Dubai has become an increasingly popular destination for travel in the last few years. Thousands of tourists visit this fascinating city every year and many more return to explore what they couldn’t see in their last visit. This city is bustling with unbelievable manmade structures, world-class shopping, impressive culture and tradition, mouthwatering food and loads of thrill and adventure. Are you confused on what all to see when you have only around 4-5 days in Dubai? Don’t worry! We have got you covered. We have created this Dubai itinerary for 4 days that ensures you see and experience the best this city has to offer.
Dubai Mall
Day 1: Start your day by visiting the famous Dubai Mall, one of the biggest malls in the world. This glamorous mall has over 1200 shops of high-end brands such as Cartier, Chanel, Tiffany & Co, and the likes. Filled with swanky restaurants and eateries, posh hotels, an ice rink, and plenty of entertainment, this mall is a paradise for all the shoppers. In the afternoon, visit the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo located on the second level of the mall. Come face-to-face with some of the most exciting and amazing marine life here. One of the largest suspended aquariums in the world, this underwater zoo has a King Croc, beautiful fishes, sharks, and other fascinating creatures. It is an ideal family destination and a must-visit when you are in Dubai.
After that, head to the iconic symbol of Dubai, Burj Khalifa. Standing like a beacon in the desert, this majestic building is worth all the hype generated since its opening in 2010. Take one of the fastest elevators to the top of the world’s tallest building for a spectacular view of the entire city, the impressive skyline to the Persian Gulf. The view from the 124th floor and 148th floor is especially breathtaking at sunset. It is highly recommended to pre-book your Burj Khalifa tickets to avoid last-minute hassles.
Dubai Fountain
In the late evening, enjoy the Dubai Fountain which is a choreographed fountain system. One of the largest of its kind in the world, it shoots water more than 500 feet into the air, while classical and contemporary Arabic music and other international music plays in the background. The show runs every 30 minutes and it is best enjoyed from a cruise aboard the ‘Abra’ water taxi on the Burj Lake. After the show, you can cross the bridge and head over to Souq Al Bahar, an Arabian style resort having plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars to spend a relaxing evening and unwind for the day
Day 2: Today is your chance to visit the charming Old Town, to experience the authentic feel of Dubai. Start your day by visiting the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood. Just wander around the narrow streets dotted with lovely restaurants, cafes, and art galleries. After that visit the Dubai Museum to get an insight into Dubai’s tradition and culture.
Hop onboard the traditional boat called ‘Abra‘ for a ride across Dubai Creek for just 1 dirham. Once you are on the other side of the creek, explore Grand Souk, the famous spice, and herbs market. Inhale the aromas of the exotic spices while you haggle with the sellers to buy a variety of spices for your kitchen. Next walk to the Gold Souq, to buy some of the world’s cheapest gold. There are hundreds of shops that sell gold, diamonds, and precious stones. Remember to compare the prices of gold jewelry before buying to get the best deals.
Get ready to spend your evening on the beautiful golden dunes this city is famous for. Book yourself a Desert Safari and give in to your adventurous side with fun activities such as dune bashing, jeep racing, quad biking, and sandboarding. Watching the magical sunset in the desert is a memorable experience. Proceed to the Bedouin campsite to experience the great Arabian hospitality. Enjoy a camel ride to admire the vastness and beauty of the desert. Click pictures in traditional Arab clothing with the wonderful falcons after watching some of their most interesting antics. Women can get Henna tattooing done on their hands and feet. Sit back and feast on a sumptuous and delicious barbeque buffet dinner at night while watching some amazing cultural performances such as Belly Dancing, Tanura Dance Show, and Fire Show.
Dubai Miracle Garden
Day 3: Start your day by visiting the world’s largest man-made natural flower garden, Dubai Miracle Garden. Spread over 72000 square meters, this garden is home to over 100 million colorful flowers and plants. There are displays of prominent landmarks, people, and cartoons made from flowers and the concept and design changes every year. Set in the heart of Dubailand, this garden is open from mid-November to mid-May. So, if you plan your trip between these months, a visit to this amazing garden is a must in your Dubai itinerary.
After that, you can visit the Mall of the Emirates, the first shopping resort in the world. Located in the heart of Dubai, this mall is full of luxurious shops, restaurants, cafes, designer boutiques, and fun-filled entertainment zones. This mall is a perfect destination to spend some great time with your family and to indulge in some retail therapy. After that proceed to the ground floor of the mall to the very first indoor ski resort in the region, Ski Dubai. Explore your adventurous side by participating in a variety of fun-filled activities such as skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, and ziplining. And don’t forget to meet the fantastic penguins from Antarctica at Penguin Park.
Jumeirah Mosque
Day 4: Begin your day by visiting the magnificent Jumeirah Mosque designed in the traditional Fatimid style. This is one of the few mosques that is open to non-Muslims. The beautiful white marble façade of the building is fabulous, and it is one of the most photographed mosques in Dubai. Stop at Jumeirah Beach to see the iconic and imposing seven-star hotel, Burj Al Arab. After that, drive along the Palm Jumeirah, an outstanding man-made island. Explore the sea-facing promenade, dotted with elegant boutiques, fancy restaurants, and sophisticated apartment towers. Visit the opulent Atlantis Hotel and then head over to the Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark to experience some of the most thrilling and exciting water rides.
If you are looking for a little more adventure, you can go skydiving in the Marina or try one of the helicopter tours with HeliDubai. At night, book a Dhow Dinner Cruise across the Dubai Marina. Sit back and enjoy some local and international delicacies, Arabic entertainment such as Belly dancing and Tanura Dance Show. Feast your eyes on some of the most splendid landmarks of the city while you sail across the dazzling waters of the Marina.
The above itinerary is best suited to visit some of the best attractions in Dubai. However, depending on your likes and interests you can customize your itinerary. You can do a day trip to Abu Dhabi city and visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Corniche and Yas Islands, and Ferrari World. You can visit some of the other theme parks and waterparks such as Wild Wadi Waterpark, IMG Worlds of Adventure, VR Park Dubai, and Dubai Bollywood Parks. Dubai is an amazing city with so many diverse activities and attractions that it is impossible to cover everything in a short duration. We recommend you plan a longer trip to visit all the awesome places in this city.
