Four nights in Dubai gives you time for the famous sights, a desert evening and some shopping, with an optional day trip to Abu Dhabi.
Day 1: arrival and Downtown
Rest after your flight, then spend the evening in Downtown Dubai:
- The Dubai Fountain show, which runs every evening.
- The Burj Khalifa observation deck. Book a sunset slot in advance; it is the most popular time.
- Dinner at Dubai Mall.
Day 2: old Dubai and a dhow cruise
- Morning: Al Fahidi historic district and the Dubai Museum area.
- Cross the creek by abra, the traditional water taxi, to the gold and spice souks.
- Evening: a dinner cruise on a dhow, either on the creek or at Dubai Marina.
Day 3: desert safari
Rest or visit the Museum of the Future in the morning. Desert safaris usually pick up in the afternoon and include dune driving, sandboarding, camel rides and dinner with performances at a desert camp. Tell us if anyone in your group has back problems or is pregnant; dune driving is bumpy.
Day 4: Abu Dhabi or theme parks
- Abu Dhabi: the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi and, if time allows, the BAPS Hindu Mandir. Abu Dhabi is about 90 minutes away.
- Or stay in Dubai for a theme park, Global Village (seasonal) or the beach.
Tips
- Season: November to March is the best time for outdoor sightseeing. See Best time to visit Dubai: winter, summer and festival months.
- Dress code: dress modestly in malls and public places; the Grand Mosque has strict rules and provides abayas for women.
- Getting around: the Metro is efficient; taxis are easy to find.
- Fridays: some attractions have shorter hours around Friday prayers.
Combining Dubai
Dubai combines well with the Maldives, Mauritius or Turkey. See our Multi-country tours page.
When to go
When to go
When to go
When to go