Doing Dubai in a weekend
You've decided to explore UAE's biggest city over a weekend and you're wondering what to do in Dubai. Where do you start, where do you end, and perhaps most importantly, what do you eat? To help you along the way, we've come up with the following weekend plan that should give you a taste of what Dubai has to offer. Just don't be surprised if it leaves you wanting more.
Day 1: Try the most famous street food in Dubai
Once you've arrived in Dubai and left your bags at the hotel, it's time to head out and see what's what. To start with a bang, authentic shawarma is available everywhere as one of the nation's most famous street foods. Vegetarians can also consider balaleet as a sweet and crunchy dish, or a simple dango that's great for both vegetarians and vegans needing to refuel.
From here, a walk down the Dubai Marina can be the perfect way to recover from your flight and take in Dubai's splendour. The waterfront promenade is highly walkable, and you'll be able to stop off and eat whenever the smells tempt you.
Day 2: Step back in time in Al Fahidi
Kicking off your second day, what better way to start than to learn about the city's history? The Dubai Museum includes many fascinating explorations of the area's history and development. The historical district of Al Fahidi can also be worth a stroll, to get a more grounded look of the UAE.
Having seen the old, it's time to move on to the new. Our top suggestions are the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab, or the world-famous Burj Khalifa if you can book a spot on the observation deck.
You can round out the day with an experience of Dubai's vibrant nightlife. Downtown is full of spectacular spots, including clubs, lounges, or even the Dubai Opera if that's your thing. There are plenty of places here to eat too, if you want to spend your last night indulging in something fancy.
Day 3: Visit the Palm Jumeirah
Your final morning is the perfect time to find a keepsake, and where better than a traditional market? Dubai is full of flea markets, any one of which can offer you something special to remind you of your trip, alongside a couple of helpings of street food.
Before you go, the Palm Jumeirah artificial island is a fascinating demonstration of what can come when a city decides to take the land back from the ocean. If you have the time, there's an aquarium and water sports areas here, for one last excursion. Try not to get too caught up in the activities, as you don't want to miss your flight! Real-life calls, but we're sure your experiences will leave you with some ideas for your next time in Dubai.
If you have the opportunity to stay in Dubai for more than 3 days and would love to discover the beautiful scenery of the surrounding area, you can always rent a car in Dubai and travel the open road.
Dubai Airports Information
The Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the busiest passenger traffic hub in the entire Middle East. It has three terminals, with the first one handling international flights.
Airport code
DXB
The IATA code for the arrival airport on flights to Dubai is DXB
Most popular airline
British Airways
Most popular airline with flights to Dubai
High season
December
According to search data from our customers, December is the busiest time to fly to Dubai
Low season
June
According to search data from our customers, June is the least busy time to fly to Dubai
All you need to know about Dubai