Essential Things to Do in Dubai with 48 hours

The first time you visit Dubai, it can be hard to know where to look. The scale. The shimmer. The speed of change. But dig a bit deeper, and you’ll find a city with soul: a place where you can kayak through thick tangles of mangrove at sunrise, go from sand to snow by lunch, and be sipping cocktails 122 floors above the skyline come nightfall. It’s fast, flashy, and full of surprises, and that’s exactly what makes it so fun to explore – even on a tight clock.

As a travel writer, I’ve been lucky enough to visit places that are older, wilder, or more classically beautiful than Dubai. But few cities have pulled me back in the way this one does. Every visit reveals something new: a cultural district springing up in a once-forgotten corner, a sleek museum celebrating the future over the past, a Michelin guide where none existed before.

And yet, beneath the glitz and glamour, Dubai offers a compelling cultural landscape that rewards curiosity. Whether you’re here to marvel, to unwind, or just to see what all the fuss is about, here’s how to spend two days in a city that never does anything by halves.

Day 1: City icons and skyline views

8:00 RAS AL KHOR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Tucked between warehouses and highways, just 10 minutes from Downtown Dubai, Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the city’s most quietly surprising escapes: a protected wetland where flamingos, herons, ospreys, and over 450 species of wildlife stop to rest, nest, and feed with the Burj Khalifa rising in the background. Come in the cooler months (November to March is peak flamingo season), and you’ll find the salt flats blushed pink with feathers, especially around the Flamingo Hide viewing platform – free to enter, and one of the best spots for close-up viewing from 7:30 each day. 

Ready to book your stay? Choose from our selection of four properties across the city. 

10:00 JUMEIRAH MOSQUE

To truly connect with the soul of Dubai, Jumeirah Mosque is a must, and not just because it’s one of the city’s most photogenic landmarks. Built in 1979, this beautiful Fatimid-style mosque stands in contrast to the city’s modern skyline, and it’s open to non-Muslim visitors for daily guided tours (Saturdays to Thursdays at 10:00 and 14:00, no booking needed, AED 40) that let you learn about Islamic traditions followed by mint tea and dates in an airy courtyard.

12:00 THE GREEN PLANET

A four-level biodome in City Walk, The Green Planet houses more than 3,000 plants and animals under a cascading glass cube, all centred around an impressive 25-metre (82-foot) artificial tree. Start at the canopy level, where free-flying birds flit overhead among dense foliage, before spiralling down among the sloths, anteaters, echidnas, macaws, bats, and piranhas, along with reptiles and tropical fish – each species thoughtfully integrated into this self-contained ecosystem (keep an eye out for the daily ‘thunderstorms’ to see the biosphere in full effect).

14:00 DUBAI MALL

Want to ice-skate beneath chandeliers? Catch a film in a reclining leather seat? Stare down a sand tiger shark through the glass of a 10-million-litre aquarium? It’s all in Dubai Mall, stacked between 1,200 shops and a handful of world records – including one of the largest indoor LED screens on the planet. While the iconic Dubai Fountain will be under renovation for part of 2025, there’s still plenty to see. Dubai Mall is famous for its vast array of indoor activities, making it the perfect escape from the heat – try PlayDXB virtual reality zone for immersive gaming, take the kids to KidZania, or explore themed attractions like the Dubai Dino or Hysteria haunted house. Fashion Avenue brings couture credentials, while a raft of high-end roster of restaurants features everything from sleek sushi counters to cosy cafés and everything in between. Located inside the mall, Kempinski Central Avenue offers a plush escape that is ideal for anyone wanting a post-shopping spree lie-down without even stepping foot outside. For sparkling skyline views, Kempinski The Boulevard is a smart pick too, accessible via the indoor boardwalk and perched high above Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard with infinity pools and a privileged seat to the city’s nightly light show.

16:00 BURJ KHALIFA

At 828 metres, the Burj Khalifa is still the tallest building in the world – a needle of glass and steel soaring over Downtown Dubai, visible from just about every corner of the city. Completed in 2010, the structure took six years and 330,000 cubic metres of concrete to build, and it now stands as the centrepiece of the UAE’s ultra-modern vision. From the outside, it’s all shimmer and scale, but head inside and the experience gets even better. Most visitors make a beeline for At The Top, the viewing decks on levels 124 and 148, where floor-to-ceiling windows serve up views of the city grid, desert, and distant sea. But tucked inside are a handful of bars and restaurants: At.mosphere on level 122 serves up sky-high dining with dramatic flair – go for drinks and afternoon tea if you want the experience without the formality. Just make sure you get a window seat.

18:00 GLOBAL VILLAGE

If you only have one night to experience Dubai at its most playful, eclectic, and gloriously over-the-top, make it Global Village. Among dozens of country pavilions, hundreds of food stalls, and fireworks shows, you’ll wander from Japan to West Africa in the space of ten minutes, snacking on everything from Uzbek pilaf to Mexican elote, while street performers break into samba or sword fights just steps away. It’s seasonal (October to April), always busy, and absolutely worth braving the crowds.

Day 2: Culture, coastlines and desert calm

8:00 KITE BEACH

Set along Jumeirah’s sun-drenched coastline, Kite Beach is where locals come for morning jogs, families spread out on beach mats, and paddleboarders cruise past with the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab glinting in the background – one of the best vantage points in the city to see it, in fact, especially as the morning light turns the water to gold. Despite it being a free public beach, the sand is powdery white, the water is clean and swimmable, and the entire area is spotless and thoughtfully maintained. There are also lifeguards, showers, changing rooms, and a paved track that runs the length of the waterfront, perfect for cycling, skating, or just lazy sunset strolls.

10:00 AL FAHIDI HISTORICAL NEIGHBOURHOOD

Just a short walk from the Royal Diwan and the old Ruler’s Court, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood once housed merchants and officials, and today it’s one of the few places in the city where the past feels wonderfully intact. Set on the Bur Dubai side of the Creek, this pocket-sized heritage zone is best explored on foot. Wander its maze of restored coral-stone houses, peek into art galleries and museums (don’t miss the fascinating Coffee Museum or Calligraphy House), and cool off at Arabian Tea House, an ivy-draped courtyard café serving mint lemonade and saffron-laced karak beneath gently creaking fans. From here, it’s an easy stroll to the textile souk, or a short hop down to the Abra station, where you can cross the Creek for just one dirham aboard a wooden boat – the same way traders have for over a century.

12:00 ALSERKAL AVENUE

Alserkal Avenue is the city’s beating heart of contemporary culture: a walkable cluster of converted industrial spaces now home to the region’s most daring galleries, indie cinemas, pop-up exhibitions, artisanal cafés, and concept stores that would feel right at home in Berlin or Brooklyn. If you’re new to it, start with The Third Line, one of the OG galleries here, showcasing bold work from Middle Eastern heavyweights like Hassan Hajjaj and Hayv Kahraman. Cinema Akil is another must: a one-screen indie cinema where you can catch Iranian arthouse flicks or a Wes Anderson retrospective while nibbling on spiced popcorn from the adjacent café, Project Chaiwala. Need a breather? Grab a matcha and a slab of carrot cake at Wild & the Moon, or a cold brew at Nightjar, a roastery that takes its beans – and its playlist – seriously.

14:00 SKI DUBAI

Whether you’re snowboarding, tobogganing, or just waddling around in rental boots trying not to fall over, there’s something genuinely magical about being surrounded the snow of Ski Dubai while the city roasts just outside. Not in the mood to actually ski? Head to Kempinski Mall of the Emirates, tucked just next door, where you can hole up in cosy, winter-lodge-style chalets that overlook the slope itself. Think faux fireplaces, warm wood tones, and a window onto the action – perfect for sipping hot chocolate while watching beginners eat snow in slow motion below.

16:00 PALM JUMEIRAH

If you’re looking to truly grasp the scale of Dubai on foot – and then by sky – Palm Jumeirah is the place to do it. For the panoramic punch, Aura Skypool is an essential stop: the world’s highest 360° infinity pool at 200 metres above ground, offering full-circle views of the Palm, the Burj Al Arab, Dubai Marina and the endless blue beyond. On the ground, Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah is the place to check in for lush gardens, a private beach and villas with their own pools.

18:00 MUSEUM OF THE FUTURE

From a distance, the Museum of the Future looks like something beamed in from another planet – a shimmering silver loop wrapped in flowing Arabic calligraphy, perched dramatically along Sheikh Zayed Road. It’s already one of the most iconic silhouettes in the city, and yes, the famous Insta shot (you, framed against the museum’s hollow centre with the skyline peeking through) is worth attempting – just be prepared to jostle for space if you’re visiting on a weekend. Inside, though, you’ll explore everything from climate-resilient cities and space colonisation to meditative wellness zones and AI-powered design labs.

19:00 DUBAI FRAME

Designed to literally frame the city, the Dubai Frame offers a striking visual split: Old Dubai to the north, all low-rise wind towers and trading dhows, and New Dubai to the south, a glittering sweep of glass and steel. Start at ground level, where a quick walkthrough exhibition traces the city’s evolution from fishing village to futuristic metropolis, then ride the lift 150 metres up to the skybridge, where a sheet of glass flooring lets you float above the park while soaking up the skyline. Come just before sunset for that magic-hour glow and fewer crowds, and give yourself time to wander Zabeel Park afterwards, one of the city’s greener corners, with space to breathe and plenty of café kiosks.

20:00 DESERT SAFARI

Forget the clichés – a desert safari in Dubai can be so much more than a dusty convoy of dune-bashers and a buffet by firelight. There’s adrenaline, if you want it: dune bashing, sandboarding, even fat-bike rides and camel treks. But the real magic lies in pulling up to a private camp lit only by lanterns, sipping Arabic coffee under the stars, or spotting an oryx picking across the horizon. For something truly special, book with an operator that keeps it pared-back and personal for plated dinners under the stars, astronomy talks, or falconry at dawn. Platinum Heritage and Sonara Camp do this beautifully, marrying eco-conscious design with just enough luxury to feel like an escape rather than a kitschy theme park.

Two days might scratch the surface, but Dubai’s many layers reward a second look. Next time, stay longer and see just how much more this spectacular Middle East city has to offer.

FAQ

What’s the best way to experience Dubai’s culture in 48 hours?

Visit Jumeirah Mosque for a guided tour and traditional tea, explore the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood’s galleries and museums, and take a classic abra ride across Dubai Creek – all recommended in this itinerary for a taste of the city’s authentic culture.

Is 48 hours enough to experience Dubai?

Yes, 48 hours is enough to see Dubai’s highlights. Central spots like Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Jumeirah Mosque, and Al Fahidi are close together. Palm Jumeirah and the desert safari are further out, but doable with a taxi.  

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