How to spend four days in Dubai

The first and most natural stop on any visit to Dubai is the dazzling downtown area, home to some of the city’s most esteemed attractions.

Morning: Burj Khalifa

There are few better ways to kick off your Dubai trip than by spending a morning at the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.

You’ll be able to spot this majestic structure rising up above the city’s incredible skyline from afar and once at its base, you’ll need to crane your neck to marvel at its jaw-dropping scale.

But to get a true sense of its height and the glamour of its interior, you should ascend to At The Top on Levels 124 and 125 - via the world’s fastest lift.

Here you can soak in sensational views across Dubai from an observation deck, some 456 metres high, and purchase a unique gift or souvenir in the gift shop located on Level 124.

It’s highly recommended that you book your tickets in advance given this is one of Dubai’s most popular attractions. You can enjoy discounted rates when you visit outside of prime time (3pm – 6pm), so a morning visit is a great choice.

Afternoon: Dubai Mall

After descending from the breathtaking heights of the Burj Khalifa, you’ll emerge from the lift within the Dubai Mall – making this the perfect next stop on your itinerary.

This vast, exquisitely designed shopping and leisure destination – the largest in Dubai – is teeming with luxury stores that will leave you browsing for hours.

There’s an array of mouth-watering dining options too, from the delights of an authentic Chinatown area to global fast food chains.

And this world-class mall is more than just shopping and eating. You can try your hand at ice skating on an Olympic-sized indoor rink or explore the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, home to a 48-metre tunnel through one of the largest aquariums in the world.

After diving into the wonders of Dubai Mall, you’ll quickly be approaching your first evening in the city.

Evening: Dubai Fountain show

A spectacular way to round off the first day on your Dubai visit and just metres from the Dubai Mall, the Dubai Fountain has shows running throughout the evening.

Starting from 6pm, the shows take place every 30 minutes until 11pm and viewing is free from the likes of the Waterfront Promenade, Burj Park or the dedicated Fountain Boardwalk. There are also several terraces in Souk Al Bahar that provide superb angles of the shows.

Choreographed to 6,000 lights and enchanting music, the fountain shoots water as high as 140 metres into the air, with the illuminated Burj Khalifa making for a magnificent backdrop.

After this atmospheric end to the day, you can wander through the charming streets of Souk Al Bahar or return to your accommodation to rest up for another day of exciting activities.

Day two of your four-day itinerary will see you dive into Dubai’s rich culture and world-leading museums.

Morning: Museum of the Future

The Museum of the Future, one of Dubai’s most famous landmarks, is a brilliant way to spend a morning.

Leap into a world 50 years in the future and explore fascinating exhibits, housed in a stunning interior that rivals the museum’s dazzling exterior design.

The exhibits, which typically take around 3 hours to see, include:

• OSS Hope: A 2071 space station that harnesses solar energy from the moon
• Heal Institute: A simulated ecosystem and bio lab showcasing how environmental degradation can be prevented by nature and technology
• Al Waha: Sensory therapies and meditations based on future wellness
• Tomorrow Today: Cutting-edge technologies like drones, robotics and AI
• Future Heroes: An interactive space for children to explore, play and learn

When you book your Museum of the Future tickets with Arabian Adventures, you’ll have the seamless convenience of priority entry as well as AED 50 retail credit that can be redeemed in the lobby retail shop.

Afternoon: Dubai Frame

Just a 10-minute drive from the Museum of the Future, on the opposite side of Sheikh Zayed Road, the majestic Dubai Frame is a natural next stop.

As the name suggests, this impressive structure in the picturesque Zabeel Park ‘frames’ incredible views of Old and New Dubai, making for magical photo opportunities.

Admission to this famous attraction allows you to take a high-speed lift up to its spectacular Sky Bridge, a 25-square-metre transparent walkway that affords further dramatic views of the cityscape and park below.

You can also enjoy a fascinating, multi-sensory exhibition showcasing the transformation of Dubai from a small fishing village to the hub of innovation it is today.

There’s a state-of-the-art ‘future gallery’ on the mezzanine floor too, offering a virtual reality and interactive showcase of the potential world many years from now.

Evening: Al Fahidi

After jumping forward in time at the Museum of the Future and Dubai Frame, you can then take a step back into the past with an evening in the Al Fahidi historic neighbourhood.

Roughly a 15-minute drive from Dubai Frame, this charming collection of traditional Arabian architecture, narrow alleyways and shaded courtyards along Dubai Creek provides a compelling contrast to the city’s modern developments.

Spend the evening experiencing authentic Emirati life, whether that be taking a short abra boat ride across the creek, browsing for intricate traditional crafts or dining on mouth-watering local dishes in the most endearing of settings.

After two days in the heart of the city, day three of our itinerary will see you venture out to the breathtaking landscapes of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR).

Morning: Morning desert adventure

A morning desert adventure is a superb way to see the incredible desert scenery that lies just outside of Dubai and get a true taste of the local culture.

When you book with Arabian Adventures, you’ll be picked up from your accommodation and transported to the glorious rolling sands of the DDCR in the tranquillity of the morning hours.

You’ll be taken on a thrilling drive across the dunes in an air-conditioned 4x4, spot fascinating wildlife with the help of expert guides and embark on an unforgettable ride on a shepherd-led Arabian camel.

You can even try your hand at sandboarding for an adrenaline rush, before settling down for a delicious breakfast box, refreshments and soft drinks in an idyllic location among the dunes.

A return transfer to your accommodation is included, so you’ll get back to the city brimming with excitement and still with plenty of time to explore further in the afternoon.

Afternoon and evening: Global Village

After freshening up at your accommodation following the thrills of your desert safari, a late afternoon or early evening trip to the Global Village can be another exciting stop on your itinerary.

This sprawling complex is a colourful celebration of world cultures, with an array of rides, shopping, dining and entertainment to keep you busy long into the night.

Wander around vibrant themed pavilions dedicated to countries around the world and sample tantalising, authentic street food dishes as you go.

There are plenty more restaurants and cafés dotted throughout the park if you’re after something more substantial, while over 170 rides, games and attractions provide fun for all ages.

Open from October to April, the village is a dazzling mixture of colourful lights after nightfall, making it the perfect way to conclude your third day in Dubai.

Your fourth and final day in Dubai will see you visit another one of its most recognisable attractions, the Palm Jumeirah.

Morning: The View at The Palm

Stretching out into the shimmering turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf, the Palm Jumeirah is a palm tree-shaped man-made island that’s peppered with luxury hotels, beaches and vibrant waterfront areas.

To get a true sense of the scale and beauty of this ambitious development, head to The View at The Palm observation deck.

An excellent time to enjoy this breathtaking spectacle is under the morning sun, not only because it offers sensational lighting but also because it is generally less crowded at this time.

Book a non-prime hours ticket and you’ll get a discounted rate for your morning visit.

In addition to access to the breathtaking 360-degree viewing deck, 240 metres above sea level, you’ll be able to explore an interactive museum and gallery dedicated to the creation of Palm Jumeirah.

There are several restaurants and cafés in the complex too, so you’ll have chance to refuel ahead of your afternoon and evening activities.

Afternoon: Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark

There is plenty more to do on the Palm Jumeirah, and one of the most popular of all its attractions is the exhilarating Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark.

At the world’s largest waterpark, you’ll have over 105 slides and attractions – many of which are record-breaking – to get your pulse racing.

There’s a huge, dedicated kids area, and you’ll also have the opportunity to get close-up with marine wildlife like dolphins, sea lions and stingrays.

There’s even a 1km private beach too, so the park can be as relaxing or as thrill-inducing as you wish.

You can stay up until 10pm, with live DJ sets contributing to an immaculate sunset experience across the venue.

Evening: Atlantis, The Palm

If you’re not too exhausted from a day of panoramic views and rapid water slides, you’ll have some of the world's best restaurants to pick from for your evening meal on the Palm Jumeirah.

Atlantis, The Palm is an unrivalled foodie destination with celebrity chef-led establishments and exclusive, sophisticated venues with gorgeous backdrops.

After indulging in whatever cuisine takes your fancy in this world-class resort, take a walk along the picture-perfect promenade that stretches along the outer crescent of the Palm Jumeirah, soaking in the ambience on your final evening in Dubai.

If you’re booking multiple experiences and attraction tickets as part of your four-day Dubai itinerary, you should consider the savings you could make with an activity pass.

At Arabian Adventures, we offer two activity passes – the Adventure Pass and the City Pass – which allow you to save up to 40% when booking multiple experiences.

Depending on the pass that you buy, you can pick three or five popular activities and attractions from a vast selection and pay a fixed price.

You can also save 10% when booking two experiences with Arabian Adventures, so there’s every reason to start making your four-day itinerary a reality.