3 Days in Dubai – A Local’s Suggested Itinerary
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Chances are Dubai has been on your bucket list for quite a while, but now that you’re actually planning your trip, you may have no idea where to start. But that’s OK, I’m here to help!
This Dubai itinerary allows you to tick off the city’s best bucket list experiences in just 3 days. And while you will be packing a fair amount into a short amount of time, you won’t be left totally exhausted. From going on a safari in the desert and going to the top of the world’s tallest building to wandering through the souks of Old Dubai and taking endless photos of the Dubai Marina, your 3-day trip to Dubai will be unforgettable.
As an American expat who now calls Dubai home, I’ve also included plenty of insider tips to help you make the most of your trip!
If you only have one day in Dubai, check out my full guide on how to make the most of 24 hours in Dubai.
Where to Stay in Dubai
Because Dubai’s attractions are fairly spread out, choosing where to stay in Dubai largely depends on what you want to see and do during your trip. But for the purposes of this 3-day itinerary for Dubai, I recommend staying in Downtown Dubai.
Not only does that put you 20 minutes from Dubai International Airport, but you’ll have some of Dubai’s most iconic attractions right outside your front door, including the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. That being said, you can move some things in this itinerary around in case you want to stay in another part of town, like the Dubai Marina.
The Best Time to Visit Dubai
Dubai’s summers can be brutally long, hot, and humid, so if you plan on doing any outdoor activities, the best time to visit Dubai is from October to April/May. Because my itinerary includes plenty of outdoor activities, I’m going to assume you’re visiting during these months!
Getting Around Dubai
Once again, Dubai’s must-see attractions are fairly spread out. It’s not necessary to rent a car if you’ve only got a few days in the city. For the sake of this Dubai itinerary, you can use the metro to reach most of the attractions in this guide. You can easily take taxis everywhere, too, since taxis are both readily available and affordable.
Insider tip: Download the free Careem app and use the handy “Hala Taxi” function to order taxis. It’s like Uber but cheaper. It’s the app every expat in Dubai uses to get taxis.
3 Days in Dubai – The Ultimate Itinerary
Day 1: Desert & Downtown
Embark on a Sunrise Desert Safari
The first day of your 3 days in Dubai starts off early in the morning with a desert safari. There are loads of different Dubai desert sunrise tours to choose from, including epic hot air balloon excursions, dune bashing and sandboarding adventures, and camel treks.
Whichever sunrise tour you choose, you’ll have the chance to spot local wildlife, learn about traditional Bedouin culture, and take in otherworldly views as the sun rises over the Dubai desert.
A sunrise desert tour comes with a few other perks too. First, you’ll arrive back at your hotel well before noon, leaving you with plenty of time to cross more Dubai bucket list items off your list! Second, going on an early morning desert adventure means you’ll get to beat the heat (it really can be brutal at certain times of the year!).
Get Lost in Dubai Mall
After you get refreshed in your hotel room, walk over to the Dubai Mall. This is the second-largest mall in the world, so I’m not kidding when I say you’ll get lost!
By this point, you’re probably starving, so it’s a good thing the Dubai Mall has 120+ restaurants and cafes to choose from. If you love Chinese food, I recommend getting your dumpling and hot pot fix at the massive (and highly Instagrammable) Chinatown.
Or, if you prefer to dine with views of the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain, I recommend the Turkish food at Bosporus or the globally-inspired dishes at Social House. Whatever you decide, after you’ve had your fill, take your time exploring the massive mall!
Some highlights include checking out the fish, rays, and sharks swimming in the huge tank of the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo on the first floor. You can pay to go inside if you’d like but it’s absolutely free to see from the outside. It’s also well worth seeking out the spectacular 24-meter-tall Dubai Mall Waterfall (you’ll know you’re there when you see the diving human figures!).
Go to the Top of the Burj Khalifa
Hopefully you haven’t gotten too lost in the mall because you’ll want to make it to the top of the world’s tallest building in time for sunset. Be sure to snag your tickets well in advance because sunset is a very popular time to go to the top of the Burj Khalifa, but it’s worth it for the unbelievable 360-degree views of Dubai in its best light. That being said, this is a bucket list experience at any time, day or night.
To avoid any confusion, there are two popular ways of going to the top of the Burj Khalifa. The cheapest option is to get the General Entry Tickets, which give you access to the observation decks on the 124th and 125th floors of the world’s tallest building. These tickets start at roughly $43 (AED 158) and go up based on the time slot.
If you don’t mind paying more, I recommend getting the At the Top Sky Level Tickets. These not only allow you to skip what is usually a very long line to get in but you’ll get exclusive access to the “world’s highest observation deck with an outdoor terrace” on Level 148, which is 555 meters (1,821 feet) high in the sky. These tickets start at roughly $108 (AED 399) and go up based on the time slot.
In addition, you can also take in the views from the general observation decks on both Levels 124 and 125.
See the Dubai Fountain Show
You don’t have to go far for the next part of this Dubai itinerary. The Dubai Fountain Show takes place at the base of the Burj Khalifa every 30 minutes from 6 pm to 11 pm. This is another super popular attraction so you might want to get there 25 minutes ahead of your desired time to snag a spot with a good view.
Seeing the show is totally free. But if you’d prefer to avoid the crowds, you can see the show from a traditional abra (wooden boat) in Burj Lake or get the closest “seats” to the Fountain Show with tickets to the new floating boardwalk.
Dinner and Drinks at Time Out Market
After that, make your way through the crowd to the adjacent Time Out Market. This ultra-trendy food hall is a favorite for locals and visitors alike. From Chinese and Italian to Thai and American, there’s something to suit all tastes here – though I highly recommend a pizza from Pitfire! They also have a bar on-site where you can order boozy beverages.
Insider tip: If you can manage to grab a seat on the terrace, this is a prime spot to watch the Dubai Fountain Show!
Day 2: Old Dubai
Breakfast at the Arabian Tea House
For the second day of your weekend in Dubai, you’re going to trade in the towering skyscrapers of downtown Dubai for the heritage buildings of Old Dubai. And you’ll start with a traditional Emirati breakfast at the Arabian Tea House in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Step inside and you’ll immediately be transported to a bygone era – the ambiance is part of the experience! Get a taste of local culture by ordering a pot of Arabic coffee or karak tea and an Arabic Breakfast Tray, loaded with small plates of everything from scrambled eggs to lebneh and rose jam.
Go Museum Hopping
After a leisurely breakfast, it’s time to walk it off by going museum hopping in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, where you’ll find the Coffee Museum, Dubai Museum (which is housed in the oldest building in Dubai), and the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. For some shopping be sure to also check out the Bur Dubai Souk!
Take an Abra to Deira
After that, take an abra to the Gold Souk. This will cost $0.27 (AED 1) and take roughly 10 minutes to cross Dubai Creek, and it’s a must on any Dubai itinerary! This journey will take you to the Deira neighborhood which is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Dubai.
Here you’ll want to take some time to marvel at all of the glitz and glam in the famous Gold Souk and relish in the scents and sights in the Spice Souk. Enjoy the hustle and bustle of Diera as you meander your way down the creek to the Baniyas Station and take another abra back across the creek to Al Seef.
Take an Abra to Al Seef
With its old-world architecture, heritage vibes, and myriad shops, restaurants, and cafes, Al Seef is a lovely place to spend some time. Try to time your visit with sunset, when you can hear the call to prayer float over the Dubai Creek from the many, many mosques.
If you want to make a night of it, there are plenty of excellent restaurants in Al Seef. I suggest staying for dinner. From Mediterranean cuisine at Skafos to authentic Japanese fare at Mogiya to steak and seafood at Doors Freestyle Grill, there’s a lot to choose from.
Day 3: JBR & Dubai Marina
The final day of your 3-day trip to Dubai will take you to the beach at Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR). This is also where you’ll find attractions like the Ain Dubai, the world’s tallest Ferris wheel, and the neighboring Dubai Marina.
Go for a Spin on the Ain Dubai
No 3-day trip to Dubai is complete without going for a ride on the Ain Dubai. This is the world’s tallest observation wheel, and it towers over the Arabian Gulf at 820 feet (250 meters). The journey takes you on one massive revolution that takes a whopping 38 minutes.
Along the way, you’ll get unreal views of the Dubai Marina skyline, the Palm Jumeirah, and the Arabian Gulf. This is Dubai, so you can book all sorts of different Ain Dubai tickets — from general tickets to boozy VIP packages. You can browse your options on the official website.
Have Brunch in JBR
Have a Poolside Brunch at Bla Bla
Weekends are for brunching in Dubai, and what better way to end your weekend in Dubai than with a poolside Sunday brunch overlooking the ocean? Oh, and did I mention the Al Ain views?
Sunday Brunch at Bla Bla Beach Club is from 1-4 pm and be sure to order the House Package if you want to imbibe. You’ll also get a brunch platter served to your poolside lounger. After your (boozy) brunch, you can get changed and cleaned up in the Beach Club’s impressive facilities, complete with hairdryers and straighteners, so there’s no need to go back to your hotel.
Or have lunch at The Walk at JBR
If a poolside brunch isn’t your thing, The Walk at JBR is brimming with excellent restaurants. Think Turkish at Bosporus, Thai as Rosa’s, Italian at Eataly, American at Black Tap, and much more.
Explore the Dubai Marina
From JBR, take a 10-minute walk to the famous Dubai Marina, where you can stroll along the Marina Walk and watch the yachts glide by. It’s well worth taking some time to explore the area via the 7-kilometer pedestrian Marina Walk.
The Marina Walk is lined with restaurants and cafes, cool art installations, and plenty of cool spots for photo ops. The Dubai Marina is also home to the Marina Mall in case you need to do some last-minute shopping.
If you plan to stay into the evening, I suggest having dinner or even just drinks at one of Pier 7’s restaurants. Located right next to the Marina Mall, you can’t go wrong with Pier 7’s Asia Asia. It’s super popular for its over-the-top decor, pan-Asian dishes, and creative cocktails. Plus, the marina views from the terrace are unbeatable!
