3 Days in Dubai: The Perfect First-Timer’s Itinerary
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Ready to spend 3 days in Dubai? Keep reading for the perfect itinerary!
Dubai is not just known for its majestic engineering and architectural marvels. It is also filled with incredible sights, cool restaurants, and exciting things to do. And if you want to keep things low-key, there are many activities which you can enjoy away from the crowds and amidst nature.
Planning your first trip but only have 72 hours to spend in Dubai? No worries – you can still pack quite a lot in your 3 day Dubai itinerary. Read on for more inspiration on how to spend 3 perfect days in Dubai!
A World in Reach contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a commission at no cost to you! Read my full disclosure here.
3 Days in Dubai: Travel Tips & Important Info
Planning is key to make any trip successful. Take time to research and zero in on accommodation, sightseeing tours, and dining, among other elements of your Dubai trip. Check to see if advance reservations are required for anything you’d like to do and make sure to pre-book them before your arrival in Dubai.
Make sure to have all necessary travel documents in place. Check with your country’s State Department to see if you’ll need a visa to visit the United Arab Emirates. US Citizens visiting the UAE for one month or less are eligible for a tourist visa upon arrival. If you don’t qualify for a visa upon arrival, you can work with a reputable visa service company like CIBT Visas to get everything completed before your trip. OK to Board (OTB) is another staple for your Dubai visit, especially if you are traveling from an Asian destination.
Knowing the local rules and etiquette in Dubai is essential. Doing a bit of research beforehand can help to avoid potentially embarrassing situations or even rescue yourself from being fined or even imprisoned. Here are a few rules to remember when visiting Dubai:
- Wear modest clothing, avoid PDA, and be sure to ask permission before taking photos of the region’s significant government structures or local Emiratis.
- Avoid smoking in public places.
- Don’t eat and drink in public during the holy month of Ramadan.
To get around the city, you can rely on its public transportation, mainly the state-of-the-art Dubai Metro. With limited time to spend in Dubai, you can also opt for a guided city tour that includes transportation.
3 Days in Dubai, Day 1: Sightseeing Tour & Downtown Dubai
Day 1, Morning: Dubai Sightseeing
On your first morning in Dubai, start off your trip with a guided sightseeing tour. Opt for the Big Bus Tour that will take you around all of Dubai’s top sights, or choose a city tour arranged by an experienced tour guide.
Most Dubai city tours will take you around some of the city’s top sights, including:
Al Bastakiya Quarter: Officially called Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, this preserved 19th century quarter is where you can step back in time. If time permits, check out the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (don’t miss the Emirati Breakfast Cultural Experience).
Dubai Museum: Located in the Al Fahidi area, a visit to the Dubai Museum is included in most city tours. The museum boasts an incredible of art and artifacts that will give you an authentic slice of Dubai’s past. The best part? It’s located inside Al Fahidi Fort – the region’s oldest fort.
Deira’s Souks: Souks are traditional bazaars where you will find unique and authentic Dubai souvenirs. One of the most popular souks in the city is undeniably the Gold Souk. Take an abra ride (a traditional wooden boat) from Bur Dubai to reach here. It costs only 1 AED, so don’t miss it.
Palm Jumeirah: A drive around Palm Jumeirah is one of the highlights of any Dubai city tour. This Dubai attraction literally needs no intro, thanks to its epic design that resembles a colossal palm tree crowned by a crescent.
Burj Al Arab: This sail-shaped structure is so iconic that it is unimaginable to leave Dubai without a photo of it. After all, it’s one of the most luxurious and expensive hotels in the world. A stay here might not be within your travel budget, but consider splurging on Afternoon Tea at Sahn Eddar. This is a pricey experience, but it’s much cheaper than spending a night here.
Jumeirah Mosque: This mosque stands out for its classic Fatimid architecture. It is one of the few religious points of interest in Dubai open to all, including non-Muslims.
Day 1, Afternoon: Check out the Dubai Mall
After your Dubai city tour, spend the rest of the day in downtown Dubai, probably the most stylish and modern neighborhood in Dubai.
One of Downtown Dubai’s centerpiece attractions is the Dubai Mall, a shopaholic’s paradise with more than 1200 stores. It’s a foodie’s favorite too, thanks to its 200+ dining options.
And did we say that this gigantic mall is an absolute leisure and entertainment destination? There are many things to see and do here other than shopping and dining, including the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, Dubai Ice Rink, Ekart Zabeel, Hysteria Dubai Mall (the city’s first haunted attraction), and VR Park Dubai, the world’s largest VR park.
Day 1, Evening: Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain Show
After you have had your fill of shopping and entertainment, you can go straight to Burj Khalifa’s observation deck.
At a jaw-dropping height of 828 meters, the Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest man-made building. There are two different observation decks, one on the 124th level and one on the 148th level. Opt to visit one or both of the decks; no matter which one you choose, you can’t go wrong.
Enter the Burj Khalifa via the Dubai Mall. Before you board the elevator, you’ll see an interesting presentation on Dubai’s journey from an ordinary fishing village to an extraordinary hub of astonishing sights and attractions. Once you arrive at the observation deck, look around for the most breathtaking 360-degree views of Dubai’s skyline, desert, ocean, and beyond. If you have enough time, make sure to take in the sunset view.
Next, head out of the Burj Khalifa and find a spot to admire the stunning Dubai Fountain show, set at Burj Lake just outside of the Dubai Mall. This choreographed aquatic performance in perfect harmony of light and music is so magnificent that it’s hard to miss. Looking for the perfect spot to see the show? Go on an abra ride along Burj Lake, hit the Dubai Fountain Boardwalk, or choose to dine at a restaurant that overlooks the show.
Day 2 in Dubai: Visit a Theme Park & Spend the Evening at Palm Fountain
Morning: Pay a Visit to One of Dubai’s Theme Parks
You can’t visit Dubai without checking out one of its theme parks. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or just looking for some more relaxing fun, Dubai’s theme parks cater to every desire. Depending on your preferences, take your pick from one of these:
IMG Worlds of Adventure: This is the world’s largest indoor theme park, so you can imagine the loads of thrilling rides and amusing attractions that await you. The park has four distinct zones: Marvel, Cartoon Network, dinosaur-inspired Lost Valley, and IMG Boulevard. Purchase tickets to IMG Worlds of Adventure here.
Dubai Parks and Resorts: Want to hop from one theme park to another in a few hours? This is the place to go. Dubai Parks and Resorts is the region’s first integrated resort where you’ll find multiple accommodations, a dedicated retail/dining section, and of course, four different theme parks: MOTIONGATE Dubai, Bollywood Parks Dubai, LEGOLAND Dubai, and LEGOLAND Water Park. Whether you want to visit multiple parks or just one, there are packages (like this two park pass) to help you get the most out of your visit.
Ski Dubai: A favorite hangout among locals, Ski Dubai is a snow-themed park and is one of the coolest places in the city. Here, you can enjoy snow activities in a setting that is nothing short of a winter wonderland. Come here prepared to ski, snowboard, sled – even when the outside temperature is around 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Evening: The View at the Palm Jumeirah & Palm Fountain Show
For an incredible end to your action-packed day, head to The Pointe at Palm Jumeirah to watch the Palm Fountain show! One of Dubai’s newest attractions, the Palm Fountain show is a scaled-up version of the Dubai Fountain Show. The Palm Fountain is the world’s largest musical fountain, and is the region’s only fountain show with colored lights.
Adjacent to the Pointe is the Palm Tower, which is home to another new Dubai landmark – the View at the Palm Jumeirah. Here, you can get full panoramic views of the famous Palm Jumeirah from a 240-meter high observation deck. This is the perfect spot to end an evening on one of your three days in Dubai.
Day 3 in Dubai: Morning Desert Safari and a Dhow Cruise
The last day of your 3-day Dubai trip revolves around adventure, nature, and culture. Start the day off with a morning desert safari. With transfers included in most tours, a desert safari in Dubai takes you to one of Dubai’s most pristine areas that remains unscathed by development. Experience the desert with exciting activities like 4×4 dune bashing, a camel ride, sand boarding, and quad biking.
After your desert safari, spend the afternoon doing some souvenir shopping, or visit a few more famous Dubai landmarks like the Dubai Frame or The Green Planet, Dubai’s indoor rainforest.
In the evening, plan on taking a dhow cruise, one of the most quintessential Dubai experiences. This laid-back cruise aboard a wooden Arabian sailing vessel presents you with a distinct viewpoint to appreciate Dubai’s cityscape from the water. Most cruises include dinner as well as traditional entertainment like Tanoura dancing. An evening dhow cruise is the perfect way to conclude your three days of exploring Dubai.
The Perfect 72 Hours in Dubai
Three days in Dubai is definitely not enough to see all Dubai has to offer, but the above itinerary will provide a great introduction to this wonderful destination. So go ahead and put together your mini Dubai getaway with all of the city’s must-experiences. After your three days are up, you’ll be ready to come back for more!
Is Dubai on your bucket list?
About the Author: Neha Singh is a postgraduate in Mass Communications, who loves everything about life. Traveling is extremely close to her heart and writing came to her naturally.
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