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How to Spend 48 Hours in Dubai
Written by Sohinee Basu
From luxury malls and cutting-edge museums to safaris in the desert, Dubai is packed with things to see and do.
The desert-fringed emirate of Dubai stands out as a premier stopover destination, perfectly situated at the crossroads of the world. From architectural wonders (including the Burj Khalifa, the highest building in the world) to gold and spice-filled souks, the promise of experiencing Dubai’s magic is the perfect reason to break up those long-haul flights, stretch your legs and linger a little bit longer in the City of Gold.
Read on to discover how to spend 48 hours in Dubai.
Day 1
2pm: Check-in to your hotel
Dubai is home to some of the world’s most extraordinary luxury hotels, with choices to suit every traveller. Want to stay in the centre of it all? Pick Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk, a stay inspired by the opulence of ancient Egypt and the largest Sofitel in the Middle East. Or indulge in the glamour of Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai, located in the heart of the downtown. For beachside luxury, the architecturally spectacular Atlantis The Royal features the sky-high Cloud22 rooftop pool, 17 restaurants and a hotel lobby boasting the world’s largest jellyfish tank.
Set your bags down, refresh with a drink at your hotel’s bar and get ready to hit the city!
3.30pm: Roll into Dubai Mall
There’s no better way to begin your 48 hours in Dubai than by landing at the mother of all malls: the extraordinary Dubai Mall, sprawling across 350,000 square metres. Teeming with high-end brands, such as Chopard, Cartier and Moncler, the Dubai Mall is the ultimate paradise for designer-loving shoppers. However, shopping plays only one part in experiencing this ever-expanding precinct. An underwater zoo and aquarium, award-winning indoor theme park and Olympic-sized ice-skating rink all offer plenty to do beyond hunting for luxury goods.
Feeling peckish? You’re in the right place. Dubai Mall has 120 restaurants, dessert shops and bars. Enjoy the xiao long bao at Din Tai Fung, indulge in French tearoom-style dining at Angelina or satisfy your Italian cravings at Eataly.
5pm: Take in sky-high views from the world’s tallest building
Among Dubai Mall’s plethora of experiences, it is also where you can access the world’s tallest skyscraper: the Burj Khalifa, beloved in all its towering glory by visitors and locals alike. There’s no looking away once you see the Burj as it soars skyward.
Skip the queue by booking your tickets ahead of time for At the Top, Burj Khalifa, the tower’s observation deck. To access the observation deck, you’ll travel in one of the world’s fastest elevators to reach levels 124 and 125. To avoid the crowds, visit the Burj Khalifa during early morning or before 4pm.
6.30pm: Catch the Dubai Fountain Show
Prepare for another spectacle as you head to the Dubai Fountain to see the city’s dazzling symphony of water, music and light. Occurring daily every 30 minutes between 6pm to 11pm, the Dubai Fountain is the world’s tallest performing fountain, shooting up illuminated dancing jets of water from the Burj Lake. The show is often accompanied by popular tunes like Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman’s Time to Say Goodbye.
7pm: Spend your evening on a dhow cruise
Continue your adventures into the evening by embarking on a dhow cruise along the Dubai Marina, sailing past glittering skyscrapers and luxurious superyachts. It’s the perfect opportunity to take in an authentic cultural performance onboard – like a Tanoura dance show, traditionally practiced by Sufi (Islamic mystics) – and a sumptuous international buffet spread for dinner. The best part? Return hotel transfers mean you won’t have to worry about the commute home.
11pm: Ring in the after-party at Babylon
If you still feel the night is young, it’s time to take the city’s nightlife head-on. Make your way to Babylon, winner of Time Out Dubai’s ‘Best Show’ award for immersive performances and extravagant acts.
Day 2
10am: Discover the Museum of the Future
What better way to start the day’s adventure than by time-travelling to the year 2071? A marvel of modern architecture, featuring a striking doughnut-shaped structure adorned with Arabic calligraphy, Dubai’s Museum of the Future is not your usual museum. Instead, it unfurls a world of immersive experiences that explore future innovations in technology, sustainability and human potential, complete with interactive AI exhibits. Don’t be surprised if you find friendly robots greeting you as you enter! Tickets to the Museum of the Future sell out fast, so ensure you book this one early.
1pm: Journey to the souks
Switch things up now and travel back in time to Dubai’s oldest neighbourhood, Bur Dubai, as you venture on a cultural discovery along the labyrinthine alleys of the souks. First, take a walking tour through the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, exploring narrow lanes and seeing distinctive houses topped with unique Arabian wind towers. If shopping is on your mind, begin at the popular Textile Souk, to peruse a fine array of rich silks, airy cotton and intricate weaves.
Your 48 hours in Dubai and visit to the City of Gold remains incomplete if you don’t stop by the Gold Souk. Hop onboard an abra (traditional wooden boat) from Bur Dubai and cross Dubai Creek to the souks in Deira. Be dazzled by the bespoke jewellery on display before following your nose to the nearby Spice Souk, specialising in top-quality saffron, colourful spice mixes and organic dates. Tip: Hold on to your loose change as the abra boat crossing costs only AED1 each way.
If hunger strikes while you’re out and about, grab a juicy shawarma, Lebanese kebab platter with hummus and bread, or tuck into rich Indian and Pakistani curries. Check out Nayaab Handi for a grand Pakistani feast with their Peshawari chicken karahi (tomato and ginger-based chicken curry) and dum pukht biryani (slow-cooked spiced rice made in a clay pot).
3pm: Experience the dunes on a desert safari
Leave the hustle of the city behind and head towards the desert for a sandy adventure. Some operators offer pick-up and drop-offs, and transport you into the desert in a luxurious 4WD. Let your inner nomadic spirit shine as you enjoy an evening of dune bashing, sandboarding and camel riding. Then, watch belly dance performances, Tanoura dances and fire shows at a bedouin camp. To cap things off, tuck into a delicious barbecue buffet dinner.
10pm: Nightcap at a speakeasy
Call it a night but only after experiencing one of Dubai’s best speakeasies. Electric Pawn Shop combines Asian mystique with the style of 1970s Chinatown in New York City. Find this secret bar behind the entrance to the Sky5 Lounge and try one of their signature cocktails, like the sake-based High Roller Martini.
Day 3
11am: Soak up the sun at Nobu By The Beach
Have a few extra hours to spend in Dubai before your flight? What better place to spend them than celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s Nobu By The Beach, on the 22nd floor of Atlantis The Royal. This Nobu outpost is particularly unique: it’s the brand’s first pool and beach club. Find a cabana or a daybed to settle in before heading to the airport.
Frequently voted as the ‘World’s Leading Airport’ by the World Travel Awards, Dubai International Airport is truly exceptional. Arrive early to spend your time shopping in the duty-free section (it takes a while to see it all) or indulge in therapeutic massage treatments at XpresSpa before it’s time to take off!
Discover Dubai
Looking for more reasons to travel to Dubai? Read Choose Your Dubai Adventure: 8 Unique & Unexpected Desert Thrills.
