One Perfect Day in Dubai: 5 Perfect Itineraries
Visiting Dubai for a day and looking for the best travel itinerary? You’re at the right place.
Dubai, the gem of the Middle East, is one of the best places to visit for luxury, culture, adventure, and shopping. Whether you’re here for a short layover or want to explore this modern (and also traditional) city in a day, Dubai offers unforgettable experiences for every kind of traveler.
From wandering the quaint lanes of Old Dubai and lounging on golden sand beaches to capturing gorgeous views from the top of Burj Khalifa and going dune-bashing in the desert, Dubai offers many interesting things to do in just 24 hours! Or even less!
If you’re still wondering if it is possible to see Dubai in a day, it is absolutely doable.
Here are five special one-day Dubai itineraries, from the most popular to the culture-friendly, for you to choose from.
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Most Popular Dubai Itinerary for 1 Day
If you’re visiting Dubai for the first time, this one-day itinerary is for you. It is packed with the most popular Dubai attractions, such as Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall.
Since we will begin the day at the Dubai Mall, here are a couple of highly rated hotels near it.
- Midrange: Ramada by Wyndham Downtown Dubai
- Budget: HotelApart Dubai Mall
Morning
Start at Burj Khalifa
Kick off your day in Dubai by visiting Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.
Head to the observation deck at levels 124 and 125 for panoramic views of the city. Have a bite in the At The Top Sky Lounge just for the experience, even if you’re not hungry.
★ Pro Tip: Tickets to the Burj Khalifa sell out quickly. So, reserve your tickets online in advance here for a seamless experience.
After Burj Khalifa, stroll to Dubai Mall
One of Dubai’s best attractions—the Dubai Mall—is right next door to Burj Khalifa.
Dubai Mall isn’t the usual shopping center—it’s a world of experiences. You can easily spend an entire day here.
The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, with its 10-million-liter tank and over 30,000 aquatic animals, is right here in the Dubai Mall.
The mall is also home to the Dubai Ice Rink, Kidzania, and Ekart Zabeel for an indoor go-karting experience.
Afternoon
Lunch at Dubai Mall
With over 200 eateries, Dubai Mall’s food court has something for every tastebud.
If you’re looking for traditional Middle Eastern food, try Karam Beirut or Awani—two of my favorites. I also love American delights at The Cheesecake Factory and Sichuan hot pot at Hai Di Lao. Try some delicious Middle Eastern sweets at Hafiz Mustafa.
Spend the rest of the afternoon strolling through the alleys of Dubai Mall and spotting beautiful art. You’ll also find lots of outlets to shop and window-shop here.
For an authentic souk (traditional Middle Eastern marketplace) experience, head to Souk al Bahar, or the “Sailor’s Market.”.
Evening
End your day with the Dubai Fountain Light Show, an unmissable Dubai attraction.
Stick into the evening to watch the Dubai Fountain Shows, choreographed to music and lights, right in front of Burj Khalifa.
We recommend grabbing dinner at a restaurant with views of the Dubai Fountain for the quintessential Dubai experience.
★ Pro Tip: Book your Dubai Fountain Show and Burj Lake Ride here.
One-Day Dubai Itinerary for Culture Vultures
If you’re a culture vulture, you’ll be happy to know that Dubai has a rich cultural and historical side, which you can explore in Old Dubai. This is also a suitable itinerary for people visiting Dubai for the second or third time.
Since we will be spending the day in Old Dubai, here are a couple of highly rated hotels in the area.
- Midrange: Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton
- Budget: Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa – 4-Star Hotel in Dubai
Morning
Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood
Start your day in the historic district of Old Dubai.
Wander through the charming alleyways of Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, stopping at the Dubai Coffee and Coin museums and exploring traditional Emirati architecture.
Old Dubai is a perfect desert town with architecture designed to withstand the region’s extreme temperatures. Be sure to notice the tall wind towers, lattice window screens, and porous walls of houses in Al Fahidi.
★ Pro Tip: I recommend starting your day with this Dubai Old Town Tour, which will take you to all the best attractions in the area. This tour includes light Emirati snacks such as sambusa, luqaimat, and regag bread.
Afternoon
Lunch at Al Seef
This quaint waterfront district is the perfect lunch stop. At Arabian Tea House, you can enjoy traditional Emirati cuisine while soaking in the views of Dubai Creek.
Visit the Museums of the Al Shindagha District
Head to Al-Shindagha, where you’ll find beautifully restored museums detailing Dubai’s cultural evolution—from Bedouin life to a global metropolis.
One of my favorite Dubai museums is the Al Shindagha Perfume Museum, which showcases the UAE’s rich history of oud and perfume-making.
★ Read Next: How’s Oud different from Attar, Bakhoor, and Perfumes?
Evening
Explore the Old Souks
Ride a traditional Emirati boat, called the abra, across Dubai Creek and head to the old souks in the area.
End your day in Dubai by immersing yourself in the lively atmosphere of the Spice Souk and Gold Souk. Prepare to haggle for unique finds and admire the shimmering gold displays.
One-Day Dubai Itinerary for Families
Traveling to Dubai with kids and looking for the best itinerary to indulge your little ones? Here’s one filled with fun, activity, and relaxing beach time.
Since we will begin the day at JBR Beach, here are a couple of highly rated hotels in JBR.
- Midrange: DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai – Jumeirah Beach, Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Dubai JBR
- Budget: Kabina Inn Marina
Morning
We have a couple of different options for your morning in Dubai.
Explore Miracle Garden
Take your family to Dubai Miracle Garden, the world’s largest flower garden. Brightly colored displays and life-sized floral sculptures make it a magical afternoon spot.
Kids will find this place interesting with its floral displays of a lifesize Emirates Airbus A380, a floral castle, a large flower clock, and popular cartoon characters.
Book your Miracle Garden tickets in advance here.
★ Pro Tip: The Miracle Garden is open from November to mid-June. Find all the details in my detailed Miracle Garden Guide here.
Beach Break
If you’re craving beach time, head to JBR Beach to relax and enjoy family beach fun.
There’s plenty to do here, from parasailing to shopping. There are also many kid-friendly activities, including an open-air gym and a splash pad.
Great places to have lunch include Eataly at the Beach and Claw BBQ. Pavilion at the Beach has more amazing restaurants.
Spend the day at Dubai Parks and Resorts
If you’re looking for some theme park fun, head to Dubai Parks and Resorts, a sprawling complex home to Legoland and Legoland Water Park, Motiongate Dubai, Riverland, and the Neon Galaxy Indoor Playworld.
You can easily spend an entire day at Dubai Parks and Resorts. If you plan to do that, you should check out this Dubai Parks 1-Day Pass, which allows access to 2 parks in the area.
Afternoon & Evening
Head to Dubai Mall for an afternoon and evening filled with fun activities.
Visit Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
Head to the Dubai Aquarium inside Dubai Mall. This is one of the largest aquariums in the world, with over 30,000 species living here.
Stunning views from Burj Khalifa
Visit the observation deck at Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, for stunning views of the Dubai skyline.
Dubai Fountains & Dinner
End the day with dinner at one of the many restaurants in Dubai Mall. Pick one with a view of the Dubai Fountains to enjoy the majestic water show while enjoying delicious food.
★ Pro Tip: Book your Dubai Fountain Show and Burj Lake Ride here.
One Day Dubai Itinerary for Adventurers
Looking for adventure in Dubai? This Dubai itinerary is for you.
Since we will begin the day at the Dubai Mall, here are a couple of highly-rated hotels near Dubai Mall.
- Midrange: Ramada by Wyndham Downtown Dubai
- Budget: HotelApart Dubai Mall
Morning
Begin at Burj Khalifa
Start your day in Dubai by visiting the tallest building in the world. Enjoy gorgeous views from the observation deck at levels 124 and 125.
Tickets to Burj Khalifa sell out pretty fast. Reserve your tickets online in advance here.
Visit Dubai Mall
Next, head to Dubai Mall, located right next to Burj Khalifa.
You can visit the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo here, ice skate at the Dubai Ice Rink, or go-kart at Ekart Zabeel.
Afternoon
Head out for a desert safari adventure
Sign up for an extreme desert safari adventure and ride through the sand dunes in a dune buggy; try sand surfing, watch a traditional Tanura dance show, and enjoy dinner under the stars.
A dune-bashing desert safari is a quintessential Dubai adventure that’s a must-have on every adventurer’s itinerary.
★ Pro Tip: Book your extreme Dubai safari adventure here.
One Day Dubai Itinerary for Shopaholics
Love to shop? Dubai is the ultimate shopping paradise—and even in one day, you can shop to your heart’s content.
Since we will begin the day at the Dubai Mall, here are a couple of highly-rated hotels near Dubai Mall.
- Midrange: Ramada by Wyndham Downtown Dubai
- Budget: HotelApart Dubai Mall
Morning
Early Shopping Spree at Dubai Mall
Start your day at Dubai Mall, one of the largest shopping destinations in the world.
With over 1,000 retail stores and luxury brands like Chanel, Zara, and Hermes, Dubai Mall is the perfect place to splurge.
Don’t forget to stop by the Souk Al Bahar section within the mall for stunning Arabian arts and crafts.
Afternoon
Head to Old Souks of Dubai
Visit the bustling souks of Dubai during the afternoon. They are located in the Old Dubai area and are the perfect place to pick up traditional Dubai souvenirs.
Visit the Spice Souk and Textile Souk for local spices, textiles, lamps, perfumes, and local artworks. These places are perfect for bargain hunting and unique finds.
Do not miss the famous Dubai Gold Souk, which dazzles with glittering jewelry. Even if you have no plans of buying jewelry, walk through the lanes to be wowed by the sheer size of necklaces and pendants!
★ Pro Tip: Check out this Old Dubai Tour that includes Gold Souk and Spice Market visits.
Evening
Dubai Global Village
Wrap up your day in Dubai at Global Village—a multicultural shopping and entertainment destination.
Explore pavilions representing over 75 countries while indulging in international cuisine and entertainment shows.
Practical Tips for Spending a Day in Dubai
- November – April are good months to visit Dubai. Temperatures are milder, and it is the best time to explore the outdoors. That said, if you’re visiting during summer, you can easily pick indoor attractions for your Dubai itinerary because there’s a ton of indoor stuff to do here.
- Start your day early to beat the heat and maximize your time. Mornings are usually quieter, allowing you to take your photographs in peace.
- If you’re wondering how to get around, Dubai’s metro is quick and cheap, with stops at many key attractions. You can also use taxis or rideshares like Uber and Careem.
- I recommend wearing lightweight, modest clothing, especially if you’re visiting cultural sites like the older parts of Dubai and the traditional souks. For beaches, theme parks, and malls, you can wear whatever you’re comfortable in.
- I recommend booking tickets in advance for attractions like Burj Khalifa, Museum of the Future, and Dubai Miracle Garden to avoid missing out.
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