Dubai Itinerary 2 Days (with a 1-Day Option)

LAST UPDATED September 27, 2025 BY Katarina Komazec

Planning a Dubai itinerary for 2 days (or even just 1) might sound impossible at first, but the truth is you can see a lot in a short time if you know where to focus.

I spent a full week in Dubai, which gave me plenty of time to explore the city’s glitzy landmarks, historic neighborhoods, and everything in between.

But looking back, I realized you don’t need seven days to get a real feel for the city.

If you’ve only got one or two days, maybe before or after a cruise, or just passing through, you can still see the best of Dubai.

In this itinerary, I’ll share exactly how I’d spend one or two days in the city, based on what I actually experienced.

From watching the sunset at the Burj Khalifa to wandering the spice-scented souks of Old Dubai and ending the evening with dinner by the Marina, this plan captures the highlights without feeling rushed.

Dubai Itinerary 2 Days at a Glance

Here’s how I’d split one or two days in Dubai based on my own trip. If you only have a single day, follow the Day 1 plan. If you’ve got two, add Day 2 for a mix of old and new.

Day 1 – Downtown Icons

• Morning: Dubai Mall (Aquarium optional)
• Afternoon: Burj Khalifa – timed for sunset views
• Evening: Dubai Fountain show + dinner with a view (I went to L’ETO Café)

Day 2 – Old & New Blend

• Morning: Abra ride on Dubai Creek, explore Spice Souk, Gold Souk & Al Fahidi Historical District
• Afternoon: Head to Dubai Marina & stroll the promenade (JBR optional)
• Evening: Sunset/dinner cruise in Marina or drinks at Aura Skypool with views of the Palm

1 Day in Dubai Itinerary – Downtown Icons

Before jumping into the day, I should mention where we stayed. We chose the Canal Central Hotel in Business Bay, a 5-star hotel that turned out to be fantastic.

The ride to Downtown Dubai took only about five minutes, and since we mostly used Uber during our stay (which was quite affordable), getting around was super easy.

👉 If you’re still deciding on hotels, you can check my full guide on where to stay in Dubai.

☀️ Morning – Dubai Mall

My friend and I started our day at Dubai Mall, and even though I’m not really into shopping, it’s impossible not to be impressed.

The place feels like a city of its own — spotless, luxurious, even the toilets look like they belong in a five-star hotel.

Shopping here is pricey, so I wouldn’t buy souvenirs or chocolate (you’ll find them much cheaper in Old Dubai), but it’s still worth walking around.

The Burj Khalifa is part of the Dubai Mall complex, as is the Aquarium & Underwater Zoo.

We visited the aquarium: it’s striking to see, but since I’ve been to some of the best in the world, I expected it to be bigger. Still, it’s worth a quick look if you’re already inside.

We stopped at L’ETO Café for coffee and a slice of Dubai chocolate cheesecake, and I loved the Downtown views from their terrace.

Around the fountain area outside, there are more cafes and shops set up like a modern souk, another spot worth strolling through.

It’s generally good to take your time here. The scale of the mall, the fountains, and just seeing the Burj Khalifa up close is impressive, and walking around makes the time pass quickly.

🏙️ Afternoon – Burj Khalifa at Sunset

The highlight of my day was the Burj Khalifa, and I’d say it’s the one thing you absolutely shouldn’t miss if you only have a short stay in Dubai.

Seeing the tower up close is impressive in itself, but going up is unforgettable.

I recommend booking your ticket for late afternoon so you can experience both daylight views and watch the city light up after sunset.

There are several ticket types and packages, from standard entry to the observation decks on levels 124/125, to premium experiences on level 148. Whichever you choose, it’s essential to book in advance, especially for sunset hours, as they sell out quickly.

The ride up itself is part of the fun, as the Burj Khalifa has one of the fastest elevators in the world, taking you to the top in just over a minute.

Plan to spend about 1 to 2 hours here, including queues, security, and time at the top.

💦 Evening – Fountain Show & Dinner

We went back to L’ETO Café around 6 p.m., which turned out to be the perfect time.

We managed to get a front-row table on the terrace, but since it’s first-come, first-served, it filled up quickly afterward. I’d recommend arriving just after sunset to secure a good spot.

Dinner was great, but what really blew my mind was the fountain show: watching it from the café with the water dancing in sync to the music was absolutely spectacular!

There are plenty of other cafés and restaurants in the same area, so you can’t really go wrong if L’ETO is full.

After dinner, I recommend going down to the promenade to see the fountain show again.

From ground level, you get a completely different perspective, because this time you also see the Burj Khalifa illuminated above — something you miss from the café terrace since it sits right below the tower.

For the best photos of the Burj Khalifa at night, walk over to the Wings of Mexico sculpture nearby. It’s a famous photo spot, but worth a short detour for that iconic shot with the tower in the background.

2 Days in Dubai Itinerary – Old & New Blend

If you have a second day in Dubai, I’d suggest balancing the shiny modern skyline with the city’s older, more traditional side.

After spending the first day around Downtown and Burj Khalifa, this plan takes you to Old Dubai in the morning and then back to the Marina and Palm area in the afternoon and evening.

☀️ Morning – Old Dubai & the Souks

What I loved most about Dubai is that it has two completely different sides — the futuristic skyline on one hand, and the old trading heart on the other. Visiting Old Dubai felt like stepping into another world.

Although we mostly used Uber to get around the city, this time we took the metro, and it was super easy to get there by the Red and Green lines.

Coming from Business Bay, where our hotel was, we stopped first at Al Fahidi, which is the Old Town of Dubai.

There, we visited the Arabian Tea House, where I tried their date cake, and then the Coffee Museum, a fun little stop if you like coffee, which took us about 30 minutes.

After exploring the Al Fahidi Historical District with its narrow lanes and traditional wind-tower houses, we crossed the Creek by abra, a small wooden boat that has been used here for decades.

For just a few dirhams, this short ride felt like a step back in time.

On the other side, we wandered through the Spice Souk with its rich scents and colors, and then into the Gold Souk, which is overwhelming but fascinating.

This is also the perfect area to buy souvenirs, and where I found the cheapest Dubai chocolate, a much better value than in the mall.

🏙️ Afternoon – Dubai Marina & JBR

After spending the morning in Old Dubai, we headed across town to the Dubai Marina. The contrast couldn’t be bigger: from narrow lanes and spice markets to sleek skyscrapers and luxury yachts.

Dubai is a really spread-out city, so getting here takes some time. We took an Uber to the nearest metro stop, then the Red Line, which runs parallel to the sea and connects Old Dubai with the Marina.

The metro ride took us about 1 hour, while by car the same trip would take around 40 minutes, depending on traffic.

Dubai Marina also has the Dubai Marina Mall, plus plenty of cafés and restaurants overlooking the water with beautiful views. It’s a great spot to stop for lunch if you want to sit down and enjoy the atmosphere.

Another option is to book a Marina cruise with a meal included, which is a must-do experience and gives you a different perspective of the skyline from the water.

If you prefer to stay on land, the Marina promenade is perfect for a walk, and right next to it is JBR Beach if you’d like some time by the sea.

🌙 Evening – Dinner Cruise or Aura Skypool

For the evening, you can choose between two very different but equally memorable experiences.

One option is to join a dinner cruise in Dubai Marina. As the boat sails through the Marina, you get to see the towers and yachts beautifully lit up at night, while enjoying a meal on board.

The atmosphere is relaxed and it’s one of those must-do experiences that combines sightseeing with dinner in a unique way.

The other option is to splurge on the Aura Skypool, located in the Palm Tower (about 15 minutes by car from the Marina).

It’s the world’s highest 360° infinity pool, set on the 50th floor with panoramic views of the Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis, and the Dubai skyline.

This experience needs to be booked well in advance, sometimes even two months ahead on the official website.

There are different packages and it’s quite expensive, but in my opinion, absolutely worth it.

Time slots are limited, and you usually only get a few hours.

We booked the 20:00–23:00 night swim, and even though sunset is probably the most spectacular time, everything was already sold out (and I booked a month in advance!).

What you can do is either:

• Book Aura Skypool for sunset, then go for a late dinner cruise, or
• Take the sunset cruise, then head to Aura for a night swim.

We ended up coming to Aura twice: once for lunch, and once for the night swim, and both times were unforgettable.

The 360° views of the Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis, and the skyline are breathtaking, and it’s an experience I wouldn’t skip if you have the chance.

Practical Tips for 1–2 Days in Dubai

Having just one or two days in Dubai means you need to plan smart. Here are a few things I learned from my trip that will help you make the most of your time:

🌤️ Best Time to Visit

Dubai is hot for most of the year, but the most comfortable months are November to March, when the weather is warm but not overwhelming.

This period is also the peak cruise season, so the city is busy with visitors and advance bookings for attractions are even more important.

Summer (June to September) can be extremely hot and humid, which makes sightseeing during the day a challenge.

🚖 Getting Around Dubai

Dubai is a very spread-out city, so factor in travel times.

We mostly used Uber, which was affordable and very convenient, but the metro is also an excellent option for longer routes, like from Old Dubai to the Marina.

The Red Line runs parallel to the coast and connects key areas like Downtown, Business Bay, and Dubai Marina, while the Green Line covers Old Dubai and the Creek.

🏨 Where You Stay in Dubai Matters

With only 1 or 2 days in the city, your hotel location makes a huge difference. Dubai is very spread out, and you don’t want to lose precious hours sitting in traffic.

I recommend planning your stay based on where you’ll spend most of your time — for example, near Downtown if you want easy access to the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, or closer to the Marina if you prefer the beach and modern skyline.

If you’re arriving by cruise and want to stay near the port, that can also be a practical choice.

To help you decide, I’ve written a full guide with the best areas and hotels in Dubai — you can read it here: Where to Stay in Dubai.

🎟️ Tickets to Book in Advance

Some experiences can’t be left to chance if you only have a short stay:

• Burj Khalifa – Sunset tickets sell out weeks ahead.
• Aura Skypool – Reserve up to two months in advance if you want the best time slots.
• Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise – Popular on weekends, so pre-book if your schedule is tight.

💡 Tip: You can also book your Dubai tickets and tours in advance on Viator or GetYourGuide to save time and secure the best options during peak season.

👗 Dress Code in Dubai

Dubai is more relaxed than many people expect, but it’s still best to dress modestly, especially in Old Dubai, souks, or religious sites.

In malls and modern areas, shorts and t-shirts are fine, but always carry something to cover your shoulders if needed.

💳 Cash or Card?

Most places accept cards, but it’s useful to have a small amount of cash (dirhams) for things like abra rides, tipping, or buying small souvenirs in the souks.

💰 Tipping in Dubai

Tipping isn’t mandatory, but it’s appreciated. In cafés and restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving around 10% is common. For taxi or Uber rides, small change is enough.

1 Day vs. 2 Days – Which Itinerary to Choose?

If you only have 1 day in Dubai, I’d recommend sticking with the Downtown highlights: Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, and the Fountain Show.

These are the city’s most iconic sights and give you a complete experience without rushing around.

With 2 days in Dubai, you can add the contrast of Old Dubai and the Marina. Day 2 balances the traditional side, with abra rides, souks, and Al Fahidi, with the modern Marina skyline or even a dinner cruise.

This way, you see both faces of Dubai: its history and its futuristic glamour.

For cruise visitors, 1 day is usually enough to see the icons, while pre- or post-cruise stays are the perfect chance to spend 2 days and explore deeper.

Final Thoughts

Even though I spent a week in Dubai, I realized the best experiences can fit into 1 or 2 days.

I’m usually not impressed by skyscrapers, but Dubai is something else. The scale, creativity, and the mix of tradition and modern design make it unique and special.

If you’re visiting on a cruise, don’t miss my full Dubai Cruise Port Guide with helpful tips to help plan your stop.

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