3 Days in Dubai – The Ultimate Weekend Itinerary
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 in a fair amount into a short amount of time, you won’t be left totally exhausted. From riding a camel in the desert and taking in the views from the top of the world’s tallest building to having a boozy poolside brunch and going shopping in the mazelike souks of Old Dubai, your 3 days in Dubai will be unforgettable!
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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. That being said, you can move some things in this itinerary around in case you want to stay in another part of town.
If you’re unsure which part of town is right for you, check out my guide to where to stay in Dubai!
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 November to March. Because my 3 day Dubai 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 and tram to reach most of the attractions in this guide.
You can easily take taxis everywhere, too, since taxis are both readily available and affordable. Here’s my full guide to getting around Dubai using public transportation!
3 Days in Dubai – The Ultimate Weekend Itinerary
3 Days in Dubai – Day 1
Embark on an Early Morning Desert Safari
The first day of your 3 days in Dubai starts off early in the morning with a desert safari. The eco-friendly and ethical Platinum Heritage tour company offers a ton of different options that are far less touristy than other desert safaris, including incredible overnight experiences.
But if you’ve only got 3 days in Dubai, I recommend booking the Bedouin Culture Safari morning tour. You’ll start off in an authentic Bedouin village, complete with tents and farm animals, where you’ll learn about Bedouin heritage and lifestyle.
In true Dubai fashion, you’ll also get the chance to see a falconry performance, ride a camel, and enjoy a traditional Emirati breakfast. After that, you’ll embark on a nature safari in a vintage Land Rover (the photo ops are endless on this tour!). All this, and you’ll be dropped off at your hotel no later than 12 pm, leaving you with plenty of time to cross more Dubai bucket list items off your list!
Get Lost in The 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 148th Floor 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.
The “At the Top” tickets get you 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. After that, you can take in the views from the 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 your 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.
Alternately, you can take in 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!
3 Days in Dubai – Day 2
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 1 dirham 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 something to suit all tastes.
3 Days in Dubai – Day 3
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 Dubai Marina.
Have a Poolside Brunch at Bla Bla
After sleeping in a bit, take a taxi to Bla Bla Beach Club in JBR. 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 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.
From Bla Bla, take a 10-minute walk to the famous Dubai Marina, where you can stroll along the Marina Walk and watch the yachts glide by. If you can time your visit with sunset, you’ll get unbelievable views of the marina and its surrounding skyscrapers.
Take in Palm Views from AURA SKYPOOL
For the final evening of your 3 days in Dubai, take a 15-minute taxi ride and continue your pool day at AURA SKYPOOL’s “Bubbly Nights in the Lounge” from 8-11 pm. You’ll be able to mix and mingle in the indoor lounge but you’ll have the chance to head outside and take photos from the world’s highest 360-degree infinity pool – the views out over the Palm when it’s all lit up are incredible.
If you’d prefer to spend the evening taking in the views from the climate-controlled pool AURA SKYPOOL, try to snag tickets to the Evening Pool Experience. But be sure to get your tickets well in advance. Either way you go, taking in the best view in town is the perfect way to end your weekend in Dubai!
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