3-Day Dubai Itinerary: Excellent for Experiencing Dubai’s Highlights

Right here’s what to do in Dubai for 3 days – an action-packed Dubai itinerary

Dubai is an intriguing and eclectic coastal metropolis within the Center East; it’s undoubtedly one of many world’s most fascinating and unimaginable fashionable cities, dominated by towering skyscrapers with a backdrop of rolling desert dunes.

Identified for its year-round sunshine and huge vacationer providing, what can guests hope to expertise with only a brief 3-day stopover in Dubai?

It might be unimaginable to see every little thing the most important metropolis within the United Arab Emirates has to supply in simply three days, however we’ve put collectively a packed schedule so that you can see the highlights of Dubai. If any of the times or itinerary gadgets don’t suit your style, we now have an in depth checklist of add-on concepts on the finish you’ll be able to combine and match to make this itinerary your individual!

This can be a tremendous detailed information, so do bookmark this web page for later in your browser or reserve it to Pinterest

Issues to know earlier than visiting Dubai

Earlier than diving into the juicy particulars of WHAT TO DO, make sure you’ve checked out our important planning data, too. We cowl in a lot better element:

• Dubai eating guides – all our favorite locations to eat, eating specialities, bars and particular events.

• Greatest instances to go to Dubai – don’t be caught out by the climate or non secular occasions; listed here are the perfect instances to go to Dubai.

• Take out journey insurance coverage! We’re in an ever-changing world at current, while Dubai stays open for enterprise, don’t get caught brief; make certain your journey is comprehensively insured.

Transport in Dubai for 3 days

Utilizing our 3-day itinerary, you’ll need to take a mix of taxis, the Metro, and personal excursions.

We’ve given primary instructions on get to every place by public transport if potential, or the place you could want a taxi to simply get door-to-door. You’ll find our full information to Dubai Transport choices right here.

Metro Value: Should you keep in Dubai for under 3 days, it’s endorsed that you simply get a Purple Nol and prime it up solely as you want it (the cardboard prices simply 2AED + add your fare). We clarify all of the fares and various kinds of Nol in additional element right here.

A be aware on taxis/Careem/Uber: Within the hottest a part of the yr (i.e. about Might to October!), be cautious of how far you’ll be able to stroll throughout the day. Locations might look comparatively shut and inside strolling distance on a map, however beneath the solar’s warmth, a brief taxi or Uber could also be price it (noting a minimal fare applies of 12 AED for public taxis).

Hiring a automotive: Throughout a brief keep in Dubai, you must depend on taxis and excursions except you’re a super-confident driver or plan on taking a number of journeys out of town.

What can I match into 3 days in Dubai?

With solely 3 days in Dubai, there are undoubtedly some highlights you’ll must miss out on. Now we have set out a blended itinerary right here that may attraction to a broad viewers; these with youngsters to contemplate might need to prioritise the theme parks extra, or culturally curious might want to add on some further day journeys and skip the seashore and fashionable components of Dubai.

Relying on the time of yr you’re visiting, we suggest that after you’ve determined in your itinerary, you e book prematurely the sights and excursions you need to assure your spot, as numbers might be restricted. (Utilizing a reserving app equivalent to Get Your Information, you get a money-back assure in case your journey must be cancelled.)

When planning out your days, be aware that Dubai’s weekend is now Friday afternoon to Sunday. Lately are MUCH busier with residents additionally out and about.

For a complete checklist of every little thing there may be to see and do in Dubai, pop over right here – we now have 150+ concepts!.

Day 1: Outdated Meets New

Journey from Dubai’s bustling buying and selling port previous to the futuristic fashionable metropolis

To your first day of sightseeing in Dubai, it actually helps to return to the roots of what town is about—a busy buying and selling port metropolis based mostly round Dubai Creek. Later, you’ll be able to resolve whether or not to spend a full day in “Outdated Dubai” or soak up among the fashionable features of town to your night.

Get your bearings at Dubai Body

Let’s begin your exploration of Dubai, taking within the views from the Dubai Body. Just about what it says – it’s an enormous image body! One of many first vacationer highlights you’ll seize coming from the airport into town.

You ascend one aspect of the 150m excessive body (48 flooring) after which stroll throughout the highest. The see-through floored sky deck offers you fabulous views of Outdated Dubai, Dubai Creek to Sharjah and past in a single path, and the fashionable skyscrapers of Downtown Dubai to the opposite.

Be taught extra about visiting the Dubai Body right here

Getting there: Nearest Metro is Al Jafiliya for Zabeel Park, nevertheless it’s a good stroll; you could desire a taxi/Uber drop-off

Wander Al Fahidi Historic Neighborhood

That is the oldest a part of Dubai metropolis, a labyrinth of slender laneways relationship again to the nineteenth century. The historic al-Fahidi space is protected in order that town’s heritage doesn’t grow to be misplaced eternally beneath the sprawling skyscrapers. A lot of the conventional sandy-coloured low-rise buildings are actually galleries, museums, and small cafes.

NB the Dubai Museum is commonly touted as a prime attraction on this a part of town, nevertheless it has been closed for renovations since 2021. You will discover a number of different small museums amongst the laneways to go to, or spend a while within the Al Shindagha Historic District as an alternative in case you actually need to be taught extra concerning the metropolis’s previous.

The Heritage Categorical is one other newer addition to this a part of city. Reserving one in every of these trolley bus excursions from Al Faihdi will take you to a number of of town’s most essential historic websites on a four-hour guided journey.

Getting there: Al Fahidi Bus Station or Al Fahidi Metro station

Lunch at Al Seef Waterfront

By now, you’ve gotten most actually labored up an urge for food, so in case you’ve not stopped for lunch in XVA Cafe or Arabian Tea Home inside Al Faihidi Historic Neighbourhood, now could be time to go to one in every of many eating places on this waterfront improvement. Seamlessly mixing outdated with new, it’s instantly throughout the road, subsequent to the Al Faihidi Marine Transport Station.

Al Seef is ready up like a conventional souk, so that you’ll be capable to do your buying right here too. Youngsters might take pleasure in popping into Museum of Illusions or have some enjoyable with photographs within the instagrammable laneways.

Cross Dubai Creek on an Abra

An absolute should for an genuine outdated Dubai expertise! While there are way more fashionable strategies lately of crossing Dubai Creek, a conventional abra at 1 AED per particular person remains to be a steal!

Discover the Conventional Deira Souks

Relying on the warmth, you would spend a number of hours misplaced within the laneways of Deira, the most well-liked stops being the Gold Souk and the Spice Souk. It’s all open-air, so it may be heavy going and a little bit of strolling mid-afternoon within the hotter months.

On a brief Dubai itinerary with simply 3 days, we propose you resolve whether or not to spend your night in Outdated Dubai or skip to fashionable Dubai to complete your day 1 – within the hotter summer time months, we propose the latter.

Night in Outdated Dubai

Lengthen your journey to the Dubai Souks by becoming a member of in with a night meals tour. Being the multicultural metropolis that Dubai is, you might be certain many dishes are vying for consideration as “native” delicacies, along with conventional Emirati or Bedouin-style dishes.

One of the extremely really helpful meals excursions in Dubai is Frying Pan Adventures, who supply varied choices for small teams to have genuine experiences in Dubai’s streets. Most group excursions begin and finish in Deira.

Alternatively, hop on one of many dinner cruises that function alongside Dubai Creek to style Outdated Dubai from the water.

A night in fashionable Dubai

Now, once we say fashionable Dubai, we might be speaking about quite a lot of town! On this itinerary, we’re referring particularly to exploring Dubai Mall and the Downtown space of Dubai, house to most of the metropolis’s fashionable skyscrapers, together with Burj Khalifa.

If buying’s not your factor, don’t worry; Dubai Mall is solely a stopping level for exploring downtown. There are many enjoyable household sights, sports activities and adrenaline actions to take pleasure in throughout the Mall, or step out and discover round Burj Lake, even soak up a present at Dubai Opera.

Souk Al Bahar

Simply throughout a pedestrian bridge from Dubai Mall, you’ll discover Souk Al Bahar. This contemporary market is made within the design of a conventional souk providing handicrafts by means of to advantageous eating and spectacular views over Burj Lake. Don’t count on to pay the identical costs as on the outdated souks, however nonetheless, a enjoyable Dubai expertise on the coronary heart of the motion.

You’ll find a wide variety of locations to seize a drink and chunk round downtown Dubai right here.

Dubai Fountains

This brings us properly to one in every of Dubai’s hottest free issues to do at evening! Beginning at 6:00 PM nightly, each half hour, watch the fabulously choreographed gentle and sound present on Burj Lake, sitting on the foot of Burj Khalifa. Later within the night, the Burj Khalifa lights up for half-hourly reveals.

For a close-up view of the fountain present, you’ll be able to take an abra trip on the lake. Alternatively, our favorite is to select one of many eating places with uninterrupted views in both Dubai Mall or Souk Al Bahar and dine while attending to see the present a couple of instances over with out the crowds.

Burj Khalifa

End your first day by scaling the heights of Burj Khalifa, the World’s tallest tower. There’s an statement deck on the 124th and a hundred and twenty fifth flooring (further packages even take you to the 148th ground!) and even dine at At.mosphere restaurant and lounge on Stage 122.

Now we have an in depth information right here that units out all of your Burj Khalifa visiting choices.

If there’s one a part of your Dubai itinerary you merely should e book prematurely, it’s the Burj Khalifa. Tickets on the door are extortionately costlier and may promote out. Do permit 2 hours for queuing and having go searching. Observe sundown and dawn slots (solely weekends) price extra and e book up quicker.

On a tight itinerary for time or cash, you could need to skip going up Burj Khalifa. Notably in case you already went up the Dubai Body within the morning, you do get views manner additional into the gap however the ticket worth and queuing time can eat into your funds and time.

Getting there: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station on the Purple Line Metro then there’s an airconditioned travellator connecting you to the whole surrounding space of Downtown

Day 2: Hit the sand! Desert & Seaside

A day put aside for sand and surf – dune browsing that’s!

You may deal with today in two methods—hitting the desert first or last item within the day—however simply keep away from being out within the desert center of the day regardless of which manner round you intend it, particularly as you hit the summer time months.

Dubai Desert Safari

Neglect the concrete; it’s time to go and expertise the true Dubai out within the desert! Tour operators will decide you up out of your metropolis lodging in 4×4 and drive into the dunes on town outskirts, or a restricted variety of operators can work within the protected Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve for your morning desert safari.

There are broadly two various kinds of desert safari: these centered on the desert habitat itself and people centered on dune bashing and sand sports activities for the next adrenaline thrill. The night camps are inclined to focus extra on the latter, ending in a BBQ dinner and shisha in camp. Each morning and night desert excursions are prone to embody a camel trip of their itinerary.

Our favorite supplier is Platinum Heritage. It’s a little bit extra dear than some, nevertheless it presents smaller teams and a extra real desert expertise, whether or not you select an early morning, night, and even in a single day safari.

Getting there: No want to fret about your 4×4 expertise; tour operators will decide you up out of your lodge or a handy metropolis location and drop you again

Seashores in Dubai

It’s time to discover one in every of Dubai’s thrilling fashionable beachfront districts and get out on the water. A visit to Dubai isn’t full with out at the very least touching the nice and cozy waters of the Persian Gulf (or Arabian Gulf, relying on who you ask!).

JBR, Bluewaters & Dubai Marina

Many first-timers to Dubai discover the world of JBR and Dubai Marina an important place to begin. Familiarise your self with The Stroll & The Seaside precincts, then in case you’d wish to stretch your legs additional, take a stroll over to the ultra-modern Bluewaters Island to dine and marvel on the Dubai skyline alongside Jumeirah Seaside.

Essentially the most outstanding landmark right here is the enormous Ain Dubai—the world’s largest statement wheel. Or, as it’s presently changing into identified, the world’s largest statue. It solely opened for a few yr in 2021 and has been closed ever since for ‘refurbishment works’.

You may simply spend an entire afternoon and night within the JBR space between actions alongside the seashore—suppose inflatable water parks, splash pads, jet ski and flyboarding, Flying Cup sky-high eating, and plentiful eating choices. Learn extra on what to do round JBR right here!

If time permits, you may additionally need to head out into the beautiful Gulf waters with a cruise. Plentiful operators might be present in Dubai Marina, from velocity boat excursions round Palm Jumeirah to jet ski adventures, or for a extra sedate expertise at a fraction of the associated fee, strive the RTA Ferry!

Getting there: JBR/Dubai Marina is the right place to remain for 3 days in Dubai because of the excessive variety of spacious lodge residences and resorts with direct beachfront entry. If coming by Metro from Outdated Dubai or Downtown, you need to alight at DAMAC Properties or DMCC Metro Stations.

J1 Seaside

One other ultra-modern beachfront space of town to discover is J1 Seaside (the location was beforehand often called La Mer). Sadly, the colorful and eclectic La Mer and Laguna Waterpark have been bulldozed a few years in the past. This new ultra-chic vacation spot guarantees seashore golf equipment and luxurious waterfront eating, so watch this area because it opens in autumn 2024.

Cultural sights close to the seashore

Should you don’t need to spend the entire afternoon on the seashore—or it’s just too sizzling to be out lengthy—J1 Seaside is near each the Jumeirah Mosque—the most important mosque in Dubai open to the general public for day by day excursions—and the Etihad Museum, which tells the story of the nation’s unification in 1971.

Getting there: No direct Metro cease (nearest is Monetary Centre then a ten minute taxi), or take bus 8, 9 or 88 alongside Jumeirah Seaside Street

Different Seaside Experiences in Dubai

Dubai additionally has loads of public seashores, some are fully free and others have a small Dubai municipality cost however nice amenities. Native favourites embody Al Mamzar Park and Kite Seaside has barely greater waves than others, or head to Sundown Seaside for iconic views of the Burj Al Arab – naturally round sundown for the perfect views!

Alternatively, even in case you’re not staying at one in every of Dubai’s fancy beachfront resorts, it’s simple to choose up a day move to one of many unimaginable seashore golf equipment to spoil your self for a day and revel in sundowners on the seashore.

If you’re visiting within the peak of summer time, you’d seemingly want to change or scratch this largely out of doors day of play and exchange it with some additional actions from our indoor information to Dubai

Day 3: Theme Parks, Buying & One thing Particular OR a Day Journey

Thrill-seekers, shopaholics and adrenaline junkies won’t ever be left dissatisfied in Dubai.

Whether or not you’re a thrill-seeker or have little ones in tow, you’re certain to need to slot in a theme park day whilst you’re in Dubai, providing among the greatest on the planet!

(If this isn’t your factor, skip beneath to a different buying & sightseeing expertise + solely in Dubai particular treats!)

Dubai Theme Parks

Dubai has an outstanding choice of world-class theme parks to select from in Dubai. Should you’re visiting within the stunning shoulder seasons (roughly March to Might and October to November), our prime decide could be one of many mega water parks – select from Aquaventur World at Atlantis or Wild Wadi at Jumeirah.

(NB in case you keep at Atlantis the Palm or any of the Jumeirah accommodations, your water park entry shall be included!)

Over the good a part of the yr (December to February), Dubai Parks & Resorts is our best choice. Right here, you’ll be able to select between 4 linked theme parks (ideally, you’ll be able to slot in two of those in a day – three at a squeeze):

• Legoland Dubai
• Legoland Dubai Water Park
• Motiongate
• Actual Madrid World

And if it’s the height of summer time, the highest decide goes to IMG Worlds of Journey—suppose Marvel characters to Cartoon Community-themed rides and actions. IMG is fully indoors to beat the warmth.

Getting there: The Theme Parks in Dubai are all fairly unfold out and actually do take the perfect a part of a day: Atlantis Aquaventure is on the outer crescent of Palm Jumeirah, and Wild Wadi is near Souk Madinat Jumeirah. Dubai Parks & Resorts is in Jebel Ali, past the Metro and IMG Worlds of Journey sits south of town.

Solely in Dubai experiences

Should you’ve determined to skip the theme parks and buying, then there’s nonetheless loads of exhilarating experiences to strive of their place, together with these sensational “solely in Dubai” experiences:

Day Journeys From Dubai

A 3-day itinerary leaves you very tight for time in case you’re contemplating a day journey, however it could actually nonetheless be executed! Listed here are a few of our steered favourites to strive if excessive actions and theme parks aren’t your factor:

• Take a coach tour to the UAE capital metropolis Abu Dhabi to see the unimaginable Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre and the Presidential Palace
• Head over the mountains to the east coast and spend a while in Fujairah, together with snorkelling and scuba diving alternatives.
• Scale to the UAE’s tallest peak in Ras Al Khaimah, zipline by means of the Hajar Mountains and expertise a contemporary pearl diving farm
• Cross the border into the distant Omani enclave of Musandam for a day of crusing, dolphin recognizing and snorkelling
• Try the superb out of doors adventures, hikes and water sports activities on supply at Wadi Hub, Hatta

See our full information to Dubai day journeys right here

Lastly, in case you’ve not had the chance but, discover one in every of Dubai’s dramatic rooftop bars (seasonal) to complete off your unimaginable three days in Dubai with dramatic views over town skyline or the Arabian Gulf.

Various Actions for Your Dubai Itinerary

There was solely a lot we may slot in an preliminary 3-day itinerary! We’ve included some ideas beneath, significantly in case you’re not a theme park fan, and you could need to strive one in every of these as an alternative.