Posted By: Dr. Maher Al Khedr
Of course, this all depends on what you do! Some of the tours or restaurants listed in this itinerary are on the expensive side but there are of course free things to do in the city. To really see Dubai, I’d recommend a budget of about AED 1000 per day (270 USD / 220 GBP)
What do I do in Dubai in 3 days?
The one-day itinerary here is quite an aggressive one and you could easily split it over 3 days! For more options, here over to Dubai Wikia for longer travels.
Is Dubai safe to travel?
Yes! Dubai is a very safe city to travel and actually the United Arab Emirates is known as one of the safest countries in the world.
What currency can I use in Dubai?
Dubai operates using the dirham and it’s best to take dirhams with you on your trip. However, US dollars are accepted in many places.
Is it easy to get to Abu Dhabi from Dubai?
It’s relatively easy although there are no direct flights or trains between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. You could take the Intercity bus (between 1.5 and 2 hours), a taxi or private driver or hire a car to do a self-drive of the 160km between the two cities.
We are an unmarried couple. Can we stay together in Dubai?
It’s against the law for unmarried couples to stay in the same room in the UAE. However, hotels don’t enforce this rule for tourists.
If you need to stock up on some outfits for the job, then head to the lavish Amato Boutique for exclusive couture
The Dubai Design District (or d3) is a creative urban space created for designers and artists, and its graceful buildings and wide avenues provide the perfect setting for an Instagram fashion photoshoot. If you need to stock up on some outfits for the job, then head to the lavish Amato Boutique for exclusive couture – then splurge on some accessories from Asian and European designers at Closet Case.
Dubai Downtown District
Here you’ll find the Dubai Mall, the Dubai Fountain, and the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building
Organize a street photoshoot in the Downtown area, where you’ll find the Dubai Mall, the Dubai Fountain, and the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building – all of which are major landmarks in the city. Residents and visitors alike love to pose against the backdrop of the Wings of Mexico bronze sculpture, which is a spot you’ll want to arrive early to beat the crowds. The Dubai Downtown District is also a good place to rent and drive nice sports cars if you’re eager to take a luxurious ride for a spin – and of course, the shopping here is as high-end as you’d expect, with plenty of lavish stores and boutiques.
City Walk shopping and entertainment district
Offering a colorful backdrop for your holiday photos and the perfect place to get some snaps for your Instagram feed
City Walk is a multi-story shopping and entertainment precinct combining Arabian luxury and European flair. Offering a colorful backdrop for your holiday photos and the perfect place to get some snaps for your Instagram feed, you could easily spend a whole day in this area of Dubai without even noticing the time pass. As you’d expect, there’s plenty to keep you entertained, and if you’re keen to shop until you drop then this is the place to do it.
La Mer beach area
La Mer is an oasis in the heart of Jumeirah, with its snow-white beaches, art spaces, and the fun Laguna Waterpark. In short, it has everything you need for the perfect vacation photo, so put on your swimwear and most sophisticated warm weather gear and bring along your tripod for some photos on the beach. Afterwards, cool off with a dip in the sea, find a sun lounger to soak up the day’s rays or simply enjoy watching the world go by while you relax.
Alserkal Avenue
Alserkal Avenue is an artsy residential area in Al Quoz, and is home to a multitude of creative workshops, showrooms, and concept stores. It’s also the main location for events, concerts, and workshops to take place in Dubai. Decorated with the work of local street artists, this is the place to get some of your edgiest and most unique photos and to enjoy a slice of the action while you’re here.
Al Seef
The historic Al Fahidi area, comprises a maze of narrow streets (sikkas), cafes, and museums
Al Seef, on the banks of Dubai Creek and close to the historic Al Fahidi area, comprises a maze of narrow streets (sikkas), cafes, and museums that it’s difficult not to fall in love with. Here, you’ll find a traditional oriental bazaar selling handmade products and original souvenirs, while nearby, ZENEVE sells stylish accessories, so bring your credit card to stock up on some unique gifts and props for your shoot.
Bluewaters Island
Here you’ll find a plethora of luxurious residences, more five-star hotels and plenty of fine dining restaurants.
Bluewaters Island is home to the opulent Caesars Palace Resort – one of the most extravagant in Dubai – which is the perfect place to base yourself for the duration of your visit and guaranteed to leave you wanting for nothing. And Ain Dubai, the world’s largest Ferris wheel, is worth a spin if you’re keen to get a unique viewpoint of the breath-taking landscape below. Here you’ll find a plethora of luxurious residences, more five star hotels and plenty of fine dining restaurants, which will quench your thirst for decadence as well as making for the perfect spots to capture some Instagram photos.
Nearby, the beach club Cove Beach offers the best view of the Arabian Gulf. There are hundreds of stores in the commercial and entertainment zone of the island for shopping, too, but we recommend you pay attention to the souvenir shops. Exclusive gifts for friends and relatives can be purchased at Arabia To Go and Camel Company. For dining, Paru restaurant not only serves up some mouth-watering and beautifully presented Japanese cuisine, but also offers a great view of the Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence. Don’t miss Gordon Ramsay’s famous Hell’s Kitchen while you’re here, too – it’s a must for anyone visiting Dubai.
The Pointe complexes
The Pointe shopping and entertainment complex is located on Dubai’s iconic Palm Jumeirah Island and comprises luxury stores and high-end shopping. Image credit: PHOTOLOHI/Bigstock.com
The Pointe shopping and entertainment complex is located on Dubai’s iconic Palm Jumeirah Island and comprises luxury stores, high-end restaurants, numerous entertainment venues, and a 1.5 km promenade. Offering a magnificent view of the famous Atlantis, The Palm Resort, come here at sunset to take some of your most striking pictures of Dubai. If you’re still not all shopped out, then here you can dive into a world of traditional fragrances at Oud Dubai or stop by the Palazzo Jeweler store, where local artisans will happily craft a commemorative piece of jewelry for you based on your sketches. It’s a great place to pick up a bespoke and thoughtful gift for someone special. With more than 80 restaurants also in the vicinity, you certainly won’t go hungry at The Pointe. Italian Per The, Chinese Chuang, and Mexican Mishicot are especially popular choices.