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Did you find yourself in Dubai and have no idea what to do in one day visiting the city? In our 1 Day in Dubai article, you can find activities suitable for all seasons, where to stay, and how to move around the city. Travel guide where everyone can find something in their interest.
Dubai is the most populous city of the United Arab Emirates and at the same time the capital of the Emirate of Dubai. It is the business hub of the Middle East and one of the most visited places on earth.
We have written an article about when to visit Dubai, where you will find all the advantages and disadvantages of high and low seasons.
Table of Contents
1 DAY IN DUBAI ITINERARY
RIDE A METRO ON A SKYSCRAPER ROAD SHEIKH ZAYED
There is no need to waste time sleeping during your 1 day in Dubai. A good way to start the day is to have breakfast at the hotel where you are staying. Right after breakfast, you should set out to explore the city.
⬇️ Watch our video from Dubai Metro in Gold Class Cabin ⬇️
If you want to have all the landmarks of the city in the palm of your hand, buy a golden metro ticket and enjoy the ride in the front cabin. We used this option when traveling from the Museum of the Future to the Dubai Mall metro station or vice versa. The journey took approximately 8 minutes. This route was surrounded by skyscrapers and very interesting.
VISIT BURJ KHALIFA AND STROLL AROUND DUBAI MALL
What you must see during your 1 Day in Dubai is the Burj Khalifa skyscraper, which is home to the 6th fastest elevator in the world (10m per second). During the season, be sure to buy tickets in advance so that they are not sold out on the day of your visit. Our tickets were for the 124/125 floor, we visited the skyscraper early in the morning at 7. The Dubai Mall is still closed at that time, but if you have a ticket to the top of the skyscraper, security will let you in.
➡️ Read also our article Where to stay in Dubai ⬅️
The shopping center is huge, so don’t hesitate to ask the guards how to get there. We visited Dubai in the low season, and at the top, we were the first, about 5 more tourists came after us, so we enjoyed it without it being overcrowded.
Tickets for the skyscraper are often sold out during the high season, especially during the sunset time when they are even more expensive. On the 125th floor, you will also find a cafe with refreshments.
➡️ Book your ticket for Burj Khalifa levels 124,125 here ⬅️
In the skyscraper, you will find the building production process with an interesting description, there is a professional staff who can answer your questions.
Burj Khalifa also has the highest lounge in the world (585 m) with an outdoor terrace. Where you can enjoy tea, coffee, and gourmet snacks. SKY Level 148 is a more expensive alternative to the skyscraper ticket.
A tour of the Burj Khalifa takes about an hour.
DUBAI MALL
Is a huge shopping and entertainment center with an ice rink, a cinema, an aquarium, and a 24-meter waterfall. Of course, you will find an endless number of shops there. The shopping center is connected to the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station. There are also several food options in the mall.
VISIT THE MUSEUM OF FUTURE
The building of the Museum of the Future is interesting not only from the inside but also from the outside. The circular building represents humanity, the green platform represents the earth, and the void represents the unknown future.
It is located near the Emirate Towers metro station and you can reach the museum through an air-conditioned tunnel directly from the metro. The metro tunnels are well-marked.
Another point of interest in the building is a small coffee stand where a robot will prepare a drink for you or a perfumery where they will make a perfume exactly for your personality.
Even if you are not going to buy a ticket to the museum, be sure to at least take a walk around the building and its lobby, where admission is free.
➡️ Book your ticket to the Museum of The Future here ⬅️
RIDE A MONORAIL TO PALM JUMEIRAH
The Palm’s monorail connects the man-made island to the mainland. It is the only type of public transport on the island and has 4 stops. It starts at Palm Getaway on the mainland, which you can reach by tram, near the stop there is a parking lot for 1600 cars. This scenic route is worth a visit, we were there before sunset.
Monorail stops offer different activities at each stop. The Al-Ittihad Park stop is an ideal place to relax and offers a 3.2 km track for runners. The Nakheel Mall stop takes you to a shopping center with countless shopping and dining options. The station provides access to The Palm Tower, from where the entire island can be seen. Aquaventure Atlantis is located at the entrance to the Atlantis water park, the aquarium, and the promenade along the coast.
You can buy different types of tickets at the stations, we had a ticket from the first station with the option to get off and on the monorail anywhere, which cost 8.50€.
➡️ Book your ticket for Palm Jumeirah Monorail here ⬅️
VISIT THE MARINA AND THE MARINA BEACH
Dubai Marina is a residential area with a man-made harbor with a promenade along with cafes and shops surrounded by skyscrapers. Marina Beach, and JBR Beach with a view of the Dubai Eye are located nearby.
There is also Marina Mall, a shopping center with many shops, luxury boutiques, and many dining options.
DUBAI DESERT SAFARI
One of the biggest attractions near the city is a visit to the desert. Several agencies in the city mediate morning, afternoon, or overnight trips. There are several options to choose from, it depends on how much time you have. You can choose activities such as camel riding, sandboarding, star-gazing, dune buggy driving, or go to the desert only for dinner.
If you are looking for a more adventurous activity spent in nature during your 1 Day in Dubai, Desert Safari Dubai is the right choice for you.
During our stay, it was not recommended to go to the desert because it was too hot even at night, so we had one more reason to go back there.
➡️ Book your adventure with Dubai Desert Safari here ⬅️
DUBAI DOWNTOWN (FOUNTAIN SHOW)
The tourist center of Dubai is located around the Burj Khalifa skyscraper. The biggest attraction is undoubtedly the dancing fountain directly under the skyscraper, where thousands of people come to watch the musical and light shows. Another attraction is the Burj Khalifa itself and the huge shopping center Dubai Mall.
DUBAI CREEK (OLD DUBAI)
The historic part of Dubai is worth a visit. Dubai Creek is where you can find the best spice markets in the city on one side of the bank, or the history museum and historic district on the other. There are many hotels with beautiful views nearby. You can travel along the river on small boats that are used as water taxis, this type of travel is cheap and does not take a lot of time.
Close to the Dubai Spice Souk, it is within walking distance of Al Ras Metro Station, making it easy to visit. Of course, in the historical parts of Dubai, you will also find many shops with clothes, and souvenirs, but also many restaurants and snack stands. Especially in the evening, this place has its atmosphere.
This is a must visit during your 1 day in Dubai.
MIDNIGHT SWIMMING
The perfect way to beat the heat is to visit one of the Dubai beaches for night swimming. They are well lit and there are lifeguards who take care of safety. For example Jumeirah 2, Jumeirah 3 and Umm Suqeim 1.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
DUBAI FRAME
It is a museum, monument, and observatory at the same time. Dubai Frame is the largest frame in the world with a height of 150m and provides a view of Old Dubai as well as new parts of the city.
➡️ Book your ticket for Dubai Frame here ⬅️
SKI DUBAI
Indoor ski center for skiing and snowboarding. A favorite place for families living in Dubai, but also for tourists, where you can enjoy the snow all year round. Especially in the summer months when it is almost impossible to do outdoor activities. The advantage is that the ski center is located in the Mall of Emirates building on the ground floor and the shopping center is directly connected to the metro.
➡️ Book your ticket for Ski Dubai here ⬅️
DUBAI AQUARIUM
The aquarium is located in the Dubai Mall. It is impossible to miss it. The center is a massive water reservoir with a volume of 10 million liters. In this tank, you can observe a large number of fish, even sharks. The aquarium has a paid section where you can walk through a tunnel among the fish.
We did not visit the aquarium from the inside, but as a program for families with children, it seemed to be ideal.
➡️ Book your ticket for Dubai Aquarium here ⬅️
BEACHES IN DUBAI
During the winter months, it is ideal to choose the Dubai beaches, they are well-maintained and have lifeguards. The beaches offer plenty of water activities, they usually have sunbeds for a fee or you can bring your blanket. During our stay, the sea was uncomfortably hot, so we didn’t spend much time on the beach.
MARINA BEACH
The beach is located within walking distance from Dubai Marina and is surrounded by skyscrapers. A good place to swim, sunbathe, or watch the sunset.
JBR BEACH
City beach where you can find many beach activities. Volleyball court, outdoor gym, or AquaFun Waterpark. At the same time, it is a place where it is alive, especially in the evening, near the beach there are many bars and restaurants.
KITE BEACH
A public beach with white sand where you can find rental equipment for water sports as well as a children’s playground or a beach club. This beach is very popular and often crowded. You can rent sunbeds with an umbrella there, or a little further on, you can lay down your own blanket.
SUFOUH BEACH
A beach with white sand and clear shallow water with a view of Palm Jumeirah and Burj Al Arab. The beach has its lifeguard and you can also find toilets nearby.
HOW TO GET AROUND DUBAI?
Dubai’s public transport is definitely a way to move around the city quickly and cheaply.
DUBAI METRO
The metro is certainly among the most efficient. In the city, you can buy a paper ticket at a metro station or a Nol card recharge card. The Nol card also works for buses, trams, and even taxis.
The Dubai Metro has two lines and most of the city’s main attractions are close to public transport. When people go to and from work during rush hour, the subway can be crowded.
Some metro stations are directly connected to the tram or near bus stops, so you can easily get to the center and the beaches. The metro is a great choice for your 1 Day in Dubai. It’s not expensive and will get you wherever you need to go.
➡️ Watch our video from Dubai Metro in Gold Class Cabin ⬅️
DUBAI TRAM
The tram runs around Dubai Marina along Al Sufouh Road and connects the Dubai Metro with the monorail that goes to Palm Jumeirah. You can use your Nol card on the tram.
DUBAI BUS
Buses are a low-cost way to get to know the city. They mainly connect the airport terminals with all the main districts of the city. They run 24 hours a day at half-hourly intervals. On buses, you can only pay with a Nol card, which you can buy at almost all metro stations. Bus stops are often located near metro stations for more convenient travel.
PALM MONORAIL
It runs from Al Sufouh Road to all the stops of the popular Palm Jumeirah attractions. It is the only public transport system that does not use NOL cards. Tickets can be purchased at monorail stations and you can choose from different types of tickets.
TAXI
Ordering a taxi in a busy city like Dubai is not a problem, but it is definitely not the cheapest option for transportation. There are several taxi companies in the city, as well as Uber and Careem, which you can order and pay for in the app. In other taxis, you can usually pay by card, which is useful. If you don’t want to waste time during your 1 day in Dubai, a taxi will be a good option for transfers.
RENTALS
Renting a car is a golden opportunity for complete freedom of movement around the city. Dubai is also known for renting luxury cars, which you see at every turn. In a city like Dubai, there are many car rental companies where you can rent a vehicle for a short or long time. You will need an international driver’s license, a passport, and possibly familiarization with local traffic rules.
There are also smart rental applications in the city, such as Udrive and Ekar, which offer vehicles throughout the city via the application. After registration and rental confirmation, you can rent a car for hours, days or weeks, which can be perfect for your 1 Day in Dubai.
WHERE TO STAY IN DUBAI?
Dubai offers many accommodation options. We spent almost a month in the city, changing several locations and several types of accommodation, from budget hotels to luxury hotels.
There are also a few hostels in good areas of town, unfortunately, they were sold out during our stay. For 1 day in Dubai, a night at a hostel near the beach would be an ideal accommodation option. Hostels in Dubai not only offer shared rooms but also double rooms with shared bathrooms. You can also find capsule hotels in convenient locations there.
➡️ Read also our article Where to stay in Dubai ⬅️
Here is the list of accommodations we tried during our stay:
RADISSON BLU HOTEL, DUBAI DEIRA CREEK
We chose this hotel for our last two nights in Dubai. It is located in the Deira district, which is a historically important part of the city. We chose the location based on the location and distance from Sharjah, where we had a ferry in two days.
The hotel is a 6-minute walk from Union Metro Station and is within walking distance of the water taxi stop and the Gold Souk. The hotel has rooms with a balcony overlooking the river and the pool. They also offer breakfast and room service. There are 9 restaurants and a pastry shop on the hotel’s ground floor.
The hotel offers a fitness center, conference rooms, and a swimming pool, which we liked because we visited Dubai during the hottest time, it was a very pleasant refreshment. Free shuttle service to Kite Beach, Dubai Mall / Burj Khalifa for superior rooms. We had a standard-size room. The hotel staff was helpful, they printed all the tickets we needed for free.
➡️ Book your stay at the Radisson Blu Hotel here ⬅️
STAYBRIDGE SUITES DUBAI FINANCIAL CENTRE, AN IHG HOTEL
This hotel was the first one we stayed in during our visit to Dubai. This 4-star hotel is located on the very famous Sheikh Zayed Road, surrounded by other skyscrapers. Financial Center Metro Station is a 2-minute walk from the hotel. We chose a suite on a higher floor with a view of the Burj Khalifa.
All suites have a fully equipped kitchen, with a fridge-freezer, coffee maker, kettle, and even a washing machine. The rooms are spacious, there is enough space to work on the computer. In the hotel, you will find a 24/7 fitness center, a parking lot, and a swimming pool.
Breakfast is included in the price of the suite, there was a rich selection of salty and sweet dishes, vegetables, fruits and always fresh aged juices, and different types of pastries, every one can simply choose something.
In our opinion, this hotel was the best of all that we tried. It is a good option for your 1 day in Dubai.
➡️ We recommend Staybridge Suites Dubai Financial Centre Hotel ⬅️
PEARL MARINA HOTEL APARTMENTS
Hotel apartments in the Dubai Marina area, 1.8 km from the Marina beach. The rooms are fully furnished and have a small kitchen, a place to sit, and a balcony. They offer a free transfer to the beach twice a day. There is a gym and a swimming pool in the building.
They also offer breakfast for an additional fee, which is located on the hotel restaurant’s ground floor. The view from the building is either to the street or to the Marina.
The staff at this hotel was nice, friendly, and accommodating. We enjoyed our stay in this location, which is ideal for evening walks along the Marina.
➡️ Book your stay at Pearl Marina Hotel Apartments here ⬅️
DAMAC VERA RESIDENCES
The accommodation is located in the Business Bay district. These apartments have a bedroom, a bathroom, and a fully equipped kitchen with a balcony overlooking the pool. The building has a 24-hour reception, a gym, free parking, and a swimming pool. Near the apartments, there are small shops, and a pharmacy, the bus stop is right in front of the building. The nearest attraction is the Dubai Fountain, which is only a 20-minute walk from the apartments. This accommodation does not provide breakfast.
➡️Book your room at DAMAC Vera Residences here ⬅️
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can you see Dubai in one day?
The city has a lot to offer, so it is impossible to see everything. However, if you plan your 1 day in Dubai in advance, you can visit all the main attractions.
Is Dubai a walkable city?
Some popular parts of the city such as Dubai Downtown and Dubai Marina have dedicated pedestrian areas made for walking. Overall, Dubai is too big a city, and its attractions are spread out in different corners. It will be better if you use public transport that directly connects to the main attractions of the city.
Is the metro cheaper than the taxi in Dubai?
The metro is the best possible way to move around the city. All the important attractions of the city are directly connected to public transport, mainly the metro, monorail, or buses. A taxi is not only more expensive, but it can be difficult to find during rush hours.
⬇️Watch our video how we got from Amsterdam to Dubai without flying⬇️
OUR FAVORITE TRAVEL RESOURCES
Accommodation: We use Booking.com where we always find great deals for hotels.
For hostels, we use Hostelworld where we find cheaper options and meet new people.
Rental cars: To rent your car with free cancellation check out Discover Cars.
Ferries: For cheap ferry tickets worldwide we use Direct Ferries.
All travel options in one place: Omio.com we use for easy travel planning where we can find trains, buses, ferries, and more.
Tours and other activities: Wherever we go we look at GetYouGuide to find the best tours and many other activities around the world!
Travel insurance: Never travel without travel insurance! Ekta works all over the world and has 10 years of experience in the industry. It is your right choice!
Reviews: Before we travel somewhere we always look at Tripadvisor, where we always find a summary of restaurants, places to visit, or hotels with current ratings and photos from people who have visited this place recently.
Luggage storage: Radical storage is such a helpful Luggage storage network! When we have a late check-in or an early check-out we don’t need to carry our luggage with us, we just simply put it in the Radical storage which operates in over 70 countries!
E-sim card: The best way how avoid all the stress of searching for local SIM cards or wifi signals and save time after you arrive in your new country is to get Airalo e-sim. Download and install a digital data pack from 200+ countries/regions!
