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How many days should you spend exploring Dubai?

Dubai is a city full of contrasts, combining modernity with tradition, luxury with simplicity, and desert landscapes with innovative architecture. How many days will it take to explore Dubai, see the main attractions and feel the atmosphere of this extraordinary place? The answer depends on many factors – on your expectations, the pace of travel and the way you explore. In this article, we will suggest how many days you need to visit Dubai to fully enjoy the city without feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of the experience.

View from the restaurant of the Atlantis The Palm hotel.

Table of content

How long should I stay in Dubai? – optimal number of days for Dubai

How many days in Dubai for a tourist? - travel plan to Dubai

Is the weekend enough to explore Dubai?

How many days for Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

Summary – how many days to explore Dubai?

How long should I stay in Dubai? – optimal number of days for Dubai

Dubai is a city that can be explored both in a short time and during a longer stay. Definitely, the minimum time to explore Dubai is 3 days, which allows you to see the most important attractions. If you want to see a lot, 3 days is enough time to see the best attractions in a few days. If you are planning a more relaxed stay with some time to unwind, you should consider a longer stay in Dubai of 5-7 days. This will give you more time to get to know the city and visit the various attractions.

How many days in Dubai for a tourist? - travel plan to Dubai

Depending on your preferences, you can adjust the time needed to explore Dubai. Below is a sample itinerary to help you organise your trip and plan the right number of days to explore:

  • Day 1: Sightseeing in Dubai – how much time should you plan for? Start by visiting the Burj Khalifa – the world's tallest building, where you can admire the city panorama from the observation deck. Then visit the Dubai Mall, one of the largest shopping centres in the world, and end the day watching the fountain show at the Burj Khalifa.
     
  • Day 2: Start the day with a visit to Dubai Marina, then head to Dubai's artificial islands, Palm Jumeirah. In the afternoon, go on a safari in the Dubai desert for an unforgettable experience in the heart of the desert.
     
  • Day 3: On this day, you should visit Dubai Creek, the historic part of the city, and the Museum of the Future. In the evening, plan some time to relax on JBR beach and take a stroll along the promenade.

If you want to see more attractions, you can add an extra day for a trip to Abu Dhabi, including the Emirates Palace and the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

One of the beaches in Dubai.
Photo: pexels

Is the weekend enough to explore Dubai?

The question of whether the weekend is enough to explore Dubai is often asked by people planning a short city break. The answer to this question depends on how intensively you want to explore. If you decide to spend the weekend in Dubai, you will be able to see the most important sights of Dubai at a very intense pace. In two days, you will visit the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall, Dubai Marina and go on a desert safari. However, you may not have enough time for more in-depth sightseeing and more relaxing experiences.

What to do in Dubai for a week?

If you have a week to explore Dubai, you can enjoy a much wider range of activities and explore the city at a more relaxed pace. Here is a sample itinerary:

  • Day 1-2: As with a shorter stay, start with the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and fountain show. Two days is enough time to see these Dubai icons.
     
  • Day 3: Take a trip to Palm Jumeirah and visit Atlantis The Palm and Aquaventure Waterpark.
  • Day 4: Spend time at Dubai Marina and JBR Beach. In the evening, go on a relaxing yacht cruise.
  • Day 5: Visit Dubai Creek, Al Fahidi Historical District and the Dubai Museum.
     
  • Day 6-7: Organise a trip to the desert and plan time for additional shopping at Dubai Mall or Mall of the Emirates. At the weekend, you can also take a day trip to Abu Dhabi.
     

A week in Dubai allows you to get to know the city better, relax in luxury hotels and restaurants, and have more flexibility in planning your activities. If you have trouble choosing activities in Dubai, take a look at our website – activities in Dubai are waiting for you, and we will help you find the ones that will make your trip full of unforgettable experiences.

How many days for Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

If you plan to combine visiting Dubai with a trip to Abu Dhabi, the optimal time would be around 5-7 days. How many days for Dubai and Abu Dhabi? You should spend 3-4 days in Dubai to see the main attractions, and 1-2 days in Abu Dhabi to visit Emirates Palace, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

View of the skyscrapers in Dubai at night.
Photo: pexels

How many days should I spend in Dubai with children?

If you plan to visit Dubai with children, it is worth considering a longer stay, as the city offers numerous attractions for children. It is worth planning 4-5 days for sightseeing to have time to visit theme parks such as Legoland Dubai, Dubai Aquarium or Ski Dubai. In addition, after intensive sightseeing, you can spend time on the beach or in one of the theme parks.

Summary – how many days to explore Dubai?

In summary, how many days to explore Dubai depends on the pace of travel and how intensively you want to explore the city. Three days in Dubai is the minimum to see the main attractions, such as the Burj Khalifa or a desert safari, but if you want to fully enjoy the city, plan for 5-7 days. Dubai is a city that offers something for everyone – from luxury hotels to exciting theme parks. How to plan a trip to Dubai? Remember to tailor your itinerary to your expectations and interests.

Visit our Two Continents page for all the tips and facts about Dubai. With our detailed guides and up-to-date information, you can easily plan your trip and discover the most interesting places in this fascinating city.

Questions and answers - FAQ

  • How many days do you need to see the highlights of Dubai? 

    Usually, 3 days are enough to see the main attractions such as the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, desert safari or Palm Jumeirah.

  • How many days should I spend in Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

    You should spend 3-4 days in Dubai and 1-2 days in Abu Dhabi, which makes 5-7 days in total to explore both cities.

  • What is the optimal length of stay in Dubai?

    The optimal length of stay is 5-7 days, which allows for thorough sightseeing and comfortable relaxation.

  • Is it worth travelling to Dubai for a short city break?

    Yes, Dubai is a great place for a short city break, especially if you have 2-3 days for intensive sightseeing and want to see the main attractions.