Dubai Itinerary For five days: A Highlights Tour By the Better of Dubai

Solely obtained 5 days in Dubai? Let’s take advantage of it with this 5 day Dubai itinerary

The glittering megacity of Dubai is ready to be explored this 12 months, however will 5 days be sufficient to expertise all this unbelievable metropolis on the shores of the Arabian Gulf has to supply?

It’s exhausting to imagine simply 60 years in the past the town was little greater than a bustling buying and selling port sitting alongside the banks of Dubai Creek. It’s now often known as a metropolis of extremes and superlatives; a hub of tourism, tradition, buying, and innovation.

So is it attainable to seize the perfect of Dubai in simply 5 days? It’ll be a squeeze, however we’re going to point out you ways!

On this 5-Day Dubai itinerary we’ve set out for you beneath, we are going to take you thru all of the totally different features of Dubai, from the fashionable skyscrapers and architectural feats to extra conventional components of the town, the desert, and a day journey additional afield thrown in.

Combine and match the times to fit your pursuits and timings finest – plus, we share further day journey concepts you probably have even longer to discover or wish to substitute some actions.

It is a tremendous detailed information so do bookmark this web page for later in your browser or put it aside to Pinterest

Issues to know earlier than visiting Dubai

Earlier than we dive into the juicy particulars of WHAT TO DO, ensure you’ve checked out our important planning data too. We cowl in a lot larger element:

• Dubai eating guides – all our favorite locations to eat, eating specialities, bars and particular events.

• Greatest occasions to go to Dubai – don’t be caught out by the climate or spiritual occasions, listed below are the perfect occasions to go to Dubai.

• Take out journey insurance coverage! We’re in an ever-changing world at current, while Dubai stays open for enterprise, don’t get caught quick; ensure that your journey is comprehensively insured.

Transport in Dubai for five days

Over the course of utilizing our 5-day itinerary, you will want to take a mix of taxis, the Metro and personal excursions.

We’ve given primary instructions on get to every place by public transport if attainable, or the place you might must e-book a taxi to get door-to-door with ease. You’ll find our full information to Dubai Transport choices right here.

Metro Price: If you happen to keep in Dubai for quite a lot of days and suppose you’ll catch the Metro greater than a few occasions, you would possibly wish to contemplate getting a Silver Nol and loading it with a weekly go, or just a Pink Nol and high it up as you’ll want to use it. We clarify all of the fares in additional element right here.

A notice on taxis: Within the hottest a part of the 12 months (i.e. about Might to October!), be cautious of how far you may stroll in the course of the day. Locations could look comparatively shut and inside strolling distance on a map, however below the warmth of the solar, a brief taxi/Uber could very a lot be value it (noting a minimal fare applies of 12 AED).

Hiring a automotive: Until you’re a super-confident driver or plan on taking a number of journeys out of the town, you’re finest counting on taxis and excursions to your out-of-town journeys throughout a one-week keep in Dubai.

What can I match into 5 days in Dubai?

With solely 5 days in Dubai, you’ll want to watch out along with your time administration and little doubt e-book just a few actions upfront, particularly if you happen to’re visiting at peak tourism occasions. Given COVID restrictions, many venues proceed to have capability limits.

We advocate utilizing a good ticketing agent comparable to Get Your Information who provide a money-back assure within the case of needing to cancel your journey to Dubai.

When planning out your days, notice that the weekend in Dubai is Friday & Saturday; lately are MUCH busier with native residents additionally out and about, particularly Friday afternoons after prayer time. Some points of interest could open in a while a Friday.

We set out for you right here a balanced itinerary for seeing all the things that Dubai has to supply, but in addition included beneath is a desk of extra actions which you could combine and match to your tastes.

For a complete record of all the things there’s to see and do in Dubai, pop over right here – we’ve 150+ concepts!.

Day 1 – 5 Day Dubai Itinerary: Previous Meets New

Step again into the Dubai of the previous from Bedouin roots to bustling Dubai Creek.

To your first day of sightseeing in Dubai, it actually helps to return to the grassroots of what Dubai metropolis is about; a busy buying and selling port metropolis primarily based round Dubai Creek.

Get your bearings at Dubai Body

Let’s begin your exploration of Dubai taking within the views from the Dubai Body. Just about what it says – it’s a large image body! One of many first vacationer highlights you’ll seize coming from the airport into the town.

You ascend up one facet of the 150m excessive body (48 flooring) after which stroll throughout the highest. The see-through floored sky deck offers you fabulous views of Previous Dubai, Dubai Creek to Sharjah and past in a single path, and the fashionable skyscrapers of Downtown Dubai to the opposite.

Study extra about visiting the Dubai Body right here

Getting there: Nearest Metro is Al Jafiliya for Zabeel Park nevertheless it’s a good stroll, you might desire a taxi/Uber drop off

Wander Al Fahidi Historic Neighborhood

That is the oldest a part of Dubai metropolis in Bur Dubai, a labyrinth of slim laneways that date again to the nineteenth century. The entire Al Fahidi space (beforehand often known as Bastakiya) is protected in order that the town’s heritage doesn’t develop into misplaced eternally below the sprawling skyscrapers. Many of the conventional sandy-coloured low-rise buildings at the moment are galleries, museums and small cafes.

Inside this space, you will discover the Dubai Museum, housed inside the Al Faihi Fort which dates again to 1787. At solely 3 AED it’s best to undoubtedly pop your head in for extra perception into the nation’s Bedouin previous and the pre-oil period of Dubai. {CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS}

There are various different Dubai museums to be found inside the laneways, the Espresso Museum is certainly one of our favourites value searching for out.

Getting there: Al Fahidi Bus Station or Al Fahidi Metro station

Lunch at Al Seef Waterfront

By now you’ve most definitely labored up an urge for food, so if you happen to’ve not stopped for lunch in XVA Cafe or Arabian Tea Home located inside Al Faihidi Historic Neighbourhood, now could be time to move to certainly one of many eating places on this waterfront improvement. Seamlessly mixing outdated with new it’s straight throughout the road, subsequent to the Al Faihidi Marine Transport Station.

Al Seef is about up like a conventional souk so that you’ll be capable of do your buying right here too. Children could take pleasure in popping into Museum of Illusions or have some enjoyable with photographs within the instagrammable laneways.

Cross Dubai Creek on an Abra

An absolute should for an genuine outdated Dubai expertise! While there are much more trendy strategies lately of crossing the town, a conventional abra at 1 AED per individual remains to be a steal!

Discover the Conventional Deira Souks

Relying on the warmth you may spend a number of hours misplaced within the laneways of Deira, the preferred stops being the Gold Souk and the Spice Souk. It’s all open-air so it may be heavy going and a little bit of strolling mid-afternoon within the hotter months.

You’ll discover just a few extra museums on this space of the town too, Naif Museum and Museum of the Poet Al Oqaili are value searching for out.

If you’ll want to escape to airconditioning at this level, Al Ghurair Centre gives an indoor buying possibility – a extra trendy mall you may nonetheless decide up low cost(er) clothes and electronics right here earlier than beginning your night exploration.

Take a meals tour in Previous Dubai

For the night, it’s time to absorb some native cuisines. Being the multicultural metropolis that Dubai is, you will be positive there are a lot of dishes vying for consideration as “native” delicacies, along with conventional Emirati or Bedouin-style dishes.

One of the vital extremely beneficial meals excursions in Dubai is Frying Pan Adventures who provide varied choices for small teams to have genuine experiences within the streets of Dubai. Most group excursions begin and finish in Deira.

A ship cruise on Dubai Creek

A good way to see how busy and bustling Dubai Creek will be, even at evening, is by taking a dinner cruise on Dubai Creek.

An alternate is to rent a information to your first day, you’ll get informative commentary alongside the way in which in addition to assist with transportation and getting your bearing within the metropolis earlier than hitting trendy Dubai by yourself!

TIP: While the gown code in Dubai is kind of unfastened across the seashore, heading to the older components of city it’s undoubtedly advisable and well mannered to cowl up extra – we discuss extra about what’s acceptable when right here.

Day 2 – 5 Day Dubai Itinerary: Trendy Dubai

Discover round Downtown Dubai, from towering heights to mighty fountains and all the things in between.

In full distinction to Day 1, let’s take you over to the glimmering skyscrapers of Downtown Dubai and the ultra-modern facet of the town.

Dubai Mall

Usually touted as the largest shopping center on the earth (although technically it’s not!), there are a plethora of indoor experiences to have simply inside Dubai Mall, aside from buying! Particularly if you happen to’re visiting in the summertime, it’s simple to spend 2 days simply exploring all the things this mega mall has to supply.

Let’s be lifelike although and assume with half a day you may discover certainly one of:

There are a lot extra issues to see and do indoors and a few simply exterior and on the roof – see the complete record of Dubai Mall points of interest right here.

Getting there: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station on the Pink Line Metro then there’s an airconditioned travellator connecting you to your entire surrounding space of Downtown

Scale the Burj Khalifa

It might be exhausting to set out a Dubai itinerary and never embody THE most iconic constructing within the metropolis – the tallest constructing on the earth no much less! Sure, you may journey to the statement deck of the constructing on the 124th and 125h flooring (further packages take you to the 148th ground!), and even dine at At.mosphere restaurant and lounge on Stage 122.

If you happen to’re not sure what expertise would possibly go well with you, head over to our full customer’s information to visiting the Burj Khalifa the place we set out all of your visiting choices – no exterior climbing permitted Mission Unattainable-style!

If there’s one a part of your Dubai itinerary you merely should e-book upfront it’s the Burj Khalifa. Tickets on the door are extortionately dearer and may promote out. Do enable an excellent 2 hours for queuing and having an excellent go searching. Word sundown and dawn slots (solely weekends) value extra – it’s cheaper if you happen to go after darkish – see our information to Burj Khalifa at Evening!

Souk Al Bahar

One other spot to discover close by is Souk Al Bahar. Accessed over a pedestrian bridge from Dubai Mall, this contemporary market is made within the design of a standard souk providing handicrafts via to advantageous eating and spectacular views over Burj Lake.

You’ll find a wide variety of locations to seize a drink and chunk round downtown Dubai right here.

Night in Downtown Dubai

There are a number of methods to proceed having fun with Downtown Dubai nicely into the night, it’s the hub of Dubai nightlife alongside JBR/Dubai Marina.

The Dubai Fountain present is likely one of the most fashionable free issues to do in Dubai. Ranging from 6:00 PM nightly, then each half hour watch the fabulously choreographed mild and sound present on Burj Lake, sitting on the foot of Burj Khalifa. Later within the night the Burj Khalifa additionally lights up for half-hourly reveals.

For a close-up view of the fountain present, you may take an abra journey on the lake. Alternatively, our favorite is to select one of many eating places with uninterrupted views in both Dubai Mall or Souk Al Bahar and dine while attending to see the present just a few occasions over with out the crowds.

In case your journey occurs to align with one thing you take pleasure in at Dubai Opera, that is one other sensational Downtown Dubai expertise to get glammed up for.

If concrete and trendy Dubai is absolutely not you, then head to the itemizing beneath of the perfect cultural actions to proceed on just a few extra actions we couldn’t squeeze in Day 1. A day journey to the Coronary heart of Sharjah could also be preferable if the older facet of the UAE pursuits you extra.

Day 3 – 5 Day Dubai Itinerary: Seaside & Desert

A day for sand and surf – dune browsing that’s!

Whether or not you’re staying in certainly one of Dubai’s luxurious beachfront motels or not, with 5 days you really want to squeeze in some enjoyable time within the solar too!

After two days of heavy touring, it’s time to leisurely stroll into day 3 at certainly one of Dubai’s well-known beachfront districts (select one, you’ll by no means match two right into a day!) earlier than heading to the dunes late afternoon.

JBR, Bluewaters, Dubai Marina

Lots of first-timers to Dubai discover the realm of JBR and Dubai Marina a terrific place to start out. Familiarise your self with The Stroll & The Seaside, then if you happen to’d prefer to stretch your legs additional, take a stroll over to the ultra-modern Bluewaters Island to dine and marvel on the Dubai skyline alongside Jumeirah Seaside.

From October 2021, two new points of interest of curiosity open on Bluewaters, the unbelievable Ain Dubai statement wheel and Madame Tussauds Dubai – the well-known waxworks museum. Every of those may simply lengthen your journey to the realm for the perfect a part of a day.

You may simply spend an entire day within the JBR space between actions alongside the seashore – suppose inflatable water parks, splash pads, jet ski, and flyboarding, Flying Cup sky-high eating – learn extra on what to do round JBR right here!

You might also wish to head out into the beautiful Gulf waters with a cruise. Plentiful operators will be present in Dubai Marina from pace boat excursions round Palm Jumeirah, or for a extra sedate expertise at a fraction of the fee, the RTA Ferry is a winner (with children no less than – they love something that goes!)

Getting there: JBR/Dubai Marina is the excellent place to remain with 5 days in Dubai because of the excessive variety of spacious resort residences, or by Metro take Pink Line to DAMAC Properties or DMCC Metro Station

Lar Mer

One other ultra-modern beachfront space of the town to discover is La Mer. An eclectic mixture of palm-tree-lined walkways, retail, eating & play alternatives. There’s even a mini water park right here. As fairly at evening as it’s by day La Mer is a stylish new addition for households and singles alike to take pleasure in Dubai’s trendy vibes.

If you happen to don’t wish to spend the entire day merely on the seashore – or it’s just too scorching after an hour or so – La Mer sees you near each the Jumeirah Mosque – the most important mosque in Dubai open to the general public for every day excursions – and Etihad Museum, telling the story of the nation’s unification in 1971.

One other quick hop away is the Al Shindagha historic district close to Mina Port, one other nice method to find out about Dubai’s previous.

Getting there: No direct Metro cease (nearest is Monetary Centre then a 10-minute taxi), or take bus 8, 9 or 88 alongside Jumeirah Seaside Street

Dubai additionally has loads of public seashores, some are utterly free and others have a small Dubai municipality cost however nice amenities. Native favourites embody Al Mamzar Park and Kite Seaside has barely greater waves than others, or head to Sundown Seaside for iconic views of the Burj Al Arab.

Dubai Desert Safari

Within the afternoon, get set for experiencing the Dubai desert. There are quite a few tour operators who’ve camps arrange within the dunes simply exterior of the town, in addition to a choose few operators within the protected Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve – we examine the preferred choices for Dubai desert safari operators right here.

A typical desert safari journey will embody metropolis pickups, then you definitely’ll journey by 4×4 into the dunes, doing a little dune bashing alongside the way in which earlier than an providing of sand sports activities – decide from quad bikes, fats bikes, sandboarding, camel rides, henna portray, shisha then be part of a communal BBQ dinner.

Alternatively, in case you are extra taken with seeing the desert wildlife than the sand sports activities, go for premium choices supplied by Platinum Heritage, slightly extra expensive however smaller teams, and a extra real desert expertise.

Getting there: No want to fret about your 4×4 abilities, tour operators will decide you up out of your resort or a handy metropolis location

You are able to do Day 3 of our 5-day Dubai itinerary in reverse too; If you happen to take an early morning desert safari you will get out and beat the warmth, then spend the remainder of your day having fun with one of many beachfront areas, maybe e-book your self right into a enjoyable seashore membership expertise at one of many good resort resorts and end off your day with sundowners on the seashore.

If you’re visiting within the peak of summer season, you’ll doubtless want to switch or scratch this largely out of doors day and exchange it with some additional actions from our indoor information to Dubai

Day 4 – 5 Day Dubai Itinerary: Abu Dhabi Day Journey

No journey to the UAE is full with out seeing the Capital, Abu Dhabi.

Essentially the most iconic of buildings to go to in Abu Dhabi is the merely beautiful Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

While it’s attainable to squeeze in a visit to the Grand Mosque solely on a half-day journey to Abu Dhabi – it’s lower than 90 minutes on a tour coach Dubai to Abu Dhabi – you’d be doing your self an injustice to not see extra of the town.

Getting there: If you wish to transfer at your personal tempo then undoubtedly rent a automotive to your Abu Dhabi day journey, however catching a tour is the simplest possibility – the massive worth differential is whether or not you be part of a shared vacationer coach or take a personal tour

We’ve got extra particulars right here on the spectacular locations in Abu Dhabi you may squeeze in on a one-day journey from Dubai – together with the Louvre Museum and Qasr al Watan, the Presidential Palace. An extended itinerary would see no less than 2 to three days spent in Abu Dhabi to correctly seize the highlights of the capital.

If you’re a theme park junkie, you might wish to even keep in a single day and luxuriate in Day 5 on the Yas Island theme parks, simply pretty much as good (if not higher!) than their Dubai counterparts – Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi & Ferrari World.

Abu Dhabi is however one of many different 7 Emirates of the United Arab Emirates (albeit by far the most important in dimension and the richest in oil!). Dubai is kind of central within the nation so it’s a nice base for exploring the remainder of the Emirates. We’ve got extra concepts listed beneath for different or extra day journeys from Dubai.

The place to remain in Abu Dhabi? For the Yas Island theme parks undoubtedly in a single day within the model new Hilton Yas Island. For views of the Grand Mosque, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi or Fairmont Bab Al Bahr on the Grand Canal are good decisions nearer to Dubai finish of city.

These staying longer in Abu Dhabi, pop on over to our Abu Dhabi Journey Planner web site.

Day 5 – 5 Day Dubai Itinerary: Dubai Theme Park Day!

Thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies won’t ever be left disenchanted in Dubai.

Now you probably have littles travelling with you (or massive children at coronary heart!) you might nicely want to maneuver theme park day additional up the itinerary or dedicate two full days.

There’s an outstanding choice of world-class theme parks to select from in Dubai. If you happen to’re visiting within the stunning shoulder seasons (roughly March to Might and October to November), our high decide could be one of many mega water parks – select from Atlantis Aquaventure or Wild Wadi at Jumeirah.

(NB if you happen to keep at Atlantis the Palm or any of the Jumeirah motels, your water park entry can be included!)

Over the best a part of the 12 months (December to February), Dubai Parks & Resorts is our best choice. Right here you may select between 4 related theme parks (ideally you may slot in two of those in a day – three at a squeeze):

• Legoland Dubai
• Legoland Dubai Water Park
• Motiongate
• Bollywood Parks

And if it’s the height of summer season, the highest decide goes to IMG Worlds of Journey – suppose Marvel characters to Cartoon Community-themed rides and actions. IMG is completely indoors to beat the warmth.

If theme parks actually aren’t your factor, we strongly counsel checking our alternate options for day journeys & cultural actions you may add on beneath.

Getting there: The Theme Parks in Dubai are all fairly unfold out, Atlantis Aquaventure is on the outer crescent of Palm Jumeirah and Wild Wadi is near Souk Madinat Jumeirah. Dubai Parks & Resorts is in Jebel Ali, past the tip of the Metro and IMG Worlds of Journey sits south of the town. In a bunch, it’s value getting a taxi for this present day

Various – solely in Dubai experiences

If theme parks aren’t your factor, we’d counsel utilizing Day 5 in Dubai to splurge on one thing actually distinctive and memorable in Dubai. Why not contemplate:

If you happen to’ve not had the chance but, discover certainly one of Dubai’s dramatic rooftop bars (seasonal) to complete off your unbelievable week in Dubai with dramatic views over the town skyline or the Arabian Gulf.

Further actions to your Dubai itinerary

There was solely a lot we may slot in an preliminary 5-day itinerary!

If among the above actions don’t attraction, have been out of your funds, or maybe you’d like so as to add some extra days to make it a 10-day or two-week itinerary, right here’s what you may look so as to add:

Steadily requested questions on Dubai itineraries

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Please notice we’re not a journey company. This web site is a journey weblog to assist newcomers to the UAE and transit passengers self plan their journey, we can not e-book your flights, motels, visas or connections for you. We could make a small fee if you happen to click on on any of our suggestion hyperlinks.

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