Plan the Excellent 24-Hour Stopover

Solely bought 24 hours in Dubai? Right here’s easy methods to squeeze in one of the best town has to supply with a collection of 1-day Dubai itinerary concepts

Dubai is likely one of the world’s most fascinating and unimaginable fashionable cities. Sitting on the Arabian Peninsula town is dominated by towering skyscrapers and a backdrop of rolling desert dunes however should you’ve solely bought a sooner or later stopover on this fashionable mega-city, how do you squueze all of it in?

Seeing the entire metropolis’s well-known landmarks in simply 24 hours is a tall problem (pun meant!), however we make it easier to plan out your itinerary by offering some half day choices that you may piece collectively for the proper 1 day in Dubai.

Whether or not you arrive within the wee hours of the morning and wish to begin your siteseeing early, or wish to piece collectively a night and a morning, right here’s how we advise you’ll be able to fill your day (plus we’ve an enormous listing of addtional concepts you’ll be able to combine and match too!)

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

Issues to Know Earlier than Visiting Dubai

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

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

• Greatest occasions to go to Dubai – don’t be caught out by the climate or spiritual occasions, listed here are the perfect occasions to go to Dubai.

Transportation in Dubai for 1 Day

Over the course of utilizing our 1-day itinerary the easiest way to get round is both deciding on a personal tour that features your pick-ups and drop-offs or use a mix of public transportation – taxies and the Metro.

We’ve given fundamental instructions on easy methods to get to every place by public transport if doable, or the place it’s possible you’ll want a taxi to get door-to-door with ease. You will discover our full information to Dubai Transport choices right here.

Metro Price: If you happen to’re staying in Dubai for lower than a couple of days, it’s really useful to get a Crimson Nol and high it up solely as you want it (The cardboard prices simply 2AED + add your fare). We clarify all of the fares and several types of Nol in additional element right here.

A word on taxis: In the most popular a part of the yr (i.e., about Could to October!), be cautious of how far you’ll be able to stroll through the day. Locations could look comparatively shut and inside strolling distance on a map, however below the solar’s warmth, a brief taxi/Uber/Careem could also be value it (noting a minimal fare applies of AED 12).

Hiring a automotive: Until you’re a super-confident driver or plan on taking a visit out of town, you’re finest off counting on taxis and excursions throughout a brief stopover in Dubai.

What Can I Match Into One Day in Dubai? Sensible Issues

With solely 24 hours in Dubai, there are undoubtedly some highlights you’ll have to miss out on. We have now set out under some totally different half day itineraries to enchantment to totally different tastes, then a mixture and match of add ons and extra concepts; particularly if this isn’t your first stopover in Dubai it’s possible you’ll be on the lookout for some distinctive experiences away from the standard “Prime 10” for exploring Dubai.

With such a good timeframe, it would be best to ebook excursions and points of interest upfront, not go away issues to likelihood, particularly should you’re visiting within the peak winter tourism durations. If you happen to’re self-planning your journey, we advocate utilizing a reserving app akin to Get Your Information, which has a money-back assure in case your plans change.

Taking a metropolis tour is a superb solution to see a brand new metropolis in sooner or later, and Dubai is not any exception. Though it may be a little bit extra pricey than placing collectively a DIY itinerary, bus excursions are an effective way to cram so much in.

You’ll be able to both go for the group method and use one thing like Large Bus or CCity Sightseeing or rent your individual non-public tour driver. These are some options:

Dubai 1-Day Itinerary Options

1. Dubai Half Day For Tradition Seekers

Journey between 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 “Previous Dubai” or soak up among the fashionable facets of town in your night.

Get your bearings at Dubai Body

As your first cease on this itinerary, we advocate you begin by taking within the views from the Dubai Body. Granted, it’s not as tall because the Burj Khalifa; you’ll journey up simply 48 flooring/150 metres. Nevertheless, the queues are shorter, it’s tremendous near the airport, and also you’ll get some intriguing insights into previous meets new from the highest of the body.

The see-through floored sky deck provides you fabulous views of Previous Dubai, Dubai Creek to Sharjah and past in a single route, and the trendy skyscrapers of Downtown Dubai within the different.

Study extra about visiting the Dubai Body right here

Getting there: The Nearest Metro is Al Jafiliya for Zabeel Park, however it’s an honest stroll; it’s possible you’ll want a taxi/Uber drop-off

Wander Al Fahidi Historic Neighborhood

Not removed from the Dubai Body, you’ll discover Al Fahidi Historic Neighbourhood. That is the oldest a part of Dubai metropolis, a labyrinth of slender laneways courting again to the nineteenth century. The world is protected in order that town’s heritage just isn’t misplaced ceaselessly below the sprawling skyscrapers.

Many of the conventional sandy-coloured low-rise buildings at the moment are galleries, museums, and small cafes. Whereas the Dubai Museum and Al Faihisi Fort stay closed for vital renovations, why not attempt among the metropolis’s different museums within the space, such because the Espresso Museum or the Coin Museum?

The Sheikh Mohammed Centre For Cultural Understanding is one other high suggestion we’ve for first-time guests. Their program varies all year long however consists of heritage excursions, meals and interactive Q&A periods with locals (9:00 am and 11:15 am each day)

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

Dine at Al Seef Waterfront

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

Al Seef is about up like a standard souk, so you are able to do your memento purchasing right here, too. Children could get pleasure from popping into Museum of Illusions or have some enjoyable with images within the instagrammable laneways.

2. Half Day For Foodies and Customers

Subsequent, let’s take a look at extra alternatives to buy within the markets in your journey to Dubai. As the normal markets are open-air, this might be a weather-dependent exercise.

Discover Dubai Creek

You’re nicely positioned from Al Fahidi and Al Seef to proceed your journey by water to cross to a different older space of town, Deira. There are fairly a couple of methods to get across the metropolis by water as of late, however the conventional technique of catching an abra throughout the Dubai Creek continues to be an absolute steal at 1 AED per particular person! Pop over to the marine station to see all the present routes and choices, that are all cheap.

Discover the Conventional Deira Souks

Relying on the warmth, you might spend a number of hours misplaced within the laneways of Deira, the preferred stops being the Gold Souk and the Spice Souk. These are conventional open-air souks in Dubai, so it may be heavy going and a little bit of strolling mid-afternoon within the hotter months.

In case your journey is on a winter night, we extremely advocate you be part of a guided strolling tour. Frying Pan Adventures is a famend mob who’ll see you navigating the again streets of Deira like a professional, or attempt one in every of these night strolling excursions:

3. Half Day in Fashionable Dubai

Now, after we say fashionable Dubai, we might be speaking about quite a lot of town! On this itinerary, we’re particularly referring to exploring the Center East’s largest mall, Dubai Mall, and the Downtown space of Dubai.

Downtown Dubai

Residence to most of the metropolis’s fashionable skyscrapers together with Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest constructing, look in awe on the fashionable wonders and the way far town of Dubai has come within the final 50 years.

If purchasing’s not your factor to not concern, Dubai Mall is just a stopping level to begin exploring Downtown. There’s loads of enjoyable household points of interest, sports activities and adrenaline actions to get pleasure from throughout the Mall (from the Olympic-sized ice rink to go-karting), 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 standard souk providing handicrafts by to fantastic eating and spectacular views over Burj Lake. Don’t anticipate to pay the identical costs as on the previous souks, however nonetheless, a enjoyable Dubai expertise on the coronary heart of the motion.

One other great spot for grabbing a chunk, Souk Al Bahar has actually dozens of eating places. Head upstairs for the Time Out Market, which gives an important number of eating decisions (and a bar) should you can’t resolve!

You will discover 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 mild 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 Dubai Fountain present, you’ll be able to take an abra trip on the lake. Alternatively, our favorite is to pick 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 occasions over with out the crowds.

Burj Khalifa

There’s nothing fairly like ticking off a bucket listing merchandise like scaling the heights of Burj Khalifa, the World’s tallest tower. There’s an remark deck on the 124th and one hundred and twenty fifth flooring (further packages even take you to the 148th ground!) otherwise you dine at At.mosphere restaurant and lounge on Stage 122.

We have now 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 ebook upfront, it’s the Burj Khalifa. Tickets on the door are extortionately costlier and might promote out. Do enable a very good 2 hours for queuing and having a very good go searching. Be aware that sundown and dawn slots (weekends) value extra and ebook quicker.

Sky Views

For a brand new twist on seeing town, why not attempt Sky Views? Located within the Downtown space of town, you’ll get among the finest city views again to the Burj Khalifa. Relying on how courageous you’re feeling, you might merely stroll the glass ground or benefit from the glass slide from the 53rd ground.

Sky Edge Stroll is one other adrenaline-pumping add-on in your daredevils, which can see you strap in your security gear and stroll across the exterior of the constructing, suspended practically 220m above the bottom!

Getting there: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station on the Crimson Line Metro, then there’s an air-conditioned travellator connecting you to the complete surrounding space of Downtown

4. Half Day within the Dubai Desert

If you happen to’re not enthusiastic about high-rises and museums and wish to catch the fantastic heat solar rays within the Center East, that is the itinerary for you!

You’ll be able to sort out this present day in two methods—hitting the desert first or last item within the day—however simply keep away from being out within the desert in the midst of the day irrespective of which approach round you intend it, particularly as you hit the summer time months.

Dubai Desert Safari

Neglect the concrete; it’s time to expertise the true Dubai out within the desert! Among the best issues to do in Dubai is to take a 4×4 tour past town. Don’t fear about transport as all tour operators will decide you up out of your metropolis lodging and drive you into the dunes on town outskirts.

There are broadly two several types 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 usually extra centered on the latter, ending in a BBQ dinner and shisha in a camp – we make it easier to evaluate what to search for in a desert safari right here.

There are solely a restricted variety of operators who can work within the protected Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Our favorite supplier is Platinum Heritage; a little bit extra expensive than some however smaller teams and a extra real desert expertise, whether or not you select early morning, night and even an in a single day safari.

Desert Glamping

This may really tick two containers in your quick stopover in Dubai: not solely will you get to expertise the desert, however your lodging will likely be taken care of, too! Yearly, we see increasingly operators venturing into this market to supply luxurious lodging in rustic settings.

Take a look at our full information to Desert Gamping in Dubai should you’d like to do this distinctive expertise—which might even be paired with an early morning hike, safari trip, or scorching air balloon trip.

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

5. Half Day by The Water

Let’s be sincere: with a 24-hour stopover by Dubai, your curiosity could also be to easily flop and drop for half a day, at the least. Even if you’re not staying at a resort-style lodge, there are nonetheless loads of locations you’ll be able to discover beachside and a few free and paid choices for having fun with Dubai’s seashores alongside the shores of the Arabian Gulf.

JBR, Bluewaters & Dubai Marina

Many first-timers to Dubai discover the realm of JBR and Dubai Marina an important place to begin. Familiarise your self with The Stroll & The Seashore precincts, then should 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 Seashore.

You’ll be able to simply spend a complete 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!

Getting there: JBR/Dubai Marina is the proper place to remain in Dubai as a result of massive variety of spacious lodge flats and resorts with direct beachfront entry—however it’s fairly removed from the airport should you’re solely on a brief cease. If you happen to’re coming by Metro from Previous Dubai or Downtown, you wish to alight at DAMAC Properties or DMCC Metro Stations.

Hit The Water By Boat

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

Different Dubai Public Seashores

Dubai additionally has loads of public seashores. Some are utterly free, and others have a small Dubai municipality cost however nice services. Native favourites embody Al Mamzar Park (which has not too long ago launched the choice of evening swimming), and Kite Seashore, which has barely greater waves than others.

It’s also possible to head to Sundown Seashore for iconic views of the Burj Al Arab—naturally, round sundown for one of the best views!

Souk Madinat Jumeirah

A visit to Souk Madinat Jumeirah is the proper place for a little bit retail remedy, superb views, and distinctive water experiences. This contemporary souk (market) is in-built conventional type, with indoor and out of doors (seasonal) stalls and retailers providing vacationer tat to real souvenirs and an excellent vary of eateries to select from.

You may get some good Burj Al Arab views right here and even take an abra out on the waterways across the extravagant Jumeirah motels (a bit extra expensive than the AED 1 on Dubai Creek, however what a tremendous backdrop!). Plentiful bars and eating places cater to all tastes right here, so it’s a really perfect cease to plan a meal round.

Getting there: Souk Madinat Jumeirah just isn’t on the Metro, however you’ll be able to take a brief taxi to the Mall of the Emirates or cease at Web Metropolis and hop on Bus 88.

6. Half Day of thrills at Dubai Theme Parks

If you happen to’re visiting Dubai with children, there’s a really excessive likelihood the Dubai theme parks are going to be closely weighted on their wishlists. While it’s laborious to suit these actually into half a day, we’re nonetheless together with this selection on our Dubai one-day itinerary listing as we all know this could be the one factor on some agendas!

If you happen to’re visiting within the lovely shoulder seasons (roughly March to Could and October to November), our high decide could be one of many mega water parks – select from Atlantis Aquaventure or Wild Wadi at Jumeirah.

Over the best 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 related 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 solely indoors to beat the warmth.

What Does Our 1-Day Dubai Itinerary Exclude?

With solely sooner or later, we’ve in the reduction of on an terrible lot from our basic 7-day Dubai itinerary to attempt to squeeze every thing in.

Firstly, you’ll doubtless should rule out any day excursions or heading additional than the outskirts of Dubai. While all the opposite main cities of the UAE are inside a 2-hour drive of Dubai, sooner or later in Dubai is simply too tight to suit something further in (except it’s a subsequent journey and also you’re seeking to construct on earlier Dubai experiences by trying out the opposite Emirates). We embody an inventory of instructed day journeys under should you’d nonetheless wish to attempt!

Stress-free time – what we haven’t actually constructed into this action-packed 1-day itinerary is downtime! If you happen to’re coming to Dubai for the wonderful sunshine quite than the sightseeing, you might shortly scrap the whole thing and spend your time in a fantastic beachside lodge recovering out of your jet lag and having fun with one of the best of the Arabian Gulf; completely as much as you (and I do know we used to do it that approach earlier than we lived in Dubai) – however should you’re a first-timer, look what you’d be lacking out on!

Various Actions for Your Dubai Itinerary

There have been solely so many options we might squeeze into your one-day Dubai itinerary. We’ve included some options under that you could be wish to combine and match with the itinerary options we’ve made above.

Extra Vital Suggestions For a Brief Stopover in Dubai

Precisely how lengthy will you’ve got between flights? While there’s so much you might cram into your day, sleep between lengthy flights can be in all probability essential to you! You might also wish to learn our guides to:

• Are you eligible for Dubai Join FREE lodge for unavoidable lengthy layovers with Emirates? This might care for your few hours of kip earlier than exploring town additional
• Lower than 24 hours, it’s possible you’ll wish to hunt down layover-only options for Dubai designed to suit into lower than half a day
• Staying near the airport helps with these early morning or very late at evening flights- these are our decide of one of the best airport motels