How many days dubai

After 7pm, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah are pretty boring. I highly recommend you doing some proper research before choosing which area to stay at. For example, if you decide to stay in the Old City because you are on a budget, you should know that the beach of the Marina is more than 30km away. A taxi would cost you around 75AED 20USD and by metro, it would take almost 2 hours, so you should really think twice. My suggested Dubai itinerary involves visiting the most touristic sites on day 1 and 2, Old Dubai on the 3rd day and, if you are here for more than 3 days, visiting off the beaten track places on the 4th.

If you are visiting Dubai for just one day, I recommend you visit the two most famous landmarks:. Dubai is about extravagant and nonsensical buildings and, therefore, the two main attractions in the city are the largest mall in the world and the tallest building on Earth, which is attached to the mall.

By the way, you should know that, despite being the biggest mall, they extended it in by adding an additional luxury section. As per the Burj Khalifa, being the tallest building you will ever see, nobody can deny that this storey building is actually impressive. You can actually go to the top, but only to the th floor and, for some extra money, to the th. If you want to save money, you must book your tickets in advance.

It takes place every half an hour, from 6pm to 11pm. Remember that you can visit Dubai on a half-day city tour. Remember to check my guide to find the right accommodation in Dubai per area.

Downtown is one of the fanciest and most expensive areas to stay at. Most people living here are expats, especially Arab Expats but a lot of Europeans. You should stay here if you want to be close to the best shopping areas and fanciest restaurants.

The most budget choice Hostel — The solo traveler — If you are on a tight budget, this brand-new hostel is right next to the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa, it has a Carrefour just downstairs, has mind-blowing views and offers budget dorms.

If you are a solo traveler, think no further! Click here to see the latest prices. Top-rated hotel — Rove Downtown — The best value for money in Downtown.

Not expensive but its rooms and facilities are right at the luxury boundaries. Some people claim that Souq Madinat is a fake bazaar that tries to imitate a traditional Arab souq. I like to focus on the positive part of travel so, for me, this is just the adaptation of an Arab bazaar to the real concept of Dubai, which is a 21st century, luxurious and modern city. Souq Madinat is actually pretty, has some cool canals with giant turtles swimming around and, since the place is attached to a couple of hotels, there are plenty of bars and high-quality restaurants serving alcohol.

Pro-tip — Have dinner at Tortuga , the most authentic Mexican restaurant in Dubai. When I say authentic I mean Mexicans come here to eat because they serve traditional dishes and not fake Tex-Mex food like nachos, quesadillas, and burritos. My girlfriend is Mexican and we used to go there all the time. Moreover, from Souq Madinat, you get amazing views of Burj Al-Arab, the most luxurious hotel in the world.

It is one of the best luxury options in town. With as little as 10 or 15 years of history and a pretty decent beach where you can ride a camel while staring at floor buildings, Marina is the place where people hang out, from tourists to Western expats, locals and year old kids who spend the day driving around the area just to show off their fancy cars. You can also book a speed boat tour around the Marina.

I lived in the Marina for 3 years and, despite sounding like a cheesy and pretentious area, this is the nicest part to live in Dubai, basically because it is the most Western-friendly. You can easily get there by metro by going to a station which used to be called Marina but now they keep on changing the name constantly. Damac Properties is how they call it now I think.

Pro tip — The beach is nice but it is mostly filled with tourists. Expats go to Kite Beach, located in Jumeirah. The most budget choice Hostel — Top of Marina — If you wanna stay in one of the highest floors with great views of the Marina skyline, this hostel is truly amazing.

It is actually located in the building I used to live and it has a few swimming pools, a gym and just everything you need. If you are on a budget and want to stay in the greatest place, this is your hostel! The top-rated option — The Address Dubai Marina — This is my favorite building in the whole Dubai Marina, as it is just simple but impressive at the same time and located right next to the canal. It is one of the top-rated 5-star hotels in the city and has the best bars in the whole Marina.

After the Marina, if you continue along the coast you find the beginning of The Palm, that famous palm-shaped island which is attached to Dubai mainland and has an Atlantis Hotel replica at its furthest edge. Otherwise, when you are walking over it, it is like being in a normal street plus the island itself is boring.

You can also book a speed boat tour around The Palm. There is nothing to do and it is far away from everything. In three years, I came here just three times and only because I had some company events and meetings.

The Atlantis is one of the most famous landmarks in the city and a replica of the hotel you find in the Bahamas. It also has a waterpark and loads of bars and restaurants. Following the road along the coast, 18km after The Palm I already told you that distances in Dubai are huge , you find Jumeirah, a set of streets filled with expensive villas where the local Emiratis live. I like this area because it is one of the very few actual walkable parts of Dubai and also because you find the Jumeirah Mosque, a small but beautiful mosque which non-Muslim people can visit and the only cultural site to visit in the new part of the city.

Pro tip — Go to Bu Qtair Fish restaurant , a pretty budget seafood restaurant that serves fresh fish cooked in the traditional Gulf way. Old Dubai is my favorite part of the UAE as it is the only place with a real soul. You can easily there by metro. The place is huge though and it has several metro stations. Today, Bastiqaya and Bur Dubai are still mostly inhabited by Indians who are able to provide a deeper cultural feeling than soulless Dubai. Here you will find authentic and cheap Indian eateries filled with tens of Indians, real bazaars and traditional architecture.

Bastiqaya is the place to get lost among its narrow alleys while savoring some real authentic cuisine in the many restaurants where, according to Indians, they serve the best Indian food in the world, because it tastes like back home but it is much more hygienic.

If you are interested in Old Dubai, you can book a Street Food tour around the maze streets of Bastiqaya. Pro tip — If you need to buy any electronic, Bur Dubai has the cheapest stores in town, much cheaper than anywhere in Europe.

If you look for the cheapest option, this is your place. The top-rated — Raffles Dubai — A top luxury hotel but much cheaper than other similar options from Marina or Downtown. If you look for affordable luxury, this is your place. Pay 1 AED and enjoy a fabulous ride in the abra, the traditional water taxi to cross the atmospheric Dubai Creek from Bur Dubai to Deira on the opposite side. The quaint old wooden boat has a fishtail carved out of wood. From saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, sumac and turmeric, Deira has the most traditional and photogenic souq, selling all sorts of spices, to the extent that any Indian can actually cook any curry they can come up with.

Deira also offers plenty of budget accommodation and the biggest advantage is that it is very close to the airport. For people on a budget, this is a really good option. Top-rated — Rove City Center — This hotel has the largest number of really positive reviews, located in the new and fancy part of Deira. The Lounge is a popular spot for fine dining with a view!

Call ahead to book a table on the terrace. Dubai Creek flows between Deira and Bur Dubai and is one of the best places to visit in Dubai if you have more than two days. One of the few remaining areas that retains its original character as more and more skyscrapers are erected, the Creek is the antithesis to the rest of the emirate and will show you that amid the flashy cars and futuristic architecture, there are cultural attractions to be found in Dubai.

Even now, cargo boats loaded with goods depart to Iran, Pakistan and further afield. Bastakiya is also known as Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. You can do a walking tour or simply wander the labyrinth of charming streets. You can pay just 1 dirham for a ride across Dubai Creek on a traditional abra.

On the other side of the Creek, explore the atmospheric Spice Souk , inhaling the heady aromas of exotic spices. Next, walk through the Gold Souk. As the sun sets, treat yourself to a dhow dinner cruise on one of the many wooden boats docked at the creek. This is how I spent my days off in Dubai. Both places are on Jumeirah Beach Road. If you go there, be sure to grab lunch at SALT , the coolest burger place in town. Not a beach person? Wile away the day at a hotel pool.

I must have spent half my life there while I lived in Dubai! There are plenty of great restaurants in the Jumeirah area for dinner. No visit to Dubai would be complete without seeing the desert, so your final day should be spent on the sand dunes. While you can hire a vehicle and explore unaided, there are a number of tour companies who can guide you.

Before you head for the desert, grab a casual breakfast at McGettigans , one of my favourite spots for breakfast in Dubai. Read my McGettigans breakfast review for information about the menu. Read my review of Arabian Adventures Desert Safari for full details on this day trip.

Visiting the desert is a real Dubai must do and very memorable. On the journey back, stop to take pictures at Dubai Frame. After freshening up back at your hotel, enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail or two at one of the best rooftop bars in Dubai. Just want to splash out on a truly memorable experience? For dinner, head to another of my favourite places to go in Dubai. This allows you to really squeeze out the adventures that either city has to offer. You can build on the previous five-day Dubai itinerary for a week-long trip and spend the remaining two days in Abu Dhabi.

One of the largest mosques in the world, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is basked in opulence and offers a free minute guided tour for tourists throughout the day. A two-week UAE itinerary is a luxury of a lifetime.

With nearly a fortnight to spare, you can do an in-depth discovery of the UAE, tick off all the fun activities in your itinerary and spend a few days at leisure, hopefully resting in some of the best hotels the Emirates has to offer. In addition to the activities and landmarks already listed, we recommend spending a day in the Palm Jumeirah.

An artificial island located in Dubai , the Palm Jumeirah offers a wide range of activities, including water adventures at Aquaventure Waterpark, a luxurious spa treatment, and even a skydiving adventure for the ultimate adrenaline rush. Although this region is the poster boy of modernism, it still oozes history that is fun to explore. Hop on a dhow a traditional wooden boat for a unique sightseeing experience of Bur Dubai through the Dubai Creek. Get in touch with one of our travel experts in the UAE for a customized trip.

If you would like to book a package trip or join a group, check out our tours in UAE. Kick back and take in the grand view of the Dubai Marina skyline You can spend anywhere from three days to three weeks in the UAE, but we recommend a two-week stay as the perfect travel duration. Visit the grand Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque If you can only spare three days or less in the UAE, it is best to concentrate your trip on a single emirate.

Ride camels through the massive deserts in Dubai With five days to spend, you should be able to add more activities to the above-mentioned UAE itinerary.