The first day of your trip should be about Dubai’s most iconic destinations, The Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa. Burj Khalifa is located next to The Dubai Mall, so it makes perfect sense to pair your visit to the landmark building with a day at the mall. During this visit, you can catch the most spectacular views of the Burj Khalifa from The Dubai Mall, visit the At The Top observatory on top of the Burj Khalifa, and explore the world’s largest mall. Here’s what you can do during your day at The Dubai Mall.

The dancing fountains are one of the most iconic landmarks of The Dubai Mall and are definitely not to be missed. The fountain show takes place every 30 minutes after 6 p.m. in the open area next to Souk Al Bahar. We recommend reaching the location 15 minutes before the show to find a good viewing spot.  The Dubai Mall is home to one of the largest aquariums in the world that houses over 1400 marine species, including Tiger Sharks, Sting Rays, and more. The Aquarium is an absolute spectacle to behold and can be viewed for free from the mall. If you want to experience the underwater world up close, you can also choose to visit the Underwater Zoo & Aquarium, where you will get an opportunity to look at the animals from a special tunnel under the aquarium and witness many more of them including the massive King Croc.

The second day can be dedicated to Desert Safari, another exciting Dubai experience that should definitely not be missed. Desert Safari takes you on an exciting journey into the desert. It gives you an opportunity to experience the traditional Bedouin lifestyle in a desert camp with exciting activities like dune bashing, camel riding, belly dancing, and more.

Important note: Desert Safari experiences must be booked at least 2 days in advance, so make sure you make your reservations as early as possible.

Most standard desert safari experiences begin between 2 to 3 pm and last till 9 p.m., which means that it will take almost your entire day. However, if you start your day early, you can also add a visit to The Dubai Frame to your itinerary. The Dubai Frame experience takes about an hour, which makes it the perfect thing to add to your day with Desert Safari.

On the third day of your trip, it’s time to explore the iconic Burj Al Arab. The only 7-star hotel in the world, Burj Al Arab is a spectacle to behold both from the outside and inside. You can explore the hotel even if you are not staying there with a special Inside Burj Al Arab tour experience that takes you around the luxurious location with a private butler who gives you all the history and information about the place.

As Burj Al Arab is located on the edge of Kite Beach, you can pair your tour with a day at the beach. Kite Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Dubai and is perfect for a relaxing, laid-back day with friends and family. You can choose to participate in one of the many watersports that happen at the beach, including kayaking, jet skiing, paragliding, and surfing, or just enjoy a relaxing day on the sandy shore and witness a beautiful sunset.

The Kite Beach is also lined with multiple dining destinations, so if you’re feeling hungry, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Buckle up because day four is going to be an adventurous one. If you love water and adventure, then you should definitely add the Aquaventure Waterpark to the list. Certified by the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest waterpark, Aquaventure houses 100+ thrilling water rides and attractions, including the world-famous Leap of Faith with a near-vertical drop. With multiple attractions ranging from thrilling to mild and a dedicated kids’ area, Aquaventure is the perfect location for a fun family day out.

Aquaventure is located within the famous Atlantis hotel, which means that your visit will also give you an opportunity to explore the luxurious location. To make the most out of the day, ensure you arrive at Aquaventure as early as possible.

As Aquaventure is situated in Palm Jumeirah, you can continue your day and head to The Pointe to explore the happening area with multiple retail and dining destinations and enjoy a delicious meal with gorgeous views of the Arabian coast.

We hope you’re not tired because day five will be jam-packed with fun experiences. Start your day bright and early and head to the Deira Souk to delve into the tradition and culture of the region. Deira Souk is the perfect place to discover Dubai’s merchant and trade history and buy fun and exciting souvenirs and local spices. If you’re in the mood to splurge, you can also head to the famous Deira Gold Souk, which is located right there.

To add to your cultural experience, take an Abra ride to Al Seef. An abra is a small, traditional boat dating back many years that takes visitors from one side of the port to the other. True to its spirit, an Abra ride still costs only 1 AED per person, just like in old times.

Get off the Abra and head to Al Seef, one of the most unique locations in Dubai. Built to resemble the olden structures of the city, Al Seef is a beautiful complex with multiple retail and dining destinations that are perfect for shopping and a little stroll that takes you back to history.

Have your breakfast and clear all the check-out procedures and catch your flight back home.