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Solely received 24 hours in Dubai? Right here’s learn how to squeeze in the very best town has to supply with a number of 1-day Dubai itinerary concepts
Dubai is likely one of the world’s most fascinating and unbelievable trendy cities. Sitting on the Arabian Peninsula town is dominated by towering skyscrapers and a backdrop of rolling desert dunes however if you happen to’ve solely received a at some point stopover on this trendy mega-city, how do you squueze all of it in?
Seeing all the metropolis’s well-known landmarks in simply 24 hours is a tall problem (pun meant!), however we provide help to plan out your itinerary by offering some half day choices which you can piece collectively for the proper 1 day in Dubai.
Whether or not you arrive within the wee hours of the morning and want to start out your siteseeing early, or wish to piece collectively a night and a morning, right here’s how we advise you may fill your day (plus we’ve an enormous listing of addtional concepts you may combine and match too!)
How To Plan 1 Day In Dubai
This can be a tremendous detailed information to Dubai, so bookmark this web page for later in your browser or reserve it to Pinterest
Obtained longer than a day? You might also wish to take a look at these itineraries
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 higher 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 spiritual occasions, listed here are the best instances 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 mixture of public transportation – taxies and the Metro.
We’ve given primary instructions on learn how to get to every place by public transport if potential, or the place it’s possible you’ll want a taxi to get door-to-door with ease. You’ll find our full information to Dubai Transport choices right here.
Metro Value: Should you’re staying in Dubai for lower than just a few days, it’s really useful to get a Purple 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 notice on taxis: In the most well liked a part of the yr (i.e., about Could to October!), be cautious of how far you may stroll through the day. Locations might look comparatively shut and inside strolling distance on a map, however underneath the solar’s warmth, a brief taxi/Uber/Careem could also be price it (noting a minimal fare applies of AED 12).
Hiring a automotive: Except 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 Concerns
With solely 24 hours in Dubai, there are undoubtedly some highlights you’ll have to miss out on. Now we have set out under some completely different half day itineraries to enchantment to completely 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 “High 10” for exploring Dubai.
With such a good timeframe, it would be best to e-book excursions and points of interest prematurely, not go away issues to probability, particularly if you happen to’re visiting within the peak winter tourism intervals. Should you’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 wonderful solution to see a brand new metropolis in at some point, and Dubai isn’t any exception. Though it may be just a little extra expensive than placing collectively a DIY itinerary, bus excursions are an effective way to cram quite a bit in.
You possibly can both go for the group strategy and use one thing like Huge Bus or CMetropolis Sightseeing or rent your individual non-public tour driver. These are some ideas:
Dubai passes for at some point – a price saver even if you happen to’ll solely be within the metropolis for twenty-four hours! Be taught extra concerning the one Stopover Move on Dubai Move choice over right here. The optimum mixture is taking town sightseeing bus to get round + entry to one of many listed points of interest.
Timing tight? Many flights land and depart in the course of the night time, making your at some point in Dubai moderately odd! We advocate grabbing a little bit of sleep earlier than tackling your time out. Not many issues are open to see very first thing within the morning, and the Metro solely begins at 5 a.m. on weekdays, so that you’ll end up at a loss.
You possibly can stroll a few of the public beachfront or go to a park early within the day earlier than vacationer points of interest open.
When planning your day in Dubai, notice that Dubai’s weekend is now Friday afternoon to Sunday. As of late are a lot busier, with residents additionally out and about having fun with their free time.
Dubai 1-Day Itinerary Strategies
1. Dubai Half Day For Tradition Seekers
Journey between Dubai’s bustling buying and selling port previous to the futuristic trendy metropolis
In 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 primarily based round Dubai Creek. Later, you may resolve whether or not to spend a full day in “Previous Dubai” or absorb a few of the trendy elements 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 offers 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.
Be taught extra about visiting the Dubai Body right here
Getting there: The Nearest Metro is Al Jafiliya for Zabeel Park, however it’s a good stroll; it’s possible you’ll favor 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 is just not misplaced endlessly underneath the sprawling skyscrapers.
A lot 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 strive a few of 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 advice we’ve for first-time guests. Their program varies all year long however contains heritage excursions, meals and interactive Q&A periods with locals (9:00 am and 11:15 am day by day)
Getting there: Al Fahidi Bus Station or Al Fahidi Metro station
Dine at Al Seef Waterfront
By now, you could have most actually labored up an urge for food, so if you happen to’ve not stopped for lunch or a espresso in XVA Cafe or Arabian Tea Home located inside Al Faihidi Historic Neighbourhood, now can be time to move to considered one of many eating places on this waterfront growth. Seamlessly mixing previous with new, it’s straight throughout the road, subsequent to the Al Faihidi Marine Transport Station.
Al Seef is about up like a conventional souk, so you are able to do your memento procuring right here, too. Children might get pleasure from popping into Museum of Illusions or have some enjoyable with pictures 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 could possibly be a weather-dependent exercise.
Discover Dubai Creek
You might be 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 just a few methods to get across the metropolis by water lately, however the conventional methodology 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 a 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 strive considered one of these night strolling excursions:
Alternatively, hop on one of many dinner cruises that function alongside Dubai Creek to style Previous Dubai from the water. Or if you happen to’re after a very distinctive Emirati meal expertise, search out considered one of these native eating places.
3. Half Day in Trendy Dubai
Now, once we say trendy Dubai, we could possibly be speaking about a variety 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
Dwelling to lots of the metropolis’s trendy skyscrapers together with Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest constructing, look in awe on the trendy wonders and the way far town of Dubai has come within the final 50 years.
If procuring’s not your factor to not concern, Dubai Mall is just a stopping level to start out 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 absorb 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 way of to advantageous 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 supplies an incredible number of eating selections (and a bar) if you happen to can’t resolve!
You’ll find a wide selection of locations to seize a drink and chunk round downtown Dubai right here.
Dubai Fountains
This brings us properly to considered one of Dubai’s hottest free issues to do at night time! 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 exhibits.
For a close-up view of the Dubai Fountain present, you may 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 just a few instances 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 commentary deck on the 124th and a hundred and twenty fifth flooring (additional packages even take you to the 148th flooring!) otherwise you dine at At.mosphere restaurant and lounge on Degree 122.
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 might promote out. Do permit a great 2 hours for queuing and having a great go searching. Word that sundown and dawn slots (weekends) price extra and e-book sooner.
- On a tight itinerary for time or cash, it’s possible you’ll wish to skip going up Burj Khalifa. Notably if you happen to already went up the Dubai Body within the morning, you do get views approach additional into the space however the ticket value and queuing time can eat into your price range and time.
Sky Views
For a brand new twist on seeing town, why not strive Sky Views? Located within the Downtown space of town, you’ll get a few of the finest city views again to the Burj Khalifa. Relying on how courageous you’re feeling, you might merely stroll the glass flooring or benefit from the glass slide from the 53rd flooring.
Sky Edge Stroll is one other adrenaline-pumping add-on in your daredevils, which is able to see you strap in your security gear and stroll across the outdoors of the constructing, suspended practically 220m above the bottom!
Getting there: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station on the Purple Line Metro, then there’s an air-conditioned travellator connecting you to the whole surrounding space of Downtown
4. Half Day within the Dubai Desert
Should you’re not concerned about high-rises and museums and wish to catch the great heat solar rays within the Center East, that is the itinerary for you!
You possibly can deal with today in two methods—hitting the desert first or final thing within the day—however simply keep away from being out within the desert in the course of the day regardless 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 actual 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 choose 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 typically extra centered on the latter, ending in a BBQ dinner and shisha in a camp – we provide help to examine 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; just a little extra dear 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 truly tick two containers in your quick stopover in Dubai: not solely will you get to expertise the desert, however your lodging can be taken care of, too! Yearly, we see increasingly more operators venturing into this market to supply luxurious lodging in rustic settings.
Take a look at our full information to Desert Gamping in Dubai if you happen to’d like to do that distinctive expertise—which might even be paired with an early morning hike, safari trip, or sizzling air balloon trip.
Getting there: No want to fret about your 4×4 expertise, tour operators will choose you up out of your resort 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 way of Dubai, your curiosity could also be to easily flop and drop for half a day, a minimum of. Even if you’re not staying at a resort-style resort, there are nonetheless loads of locations you may 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 incredible place to start out. Familiarise your self with The Stroll & The Seaside precincts, then if you happen to’d prefer 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.
You possibly can 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!
Getting there: JBR/Dubai Marina is the excellent place to remain in Dubai as a result of giant variety of spacious resort residences and resorts with direct beachfront entry—however it’s fairly removed from the airport if you happen to’re solely on a brief cease. Should you’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 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 fee, strive the RTA Ferry!
Different Dubai Public Seashores
Dubai additionally has loads of public seashores. Some are fully free, and others have a small Dubai municipality cost however nice services. Native favourites embody Al Mamzar Park (which has lately launched the choice of night time swimming), and Kite Seaside, which has barely greater waves than others.
You may also head to Sundown Seaside for iconic views of the Burj Al Arab—naturally, round sundown for the very best views!
Souk Madinat Jumeirah
A visit to Souk Madinat Jumeirah is the proper place for just a little retail remedy, wonderful views, and distinctive water experiences. This contemporary souk (market) is in-built conventional fashion, with indoor and out of doors (seasonal) stalls and outlets 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 lodges (a bit extra dear 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 perfect cease to plan a meal round.
Getting there: Souk Madinat Jumeirah is just not on the Metro, however you may 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
Should you’re visiting Dubai with children, there’s a really excessive probability the Dubai theme parks are going to be closely weighted on their wishlists. While it’s exhausting 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 may be the one factor on some agendas!
Should you’re visiting within the stunning shoulder seasons (roughly March to Could and October to November), our high choose can 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 may select between 4 linked theme parks (ideally, you may 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 choose goes to IMG Worlds of Journey—suppose Marvel characters to Cartoon Community-themed rides and actions. IMG is totally indoors to beat the warmth.
What Does Our 1-Day Dubai Itinerary Exclude?
With solely at some point, we’ve reduce on an terrible lot from our basic 7-day Dubai itinerary to attempt to squeeze every part in.
Firstly, you’ll doubtless need to 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, at some point in Dubai is simply too tight to suit something additional in (until 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 if you happen to’d nonetheless prefer to strive!
Enjoyable time – what we haven’t actually constructed into this action-packed 1-day itinerary is downtime! Should you’re coming to Dubai for the fantastic sunshine moderately than the sightseeing, you might rapidly scrap the whole thing and spend your time in a wonderful beachside resort recovering out of your jet lag and having fun with the very 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 if you happen to’re a first-timer, look what you’d be lacking out on!
Different Actions for Your Dubai Itinerary
There have been solely so many ideas we might squeeze into your one-day Dubai itinerary. We’ve included some ideas under that you could be wish to combine and match with the itinerary ideas we’ve made above.
Further Cultural Actions in Dubai
- Discover the Al Shindagha district, the heritage village and Saeed Al Maktoum Home
- Extra for museum and tradition lovers, we extremely advocate a day spent in neighbouring emirate Sharjah
- Go to the oasis metropolis of Al Ain, with the UAE’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed oasis and beehive tombs, in addition to the Al Ain Zoo and Sheikh Zayed Desert Studying Centre, among the finest shows courting to pre-historic UAE
Day Journeys From Dubai
- Take a coach tour to the UAE capital metropolis Abu Dhabi to see the unbelievable 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 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
- Take a look at the wonderful out of doors adventures, hikes and water sports activities on supply at Wadi Hub, Hatta
Extra Vital Suggestions For a Brief Stopover in Dubai
Precisely how lengthy will you could have between flights? While there’s quite a bit you might cram into your day, sleep between lengthy flights can also be most likely vital to you! You might also wish to learn our guides to:
- Are you eligible for Dubai Join FREE resort for unavoidable lengthy layovers with Emirates? This might maintain your few hours of kip earlier than exploring town additional
- Lower than 24 hours, it’s possible you’ll wish to search out layover-only ideas for Dubai designed to suit into lower than half a day
- Staying near the airport helps with these early morning or very late at night time flights- these are our choose of the very best airport lodges
Steadily requested questions on Dubai itineraries
It’s actually not sufficient time to get a correct really feel for what town is all about however simply lengthy sufficient for an introductory expertise with just a little previous and new, desert & metropolis blended collectively. Lengthy sufficient to stretch your legs between flights and get some insights, however actually nowhere close to lengthy sufficient to actually expertise what Dubai is all about.
If you wish to “see all of it” and discover extra of the UAE and the Arabian Peninsula, we’d advocate two weeks to cowl the United Arab Emirates totally and a minimum of one week to cowl Dubai’s highlights.
Sure, in idea, you might squeeze in an thrilling and action-packed journey to each cities in 1 day, however you’ll be exhausted and solely scratch the floor.
You possibly can slot in simply the Grand Mosque (the biggest mosque within the UAE)for half a day or a few of the highest Abu Dhabi points of interest on a full-day journey, however there can be issues it’s good to miss in each cities to squeeze this in., and will probably be extremely dependent in your flight timings.
Ideally, if you happen to’d prefer to get a great overview of each cities we’d recommend 2 to three days in Abu Dhabi and seven or 8 in Dubai – 14 days if you happen to actually wish to see the entire of the United Arab Emirates with just a few break days built-in.
It relies on what kind of price range you’re working at. We speak extra about cash issues and budgeting in your journey to Dubai right here.
Should you take into account a cheapish resort room for 2, near the Metro, might be obtained for round AED 200 AED an evening, a day cross on the Metro is AED 20 and meals, if you happen to go low cost and cheerful, might boil all the way down to AED 50-100 a day.
So earlier than your airfares and any fancy extras like waterpark days or desert excursions, let’s say AED 300 ($85 USD) would get you by seeing the highlights. Should you add on excursions or theme parks, the fee will considerably enhance.
It’s not the most cost effective metropolis, however as we talk about in our price range information to Dubai, there are methods to economize and points of interest you may get pleasure from totally free.
Earlier than you go… Extra vital issues it’s best to know when planning a visit to Dubai
Take me again to the Dubai Journey Weblog
Please notice we aren’t a journey company. This website is a journey weblog to assist newcomers to the UAE and transit passengers self plan their journey, we can not e-book your flights, lodges, visas or connections for you. We might make a small fee if you happen to click on on any of our advice hyperlinks.
Dubai Journey Planner
