Things To Do
24 Hours Dubai Itinerary 2022: The best of Dubai in one day!
One day in Dubai is definitely too short for this big city which is developing more and more every day!
But if you are in Dubai for a layover and wandering what would be the must-see places in Dubai, we’ve got the perfect 24 hours itinerary for you!
04:30 AM – Hot Air Balloon Ride and Breakfast
You only have one day in Dubai, so it’s definitely worth it to wake up early in the morning, especially if you would like to enjoy the sunrise from 4000 feet above the ground in a hot air balloon over the Desert.
The desert adventure begins when you’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to Desert.
You’ll be driven over the red dunes of the Dubai desert to your takeoff location, where you’ll witness the inflation of the hot air balloon on the ground.
After takeoff, be ready to be mesmerized of the breathtaking views of the Dubai Desert, while you’ll float above the Arabian desert.
After you land, you’ll get the chance to take a photo with a falcon, enjoy a camel ride and experience the thrill of quad biking over the desert dunes.
And last but not least, enjoy an authentic Arabic-style breakfast in a traditional Bedouin camp before being dropped off at your hotel.
Click here to find the perfect Hot Air balloon Package for you.
09:00 AM – Explore Souks and Old Dubai
Deira is home to most of Dubai’s traditional souks. It is part of an area that’s locally known as ‘Old Dubai’. It’s due to the fact that it is one of the most historic quarters of the city and home to countless iconic structures.
The two most popular souks are the Gold and Spice Souks.
Gold Souk is one of the oldest and most fascinating traditional markets in the emirate. It offers a huge selection of jewellery made from gold, silver, diamonds and other precious metals and stones.
Walk through the glittering bazaar to find designs from around the world crafted with a variety of carats.
Spice Souk is a colourful, aromatic and sensory experience. Discover new flavours and recipes as you explore the traditional spice market in Dubai’s heritage area.
The Spice Souk takes visitors on a magnificent journey through the world of spices. Experience the earthy aroma of cumin and cinnamon or the smoky fragrance of pepper and red chilli at this traditional market.
Apart from jewellery and spices, you will find a number of other shops selling various types of souvenirs, clothes, accessories and perfumes.
Opening Hours:
Saturday-Thursday: 9:30AM-9:30PM
Friday: 4PM-9PM
10:00 AM – Visit Al Seef
As you finish wandering around the Souks, you can hop on a traditional boat called Abra which is situated out front of the souks. The Abra ride costs only 1 AED for one way and it takes 5-10 minutes to get to the other side. It is a beautiful and unique way to see the Old Dubai.
As you get off on the other side, Al Seef is situated at 1km from the Abra station.
Al Seef is a great blend of old and new. It features amazing vibes of Dubai’s historic creek. Beautiful traditions are combined with modern designs presenting the city’s blend between it’s past an future.
You must stop for a coffee at one of the most beautiful and instagrammable Starbucks in the world, which is located in Al Seef!
12:00 PM – Unwind at La Mer Beach
La Mer Dubai is the perfect place to sit, eat, unwind and enjoy the sun after a long morning.
A few hours at this beautiful beach will help you to recharge for the next adventures of the day.
This beach is a free public beach and it’s open from 10:00 AM till midnight.
03:00 PM – Shop at Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall is one of the world’s largest shopping malls in UAE.
It is situated at the heart of it all in Downtown Dubai, is the most visited retail and lifestyle destination in the world – welcoming over 100 million visitors every year.
A mall like no other, The Dubai Mall has more than 1,200 retail outlets, along with over 200 international restaurants and a wide range of entertainment and leisure attractions.
Make sure you don’t skip the Dubai Aquarium which is located in the mall, as you can see part of it for free from the outside.
Dubai Mall Opening Hours:
Sunday-Thursday: 8AM-12AM
Friday and Saturday: 8AM-1AM
05:00 PM – Visit At The Top Burj Khalifa
One of the most iconic thing to do while in Dubai is to visit At the Top, Burj Khalifa. At The Top is an outdoor observation deck of the World’s Tallest Building. At 452 m, it was the highest outdoor observation deck in the world at the time of opening.
Standing at over 828 meters high, the Burj Khalifa offers spectacular views of Dubai.
How to get there?
The entrance to the Burj Khalifa can be found on the bottom floor of the Dubai Mall.
Ticket Price starts from 169 AED
You can book your tickets here
07:00 PM – Have Dinner with Fountain and Burj Khalifa View
The Fountain Show can be seen for free from different points around the lake, but the best way to enjoy the Dubai Fountains without the crowds is while you are having dinner. There are many restaurants that offer scenic views of the Fountain Show and also Burj Khalifa.
Here is a list with top restaurants with Fountain and Burj Khalifa View:
- Five Guys – Dubai Mall
- Nando’s – Dubai Mall
- Logma – Fashion Avenue, Dubai Mall
- Social House – Dubai Mall
- Wafi Gourmet – Dubai Mall
- Din Tai Fung – Fashion Avenue, Dubai Mall
- Gia – Fashion Avenue, Dubai Mall
- Karma Kafe – Souk Al Bahar
- Serafina – Souk Al Bahar
- Hashi – Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa
- Black Tap – Dubai Mall
- Urla – Address Downtown Hotel
Waiting time to be seated can at various restaurants can be long sometimes (depending when you are visiting ) so we recommend pre-booking to avoid any disappointment.
08:30 PM – Fountain Show & Burj Lake Ride
Have front row seats to the best show in town with the Dubai Fountain Lake Ride to see the world’s largest performing fountain.
Enjoy a breathtaking spectacle on a 30-minute cruise by a Traditional Abra Boat.
Be captivated as the fountain performs to a range of different songs from classical to contemporary Arabic and International music.
How to get there?
Tickets need to be collected before your intended visit time from the At the Top Burj Khalifa ticketing counter in Dubai Mall. To get to the boats, look for the “Lake Ride” sign one you get out of Dubai Mall and enter the ticket kiosk in front of the Wafi Gourmet restaurant.
Ticket Price: 65 AED/person
Hours of Operation: 17:45 PM – 23:30 PM
Dubai Fountain Timings: Daily Evening Shows 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM every 30 minutes
Book the experience here
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