Visiting Dubai for the very first time? Or perhaps heading back but looking for more inspiration for your getaway?
I genuinely had no idea what to expect upon my first visit to Dubai.
Usually, my travel tastes lean towards craving older architecture that feels like stepping back in time or European destinations with fairytale castles and medieval inspiration.
But Dubai was such a pleasant surrpise! We absolutely loved visiting this UAE city and it’s totally inspired me to start planning even more adventures to super cool cities like this!
So if you’ve never been to Dubai before, I’ve got the perfect itinerary for four days in this magical city.
Magical Things to Do in Dubai
🌌 Book a desert safari with Platinum Heritage for an authentic desert and dinner experience
This is an absolute must experience when visiting Dubai!!
You start your experience by getting picked up at your hotel by your guide for the evening in one of their cars. To get to the Platinum Heritgage experience, it’s about an hour and a bit drive away from Dubai centre.
Your guide will be able to give you the full scoop of everything to expect. But they have tons of different experiences that you can book during your stay.
I’d recommend the Heritage Desert Safari, which is kind of like their classic experience.
You begin at the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, where you’ll receive a headscarf to wear during your 60 minute journey in your vintage open air Land Rover – and trust me, you will want the headscarf to wear to protect your hair and face during the desert!
As a tip, I’d also recommend wearing sunglasses or glasses too!
Here’s the lowdown on the full experience:
Embark on a 60-minute nature safari in a vintage Land Rover.
Marvel at a spectacular sunset falcon show against an Arabian sunset backdrop.
Arrive at an authentic torch-lit Bedouin Camp and receive a warm Arabic welcoming with coffee and dates.
Enjoy live breadmaking, coffee-making, henna and camel rides.
Indulge in a four-course traditional dinner.
Watch and partake in interactive Emirati performances like drumming and Yola.
Return to the hotel between 09:30 PM and 11:30 PM, depending on the season. The total experience will last approximately seven hours.
The journey through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is incredible! And once you get to the desert camp, the amazing experience continues with
🌆 Head to Aura Skypool for sunrise
What a magical experience!
Now be warned, you do need to wake up incredibly early for this experience if you’re booking for sunrise. But it was absolutely worth it!
We arrived at 6am and surprisngly, you will find it is already quite busy! Or perhaps, I was not surprised, but my husband Joe was positively shocked at how many people were getting up for this 6am experience.
We had city skyline first row loungers, which is perfect as this is the direction you will watch the sunrise.
Take in the beautiful views and lounge, relax and enjoy! Don’t miss out on ordering breakfast while there too, the food was delicious and we LOVED their iced coffees!
🌊 Jet Ski with Nemo WaterSports, take in the epic sights
Wow what a super cool experience! Jet skiing around the Arabian Gulf is a total bucket list thing you have to do!
Our jet ski tour took us out on an hour long adventure. Starting our journey in the marina. The Umm Suqeim Fishing Harbour marina, which is just next to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
From there, hop on jet skis!
Our hour long adventure took us all the way down to Atlantis, The Palm and back.
And the guides are super fun and take photos and videos of you along the way so you don’t have to worry about dropping your phone in the sea!
💐 Head to the Dubai Miracle Garden
Ok this visit feels like something straight out of a fever dream in the best way.
Dubai Miracle Garden calls themselves more than just a garden, and they are right!
Here you’ll find living artwork, over 150 MILLION blossoms that are created and woven into beautiful displays, landscapes and sculputures.
Dubai Museums: Museum of Future, Arte Immersive Museum
We sadly couldn’t fit absolutely EVERYTHING in on our trip to Dubai. But I would say that next time I’d love to visit more museums!
The Museum of Future is said to be one of the best museums in the world and it looks incredible.
Adding it to my list for next time!
🏙️ Visit The Top of the Burj Khalifa
WOAH! Going up 456 meters couldn’t be easier.
I thought I’d be quite scared going up the tallest building in the world, but they really have nailed how seamless this experience can be. It takes a matter of moments to get to the top, you hardly feel like you’ve traversed to the top… even though you have.
I’d really recommend booking your tickets for a sunset visit. You get the best of both worlds when it comes to the sky and the colours changing during sunset is so magical.
Plus as a little bonus, arriving during the evening hours means that you can watch the Dubai Fountain Show from above!
⛳️ Top Golf Dubai at sunset
With the epic views of the skyline, this is a super fun activity that everyone can enjoy – even if you aren’t an expert golfter
Order burgers and the nacho tower and thank me later!
🇦🇪 Visit the Old Town
Stroll the markets, learn the history of the city and DEFINITELY go on a river boat!
Best places to eat and drink in Dubai
🥗 Lunch at French Riviera Beach, at the Jumeirah Al Qasr
Yet another stunning location to visit!
We booked into lunch at French Riviera Beach
🍰 Brunch at Brunch and Cake
Such a cute spot! We visited the Brunch & Cake Montgomerie location, but they have this super cute chain all around Dubai, so you’ll find a few different locations you can go to.
Everything looks too good to eat, but trust me, you’ll find a way.
The Nutella French Toast was sooooo good!!
🍝 Dinner at Public
It’s a fun Italian spot with AMAZING views of Burj Khalifa.
🥞 Breakfast at the lovely Mazmi Cafe
Oh we loved this super cute spot. This is the perfect starting point before exploring the Old Town.
🫖 Have lunch Arabian Tea House in the Old Town
We were actually SO early for our lunch that we ended up doubling down and having brunch here.
Here you’ll find more traditional Arabian dishes, it’s a great experience and the food was so good!
I’m still trying to adjust to Arabian Coffee as it is quite bitter, but I always do think it’s fun to try everything once!
Where to stay for your magical trip? ⬇️
We stayed at Atlantis, The Palm
I feel like for the first time visiting Dubai, this is the most iconic and magical hotel to stay in.
And we LOVED it!
At first when checking in, I was a little worried we might have picked perhaps a hotel more for families, but truthfully, the entire resort is so massive that you really feel like despite the high capacity of guests, it equally can feel quite private too.
I genuinely loved staying here so much.
I think next time I would love to try their sister hotel, Atlantis, The Royal!
Best hotels to stay at in Dubai, UAE
We loved staying along The Palm as I feel like it gives the best of everything, a bit of beachy, resort vibes plus still near enough to Downtown.
But there is so much to choose from! Here are some iconic choices below for your next trip.
And in case you need a little extra help with planning, here is the perfect four day itinerary for Dubai…
The Ultimate Four Day Dubai Itinerary
Day One
🌌 Desert safari with Platinum Heritage for an authentic desert and dinner experience
Day Two
🌆 Head to Aura Skypool for sunrise, a magical experience! PS we loved their iced coffee!
🌊 Jet Ski with Nemo WaterSports, take in the epic sights
🥗 Lunch at French Riviera Beach, at Jumeirah Al Qasr
⛳️ Top Golf Dubai at sunset with the epic views of the skyline (order the nacho tower + thank me later!)
Day Three
💐 Head to the Dubai Miracle Garden
🍰 Brunch at Brunch and Cake, the Nutella French Toast is so good!!
💦 Relax by the pool for the afternoon, you deserve it!
🏙️ Visit At The Top Burj Khalifa – Going up 456 meters couldn’t be easier! I’d recommend a sunset visit + watch the Dubai Fountain Show
🍝 Dinner at Public, fun Italian spot with views of Burj Khalifa
Day Four
🥞 Breakfast at the lovely Mazmi Cafe
🇦🇪 Visit the Old Town, stroll the markets + learn the history of the city & go on a river boat!
🫖 Have lunch Arabian Tea House in the Old Town
🧜♀️ Stay Atlantis, The Palm, I felt like for the first time visiting, this was the most iconic and magical hotel to stay and we LOVED it!