Dubai in Two Days: Your Ideal 48-Hour Travel Itinerary

Dubai is all about records; the tallest building in the world, the longest zipline in the world, the largest shopping mall in the world, and so on. With so many experiences, a lot of history and a glimpse of the future, plus some amazing experiences with nature, Dubai has endless offerings for experiences that blend the old with the new. To help you experience as much as possible in your first 48 hours, here is a practical itinerary to help you enjoy a little bit of it all.

Day 1

View the IMG World (2 hours)

IMG Worlds of Adventure is Dubai’s top destination for an indoor theme park that brings the ultimate adrenaline rides, live shows and immersive experiences for everyone in the family! Whether you’re a Marvel fan, Cartoon Network fan, with Lost Valley and IMG Boulevard featuring popular characters from any of the sections, there is something altogether to experience. Whether that is an exhilarating roller coaster ride to slower moving attractions, there is something for you. An added bonus is that it is fully air-conditioned for all year-round fun; when it comes to escaping the Dubai heat, it is ideal! Book your IMG Worlds tickets onliner to access faster entry and make family memories with friends.

How to Book IMG Worlds of Adventure Tickets?

Hit the beach (1 Hour) 5

Since the only view you’ve seen of the beach has been from a distance, it’s finally time to put your feet on the sand. Follow the Dubai Marina down to the JBR Beachwalk. The air is cooler in the mornings since the later it get the hotter it gets in the city. Whenever you have an opportunity to experience the beach before the heat it’s best to take it. It’s a thirty-minute walk to get to the beachwalk but if you can’t wait that long head to the Careem app and rent a bike or scooter to get there faster.

Fly high above Dubai Marina (30 minutes)

You cannot help but be mesmerized by Dubai Marina – its yachts, its skyline, and the sheer extravagance of it all! A stroll around is nice, but an aerial view is second to none. The XLine is the world’s longest urban zipline, and will surely provide an unforgettable experience either alone or alongside a loved one on the parallel line with speeds of up to 50 mph! If you are going solo, the GoPro mounted on your helmet is yours to share after.

How to Book Dubai Marina?

Clear your head with a view at Dubai Eye (60 minutes)

Are you beginning to see a pattern with all the “world’s largest/tallest/longest” Record Breakers? Let’s keep the records going with the world’s largest Ferris wheel, the Dubai Eye, at 820 feet (250 meters) above Bluewaters Island. You will have 40 minutes to check out the unobstructed views of some iconic sights, including Atlantis and The Palm, a set of man-made islands that stretch out into the Persian Gulf, in the shape of a massive palm tree.

Dash Through the Arabian Desert (7 Hours)

There is one sight that is even more stunning than the Dubai skyline, located just outside the city – the Arabian Desert, the largest desert in Asia. There are many ways to savor the best of the desert, but why choose? This full desert experience might leave Dubai mid-afternoon, but it is actually a real showcase of multiple sights in one, with opportunities to engage with nature and the land, enjoy live entertainment, and eat a beautiful dinner.

How to Book Desert Safari?

The experience allows for full immersion in the landscape with dune bashing, sandboarding, a 4×4 drive, and camel rides. Once you have had your fill of sand and sun, you will arrive at Al Khayma desert camp, where you will be treated to Arabic coffee and snacks as the sun sets. Take a quick camel ride with this view as your hosts fire up the barbeque for your dinner with live entertainment and traditional dancing. You will have one more opportunity to appreciate the calm beauty of the desert before returning to the city.

Day 2

Engage the future at the Museum of the Future (2 hours)

Start your day by visiting the futuristic Dubai attraction. You will see the Museum of the Future spectacular exterior first – what looks to be calligraphy that covers the unique architecture is, in fact, a poem by Dubai’s Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum about future visions. The museum’s focus on futurism continues with displays devoted to worldwide innovation and evolutionary exhibits that will allow you to look ahead in time into the year 2071. You can test being an astronaut in a simulated spacecraft, Hope (the name of the UAE’s Mars orbiter), as well as explore a digital Amazon rainforest and The Vault of Life, a library with DNA from over 2000 species. Book in advance, as the entrance tickets can sell out.

How to Book Museum of The Future Dubai Tickets

Shop until you drop at the Dubai Mall ( 2 hours )

Your next “world’s largest” is at the Dubai Mall, with over 1,200 shops, and a “Fashion Avenue” with over 200 designer store. It’s so big you’re going to have to download the mall’s app to figure out how to shop. The largest aquarium in the world, the Dubai Aquarium, is located at ground level of the mall. The underwater zoo is amazing, but if your retail therapy isn’t finished, you can still see one of the amazing tanks for free through the glass wall at the entrance to the aquarium.

Taste through Old Dubai (3.5 hours)

As much as the nightlife and skyscrapers of New Dubai are impressive, they pale in comparison to the culture and charisma of the city’s older part. Grab a reasonably priced and safe taxi ride over to Deira for about 15 minutes- the beige taxis are lovely, but if you’re a family or female traveler, you can also book a pink taxi, driven by women. Deira is home to the huge gold souk and a spice souk, browse the hundreds of stalls with suitcases in in hand and plan on grabbing a lemon juice or watermelon juice from the 60-year-old Jafer Biman Ali cafeteria before heading to the Al Sabkha water station to cross Dubai Creek in an abra, a traditional public boat.

Once you exit at Bur Dubai, you have the expansive shopping districts of Al Fahidi (Bastakiya) with several historic restaurants and cafes including Al Fahidi Fort, which is the oldest building in Dubai. If you find a guided food tour you will get to learn more from the local guide and hear the stories behind what you eat and drink over three hours. Stylish dessert options also await, including camel milk ice cream.

Experience the sky at the Burj Khalifa (1.5 hours)

At just a taxi or metro ride away from Old Dubai, one of the most recognized attractions showcasing the modern side of the city and the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa awaits to take you to new heights. At 2,723 feet, this skyscraper has been hovering over your journeys for two days, but as jaw-dropping as it is from the ground, the full magnitude of its height comes into perspective when you are on top of the world. When you plan your visit, make sure to book your tickets ahead to visit the 125th floor using the world’s fastest elevator (not that it surprises you anymore) for a 360 degree, panoramic view of the city. If you are hoping to see the beautiful view at sunset or see the evolution of the city from day to night, time your visit accordingly.

How to Book Burj Khalifa At the Top Tickets?

Dubai Fountain Dance (30 minutes)

If you have just stepped off the heights of Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountain spectacular will soothe and inspire your conflated emotions. Every 30 minutes, 6,000 lights, and 22,000 gallons of dancing water, are choreographed to music. The jets propel 500 feet into the sky, making this the world’s tallest performing fountain. The best views are free from the balcony of the Apple Store in the Dubai Mall, but for only a few bucks, consider getting up close and personal! You can do this by taking a traditional wooden boat ride on Burj Lake, or by paying an entrance fee (20 AED, about $5) on the floating Dubai Fountain Boardwalk.

Dine with an Address at Souk Madinat (2 hours)

Forget about the iconic Burj Al Arab’s sailboat structure, take the best view of it from Souk Madinat. Souk Madinat has 24 restaurants to choose from, while dining at Souk Madinat, you can dine inside (where all the sounds and smells intermingle) or on the outdoor terrace. You can find some traditional shops in Souk Madinat for souvenirs from your trip before getting a quintessential abra ride around the Souk’s canals for final glimpses of the bright-lights city against the palm trees.

FAQs

What are the must-see attractions in two days in Dubai?

Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Dubai Fountain, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, and the Old Dubai souks.

Can I do a desert safari with only two days in Dubai?

Yes, evening desert safaris are popular and fit well into a two-day itinerary.

How should I plan my first day in Dubai?

Visit Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Dubai Fountain, and end with a dhow cruise or Dubai Marina walk.

What can I do on the second day in Dubai?

Explore Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis, JBR Beach, Old Dubai souks, and consider a desert safari.

Should I book Dubai attractions in advance?

Yes, tickets for Burj Khalifa and desert safaris sell out quickly, so book ahead.