Dubai is like the Las Vegas on steroids. Everything is man-made and sparkly, and everyone (appears) is filthy rich. Despite its sometimes bad rap, Dubai is a must-visit destination, even just for a short stop-over on your way somewhere else. I’ve always appreciated Vegas’ amazing buildings, resorts, and unique experiences, so I figured I’d like Dubai. It’s laughable when people say ‘Dubai is boring’ or ‘there’s nothing to do in Dubai. Dubai has so much to offer – from endless shopping to impressive architecture, luxurious pools, world-class chefs, & culture. This 2-day Dubai itinerary is perfect for first-time visitors!
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Where to stay in Dubai
There are numerous areas to stay during your 2 days in Dubai. We opted to stay in Downtown because it was central to many of the activities we wanted to do. Here are the areas I recommend staying in Dubai for your 2 day Dubai itinerary.
- Downtown Dubai:
- Iconic landmarks like the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall
- Convenient for sightseeing, shopping, and dining
- Further from the beaches
- Jumeirah Beach:
- Famous for its pristine beaches and upscale resorts
- Offers a more relaxed and luxurious atmosphere
- Great if you love the beach and want a resort-style experience
- Convenient location between Downtown and the Marina/Palm Jumeirah
- Dubai Marina
- Known for its stunning waterfront views and busy promenade
- Vibrant area with many dining, entertainment, and shopping options
- Ideal if you are looking for a nightlife scene
- Further from Downtown but easy access to highway
- The Palm Jumeirah:
- A man-made island known for its luxury hotels, beach clubs, and luxury residences
- Offers exclusive beachfront accommodations and stunning views of the Dubai skyline
- Much further and more secluded from everything
Here are some incredible Dubai hotel options in each area:
- Downtown Dubai:
- Dubai Marina:
- Jumeirah Beach:
- The Palm Jumeirah:
Discover a full list of hotel options for all budgets on Booking.com, my go-to booking platform for hotels!
Heading to Abu Dhabi? Check out this 2-day guide to visiting Abu Dhabi!
How to Spend 2 Days in Dubai
Day 1
Sunrise at Aura Skypool
First, I must tell you I was totally against doing this because it required waking up at like 4:45AM, but it ended up being one of my favorite things we did in Dubai. No doubt, this will be one of the best things you do during your 2 day Dubai itinerary. The Aura Skypool is at the top (50th floor) of Palm Tower in Palm Jumeirah and it offers insane views of the city, including great views of the man-made palm island.
MAKE SURE YOU BOOK AHEAD! I can’t stress enough how booked up Aura Skypool gets. As soon as you know your travel plans, make a reservation. Try to snag a front-row seat facing the sunrise. But have no fear, if you don’t get a great seat you can jump in the (heated) pool and swim the whole building to see all four sides so you won’t miss anything.
The views of the city are incredible and that sunrise makes it even more special. You can order coffee or some breakfast if you’d like. They have lovely showers and locker rooms to change after.
They also offer tickets for other time slots if that’s what you’d prefer. It’s about $50pp (USD) and pricing varies based on time and location reserved.
Brunch at Brunch & Cake Wasl 51
After the Skypool, grab a taxi to the trendy brunch restaurant, Brunch & Cake Wasl 51. This spot is so chic and aesthetic! They have incredible brunch options like avocado toast, eggs benedict, smoothie bowls, pancakes and pastries, and many healthy options. Not only does everything look Insta-worthy, the food is actually delicious. It should be early enough that you don’t need a reservation – they get busy on weekends!
Explore Spice & Gold Souks
If it’s your first time in Dubai, you should visit the Spice and Gold Souks just to see what it’s all about during your 2 day Dubai itinerary. Truthfully, it’s a bit touristy and the locals harass you to come into their shop and purchase spices, fake designer goods, gold etc. Just be firm, say no and keep walking. It’s interesting to see a “modern” version of a souk. When I think souk, I think of Morocco – claustrophobic, narrow alleys, small shops. Dubai being Dubai, has rebuilt what was once an authentic souk, into a clean, organized maze of little shops. Anyway, it’s worth checking out all the interesting spices & then be on your way!
A great way to explore this area is through a tour: Dubai Aladdin Tour: Souks, Creek, Old Dubai and Tastings
Abra (boat) to Dubai Old City
Once you are done exploring the Souks, take an abra (wooden boat) for $1 to 2 UAE Dirhams (make sure you have cash) to cross the river to Dubai Old City. It takes only a few minutes. Wander the old city and stop to take some photos. It’s the only area that gives you a sense of what Dubai was like before it became a big shiny metropolis. Take a walking tour to learn more about the history and culture of UAE.
There are several abra stations along the Dubai Creek, one right outside the Spice Souk, and for Old Dubai, head to the Abra Station near the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
This tour offers a variety of activities in this area: Dubai Aladdin Tour: Souks, Creek, Old Dubai and Tastings
Tea at Arabian Tea House Restaurant & Cafe
If you’ve worked up an appetite head over to the famous Arabian Tea House for some traditional tea and food. It’s a charming little spot in a historic building that gets very busy – you may need to either wait or make a reservation for a good table. They serve a variety of traditional Emirati and Middle Eastern dishes and have an extensive selection of coffee and tea.
Dinner on the Palm with a skyline view at Maiden Shanghai (Chinese)
Hopefully, you’ve had some time to relax and enjoy the spa or pool before heading to dinner! Head to the Maiden Shanghai for incredible Chinese food with an even better view. It’s at the Five – an amazing hotel on the Five Palm Jumeirah Dubai hotel, overlooking the Arabian Gulf and Dubai skyline. And if you’re lucky like we were you may see fireworks over the skyline!
Day 2
Breakfast at Tom&Serg
Sleep in and then get ready for an amazing breakfast at Tom&Serg, located in the Al Quoz district of Dubai. This spot felt like home (Los Angeles). Not surprisingly it was opened by an Australian couple! Everything was super fresh and delicious. It’s kind of in a weird area, but trust me you can’t miss this place!
Souk Madinat Jumeirah Canals & Shopping
After breakfast, take a trip to Souk Madinat Jumeirah, a cute shopping area near the Palm that blends old and new architecture & design. “A modern souk” is how it’s referred to on Jumeirah’s website. After walking around a bit, take an abra around the lovely canals surrounding the souk – it’s the perfect spot to snap a photo of Burj Al Arab (the famous sail looking building). There are also a bunch of cafes and restaurants to grab a coffee or tea along the canal.
High Tea at Al Fayrooz, Jumeirah Al Qasr
It’s like a right of passage to indulge in afternoon tea in Dubai and one of the best things to do during your 2 day Dubai itinerary. Luckily, there are so many beautiful places with a range of prices and views to choose from. We decided on tea at Jumeirah Al Qasr for a lovely view of the canal and Burj Al Arab.
We happened to be there during Easter so the canapés were all Easter themed. Everything was immaculately designed and SO tasty. I highly recommend making a reservation ahead of time and sitting on the patio. The cost was about $50/pp (USD). That price seemed reasonable to me as there were many others $100-$200+.
Shopping & Aquarium at Dubai Mall
Once you’re full of tea and sweets, take a taxi to the Dubai Mall, located in downtown Dubai, and walk it off. Dubai Mall is one of the largest malls in the world, with 1200+ shops. It is MASSIVE. Yes, it’s just a mall, but a mall with every shop you can imagine, from Anthropologie to Christian Louboutin and everything in between. It seems like everyone is just oozing in wealth… the glam, the clothes, the shoes… it’s worth going to the mall just to people-watch.
There is also an ice skating rink, a massive aquarium, hundreds of dining options, and more. You can see the aquarium’s huge tank just by standing on the different levels of the mall without paying for an entrance ticket. It’s pretty cool! Make sure you include this on your 2 day Dubai itinerary!
Watch Fountain Show & View Burj Khalifa Lit Up
Once the sun sets head outside the mall to watch the fountain show. It’s similar to the Bellagio fountains in Vegas, but way prettier and impressive in my opinion. Try crossing the bridge and walking away from the mall to get a better viewing spot away from the main crowds. You can try to get there early for a better spot, or even try to snag a seat on one of the abra boats that cruise through the canals and stop on the water to watch the fountain show. The fountain shows happen every half hour from 6PM-11PM. The view of the Burj Khalifa and surrounding buildings is beautiful at night.
If you are interested in actually going to the top of the Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world!), check out this tour: Skip the Line Burj Khalifa Ticket or Full Day Dubai City Tour with Burj Khalifa Ticket ‘At the Top’
Dinner at Orfali Bros (Middle Eastern)
Finally, make your way to dinner at Orfali Bros, one of Dubai’s hottest restaurants. They have delicious Middle Eastern food. Make sure you make a reservation well in advance. Discover amazing restaurant and cafe options on my Google Map of Dubai. Many of the locations were researched by myself or recommended by friends that live in Dubai.
I hope this 2 day Dubai itinerary helps you plan an amazing trip!
Other Dubai Activities
If you have extra time, I highly recommend heading to the desert for the day, or overnight! There are some incredible, affordable tours where you can go stargazing, sandboarding, dune bashing, camel riding, or ride ATVs.
Check out these desert tours:
- Dubai Red Dunes ATV, Camels, Stargazing & 5* BBQ Al Khayma Camp
- Dubai Desert Safari Dune Bashing, 60min ATV Quad, Camel Ride, BBQ
To truly experience the desert, stay one night in one of these luxury desert camps:
- Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
- Al Khayma Camp “Elite Camping & Dining in Experience”
Another fun activity is to take a boat around the Dubai coastline. Check out these recommended tours:
- Dubai Marina Yacht Tour with Breakfast or BBQ
- 90 Minutes Speedboat Tour, Marina, Atlantis, Palm & Burj Al Arab
How to get to Dubai
There are many international flights from around the world into Dubai, making it very easy to get to! Two of the best airlines in the world, Emirates and Etihad Airways, fly to Dubai from all over the world. Even the economy seats are lovely and worth experiencing during your trip to Dubai!
Book a Transfer
Once you arrive I always recommend pre-booking a transfer via Booking.com. They have an amazing booking service that allows you to book cheap local taxis to and from the airport. The driver will meet you with a sign at the airport and you don’t have to worry about a thing. It’s affordable and way less stressful than trying to find a taxi when you arrive.
How to Get Around Dubai
Sadly walking isn’t really an option in Dubai. You either need to rent a car or take taxis everywhere. We always use rentalcars.com to find the best deals on cars all over the world. Additionally, in Dubai they use a rideshare app called Careem, which I recommend downloading. It’s reasonably affordable and you can choose taxis or private car. They are readily available and usually come within a minute or two. Everything is so far apart in Dubai, especially if you follow the itinerary I recommended.
What to Wear in Dubai
This is always a big question when traveling to the Middle East… Dubai is definitely the most liberal Muslim city so you will see a wide range of outfits and a mix of expats and locals wearing everything from shorts and tank tops to a traditional Abaya. Generally, out of respect, I prefer to be a little more conservative but you can honestly wear whatever here. If you plan on visiting any mosques or religious sites, make sure you are fully covered from head to toe.
Check out this 2-day guide to visiting Abu Dhabi, or discover other Asia itineraries.
Other Things to Know Before You Go
Best Time to Visit & Weather: The ideal time to visit Dubai is November to March when the weather is much cooler (25°C to 30°C / 77°F to 86°F. It can get up to 45°C (113°F) in peak summer months (June-September) so it’s best to avoid visiting Dubai during that time.
Currency: Dubai uses the Dirham. Most places accept major credit cards, but some smaller shops or vendors in the markets prefer cash. It’s always good to have some cash for small tips, etc.
Tipping: Tipping is not always expected but appreciated. In restaurants it’s recommended to tip 5-10% of the bill for great service (unless the bill already has service included – which happens often so make sure you check!). Tipping housekeeping or other hotel staff is always a good idea!
Plugs & Adapters: In Dubai, the standard electrical plug type is Type G, which features three rectangular pins in a triangular patter. However, newer establishments and hotels, may also have Type C outlets, which are commonly found in Europe. To ensure compatibility with Dubai’s electrical outlets, I suggest a universal outlet, which you can easily buy on Amazon.
Cost to Travel: Dubai is quite an expensive city, especially if you really want to experience everything it has to offer. We found accommodations, restaurants, cafes, and attractions to be pricey. It’s also not a walkable city so you need to either rent a car, take taxis or Careem (ride-share), or public transport.
Language: The official language is Arabic, but most people speak English. It’s very easy to get around!
Visa: Citizens of several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and many European countries, can enter Dubai without a visa for short stays ranging from 30 to 90 days, depending on their nationality. It’s best to check if you need a visa on their official website.
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