Dubai weekend: What to do in Dubai in 48 hours
Spoiler alert: you can't do everything (that's why you need to plan a return trip), however, you can pack a hefty amount into 48 hours.
Don't know where to start? Don't worry, we're here to help – we've mapped out your dream Dubai weekend (or couple of weekdays), giving you a flavour of everything the city has to offer.
It's going to be jam-packed, filled with the best things to do in Dubai.
Let's go.
Day 1: Morning
Experience UAE culture
Credit:Canva
First stop – breakfast.
Getting straight into the culture, head for a traditional Emirati breakfast at the Arabian Tea House in Bur Dubai and enjoy one of their breakfast trays, filled with dates, molasses, Balaleet, watermelon jam and baked beans.
Then it's time to walk off that breakfast around Old Dubai. Take in the sights on either side of Dubai Creek before it gets too hot and you can even use an abra – a traditional boat – to ferry you over for just Dhs1. Enjoy a stroll through the Gold Souk to hunt out a bargain (haggling is expected!), or the traditional boutiques around Al Seef to get a feel of Dubai in years gone by.
Arabian Tea House, open daily 7am-11pm, Al Fahidi Street, Bur Dubai, arabianteahouse.net (04 353 5071).
Day 1: Afternoon
Explore Dubai Mall
(Credit: CanvaPro)
You'll be getting your steps in today that's for sure, as next on the itinerary is an adventure around the world's biggest shopping mall.
With over 1,500 shops and restaurants, there is everything at Dubai Mall that you could ever need.
If you like this: Your ultimate guide to Dubai Mall
It's not just about shopping though – you'll also find Dubai Ice Rink, an enormous Reel Cinema, an immersive hype experience, a quirky soft play and an e-karting track.
Open daily 10am-11pm. Downtown Dubai, thedubaimall.com.
Day 1: Evening
Enjoy Downtown Dubai
Credit: CÉ LA VI
For your evening activities, make sure to catch the sunset at Burj Khalifa. At The Top you'll find a viewing deck on floor 125. Want to go even higher? There are other packages available that will whistle you all the way up to level 148, just be sure to book ahead.
When you get hungry, head to Time Out Market and grab something from the huge selection of food vendors – keep an eye out for Pitfire Pizza, Pickl and Mattar.
Your last destination of the day is Cé La Vi for a few drinks overlooking Downtown Dubai. You'll be served some incredible views of glittering Burj Khalifa, which looks even more impressive from this 54th-floor restaurant.
If the weather isn't too hot, head out to the terrace to make the most of those stellar panoramas.
Prices vary. At The Top, open daily 5am-midnight, Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, burjkhalifa.ae (04 888 8124).
Time Out Market, open Mon-Thu noon-midnight; Fri noon-1am; Sat 10am-1am; Sun 10am-midnight. Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai timeoutdubai.com (054 375 2421).
Open Sun-Fri noon-3am, Sat 12.30pm-3am. Level 54, Tower 2, Address Sky View Hotel, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, celavi.com, (04 582 6111).
Day 2, Morning
Yoga and breakfast at Aura Skypool
Is there a better way to start the day than cooling off at one of the hottest spots in town? Aura Skypool is the world's highest infinity pool, with 360-degree vistas and incredible views over Atlantis The Palm.
Spend the morning tucking into breakfast – with dishes like an Asian brunch bowl or miso eggs benedict – and taking a dip. The pool is an ideal spot to pose for pics or, if you're the active type, you can do a yoga class three mornings a week for the ultimate flex (literally).
Prices vary. Opening times vary.The Palm Tower, Palm Jumeirah, auraskypool.com (04 566 2121).
Day 2: Afternoon
Take on Atlantis Aquaventure
While the summer temperatures are in full force, a trip to the waterpark is one of the best ways to spend an afternoon.
Keeping you cool as you splash between slides or float along the lazy river, there's plenty to do in the world's largest waterpark (try Poseidon's Revenge if you dare…).
Plus, once you're all dried off, you can take a wander through the iconic Atlantis The Palm hotel or even take a visit to the Lost Chambers Aquarium, where you'll meet over 65,000 marine animals.
Atlantis Aquaventure: From Dhs235. Open daily 10am-6.30pm. Palm Jumeirah, aquaventureworld.com (04 426 0000).
The Lost Chambers Aquarium: From Dhs125 (adult), Dhs100 (child). Open daily 10am-9pm. Palm Jumeirah, aquaventureworld.com (04 426 0000).
Day 2: Evening
Dine, sip and party
KIRA (Credit: Supplied)
It wouldn't be a trip to Dubai without witnessing Burj Al Arab in all its gilded glory. If you want a spectacular view of the 'seven-star' hotel, book a terrace table at KIRA inside the new Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab hotel. Complete with a Mediterranean-inspired menu and gorgeous views, this is a perfect choice for your final dinner.
As the evening continues, head to SUSHISAMBA for a show-stopping after-dark drink. With sprawling views over Palm Jumeirah, coupled with an iconic menu of 'Samba Serves' mixed drinks, it's definitely worth sipping one last digestif here.
If you want to keep the party going, end your trip on a high at FIVE Palm Jumeirah hotel. Packed with entertainment, the venue never sleeps. Don't miss out on sipping something refreshing on the Maiden Shanghai terrace, or a dance at Bling nightclub – where you can drive your supercar onto the dancefloor – for one last 48-hour fling.
KIRA Dubai: Open Sun-Wed noon-1am,Thu-Sun noon-2am. Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Umm Suqeim, kira-restaurant.com (04 328 1665).
SUSHISAMBA: Open Mon-Fri noon-3pm, 6pm-2am, Sat-Sun 1-3.30pm, 6pm-2am. The St. Regis Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, sushisamba.com (04 278 4888).
Maiden Shanghai: Open Sun-Thu 12.30pm-3.30pm, 7pm-1am; Fri 12.30pm-3.30pm, 7pm-2am; Sat 1pm-7pm, 8pm-2am. FIVE Palm Jumeirah, maiden-shanghai.com (04 455 9989).
Bling: Open Tue10pm-4am,Thu-Fri 10pm-4am, Sat 11pm-4am, Sun 10pm-4am. FIVE Palm Jumeirah, blingdxb.com (058 869 8996).
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