How to Spend a Fantastic 48 Hours in Dubai
Cruise on a traditional abra, dine at the world’s finest restaurants, relax on a gorgeous beach, see the city from the world’s tallest building, shop till you drop at the world’s largest shopping mall and haggle for clothing at colourful bustling souks; there are so many amazing things to do in Dubai. Continue reading for how to spend a fantastic 48 hours in Dubai!
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Dubai; a vibrant metropolis where you feel like you’ve stepped into the future. Glitzy record-breaking skyscrapers made of glass, bright lights, gleaming shopping malls, some of the world’s finest dining and most luxurious hotels and gorgeous sandy beaches.
As well as the glistening new Dubai, make sure you explore the colourful souks and bustling bazaars, hop on a traditional abra and experience traditional Bedouin hospitality and Emirati entertainment to see a completely different side to this exciting emirate.
Dubai is a fantastic destination in itself with enough to keep you entertained for a couple of weeks. Alternatively, break up your journey further afield to somewhere like Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore or Bali with 48 hours in Dubai.
In this guide, we’ll share how to spend 2 days in Dubai. It’s completely impossible to see everything with a 2 day Dubai itinerary, however, you can get a really good feel for what the city has to offer.
Also, if like us, you’re a bit sceptical about what all the fuss is about, it’s a perfect place to break up your journey for a couple of days. We weren’t sure what to expect from Dubai, however, it completely exceeded our expectations and we can’t wait to go back!
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Contents
48 Hours in Dubai
Day 1 of Your Dubai Itinerary
Dubai Creek
You’ll kick off your 2 day Dubai itinerary in the Creek where you’ll have a captivating insight into what Dubai was like before its spectacular rise.
While Dubai has a reputation as a thriving metropolis with its gleaming modern skyscrapers, flashy hotels and extravagant shopping malls; the real heart of the city lies at Dubai Creek.
These waters were once vital in what used to be Dubai’s main forms of economy: pearl diving and fishing.
Head to Dubai Creek Harbour; the perfect spot for an alfresco breakfast with magnificent skyline and marina views.
Mondoux is a gorgeous restaurant serving unique, healthy and tasty meals made from the finest ingredients. Breakfast options include smoothie bowls, pancakes, baked croissants, eggs, croque madame and much more. The best way to start your 48 hours in Dubai!
After breakfast, discover the city’s shopping heritage amongst the labyrinth alleys of gold, spice and textile souks and soak up the bustling atmosphere. These souks were once some of the city’s most important economic hubs.
Lavish gold jewellery, handmade textiles, fabrics and clothing, fresh herbs, spices, ingredients and remedies and traditional fragrances are amongst the many things to be found in this exciting area. Gold Souk is said to be home to as much as ten tonnes of gold at any time!
Our top tip: haggling is very much part of the culture in Dubai so never accept the first price offered to you.
One of the best things to do in Dubai Creek is take an abra ride and explore the winding waters of Dubai’s most historic quarter. You’ll find abras spotted along Dubai Creek, but we’d recommend getting one from the Al Fahidi neighbourhood. Abras cost 1 AED (approx $0.27!).
Jumeirah Beaches
With your 48 hours in Dubai you can’t not visit any of the beaches, so, after exploring the bustling souks in Dubai Creek, it’s time for some rest and relaxation.
One of the best areas in Dubai for beaches is Jumeirah including Kite Beach, Black Beach and Nessnass Beach where you’ll find a ton of watersports and activities as well as quieter spots if you just want to relax.
Jumeirah is also home to some of Dubai’s best cafes and restaurants so you’ll easily find a spot for lunch. There’s something to suit every taste and budget:
- The Four Seasons Resort has a dedicated Restuarant Village with various high-quality and upmarket dining options
- 3Fils is a stunning harbour-side restaurant serving premium Asian dishes with a Japanese twist
- Tent Jumeirah Restuarant is a laidback rustic restaurant in the traditional Old Dubai style offering delicious fresh seafood with gorgeous sea views
- Falla is an American/Italian take on food for very affordable prices
- Bu Qtair is a charming no-frills seafood joint that’s always busy but definitely worth the wait. Fish is caught that day and seasoned with fresh spices and served with rice, an aromatic curry gravy and buttery parathas. 150 AED (41 USD) will get you a filling meal for 2!! This spot is cardless so make sure you bring cash.
Dubai Desert
Even if you’ve only got 48 hours in Dubai, a trip to the desert is an absolute must-do!
The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve was the UAE’s first national park and offers visitors a spectacular landscape of sand dunes, desert fauna and various wildlife.
You’ll experience a completely different side of the city situated less than a 20-minute drive from the contemporary streets and bright lights of Downtown Dubai.
One of the very best activities in Dubai is a riveting 4WD dune safari where you’ll enjoy the thrills of dune bashing and sandboarding, watch the sunset over the spectacular dunes and spot domestic wildlife who call the desert home; gazelles, oryx, camels and various birds, reptiles and insects.
You’ll then receive a traditional welcome at an authentic Bedouin camp and enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner with live Emirati entertainment including belly dancing, henna painting and aromatic shisha.
This truly is an unforgettable experience and one of the best things to do in Dubai allowing you a glimpse into a totally different side of the city.
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Day 2 of Your Dubai Itinerary
Downtown Dubai
Day 2 of your 48 hours in Dubai will be spent around Downtown Dubai.
Hosting the world’s tallest building, world-class restaurants, opulent shopping malls, the spectacular dancing fountain and stylish bars, Downtown Dubai is a lively entertainment hub.
Burj Khalifa
After breakfast at your hotel, head to the Burj Khalifa; one of the top places to visit in Dubai.
Dominating the ever-expanding skyline, the Burj Khalifa is without a doubt Dubai’s most famous landmark and proudly owns multiple world records including the tallest building, the tallest free-standing structure, the highest number of stories and the highest occupied floor!
Standing at over 828 metres and more than 160 stories, be thrilled by one of the world’s fastest elevators and the elevator with the world’s longest travel distance and step out onto 360-degree observation decks on level 124.
Our Top Tip: level 125 is quieter so head up there first for your photos! This floor also serves as a tribute to Arab arts and culture.
Enjoy live music performances, cocktails and canapes at Burj Khalifa Sky; the world’s highest lounge and outdoor observation deck at 555m.
Dubai Mall
You can’t spend 2 days in Dubai and not visit the Dubai Mall, located next to the Burj Khalifa.
With over 12 million square feet, (more than 200 football pitches!) the Dubai Mall proudly owns the name of the World’s largest shopping, entertainment and leisure destination. Shopaholics will be in their element with over 1200 shops to browse around!
Even if shopping isn’t your thing, Dubai Mall is home to many of the top activities in Dubai so you’ll have no difficulty finding something to do.
The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is a giant 10-million-litre tank containing more than 33,000 aquatic animals and the world’s largest collection of sand tiger sharks. The Dubai Ice Rink is an Olympic-sized ice rink offering a great escape from the heat outside.
There’s also a massive indoor cinema complex, theme park, huge waterfall and many other games, activities, sports and experiences.
Burj Lake
To end your 48 hours in Dubai, marvel at the Dubai Mall Fountain Show which takes place on Burj Lake at the base of the Burj Khalifa. No surprises here but this is the world’s largest performing fountain!
There are two afternoon performances and then they’re every half an hour between 6pm and 11pm.
Dancing to a range of different songs from around the world from classical to contemporary Arabic & world music, this captivating water, music and light spectacle is over 274 metres in length.
For one of the best activities in Dubai, jump aboard a traditional abra and cruise past some of the city’s most iconic monuments before taking your position for a front-row seat of the illuminations.
Enjoy a beautiful choreography of light and water featuring 6,000 lights, 25 coloured projectors and 83,000 litres of airborne water!
Alternatively, for a prime viewing spot on land or after the abra cruise, head to Zeta bar at the hotel Address Downtown and enjoy the show with a drink.
Everything to Know for 2 Days in Dubai
Getting around Dubai
Getting around for your 48 hours in Dubai is relatively easy.
Dubai has a great public transport system with metro, tram, bus and water transport. Most of these you can access with a nol card. These are contactless cards (a bit like Oyster) that can be purchased at any metro/bus station and used to tap in and out of transport.
- Dubai Metro: two lines – Red and Green – that run from Dubai International Airport through the main areas of the city. It’s the world’s largest driverless train system. Eating and drinking isn’t allowed in the train and certain carriages are reserved for women and children only.
- Dubai Tram: operates around Dubai Marina and along Al Sufouh Road which provides a link between the metro and Palm Jumeriah.
- Dubai Bus: these are low-cost and run 24 hours a day with services as often as every half an hour. They only accept payment via nol card.
- Water transport: there are a variety of options to travel by water. Crossing Dubai Creek in the abras, water taxis to explore the coastline and yacht rental, there’s something to suit every budget.
- Palm Monorail: the only transport system in Dubai that doesn’t use the nol card. This runs between Al Sufouh Road and Atlantis, The Palm with several stops at many of Palm Jumeirah’s attractions.
We were pleasantly surprised by the very reasonable cost of taxis in Dubai. There are a range of taxi services and you can easily grab one from pretty much anywhere in the city or a ride-hailing app such as Careem or Uber.
Our top tip: watch out for the luxury taxis. We got caught out by these once and cost about triple.
Where to stay in Dubai
Unlike many cities, particularly European ones like Lisbon and Krakow, Dubai is vast and it takes time to get between places. Also, huge highways or empty space between areas may mean it’s not possible to walk.
So, where do you stay for your 2 day Dubai itinerary?
- Downtown Dubai: great if you want to be on the doorstep of the most iconic landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall as well as the city’s most luxurious shops, restaurants and exclusive clubs. Downtown Dubai is the most expensive area to stay so, if you’re travelling on a budget, it’s worth looking somewhere else.
- The Marina & Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR): this is a relatively new neighbourhood and the most westernised area in Dubai. Here, you have the beach, restaurants and bars and it’s very well connected to the metro. Again, it’s one of the most expensive areas to stay, however, there are a few budget options.
- Palm Jumeirah: Palm Jumeirah is one of Dubai’s most spectacular landmarks. It’s a palm-shaped island several kilometres long attached to the mainland. There aren’t any budget options here and except the beach there isn’t much to do. Great if you want luxury and relaxation and not venture out too much.
- Bur Dubai: this is the heart of Dubai’s Old City and one of the cheapest areas to stay in Dubai. If you want to experience traditional culture, this is the place for you.
Accommodation in Dubai
Dubai is renowned for its lavish luxury hotels but you can find accommodation to suit all budgets. Accommodation prices in Dubai are also very competitive and what you pay for the level of luxury here is much less than other areas of the world.
There are also plenty of hostels offering both dorms and private rooms for those travelling on a budget.
The best time to visit Dubai
The best time to visit Dubai is during the UK’s winter; November to April. During the summer, temperatures often exceed 40 degrees Celsius.
What to wear in Dubai
Dubai is a melting pot of cultures with over 200 nationalities so most clothing is widely accepted. It’s advised to still be mindful of the local culture and religion so dress appropriately.
Keep swimwear to the pools and beaches, cover your shoulders and knees with loose-fitting clothing if visiting cultural or historical sites and cover your arms and legs for religious sites with women maybe wearing a headscarf.
Drinking alcohol in Dubai
You can drink alcohol in Dubai but it does impose strict rules. It’s illegal to drink in a public place (punishable by imprisonment or deportation) or be intoxicated in public. Drinking is permitted in licesned venues such as hotels, restaurants and clubs.
Costs in Dubai
We were surprised at the costs in Dubai. We thought Dubai would be a lot more expensive.
Of course, alcohol and the fine-dining restaurants are expensive, however, the traditional restaurants, taxis, transport etc are very reasonably priced. We do live in London so practically everywhere’s cheaper!
Currency used in Dubai
The currency used in Dubai is the Dirham. At the time of writing 1 USD is around 3.67 AED.
Entry Requirements
As a UK passport holder, you get a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival. For other nationalities, check the Emirates website with plenty of notice before you fly.
Plug
The plug used in Dubai is the British-style 3 pin socket.
We absolutely loved our 48 hours in Dubai and can’t wait to go back and explore the areas we missed. If like we were, you’re on the fence about going, it’s the perfect stopover en route to your final destination.
Emirates are one of the world’s top airlines and Dubai is one of the best-connected cities in the world. Why not enjoy 2 days in Dubai on your way to Mauritius, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia or Bali?
With minimal time difference from the UK and a 7-hour flight, it could also be the perfect solution to escaping the winter and getting some sun for a fun-filled short break.
If you have any other questions or just want to say hi, feel free to leave a comment or contact us and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with us in real time.
5 Comments
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Dubai in 48 hours sounds like an adventure packed with breathtaking sights and experiences! This guide is a must-read for anyone planning a quick trip. Thanks for the insights! Saveplus
Having 48 hours in Dubai is just enough time for you to discover Dubai’s extraordinary way of life. The city offers a huge variety of activities, such as Sky-Climbing, strolling through luxury malls, and dinng on a traditional Dhow Cruise.
Dubai is known for its mix of cutting-edge glitz and traditional culture. The city’s architecture includes the Burj Khalifa, the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab, and the gravity-defying Museum of the Future. The best time to visit Dubai is from November to March when temperatures are pleasant and outdoor activities abound.
Andy, I’d rate your 48 hours Dubai itinerary 9 out 10. You’ve done great work. Downtown Duabi is a perfect area to stay and yes desert safari is one of the must to do things.