How to spend three days in Dubai
In a destination as exciting as Dubai, three days can fly by – so having an itinerary planned is a great way to make sure you pack as much into your stay as possible.
There are countless experiences and famous attractions in and around the city, and 72 hours will give you enough time to enjoy a diverse selection of these.
Whether you’re travelling for a short holiday, looking to make the most out of a stopover or have some downtime during a work trip, three days is a fantastic length of time to explore Dubai.
We’ve put together a detailed three-day itinerary that takes in old and new Dubai, a breathtaking desert adventure and a world-class theme park, so you can start planning – and getting excited – for your trip.
Day one: Old and new Dubai
Your first day in Dubai will begin with a visit to the city’s charming old town before experiencing the fascinating contrast of its glittering modern downtown.
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Morning: Al Fahidi
While Dubai is often associated with its incredible skyline and towering skyscrapers, its old town offers an enchanting ambience and an excellent starting point for your trip.
Here you will step back in time as you explore a beautiful historic neighbourhood near Dubai Creek, featuring immaculately preserved buildings and narrow, winding alleyways.
Admire traditional Arabian architecture and the wonderful, 18th-century Al Fahidi Fort, browse amazing local crafts and sample authentic cuisine in idyllic locations overlooking the creek.
Afternoon and evening: Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall
After spending your morning immersed in Dubai’s fascinating history, you’ll then step back into its innovative present as you head to the Burj Khalifa.
Around a 20-minute drive from Al Fahidi, the world’s tallest building is an architectural masterpiece and an iconic figurehead of the city’s skyline.
While an impressive sight from the ground and the nearby Burj Park, the only way to appreciate its staggeringly vast scale is by making your way up the tower itself.
Take the world’s fastest lift to At The Top on Levels 124 and 125 and step out onto an observation deck some 456 metres above the ground. Unsurprisingly, the views from this loftiest of vantage points are simply unforgettable and make for sensational photo opportunities.
Book your tickets in advance to guarantee your spot, and providing you visit before 3pm or after 6pm, you’ll get a discounted rate as it will be outside of prime hours.
Depending on how long you spend in Al Fahidi and how much you indulged in the mouth-watering local dishes on offer there, you may also fancy a bite to eat at the Burj Khalifa. If so, you can choose an enhanced package which includes lunch or dinner at the Burj Club, a stylish rooftop restaurant affording yet more magical views.
When you eventually descend the tower, you’ll emerge from the lift in the dazzling Dubai Mall, a huge, lavishly decorated retail and entertainment destination.
For the remainder of your evening you can shop at over 1,200 stores, from luxury brands to major department stores, skate on an Olympic-sized ice rink or visit the spectacular marine world of Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo.
Day two: Tropical forests and deserts
Your second day in Dubai will be defined by breathtaking nature, from the wonder of an indoor forest to the stunning sandy expanse of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR).
Morning: Green Planet Dubai
One of Dubai’s most unique experiences, Green Planet Dubai is an impressive indoor tropical forest that will be the setting for the morning of your second day in the city.
Offering a magical expedition across four distinct levels – the Flooded Rainforest, the Forest Floor, the Mid Story and the Canopy Level – you'll be immersed in a biodiverse world that’s home to over 3,000 plants and animals.
Spot sloths, toucans, reptiles and more as you wander through this humid, biodome – the first of its kind in the region.
Get your tickets booked in advance and spend a few hours exploring this striking tropical environment.
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Afternoon and evening: The Nomad Garden
Your afternoon and evening will continue with a nature theme, but this time to the tune of the magnificent DDCR, the sprawling desert landscape just outside of Dubai.
The Nomad Garden is a premium desert and dining experience in a private corner of the DDCR, offering an intimate, atmospheric afternoon and evening in this tranquil natural setting.
You’ll be picked up from a location of your choosing in Dubai and accompanied by an expert safari guide as you head to the DDCR. First, you’ll stop at its fascinating Visitor Centre before you have the option of a thrilling drive across the desert dunes.
Throughout your evening, you’ll be treated to traditional desert activities, from an incredible camel ride and jaw-dropping falcon display to Moroccan mint tea and Arabic sweet tasting.
You’ll enjoy complimentary canapés at the Whispering Angel sunset stop, which features mesmerising desert views, before settling in for your exclusive Bedouin dining experience.
Your multi-course menu, crafted in collaboration with JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, will offer mouth-watering examples of local dishes. Lamb, slow-cooked using traditional ‘zarb’ methods, freshly baked Arabic breads and famous chocolate kunafa dessert will punctuate your dining experience.
With a live oud player, signature fire show and sunken fire pits where you can stargaze after eating, the lounge provides an ambience like no other in the desert.
And when you book your experience with Arabian Adventures, a portion of your fee goes towards supporting local conservation.
Day three: Gardens, games and rides
On your third and final day in Dubai, you will spend the morning at a lush garden before exploring a thrilling indoor theme park.
Morning: Dubai Miracle Garden
The colourful, extravagant Miracle Garden Dubai is an unforgettable sight and an excellent spot for a morning stroll, while it is slightly cooler.
The world’s largest flower garden, it is home to millions of flowers and plants sculpted into amazing displays and themed landscapes.
Lose yourself in a world of floral tunnels and castles, and admire outrageously intricate exhibits – including an Emirates A380 plane made from over 500,000 fresh flowers and living plants.
The garden is typically open from November to May, making it one of many fantastic things to do in winter in Dubai.
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Afternoon and evening: IMG Worlds of Adventure
No trip to Dubai is complete without experiencing one of its world-class theme parks and waterparks.
And that’s exactly what you’ll be doing to round out your third day in the city, with a visit to the action-packed IMG Worlds of Adventure.
Incredibly, the entire park is situated inside, making it the largest indoor, air-conditioned theme park in Dubai and a superb option for your itinerary all year round.
There are five unique zones to explore, including a Marvel area where comic book legends come to life and a Cartoon Network land where recognisable characters provide laughter and thrills.
There are further interactive rides and experiences in the exciting Lost Valley and the spooky Haunted Town, while the IMG Boulevard is the perfect stop to find your evening meal, with a tantalising array of cuisines on offer.
When you book with Arabian Adventures, entry to the park, all rides and attractions and parking is included – as well as free entry for children under 105 cm – making it the perfect finale for your Dubai excursion.
Book your three-day itinerary for less with activity passes
As you’ll be booking several activities and tickets for your three-day Dubai itinerary, you should consider the substantial savings you could make with an activity pass.
You can buy two different activity passes at Arabian Adventures which allow you to book multiple experiences and save up to 40%.
With the Adventure Pass and the City Pass, you book three or five activities – depending on which option you choose – and pay a fixed price, regardless of the experiences you pick from an extensive list.
You can also get a 10% discount when you book two experiences with Arabian Adventures, so there’s every reason to get the ball rolling on your three-day Dubai itinerary with us.
