48 hours in Dubai: The perfect two-day itinerary

1. Day 1

   
   1. Morning

      Survey the skyline from the sea (2 hours)

      

      Start your visit on a high note with a cruise along the coast on this fast-paced speedboat tour, you’ll have the best angle to appreciate the concentration of towering buildings packed into the city skyline. The perfect panoramic photo bagged, you’ll continue with a thrilling preview of this dynamic city, whizzing past the world's tallest buildings, a myriad of luxury hotels — of which Dubai has more than any other city in the world — and the sprawling Jumeirah Beach Residence, known as JBR.

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   2. Hit the beach (1 Hour)

      

      After gazing out at the beach from afar, it’s time to feel the sand between your toes. Make your way along the Dubai Marina to JBR Beachwalk. Temperatures are cooler in the mornings, making it the opportune time for a visit before the city heat cranks up. It’s a thirty-minute walk but, if you can’t wait, you can use the Careem app to rent a bike or a scooter to get you there faster.

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   3. Afternoon

      Soar above Dubai Marina (30 minutes)

      

      The Dubai Marina will capture your attention and imagination with its opulence, from luxury yachts to sleek skyscrapers. While a walk around is a lovely way to see it, a bird’s eye view beats any other kind. Take a ride on the longest urban zipline in the world: XLine. You can opt to ride alongside a loved one on a parallel line as you glide at thrilling speeds of up to 50 MPH. Traveling solo? The GoPro on your helmet will capture every moment for you to share later.

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   4. Recharge with a view at Dubai Eye (1 hour)

      

      Have you started to notice how many “world’s largest/tallest/longest” records seem to be in Dubai? Keep the records rolling with a visit to the world’s largest Ferris wheel, the Dubai Eye, rising 820 feet above Bluewaters Island. You’ll have 40 minutes to take in the unobstructed views of famous sights like Atlantis and The Palm, a series of man-made islands stretching out into the Persian Gulf to resemble a massive palm tree.

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   5. Evening

      Dash through the Arabian Desert (7 Hours)

      

      There’s one sight more breathtaking than the Dubai skyline and it lies just outside the city — the Arabian Desert, the largest desert in Asia. There are many ways to experience the best the desert has to offer, but why choose? This full desert experience might leave Dubai mid-afternoon, but it is actually multiple sights in one and includes encounters with nature, live entertainment, and a delicious dinner. Fully immerse yourself in the landscape with dune bashing, sandboarding, and 4x4 and camel rides. After your sandy adventures, you’ll be greeted at Al Khayma desert camp, where traditional Arabic coffee and snacks are served as the sun sets. Fit in another quick camel ride as your hosts fire up the barbeque for dinner, which features traditional live entertainment and dancing. You’ll have one more chance to take in the peaceful beauty of the desert at night before returning to the city.

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2. Day 2

   
   1. Morning

      Look forward at the Museum of the Future (2 hours)

      

      Start your day off with a visit into the future at Dubai’s newest attraction. You’ll notice the Museum of the Future’s striking exterior first — the calligraphy that covers its unique architecture is actually a poem by Dubai's Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum about visions of the future. The futurism focus extends throughout the museum, which is dedicated to worldwide innovation with evolutionary exhibits that will give you an insight into the year 2071. Try your hand at being an astronaut by boarding a simulated spacecraft called Hope, named after the UAE’s Mars orbiter. Next, stop by a digital Amazon rainforest and The Vault of Life, a library with the DNA for over 2000 species. Book in advance, as entrance tickets tend to sell out.

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   2. Shop your heart out at Dubai Mall (2 hours)

      

      Your next “world’s largest” happens at the Dubai Mall, with over 1,200 shops and a “Fashion Avenue” boasting more than 200 designer stores. Its sheer size makes the mall tricky to navigate, so download the mall’s app to make your shopping easier. The Dubai Aquarium — the largest aquarium in the world, of course — is located on the mall’s ground level. The underwater zoo is incredible, but you can see one of the impressive tanks for free through the glass wall at the aquarium’s entrance if your retail therapy isn’t quite finished.

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   3. Afternoon

      Eat your way through Old Dubai (3.5 hours)

      

      As impressive as the skyscrapers and nightlife of new Dubai can be, nothing compares to the culture and charm of the city’s older side. Take a 15-minute taxi over to Deira in Old Dubai — cream-colored taxis are fairly priced and safe, but families and female travelers have the option to book a pink-roofed taxi, which are driven by women. In Deira, visit the sprawling gold and the spice souks. Grab a lemonade or watermelon juice from the 60-year-old Jafer Biman Ali cafeteria before heading to the Al Sabkha water station to cross the Dubai Creek in an abra, a traditional public boat. Exit at the Bur Dubai station and visit Al Fahidi (Bastakiya), a historic quarter with restaurants and cafes that have stood the test of time, as well as Al Fahidi Fort, Dubai’s oldest building. With a guided food tour, you can learn more from a local guide and hear the stories behind dishes and drinks you enjoy over the course of three hours. Be sure to save room for a signature dessert, camel milk ice cream.

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   4. Touch the sky at Burj Khalifa (1.5 hours)

      

      A short taxi or metro ride away from Old Dubai lies the icon of the city’s modern side and the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa. At 2,723 feet, it has towered over your adventures for the past two days, but as impressive as this skyscraper is from the ground, properly appreciating its height involves a trip to the top. Book your tickets in advance to ensure you can visit the 125th floor via the world’s fastest elevator — are you even surprised anymore? — for a 360-degree, panoramic view of the city. Time your visit with sunset so you can watch the city transition from day to night.

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   5. Evening

      Dance with the Dubai Fountain (30 minutes)

      

      If your heart is still pumping from the heights of Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountain show will soothe and excite you all at once. Every 30 minutes, 6,000 lights glow, and 22,000 gallons of water dance in a choreographed music show. Its jets shoot 500 feet into the air, making this the tallest performing fountain in the world. The best free views are from the balcony of the Apple Store in the Dubai Mall, but getting an up-close experience is worth a few dollars. Take a traditional wooden boat ride on Burj Lake, or pay the entrance fee (20 AED, around $5) on the spot at the floating Dubai Fountain Boardwalk.

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   6. Enjoy dinner with a view at Souk Madinat (2 hours)

      

      Take in the best view of the Burj Al Arab’s iconic sailboat architecture from Souk Madinat as you choose from its 24 restaurants, either indoors where all the smells and sounds combine, or on the outdoor terrace. Its traditional shops are the perfect place to pick up a souvenir from your trip, before a quintessential abra ride around the Souk’s canals, to soak in the last palm-tree fringed glimpses of the city’s bright lights.

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