Absolute BEST Dubai 3 Day Itinerary by local

Day 1: Downtown Dubai & Burj Khalifa

Downtown Dubai is where I always start every visiting friend’s trip and for good reason. Everything is within walking distance of each other, the views are extraordinary, and it immediately gives you that “wow, I’m actually in Dubai” feeling the moment you arrive.

Attractions you’ll get to see:

• Dubai Mall
• Dubai Fountain
• Burj Khalifa
• Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
• Dubai Opera House
• Souk Al Bahar

Dubai Mall

Start your morning here, it’s usually quieter before midday (however, in recent years sadly that isn’t always the case as Dubai’s popularity has grown massively) and you’ll be able to take photos of the indoor waterfall nickname ‘Falling Man Fountain’ or just have a general wander around without feeling overwhelmed by crowds.

My personal favourite parking that I always recommend to friends is Cinema Parking, it’s close to Dubai, Fountain, Souk Al Bahar and is easier to get into and out of. The Grand Parking by the main entrance usually has the biggest queue to get into.

Inside you’ll find Candylicious — the world’s largest sweet shop, which kids absolutely love — plus the famous indoor waterfall, a huge Apple Store with a terrace overlooking Dubai Fountain, and pretty much every brand you could ever want to browse.

It’s also a great spot for breakfast before a big day — grab something at Parker’s or one of the many cafés in the lower ground floor before the crowds arrive.

Travelling with kids? The Dubai Mall aquarium tunnel is visible for free from the ground floor and is always a hit with little ones even before you’ve paid for anything!

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

Inside Dubai Mall is also Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, and it’s one of the attractions I get asked about the most whenever family and friends visit. That huge walk-through tunnel with sharks and rays gliding above you never gets old, I still stop and watch every time I walk past it.

Family tip: if you’ve got younger kids, walk past the giant tank on the ground floor of Dubai Mall first (it’s completely free to see) before deciding whether to pay for full entry. I’ve seen plenty of families do exactly this, and it saves buying tickets for little ones who might only want five minutes with the fish before they’re ready to move on.

If you do go in, budget around 2 hours to see the main tank and tunnel plus the Underwater Zoo upstairs, where the King Croc and penguins are always the biggest hit with kids. You can buy a combined entry ticket with the Burj Khalifa, and I always recommend the Sky View combo over the cheapest entry, it works out much better value once you add it all up.

Check prices for Dubai Aquarium tickets 🐟

Burj Khalifa

The best time to visit Burj Khalifa is late afternoon, giving yourself around 2 hours before sunset to get through security and up the elevator. I always recommend going for the Sky View tickets, not just for the queue jump (the standard line can take well over an hour on a busy day) but because it takes you up an extra level for a slightly different view.

The ticket also includes access to their exclusive lounge where you get coffee, soft drinks and small bites, so it works out as genuinely good value once you factor that in.

Family tip: children under 3 go free, and kids aged 3 to 8 need a child ticket. If you’re travelling with a toddler, pack snacks for the queue since outside food isn’t allowed past security, though there’s a small café inside once you’re up top. A lightweight, foldable stroller is also much easier to manage than a bulky one, especially around the elevators.

Insider tip – Dubai has been super busy since 2023 and it’s best to book most attractions a minimum of 2 weeks in advance, otherwise you may find time you want isn’t available. Sunset time is one of the best times to visit and often sells out first.

Check availability for the Best Burj Khalifa At The Top tickets 🤩

Souk Al Bahar

Souk Al Bahar is a small, traditional-style market with local crafts, art and tourist souvenirs, plus some great restaurants and eateries with front-row views of Dubai Fountain. I actually prefer sending families here over fighting the crowds at Dubai Mall, it’s noticeably calmer and easier to navigate with a stroller or tired kids in tow.

Family tip: there’s an indoor Kids Zone play area inside the souk if your little ones need to burn off some energy, and Time Out Market has a huge mix of casual food stalls, so even the pickiest eaters will find something, plus an outdoor terrace to relax on while they play.

This is also one of the few places you can get an alcoholic drink in the area, and Karma Kafé is a very popular cocktail bar inside if you’re after a grown-up evening drink once the kids are in bed.

It’s definitely worth having a quick wander around here before heading back out towards Dubai Mall to see Dubai Fountain, or better yet, watch the show from the pedestrian bridge connecting the two, it’s far less crowded than the main waterfront.

Dubai Fountain

Seeing the Dubai Fountain for the first time is truly a magical experience, and after over a decade living here, it still stops me in my tracks every single time. You’ll definitely want to see it at night, this is when the lights and music make it the most impressive.

You’ll experience jets of water shooting over 140 metres into the sky, choreographed to different songs throughout the day. You can get an idea from watching a video but nothing beats seeing it in person.

Family tip: for the best free view with kids, head to Burj Park or the bridge connecting Dubai Mall to Souk Al Bahar rather than fighting for space at the main waterfront, you’ll get a great vantage point without getting boxed in by crowds. If you want to get up close, the Boardwalk ticket puts you right at the edge of the lake for the show, or you can hop on a traditional abra for a totally different angle. Both are a genuine highlight for kids who want to feel the spray. Find the Dubai Fountain show times here.

Dubai Opera House

The final stop for the evening is to head over to Dubai Opera by walking around Burj Lake. It’s a lovely walk, and seeing the Opera House lit up at night, with its dhow-inspired curved roofline, is one of those views I never get tired of.

You can choose to enjoy a show here for the evening if you’re into theatre or if you’re on a tighter budget you can enjoy a walk around Burj Park while taking photos of the Opera House in the background.

Family tip: right by Burj Plaza, just next to the Opera House, is the Downtown Slide, a free 19-metre stainless steel tube slide with a 7-metre drop that’s open from 4pm to 1am. It’s suitable for ages 3 and up (minimum height 110cm), and it’s one of the easiest ways to make a tired kid’s evening after a long day of walking. Grab a bite to eat on the grass here while they burn off the last of their energy.

Day 1 recommended restaurants

There’s many great eateries in Dubai, here are a few of the best options in the Downtown area:

• The Restaurant at Address Downtown – Serving modern European food with incredible Burj Khalifa views, rated 4.7 out of 5. I’ve taken visiting family here for a special night out and the view alone makes it worth booking ahead for.
• Krasota Dubai at Address Downtown – A unique Japanese fine dining experience with immersive visual projections throughout the meal, rated 4.9 out of 5. It’s more of a date night spot than one for young kids, slow-paced and theatrical rather than quick.
• Salt at Souk Al Bahar Bridge – A casual and affordable burger spot with views of Dubai Fountain, rated 4.4 out of 5. This is the one I recommend to families wanting something quick, casual and kid-friendly without blowing the budget.
• Parker’s Dubai Mall – A casual spot great for lunch or breakfast, rated 4.5 out of 5. It’s genuinely one of the most family-friendly restaurants on this list, with a kids-approved menu and their famous Matilda Cake that the whole table ends up sharing.

Day 2: Historical Dubai

For this day, I highly recommend to get a hop on and hop off bus ticket as you’ll be able to easily travel to all of the tourist attractions below.

Attractions you’ll get to see on Day 2:

• Dubai Creek & Abra Ride
• Gold Souk
• Spice Souk
• Museum of the Future
• Al Seef
• Al Shindagha Museum
• Dubai Coffee Museum

Museum of the Future

The building is beautiful and great for taking photos, so it’s worth stopping here to take a quick photo or choosing a cafe that has a view of the Museum, grabbing a coffee ready to go for the rest of the day.

The Museum itself, is quite pricey and there isn’t much in there so it’s up to you if you want to pay to enter but I’d recommend just to take a great photo instead.

Insider tip – This is also a very popular attraction like Burj Khalifa, you’ll typically need to buy your tickets 2 weeks in advance.

Check prices and availability for Museum of The Future 💫

Al Seef

Located close to the creek, Al Seef is built in the traditional Emirates building style with shops and cafes inside these traditional houses. It’s great one for having a little wander around and grab another coffee if you need one.

This area is also included in the walking tour but I prefer to take my time and enjoy the cafes as the walking tour you only stay here for 15 mins.

Dubai Coffee Museum

If you’re a coffee lover, this is a must to do while in the area. You’ll learn about the history of coffee and some history of the UAE related to coffee.

The best part is it’s only 10 AED to enter!

Al Shindagha Museum

Learn about the history of the UAE and history of Dubai, especially where you are now and how Dubai Creek was an integral part of the history of Dubai.

See artefacts and other exhibits in the over 20 air conditioned houses. If you love history and reading all the signs, it’s possible to spend up to 4 hours here but you can also do it in 1-2 hours if you want to have a quick walk through instead.

Walking tour of Dubai’s Historical Neighbourhood

This is best to do earlier in the morning or late afternoon, so you avoid the Dubai midday heat. You’ll get to try different street nibbles as you go.

If you do the tour, you won’t need to worry about doing the below two as you’ll get taken across the creek on an Abra and to the Gold and Spice Souks as part of the tour.

Book a walking tour of Old Dubai 💫

Dubai Creek & Abra Ride

It’s take to hop over to the other side of the creek and this traditional wooden boat is the perfect way to do it. Not only to experience a little bit of history of Dubai but also to do something unique.

It’s one of the cheapest things you can do in Dubai, costing only 2 AED to cross on an RTA abra.

If you do the walking tour then this will included.

Spice Souk

Smell the fragrant and exotic aromas in this must visit place in Dubai. You’ll find street sellers with large buckets filled of many different herbs, spices, teas and nuts.

If you’re wanting to buy some saffron or other exotic spices to take home, this is a great place but make sure to haggle as they’ll charge tourists expensive prices.

As a general rule of thumb, usually whatever they quote at the beginning you can get for 50% less. As they expect you to haggle.

Gold Souk

Next to the spice souk is the gold souk and you can enjoy exploring this area with the many gold pieces sitting in the windows worth millions!

You can choose to just browse for free or treat yourself to a beautiful piece of jewellery. Learn what to watch out for when buying gold in Dubai’s gold souk.

Dhow Cruise

This can both be a romantic cruise or fun for the whole family, as a full dinner with entertainment is served on this traditional wooden boat. I really enjoyed the one I did in Dubai.

It’s common to have a traditional Egyptian dancer for the entertainment along with henna painting for extra. Making it the perfect end to an evening learning about the history of Dubai.

Keep in mind to take a jacket though as it does get a little bit chilly with the sea breeze even inside the cabin.

If you buy the 48 hour or 5 day hop on hop off bus ticket, then a Dhow Cruise is included in the ticket price.

🚌 Check Hop on Hop off Bus tours prices

Day 2 recommended restaurants

There’s many great eateries in Dubai, here are a few of the best options close to the historical district:

• Arabian Tea House Al Fahidi – Emirati and Arabic food in a beautiful traditional setting, 4.7 out of 5
• Local House Restaurant – Serving a mixture of Emirati and international dishes, rated 4.5 out of 5
• Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant – Traditional Emirati food served in an Arabic courtyard, rated 4.9 out of 5
• Bikanervala – Very casual restaurant with Indian food and sweets, with a rating of 4.7 out of 5

Day 3: Burj Al Arab & Beaches

The attractions you’ll see today:

• Burj Al Arab
• Kite Beach
• Palm Jumeriah
• Atlantis

Burj Al Arab

Head over to the Burj Al Arab for a tour of one of the most luxurious hotels in the world, with its unique sail like structure set out on the Arabian Gulf sea.

Nicknamed the world’s only “7 star” hotel, the tour will allow you to learn about how Burj Al Arab was built along with seeing the Royal Suite and other parts of the hotel you don’t usually get to see.

I recommend to book the tour that includes the gold cappuccino as it saves you money to try the famous Italian style coffee with gold leaf on top.

Don’t miss getting your Burj Al Arab tickets ✨

Kite Beach

If you love walking, you can choose to walk along the beautiful beach walk way from Burj Al Arab to Kite Beach or hop on a bus for a few stops to Kite Beach. You’ll also be able to get your classic Dubai beach photo with the Burj Al Arab in the background.

You can choose to rent a sun bed here and relax, walk around the promenade, take a bite from the food truck or one of the other many activities available here. Including outdoor playgrounds for kids and volleyball courts.

You really can spend as little or as much time here as you like!

Palm Jumeirah

After you’ve finished from Kite Beach, its time to head to Palm Jumeirah. You can either use your Hop on Hop off bus ticket, take a bus or taxi to the Palm Jumeirah metro stop.

Here you can jump on the Palm Monorail and enjoy the view over Palm Jumeirah.

There’s mixture of private residences and luxury hotels across the palm however the monorail takes to you a choice of Nakheel Mall and Atlantis.

Buy your unlimited day pass Palm Monorail ticket 🚄

The View at Palm Jumeriah

Head up the elevator for an incredible view across Palm Jumeriah Dubai, for a vantage point that is very different to the view from Burj Khalifa. There’s also a cafe at the top, so you can take your time and enjoy the view.

As an alternative you can also choose to visit Aura Skypool here if you’d rather do that instead of The View. Particularly if you only stay at Kite Beach for a short time or choose to skip Atlantis.

There’s also some great restaurants here such as Sushi Samba, located inside the same tower but you’ll need to use the St Regis entrance for the restaurant.

💫 Check availability for The View 💫

Atlantis

There are multiple options available at Atlantis, whether you love adventure and want to enjoy the waterpark or just want to enjoy a stroll inside the resort. Be aware not all parts are open to tourists however.

There’s a mix of restaurants, shops and experience including an aquarium.

Luxury yacht tour

What trip wouldn’t be complete without being on a luxury yacht? This is the perfect way to see Atlantis up close, take photos floating close to Burj Al Arab and feel like a VIP.

There’s an array of tours to choose from, whether you want a party yacht or a sightseeing tour. They also run morning till night, so it’s possible to enjoy this experience any time of the day.

💫 See prices for a luxury yacht tour 💫

Day 3 recommended restaurants

These are my top food options in Jumeirah and Palm Jumeirah:

• Sushi Samba at St Regis Palm Jumeirah – A fusion restaurant of Japanese and Latin American, 4.5 out of 5
• Tresind Studio at St Regis Gardens – Michelin starred Indian restaurant serving a set menu, 4.8 out of 5
• Seafire Steakhouse at Atlantis – High end restaurant serving steaks and grills with a rating of 4.6 out of 5
• Hot Fish Beach Restaurant – Casual seafood eatery serving fresh fish from the harbour, 4.5 out of 5

Getting around Dubai

My most recommended way for the above sights is with a Hop On Hop Off Dubai bus as it covers all of the above tourist destinations.

🚌 Check Hop on Hop off Bus tours prices 🚌

Another great option is hiring a car, both Day 1 and Day 3 are great for using a car as many hotels have valet parking and Dubai mall has a huge multi-storey parking lot.

However for day 2 or the historical district then I recommend to use public transport as traffic can be bad in this area and on street parking is very difficult to find!

🚗 Check rental rates for cars in Dubai 🚗

Dubai has a robust metro and bus system. It’s possible to use only public travel if you’re on a tighter budget however Dubai is a city built for cars. Some hotels have very long driveways without a proper pedestrian walkway.

Another issue can be the heat as well that makes using public transport difficult, particularly in the day during the summer where you may have to walk distances between the metro and bus. That’s why I recommend to either use the Hop on Hop off bus to take you directly to places or a rental car.

Uber and another company called Careem, offer to hire both taxis and private vehicle transfers through out Dubai.

Learn more about Dubai’s public transport system.

Final thoughts on 3 Day Dubai Itinerary

If I could pretend for a trip I’d never been to Dubai before, this would be my absolute ultimate 3 day itinerary and I’m getting excited for you just at the thought of doing it.

Dubai is an incredible city and this tour really shows off all the different fantastic sides to Dubai. I’ve seen a lot of itineraries and sadly they get you yo-yoing from area to area when there really isn’t any need.

The above is the most efficient way you can see Dubai without spending a fortune on taxis or wasting lots of valuable time going from one end of Dubai to the other. While still ticking off all the main tourist attractions in Dubai.

Have an amazing times and leave a comment below if you found the itinerary helpful!

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