turmoil, is a transformed region today. Dubai may not be the capital of the United Arab Emirates, but having attained growth, wealth, and glamour, this ambitious city leads the way with new experiences like never seen before. Here is an epic 2 days in Dubai itinerary to get you started. 

To explore this impressive and huge destination in two days may seem like asking for the moon. However, if you can clock some extra miles you will pretty much get to see and do everything you wanted in your forty-eight hours in this exciting city of iconic architecture and Arabian souks.

2 days in Dubai Itinerary: Planning your trip to Dubai UAE

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Also, note that this is a guest post submitted by a contributor. 

• Airport: Dubai International Airport (one of the world’s busiest airports)
• Currency: United Arab Emirates Dirham or AED (1 AED = .25 USD)
• Tourist Visa: Tourist visas to the UAE can be issued for 30 days or 90 days for single or multiple entries. A U.S. citizen with a regular passport may obtain a no-fee visitor visa upon arrival. Canadians need to apply for a visa on arrival. Ensure your passports are valid for 6 months on entry and have at least one blank page. 
• Where to stay : Grosvenor House , Seattle Hotel , Plaza Hotel and Apartments  
• Recommended tours : 2 day Go Dubai Card ,  Sunset Cruise , Walking tour – Old Dubai , Entry to Burk Khalifa
• Day trips from Dubai : Abu Dhabi half day tour

2 days in Dubai Itinerary

• Day 1 of 2 Day Dubai Itinerary : Old Dubai Quarter & Spice Souk, IBR Walk, Bur Dubai, Downtown Dubai, Burj Khalifa Dubai, Dubai Mall, Dubai Fountain
• Day 2 of 2 Day Dubai Itinerary: Dubai Marina, Madinat Jumeirah, Desert Safari, Sunset Dinner Cruise

Getting to Dubai UAE

The city of Dubai is served by the Dubai International Airport. It is the world’s busiest airport by international passenger traffic. Flights from New York or Toronto Canada take about 13 hours. London to Dubai flights average around 7 hours. Mumbai to Dubai is only a 3 hour flight away. 

Dubai Airport to Deira or old quarter takes about 12 minutes by car. Downtown Dubai is a 15 minute cab ride away. 

The bus from the airport takes double the time to reach the city than the train, though it is cheaper. It costs 15€ (62.50 AED) on average. You can book a private transfer here

On the other hand, train connections to Downtown or Khalifa metro station take 24 minutes costing 1€ (4.20 AED) per ride.

Where to stay in Dubai for 2 days?

It is pretty obvious that while in Dubai you can choose from the most humble accommodation like the Seattle Hotel in Deira to the most opulent at the 7 star Burj Al Arab. That being said, make sure you stay near a metro station. 

With just a couple of days in hand one thing you would be needing most is saving time on transportation. 

Try out the Plaza Hotel and Apartments on Al Ittihad Road in Deira, which are barely a minute’s walk from two large supermarkets and just 300m away from the Al Qiyadah metro station.

If you want to stay in a lively part of Dubai the five star Hotel Grosvenor House near the Dubai Marina is quite close to several attractions.

Dubai Tour Recommendations

Day 1 of 2 days in dubai itinerary: old quarter, bur dubai , dubai downtown, burj khalifa dubai, dubai mall, dubai fountain, start at the heart of the old quarter of dubai.

Assuming you have made your base at Deira, as per our suggestion, you are stationed in the old quarter of Dubai which is near the airport. A hectic and crazy, but an unmissable part of Dubai are the spice and gold souks. These outlets open around 9 am so reach early before the tourist hordes start coming in. 

From gold, spices and rugs you can buy all souvenir items here at prices much lesser than the malls. Remember to haggle hard here as it is a part of the experience.

Book a walking tour of old quarter in Dubai

An authentic abra ride on your first day Dubai itinerary is highly recommended but the ones near the souks are super expensive. Instead, walk to the abra station and take a front seat on a water taxi to get you to the other side, Bur Dubai. It costs a few cents and allows for great photo opportunities.

Jumeirah Beach – JBR Walk

There are many more souks in Bur Dubai but since you have already seen them take a taxi to Jumeirah Beach . The beach won’t be crowded at this time and you can enjoy nice views of the only 7 star hotel in the world, Burj Al-Arab. This is one of the few beaches in Dubai which are free and open to the public.

Take a bus or taxi to Dubai Downtown ( there is no train connection from Jumeirah) where all the mega attractions like Dubai Mall, Dubai Fountain, and Burj Khalifa are located.

Burj Khalifa Dubai 

Most people visit Burj Khalifa but this can easily take more than three hours of your precious time. If you do go, book in advance and take a ticket to the very top level 148.

Tickets will be much more expensive than the lower 124 & 125 levels but you can skip the lines and save time. Book Dubai Burj Khalifa Tickets & Tour: Level 124, 125 and 148

Whether you want to shop or not, Dubai Mall is well worth a visit. You can access the Mall directly from the Burj Khalifa so no transport is required. In fact, you can spend several days in this biggest shopping outlet in the world and still not get to see it all. 

Home to the Ice rink, Dubai Aquarium , Underwater Zoo there are many attractions here to keep one occupied. There are plenty of fine dining restaurants here to have a hearty meal before continuing to your next attraction.

Dubai Fountain 

Right next to the mall is Dubai Fountain which is a lovely place to visit at this time of the day. There is a free water show every thirty minutes, between 6 pm and 11 pm in the evenings which is beautifully presented. 

Sitting here with the hordes of tourists with the Burj Khalifa well lit up in the background is the perfect way to cap your first day. If you want to avoid the crowds you can get better views on a Dubai Fountains show on an abra boat ride which cruises close to the dancing fountains.

Restaurants with fountain views are rather expensive, so head back to the Dubai Mall for affordable fast-food options for dinner. Alternatively, take the metro from Dubai Mall Station back to your hotel where you can get good cheap food also. But, all in all, the dining experience downtown is far better.

Day 2 of 2 days in Dubai Itinerary: Dubai Marina, Madinat Jumeirah, Desert Safari Tour, Sunset Dinner Cruise

• Dubai Marina

Take a train from Deira City Centre Metro Station to Dubai Marina which will bring you there in about 45 minutes. This man-made marina is one of the largest in the world and a great place to stroll early in the day. 

That said, we will be back here again in the evening for something special.

Madinat Jumeirah

Within a short distance from the marina is Madinat Jumeirah , an upscale part of Dubai, which is a recreation of ancient Arabia. Skip your coffee break and you can get lost in this beautiful area for at least two hours. 

For lunch, head back to the marina and dine in any of the appealing restaurants lining the canals.

Desert Safari Tour 

Keep aside the rest of your day for the ride of your life on afternoon Desert Safari with BBQ . The tour will give you first-hand knowledge about the desert as you go dune bashing over the sands in 4W vehicles for twenty minutes. 

You will visit an authentic Arab camp, relax with a shisha as belly dancers gyrate, and enchant you with their moves. A BBQ  buffet spread offers a perfect ending to the desert safari tour.

Book your desert safari with BBQ here

Sunset Dinner Cruise

Treat yourself on the last night of your Dubai itinerary with a memorable two-hour sunset dinner cruise . Step aboard a sturdy wooden dhow and sit back on the upper deck and admire the futuristic skyline of Dubai along with a sumptuous buffet dinner as you glide past the flood-lit attractions. 

To add to the flavor, there is onboard entertainment as well in the form of whirling wide-skirted dancers.

More options to add to your Dubai Itinerary 2 days

Dubai Festival City

If you can squeeze in more time or wish to try something different from what is recommended above, you must try and visit Dubai Festival City.  

Home to a range of classy departmental stores and a variety of cuisines from all over the world, one can easily get lost for choices in this incredible place. You can reach Dubai Festival City by taking the Red Line metro to Creek Railway station from where it is a mere eight minutes walk.

National Parks in and around Dubai 

If you are a nature lover and planning to visit Dubai there are as many as seven wild places to explore something beyond the usual sand dunes and architectural masterpieces. Each national park of Dubai is different in its own way and is a must-visit destination:

• Mushrif Park
• Ras Al Khor wildlife sanctuary
• Dubai National Park
• Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
• Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve
• Sharjah National Park.

Experience the feeling of diving or walking on the water floor surrounded by as many as 65,000 marine animals like sharks, tropical fish, stingrays, and the like. 

Lost Chambers Aquarium  

The largest aquarium in the UAE, the Lost Chambers Aquarium is located in The Avenues at the Atlantis , The Palm and is open daily from 10 am to 9 pm. This unique place allows visitors to gain an in-depth knowledge of marine animals and swim with them in the Ambassador Lagoon.

Aquaventure Water Park

From relaxing on a private beach to navigating Raging Rapids, there are over 30 pulse-racing rides and slides at the Aquaventure Water Park . Guests can enjoy a thrilling experience at the Shark Lagoon surrounded by thousands of marine animals. Your ticket will cover Lost Chambers and the beach as well.

Guided tours and Excursions to add to your Dubai 2 day itinerary 

If you want to make the most of your forty-eight hours in Dubai you can opt for a city sightseeing Dubai hop-on-hop-off bus tour.

There are four different routes covered on this journey, so before you book you must check the route map to see whether your preferred attractions are on the map or not. Also, each route has a specified number of stops where a tourist can get down to explore.

If you want to avoid long walks you can buy a ticket for the entire 48 hour duration of your stay covering all routes as well as the Night Tour.  

Apart from covering all the major attractions like Jumeirah Mosque, Burj Khalifa and more you can also take a night tour around the city. 

A comfortable way to see and learn about the history of Dubai with an audio commentary in eleven different languages with full flexibility to hop off at any place of interest you wish.(No hopping off or on allowed on the night tour)

Some of the important attractions covered include:

• The Dubai Mall
• Spice and Gold souk
• Seed Contemporary Area
• Atlantis the Palm
• Miracle Garden
• Burj Al Arab
• Global village
• Jumeirah Mosque

Night tour : Starts at 7 pm daily-2 hours from Dubai Mall.

Day tour : Starts at 9 am to 530 pm with dep every 30 minutes. Two and half hours to complete the full loop.

A 2 day Go Dubai Card is best for visitors who want big savings and get unlimited access to the best attractions during their short stay.

Other epic tours to add

Day trips from Dubai: Add them to 2 days in Dubai itinerary

Get to discover the ultra-modern capital of the emirates, Abu Dhabi, on a return day Dubai tour. This roughly ten-hour trip will cover a walking tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, The Corniche, Abu Dhabi, Emirates Palace with a photo stop, a visit to Etihad Towers, Marina Mall, Lunch, Qasr Al Watan and back to Dubai. 

The travel time from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, one way, is one hour and thirty minutes.

Book : Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Mosque Half-Day Tour

As you travel along the Gulf coast towards Abu Dhabi, your knowledgeable guide will relate some fascinating stories about one of the wealthiest cities in the world. For those who want to squeeze the most out of Dubai as well as Abu Dhabi in two days, this guided tour is the best option.

For nature and wildlife enthusiasts on a two day trip to Dubai it is strongly recommended to go to the scenic Hajar Mountains on the first day itself, weather permitting, and leave the Dubai attractions for the second day. This is said to be a must-experience trip in a person’s lifetime.

Not only is this one of the best road trip experiences in the UAE, but the winding mountain roads offer unparalleled views of not only the Hajar Mountain range but a wonderful opportunity to spot wild gazelles Arabian caracals and Egyptian vultures. Remember to carry enough food and water as these areas are sparsely populated.

There are many historical spots in mountains such as Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn ruins which will thrill archeological buffs. Jebel Jais, the highest peak in the UAE at 1934 m is another popular tourist destination here. Ras Al Khaimah is known for the highest zip-lining spot in the world. For those who want to stay here longer, there are plenty of camping spots in Hatta.

UAE is also known for its plethora of hiking trails, none better than Jebel Hafeet and Hatta in the Hajar Mountains. Some of the best routes are at over 6000 feet and provide unbelievable views of the desert landscape below. There are several Wadis here, or dry river beds, which are excellent for trekking.

Sightseeing Map for 2 day Dubai Itinerary

Travel Tips for Dubai

The culture in Dubai is pretty clear-cut so you should keep in mind some suggestions to ensure your short vacation does not go awry:

• Book your flights and hotels at least four to five months in advance.
• Citizens of over 50 countries do not require a pre-arranged visa to enter Dubai including some from Europe – Austria, Belgium among others. 
• Citizens of these European countries are also entitled to apply for a pre‑arranged visit visa if their 90‑day visa on arrival has been fully utilized –  the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece to name to few
• Indian nationals holding a normal passport and a valid Visa, or a Green Card issued by the USA, or UK or EU Residency, can obtain a Dubai visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 14 days.
• November to March is the best time to visit Dubai as the temperatures are perfect, unlike other months when the heat can become unbearable.
• Make sure to take travel insurance and carry it with your important documents all the time.
• The local currency is AED or Dirhams. Carry a few for food and transport expenses.
• There is a strict limit on the amount of liquor and tobacco you can bring into Dubai. Do not exceed the limit as there is scanning done at the customs.
• You must purchase an NOL smart travel card at the airport if you want to use any of the three options to travel to the city center. Cash payment is not accepted.
• With a frequency of four minutes, the Dubai Metro is a hassle-free mode to reach any destination. Bear in mind, though, that only two pieces of luggage per person are permitted on the metro.
• For a fast and convenient way to travel anywhere within the city, comfortable taxis are available 24×7. They are however much more expensive than the bus and metro.(The black Lexus cabs are more expensive than even the normal ones)
• Most of the taxi drivers are not locals, so carry a city map and address of your destination.
• If shopping is on your agenda, plan your trip during the Dubai Shopping Festival in January for the best deals and discounts.
• Pick up some basic Arabic phrases to put the natives at ease while communicating.
• Tipping is not expected in Dubai, except for luggage carriers. Restaurants usually add a service surcharge to your bill.

Safety Tips for Dubai

Dubai is considered to be one of the safest cities in the world so personal safety is assured at all times. Basic precautions like leaving original documents safe and locked up and carrying copies along with you need to be taken. 

Moreover, Dubai lays a great emphasis on hygiene  and cleanliness so the health aspect is not worrisome.  

What to pack for a two day Dubai trip – Packing List for Dubai

Take moderation and modesty into consideration when packing for Dubai. Women should avoid revealing and tight-fitting clothes. 

• Pack light and loose cotton wear considering the climate. 
• Do not forget your prescription medications and basic first aid kit. 
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats are a must from the sun and heat.

Is 2 days in Dubai enough 

After going through this hectic itinerary you must be wondering if two days were enough to explore this city of wealth and riches? To be frank, while this short period will be enough to get a whiff of what Dubai has to offer, it will require some hard decisions to make your flight ticket worth it. 

My advice is, since Dubai is a large city, narrow down your choice to the part of city you want to see most in your two days, rather than wasting time on sights dotted all over Dubai.

Read: More weekend trip itineraries from all over the world

About the Guest Writer: Jo is the creator of the travel blog WanderwithJo . She is a globetrotter based in India. Follow her adventures on Instagram

Pin: Things to do in Dubai Bucket list for 2 days

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• Detailed 2-Day Dubai Itinerary

By: Author Emily

Posted on Last updated: November 27, 2023

Rising up along the banks of the Persian Gulf, Dubai is a shimmering and modern global city. Over the past 10 years, Dubai’s tourism has boomed with regional travelers from within the Middle East. But lately, travelers from all over the world are starting to make their way to UAE’s capital. If you’re planning to be one of them, we’ve got the perfect 2-day Dubai itinerary ready to go.

This Dubai itinerary is great for first-time visitors. We’ll introduce you to the city, highlight the best things to see and do, and then help you pack it all into two great days. We’ve included transit instructions, those nitty-gritty planning details, plus tips that we’ve picked up from multiple trips to Dubai — all in one place! Keep reading to start planning your perfect 2-day trip to Dubai.

In this Post

Here’s what we’re covering in this post. We’ll start with some general planning information and then get into the itinerary itself.

How to get to and get around Dubai

Where to stay in dubai, what to wear in dubai, when to go to dubai.

• About this itinerary
• Day 1 — Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall & Dubai Marina

Day 2 — Old Dubai & Dubai Fountain show

Other things to do in dubai.

Dubai is known for its over-the-top luxury and towering skyline, but also its desert landscapes and Arab influence. The city highlights a unique crossroads of metropolitan glamour and conservative religion which has all been highly influenced by massive amounts of oil money and a high number of expats and immigrants.

The first thing that stands out about Dubai is how new and showy it is. Even the things that look old are new. That’s because almost the entire city was built in the last 50 years.

Everything about Dubai is curated and planned, with a flare for the eccentric. Dubai loves a world record and they have shattered several, including tallest building, tallest free-standing hotel, and — no surprise here — city with the most skyscrapers (over 300 meters).

The city is very spread out and connected by a web of highways. There are clusters and neighborhoods that have a few things close together, but most destinations are separated by a car or Metro ride.

Speaking of cars and Metros, Dubai is almost impressively unwalkable. The intense desert heat means people don’t really want to be walking around outside, and their lack of outdoor sidewalks proves that. There are a handful of air conditioned pedestrian overpasses, but for the most part, everyone gets around by car or public transit.

Dubai has a large Muslim population — both locals and tourists — and Muslims don’t drink. This actually has a huge impact on the tourist experience in ways you might not expect. For example, you’ll notice that malls and coffee shops in Dubai are the epicenter for social life in the evening.

These locations are open late — like midnight or 2 AM late — because they replace bar culture for many locals. You can of course still find bars and nightlife in Dubai, but it’s not your only option like it is in other places.

The city is a massively popular destination for expats. In fact, expats comprise about 90% of Dubai’s total population. This becomes evident through the rich diversity you’ll find in Dubai, from the food to the language to the way people dress.

Overall, Dubai has Arab bones but the body of it is a melting pot of cultures. It’s liberal for the region and attracts expats and visitors from all over the world. Dubai is a modern and new city that aggressively strives to keep up with the thriving cities around the world.

Most international travelers are going to fly to Dubai and probably on Emirates — one of the two flag carrier airlines of the UAE that is based in Dubai. Emirates Business Class is one of the best Business Class products in the world, so that’s a great way to kick off a visit to Dubai.

Dubai International Airport is connected to the rest of the city via the Dubai Metro. For only 8 AED (about $2 USD), you can get from the airport to the Dubai Mall in just over 30 minutes. Alternatively, a cab will cost about 50 AED ($14 USD) and take about 20 minutes, depending on traffic.

To further get around Dubai, you have a few options.

• Metro: If your destinations are along the Metro, this is your best bet. It’s cheap, easy and quick. The lines aren’t extensive, though, so it won’t get you everywhere. The Metro runs from 5 AM to 1 or 2 AM depending on the day and costs 20 AED ($5 USD) for a day pass. There are special cars for women and children and Gold (first class) passengers, so pay attention to where you board.
• Trams & Monorail: Supplementary to the Metro, there’s a tram system that operates in the Dubai Marina / Palm area. Trams cost about 4 AED ($1 USD) and run from 6 or 9 AM to midnight, depending on the day. There’s also a single monorail line the runs the length of the Palm. It costs 30 AED ($8 USD) round trip and runs between 9 AM and 10 PM or midnight, depending on the day.
• Taxi: Taxi stands are located at many popular attractions, so this is a reliable option during busy times.
• Rideshare: Several rideshare services are available in Dubai including Uber, Careem and XXRide. These services can often be cheaper than a cab. You’ll need cell service or wifi to use the apps.
• Water transit: There is a variety of water taxi, water bus and ferry routes also operated by the RTA (Dubai Roads and Transportation Authority). Routes and prices vary, but you can learn more here .

You’ll note that the only thing I didn’t mention here is walking. Dubai is one of the least walkable cities we’ve ever been to. This is presumably because it gets so hot and people aren’t walking around outside. The city just isn’t designed with accessible sidewalks and outdoor pedestrian walkways.

Don’t force it. We’ve made several failed walking attempts and just ended up hot and frustrated. If public transportation isn’t an option, just lean into cabs and rideshares.

More than some other destinations, where you stay in Dubai should be driven by the type of experience you want to have. Here are a few hotel recommendations and areas to consider based on your travel plans.

• For a resort experience, stay at Atlantis, The Palm. This luxury resort is home to numerous restaurants, one of the world’s largest waterparks, an aquarium and more. It’s a great place to relax while you adjust to the time change. The location on the tip of the Palm makes it a bit more secluded than other locations, so it’s best for visitors who want to spend most of their time at the hotel.
• For a busy city itinerary, stay at JW Marriott Marquis. This high-end hotel’s central location makes it a perfect choice for the busy traveler. You can take short cab rides anywhere in the city and then retreat to your exquisite quarters at the end of the day.
• For beach days and nights out, stay at the InterContinental Dubai Marina. The Dubai Marina area is filled with restaurants, nightlife, beaches and shopping. It’s well connected by pedestrian walkways and by tram. You could easily have a fantastic Dubai experience without ever taking a car. (That’s rare in Dubai!)
• For ultimate indulgence, stay at the Burj Al Arab. This 5-star hotel is the epitome of Dubai indulgence and extravagance. It’s over-the-top in everything from Michelin-starred dining to Rolls Royce chauffeur service to MacBooks in the rooms. It’s located near the Palm, but it’s closer to the highway so it’s a bit quicker to get to other destinations.

These are all pretty pricy hotels. If you’re looking for different price points, look at other hotels in the Dubai Marina and the Dubai Mall / Burj Khalifa areas. If you want to rely on public transportation or walking, the Dubai Marina area is best. Depending where exactly you stay in the Burj Khalifa area, you will probably need to plan to take cabs or rideshare to most destinations, but it’s a great central location.

Dubai is a modern, metropolitan city with a lot of expats. However, the local population is predominantly muslim and it’s in the heart of a conservative, Muslim region. Travelers (primarily women) from other parts of the world are left wondering what to wear.

The good news is that there are very few places in Dubai that have hard and fast dress codes. The bad news is that most establishments ask (formally or informally) that you dress respectively, and that’s hard to define.

In our experience, it seemed like most people were dressed slightly more conservatively than we’ve seen in other hot cities. Indoors, most people had their shoulders and knees covered. Outdoors, especially in touristy areas, we saw more women in sleeveless tops and dresses and skirts above the knee. We also saw plenty of people in shorts, crop tops and tank tops, but that definitely stood out as the exception.

That said, it’s a global city and you don’t really need to overthink it. I wore all long sleeves during my first visit and that simply was not necessary. This trip I primarily wore short sleeve shirts and maxi skirts or a maxi dress under a jean jacket, and I was perfectly comfortable.

Here are a few general rules to consider for what to wear in Dubai.

• Short sleeves are perfect. It’s hot, so having your arms exposed is fine. Short sleeves are a good way to stay cool while covering your shoulders.
• Go for a maxi dresses. A breezy maxi dress or skirt is great for Dubai. It’s breezy and cool, and there is a wide variety of stylish options to choose from. I personally can’t get enough of the Hill House Ellie Nap Dress in wrinkle-resistant crepe for travel. (You can use my link for 20% off your first order over $100.)
• If you’re shoulders are exposed, bring a jacket or scarf. It’s not likely, but you may run into an establishment that requires covered shoulders so it’s just handy to have an extra layer. Plus, they pump the AC indoors, so there’s a good chance you’ll get chilly anyways.
• You don’t need need a headscarf. Unless you’re in a mosque, non-Muslim women don’t need to cover their head in Dubai. You will not stand out without a headscarf.
• Swimsuits are fine, just cover up after. If you’re at a pool or the beach, pretty much any swimsuit or bikini is fine. But when you leave the water area, you’ll want to cover your top and bottom. Shorts and a tee or a dress would be fine, but a short sarong with a bikini top is not ideal.

Dubai has a desert climate. They technically experience four seasons, but it tends to be hot and dry pretty much all year.

The best time to visit Dubai is during the winter months between November and April. This is when the weather is coolest, with highs in the 70s-80s (°F) and lows dipping into the 60s. Winter is also when you’ll see the most rain, but it still only averages about one day a month.

The summer months in Dubai, from May to October, get really hot. Expect highs over 100 (°F) and lows in the 80s. Fortunately though, many of Dubai’s best attractions are indoors (read: air conditioned) and there is plenty of water activities to cool you off. So don’t rule out summertime entirely.

About this Dubai Itinerary

With this itinerary, you’ll explore Dubai over the course of two full days. It works best with three nights at a hotel, but you could swing it with two depending on your flight times. If you have extra time on your arrival and departure day (or if you’ve already done some of these things before), we’ve also compiled a list of more things to do in Dubai that you can add to your specific schedule.

Two days in Dubai is enough to get a taste of the city. You’ll experience the glamour of downtown and the energy of Old Dubai. It’ll barely scratch the surface of what Dubai has to offer, but all the more reason to come back.

This itinerary is a great way to kick off a longer trip in the Middle East or South Asia. If you’re traveling from the Americas, Australia or East Asia, Dubai is an easy, comfortable city to arrive in after a long-haul flight. Enjoy this itinerary — possibly at a more relaxed pace — as you adjust to the time change. Then carry on to a nearby destination for a few days, like Qatar, Oman or India.

Similarly, this itinerary is also perfect for a stopover. Emirates is based out of Dubai. If you are flying Emirates from one country outside of the UAE to another, there’s a good chance it’ll come with a connection in Dubai. Make it an extra long layover and enjoy a few days in Dubai while you’re here.

Dubai Itinerary Day 1 — Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall & Dubai Marina

Okay, let’s get started with our travel plans!

Start your first day in Dubai with a trip to the top of the tallest building in the world. Then spend the afternoon at one of the largest malls in the world, where you’ll find everything from designer retailers to an aquarium. When the sun sets, head to Dubai Marina for cocktails and a dazzling evening stroll.

The details of day one may look something like this …

• 8 – 9 AM: Coffee at % ARABICA
• 9 – 11 AM: At the Top, Burj Khalifa
• 11 AM – 12 PM: Lunch
• 12 – 3 PM: Dubai Mall
• 3 – 4 PM: Transit and refresh
• 4 – 6 PM: Dubai Marina
• 6 – 7 PM: Happy hour at Pier 7
• 7 PM: Dinner

Coffee at Dubai Mall

If you can get yourself going, we suggest starting your day at the Dubai Mall bright and early. You’ll definitely want to be there between 8:30 and 9:30 AM to beat the crowds at Burj Khalifa. And if you’re going to be up early anyway, might as well get up a tad earlier and get coffee first.

Not all of the stores and restaurants in Dubai Mall will be open that early, but some of the best ones will be.

One of our favorite coffee shops around the the world is % ARABICA. They have six locations in Dubai, two of which are inside the Dubai Mall. They both open at 8 AM.

There’s also a handful of Starbucks locations in the mall, including a Starbucks Reserve. Even if you’re not normally a fan, check their menu because sometimes they have unique regional offerings. During our recent visit, they were featuring a Spanish Latte made with condensed milk. That’s not something you can get in the US.

Once you’re caffeinated, follow signs in the mall to “At the Top, Burj Khalifa.”

At the Top, Burj Khalifa

At 2,722 feet and 163 floors, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building and structure in the world. You can spot the building jutting out of the skyline from miles away, towering above everything else around it. Try to take a photo of the entire building from the fountains below and you’ll quickly realize just how big it is as you struggle to fit it in the frame. ( Pro tip: use panoramic mode!)

A visit to the top of the Burj Khalifa is essential for anyone’s first time visit to Dubai — as long as you don’t have a fear of heights.

There are three main ticket options.

• General Admission will get you to floors 124 and 125, including the outdoor observation deck on 124.
• The SKY ticket includes floors 124, 125 and a much less crowded 148th floor, which has another outdoor observation deck.
• Finally, the ultimate Burj Khalifa flex is the VIP package, which includes the highest floors 152, 153 and 154, including the highest lounge in the world.

Both SKY and VIP also come with skip-the-line privileges.

Personally, we’ve done General Admission and SKY. The view from General Admission is honestly fine, but the crowds and the lines can be brutal . We’d recommend the SKY ticket so you can skip the line and enjoy the views comfortably on the 148th floor before joining the masses.

Burj Khalifa basics

• Location: The entrance to the Burj Khalifa observation deck is inside the Dubai Mall on the lower ground floor on the far east side near the food court.
• How to get there : (1) Take a cab or rideshare to Dubai Mall OR (2) Dubai Metro to Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall Station. Then follow signs to “At the Top, Burj Khalifa.”
• Hours: 8:30 AM – 12 AM midnight
• Tickets: Buy online in advance here
• Cost: 160 AED to 734 AED ($43 to $200 USD) per person, plus taxes and fees
• How long does it take: 2 hours (or longer if you have to wait in line)
• Best tip: Go early (before 9 AM) or book a premium ticket (VIP or SKY) to avoid long lines to enter

Lunch at Dubai Mall

The exit from the Burj Khalifa puts you right by the food court — well, one of several in this massive mall — which is an easy option for a quick lunch. Vegetarians like us will be happy to know that Vegan Burger is delicious (but also check out Neat Burger) and parents like us will be happy to know that they have high chairs here.

If nothing hits you, don’t worry. There are over two hundred restaurants and cafes in the Dubai Mall! You’ll find everything from fast food chains (Five Guys, Shake Shack, Pizza Hut) to casual sit-down restaurants (Paul Cafe, P.F. Chang’s, Zaatar w Zeit) to international specialties (Din Tai Fung, Peppermill, Milas Restaurant).

Explore Dubai Mall

The Dubai Mall could fill multiple days on its own. It’s truly a destination, not just a place your mom would take you to buy jeans. Because Dubai gets so unbearably hot during the day, the mall is an oasis of sorts. And since Muslims don’t drink alcohol, the mall is a popular alternative to bars in the evening, so it’s open really late.

Let’s start with the shopping. The mall has over 1,200 shops so you’re bound to find something you like. Because it’s Dubai, they have just about every fashion designer that you can think of from Louis Vuitton to Christian Louboutin, Armani to Alexander McQueen — they’re all here.

If those places are out of your price range, they have stores for real people, too. All of your favorite mall brands are here, plus reasonably priced stores from around the world.

Even if shopping is of absolutely no interest to you, don’t write off the Dubai Mall yet. Inside there is also a full-size ice skating rink, aquarium, movie theater and more. You’ll probably still want to spend some time here.

We suggest giving yourself a few hours to explore the mall, do some shopping and enjoy some snacks that you come across.

Burj Khalifa building photos

Despite having just been inside the Burj Khalifa, there’s a good chance you haven’t gotten a good look at it from the outside yet. So when you get to the south side of the mall (near the Apple Store and Five Guys), follow signs to the fountains and pop outside.

This is where you’ll get the best full view of the Burj Khalifa from the ground. Take some photos of the outside of the building from here during the day. We’ll also come back tomorrow night to watch the fountain show, so you’ll have a chance to take the photo again in the evening.

Transit and refresh

After the mall, you may want to go back to your hotel. It’s a good time to freshen up or maybe change clothes for the evening.

If you don’t need a break, head strait to Dubai Marina. Getting there from the mall is an easy trip on the Dubai Metro. The mall has posted signs that will point you toward the Metro. Once you find the Metro mall exit, it’s a bit of a hike to the actual station. It’s all indoors though, and there’s plenty of moving sidewalks and air conditioning.

Take the Dubai Metro Red Line south (in the direction of EXPO Metro Station) and get off at Sobha Realty Metro Station. From the station, it’s about a 5-10 minute walk to the Marina.

Unless you already have a Nol card loaded up, you’ll need to go to the ticket booth to purchase a ticket for your journey. You can’t buy point-to-point tickets at the self-service kiosk. Be sure to keep your ticket after you scan in because you’ll need to tap it again to exit.

Dubai Marina

The Dubai Marina is a great place to be when the sun goes down. It’s located near a handful of hotels, so it’s got a steady flow of tourists, but it tends to really get going in the late afternoon and evening. There’s several bars, restaurants and coffee shops, an interactive fountain, and lots of food/snack carts. Sometimes they have seasonal events and festivals, too.

Our favorite way to enjoy the Marina is on foot. We suggest starting on the north end by Spinneys (a local grocery store that’s a good pin for Google Maps). This puts you right by an interactive fountain, which is fun if you’re visiting with kids. Follow the waterfront walkway around the south side of the Marina.

If you’re up for an adventure, take the water bus instead. It’s a great way to see the Marina from the water for a really reasonable price. The water bus runs between four different points on the marina and costs under 11 AED ($3 USD). The full route only runs in the evening hours (4 – 10:15 PM Saturday through Thursday, 5:05 – 10:45 on Fridays). You can read this detailed post for more info on the Dubai water bus.

If you have some extra time or get here earlier in the afternoon, check out Marina Beach or Bluewaters Island where you’ll find Ain Dubai — the world’s biggest Ferris Wheel. (Ain Dubai is actually currently closed temporarily for refurbishments as of March 2023, but it scheduled to reopen later this year.)

Happy Hour at Pier 7

If you’re walking along the south side of the marina, you’ll eventually run into Pier 7. The tower is home to seven different bars and restaurants, each with a different vibe and theme.

Alcohol in Dubai can be wildly expensive, and at Pier 7 specifically it can feel down right ridiculous. However, these bars usually have great happy hours that go pretty late into the evening. Most of these happy hours have drinks available for around 25 – 35 AED ($7 – $10 USD). That’s actually pretty good for a place where a bottle of Corona will otherwise set you back over $13 USD.

Before we had a kid, we spent quite a few nights at Pier 7 and always had a great time. However, many if not all of these restaurants are also kid-friendly. Cargo, Bedrock and The Scene were our favorite spots, but we’ve always just come for drinks and not food. Some of the restaurants also have patio and rooftop dining, which is appealing in this area.

Pier 7 Happy Hour Schedule*

• Atelier M: Monday through Friday, 5 – 8 PM. Discounted selection of beer, wine, liquor and cocktails.
• The Scene: Weekdays, 4 – 8 PM. Discounted selection of beer, wine, liquor and cocktails.
• Cargo: Sunday through Friday, 12 – 8 PM. Discounted selection of beer, wine and liquor.
• MAMA ZONIA: Sunday through Friday, 4 – 8 PM. Discounted selection of beer, wine, liquor and cocktails.
• Bedrock: Every day, 12 – 7 PM. Discounted selection of beer, wine, liquor and cocktails.
• Asia Asia: No posted happy hour
• Abd el Wahab: No posted happy hour

*As stated on their websites as of March 2023.

Dinner by Dubai Marina

After a few drinks, it’s probably time to head to dinner. There’s a ton of restaurants in this area to choose from, even right inside Pier 7.

On days like this, we like to kind of wing it. Since we don’t know how the rest of our day is going to go or how we’re going to feel (or look!) at this point in the day, we don’t want to commit to anything too far in advance. The Dubai Marina has so many options nearby that you can easily wander around till you’re hungry and find a place that has room for you, without stressing about making a reservation.

If you want to plan ahead, though, here are a few places worth noting.

• Buddha Bar: This is where we went when we were young and hip and dressed up for dinner.
• Marina Social: Though technically a hotel restaurant inside the InterContinental, the menu at this British/Mediterranean spot was crafted by a Michelin starred chef.
• Catch22: For a more casual, beachy seafood meal.
• La Carnita: Nicer than casual but still no dress code, and great Mexican food.
• The Pods: If you want to indulge in a unique, private fine dining experience, this spot on nearby Bluewaters Island looks incredible.

Our second full day is all about Old Dubai. This has always been our favorite part of Dubai because it’s got so much energy, plus we just love when public transit involves a boat.

We’ll spend most of the day exploring several of Dubai’s souks — or Arab street markets. The day starts a bit later because these markets don’t really get going until 10 or 11 AM. We’ll start in the Diera neighborhood, which is the historical city center of Dubai, and then cross Dubai Creek over to Bur Dubai. We’ll end our day back at Dubai Mall to watch the Dubai Fountain show in front of the Burj Khalifa.

The details of day two may look something like this …

• 8 – 10 AM : Breakfast and coffee near your hotel
• 10 – 11 AM: Gold Souk
• 11 AM – 12:30 PM: Diera Grand Souk
• 12:30 – 1 PM: Abra across Dubai Creek
• 1 – 2 PM: Lunch
• 2 – 3:30 PM: Bur Dubai Grand Souk
• 3:30 – 4:30 PM: Transit
• 4:30 – 5:30 PM: Relax or Souk Al Bahar
• 5:30 – 6:30 PM: Dubai Fountain show (includes arriving 30 minutes early for a good spot)

Dubai Gold Souk

To get to the Gold Souk, take the Dubai Metro Green line to Al Ras Metro Station. Then walk a few blocks to the entrance of the souk, which is marked with signs.

The Dubai Gold Souk is a covered, pedestrian street lined with gold shops. In this souk you’ll find mostly gold jewelry, watches and other accessories, but some other metals are sold as well. The shops in the Gold Souk are regulated and inspected by the government regularly, so you can trust the quality.

The souk is about three blocks long with small off-shoots popping off with more vendors. Along the side streets you’ll find more souvenirs, clothing and non-gold items.

If you’re planning to purchase gold, you can often get a good deal at the Gold Souk. Lower gold prices are often considered to be the result of lower import and jewelry taxes in the UAE. Sellers will name a price, but this is definitely a place where you can and should haggle.

If you’re not interested in shopping (we’ve never bought any gold here), it’s still a fun experience. Be warned that I said “fun” and not “relaxing.”

Be prepared to say “No thank you” or “la, shukran” (Arabic for no thanks), about a thousand times. You will relentlessly be invited to come inside each shop, hear a list of each vendor’s offerings or even just be complimented with hopes that you’ll stop and shop. A smile and a “no thanks” will get your point across and they’ll be on to the next. This is true of most souks in Dubai.

If I’m being completely honest, the Gold Souk is a bit overhyped. You should definitely go to Old Dubai, so you should certainly walk through the Gold Souk while you’re there. But don’t worry if you’re unimpressed; there are better souks to come.

Gold Souk basics

• Location: Here – pedestrian street between Old Baladiya Street and Souk Deira Street
• How to get there: Dubai Metro Green line to Al Ras Metro Station, then walk
• Hours: 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM
• How long does it take: 1 hour
• Best tip: Avoid Fridays. The market closes midday for prayer.

Grand Souk Diera (aka Diera Old Souk)

Just southwest of the Gold Souk is the Grand Souk. The market sign itself says Grand Souk, but other signs (including the abra station named after the souk and Google Maps) refer to it as Diera Old Souk. I think Old Souk refers to the entire area while Grand Souk is a specific portion, but I can’t officially confirm that. (If you know for sure, please let me know if the comments!)

The Grand Souk is a feast for the senses. Like in the Gold Souk, the sellers in the Grand Souk will be constantly vying for your attention and money. The Grand Souk is more market stalls though, not actual stores. And instead of one wide street like the Gold Souk, the Grand Souk has lots of smaller and windier streets.

The Grand Souk offers a wide variety of goods, but specifically caters to tourists. Here you will find clothing (things like flowy cotton pants, “Dubai” t-shirts and traditional abayas), pashminas galore and a slew of different keepsakes and souvenirs (like stuffed camels, magnets and tote bags).

You can get some really great deals in the Grand Souk. Some styles of bags, tops and pants will often go for about 10 AED (about $3 USD). Some prices are marked, but you can barter as well. I got a maxi skirt (priced at 25 ADE) and a children’s t-shirt (priced at 15 AED), for 27 AED total (about $7 USD).

The Grand Souk is broken up into smaller souks like the Herb Souk (or Spice Souk), Mattress Souk, Utensil Souk and more. The Herb Souk you definitely don’t want to miss. By the time you make it to this souk specifically, you’ve probably already passed several other stalls with overflowing baskets of spices. The sight and smells from so many all in one place, though, should not be missed.

All of these different souks are connected and close together. There are also maps posted throughout the area. This is a good place to bop and weave through the different markets at your leisure.

Grand Souk Diera basics

• Location: Here – the area just north of the Diera Old Souk Abra Station
• How to get there: Dubai Metro Green line to Al Ras Metro Station
• Hours : Exact hours vary by vendor, but generally 10 AM to 10 PM Saturday to Thursday, and 4 PM and 10 PM on Fridays.
• How long does it take: 1.5 hours
• Best tip: Haggle for a deal, especially if you’re buying multiple items

Abra across Dubai Creek

Dubai Creek separates the neighborhoods of Diera (where the Gold Souk and Grand Souk Diera are located) and Bur Dubai (where our next souk, Grand Souk Bur Dubai, is located). The creek is lively with everything from modern yachts to large shipping boats, but it’s mostly filled with small wooden water taxis called abras.

The boats are operated by the RTA (the same organization that operates the Metro), so they are very safe and efficient. Both tourists and locals use the boats everyday to quickly and cheaply cross the creek.

You can take the abras to a few different stations around the creek, including two destinations from Diera Old Souk Station. However, the small electric abras (as shown here) only take one route from this station, and it’s the one you want. The main route (for tourists specifically) is CR1 from Diera Old Souk Station to Bur Dubai station.

At the Diera Old Souk Station, there are a few different docks that are each numbered but are not labeled by route. In our experience, the abras to Bur Dubai were boarding from dock #3. Since there’s only one route on this specific type of boat, look for the dock that’s loading people. You can also confirm with the employee on the dock that they’re going to Bur Dubai. There is also a manned information booth if you have questions.

Board the boat and take a seat as directed. Before the boat departs, the operator will come around and collect 1 AED from each passenger. The trip across the creek takes about 10 minutes, but the whole experience with boarding and everything takes about 20.

If you’re taking the abra in the other direction from Bur Dubai to Diera, there are many more routes so you’ll want to be sure you get on the right boat. Docks at Bur Dubai Station are labeled by route. The route back to Diera Old Souk is CR1.

Abra basics

• Location: Deira Old Souk Abra Station to Dubai Old Souk Abra Station
• Hours: Monday through Sunday, 5 AM to midnight. Boats run on demand as they fill up.
• Tickets: No tickets, just have cash (AED) ready
• Cost: 1 AED per stop
• How long does it take: 15 minutes

Lunch in Bur Dubai

You’re probably hot and hungry by now, and you’ve come to the right place. The area around Bur Dubai has a handful or restaurants that are great for a quick-ish lunch.

We suggest making your way to Mazmi Coffee & More . It’s a shaded patio restaurant right on the bank of Dubai Creek. They have a large menu with Middle Eastern and international options, plus a huge cold beverage menu which you’ll definitely need. (I can’t recommend the lemon mint enough!) They also had high chairs if you’re visiting with a little one.

Another popular restaurant nearby is the Arabian Tea House , but it’s on the other side of the souk. It’s got a darling garden that’s great for a meal or just a break for tea. They have the most beautiful blooming teas, which are fun if you’ve never had them before.

Grand Souk Bur Dubai

The Grand Souk Bur Dubai is similar to the Grand Souk Diera. Both are loud, lively markets selling very similar items. Here you’ll find more colorful pashminas, lanterns and rugs, miles of spices, a wide variety of textiles and clothing, and all the souvenir trinkets you could ever want. There’s more niche areas to this souk as well, with areas grouped by each specific type of offering.

The biggest difference that I noticed about the Grand Souk Bur Dubai is that there were a lot more prices marked. At the Diera souks, there are almost no listed prices and you’ll almost always have to ask then barter. If you’re good at haggling, you’ll probably get a better deal on the Diera side but you have to work for it. On the Bur Dubai side, items with posted prices are usually less negotiable.

Grand Souk Bur Dubai is also a bit smaller and surrounded by more stores on the periphery. At the end of the Grand Souk Bur Dubai is the Dubai Museum, which has been closed for renovations for the past few years with no set reopen date (as of March 2023). There’s also some historical buildings and replicas in this area, like the old city walls and model boats.

Grand Souk Bur Dubai basics

• Location: Here – Between Dubai Old Souk Abra Station and Dubai Museum
• How to get there: Via abra from Old Souk Abra Station OR Dubai Metro Green line to Al Ghubaiba Metro Station

Head toward Dubai Mall

It’s time to go from Old Dubai back to the shiny new Dubai. If you are planning to go straight on to your next activity, you can either take the Metro (Green line to Red line, takes about 45 minutes) or take a car (cab/rideshare will get you there in about 20 minutes).

If you’re using rideshare, we suggest meeting them at Al Fahidi street, which is much easier to navigate than the small side streets by the souk. Ask them to take you to Souk Al Bahar or they can drop you off at the Dubai Mall if that’s easier, and then you can walk.

Alternatively, this is a good time to take a break. You may want to head back to your hotel to rest or refresh before heading back out for the night.

In either case, we suggest getting back to the Dubai Mall area around 4 or 5 PM.

Souk Al Bahar

Across the water from the Dubai Mall is Souk Al Bahar. It’s called a souk, but it’s really more of a mall. Instead of mainstream fashion brands, this souk has more speciality items, handicrafts and Arab lifestyle goods. There’s also a handful or restaurants, many of which have water-front seating.

There’s not too much to say about this particular souk. If you wrap up in Old Dubai and get to the Dubai Fountains before 5:30 PM or so, this is a good place to spend some time. It’s worth checking out, but it’s also fine to miss.

Dubai Fountain Show

Every evening, Dubai Fountain in front of the Burj Khalifa comes to life in a dazzling performance of water, light and sound. I don’t know what it is, but I personally love a fountain show and this one does not disappoint.

You can view the fountain show from all around the water front. The best views are from Souk Al Bahar Bridge (the pedestrian bridge that connects the Dubai Mall to Souk Al Bahar), but the whole promenade has a fine view.

The fountain show is very popular and tends to draw crowds. We suggest arriving about 30 minutes prior to the first show to secure a good spot. If you’re sticking around the area for dinner and/or dessert, try to come back later on to watch the show again from a different place.

Dubai Fountain show basics

• Location: Here – in front of the Burj Khalifa
• How to get there: (1) Take a cab or rideshare to Dubai Fountain OR (2) Dubai Metro to Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall Station, then walk following signs to Dubai Fountain (long walk, but all indoors)
• Hours: 6 – 11 PM, every 30 minutes
• Tickets: No tickets required for general viewing. Premium viewing options can be booked online here .
• Cost: General viewing is free. Premium viewing is available for 20 AED and boat rides are available for 68 AED.
• How long does it take: Each performance is about 5 minutes
• Best tip: Watch the show more than once throughout the evening.

Dinner near Burj Khalifa

After the fountain show and maybe an evening stroll through the mall, it’s time to head to dinner. Both nearby shopping areas are jam-packed with dinner options. However, if this is your last night in Dubai, may we suggest splurging for a special experience? (If you haven’t already!)

On our first visit, we dined at Amal Restaurant inside the Armani Hotel at the Burj Khalifa. We had the most incredible Indian food of our life (and we’ve been to India!) with the very best view. The outdoor dining space was closed for a private event, but we were still able to watch the fountain show from out there and it was epic.

Be warned that they charge for water! (Something almost every non-American knows.) After accidentally spending more than $20 USD on a variety of waters at different temperatures, we didn’t have the heart to order actual drinks.

For first-time visitors coming to Dubai for just a few days, we love the itinerary we put together above. However, this doesn’t even scratch the surface of what Dubai has to offer. If you have more time or if you’ve already done some of the items above, consider checking out some of these other great things to do in Dubai.

Atlantis and Aquaventure Waterpark

A prime example of Dubai’s extravagance is the Palm, a manmade island that looks like a palm tree. It’s home to some of the city’s most luxurious residences and hotels, including the Atlantis, The Palm.

The luxury resort hotel is incredible, but many of it’s best features are reserved for hotel guests. It’s not worth visiting the hotel if you’re not staying staying there.

Adjacent to the hotel, though, is Aquaventure Waterpark, which is open to the public. The waterpark is massive and holds the world record for the most waterslides. (Have you noticed that Dubai has a lot of world records?)

Desert Safari

It’s hard to find a list of things to do in Dubai that doesn’t include a desert safari. These excursions will take you out into the desert for things like 4-wheeling, sand boarding and camel riding. There is often a cultural component, maybe a falcon experience, and a meal or snack. There’s daytime and nighttime options.

This is super popular and people love it. It’s just not something we’ve personally done. You can view different packages and book them here .

Day trip to Abu Dhabi and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

The Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. I would put it on par with the Taj Mahal, honestly, in terms of beauty and grandeur. If you have the chance to work this into your itinerary, you absolutely should.

Having spent a few days in Abu Dhabi after an Etihad flight , I can confidently say that there isn’t a ton you have to do in Abu Dhabi other than go to this mosque. Since it’s only 90 minutes from Dubai, you can easily do this as a day trip instead of planning a whole separate trip to Abu Dhabi. You can even take the bus between the two cities!

This indoor ski resort is located inside the Mall of the Emirates. You can rent skis or snowboards and then hit the slopes! There is even an indoor gondola to carry you up to the top.

If skiing inside wasn’t cool enough, they also have penguin encounters, a snow park (with sledding and a snow playground) and even a theater in the snow. We’ve never done this, but now that I’m writing about it, I really want to!

Dubai Beaches

Unless you count the beach in Aquaventure Waterpark, we’ve never personally been to a beach in Dubai. However, there are several that blend tropical beach vacation with metropolitan city quite well.

Jumeirah Beach and La Mer beach are two popular picks.

Other Dubai Malls

Malls in Dubai (and all of the Middle East) are often the center of the social scene. They’re a cool place to escape the heat during the day and a not-alcholol-centric place to mingle in the evenings. For that reason, malls in Dubai are about more than just shopping.

In addition to the Dubai Mall, two of the other most popular and biggest malls are Mall of the Emirates (home to Ski Dubai) and Ibn Buttata Mall (themed to the journeys of the famous explorer by the same name).

Jumiera Mosque

This is the only mosque in Dubai that is open to non-Muslims. They offer tours to the public every day except Friday at 10 AM and 2 PM for 35 AED ($10 USD).

If you’ve never been to a mosque before and you don’t have time for a trip to the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, Jumiera Mosque is worth a visit. Otherwise, it’s a lovely mosque, but it doesn’t need to be on everyone’s itinerary.

Museum of the Future

From the futuristic subject matter to the unique building itself, nothing quite screams “Dubai” more than the Museum of the Future.

The building itself has quickly become an icon of the city. It’s located right off the Dubai Metro, so you can visit the building even if you don’t go inside. Unfortunately, the museum content gets mediocre reviews, which isn’t what you want to hear about something with a $40 USD per person entrance fee.

Souk Madinat Jumeirah

This is more so a replica of a traditional Arab bazaar than it is an actual souk. It’s a shopping mall in souk’s clothing, if you will. It’s really beautiful and curated, and also very expensive. If you like the idea of wandering a souk but don’t want to be hassled by salespeople, this is a great pick.

It’s also a great place to go in the evening, maybe on your arrival day if you get in early enough. It’s got a happening waterfront, lots of dining options, and views of Burj Al Arab.

The world’s biggest Ferris wheel is located on Bluewaters Island just beyond Dubai Marina. At 820 feet, it’s almost twice as tall as the London Eye !

Unfortunately, it’s never been open while we’ve been in Dubai. It first opened in 2021, but closed in March 2022 for renovations and has not yet reopened (as of March 2023).

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2 Days in Dubai | The Ultimate Itinerary

Dubai is perhaps best known as being something like the Las Vegas of the Middle East. It is a place full of real glitz and glamor. What’s most fascinating, most of what you’ll see there did not even exist 20 years ago. Believe it or not, Dubai is now the 4th most visited city in the WORLD. Likely due to its very extensive tourist infrastructure. Since you’ve landed on this page, odds are that you only have a limited amount of time in Dubai. Perhaps it’s just one stop on your tour of the Middle East. Keep reading for information on what to do, what to see, and where to stay while traveling for 2 days in Dubai. 

Table of Contents

Brief City History | Dubai

The area where Dubai currently resides has been inhabited on and off since roughly 2500 B.C. Archaeological records suggest that most of the inhabitants before the 17th century were nomadic, given the desert landscape of the area. There is evidence that there was some link to the ancient Magan civilization in this region until 500 B.C. This civilization is largely unknown to us, but referenced by the Sumarians for their copper resources and superb shipbuilding capabilities. 

In more recent years, Dubai’s latest permanent settlement began in the 17th century. The Ummayids bought Islam to the area during this time, and by the 18th century, this area was known as a fishing village. As Dubai is located close to Iran, it also came to be an important trade location by the start of the 20th century. During this time, Dubai was primarily known for pearl exports (until the Great Depression). 

In the 1960’s oil was discovered off the coast of Dubai, which led to Sheikh Rashid’s continued focus on infrastructure development in the area. Once at odds with the other emirates, such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai saw further changes in 1971 when seven emirates joined to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). (This was to be a 9-state union, including Bahrain and Qatar, but significant British involvement stopped these plans). 

Since the formation of the UAE, Dubai has continued to grow from revenues in oil and trade, especially with the increase in gas prices after the Gulf War. It should be noted that gas only accounts for roughly 5% of Dubai’s GDP. Dubai’s main economic growth comes from real estate, transportation, and tourism. 

Know Before You Go

Lodging and logistics:.

Getting There: Dubai is serviced by two airports: Dubai Aiport (DXB) and Al Maktoum Airport (DWC). If you are coming from a great distance, it’s most likely you will fly into DXB, which is also known for being the world’s busiest airport by international passenger traffic. It’s the hub of the Emirates airline as well. DXB is quite a large airport, so I recommend getting there 3 hours early when heading out of Dubai. 

Al Maktoum Airport (DWC) only operates a few passenger airlines as of 2021, but the intent is for this airport to one day be the biggest part of Dubai World Central. With this designation, its goal is to be the largest airport in size and passenger volume. As of today, it is unlikely that you would fly into this airport, unless you are coming from a nearby country. 

Where to Stay: 

Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai – For a very local feel, stay at the Al Seef hotel, which is a boutique hotel located within the Al Seef heritage district, near the spice and gold souks. As for the stay, the rooms have a rustic and authentic vibe and there is an onsite restaurant as well. 

XVA Art Hotel – Another boutique hotel worth considering is the XVA Art Hotel. The hotel features bespoke rooms that display art from local artists. Onsite, you’ll also find a full art gallery and a boutique shop that sells crafts from local artisans. 

Intercontinental Dubai Marina – This is a beautiful hotel located right in the Dubai Marina (as the name suggests), and is actually where I stayed when I was in Dubai. The hotel is quite huge, and offers a place to sleep as well as venues for entertainment. Of course, the schedule will vary on a regular basis, but when we were there we saw a comedy show on site. 

Getting Around: The easiest way to get around Dubai is most certainly by Uber . Given the layout of the city, there are some areas you can walk to, but car travel is easiest. 

Daily Considerations: 

Language Considerations: English is widely spoken in Dubai, but I do recommend you learn how to speak basic greetings, to say yes/no, and thank you in Arabic out of respect for the local culture.

Money Situation: The local currency in Dubai is the United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED). At the time of writing this post, the exchange rate is $1 USD = 3.67 AED. Please don’t let the seemingly “good” exchange rate fool you though, you can expect prices for food and activities in Dubai to be relatively similar to any large city in the United States.

Dubai Itinerary: Two Days

On your first day in Dubai, you should spend time getting to know the city well and exploring some of the major local sites. 

Dubai Old Town and Spice Souk

I think that the best way to start your morning is to explore the real, local culture and history of Dubai. It’s something that is not always easy to find there, so it is an interesting and more unique way to get the trip started. Visiting the Old Town and/or Souk is best done with the help of a local guide who can provide context on the day-to-day life for Dubai locals.

I recommend taking the Old Town, Dubai Creek, Souks, and Street Food Tour , which as the name suggests, takes you to both the sites I mentioned before, and also includes a visit to a local mosque, a boat ride to the souk, and the chance to try local street food. 

Click here to book your tour of Dubai Old Town and the Spice Souk!

A great way to start the day is with a visit to the Dubai Mall. The Dubai Mall is known for being the 2nd largest mall (by area) in the world. It has 5.4 MILLION square feet. Yeah, let that sink in for a bit. Inside you’ll find many international brands like Bloomingale’s, Jimmy Choo, and H&M. You’ll of course see many local and regional stores inside as well.

In addition to retail, there are a plethora of restaurants, as well as activities and entertainment. The latter of which includes things like the Dubai Aquarium, a Trampoline Park, and most notably, the entrance to the top of the Burj Khalifa (more on this below).

To get a bit of fresh air while visiting the mall, I recommend eating in the little plaza outside the mall / below the Burj Khalifa. Here, you can grab a bite in the open air. You’ll also have a chance to catch the Dubai Fountain show, which is featured right in the center of the plaza. It is a light and water show that is set to some classic Arabian music; set in the world’s tallest performing fountain. 

Burj Khalifa 

If there is one site that Dubai is known for it is most certainly Burj Khalifa, currently the tallest building in the world. It stands at 2,722 feet – or over half of a mile tall! Before visiting the tower, I highly recommend you purchase your ticket in advance. It will save you from having to wait in two lines on your visit. (One line to purchase the tickets and another to get to the top). 

Click here to get your Burj Khalifa Entry Ticket! 

If interested in visiting the Dubai Aquarium that is also located in the mall, you can combine the entry to the Burj Khalifa and the Aquarium in a single discounted ticket.

Click here to get your Aquarium and Burj Khalifa Combo Ticket!

Moving on to the evening, you’ll likely be hungry – so why not go for Dinner in the Sky ? I’ll note, you definitely need to be okay with heights of course, but if being suspended over the city while you eat, you should certainly check this out. When booking, you’ll make your 3-course menu selection in advance (and yes, there are vegetarian options). While eating you will be able to check out fabulous views of the Dubai skyline while sitting in a special floating (and open) room. 

Click here to make your Dinner in the Sky reservations!

If you have more time, head to the Dubai Marina at night for more impressive views. And also take in the cooler desert air while there. 

For your second day in Dubai, I recommend starting your day out a little different (or maybe better said, in typical Dubai fashion), by having breakfast on a yacht ! While you sail, take in the Dubai skyline and sail by famous sites such as the Burj Al Arab, the Dubai Eye, and the Dubai Marina. 

Click here to book your morning Yacht Tour!

Early Afternoon to Evening

For the second part of your day, head out of the city for a desert excursion. The available excursions typically start with a “safari” through the sand dunes. I was a bit confused at the word safari when I first heard it, as you won’t encounter any wildlife (except for the occasional scorpion). But what it really means is that you’ll ride the sand dunes in an all-wheel drive car. It can really be a bit of a wild ride! 

After you venture through the desert, you’ll stop at a remote desert camp that is full of activities and experiences such as camel riding, belly dancers, falconers, and more. And of course, a large BBQ spread for dinner. 

One thing I’ll note is that this experience is not the most authentic you’ll find in the Middle East, when you compare it to what you’d find in Jordan, for example. As I mentioned earlier, Dubai is really more about the adult Disney World or Las Vegas feel, so this definitely has that vibe to it. It will, however, be quite entertaining! 

Click here to book your Desert Safari excursion!

Note, if you are interested in driving an ATV to the Bedouin camp experience, here is an option that may make more sense. In this option, you won’t be driven at all, but will instead get instruction on how to drive your ATV and then you’ll face the dunes in the open air. If you are not an experienced ATV driver, this option can be quite challenging and maybe a little nerve-wracking. (At least that was my experience). But it’s perfect for those of you who are adventure seekers!

Click here to book your excursion with a ATV ride!

What to Do if You Have More Time

Abu Dhabi Full-Day Trip from Dubai

If you have more time in the area, I think a great option to consider is to take a day trip to Abu Dhabi. The two are only a little over an hour from each other by car, so it’s a fairly easy trip to take. And you’ll also get a chance to experience a little more of the local culture in the UAE as well. 

You could always coordinate yourself, but if you are not interested in that, consider taking a tour that will take care of all the coordination from your hotel to Abu Dhabi and back. 

Click here to book your 1-Day trip to Abu Dhabi!

Dubai City Map

The map below gives you a good idea on where each of the locations mentioned in this guide are located. It should be helpful when planning out your day and confirming where you want to stay.

• Dubai Old City
• Dubai Creek
• The Dubai Mall
• Burj Khalifa
• Burj Al Arab
• Dinner in the Sky
• Dubai Marina

Final Tips | 2 Days in Dubai

That concludes this itinerary for a 2 day trip to Dubai. I hope that you found the tips in this guide useful, and that they are helpful as you plan your trip. If only stopping in Dubai for a short time, do not forget to consider seeing other countries that are close by such as Egypt, Joran, or Kuwait. I think that the Middle East is generally underrated when it comes to travel. In my opinion, the hospitality that you’ll find in the area is nearly unmatched. If you have already visited Dubai and have other ideas for what to do there, please share in the comments below!

Related Posts:

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• 3 Days in Barcelona

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Christen Thomas is the founder of TravelWanderGrow, established in 2018. She has lived abroad and traveled extensively to over 30 countries. In addition, she is a certified Travel Advisor and is an expert in planning trips focused on city history and culture. As a frequent traveler, she also shares tips on how to prepare to travel well and how to save money while doing so.

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2 Days in Dubai – Ultimate 2 Day Itinerary for a Weekend

2 Days in Dubai: What to do and see?

The time to put together a roadmap to travel to a place we’ve never visited is one of the most complicated, isn’t it?

A very common question is, how many days to stay in Dubai?

That’s why we made this post with some suggestions and tips for an itinerary in Dubai. So, you can choose which one best fits your trip, follow the tips and enjoy a lot!

It is not necessary that you strictly follow the suggested itineraries here, but I hope that it can serve as a guide for you and help you discover the best sights and attractions of this amazing city that is Dubai.

So  let’s start our Dubai 2 days itinerary!

Table of Contents

Day 1: Deira and Downtown Dubai

I recommend starting your 2-day trip by visiting Dubai  ‘s gold and spice souks  in Deira. From this point, and taking advantage of the occasion, you’ll board an abra (a kind of boat) to go straight to  Bur Dubai .

At this point, it only remains to reach the center and visit the three most famous areas of Dubai:  Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the Dubai Fountain .

1. Deira Gold & Spice Souk

The Gold and Spice Souk is located in Deira**, the old part of Dubai**. Deira is located in the north of the city, very close to the airport. You can opt for  bus lines 11A and CO1 , or a taxi which will take around 8 minutes to reach Deira.

Most shops in Deira are open  between 9am and 10am , except on Fridays when they open a little later, so I recommend showing up early before the crowds flood the area.

There’s a lot to see and do in Deira, like visiting some of Dubai’s iconic neighborhoods, shopping for souvenirs, clothing (including Arabic clothing), gold, spices, small rugs, and all sorts of other items.

Prices are  much lower  than in the malls, so if you plan on shopping for a lot of souvenirs, you might want to do that in Deira.

Deira is also the  ideal place for a cheap lunch  : you will find many different cuisines in the gold and spice souks. I suggest having lunch there or a little further south in the La Mer area.

Recommendation  : When shopping in Deira you have to  know how to haggle , it’s part of the culture of this area; although in reality, if you know how to do it, it’s quite a bit  of fun .

2. Bur Dubai in Abra

Take advantage of the proximity for a  short and intense abra ride , abras are popular and super cheap traditional water taxis.

The  most authentic  abra ride is usually taken from the gold and spice souk. You can walk to  Deira Gold Souk abra station  and get to the other side (Bur Dubai) by taking an abra (water taxi).

It will only cost you a  few cents  and is a nice and inexpensive way to get to the other side of the creek to continue your journey.

For centuries it has remained one of  the most widely used means of transport in Dubai , becoming a symbol of Dubai’s history and a heritage site in its own right.

You can also have  the entire abra to yourself  for 5 euros. This allows you to take pictures much more freely without anyone else being in the picture, although you also have to hurry as the trip only takes a few minutes.

3. Bur Dubai

Once you get to Bur Dubai, you’ll see  some museums and a smaller souk  where you’ll find more spices, gold and other things. You can of course spend a whole day exploring this part of Dubai, but if you only have 2 days in Dubai, I recommend  spending between 2 and 5 hours  to see these two interesting areas of Dubai.

4. Burj Khalifa

From Bur Dubai you can take the  metro  (22 minutes),  bus 29  (44 minutes) or  taxi  (12 minutes) to get directly to the Burj Khalifa, the bus being the cheapest option.

Burj Khalifa is the  tallest building in the world  at 828 meters. You can enjoy incredible views from the Burj Khalifa Observatory.

It will probably take you  between 2-4 hours  to enjoy the views and areas of this building (depending on how busy you are), but the queues to get to the top  can be very long .

You can get Burj Khalifa tickets for levels 124 and 125 or get a ticket for levels 124 and 125 and 148. Of course,  level 148 is the most expensive , but the beauty is that with level 148 you can skip the queues, which is vital if you’re short on time.

To save even more time , I recommend that you  find out what you can see and do inside the Burj Khalifa .

5. Dubai Mall

The Dubai Mall is located right next to the Burj Khalifa, so  there’s no travel time . Visiting the Dubai Mall is definitely worth it even if you don’t consider yourself a shopper, as it’s not just for shopping.

Inside you will find Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo (an aquarium and aquatic zoo with 300 species of marine animals) Dubai Dino, a Diplodocus fossil, VR Park Dubai, a virtual reality theme park and other interesting places and attractions to spend hours. and hours.

Bearing in mind that you are only in Dubai for 2 days, try to spend a maximum of 2 hours in Dubai.

The Dubai Mall also has a food court** offering a huge variety of foods. Of course, there are  luxury restaurants  too * if you’re in the mood to indulge on your first dinner in Dubai.

6. Dubai Fountain

I recommend ending your first day in Dubai here as it’s a  great way to rest your eyes  and enjoy a night in Dubai to remember.

Nighttime fountain shows run from  6:00 pm to 11:00 pm , and occur every 30 minutes.

The show  is free to  watch, although the area fills up quickly, so be sure to arrive at a good time if you feel like taking pictures or videos in a more comfortable way.

If you have time, you can also take  a walk around the area , Dubai is as safe at night as it is in the morning.

Day 2: Discovering the Dubai Coast

Afterwards you could take a walk through Madinat Jumeirah and stroll through its famous alleys and finally I recommend you to take a look  at the Dubai Canal  (bridge), one of the most attractive and new places in the city, and then finish your day in the center from Dubai.

1. Dubai Marina

Start day two with a  leisurely stroll around Dubai Marina , one of the most enjoyable places to be in Dubai and one of the largest man-made marinas in the world. There are also many things to do at the marina.

The marina will amaze you with its  huge canal  along with the yachts that can be seen, giving the marina  a luxurious feel . You can spend a few hours wandering aimlessly and having a drink or two at one of the many bars along the way.

If you have time, you can take a cruise around Dubai Marina ; otherwise, go straight ahead to end up at the famous JBR-The Walk beach.

2. JBR Beach – The Walk

As it is within walking distance (20-30 minutes) of Dubai Marina, JBR-The Walk Beach is the  closest and most sensible option .

There’s no entry fee to JBR-The Walk, and it’s the ideal place for a swim. You can also  rent water sports equipment  and enjoy a great afternoon at the beach.

Off the beach, you’ll find plenty of street art, live music and a  lively atmosphere .

I also recommend that you hop on the  “Flying Cup “, a new attraction that will give you  a 360-degree view of  the beach. Best of all, they also offer food services, so if you want  lunch with a panoramic view  from 40 meters above, you’ll know where to go.

And, believe it or not, both the entrance fees and lunches are  reasonably priced . There are also several restaurants in the area for a quieter, less adrenaline-filled lunch.

3. Get Lost in Madinat Jumeirah

Continuing straight ahead for a pleasant  15-minute walk to  JBR beach – The Walk you will find the famous Madinat Jumeirah, a city (as the name suggests in Arabic) full of entertainment, accommodation,  restaurants  and many  places for different leisure activities . However, for this occasion, I recommend heading to the souk of this mini-city paradise.

This souk is not as overwhelming as the Dubai Mall and you can find gifts, clothing and more. You can also walk around the area while breathing in the fresh air,  the alleys are very traditional  and the atmosphere is very pleasant. Madinat Souk also has many good  licensed food outlets  if you want to grab a bite to eat. For  dining in Madinat Jumeirah  there is everything from humble traditional food stalls (near the souk) to high end restaurants.

4. Dubai Canal

After a stroll through the Jumeirah Souk, I recommend that you continue up the hill and head towards the amazing Dubai Water Canal.  The quickest option  would be to take a taxi (12 minutes and approximately 6 euros).

The canal is Dubai’s newest addition, the water canal cost around 660 million euros and  is approximately 5 kilometers long .

The downside of the channel is that during the day the sun hits hard because it is completely uncovered, so it can be a little uncomfortable. However,  nowhere is more romantic for a peaceful evening  than the Dubai Canal. Dubai’s water canal is the  perfect place to say goodbye to the city, enjoy the incredible lights that are projected onto and from it and listen to the pleasant sound of the water moving underneath.

Accommodation in Dubai

Now you know  what to do in Dubai in 2 days!

But there is one last essential question to tackle: did you manage to  choose your hotel from the hundred or so offers  available in Dubai?

If you do n’t want to waste time  comparing everything, I have good news, I have prepared for you  my selection of the best hotels to sleep in Dubai  according to your budget and by geographical area.

And as Dubai concentrates an  impressive number of magnificent luxury hotels,  I have also  dedicated a special section to them.  If you have a  special occasion to celebrate during your weekend in Dubai, now is the time!

In any case, I advise you  to book as far in advance as possible  to get the best rates.

The best hotels in Downtown Dubai  (near the Burj Khalifa)

• DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai – Business Bay  : located 1.5km from Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. Very spacious and comfortable room, well decorated and equipped from €110 per night, breakfast included. The pluses: free shuttle to the Dubai Mall, breakfast with a lot of choice, comfort, calm.  It is our favorite for its price/performance ratio in Dubai.
• Rove Downtown:  located just 600 meters from Dubai Mall. Bright and clean double room with some views of the Burj Khalifa, from €150, breakfast at €15. Pros: walking access to Dubai Mall, helpful staff, free shuttles to the beach, Dubai Museum or Souk Madinat.
• Taj Dubai:  located 800 meters from the Burj Khalifa. Modern and luxurious room with bay window overlooking the city and marble bathroom from 220€, breakfast at 32€. Most: the splendid view from the rooftop, the decor on the theme of  India , the large swimming pool.  An excellent choice to stay near Downtown Dubai!
• Palace Downtown:  located on the edge of the Burj Khalifa lake, this 5* hotel offers splendid rooms with balconies offering an exceptional view of the Burj Khalifa. From €380, breakfast €39. Most: the exceptional location, the magnificent setting, the caring staff.  This is our recommendation for a luxury stay closest to Dubai’s must-see attraction!

The best hotels in Old Dubai  (Deira and Bur Dubai)

• Golden Sands Hotel Apartments  : located in Bur Dubai, 1.5km from the Dubai Museum. Studio equipped with kitchenette and washing machine from €80 per night, breakfast at €11. Most: cleanliness, heated swimming pool, comfort.
• Swissôtel Al Ghurair Dubai:  located in the Deira district. Warm and spacious room from €115, breakfast at €27. Most: the pleasant staff, the view, the good breakfast.  It is our favorite for its price/performance ratio in Old Dubai.
• Hyatt Regency Creek Heights Residences:  located next to Creekside park. Very spacious room, super comfortable and very well equipped from 130€ per night, breakfast at 33€. The pluses: 5 minutes walk from the metro, the welcome, the tranquility of the place, the Spa.
• Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek  : 5* hotel located on the edge of Deira Creek. Double room with balcony and view of the creek from €150, breakfast at €29. The pluses: the proximity to the metro and shops, the beautiful swimming pool, the good bedding and the view.  This is our recommendation for an upscale stay in Old Dubai.

The best beachfront hotels in Dubai

• Delta Hotels by Marriott Jumeirah Beach, Dubai:  located 300 meters from the beach. Room and apartment with sea view from €125, breakfast at €27. Most: the view, the comfortable beds, the location near the beach and the marina.
• Amwaj Rotana, Jumeirah Beach – Dubai:  located along The Walk. Room with balcony overlooking the Gulf and Palm Jumeirah from €175, breakfast €24. Most: the exceptional view, the proximity of the tram and metro, restaurants and shops at the foot of the hotel.
• Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach:  located 150 meters from the beach. Contemporary room with balcony and sea view from €230, breakfast at €22. Most: the infinity pool, the very good breakfast, the spa, the ideal location to enjoy the sea.
• Grosvenor House Hotel and Apartments:  located on the marina promenade. Elegant and bright double room from €290, breakfast at €42. Most: the comfort, the access to the private beach, the quality of the restoration.

The most beautiful luxury hotels to stay in Dubai

• Atlantis The Palm, Dubai:  One of the city’s iconic hotels, located on the Palm Jumeirah. Room from €300, breakfast at €42. The pluses: access included to Aquaventure Park and The Lost Chambers, the private beach, the swimming pools.
• Rixos The Palm Hotel & Suites – Ultra All Inclusive:  located on the Palm Jumeirah archipelago, this luxury resort offers all inclusive rooms (all meals included) from €452. The pluses: the quality of the catering, the setting, the comfort of the rooms.
• The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai:  located directly on the beach at JBR Walk. Elegantly decorated room and balcony with sea view from €500, breakfast €39. The pluses: the 6 swimming pools, the private beach, the Spa, the quality of the service.
• Armani Hotel Dubai:  located in the Burj Khalifa tower! Room designed by the fashion icon, Giorgio Armani, from €550 per night, breakfast at €41. The pluses: the privilege of sleeping in the Burj Khalifa, the refinement of the place, the view.
• Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah:  located in Palm Jumeirah. Luxurious suite with dining area and lounge area from €750, breakfast included. Most: the private beach, the huge swimming pool and the beautiful exteriors.
• Burj Al Arab Jumeirah:   we end with the luxury establishment par excellence, one of the rare 7* hotels in the world! The “smallest” suite is 170m² and prices start at €1290 with breakfast at €74. At this price, I can assure you that your stay in Dubai will be exceptional!

I hope these itineraries have helped you plan your trip to Dubai.

Are you going to Dubai? Read also:

Dubai itinerary: 1 day in dubai.

• 3 Days in Dubai: Ultimate 3-Day Itinerary

5 Days in Dubai: Ultimate 5-Day Itinerary

• One Week in Dubai: Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary

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2-day Dubai itinerary: how to fit it all in

Guest Post contributed by Neha Singh

Dubai resident, Nesha, loves traveling, seeing different places, and learning about their history. She also likes adventure sports like skydiving, bungee jumping, and zip-lining. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, sketching, and chilling with her pet dog. 

A 2-day itinerary is often what first-timers to Dubai have in mind, so here’s a comprehensive 2-day itinerary, along with some pro tips and important information for your trip.

Dubai is a holiday destination with loads of attractions and experiences on offer. And with just two days in Dubai, you may not be able to cover all of the city’s delights but you will definitely have enough time to take in the very best of Dubai. So, are you ready to make the most of your precious time in Dubai?

Two Days In Dubai Itinerary Overview

Important things to consider for your dubai trip, early morning: dubai desert safari, morning: dubai city tour, afternoon till evening: downtown dubai, morning: start at the view at the palm, mid-morning: visit the expo 2020 site, evening: revolution on ain dubai, night: dhow cruise at dubai marina, final thoughts.

This 48 hours Dubai itinerary is activity-and-experience packed. From historical and cultural attractions to record-breaking sights, we have managed to cover all of the city’s iconic, hidden and newest attractions. 

🌴 With so much to cover in a limited time, make sure that you organize and book all the details of your short Dubai holiday in advance.

🌴 You’ll need to make hotel, airline, and transfer bookings all at least three to four months before your travel date. Consider choosing an all-inclusive package with accommodation, transport, etc.

🌴 It’s also worth considering a combo pass that bundles two or more of your favorite attractions or experiences like Ain Dubai, Desert Safari, a Dhow Cruise, or a visit to Ras Al Khaimah .

🌴 Likewise, pre-book entry tickets to the attractions covered in your travel programs, such as Infinity Des Lumières, and The View at the Palm.

🌴 Dubai boasts of one of the world’s most efficient public transport systems including the longest of its kind – the autonomous Dubai Metro.

🌴 That said, the most relaxed way to spend 48 hours in Dubai is to opt for a private transfer with access to a driver for your Dubai exploration. This allows you to save time, stay out of the heat (especially in the summer months ), and visit more attractions.

🌴 Last but most importantly, make sure that your chosen hotel or accommodation in Dubai is centrally located and provides convenient access to the top attractions included in your travel program. 

Where to Stay in Dubai

Our Top 8 Picks

🏝️ Burj Al Arab Jumeirah: On its own island, with two-story guest rooms, 9 restaurants, a spa, a helipad, a suspended sky bar, and two pools, and in an excellent location

🏝️ Atlantis, The Palm: Yes, that’s right – one wall of your 5-star bathroom is indeed a shark tank. Underwater aquarium, water park, private beach, swimming pools, Arabian and oceanic decor.

🏝️ Armani Hotel Dubai: Occupying 11 floors of the glass Burj Khalifa skyscraper, the hotel has a subtle, minimalist design, spa, 8 restaurants, and indoor and outdoor pools.

🏝️ Shangri-La Dubai: Beautiful new rooms in soft, modern colors are a feature of this recently renovated hotel. The pool area on the fourth floor is very instagrammable!

🏝️ St. Regis, The Palm: In the Palm Tower, connected to a shopping mall and with butler service, this premium hotel has an art deco theme, two infinity pools, and a full-service spa.

🏝️ Jumeirah Beach Hotel: This 5-star luxury Dubai hotel has a private beach and features over 10 restaurants and bars, 5 swimming pools, and a climbing wall.

🏝️ Hotel Indigo Dubai, Downtown: 1.6 km from Dubai Mall, 4-star Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown, an IHG Hotel features accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, an outdoor swimming pool, and a fitness center.

🏝️ Rove La Mer Beach: 3-star hotel with a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, and bar. Featuring a shared lounge, this hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom.

Day 1: Dedicate This Day To Dubai’s Timeless And All-Time Favorite Attractions

Let your first day in Dubai begin with a quintessential Middle Eastern activity!

Kicking off with a pre-dawn pick up from your hotel, your desert safari Dubai introduces you to a side of the city that is supremely scenic and screams “Middle East!”

Experience some heart-racing 4X4 dune bashing and snap images of the rising sun against the pristine desert sands along the way.

You also get to ride a camel, enjoy quad biking, and even be part of traditional experiences like henna tattooing. You can even have pictures taken while you’re wearing a traditional Emirati dress.

With a half-day Dubai city tour, you will get to see all of Dubai’s major, unmissable sights in a few hours. This includes:

• the historical 19 th century Al Bastakiya Quarter, Dubai Creek, and Bur Dubai
• traditional souks (including the Gold Souk,  Spice Souk, Textile Souk, and Perfume Souk),
• Jumeirah Beach,
• Jumeirah Mosque,
• The Palm (at Palm Jumeirah Island),
• the stunning Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk, and
• the luxurious Burj Al Arab (the celebrated sail-shaped hotel), and
• a drive along the region’s famous boulevards including Sheikh Zayed Road.

Downtown Dubai is Dubai’s most stylish neighborhood containing the enormous Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall precinct.

It packs in some of the city’s most prestigious attractions which you shouldn’t miss during your Dubai trip. Make sure you get to experience:

Burj Khalifa

Opened in 2009, it continues to hold the title of the world’s tallest building. Most people restrict their Burj Khalifa visit experience by taking a couple of selfies against it.

If your budget permits, however, make an entry to its observation decks on the 124 th floor and the 148 th floor.

They are worth every penny as they treat you with the most amazing views over Dubai’s cityscape, ocean, desert, and beyond.

From a dining session at At.mosphere to some relaxed moments at Burj Club, there are more options to enliven your Burj Khalifa visit .

the dubai mall

Situated close to or literally attached to Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall is the world’s biggest shopping mall, in a country saturated with enormous and impressive malls!

Whether you are an avid shopper, connoisseur of taste, a leisure or a thrill-seeker, you can be assured that you won’t leave this enormous shopping mall disappointed.

Browse through its over 1200 shops, dine at its more than 200 food outlets, and immerse yourself in its endless amusement and entertainment attractions.

Discover Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, try ice skating at Dubai Ice Rink, and drive the latest go-karts at Ekart Zabeel.

But there are lots more, including hitting the slopes at Ski Dubai, visiting the world’s largest Virtual Reality Park (VR Park Dubai), and be sure to step into the world’s biggest mall’s newest attraction – Infinity Des Lumières (which is also the Middle East’s first digital art gallery.)

dubai fountain show

Before you leave Downtown Dubai and wrap your first day in this amazing city, watch the Dubai Fountain Show!

Set at Burj Lake outside of the Dubai Mall and next to Burj Khalifa, its water show, fondly called the dancing show, is a sight of par excellence.

See its brilliantly choreographed water jets swaying and twirling in perfect tune to Arabic, Asian or Western music and light during this performance.

While it is a free attraction that you can watch from almost any convenient spot in the Downtown area, there are exclusive vantage points to catch this view for a nominal charge, such as Dubai Fountain Boardwalk and Abra Ride at Burj Lake.

You can also admire this sight up close by sampling some Emirati Food at one of the dining spots that overlook the fountain.

Day 2: Have Fun with Brand-New Experiences & Wind Up with a Dhow Cruise

You may have already got a glimpse of the stunning man-made island of Palm Jumeirah on your Dubai city tour (on the first day.)

But if you wish to take in this sight in its real splendor, a visit to this observation deck on the 52 nd level of Palm Tower is a must.

You’ll find 360-degree breathtaking views of almost the entire length of Palm Jumeirah as well as the dazzling water surrounding it.

So what better way to start a perfect day in Dubai?

The Dubai Expo 2020 was the MENASA region’s first and is also the grandest ever World Expo.

Although the excitement of the 2020 Dubai Expo has passed, The Dubai South is large and impressive and is definitely worth a wander through.

Following your Dubai Expo 2020 site visit, make your way to Dubai’s waterfront destination of Bluewaters Island.

Head straight to its star highlight – Ain Dubai! It is the world’s largest and tallest observation wheel at a height of over 250 meters.

A 38-minute rotation aboard one of its 48 air-conditioned cabins gives you an unparalleled overview of Dubai’s phenomenal sights across Bluewaters Island, Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah.

After that whirlwind of action and fun, be ready to give a relaxed end to your mini Dubai getaway with a dhow cruise.

It gently sails you down Dubai’s water along the elegant Dubai Marina in a traditional Arabian vessel for approximately two hours. Take in the cruise while sitting back in its air-conditioned lower deck or partially open upper deck.

Besides the stunningly illuminated views of modern Dubai all around, this delightful sailing trip allows you to dine, drink (for an extra charge), and enjoy traditional shows like Tanura onboard.

That’s it for a couple of days in Dubai! Whether your next stop is Abu Dhabi or Dubai International Airport, this itinerary ensures that you’ll have sampled the city’s most significant, traditional, and brand-new experiences.

So create your perfect Dubai travel program and get set for an Arabian escape of a lifetime!

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Glamorous 2 Days In Dubai Itinerary For First Time Visitors

If you want to feel like royalty and head out on a city break that has all the glitz and glamour you could possibly want and more, then we can think of nothing more suited than spending 2 days in Dubai – the mother of all things decadent.

Built on a city of riches and wealth some of us can only dream of, Dubai is a place where pimped-up supercars speed past, jewels aplenty glint and glimmer from shop windows and futuristic architecture surprises you at every twist and turn.

Following our trip to Dubai for our epic multi-destination honeymoon, we’re here to show you how to get a flavour of what this magical city is all about in a whirlwind 48 hours…

Is 2 Days In Dubai Enough?

If you’re wondering whether 2 days in Dubai is enough time to see everything you want to, then the answer is yes and no. 

2 days in Dubai is enough time to give you a flavour of what the city is like, but you will need to make some tough decisions about what you most want to see and do. 

Dubai is a surprisingly large city, so you’ll need to choose which part you most want to see during your trip rather than splitting your time across sights dotted all over Dubai.

This 2 days in Dubai itinerary is what we chose to do during our first trip to this UAE superstar as part of our epic Asia honeymoon. We hope it gives you a few ideas for top things to do and places to see in Dubai in 2 days.

2 Days In Dubai Itinerary For First Time Visitors

Burj khalifa.

At over 830 metres tall, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world and is easily Dubai’s most famous tourist attraction. 

On the lower levels are exhibits and information boards about how and why it was built. And from the top , you can see across Dubai and the Persian Gulf, allowing you to see just how much Dubai really has sprung up in the middle of the desert. 

We thought the views of the Burj Lake in particular from up here were sublime making a trip to the top well worth it.

We recommend booking a morning slot for the Burj Khalifa , so that you can avoid the heat of the midday sun. Even at 10am, the sun is already beating down and you can especially feel the heat from this high up.

As the Burj Khalifa connects to Dubai Mall, it makes sense to head straight there afterwards.

If you’ve never visited Dubai before, you might find it strange that we’d be recommending a shopping trip in this 2 day Dubai itinerary. 

But this is Dubai – where everything is glitzier and larger than life. 

Inside this unique shopping mall, you can find everything from an aquarium and towering waterfall to an Olympic-size ice skating rink, as well as all the designer shops and pretty boutiques you could possibly want.

Perhaps what most surprised us though was the souk we found, which had jewellery shop after jewellery shop – and even a humongous dinosaur skeleton! Only in Dubai…

Dubai Marina

If you’ve seen all there is to see at the Dubai Mall and grabbed a bite to eat then you probably would have spent a good two to four hours there. 

This means it’s now the perfect time to hop in a taxi and leave this part of Dubai to head south.

A stroll along the Dubai Marina is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the Dubai Mall. But it’s also the perfect place to do a spot of yacht-watching; you’re bound to see lots of them!

Sunset Ferry Cruise

The Dubai Marina is also where you can join a sunset ferry cruise at around 5pm.

This gives you the chance to see a pretty sunset over the water, as well as unique views of the Dubai skyline and even the Disney-esque Atlantis Resort . 

Dubai Fountain

If you’ve chosen to stay near the Burj Khalifa (more on that later), then there’s no reason why you can’t finish your first day in Dubai with a free nighttime showing of the incredible Dubai Fountain. 

Every 30 minutes, you’ll be treated to dancing fountain shows like you’ve never seen before. Water spurts over 500 feet in the air and they’ve even managed to make the water twist and turn like snakes. 

It’s hard to describe how incredible it is but this video will show you what we mean:

Where To Eat In Dubai On Day 1

For breakfast, brunch or lunch, the Dubai Mall has lots of restaurants and eateries you can head to. Not all of them serve authentic Arabian food but you’ll find lots of places you’ve seen across the US and UK for some home comforts.

As for dinner, you could eat at the Dubai Marina after your ferry cruise. Top-rated restaurants in this area include The Talk Restaurant , Mazina and Zengo .

Alternatively, various restaurants at the Dubai Mall are well worth a visit. Top-rated restaurants at the mall include Cova , Somewhere and Tribes .

Hop in a taxi from your hotel after breakfast and you can spend the morning wandering around the Gold Souk. 

Here, you’ll find jewels, gems and necklaces glittering at every twist and turn. Just remember that you’ll need to brush up on your haggling skills beforehand to score the best prices. But even window shopping here is like nothing else!

Desert Safari

One of the most popular tours in Dubai is a Desert Safari . 

Because of the extreme heat, they usually pick you up from your hotel between 2-3pm in the afternoon – and it’s a great way to have some fun in the Arabian Desert.

You’ll race across sand dunes in a 4×4 , which is exhilarating and so much fun! 

You’ll also get the chance to try sandboarding, and once the sun goes down, you’ll be treated to a mesmerising display of tanoura dancing, belly dancing and fire breathing while tucking into a delicious buffet dinner. It’s the perfect way to say goodbye to this enchanting place.

Where To Eat In Dubai On Day 2

There are a few eateries near the Gold Souk where you could have lunch. One of the best-rated restaurants in this area is Al Bait Al Qadeem , but there’s also a KFC and McDonald’s nearby.

Or if you’ve thought ahead, you could take a picnic with you and enjoy it while sitting next to the glittering Dubai Creek.

As for dinner, you’ll be well and truly catered for after your desert safari so no need to source a restaurant later on!

Was this Dubai itinerary not quite what you were after? We also offer custom travel planning services !

Where To Stay In Dubai

Dubai is a surprisingly big city so you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to where to stay. 

When we were first booking our trip, we were told to stay on the Palm Jumeirah island, which would have been incredible – but would also have made it difficult and expensive to sightsee.

Instead, we chose to stay in Downtown Dubai near the Burj Khalifa, which turned out to be the better option – especially for everything we did during our own 48 hours in Dubai. 

We stayed at the impressive 4-star hotel: Taj Dubai . (It was our honeymoon after all!) It had an Indian theme, which was different and had floor-to-ceiling windows in every room with either city or Burj Khalifa views. 

Check prices for Taj Dubai on Booking.com >>

Other top-rated hotels in and around Downtown Dubai include:

• Sofitel Dubai Downtown: 5-star luxury hotel with full-service spa and outdoor pool near Emaar Square | Check Prices
• DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai – Business Bay: Modern 4-star hotel within the Business Bay area | Check Prices
• Manzil Downtown: 4-star hotel with health club and outdoor pool within ten minutes of the Dubai Fountain | Check Prices
• Vida Residences Downtown by EMAAR: Spacious modern apartments with kitchens also within ten minutes of the Dubai Fountain | Check Prices
• Ramada Downtown Dubai: Modern 4-star hotel with comfortable rooms; some overlooking the Dubai Fountain | Check Prices

Find more Dubai hotels on Booking.com >>

Dubai Travel Tips

Although Dubai is quite westernised as far as Middle Eastern cities go, it still pays to know these Dubai travel tips before you go:

• Visas: If you’re visiting from the UK, USA and most other European countries then you don’t need to sort out a visa before you go. Your passport will be automatically stamped with a 30 day visa. If you’re visiting for longer than 30 days or are from a different country, then check out the Visit Dubai website for visa information.
• Getting around Dubai: Dubai is not a walkable or pedestrian-friendly city. While Google Maps might show a landmark as being a ten minute walk away, there are unlikely to be paths to walk on and large flyover roads will often be in the way. Instead, taxis and private transfers are – by far – the easiest and best way to get around Dubai. But…
• B eware of taxi scams! From main tourist attractions like the Dubai Mall, you need to be aware of taxi scams. Regulated city-wide taxis are cream coloured with different coloured roofs and the word ‘Taxi’ written on the top. They’re metered so you’ll always know you’re paying the right price. However, when you’re waiting in the taxi queue, some people may try to usher you into different taxis. These won’t be metered and are more like private transfers – and come with the price tag to match at more than double what a metered taxi would charge you. 
• Dubai weather: Dubai’s average temperature is 30°C but it often feels more like 40°C to be honest. This might come as a surprise if you’re not used to temperatures as high as this. Although you can cling to the air-conditioning indoors, it’s wise to take a handheld fan and plenty of water with you as you explore and sightsee.

Over to you now – what do you think of this 2 days in Dubai itinerary? And what are you most excited to see and do first? Let us know in the comments below…

Need more help planning your trip to Dubai? We also offer custom travel planning services !

Did you like this 2 day Dubai itinerary? Pin it now, read it again later!

Justine Jenkins

Justine is one half of the married couple behind the Wanderers of the World travel blog. She lives in Bristol, UK and has travelled extensively within Europe and beyond since 2013. After her trips, she shares detailed travel itineraries, helpful travel guides and inspiring blog posts about the places she's been to. When she's not travelling overseas, you'll find her joining her husband, Scott on various day trips, weekend getaways and walks within the UK, which she also writes about on Wanderers of the World. Aside from travelling and writing, she also loves reading, crafting and learning about nature.

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48 Hours in Dubai: 2-Day DIY Budget Itinerary

If you’re wondering what you’re going to do in Dubai and you have limited time, here’s a Do It Yourself DIY itinerary to guide you in planning a 2 day trip in this emirate. This guide is ideal for backpackers and budget travellers who don’t want to spend much on tours and agencies. This is still applicable to all tourists who want to map out their own Dubai adventures by themselves.

Related Post: Exploring Dubai on a Budget of 15 AED (or Less)

Take note that this 48 hour guide may require you to spend a bit more cash in certain areas, but most of it can be experienced within a reasonable or affordable budget. We will save the skydiving ,   shark diving , water theme parks, and other expensive activities in a later article. For now, here’s a 2-day budget tour of Dubai.

Book a Hop on Hop off Bus Tour of Dubai Here

Day 1 – Tour of Old Dubai & Desert Adventure

Day 2 – tour of new dubai – skyscrapers, malls and beaches, dubai in 2 days: a budget travel guide.

Please take note that the best months to visit Dubai would be during winter season when the weather is great to experience outdoors :   November to February Depending on your tolerance, the weather is bearable in these months:  September, October,  March, April Let’s start the tour!

Jumeirah Mosque Visit Location: Jumeirah Beach Road Hours: 3 hours Mosques are places of worship for Muslims and if you’re a non-Muslim, you cannot really enter this place. However, the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) offers a Mosque Visit for anyone to understand our Muslim brothers and sisters and Islam religion. You can book a religious tour and have your questions about Emirati culture and religion answered by a Muslim.

Guided tour of the Jumeirah Mosque

Tour of the Souks in Old Dubai and Riding  an Abra Location: Dubai Creek – Deira side and Al Fahidi side Bur Dubai – Gold Souk ,  Spice Souk , Al Bastakiya , Al Fahidi museum Hours to spend: 3-5 hours including lunch

You can head to the Creek area in Old Dubai and tour the Gold Souk, Spice Souk, and Perfume Souk in the Deira side of the creek. Afterwards, you can ride the Abra, or a  traditional wooden boat and pay as low as 1 Dirham for the trip to the Al Fahidi side of the creek. Once you’re at the Al Fahidi side, you can then walk to the Old Souk and to the old bastakiya area. Drop by Arabian Teahouse and grab yourself a bite of their salads and drink tea even for lunch.

Go back and pass the old souk area,  continue walking until you reach the the side where you can see some camels and a donkey. Locals are around, drinking tea and you can chat with them. You will be given dates and Arabic tea so you can experience Emirati hospitality. You can also take a photo of a falcon.

• You can also drop by the Al Fahidi Museum ( for 10 AED entrance fee) and learn about the history of the oldest neighborhood district in Dubai.
• Ride the abra for 1 Dirham.
• Have late lunch at Arabian teahouse

gold souk in Deira

spices and herbs at the Spice Souk

Riding the Abra in the Dubai Creek

Desert Safari Sunset and Dinner Location: Depends in your chosen Tour Company Hours to Spend: 4 hours

When you book a desert safari tour in one of the travel agencies in Dubai, the meet up time is usually around 4pm. Depending on the your agreement, the tour agency can pick you up from your hotel or a suggested meeting area.

Ride a 4×4 and the driver will take you to the desert camp while bashing sand dunes, don’t forget to hold on tight! Experience the Dubai desert sunset, have barbecue dinner and watch a tanoura dance and belly dance at the campsite.

You will finish around 8pm and you will be brought back to your hotel by the travel company after the trip.

Related Post: What to Expect in a Desert Safari Adventure in Dubai

DESERT SAFARI TIP:  When booking a travel agency, ask them which location is the desert safari trip going to be held. If it’s just about 30 minutes from Dubai, the desert sand is still a mix of white and red and there are going to be some patches of bushes and plants in the desert.  if you are looking for a dark red desert and endless sand dunes, then it’s usually about an hour drive from Dubai. One sample area is in Lahbab, Sharjah or Al Faqa Desert . Although you will spend more, if you go farther from the city the quality of the sand is much better.

sand-boarding in the desert in Al Faqa

Bonus, if you don’t want to sleep yet, you can head to Al Rigga Street which is also located in Deira for some shisha, shawarma, or Arabic tea or milk tea. Plenty of shops are still open even in the late night and you can experience the rugged side of Dubai.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

At the Top Adventure at Burj Khalifa Hours to Spend: 2 hours Location: Burj Khalifa (At the Top)

Wakeup early for an early trip to the tallest building in the world. Ride a taxi since the Dubai Metro is still closed at dawn. Around 5:30am is the meeting time at the At The Top. This is the place where you can view the city of Dubai from the observation deck of the tallest building the world.

The reason why we want you to wake up and book this dawn experience is because you can see the city while it’s still dark and witness the sunrise and see the city during daylight. You get both views one visit. Take plenty of photos or just admire the view! Tip: The sunrise viewing is only available every Friday and Saturday. Otherwise, regular viewing is at 8am. 125 AED per person Book tickets in advance. You can book online via atthetop.ae

view from At the Top – Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa, view from Burj Plaza

Mall Hopping Location: The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates Hours to Spend: 3 hours

Afterwards, you can explore The Dubai Mall, which is known to be the largest shopping complex in the world! You can have breakfast here or have an early lunch. Explore various areas and check out the Dubai Dino, Human Waterfalls, Dubai Fountain, Dubai Aquarium, and shops in the Fashion Avenue. Even if you’re not going to shop, you will be mesmerized by the various attractions inside the mall. Here are places to visit in Dubai Mall without spending money .

You can also drop by the Mall of Emirates (by riding a metro). You can check out the Indoor Ski if you’re up for some snow adventure in the desert.

Souk entrance at The Dubai Mall

Dubai Aquarium in The Dubai Mall

Umm Suqeim Beach/ Burj Al Arab Beach Location: Umm Suqeim Hours to Spend: 3 hours

Hire a cab and head to Umm Suqeim Beach or Kite Beach. This is a place where you can see a view of the iconic Burj Al Arab, the only 7 star hotel in the world.

activities in Kite Beach (with a view of Burj Al Arab)

Afterwards, head to Dubai Marina and have some lunch or snacks. Take a leisurely stroll as you explore this water district and amazing architecture. There are plenty of restaurants in the area so you can grab a bite to eat.

Book a Sunset Boat Trip Location: Dubai Marina Hours to Spend: 1 Hour

Book a sunset trip to see the Atlantis the Palm Resort and the Burj Al Arab hotel from the water side. You can go to Dubai Marina and buy a 50 AED ticket from for a sunset tour starting at 3pm from Dubai Marina to Burj Al Arab. This is a great way for you to see these tall skyscrapers structures from a different view. Make sure you catch the boat trip via Dubai ferry as this is the cheapest option. Otherwise, you may also look for private companies like YellowBoats to join a group in hiring a raft to the same sights.

Dubai Mall Water Fountain Show Location: Burj Lake Hours to Spend: 3 hours

Cap off the night by going back to Dubai Mall and head to the water fountain for an amazing  water fountain show . There is a dancing water fountain presentation every 30 minutes starting 6pm at the Burj Lake with every set having a different song playing. You can spend the remaining time inside the mall for tea.

be ready as it can get busy at the Dubai fountain

Bonus Half-Day: Head to Abu Dhabi and visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Location: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Hours to Spend: 3 hours

If you have an extra half-day, you can book a trip early in the morning for Abu Dhabi, For 25 AED, you can reach the capital city of the UAE and visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. This is a beautiful mosque which is open for tourists to visit for free. Abu Dhabi is 2 hours from Dubai and even if you visit the this place alone, it is surely going to be worth your time.

inside the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

To get to Abu Dhabi, take a bus from Al Ghubaiba Bus station. The bus will drop you off at the bus station in Abu Dhabi (opposite Al Wahda mall). You can take a taxi from the bus station to the Grand Mosque. Spend about 1-2 hours just admiring the grandness of this place of worship.

Plenty of tourists come to Dubai to see what it has to offer. With so many superlatives highlighted, you might get lost on what tourist attraction you want to visit first. It is best that you have a set itinerary to get a glimpse of this emirate within this limited time.

Again, the above-mentioned activities are good especially when you are trying to make the best of your stay without spending much and still enjoying the best of Old Dubai and New Dubai. But if you have the cash to burn, by all means skydive at the Palm Drop Zone, shop till you drop in the malls, tour Dubai on a seaplane , rent a yacht, and enjoy a fun time with family at the various theme parks!

I hope this guide will give you a better idea how to manage your time with a short 48 hour holiday in the city of gold.

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Dubai in 2 Days (2024) - A Dubai 2-day Itinerary with the Best Bits!

Dubai in 2 days is quite possible sure you won’t get to get an in depth taste but it is enough to see the best bits, including a desert safari. here’s a dubai 2-day itinerary that covers the souks, beaches and more that you can do on a stopover or a weekend.

A city that dares to live up to its bold dreams and futuristic vision, Dubai is on every second traveller’s bucket list.

From the underwater world to the panoramic view from the 148th floor, the city will stand beyond your expectations. Whether you desire to travel to a cutting-edge Downtown or venture into a calm historic emirate, Dubai is a bit of both worlds.

It is commendable how the emirate manages to show the perfect encapsulation of old and new.

Amidst the beehive of activities, here is the perfect guide to help you organize the perfect Dubai in 2 days trip, be it with family, friends, or solo.

Dubai in 2 days – A fab Dubai 2-day itinerary

Best time to visit dubai.

The best time to visit Dubai for 2 days is from November to March when the city embraces pleasant weather conditions.

The temperature is around 20-30°C and evenings remain crisp. The city is lively during this time of the year – all jazzed with New Year celebrations, Christmas markets, and Dubai Shopping Festival.

A sea of tourists swarm Dubai to enjoy the festivities, explore the outdoors and swim on the beaches.

For travelers who are looking to discover the city of gold on a budget, the best time to visit Dubai is April to early June. The weather is not so harsh, and the prices of hotels drop.

Here’s what’s covered on your Dubai 2-day itinerary

Day 1: Old Dubai, Desert Safari , and Dhow Cruise

Day 2: Kite Beach, Dubai Frame, Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa & Dubai Fountain/ Madinat Jumeirah

Day 1 in Dubai in 2 days

Morning: old dubai, al bastakiya quarter, and souks.

Start your Dubai 2-day trip from the unseen side of the city. All you would have heard till date is that Dubai is a city of sky-piercing buildings, luxurious hotels, and seaside resorts.

But here is an insight into what Dubai looked before it became a head-turning metropolis.

The Old Dubai has wonderfully retained its heritage. You can hop on an Abra ride that would cost you 1 AED and take you across the scenic Creek (the lifeline of trade during the early 20th century).

Those who want to see what life was like before the oil was discovered in the emirates, can meander through the walkways of the Al Bastakiya Quarter .

Harking back to the 19th century, this residential quarter is lined with homes that have wind towers, art galleries, museums, retailers, and other attractions.

Then, travel towards the souks. From smelling the ouds to browsing a range of spices from Iran, India, Pakistan, and other countries, the souks in Dubai transport your senses to a luxe world.

One of the most popular things to do in Old Dubai is to visit the Gold Souk. The entire market is crammed with pure gold ornaments at dirt cheap rates. Haggle as much as you can!

Meanwhile, you can unwind and relax in the Arabian Tea House with a cup of beverage, appetizers, salads, biryani, or barbecue as per your taste. The authentic Emirati ambiance will bring you closer to the culture.

Afternoon: Desert Safari Dubai

After loads of shopping and observations in Old Dubai, pump up yourselves to join the adventure expedition in the middle of the desert.

You will be received in a chauffeur-driven SUV from the given pick-up spot and zip across the town to reach the stretch of red sand. Desert safari Dubai is an exhilarating experience that involves an adrenaline-pumping dune bashing in an SUV.

The trail of adventures is followed by fat-bike riding and sandboarding. One of the most highly recommended activities in desert safari is the camel ride.

Perch on its back and go for a pleasing journey away from the chaos. Thankfully, there are guides to help you out in understanding these sports. Several safari tours will even let you get amazed by the falconry. In the latter half, the caravan reaches the well-embellished camps.

Delve a little deeper into the fascinating culture and history of the emirate as you buy souvenirs, get a henna design, admire the Tanoura show and flaunt a traditional dress.

It’s a buzzing campsite with an array of delicious Arabic food. Devour a 4-course buffet with mouth-watering dishes like Spring Rolls, Falafel, lamb kabab, Lebanese bread, baked potatoes, chicken sausages, curries, sweets, muffins, and a lot more.

It’s an action-packed excursion with a peep into the world of Arabs.

Night: Dhow Cruise Dubai

Later in the night as the buildings and malls start to lit like fireflies, you’ll be dropped off in the city to experience its happening nightlife.

Catch your breath at the rejuvenating dhow cruise Dubai.

It’s time to sail across the poshest location in the city, Dubai Marina on this stunning cruise, which is revamped from a classical model.

Gaze at the continuously changing scenes in the balmy evening with a swift breeze flowing around. Accompanied by warm hospitality, unlimited beverages, and live entertainment, you can plan a romantic dine-out or throw a family party on the cruise.

The visual of 1800-arched Cayan Towers, Marina Mall, and Ain Dubai look straight out of a novel. In the scintillating atmosphere, the 2-hour cruise in Dubai is complete with a lavish spread of dinner that includes salads, soups, a main course, and dessert.

It is hard to not fall in love with the glittering landscape as you sail on the sizzling canal.

Day 2 in Dubai in 2 days

Morning: kite beach.

Get out of bed early morning to kickstart another day of 48 hours in Dubai reclining by the beautiful Kite Beach .

It is a perfect place in the city for complete family entertainment. Watch the water touching the shores, children building the sandcastles, and thrill seekers playing sports.

There is a score of fun water activities like kite surfing, parasailing, stand-up paddle boarding, and wakeboarding available with the right equipment. If you want to keep your feet dry, play a game of volleyball and jump on trampolines.

Besides lying under the umbrella on the canopy chair, you can snack in food trucks and small outlets. Overall, you can stretch your dollar by relaxing at this free beach in Dubai and basking in the sun.

Before Noon: Dubai Frame

If flying up the city in a helicopter isn’t your cup of tea, visit the Dubai Frame and spectate the city right from its full-height vantage point. It’s both timeless and breathtaking.

A few minutes away from the beach, this world’s largest photo frame is tucked in Zabeel Park and entry starts as early as 9 AM.

The frame’s topmost floor allows you to witness New Dubai on one side while the Old Dubai on the other. The metaphorical bridge combines the past of Dubai with its present and future. It’s interesting how a single deck can give you a 360-degree view.

Through the journey, you will also stumble upon interactive exhibitions on the history of the city. Don’t forget to duck into a tunnel while leaving which transports you to Dubai 2050.

Afternoon: Dubai Mall

At this time of the day, the heat would have leveled up and the best escape is the largest shopping mall in the city.

Dubai Mall is around 7 minutes away from the Frame.

Give your credit card a marathon as you are going to fall in love with everything you see here and probably be carrying a dozen of shopping bags from the world’s most covetable brands.

If you are traveling for 2 days in Dubai on a budget, you can ideally wander, do window shopping, read books or just check out the indoor two-floor waterfall. It’s like a tiny city that has an Olympian-sized ice rink, luxurious movie theatre, lifelike dinosaur skeleton, a haunted hotel, and multiple gaming zones.

Visitors find it difficult to leave without witnessing the giant aquarium that overlaps their heads at 270 degrees. The 33,000 marine animals including sharks and rays easily captivate your eyes and give you jitters.

If you have time on your hands, why not go swim with sharks… oh, yes that’s safe.

Also, what a shame it would be that you are in the city of foodies and you do not try eating at the hundreds of outlets at the Food court.

Evening: Burj Khalifa & Dubai Fountain

In the vicinity is the tallest building in the world. The must-visit attraction in Dubai, Burj Khalifa is visible from anywhere in the city, especially on a clear day.

The tower is home to the world’s largest observation deck and prepares you to fight your inner vertigo. Hike the 555 meters and watch the illuminating cityscape with the backdrop of the sunset.

It’s a never-seen-before view that will make you sing your favourite song. Check out the interiors and sip the tea in the lounge.

Then, move forward to the foothill to ogle at the most dazzling Dubai Fountain. Yes, you guessed it right, it dances. The Dubai Dance Fountain throws gallons of water up in the air and shimmers to melodious music.

You will remain startled at this short-lived great performance. To watch it up close, book a seat on the cruise in Burj Lake.

Hooked to the view? You can savour dinner at the nearby Souk Al Bahr tapping your feet to the tunes of the fountain and hands to the chopsticks.

Night: Madinat Jumeirah

You can spend your evening in Dubai at the entertainment center Madinat Jumeirah which boasts a medley of modern and traditional facets.

It makes you feel truly a tourist. From riding and Abra to hitting the shops, you can come across an array of things in the labyrinth of this huge marketplace.

Around 10 minutes away from Dubai Mall, the retailing mall is one of the popular attractions in Dubai. There are restaurants probably from every corner of the world featuring their best cuisine in the kitchen.

Sign up for a sumptuous meal overlooking the beach. After the sunset, the gardens are lit and shops are all touching the skies with their buzzing energies.

Top Tips When Travelling to Dubai in 2 Days

Since you are headed to Dubai for the first time, don’t go before you catch up with these top tips:

Pack climate-friendly, comfy and lose clothes that help you enjoy the warm weather. Make sure they aren’t too short, revealing, or transparent.

Sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses can come in handy to beat the heat.

Make your money last longer by eating at local restaurants, hopping on public transport, and staying at mid-budget hotels in Old Dubai (or near a metro station).

You will love a plate of shawarma and kebab starting from AED 6. Chow down and booze in the happy hours for better discounts.

If shopping is what you are looking forward to, plan your trip around the mega events Dubai Summer Surprises (July-August) and Dubai Shopping Festival (January). There are hundreds of blockbuster sales and discounts on the biggest brands.

Dubai is one of the safest cities to travel and the rate of crime is negligible. But being aware and vigilant is something that all tourists should follow.

Dubai is not conservative but has a set of protocols that you must abide by. Avoid PDAs, taking photographs of locals without permission, and smoking and drinking in public.

Although Dubai in 2 days is not a sufficient time to tick off everything on the bucket list, you can have a good scan of the major attractions and landmarks.

This perfect itinerary and useful tips can help you make a fool proof plan.

FAQs about Dubai in 2 days

Is Dubai in 2 days enough?

Yes, 2 days are just enough if you want to see what Dubai has to offer. 2 days in Dubai will give you a chance to explore different souks, take a desert safari, go for a camel ride, go on top of the Burj Khalifa, and visit a couple of famous malls and beaches.

With only 48 hours in Dubai, you will have to go for a fast-paced itinerary.

How many days in Dubai is enough?

You will need a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 7 days to cover the best of Dubai like Burj Khalifa and shopping malls, explore its hidden gems including Al Bastakiya district and Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary , and then opt for day tours to nearby cities of Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

With 5 to 7 days in Dubai, you will also be able to include different adventure activities in your itinerary.

Is 3 days enough for Dubai?

Spending 3 days in Dubai is an ideal balance between a fast-paced itinerary and a leisurely trip plan. It will give you a glimpse of all the best Dubai attractions, desert safari, and dune bashing. If planned well, you may also be able to go for a day tour to Abu Dhabi from Dubai.

Is Dubai a cheap trip?

Yes, Dubai can be considered one of the cheap destinations as it offers several outdoor sights that are free of cost. You do not have to pay anything to wander around Dubai souks, relax on the beaches, or explore historic districts.

But, if you are planning to splurge on shopping in malls or buy gold items, then Dubai is not light on pockets.

Award-winning Analyst, multi-nominated digital content creator and photographer Lavina Dsouza's words capture stories about culture and tradition mainly through its food and people. She has written and contributed to publications such as The Washington Post, Lonely Planet and Matador Network, to name a few. She is the editor of UntraditionalHumans.com, a non-profit created to share inspiring stories from women of colour who break free from traditions and choose happiness.

She's also a speaker passionate about DEI and champions solo travel. She has collaborated with numerous renowned brands such as Intrepid Travel, TripAdvisor, Travel and Leisure and Adobe, to name a few.

She can be found on Twitter and Instagram.

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The Perfect Dubai Itinerary for 2 Days

Last Updated on August 1, 2023

Take in the best of Dubai in 2 days with this step-by-step itinerary. With its glistening high-rises, bustling bazaars, incredible architecture, and vibrant culture, there’s no other city quite like it. If you’re only in town for a short time, make every moment count by following this complete guide – from where to eat and shop to the best things to see in Dubai in 2 days! Let us help you create an unforgettable experience of the gleaming metropolis that is Dubai.

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Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links in the below article are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we earn a commission if you make a purchase. All opinions on the perfect Dubai itinerary for 2 days are our own. Click here for the full  disclosure  statement.

Table of Contents

Are 2 Days in Dubai Enough?

If you only have two days in Dubai, your main goal should be to see the highlights of this beautiful city. Fortunately, there are plenty of attractions and activities that you can squeeze into 48 hours! From luxury shopping malls to jaw-dropping skyscrapers, you’ll get to experience a little bit of everything that makes Dubai unique.

Two days in Dubai is enough time to get a good taste of the city’s attractions and visit the most popular spots. With careful planning and some helpful tips, you can really make the most of your short visit!

Best Time to Visit Dubai

The best time to visit Dubai is between November and March. The temperatures are perfect during this time, allowing you to explore the city without becoming overwhelmed by the searing heat. June, July, and August may get a bit too hot for some people, but if you choose to come at this time there are still plenty of indoor activities that can be enjoyed during the day and the city looks amazing and comes alive at night.

So while this time may not be ideal, particularly if you are sensitive to heat, you can still have a great time in Dubai even if you come during these months. No matter when you decide to visit, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience in this incredible city!

How to get from Dubai Airport to City Center?

Once you have arrived at Dubai Airport, there are several transportation options to get you to the city center.

The most convenient is by taking the Red Metro Line which goes directly from the airport right downtown to Burj Khalifa station. This ride typically takes around 40 minutes and costs about AED 5 ($1.50 USD) for a single journey ticket. There are plenty of taxis in the vicinity to reach your hotel from Burj Khalifa station.

For those who prefer a more private ride, there are always taxi and rental car options available.

You can find taxis at the airport’s Arrivals area or book one in advance through an application or website. Depending on your destination, it will take around 20 to 30 minutes and cost you roughly AED 60 – 80 ($16 – $25 USD) for the ride.

Alternatively, you may choose to rent a car which can be picked up at the airport and dropped off at your destination. This is a popular option for travelers who are making their way to Abu Dhabi.

Not sure whether Dubai or Abu Dhabi is right for you? Check out our post or our Abu Dhabi itinerary to see how the two cities compare.

No matter which method you choose, you will have no trouble getting from Dubai Airport to the city center!

How to get Around Dubai

When it comes to getting around Dubai, there are several options available. Renting a car is one of the most popular choices and can be very convenient depending on your travel needs and where you’re headed after you leave the city.

Taxis are also an easy way to get around town and they usually cost less than renting a car. You will also find popular rideshare options such as Uber and Careem. They typically cost a bit more than a taxi, but the convenience of using a familiar app, and the ease of use are a definite benefit for getting around Dubai in two days.

Public transport is also available in Dubai and can be quite affordable, but it does require purchasing a Nol card in advance. This card can be purchased at any metro station or RTA kiosk. Keep in mind that the public transportation system may be quite full during peak times so plan accordingly.

Some methods may work better for certain needs than others, particularly when you only have 2 days in Dubai. Consider what your travel needs are and how much of the city you want to see.

No matter which method of transportation you choose, make sure that you plan ahead and have all the necessary information before your trip. Dubai is not a walkable city, so plan in advance.

Overview of Dubai 2 Day Itinerary

Discover the best of Dubai in just two days with this comprehensive itinerary, featuring a mix of attractions and experiences that will give you an unforgettable taste of the city.

On your first day, head to the iconic Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building. Visit one of the observation decks for stunning views of the entire cityscape and take some amazing photos! Then explore the renowned Dubai Mall – an enormous shopping center filled with designer shops. Afterwards, venture outside to marvel at the Dubai Miracle Garden, explore Burj Park by Emaar, Ride the Palm Jumeirah Monorail, visit the aquarium, and finish with dinner or a fountain show.

On day two, start the day with a desert safari before exploring the exotic souks and experience traditional Arabian culture. Make sure to check out the Spice Souk and Gold Souk, where merchants sell spices, incense, jewelry and more. Afterwards, make your way to Jumeirah Beach for some rest and relaxation in this picturesque beachfront setting.

Ultimate Dubai Itinerary for 2 Days: Day 1

The first day of your 2 day Dubai itinerary focuses more on the modern appeal of Dubai. Visiting the tallest building in the world, experiencing luxury shopping at its finest, literally stopping to smell the roses at the Dubai Miracle Garden, and finishing off the day with dinner fit for a king, day one is all about indulgence.

Sunrise at Burj Khalifa

Watching the sunrise at Burj Khalifa is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Entrance tickets should be purchased ahead of time with a reserved timeslot. With the unique Sunrise and Snacks ticket, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city while indulging in delicious snacks. The ticket includes access to Level 124, the top level, allowing you to observe the different colors that light up Dubai’s skyline as the sun peeks over the horizon. The ticket also provides access to a range of delicious breakfast treats, including croissants, cakes, muffins and a hot drink of your choice.

Step out onto the open-air terrace and feel the warmth of the morning sunshine as you watch the sun peeking through the clouds. There’s no more unforgettable way to start your weekend in Dubai.

Shopping at Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall is a veritable shopper’s paradise – the city is famous for its shopping. Even if you’re not a shop-til-you-drop type of person, you’ve got to include a stop here during your Dubai itinerary in 2 days. You can find everything from high-end designer boutiques to affordable, everyday items. The mall offers an array of stores and restaurants that are sure to suit all tastes and budgets. With more than 1,200 retail outlets and 200 restaurants, Dubai Mall is one of the biggest shopping malls in the world!

The atmosphere at Dubai Mall is truly unforgettable. With its amazing architecture and luxurious design, the mall creates an oasis of sophistication in the heart of Dubai. Whether you’re looking for a unique shopping experience or just want to relax and enjoy your time in this spectacular location, you’ll be awestruck by Dubai Mall. From live shows and events to fine dining experiences and children’s play areas, each of your travel companions will find something that piques their interest.

Stroll through the Burj Park by Emaar

Burj Park is a lush, green oasis in the heart of Downtown Dubai. It is located between Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall and provides a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is an ideal spot to relax, unwind and take in the beautiful views of this vibrant city.

The park is filled with lush greenery, trees and pathways that can be explored while admiring some of the most iconic architecture in the city. It’s a great spot to take a leisurely stroll or spend an afternoon. You’ll also find plenty of seating areas throughout the park and plenty of cafés and restaurants close by.

We’ve included Burj Park in your Dubai itinerary around midday, but you can visit this area at any time. It’s a great spot to watch the sunset or spend the evening catching the magical views of the Dubai Fountain Show.

Witness the Dubai Miracle Garden

The Dubai Miracle Garden is a must-see on any visit to the United Arab Emirates. Located in Dubailand, it’s the world’s largest natural flower garden and features over 150 million blooms arranged in unbelievably intricate designs. From floral arches and heart shapes, to pyramids and domes, every corner of the garden is an Instagrammer’s paradise.

The garden is open from October through April, so make sure you plan your visit accordingly as it’s closed during the summer months. Once inside, you can explore a myriad of flower varieties spread across 72,000 square meters (17.8 acres). There are also multiple themed areas and lots of attractions such as butterfly domes, a flower parade, and live music events.

What’s more, the colorful displays change throughout the season, making it a great spot for multiple visits if you’re spending longer than a weekend in Dubai. It’s truly an experience like no other, and you can purchase tickets with round-trip transfer as the Dubai Miracle Garden is a little further out from Downtown Dubai.

Ride the Palm Jumeirah Monorail

The Palm Jumeirah Monorail is the only way to see the iconic Atlantis Hotel from an aerial view. The Monorail offers a unique and unforgettable experience, as it glides along the crescent of the famous palm-shaped island. Enjoy breathtaking views of Dubai’s most iconic landmarks and picturesque waterfront vistas.

The Monorail is incredibly easy to use, with free 3-hour parking included in the price. Simply purchase your ticket and board the train at either The Palm Gateway or Al Ittihad Station for a one-way journey of 8 minutes. There are plenty of comfy seats onboard so you can sit back and take in the views.

If you’re looking for the perfect way to make your Dubai itinerary extra special (and take in some truly unique vantage points), then the Palm Jumeirah Monorail will be perfect for you!

Visit the Lost Chambers Aquarium

The Lost Chambers Aquarium is an incredible underwater world full of fascinating marine life waiting to be discovered. Featuring 21 exhibits and 10 unique chambers, the aquarium gives visitors the unique chance to explore a lost city beneath the sea. Guests can observe more than 65,000 aquatic animals from 250 species, including tropical fish, seahorses, jellyfish, starfish, stingrays, sharks and much more.

The aquarium also offers a range of interactive experiences for guests of all ages. Guests can explore the Lost Chambers through an underwater walking tour or take part in behind-the-scenes tours to learn about the animals and habitats in more depth. The aquarium also provides educational and entertaining daily feedings and guest lectures.

The Lost Chambers Aquarium is a must-see destination for anyone wanting to discover the incredible underwater world of Dubai’s sea life. With its amazing selection of marine creatures, interactive experiences and educational activities, it’s sure to be an enriching experience for everyone!

Dinner at St. Regis Rüya

St. Regis Rüya in Dubai is a must-visit dining experience for any foodie! Located in the iconic DIFC, this restaurant offers Middle Eastern and Anatolian cuisine with a modern twist – perfect for those who want to try something new and exciting while also savoring traditional flavors.

From the moment you step inside, you’ll be greeted with a sophisticated and inviting atmosphere. The menu has something for everyone – from creamy Muhammara to mouth-watering kebaps and flavorful short ribs.

If you’re looking for the perfect place to have dinner in Dubai, St. Regis Rüya is an ideal choice! With attentive service and delicious food, it’s no wonder why this restaurant has been hailed as one of the best dining experiences in the city.

Alternative Evening for Day 1: Dubai Fountain Show and Dinner at Ce La Vi

The Dubai Fountain Show takes place in the heart of Downtown Dubai. It is located on the 30-acre Burj Khalifa Lake and features a coordinated performance by over 6,600 lights and 25 color projectors along with 22,000 gallons of water. This spectacular show is choreographed to various pieces of world music and entertains visitors every evening. It is truly a sight to behold!

The Dubai Fountain Show has become one of the most popular attractions in the city, and it’s easy to see why. The show starts at 6:00 PM every day and runs until 11:00 PM on weekdays with additional performances added during the weekends. Visitors can enjoy the performance from either side of the lake, or even from a boat ride around the lake.

Visitors looking for a more interactive experience can book a special ‘Dhow Cruise’ package that includes a romantic cruise around the lake with exclusive access to the best viewing spots of the show. This package is offered by several tour operators in Dubai and provides an unbeatable view of the Dubai Fountain Show.

Ce La Vi is the perfect spot to end your evening in Dubai, located high atop the Address Sky View Hotel. The restaurant and bar offers some of the best views of Dubai’s iconic skyline, making it a great place for dinner after watching the nightly fountain show.

The cuisine at Ce La Vi ranges from Asian tapas to classic French dishes and an impressive selection of international wines. The decor is modern and stylish, perfect for a romantic evening out or celebratory dinner with friends. Plus, the restaurant offers live music from Thursday to Saturday – the perfect way to end the night in style! 

For those looking for a more casual dining experience after taking in the fountain show, Ce La Vi features a chic rooftop terrace where you can enjoy cocktails and light snacks while taking in the views. There are also several private rooms and lounges to choose from for groups or special occasions.

Ultimate Dubai Itinerary for 2 Days: Day 2

While day one was all about the modern luxury of Dubai, day two of your weekend in Dubai focuses more on the city’s ancient culture and beauty. Start the day with a once-in-a-lifetime desert safari, followed by exploring some of the ancient areas of the city and its famed souks. Finish off your second night with a beautiful Dubai sunset over the beach.

Desert Safari

On the second day of your 2-day Dubai itinerary, consider going on a desert safari. This is one of the best ways to experience the beauty and mystery of Dubai’s stunning desert regions. A desert safari typically lasts 4 to 6 hours and includes activities such as dune bashing (riding up and down sand dunes in a 4×4 vehicle), camel rides, sandboarding, and quad bike rides.

You can also enjoy traditional activities like henna painting, belly dancing shows, and even a barbecue dinner with entertainment under the stars if you opt to do an overnight desert safari (which we totally recommend if you have more than 2 days in Dubai!). Taking a safari is an incredible way to explore Dubai’s desert landscapes and appreciate its unique beauty. You can also opt to take a desert safari in Abu Dhabi , if that’s where you’re headed next!

Also, you’ll have the opportunity to witness stunning landscapes and take photos of the beautiful scenery. With a desert safari, you’re sure to make fantastic memories that will last a lifetime!

Explore Al Bastakiya

Al Bastakiya is a historical neighbourhood in the heart of Dubai. It is known for its ancient stone wind towers, traditional courtyard buildings and winding lanes. Visitors to Al Bastakiya can explore the colourful architecture and heritage sites, sample local cuisine and shop at the unique arts and craft stores.

The area has a rich cultural history, with many of the buildings still standing since the 19th century. A stroll through Al Bastakiya reveals a blend of traditional Islamic and colonial architecture, featuring wind towers, limestone-clad walls and intricately carved shutters.

For visitors interested in local culture and history, there are several museums located within Al Bastakiya. The Dubai Museum of Islamic Culture showcases a collection of artifacts, manuscripts, photographs and maps from the region’s past. The Al Fahidi Fort is an 18th-century fort that contains displays about Dubai’s seafaring culture and heritage.

In addition to its cultural attractions, Al Bastakiya also offers plenty of shopping opportunities. Visitors can purchase traditional handicrafts from the many local shops, and sample traditional foods from the countless cafes in the area.

Visit the Dubai Museum of Islamic Culture

The Dubai Museum of Islamic Culture is one of the oldest and most iconic museums in the city. It was opened in 1963 and features a range of artefacts, artworks, manuscripts and photographs that explore the history, culture and beliefs of Islam across the region.

The museum houses a number of permanent collections which are displayed throughout different galleries, including Islamic art, calligraphy and coins. It also hosts a number of temporary exhibitions which highlight the contributions of Islamic culture to the world.

Visitors can explore the wonderful collection at their own pace or take part in guided tours which are led by knowledgeable museum staff. You can also attend lectures, workshops and seminars that are held regularly throughout the year.

The Dubai Museum of Islamic Culture is a great place to explore and learn more about the vibrant culture of Islam. It offers a unique insight into its history, art and beliefs, making it an essential part of any visit to the city, even if you only have 2 days in Dubai.

Stroll through the Spice and Gold Souks

The Spice and Gold Souk in Dubai is a must-visit for anyone who’s looking to experience some of the city’s famous culture. Located in Deira, this traditional market is home to hundreds of stalls selling an array of spices, dried fruits, nuts, jewellery, fabrics, incense and more. It’s a great place to pick up some souvenirs and explore a truly unique shopping experience.

When visiting the Spice and Gold Souk make sure to wear comfortable shoes as many of the winding lanes are quite narrow and tend to get crowded during peak times. Also, be prepared to bargain for goods – it’s part of the fun!

A good tip is to have an idea of the market price for any product you’re interested in before you start bargaining. If you don’t have any idea as to the true value, ask how much the item is and counter with an offer of approximately 60% of the asking price. This is conservative – some hagglers go down to 40%! It all boils down to what you’re comfortable with. Don’t be afraid to walk away.

The Spice and Gold Souks are typically open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on weekdays, but be sure to check the opening hours as they vary during Ramadan, Eid, and other special occasions. There are plenty of places nearby where you can grab a bite to eat or take a break from the hustle and bustle of the market.

Whether you’re looking for exotic ingredients, unique finds or local souvenirs, the Spice and Gold Souk is a great place to explore Dubai’s culture and have some fun bargaining with shopkeepers!

Enjoy Arabic Coffee at the Arabian Tea House

The Arabian Tea House in Dubai offers a delightful way to experience the flavors of traditional Arabic coffee. Enjoy a steaming cup of freshly-brewed kahwa, made with roasted Arabica beans and fragrant cardamom. Or, if you prefer something sweeter, try the sahlab – an indulgent blend of milk, sugar, and delicate spices.

No matter what your preference is, the Arabian Tea House has something to satisfy every coffee enthusiast. And don’t forget to pair your cup of joe with one of their delicious local pastries for a complete experience!

Watch the Sunset at Jumeirah Beach

After you’ve spent the day sightseeing in Dubai, why not take some time to relax and watch a beautiful sunset by Jumeirah Beach? This beach is situated along the Arabian Gulf coast and offers breathtaking views as the sun sets below the horizon. You’ll have plenty of room to spread out your beach blanket or set up a picnic as the waves of the water gently lap up against the shore.

Make sure to bring your camera for some stunning photos that will be a great memory of your time in Dubai. Once you’re done taking in the beautiful scenery, you can explore the nearby restaurants for dinner before heading out for some nightlife fun.

Finishing off your day with a breathtaking sunset is the perfect way to round out your 2 day itinerary in Dubai.

Summary of 2 Days in Dubai Itinerary

Overall, 2 days in Dubai can be packed full of activities and experiences to fill your time there. From riding a camel in the desert to exploring the history and culture in Dubai’s past; from taking an unforgettable stroll through Burj Park to feasting on all the delicious foods around, these are just some of the many possibilities that await you when you visit.

No matter where your itinerary takes you, don’t forget to explore one of the malls or souks for some shopping, as it is always a great way to find souvenirs to carry with you everywhere.

With so much to do and explore, two days will seem like a breeze! Have you been to Dubai? What do you consider to be the must-sees if you only have two days there? Let us know in the comments below – we’d love to hear about your experiences!

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The Best 2 Days in Dubai Itinerary

I have wanted to visit Dubai for a long time. So when I had the chance to take 2 days as a stopover in Dubai, on my way home from Bali, I jumped at that chance! Dubai is unlike anywhere I have ever been and everything seems to be bigger or better there!

If you only have 2 days in Dubai, this itinerary is perfect for you! Even if you have more than 2 days I’m sure you can find some helpful things for your trip.

9 Am- Visit Madinat Jumeriah

• Eat breakfast and take in the views, there are plenty of outdoor dining options!
• Take an Abra boat ride for close up views of the Burj Al Arab
• Get lost while looking for the perfect lamp in the souks

This public beach near Jumeirah Beach Hotel has some of the best views of Burj Al Arab. It is also a stunning beach, with deep turquoise blues and soft sands. This is the perfect place to relax. The Dubai Marina has some of the biggest and most extravagant buildings in the world, all while being located next to the beach! This area is definitely worth exploring. Have fun spotting some amazing sports cars as well.

• Walk Along the Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk for views of the ocean and Atlantis .  Bonus:  Tons of adorable food trucks to choose from!
• Go to the Atlantis Aquarium
• If time allows: Go to the Atlantis waterpark

5 PM- Head over to the Dubai Mall

• Shop until you drop in the world’s biggest mall
• Endless options of what to eat for dinner, there are restaurants from all over the world here and many adorable cafes!

7 PM- Watch the Fountain Show

I loved the fountain show so much, I watched it twice!

It happens every 30 minutes and the music is different each time.   Tip: Come 20 minutes early if you want to stand in a good spot to take pictures and videos.

Day 2 – 2 Days in Dubai Itinerary

5:30 am-head to burj khalifa.

With only 2 days in Dubai I would Watch the Sunrise from the world’s tallest building- it’s definitely worth the early wake up call and you can stay here as long as you would like.

Bonus:  The sunrise ticket also includes a small breakfast of a coffee and croissant

Book the tour I did here

7:30 AM- Breakfast and explore more of Dubai Mall

• The Dubai Mall is extremely huge with its own movie theatre, ice skating rink, aquarium, dinosaur fossils and more. It would take several days to explore it all, but is definitely worth spending a little bit more time on your second day.
• I recommend stopping by Cereal Killer Cafe for breakfast, you even get to sit on nostalgic little cartoon beds!  Bonus:  They also have different flavors of milk and the caramel flavor was a game changer!
• If time, go to the Dubai Mall Aquarium if you spent time at the Atlantis waterpark rather than the Atlantis aquarium on the 1st day.

10 AM- Walk around outside the Dubai Mall and take photos of the Burj Khalifa

I also walked to the nearby Palace Hotel because the area and architecture is stunning and I ended up spending a few hours just walking all around this area enjoying the day and taking pictures.

12 PM- Head back to your hotel to take a nap or dip in the pool

I recommend the Shangri-la Dubai!  I specifically chose this hotel because of the incredible views of the Burj Khalifa and it definitely didn’t disappoint!

2 PM- Go on a Desert Safari

• Dune bashing in the sand- not for people prone to motion sickness
• Desert Camel Rides
• Belly Dancing and more entertainment
• Buffet BBQ dinner
• Henna Tatoos

Book the Tour I did here!

9 pm- take pictures of the burj khalifa at night.

• After the safari, head back to Shangri-la Dubai  and take pictures of the Burj Khalifa at night. It is truly an amazing spectacle.
• Walk around and eat a late night snack at one of the many outdoor cafes nearby

So there you have it! The best 2 days in Dubai Itinerary!

I do recommend staying at least 4 or 5 days if you are able because there is a lot of exciting things to do in dubai., you can book the tours i did here.

Have you been to Dubai? What would you add to the itinerary?

Read Next:  The Best Egypt Itinerary 7 Days

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Popular categories, the ultimate 2 days in dubai itinerary for first-timers.

By: Charlotte · Last updated 25. April 2024 · In: Dubai , Travel

Are you wondering how to spend your two days in Dubai ? Then this one is for you. I have put together an itinerary that is perfect for first-timers to get a taste of everything Dubai has to offer without breaking the bank.

Dubai’s reputation as a city of architectural pearls and luxurious experiences makes it a compelling destination for travelers from all over the world. And two days in Dubai is just enough for a whirlwind of culture, leisure, and exploration.

From the souks of Deira to the modern marvels of Downtown, this is the ultimate 2-day Dubai itinerary !

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Article overview

Are two days in Dubai enough?

Best time to visit, itinerary day 1, dubai itinerary day 2, dubai itinerary alternatives, public transport tickets, where to stay in dubai, like this please help me share 😀, 2-day dubai itinerary overview.

What was once a small fishing village, has over the last 70 years developed at a rapid speed into a vibrant and modern oasis in the desert. As a playground for the rich and beautiful, Dubai has become synonymous with the bigger and flashier the better.

But never have I experienced a place so full of diversity, which is no surprise as Dubai is home to people from around 190 different nationalities. It’s the second largest of the seven United Arab Emirates but has the biggest population of over 2.2 million people.

I have been to Dubai several times now and the highlights for me are still the buffet dinner at Atlantis the Palm, Al Mamzar Beach Park, Souk Madinat and Dubai Mall. All of which are included in this itinerary.

Yes, I’m actually saying that you should set aside time for a mall, because, with its indoor ski slope, insane art installations and massive fish tanks, Dubai Mall is an experience in itself. And that’s coming from someone who usually likes to explore more underrated destinations .

Is Dubai safe? Yes, Dubai is generally safe to visit, with a low crime rate, strict laws and a visible security presence. But as always, keep your wits about you.

Two days in Dubai can provide a glimpse of the city’s highlights, but it is not enough to fully explore all the places and experiences it has to offer.

However, with proper planning, you can pack a lot into your weekend and visit the most popular landmarks and attractions. This itinerary is planned around 2 full days and 3 nights in Dubai.

When planning a trip to Dubai, timing is crucial. November to March is the best time to visit when temperatures range between 20 and 35 degrees °C. The average temperature in January is 19.5 °C.

The summer months from May to September bring extreme heat, with temperatures soaring between 30 °C and as high as 50 °C, making some outdoor activities like visiting the Miracle Garden untenable, which means it closes down.

Not surprisingly, hotel prices rise and tourism spikes during the cooler months. You should also be mindful of Ramadan’s dates which alter the city’s rhythm, including activity limitations and reduced alcohol availability.

How to spend 2 days in Dubai

Before I left people said that Dubai couldn’t be described, that I had to experience it for myself, and I have to agree.

Where else can you shop up a storm at one of the world’s largest shopping malls, then go skiing at an indoor ski slope and then 15 minutes later be on a white sandy beach surrounded by palm trees?

🌟 Pro tip >> If you don’t feel like doing any planning yourself, many of the attractions in this itinerary are included in this popular full-day Dubai city tour . Everything, including all tickets, is taken care of for you!!

>> Click here to check price and availability <<

If you prefer to explore on your own, here are all the best things to see and do during your 2 days in Dubai.

Dubai Miracle Garden

Start your time in Dubai with one of the most beautiful attractions in the city. Dubai Miracle Garden features over 150 million flowers arranged in spectacular displays across 72,000 square meters.

You can wander through a colorful array of arrangements, including heart-shaped archways, houses adorned with blooms, and even full-sized structures such as an Emirates A380 aircraft covered in flowers. 

It’s quite ironic that the world’s largest natural flower garden is located in the middle of the desert, but that’s just how Dubai rolls, the bigger the better.

The entrance fee is 95 AED / 270 NOK / $26, and the garden is open daily from late September through April from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. For the best experience, get there as early as possible to beat the crowds and midday heat.

Souk Madinat

Souk Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai is a modern recreation of a traditional Arabian marketplace, combining the charm of a bygone era with the luxury and opulence that Dubai is known for.

Featuring wind towers, lantern-lit hallways, and a network of waterways, it’s simply stunning and one of my favorite places in Dubai.

The meandering paths are lined with boutique shops, the souk invites guests to discover an array of goods, from traditional souvenirs, such as Persian carpets and intricate lanterns, to high-end fashion and jewelry.

Even though the handicrafts and food here are quite expensive, the complex itself is worth a visit. You don’t have to buy anything, so it’s free. However, I do recommend you sit down for a lovely lunch here and watch the boats float by.

Burj Khalifa

Visiting the Burj Khalifa is a quintessential experience for any traveler to Dubai, as this architectural marvel holds the record for the world’s tallest building, piercing the sky at an impressive height of over 828 meters.

The journey to the top begins with a ride in one of the high-speed elevators, whisking visitors up to the observation decks on the 124th, 125th, and the exclusive 148th floors, known as ‘At the Top’ and ‘At the Top SKY’.

From these vantage points, one can bask in the breathtaking panoramic views of Dubai’s futuristic skyline, the sprawling desert, and the shimmering Arabian Gulf.

The observation decks feature floor-to-ceiling glass walls that provide an unobstructed, bird’s-eye perspective of the city. The 124th floor boasts and outdoor terrace that allows guests to feel the breeze from this towering height, while the 125th floor serves as a tribute to Arab arts and culture.

Is it worth going to floor 148 Burj Khalifa? Yes, it is worth it because you get to enjoy one of the most iconic experiences in Dubai with fewer people around in a more exclusive lounge.

🌟 Click here to get your skip-the-line tickets for all three floors.

🌟 Or click here to check out the ultimate Dubai city tour that includes Burj Khalifa.

Dubai Mall Fountain Show

The Dubai Fountain, set in Burj Khalifa Lake outside The Dubai Mall, offers one of the most visually captivating experiences in the city, designed by the creators of the famed Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas.

You will witness the world’s tallest performing fountain at over 270 meters in length, featuring a stunning choreography of light and water synced to a variety of music, with 6,000 lights, 25 colored projectors, and 22,000 gallons of airborne water.

You can also enjoy the show from above, as some of the restaurants at the Dubai Mall have a perfect view of the fountain. We chose to have drinks at Fridays while watching the evening shows which start from 6:00 am and then every 30 minutes until 11:00 am.

🌟 Pro tip >> Did you know that you can  book a 30-minute cruise by traditional “abra” (water taxi) on Burj Lake to see the amazing fountain show from the water? Now that’s a unique experience!

experience an entire world inside Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall is a must during your 2 days in Dubai, and its appeal extends far beyond just shopping. Even husbands won’t get bored here.

As one of the largest malls in the world, with over 1200 shops, an aquarium and underwater zoo, an indoor virtual reality theme park, an indoor ski slope and an ice rink, it offers an array of entertainment that caters to all ages and interests.

One of the main attractions is the Dubai Aquarium, which showcases a mesmerizing aquatic world with thousands of marine animals, including sharks and rays. The highlight for me was walking through the 48-meter-long tunnel with a 270-degree view of the aquarium.

You can easily spend the rest of your day here. I was so excited to get to eat at The Cheesecake Factory and shop at Forever 21 again. Two of my favorites from the US, even though I’m not that into cheesecake nor have I been 21 for a long while. Haha, yes I’m kind of simple like that.

We also loved The Grill Shack inside Dubai Mall, it’s up there with the best restaurant sin the city.

Old Dubai Aladdin Tour

If you want to see what life was like before the skyscrapers and luxurious hotels, head up to Deira, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Dubai. The souks sit on either side of the Dubai Creek, textile ones on the south side and spice and gold on the north side.

Exploring the souks on your own can be rather daunting, especially as a solo female, because of staring and pushy vendors. So rather than wasting precious time trying to navigate on your own, I highly recommend this top-rated guided tour .

Shop in the souks with tips from your guide, cross the creek by “abra” traditional water taxi, visit the Dubai Museum, roam the Al Fahidi Historic District and enjoy street food, Arabic coffee and fruit juices.

You will discover hidden gems you most likely wouldn’t have seen on your own and learn a lot. Our guide Hamza was amazing and so knowledgeable. And you can choose to do the tour solo or as part of a group.

🌟 Check price and availability here >> Souks, creek & food tasting in Old Dubai

Al Mamzar Beach Park

I’m guessing one of the reasons you came to Dubai was because of the warm climate right? So a

Al Mamzar Beach Park is a hidden gem located in the northern part of Dubai, offering a relaxed escape from the bustling city. The park boasts five pristine beaches with soft white sand and clear blue waters, making it a perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. 

The coves of white sand and turquoise water lined with palm trees made it feel more like the Caribbean rather than just outside a big city.

Al Mamzar covers an area of 106 hectares and offers barbecue sites, private chalets for hire, a swimming pool, food kiosks, jogging tracks and a mini train taking you on a tour of the park. Entrance is only 5 AED / 14 NOK /$1.3 per person, in other words, it’s practically free.

Keep in mind that Monday and Wednesday are ladies’ days when the only males allowed are those under the age of six.

To get there from the city center, take the Green Line on the Dubai Metro and get off at the Al Qiyadah Metro Station. From there, you can walk the 3 kilometers or catch a bus (such as the C28) that goes to Al Mamzar.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi or use ridesharing apps Uber or Careem.

If you would rather stay closer to the city center, some of Dubai’s other popular beaches include:

• JBR , the public beach around Jumeirah Beach Residence, is popular because it’s bordered by The Walk, a promenade filled with restaurants and shops. 
• La Mer , a newly renovated beach area featuring a boardwalk, running and walking track, changing facilities, etc.
• Kite Beach , a public beach not surprisingly popular among Dubai’s kite surfers.
• Sunset Beach , you know the one famous for that Burj Al Arab shot.
• Palm West Beach  for skyline views.
• Dubai Islands , a dog-friendly beach near Deira that is also free to visit.

Stroll through Dubai Marina

After a day in the sun and sand, get ready and head to Dubai Marina for a sunset stroll through the man-made canal city. The popular waterfront promenade known as Marina Walk, boasts cosmopolitan restaurants, cafes, and retail outlets.

As you wander along the water’s edge, you are surrounded by awe-inspiring skyscrapers and luxury yachts that reflect the opulence and architectural ambition that Dubai is renowned for.

Sit down for a sunset cocktail at Vero Sky Bar during happy hour. I mean no trip to Dubai is complete without a visit to a sky bar.

When you’re ready to head for dinner, take the tram to the monorail that goes out to Atlantis The Palm . It is fun driving above the water and getting to enjoy the view rather than taking a taxi through the tunnel below.

Kaleidoscope Buffet Dinner at Atlantis The Palm

I think I have to go as far as saying this was the most exciting food experience of my life. A huge room full of every dish you can think of, heaven for a foodie like me. Just the salad bar was the size of a regular buffet.

I was a bit hesitant before booking the table as it was 235 AED nok per person, that’s usually 3 days worth of dinners on my other travels. But I saw it as an experience more than just a meal, so we went for it and I’m so happy we did.

The total bill for 2 pers. including non-alcoholic drinks ended up at around 650 AED / 1855 NOK / $177. They have different themes each day of the week like Italian and Oriental nights, so be sure to plan for which day you prefer. We went there on a Tuesday which was international night.

Remember to book a table through their website so you can pass the long line of hungry people outside. Also, be sure to set aside some time before or after dinner, so you can wander around the stunning hotel .

🌟 Pro tip >> Remember that most of the Dubai highlights, such as The Atlantis and Burj Khalifa, are included in this popular full-day Dubai city tour !

The above itinerary outlines how I would have liked to spend my first visit to Dubai. However, we all have different interests, so I wanted to give you a few more options.

Al Fahidi Historic District, previously known as the Bastakia Quarter, is a heritage site where the first settlements of Dubai were built. The old wind-towered buildings have been transformed into art galleries, small museums and quaint cafés.

Guided tours are available if you want to know more about the history of the area. When you’re done exploring, head to the small but interesting Dubai Museum to see how oil together with ambition made this urban oasis.

🌟 Remember that Al Fahidi Historic District is included in this popular tour.

Alternatively, head to one of Dubai’s amusement parks.  IMG Worlds of Adventure  is the world’s largest indoor theme park and has zones dedicated to Cartoon Network and MARVEL, as well as a Dinosaur Adventure.

Desert Safari Just outside the city there are nothing but sand dunes for miles and miles. There are tour operators all over town selling different desert packages, you can also book online in advance.

The tours aren’t as expensive as you might think and include 4×4 transportation, sandboarding, dune bashing, camel rides and a campfire dinner with belly dancing as entertainment.

🔥 Click here to check out one of the best value and most popular desert tours in Dubai.

Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm Hotel is the largest waterpark in Dubai spread across 42 acres. We planned on going, as I had heard from many that it’s one of the best waterparks around, but in the end we didn’t want to spend the money. Entrance to just the waterpark starts from 260 AED / 600 nok / $70 if you buy the tickets online in advance.

Dubai isn’t just a desirable hotspot for millions of tourists each year, it’s the destination of choice for tens of thousands of migrating birds during the winter months. Among them, thousands of pink flamingos. In the wetlands, just outside the busy city, you’ll find the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary .

Entrance is free(!), and you can visit from Saturday to Thursday between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. If you want to catch the birds feeding, the best time to visit is between 9:00 am and 9:30 am.

How to get around in Dubai

Getting around in Dubai is relatively easy thanks to a well-developed and modern transportation infrastructure. Here are the most common modes of transportation in Dubai:

• Metro : Dubai Metro is a fully automated rail system with two lines (Red and Green) that cover key locations within the city. It’s a fast, affordable, and convenient way to travel, especially during rush hours when the roads are congested.
• Taxis : Taxis are abundant and can be hailed on the street, booked via phone, or through various apps. They are metered, and the fares are reasonable. Dubai’s taxis are regulated by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
• Buses : The RTA also operates a comprehensive bus network that covers the entire city. Buses are air-conditioned and comfortable, and they offer a cost-effective way to travel around Dubai. You can also take the Hop on Hop Off Bus. Choose between a 24-hour and 48-hour ticket, the latter is around 300 AED / 700 nok / $80.
• Trams : The Dubai Tram runs in the Marina area and links to the Metro and the Palm Jumeirah Monorail. It’s particularly useful for short trips in the areas it serves. The tram runs for 19 hours a day from 6:00 am until 1:00 am Monday to Saturday.
• Monorail : The Palm Jumeirah Monorail is an elevated train that connects the mainland to the Palm Jumeirah, with a few stops along the way, including the Atlantis The Palm Hotel.
• Water transport : For a scenic route, you can use water taxis (abras), ferries, and water buses. They can be a pleasant way to get around, particularly if you’re traveling along Dubai Creek or between certain coastal points.
• Ridesharing : Uber and Careem are the two main ridesharing services available in Dubai. They offer a range of vehicle options and can be booked via their respective apps. Careem, which is now owned by Uber, also provides other services such as bike rentals and delivery.
• Bicycles and E-scooters : For short distances or just to enjoy the outdoors, you can rent bicycles and e-scooters through various bike and e-scooter services available in certain parts of the city.

There are several types of Nol Cards to suit different needs:

• Silver Card : This is a rechargeable card ideal for regular users and residents. It offers discounted fares compared to standard tickets.
• Gold Card : This card works like the Silver Card but gives you access to the Gold Class cabins on the Metro and Tram for a premium fare.
• Blue Card : This personalized smart card offers the same features as the Silver Card, but with additional benefits like balance protection in case the card is lost or stolen. It can also be customized for students, senior citizens, and people with disabilities, offering them special fares.
• Red Ticket : This is a paper-based ticket that can be purchased for a single journey or a day pass. It is ideal for tourists and visitors who are in Dubai for a short time.

You can buy and top up Nol Cards at Metro stations, bus stations and RTA customer service centers. Some convenience stores also provide top-up services.

When you only have 2 days in Dubai , I recommend not staying too far out from the center of town. To help you choose, here are some of my favorite accommodation options in the heart of Dubai.

My favorite hotel of all the ones I have seen in Dubai is Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf , set across several buildings in the heart of Souk Madinat. The villas, rooms and suites are meant to resemble traditional Arab summer houses interconnected by canals, each boasting a private balcony.

You have to see the gorgeous interior decor in the rooms, it screams old money. No chrome plating, glass or square boxes in sight here which I very much appreciate. I also love that it is not just one big slab of a resort, but rather an interesting layout you want to explore.

Guest can use the hotel’s traditional Abras, offering a special way to arrive at their room or to access any of the facilities such as the spa or one of the 50 restaurants.

🌟 Check price and availability here >> Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf

However, if you are drawn to the modern, you have to check out this stylish apartment boasting insane views across Downtown. With two double bedrooms, you can bring some friends, making it quite affordable for that amazing location, just 2 minutes from Dubai Mall.

If you prefer to spend your money on other things, consider staying up in Bur Dubai removed from all the bling and luxury. During my first visit to Dubai, I stayed at Gateway Hotel in a huge room with two double beds and two bathrooms, all for $90 a night. Which is quite affordable for Dubai.

At night the streets surrounding the hotel were bustling with people talking, laughing and frying up some delicious food at their roadside stalls. I can definitely recommend a stay at Gateway Hotel !

Final thoughts on 2 days in Dubai

Even if Dubai is an unforgettable travel experience and a dream destination to many, I just don’t love it. I can’t believe I’m saying that as Dubai has got all my favorite restaurants right next to white sandy beaches and historic sites.

But I didn’t like the overall extravagant vibe and excessive luxury, so I don’t think I’ll be going back again. However, it is a nice break from the cold Norwegian weather without having to fly all the way to Bali or Bangkok like I normally would.

And you can, of course, stay away from the most extravagant places, but then again what would be the point of visiting Dubai?

About Charlotte

Charlotte is the passionate traveler and online business coach behind Sunshine Seeker. She started working as a content creator on Instagram in 2014, before social media was even a thing, and as a travel blogger in 2015. Over the past 14 years she has explored 45+ countries and lived in Oslo, Kraków, Bali and Lombok. Every month she helps more than 50,000 people plan their adventures and learn how to create more freedom by working online.

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9. March 2016 at 09:58

Certainly looks beautiful. I wonder what happens if you step out of the tourist areas? What do you see then?

9. March 2016 at 11:53

What I forgot to mention is that we actually stayed up in Bur Dubai. We didn’t see that many other westerners and at night it felt more like being in India or a large southeast asian city. The backstreets were kind of chaotic with people out in the streets eating and having fun. I found this part of town much more interesting and quite the contrast to the polished tourist areas further south.

18. October 2016 at 16:37

Very cool! Thank you for sharing that.

10. May 2016 at 19:43

Your pictures are stunning! I love them! I spent 3 days in Dubai but it was so hot that I couldn’t stay outside for too long. I wonder how you took the picture of the entire Burj Khalifa ? :O Xx

11. May 2016 at 12:19

Thanks Florence! I think Dubai has to be visited in the winter months, or else the heat is just unbearable. You actually found the one photo on my whole blog that I’ve bought. As I didn’t get any great shots of Burj Khalifa myself 🙂 Xx

27. October 2016 at 01:40

Wow, Dubai is absolutely stunning! I absolutely love your pictures. I also had no idea you could get a flight there so inexpensive. Wow, I’m going to need to add Dubai to my bucket list

27. October 2016 at 16:40

Thank you so much Karyl 🙂

30. November 2016 at 12:43

Wowww! This article is so colourful and beautiful. Photos are too eye-catching. Thanks for sharing your experience 🙂

4. December 2016 at 23:51

Thank you so much Ratheesh 😀

19. February 2018 at 23:38

Dubai looks fantastic, cant wait to be there. 2,5 months left…

24. February 2018 at 21:04

Thanks for stopping by! Happy travels 😉

13. June 2018 at 12:56

Superb post with stunning pictures! These are actually most beautiful places to visit in Dubai.

13. July 2018 at 07:43

Dubai is itself a world where people can explore the new way of life, it little costly but not for those who appreciate the man-made monuments that grabs the eyes balls. We live in Dubai for 4 years and thousands of tourist visit Dubai in a week to enjoy. The way you highlighted the trip to Dubai, some memory flash in my eyes when I arrived in Dubai for the first time. Thanks Charlotte 🙂

3. November 2018 at 07:59

Very beautiful article and photos are excellent. Next time I want to go to Dubai with my family.

3. November 2018 at 17:04

Thank you so much 😉 Happy travels!

8. November 2018 at 11:52

Wow it is a very nice article. I liked it a lot. The way you the express the beauty of Dubai is amazing. The photos that used in this article is beautiful. Thanks for sharing this.

18. May 2019 at 09:29

Dubai is really amazing tourist spot. great sharing

24. July 2019 at 17:52

Lovely and Effective post for essential tips in your first time travellers.

29. July 2019 at 16:46

Thanks, Ganeesh 😉

9. May 2022 at 07:54

Love Dubai but it too expensive for student to travel there.

19. July 2022 at 16:37

Hi Max 🙂 Yes, Dubai is expensive but it’s not impossible. I traveled there as a student on a minimal budget!

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2 Days In Dubai: A Guide for First-Timers

The 2 day Dubai itinerary is designed for people who want to go to Dubai nevertheless solely have 2 days to do it. If you is likely to be planning a go to to Dubai for the first time, or in case you’re merely trying to find some places to go to in Dubai in your subsequent vacation, listed below are some activities that provide an unimaginable experienc e.

Dubai known as the land of luxurious producers and opulence. An enormous proportion of people dwelling in Dubai are expats. As a finish end result, there is a numerous assortment of things to do that cater to every curiosity. From theme parks and galleries to malls and consuming places, this 2 day Dubai itinerary comprises quite a lot of the best things to do in Dubai.

Table of Contents

2 Day Dubai Itinerary: The Best Things To Do In 48 Hours

Dubai is a vacationer vacation spot that has grown rapidly in recognition over the past decade. It’s home to quite a lot of the biggest and most luxurious malls on this planet, and its iconic landmarks resembling Burj Khalifa, The Palm Jumeirah, and Dubai Fountain are all must-sees. Whether you’re there for enterprise or pleasure, proper right here is your info on recommendations on how you can spend 2 days in Dubai like knowledgeable.

Getting Around – Things To Do In Dubai In 2 Days

Dubai has popularly commonly known as “Future City” inside the stylish tourism commerce as a consequence of newest technological enhancements, architectural marvels, numerous factors of curiosity, nice worldwide cuisines, and a fusion of traditions and stylish custom. If you is likely to be in Dubai for a extremely fast size, say 48 hours, keep in mind to make use of to your Dubai Visit visa upfront to stay away from any last-minute hustles. Dubai go to visa is a ought to while you need to take once more a bag full of cherished recollections of this beautiful Emirate. We curated for you a small two-day itinerary with out compromising on the journey and their corresponding experiences.

Your 2 Day Dubai Itinerary Starts Here!

Day 1 of 2 day dubai itinerary.

Welcome to your Sneak Peek into the approaching future world of experience. Firstly, drop off your baggage in your resort to maneuver spherical with ease. Then, purchase an NOL card for commuting to stay away from ticketing queues whereas touring on the Metro, Tram, and the Bus. The Dubai Metro is one among its type with its driverless mechanism. You can switch spherical Dubai in cabs, each app-based or search instantly on the road itself.

Head straight to the Palm Jumeirah

Catch the monorail and get an interesting view of Palm Island and the magnificent Atlantis Hotel. This human-made island is a creation worth exploring, and every nook has been delicately planted to provide an unimaginable experience.

Discover the Bluewaters Island

The latest addition to the Dubai tourism map, the Bluewaters Island, houses the Ain Dubai, the big commentary wheel with good experiences and rich & fulfilling leisure experiences.

Get in a position to be sun-kissed on the attractive Emirate seashores. The seashores in Dubai are fabulous – be it water sports activities activities, nice treats, very good people spherical, and a relaxed ambiance that makes you flip off from the busy, tight schedule and enter a kingdom of your private. The Jumeirah Beach is a grandeur masterpiece nestled inside the ultra-luxurious facet of Dubai. The Madinat Jumeriah, the grandiosity of the Burj Al Arab, or only a tan on the seashore is an ideal method to sit back out your physique, ideas, and soul.

F eel on prime of the world

The Dubai Frame choices among the many many stylish Dubai factors of curiosity that shake arms with the Emirate skyline. Experience enchanting views of every earlier and new Dubai and how the fishing village has reworked itself into the world’s tourism capital.

Transverse through the usual streets of Al-Fahdidi classical neighborhood

Get your self an immersive dip into the rich heritage and distinctive cultures of Dubai. Get to see the inspirations of the Arabian Culture on the work and interactive exhibits on the Dubai Museum. It’s a tremendous journey going through the artifacts of the unimaginable Dubai Transformation. The Souks in earlier Dubai is an absolute ought to to find in case you’re in Dubai. The three souks – Gold, Textile, and Spice souks are home to fascinating souvenirs, reward collections, and an efficient solution to tick your whole avenue buying Wishlist.

Date with the celebs – 2 Days In Dubai

Choose between the magnificent Desert Safari or the enchanting Dhow Cruise Dinner all through the Dubai Creek. The star-studded sky enlightened by the moon gives an excellent setting to all of the ambiance. The Dhow Cruise offers a great deal of explicit activities, a scrumptious dinner, and marvelous views of each facet.

Day 2 In Dubai – Dubai Itinerary for 2 days

Explore the city by foot.

If you’re feeling adventurous, be a part of certainly one of many many strolling excursions accessible in Dubai . These strolling excursions give you a chance to find components of Dubai which will be off-limits to automobiles, along with Deira Old Souk Market, Palm Jumeirah Beach Walk, or The Creek. You can also take excursions of malls like Burjuman Centre, The Dubai Mall, or Ibn Battuta Mall.

You can’t skip visiting this grandeur vacation spot while you’re in Dubai, regardless of how fast you is likely to be in Dubai. Every nook of the Burj Khalifa oozes with opulence, be it consuming inside the skies, or skipping a heartbeat inside the quickest elevator on this planet. The panoramic views of the Dubai cityscape are too catchy for the human eye.

Take a Desert Safari

Spend your days out inside the desert exploring the pure improbable factor about Dubai. Take an opulent jeep tour to find the Safari Park, the Arabian Wildlife Reserve, and completely different distant areas of the desert. You’ll see camels, ostriches, crimson sand dunes, and further. Tourists prefer it because of it’s an experience you can’t get anyplace else on this planet!

The magical Dubai Fountains – The Perfect Two Day Itinerary For Dubai

Nestled in opposition to the backdrop of the Burj Khalifa , the Dubai Fountains choices gentle and sound reveals kicking off from 6 PM daily that may definitely go away you spellbound. See the water dance to fashionable Arabic tunes for as extreme as 500 toes. Catch the view from the adjoining Souk Al Bahar or experience the magic up shut from the Boardwalk subsequent to the Fountains.

Feel the magic of latest Dubai

To match the opulent Burj Khalifa, it is important to carry the tempo going. First, go to the ultra-modern Dubai Marina, a recent attraction inside the Dubai neighborhood. Next, get a sneak-peek into the very good transformation of Dubai through the picturesque docks of the Dubai shoreline. Home to quite a lot of affluent inns, high-rise condominium buildings, and vibrant cafes. Hop on a Dhow Cruise journey to the Dubai Marina. Superlative views coupled with a delicious meal can be the wonderful ending to your Dubai Trip. In addition, you can flick via all important landmarks multi perform go.

Best Things to do in Dubai in 2 Days Itinerary If You Still Have Time.

The best theme parks.

 Children and adults alike will benefit from rides on the Sheik Zayed Road and the Dubai Mall. Rides and factors of curiosity at these parks embody:

Ferrari World: Take a visit on the quickest roller coaster on this planet or uncover this theme park’s interactive simulators and video video games

Legoland: Build your private Lego towers and uncover the theme park’s factors of curiosity

Bollywood Parks: Ride a camel through the streets of India, go to the Taj Mahal, and get a henna tattoo

For the ultimate phrase Arab experience, try smoking a hookah commonly known as shisha. Abra excursions are a simple method to get a method of the usual experience, and you can sample it at certainly one of many many hookah consuming places in Madinat Jumeriah. Whether you choose to eat or drink, you might not at all be bored proper right here.

Dubai is the suitable place for buying lovers. For the best buying experience, head to The Dubai Mall . It has larger than 1200 shops that cowl over 20 million sq. toes of buying space. Plus, the Dubai Mall is home to certainly one of many world’s largest aquariums , which choices over 3500 marine species.

If you’re trying to find some further family-friendly activities, head to Wild Wadi Water Park the place you can benefit from a variety of water rides and video video games.

The Best Restaurants – 2-day Dubai Itinerary

The foodie in you may be glad with the gathering of consuming places. Dubai is home to quite a lot of essentially the most luxe consuming places on this planet. For those who favor a further casual consuming experience, there are lots of avenue meals selections to pick out from.

Souk Madinat Jumeirah – Located at Madinat Jumeirah, it’s a typical Arabian market with a variety of consuming selections and consuming places.

Serena – This is a Michelin-starred restaurant and certainly one of many best consuming places in Dubai. It offers quite a lot of worldwide cuisines and is located on Palm Jumeirah.

Gymkhana – This restaurant is located on the Emirates Golf Club and offers an distinctive consuming experience with a think about Indian meals.

Al Majlis – A Lebanese restaurant, Al Majlis is located inside the Burj Al Arab Hotel. It offers typical Lebanese delicacies in an elegant ambiance.

If you want to add Dubai to your travel itinerary, look no further. With this 2 day Dubai itinerary, you can have a full day of activities for each a short maintain or an prolonged weekend. Don’t miss out on the prospect to experience Dubai to your self!

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A Nashville lifestyle blog covering affordable fashion, baby finds, home decor and more

OUTFIT DETAILS // White V-Neck | Floral Maxi Skirt | Cheetah Print Headband | Sunglasses | Chanel Bag | Leather Sandals | High-Waisted Belt

If you’re planning a trip overseas to Africa or Asia, I would highly encourage making a stopover in Dubai if your schedule allows. Not only is it a great way to break up long flights and exhausting travel, Dubai is an incredibly fun city that’s very friendly to Western tourists. There’s so much to do and it’s very easy to get around! English is also widely spoken in Dubai.

Dubai Travel Guide 2 Day Itinerary

Dubai has always been on our bucket lists and our honeymoon was the perfect excuse to finally visit. It’s an ultra-modern city that feels like something from out of the future. Right away we were completely wowed by the towering skyscrapers and innovative architecture. Dubai is also located on the coast of the United Arab Emirates and has warm weather year round, so it’s a great destination to hit the beach and get some sun. There’s tons of luxury shopping and many sight-seeing opportunities.

Here’s a recap of everything we did along with a few more suggestions for planning your trip!

HOW TO GET THERE

We flew to Dubai via Emirates and had a great experience. Emirates is the only airline that has direct flights to Dubai from the United States so if you don’t want to deal with layovers, it’s your best bet! The service was incredible and if you have the budget to treat-yo-self I would highly recommend business class seats. We splurged for our honeymoon and it was an experience we’ll never forget! Going back to economy on our next trip is going to be toughhhh.

OUTFIT DETAILS // Cheetah Print Long Sleeve Shirt | Black Leggings | Gray Sneakers | Leather Backpack

WHAT TO WEAR

Dubai has gorgeous warm sunny weather all year long, however summer can get unbearably hot. During the “colder” months (November-April) temps average in the 70s and 80s making it the perfect place to escape if you live in a cold climate.

Is there a dress code in Dubai? Do women need to be be covered? I got these questions a lot while we there and to be totally honest, we felt there was very little pressure to dress any differently than we would at home during the summer. It appeared as if tourists could dress however they please i.e. in shorts, tanks, etc. without any fear of breaking a rule or being reprimanded. Dubai is a very International city and you’ll people of all colors and cultural background. At the Dubai Mall we noticed women wearing everything from burqas to mini dresses.

OUTFIT DETAILS // Pink Midi Dress | High-Waisted Belt | Sunglasses | Woven Tote | Gold Bar Necklace | Watch

We visited Dubai in mid-January and the weather was sunny and in the low 70s. I personally opted to dress somewhat modestly when we were outside of our hotel, mostly for my own comfort and desire to be respectful of locals. I packed a lot of midi and maxi dresses and always had a light sweater with me (it got breezy in the evenings.) My husband wore lightweight linen pants and a mix of t-shirts and button downs.

MIDI & MAXI DRESSES

The only place where we wore our swimsuits was at our hotel and from what we could tell all types of bikinis and swimwear was accepted!

OUTFIT DETAILS // Sun Hat | Tiger Stripe Bikini Top | Tiger Stripe Bikini Bottoms

WHERE TO STAY

We had a lovely stay at the Shangri-La Hotel Dubai . Since our time in the city was so short we purposely booked this hotel because of it’s convenient location downtown and quick 10 minute drive from the airport. The Shangri-La is gorgeous and immaculately maintained– as you’d expect from a luxury hotel.

OUTFIT DETAILS // Red Gown | Chanel Bag | Nude Heeled Sandals | Watch

I’ve never experienced such an easy quick check in and been made to feel immediately more at home as I did when we arrived at the Shangri-La. The service was incredible and any question we had was answered with such care and detail.

We utilized the concierge for nearly all of our dinner reservations and had the front door bellman call us taxis for wherever we needed to go. There was a line of taxis always nearby so we never had to wait more than a minute for a ride!

We loved our luxe room overlooking the city. The view was incredible and we could even see the famous Burj Khalifa!

^^ the incredible view from the rooftop of the Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai

OUTFIT DETAILS // One Shoulder Satin Gown | Rainbow Statement Earrings | Chanel Bag | Nude Heeled Sandals | Watch

Even though our time at the Shangri-La was short, we did get to utilize many of the hotel’s amenities like the spa and pool. Nick had an incredible full body scrub and I visited the in-hotel salon for a pedicure and blowout. Highly recommend checking out both if you decide to stay at the hotel. The level of service was on another tier compared to what you’d get at a US salon or spa. Can we also talk about the pool deck view?

DUBAI SIGHTSEEING & ACTIVITIES

Heading to Dubai? Here are so some landmarks and activities to add to your must-visit list!

Burj Khalifa- 160-floor tower with an observation deck and restaurant. Highly recommend making a reservation for high tea at Atmosphere– the tower’s famous bar and restaurant located on the 122nd floor.

The Dubai Mall- huge shopping and activity complex. There are 1200+ stores, an aquarium, ice rink, theme park and more. It’s impossible to see everything in one day but it’s worth a walk through even if you don’t plan on buying anything!

The Dubai Fountain- located within the Dubai Mall complex with choreographed shows everyday!

Palm Jumeirah- Dubai’s man-made palm-shaped island that’s home to many luxury hotels like the Atlantis and sunny beaches.

Dubai Creek- this area of the city is where to go if you want to get a feel for “old” Dubai. Here you can shop at traditional gold, spice and textile souk marketplaces and visit the Dubai Museum.

Dubai Miracle Garden- 72,000 meter garden with incredible floral sculptures of animals, Disney characters, landmarks and more.

Dubai Desert- located just 20 minutes outside of Dubai you’ll find rolling dunes of sand as far as the eye can see. There are a plethora of tour companies that offer desert excursions like off-roading, camel rides, sandboarding and more.

Madinat Jumeirah- a shopping and hotel complex located right along the water that has a mix of traditional souk marketplaces and upscale eateries.

DUBAI RESTAURANTS

Atmosphere at the Burj Khalifa- famous bar and restaurant located on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa. Offers daily high tea service!

OUTFIT DETAILS // Metallic Gold Cami | Pink Maxi Skirt | Gold Bar Necklace | Chanel Bag | Nude Heeled Sandals | Watch

White Beach- Super chic beach club and restaurant that just opened within the Atlantis resort complex on Palm Jumeirah. We sat outside and had the freshest seafood for lunch. The food was delicious and we loved the atmosphere!

Sea Fu- High-end Japanese beach-front restaurant within the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach. Major Nobu vibes! I’m usually not a fan of Asian cuisine but we loved our dinner here. The sushi options and black cod entree were amazing!

ZOCO- hip Mexican restaurant where you can dine on alllll the tacos, margaritas and guacamole. This is just what we were craving the last night of our trip and our meal was incredible! The fish tacos I had were better than any I’ve ever ordered from a restaurant in New York.

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Dubai travel guide | 2 day itinerary.

February 18, 2020

May 12, 2020 at 4:59 PM

Looks amazing. Love the pics!

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Muscat & Dubai Delights: A 2-Day Cultural Odyssey

April 19, 2024 · 2 min read

Embark on a 2-day journey through the cultural heart of the Middle East with a visit to Muscat and Dubai. Begin your adventure in Muscat, Oman, where the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque awaits with its stunning architecture and spiritual ambiance. Spend an hour marveling at its grandeur before heading to the vibrant Mutrah Souq. Here, immerse yourself in three hours of exploration through the maze of stalls offering everything from spices to souvenirs. Next, delve into Omani history at the Bait Al Zubair Museum for an hour, followed by a visit to the historic Al Jalali and Al Mirani Forts, where you'll spend another hour uncovering the past. Conclude your Muscat experience with a visit to the regal Al Alam Palace. On day two, jet off to Dubai, where the Dubai Fountain's captivating water dance kicks off your half-hour experience. Then, ascend to the observation deck of the awe-inspiring Burj Khalifa for two hours of panoramic views. Afterward, soak in the atmosphere of Dubai Creek for two hours, where the city's heritage comes to life. Finally, end your day with an hour at the Dubai Gold Souk, a glittering testament to Dubai's nickname as the 'City of Gold'. This whirlwind tour is packed with iconic sights and unique experiences, ensuring memories that will last a lifetime.

• Day 1: Exploring the Architectural Wonders of Muscat

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

Begin your Muscat adventure with a serene visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, a beacon of Islamic architecture. Allow yourself an hour to embrace the tranquility and marvel at the intricate designs that adorn this spiritual haven, located on Sultan Qaboos St. The mosque's grandeur sets a reflective tone for the day's journey.

Attraction Info

• Sultan Qaboos St, Muscat, Oman
• Suggested tour duration: 1-3 hour
• Open on Mon-Thu, Sat-Sun,8:30am-11:00am;Closed on Fri

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Mutrah Souq

Next, immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Mutrah Souq, a bustling market that promises a sensory feast. Spend a leisurely three hours wandering through the labyrinth of stalls at this traditional bazaar near Mutrah Corniche. Here, the scent of frankincense mingles with the colorful displays of Omani handicrafts, offering a true taste of local culture.

• سوق مطرح مطرح، مسقط،، Mutrah Market, near Mutrah Corniche, مسقط، Oman
• Suggested tour duration: 3-4 hour
• Open from 9:00am-1:00pm,4:00pm-10:00pm

Bait Al Zubair Museum

Continue your cultural exploration at Bait Al Zubair Museum, a treasure trove of Omani heritage. With just an hour, you can delve into the country's rich history and view an impressive collection of artifacts that tell the story of Oman's past. This museum, nestled in the heart of Muscat, is a must-visit for history buffs.

• JH7Q+QRG, Muscat, Oman
• Suggested tour duration: 1 hour
• Open on Mon-Thu, Sat-Sun,9:00am-5:00pm

Al Jalali Fort & Al Mirani Fort

As the day unfolds, step back in time with a visit to the historic Al Jalali Fort & Al Mirani Fort. These twin sentinels of Old Muscat demand an hour of your time to appreciate their strategic importance and the tales of battles past. Perched on opposite cliffs, they offer a glimpse into Oman's military history and stunning views of the surrounding area.

• E of Old Muscat，W of Old Muscat
• Open on Thu-Sun,8:30am-7:00pm

Al Alam Palace

Conclude your day with the regal splendor of Al Alam Palace. Dedicate an hour to admire the official palace of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, which stands as a symbol of modern Omani architecture. Although the interior is not open to the public, the palace's façade and the surrounding gardens are a sight to behold, making it a fitting finale to your day in Muscat.

• JH8V+9V8, Muscat, Oman
• Open 24 hours

Where to Stay Tonight

Naseem hotel, oyo 137 marina hotel.

• Day 2: Soaring Heights and Sparkling Lights in Dubai

The Dubai Fountain

Begin your second day in Dubai with a mesmerizing display at The Dubai Fountain, set on the 30-acre Burj Khalifa Lake. This captivating water, music, and light spectacle is one of the city's most visited attractions. Choreographed to a range of melodies from classical to contemporary Arabic and world music, the fountains shoot water jets as high as 150 meters, equivalent to a 50-story building. After a half-hour of enchanting performances, you'll be ready to head to your next iconic destination.

• Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd - Downtown Dubai - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
• Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 hour
• Open from 6:00am-11:00pm

Burj Khalifa

Just a short walk from the Dubai Fountain, ascend to the skies by visiting the Burj Khalifa's Observation Deck. As the tallest structure in the world, the Burj Khalifa offers breathtaking panoramic views of Dubai from its decks on the 124th, 125th, and 148th floors. Spend a couple of hours marveling at the cityscape, the desert, and the ocean beyond. The high-speed elevators and the educational presentations provide an informative and exhilarating experience that is not to be missed.

• 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd - Dubai
• Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour

Dubai Creek

After touching the sky, come back down to earth and explore the historic Dubai Creek. This natural seawater inlet cuts through the heart of Dubai and offers a glimpse of the city's trading heritage. A two-hour dhow cruise along the creek will allow you to take in the sights of the old and modern Dubai from a unique perspective. The bustling atmosphere, the traditional architecture, and the array of dhows and yachts make this a memorable part of your Dubai journey.

• Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Dubai Gold Souk

Conclude your day with a visit to the Dubai Gold Souk, located in the vibrant neighborhood of Deira. This traditional market is a labyrinth of covered walkways teeming with shops selling gold, silver, and precious stones. Spend an hour wandering through the souk, where you can admire intricate jewelry designs, haggle with shopkeepers, or even purchase a souvenir to remember your trip by. The Gold Souk is not just a shopper's paradise but also a fascinating cultural experience that reflects Dubai's rich mercantile history.

• Deira - Al Ras - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
• Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
• Open from 9:00am-9:00pm

CUBE HOTEL DUBAI

Maaeen hotel.

* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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The best day trips to take from Dubai

By Laura Lai Coughlin

Dubai is endless alluring for visitors and residents, from its record-breaking attractions to its dining and nightlife scene – but sometimes what you need most from Dubai is a break.

Thankfully, if you're looking for a change of scenery and have anything from an afternoon to a full day on your hands, there are plenty of places to escape to, whether you seek a relaxed stretch of coastline, fresh mountainous air or a dose of culture. To the south of Dubai is Abu Dhabi and Al Ain (which, strictly speaking, is still in the Abu Dhabi emirate but located further east). To the north is Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and mountainous Ras Al Khaimah . Then across the country on the east coast is the sleepy emirate of Fujairah. Roads across the UAE are well maintained, and most places are reachable within a two-hour drive, making day trips extremely doable. If you are looking for inspiration, these are our favourite day trips from Dubai.

Hatta Lake is surrounded by the Hajar Mountains

Hatta, Dubai

The best day trip from Dubai for: an outdoor adventure filled with kayaking and biking How long is the drive? Roughly 90 minutes If you’re not the planning type, Hatta is a fun-filled day trip that shows off Dubai’s adventurous side. The enclave is home to dramatic landscapes and turquoise waterways. Day trips typically start at the Hatta Dam, an enormous reservoir flanked by the Hajar Mountains. In the cooler months, families come early and rent kayaks or a pedalo. From here, a hop-on, hop-off bus takes visitors to other popular attractions in Hatta, including the all-encompassing Hatta Wadi Hub, where visitors can rent bikes before tackling the 50kilometre Hatta Mountain Bike Trail, or begin a 10km hike that traverses the rocky landscape past Hatta Heritage Village. If you decide to stay the night: UAE veterans wax lyrical about JA Hatta Fort Hotel, and for good reason. It has that old-school charm that warms the soul. Service is friendly and effortless, especially in the hotel’s main restaurant Jeema, which serves international cuisine in a buffet that changes daily. The enormous, open-plan rooms are inspired by natural elements, with exposed stone and linen creating a sense of calm and earthliness. To honour the picturesque setting, every room, suite and villa have balconies with views across surrounding gardens and stony peaks.

Snoopy Island, Fujairah

The best day trip from Dubai for: sunbathing, scuba diving and delicious grilled lobster How long is the drive? About two hours Sun, sea and sand – on the surface, the emirate of Fujairah has the same qualities as Dubai, so why make the two-hour journey to the UAE’s east coast? It all comes down to the pace. The sleepy coastal town has long been a release valve for Dubai residents eager to clear the cobwebs. But the reason most people come to Fujairah is to swim, snorkel or scuba dive around Snoopy Island, which sits about 50 metres offshore. Affectionately named after its uncanny resemblance to the cartoon character sleeping on the roof of his dog house, the little island’s rocky bottom is home to an incredible variety of fish. It’s not uncommon to spot black-tip reef sharks or turtles around the area, too. Most people base themselves at Sandy Beach Hotel, a chalet-style resort that often plays host to bohemian wellness festivals and hippy raves. Day passes here are reasonably priced, staff are friendly, there’s an infinity pool to relax in and Snoopy’s marine-rich perimetre is within doggy-paddle reach. In the evening, before driving back to Dubai, pay a visit to Gonu Bar and Grill at Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort just down the road. It’s as close to a Sri Lankan beach shack as you’ll get in the UAE, and the Omani lobster is spectacular. If you decide to stay the night: Those seeking a luxurious stay should bed down at the InterContinental Fujairah Resort. Or hang around at Sandy Beach – wedged between Snoopy Island and the Hajar Mountains – and experience its commitment to the good, old-fashioned, free-spirited family holiday.

Louvre Abu Dhabi is one of Saadiyat Island's main attractions

Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

The best day trip from Dubai for: culture buffs and gastronomes How long is the drive? About 1 hour and 15 minutes With its white sand beaches, green pockets of shrubbery, Maldivian-blue ocean and five-star resorts, Saadiyat Island serves up a slice of honeymoon vacationing. It is postcard-pretty enough to satisfy both shiny-eyed visitors from further afield and weary UAE residents searching for fresher air, a slower pace and somewhere different to look at for the day. Roughly 100km from Dubai, it’s possible to find yourself enjoying Aperols and award-winning pizza at Antonia’s on Mamsha Al Saadiyat, dolphin-spotting from a paddleboard, or wandering around its many spectacular cultural sites – including Louvre Abu Dhabi and The Abrahamic Family House – all within a short drive from Dubai. If you decide to stay the night: Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort has never had to try that hard when it comes to drawing guests. Located along the edge of one of the UAE’s most pristine stretches of natural beach, the enormous resort has a rare environment of quiet and leisure. The wildlife thinks so too, with hawksbill sea turtles and other coastal wildlife sharing this protected land. The property is less a hotel and more of a destination in and of itself, with a bright lobby leading to a cluster of restaurants, luxury spa and private beach. Its latest opening, Sal Saadiyat Island , has added a new beach club energy to the resort, complete with plush navy loungers and rattan-framed beds that surround an adults-only, 30-metre infinity pool. Guests staying in premium room categories are able to reserve a lounger here at no extra charge.

Condé Nast Traveller

Jahnavi Bhatt

CNT Editors

Dubai's neighbouring emirate, Sharjah, is one of the UAE's cultural highlights

The best day trip from Dubai for: a cultural day out How long is the drive? Around 30 minutes It may not have the grandiose palaces of Abu Dhabi or the highest/tallest/biggest superlatives of Dubai, but unpretentious Sharjah is home to some of the region’s most exciting cultural institutions. In fact, there are more than a dozen museums and galleries here, including the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation and Sharjah Heritage Museum. A firm favourite among locals and residents is the Sharjah Art Foundation, which showcases a myriad conceptual works by both emerging and established artists. The exhibition space itself is visually stunning, connected by open-air courtyards and roof-top terraces. When the weather is cool, you can easily wander from one museum to another, taking in the much-cherished heritage of Sharjah. If you decide to stay the night: Located by the water in the heart of Sharjah, yet hidden behind tall walls, stands one of the country’s most distinctive hotels, the 53-room Chedi Al Bait. The cluster of restored heritage buildings – the one-time home of the pearl-trading Al Midfa family – is now a peaceful sanctuary of courtyards, trickling water features and hand-carved wooden doors. After a day of sightseeing, the courtyard lobby will welcome you with plump sofas, burning candles and silence. Curl up here with a book and “galaxy” mocktail and there is a roughly 95 per cent chance you’ll nod off. When you wake to the sounds of the call to prayer reverberating through the historic spherical wind tower, you might think you’ve travelled back in time.

Jebel Jais is the UAE's highest mountain and an adventure hub

Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah

The best day trip from Dubai for: thrill-seeking outdoorsy types How long is the drive? About two and a half hours Driving your way up to the top of Jebel Jais , the highest mountain range in the UAE, can be a dizzying experience. But it’s nothing compared to the activities that await you at the summit. Located in Ras Al Khaimah, the northernmost emirate is establishing itself as a serious outdoor adventure destination, with hundreds of cyclists taking on the wickedly winding roads up to the top of Jebel Jais (the highest mountain at 3,392 feet). Others hike, rock climb, via ferrata or toboggan their way to the bottom. Alternatively, you can take a Jebel Jais Flight. Run by Toroverde Ras Al Khaimah, the friendly team strap you in head-first to one of two zip lines, each reaching speeds of up to 150 kilometres per hour. They zip you high above the jagged hills and mountain goats, stopping on a suspended podium before taking you to a second seated zip line. After all that exertion, find peace – and double patty beef burgers – at 1484 by Puro, the highest restaurant in the UAE, which occupies a prime position on top of Jebel Jais, with otherworldly views across the mountain range. If you decide to stay the night: Unless you’re in the mood for camping in the mountains, or keen for a rustic stay at Bear Grylls Explorers Camp, there’s nowhere to stay directly in or around Jebel Jais. However, drive an hour down the mountain and Ras Al Khaimah’s coast is peppered with five-star hotels. We’re partial to the enormous suites at Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, which is also home to Lexington Grill & Bar – one of the finest steakhouses in the country.

Al Ain Oasis

The best day trip from Dubai for: a mix of history, heritage and optional white-water rafting How long is the drive? Around one hour and 15 minutes Al Ain is a charming oasis city where palm trees outnumber houses and ancient waterways nourish the land. Despite its enchanting allure, Al Ain often remains a mere footnote in the itineraries of most UAE-bound travellers – a stark departure from its illustrious past. Some four millennia ago, Al Ain stood as a pivotal waypoint along ancient trade routes that traversed the Arabian Peninsula. Its lush oases and abundant water sources provided respite for weary Bedouin travellers navigating the arduous desert paths. Those who do carve up some time to explore Al Ain are richly rewarded. Begin your day with a leisurely bike ride along the meandering stone pathways of the main oasis, where sunlight dances through swaying palm fronds. Bicycles are readily available for rent at the entrance. Later, stop by Ethr, a gorgeous outdoor café anchored around a dusty red steel monolith in the heart of the oasis, for an iced latte and strawberry shortcake. A short drive away through the city and you’ll come upon ancient forts where history fans can wander the archaeological parks and marvel at ancient artefacts. But Al Ain is not merely a bastion of history; it is also a playground for the adventurous. Thrill-seekers will find fun at Al Ain Adventure, home to the Middle East’s first man-made white-water rafting channels and artificial surfing waves. Where else in the world might you be able to surf a barrel wave in a desert at the foot of a mountain? If you decide to stay the night: Head to Jebel Hafit Desert Park and enjoy a unique glamping experience within a skylight dome, evening barbecues and the chance to explore surrounding archaeological gems on camelback.

** First published on Condé Traveller Middle East **

Dubai flooding 'nightmare' aftermath: 'Zero communication', 'food running out' and flight chaos (part 2)

Posted: April 25, 2024 | Last updated: April 25, 2024

Chaos is unfolding at Dubai airport following the extreme flooding yesterday (16 April) as the city suffered the heaviest rainfall in 75 years – all in one day. Among those trying to fly out is 36-year-old Pallavi and her family-of-three. The 36-year-old mum claims the situation at the airport is untenable with people “sleeping on the floor” and shops “running out of food”. Meanwhile the family are allegedly receiving “zero communication”. Photos taken at the scene show people tightly queuing together, sitting on the floor and standing around due to the lack of seating space. “People here are sleeping on the floor and the airport is running out of food options,” the marketing professional told NeedToKnow. “All we are getting is coffee, as everything’s out of supply. “My family and I, as well as others, have been waiting at the boarding gates with zero communication and zero concern. “When we arrived at the airport, it was flooded with people and no one from the management team knew what was going on.” Pallavi and her family were due to fly from Mumbai to New York, via Dubai, on Tuesday (16 April), which was booked in November last year costing £860 each. According to reports, around six inches of rain fell in the city, which is more than what Dubai gets across the year. Highways have seen cars stuck and submerged in water, damage to homes and business, as well as flights delayed for the foreseeable. Another family that has also suffered as a result of the floods, with them claiming that they were offered an alternative flight – for the 23 April. Robbie Blood, took a trip to Dubai on 3 April with his wife Jo, 48, and Amy, 11, in an attempt to have a nice, relaxing holiday that they spent £4,000 on. It soon took a turn for the worst when it came to going home to Buckinghamshire, UK, this morning, (17 April). The 47-year-old and his family have allegedly been told it will take a week for them to get a replacement flight. “We noticed the weather had turned that morning,” said Robbie, a business development manager. “It was dark, pitch black and we woke up to heavy rain. “We even went over the road to get a pastry and coffee, then had to run back, drenched, absolutely torrential. “We were shocked and disappointed.” Originally, they contacted their airline Emirates through Twitter, and were allegedly told their flight would leave on time. He said: “The flooding was so bad, kept coming across queues, road blockages, etc. “Nightmare journey. “We also had no correspondence at all prior to DM’ing them [Emirates]. “The communication was so poor. “There was no food or drink and only enough space to stand.” Robbie claims Emirates said the next flight will not be available until 23 April. However, there is one flight this evening, (17 April), but it is unclear whether his family will be given a seat. Robbie added: “You’ve got laugh, otherwise you’ll cry. “We have now spent an extra £500, but still don’t know what we’re doing, this could very well go up.” Jam Press has contacted Emirates and Dubai airport for comment. ENDS

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The Picture Show

Photos: uae sees its heaviest rains in 75 years.

Aya Batrawy

Atypically heavy rains in the United Arab Emirates on Monday and Tuesday caused flooding, flight cancellations and school closures. Vehicles were abandoned on highways like this one in Dubai. Francois Nel/Getty Images hide caption

Atypically heavy rains in the United Arab Emirates on Monday and Tuesday caused flooding, flight cancellations and school closures. Vehicles were abandoned on highways like this one in Dubai.

DUBAI — Schools and businesses have been closed across the United Arab Emirates after the country experienced about year's worth of rain in one day.

The flooding also disrupted travel at Dubai International Airport, which is the world's busiest for international travel.

Climate talks end on a first-ever call for the world to move away from fossil fuels

Videos posted online showed residents sweeping rainwater out of their homes and luxury cars stranded in Dubai's flooded streets, after a storm unleashed the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in the country since the start of data collection 75 years ago. That was well before the country was founded.

Dubai's high-end stores weren't spared either, as rainwater gushed through the ceilings of shopping malls. At Dubai's main airport, the runway flooded and flagship carrier Emirates suspended all departing flights on Wednesday. The local Gulf News reported more than 1,200 flights were canceled due to Tuesday's storms. The airport is expected to return to fully operational by Friday.

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The city, known for its year-round sunny weather and beaches, saw sunshine later in the week, but schools remained remote due to road closures.

Despite some damage to cars, homes and roads, the UAE's state news agency says the rainfall boosts the country's groundwater reserves.

Rainfall in nearby Oman is blamed for more than 20 deaths this week, including 10 children swept away in a car on their way home from school Monday, according to state-owned media there.

A flooded parking lot in Dubai on Thursday. Francois Nel/Getty Images hide caption

Passengers queue at a flight connection desk at the Dubai International Airport on Wednesday. Dubai's main airport diverted scores of incoming flights on Tuesday as heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates, causing widespread flooding around the country. AFP/Getty Images hide caption

Cars drive in a flooded street following heavy rains in Dubai on Wednesday. Torrential rain caused floods across the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Oman. Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

A man walks along a road barrier on Dubai's Sheikh Zayed Road amid floodwater caused by heavy rain, Thursday. Christopher Pike/AP hide caption

A tanker truck sits abandoned in floodwater in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world's busiest airfield for international travel. Jon Gambrell/AP hide caption

People wait for transportation on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai on Thursday. Christopher Pike/AP hide caption

Vehicles sit abandoned in floodwater covering a major road in Dubai on Wednesday. Jon Gambrell/AP hide caption

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