You have just one day to spend in the entertainment capital of the world. In 24 hours, you need to get the very best of all that Dubai has to offer. Let’s be honest with you – it’s a tall order. Dubai is simply scintillating; an unbeatable adventure in time and space, a traveler’s delight and a poet’s eternal rhapsody. Here are a few attractions and experiences you must not miss out on during your one day in Dubai – the magnificent Burj Khalifa, a blissful desert safari, a dhow cruise and the immensely popular IMG Worlds of Adventure.
To squeeze all of that into 24 hours is not easy but we’ve done it for you. Check out our list of 24 hours Dubai thrills, chills and spills and tell us what you think! We’re basing this one-day Dubai itinerary on the assumption that you are free to spend an entire day, from the early morning of your day in Dubai till the next morning.
Before You Land in Dubai
24 hours in Dubai
work for you. Plan ahead and make the necessary bookings ahead of time. For example, if you plan on getting the view from the Burj Khalifa’s observation deck, be sure to book your tickets online in advance. Follow the guidelines we’ve laid for you here in this article. Map your route beforehand and be clear as to which sights you’ll manage to squeeze in, and which to leave out.One Day in Dubai Itinerary
Early Morning
- Morning Desert Safari
If you want the best value for your money, make those 24 hours in Dubai work for you. Plan ahead and make the necessary bookings ahead of time. For example, if you plan on getting the view from the Burj Khalifa’s observation deck, be sure to book your tickets online in advance. Follow the guidelines we’ve laid for you here in this article. Map your route beforehand and be clear as to which sights you’ll manage to squeeze in, and which to leave out.
Give over to some exciting dune bashing sports; this involves driving a 4×4 fast over the dunes and coming down just as fast, to bash into the next dune. It’s an adrenaline-jerking adventure, and you’ll love it. Then if you want to, you can experience some desert quad biking. The desert terrain is very different – there are soft dunes and hard wadis, dips, valleys and rough shrubbery. Rise to the challenge and quad bike in the desert. You’ll be delighted.
You’ll also get to ride a camel; if you haven’t done this yet, you’ll find it strangely exciting and a bit scary the first time. You’ll enjoy the up and down rhythm of the camel’s stride, feeling amazed at sitting so high. If you like, you can go sandboarding as well – this is like surfboarding, except you’ll be boarding down dunes instead of waves. Enjoy every minute of your desert safari – it’s one of the most unique experiences that Dubai offers.
Suggested Read: Morning Desert Safari in Dubai with Ultimate Camel Ride Experience
How to Book: Book Morning Safari tour now and grab the awesome deal!
- Hot Air Balloon Ride
To make your experience even more special, opt for a desert safari with a hot air balloon ride. An early morning hot air balloon ride is the best way to get a bird’s eye view of the spectacular desert, the oases, the Heritage Village, and the Dubai coastline. Arm yourself with a telephoto-lens-enabled camera and you will enjoy the kind of views you’ve only dreamed of. You’ll be dropped off at your hotel after a continental buffet breakfast. Time to get ready for the next item on your list of things to do in Dubai.
Suggested Read: Experience Hot Air Balloon Ride in Dubai
How to Book: Check out online tickets for Hot Air Balloon Ride & get the best offers!
Midday
- Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour
The big bus tour is the best way to see all of Dubai in the shortest possible time period. The best part is, you can step off the bus at any attraction you fancy exploring on foot. Then you can catch the next big bus on the same line and continue with the rest of your tour.
How To Book: Big Bus Tour tickets available online(1/2/3 Days)! Book Now!
- Burj Khalifa
We recommend that you get off the Big Bus at the Burj Khalifa, having booked tickets in advance. Enjoy the At The Top experience on the 124th floor, which contains a 360-degree observatory deck. Several telescopes are placed at various points on the observatory deck for your pleasure. Be sure to use these to focus on other attractions such as the Palm Islands, and get an up-close look. Use the telescopes to see all of Dubai, since you don’t have the time to explore everything. You can also choose from the diverse Dubai Burj Khalifa tickets that includes dining or an exclusive access to the Sky Level on the 148th floor.
Suggested Read: Reasons to Visit Burj Khalifa
How to Book: Experience Burj Khalifa at the Top experience! Book tickets now!
- Dubai Fountain
Be sure to observe the Dubai Fountain, which is located in front of the Burj Khalifa, from the observatory deck on the 125th floor. There’s nothing more beautiful than watching the mega multi-colored fountain cavort and dance to famous global tunes. There’s a show every few minutes, so do take the time to watch it from above and spend a few minutes enjoying it from the boardwalk behind the Burj Khalifa.
- Dubai Mall
You won’t have the time for a leisurely shopping experience, but to enter the Dubai Mall and feast your eyes on the grandeur of the place. It’s well worth checking out the Dubai Aquarium & underwater zoo and some of the top stores. Do take the time to enjoy looking at the biggest gold souq in the world and the incredible décor of the Dubai Mall.
Continue on with the big bus tour or cut the tour short, getting off at any point and moving on to the next item on your list. That’s the beauty of the flexibility offered by the big bus tour.
Break for Lunch
Spend about 2-3 hours on the Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall and the Dubai Fountain and break for lunch. Enjoy a great meal at one of the Dubai Mall’s many restaurants and eateries.
Afternoon
- IMG Worlds of Adventure
After the big bus tour is over, take a cab to the IMG Worlds of Adventure, one of Dubai’s latest and most exciting new attractions. Don’t miss visiting this mega theme park, the largest indoor theme park in the world, if you have kids along with you. IMG Worlds of Adventure is divided into several zones – IMG Boulevard which has retail outlets, cafes, restaurants and plenty more attractions for the whole family.
Then there is Marvel Comics, which contains adrenaline-pumping attractions based on iconic Marvel superheroes. Think Iron Man, Thor, the Avengers, Superman, and Spiderman – you’ll meet them all there. Then there’s the Cartoon Network zone, which has rides based on Bugs Bunny, the Flintstones and other cartoon network characters. Step into the prehistoric world and live among dinosaurs in Lost Valley – Dinosaur Adventure zone. There won’t be a single boring moment for you at IMG Worlds of Adventure, no matter who you are.
How to Book: Book IMG Worlds of Adventure tour now and grab the awesome deal!Â
Alternative to IMG Worlds of Adventure
If the idea of spending the rest of the afternoon in the indoor adventure park does not seem like fun to you, here are a few alternative ideas that may appeal to you.
- Dubai Eye (Ain Dubai)
Touted, with good reason, Ain Dubai, the world’s tallest Observation Wheel, Dubai Eye offers a spectacular view of the entire city, coastlines, and desert from the top. The entire trip to the top and back takes 48 minutes, and you’ll savor each one of them.
Suggested Read: Ain Dubai Observation Wheel – All You Need to Know
- Dubai Water Canal
The Dubai Water Canal is a visual marvel that connects Dubai Creek with the Arabian Gulf. The canal passes through Sheikh Zayed Road, through Al Safa Park and Jumeirah. Three lovely bridges have been constructed over the Sheikh Zayed Road, under which lovely expensive yachts can pass.
- Palm Islands
The lovely manmade palm islands are a visual treat and a miracle of construction. The shape of the islands is so distinct that it can be easily spotted from outer space. The best way to take a good look at the islands is via a dhow cruise.
Suggested Read: The View at The Palm Jumeirah Dubai – A Must-Visit Observation Deck
- Helicopter Ride
A single day is just not enough to appreciate the magnificence of Dubai. We suggest getting done with the city tour or the sights plan by evening and taking an aerial tour of Dubai. Obtain the best possible perspective of the city’s famous landmarks, especially the Palm Islands, World Islands, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Eye and many, many more. You’ll get luscious views of the amazing desert, which glows red in the sunset.
How to Book: Helicopter Tour Of Dubai with the choices of 12 / 15 / 17 / 22 / 25 / 40 minutes!
Evening
- Dhow Cruise Dinner
Sign up for an exciting dhow cruise on the Dubai Marina, or the Dubai Canal or the Dubai Creek, combined with a delicious dinner. No matter where you sail, you’re guaranteed an absolutely thrilling experience with bespoke views of the surrounding attractions. The evening dhow cruise comes with dinner and onboard entertainment.
Give over and allow yourself to be pampered by henna artists who’ll paint your hands and feet with flavorful designs. Feast your eyes on the eye-catching Tanura dancers and belly dancers who’ll gyrate to scintillating music. Forget about your cigarettes and cigars and fall in love with the shisha pipe and its flavored smoke. As you lay back on silk cushions, feasting your eyes on the views and on the beautiful dhow’s décor and attractions, you’ll feel like royalty. The dhow cruise Dubai is one of the top things to do in Dubai in one day.
Conclusion
If you have only one day in Dubai, we recommend that you follow this itinerary. We’ve included all the great fun and unique aspects of Dubai in this itinerary for you. Feel free to add or remove a few items to include your own preferences, but do enjoy Dubai to the utmost. It’s impossible to visit Dubai just once and be done with the city. Once you’ve been here, you’ll want to come back, time and again. And there’ll still be plenty to see and do, no matter how many times you return!
That is an interesting itinerary! I think I have done maybe half of it during my only visit to Dubai!
Hello friend. Its great that you have done half of the itineraries. Try to complete remaining in your next trip to Dubai 🙂
wow, this is such a great place i came to know.I have been in dubai but never know advanture thrilling fun spot that can be very helpful to even kids. Thank for this. Sure, make it out to go
Thanks. Yes, Dubai has so much for kids, like water parks, gardens, attractions…