How to spend two days in Dubai
A two-day visit to Dubai is a popular choice, allowing plenty of time to see the city’s main attractions and enjoy some of its unforgettable experiences.
Of course, you won’t have time to see and do absolutely everything Dubai has to offer – but 48 hours is more than enough time to see a range of famous sights and visit some spellbinding locations.
The key to making the most out of your time in Dubai is by sticking to a pre-planned itinerary, which will allow you to pack in as much as possible.
To save you a job, we’ve put together an exciting two-day Dubai itinerary, including thrilling desert adventures and world-class waterparks, so you can begin your holiday knowing exactly what you’ll have time to see and do.
Day one: Downtown Dubai, nature and evening culture
Your first day in Dubai will begin with a visit to the world’s tallest building before exploring an incredible aquarium, a magical garden and a vibrant cultural destination.
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Morning: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
Perhaps the most iconic of Dubai’s many attractions, the colossal Burj Khalifa skyscraper is a sensational starting point for your two-day itinerary.
With the morning light providing an enchanting ambience, you can head up to At The Top on Levels 124 and 125, using the world’s fastest lift, to take in mesmerising views across the city.
You can admire the breathtaking Dubai skyline from an outdoor observation deck some 456 metres above the ground, as well as enjoy a VR experience and take incredible photos using a green screen.
Just be sure to book in advance to guarantee your spot. You’ll get a discounted rate with Arabian Adventures as you’ll be visiting outside of prime time (3pm – 6pm).
When you descend the tower, you’ll exit the lift in the mind-blowing Dubai Mall – a vast, stylish complex of endless designer stores and mouth-watering food.
Grab a bite to eat from one of its many restaurants before diving into the magical marine world of Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo.
Here you’ll discover over 140 species of aquatic animals and a 10-million-litre tank, one of the largest suspended aquariums in the world.
Walk through a 48-metre tunnel, surrounded by sharks, rays and other colourful aquatic creatures, before visiting the charming Penguin Cove, home to beautiful Gentoo Penguins.
You can save on your admission for At The Top Burj Khalifa and Dubai Aquarium with a combo ticket, making ticking off both attractions a fantastic choice for your first day.
Afternoon: Dubai Miracle Garden
After spending the morning largely inside at the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and Dubai Aquarium, you can then head to the stunning Dubai Miracle Garden for some fresh air – around a 20–25-minute drive away.
Typically open during the cooler months from November to May, this huge garden features over 150 million flowers, providing a brilliantly colourful backdrop for an afternoon stroll.
Wander through themed landscapes and dazzling sculptures, from castles doused in greenery to floral tunnels and even an Emirates A380 plane made from over 500,000 fresh flowers and living plants.
Evening: Global Village
To round off an exciting first day in Dubai, you can spend the evening at the atmospheric Global Village, which is around 15 minutes from the Miracle Garden by car and open from October to April.
At the Global Village, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to food and entertainment, with this family-friendly celebration of world cultures featuring over 200 restaurants, cafés and street food kiosks.
Explore charming, themed pavilions dedicated to countries from across the world and get an authentic taste of local cuisines, all in one bubbling village that’s illuminated by neon lights after nightfall.
Once you’re suitably fuelled up, you can try your hand at over 170 rides, games and attractions, with enough choice to keep a full family entertained throughout the night.
Day two: Waterpark fun & desert adventure
On day two of your two-day Dubai itinerary, you will first enjoy the thrills of a world-leading waterpark before heading to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR) to end your trip in the most glorious natural setting.
Morning and early afternoon: Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark
Along with the Burj Khalifa, the Palm Jumeirah is arguably Dubai’s most famous attraction – and that’s where your second day in the city will begin.
You’ll head out onto this phenomenal palm tree-shaped island to the glitzy Atlantis The Palm resort, home of Aquaventure World, the largest waterpark in the Middle East.
Complete with over 105 slides – including multiple record-breaking rides - and 1km of private beach, it’s one of the world’s most exciting and varied waterparks.
Plummet down towering near-vertical drops, belly-laugh as you hurtle along in a six-seater ring and scream as you twist through dark tunnels at stomach-churning speeds.
When you buy the Trident Pass, you’ll also get access to The Lost Chambers Aquarium – home to over 65,000 marine animals across more than 20 Atlantean-themed rooms – and skip the queues at the ticket counter.
Late afternoon and evening: The Fort – Lisaili
While you could easily stay at Aquaventure World for the full day – especially with bouncing live DJ sets at sunset - no trip to Dubai is complete without visiting the beautiful DDCR just outside the city.
You can take your pick from a range of desert adventures in this sensational golden landscape, but The Fort – Lisaili is a fantastic option for shorter trips.
Just 45 minutes from the Palm Jumeirah, this gorgeous traditional setting is surrounded by sand dunes and situated in the idyllic, culturally significant settlement of Lisaili.
The beauty of this desert experience is that it is entirely customisable – so whether you fancy a thrilling quad bike drive, an adrenaline-pumping zipline ride across the desert or simply relaxing in a tranquil fort-style camp, there’s something for you.
Open from 4pm to 8:30pm and with a delicious BBQ buffet dinner included in the entrance fee, The Fort is the perfect place to conclude your Dubai trip with a completely unique and unforgettable experience.
Save on your two-day itinerary with activity passes
Given you’ll be booking multiple activities for your two-day Dubai itinerary, it’s definitely worth considering an activity pass – which can offer significant savings.
You can buy two different activity passes at Arabian Adventures – the Adventure Pass and the City Pass – which allow you to book multiple experiences and save up to 40%.
Choose from three-activity or five-activity bundles, which are purchased for a fixed price, and pick the exact tickets you’d like to book from a massive selection.
Arabian Adventures also offers a 10% discount when you book two experiences with us, so you can start getting your two-day itinerary arranged for less now.
