Our guide for 72 hours in Dubai will help you plan to make the most of your trip to this magnificent city of the middle east.

Dubai is not a place whose benevolence can be explored and enjoyed in a limited time of three days. But in case you plan for a happy weekend of 3 days in Dubai, we have created a perfect itinerary to spend 72 hours in Dubai that will surely make your visit smooth, fund, and memorable.

Dubai is the most recommended destination for the global travel community.

Since 2010, Dubai has become the most attractive and popular tourist destination globally. Flocks of millions travel to this human marvel every year to enjoy the luxury and witness the wonders like the tallest building in the world, amusement parks, shopping ventures, international festivals, and exotic beaches. With this much of multitude of travelers, especially during the peak season, it becomes a challenge to plan a well-balanced trip, where you can enjoy the treat of the city and avoid the endless waiting lines at the must-see places.

Where to Stay in Dubai:

Below is the list of Recommended Places to Stay in Dubai:

• Deira
• Bur Dubai
• Downtown
• Barsha 
• Dubai Marina
• Palm Jumeirah
• or if you want more public transport connections, you can always choose some nearby area to Dubai Metro Stations

What to See and Do if you got 72 hours in Dubai?

Top things to do in Dubai in 2022: Your Must-Do Bucket List of Attractions & Activities

Dubai is undoubtedly among the top stopover destination in the world. Furthermore, A stopover in Dubai can be your perfect opportunity to explore this incredible city.

Itinerary for 72 Hours in Dubai

Day 1 in Dubai

Explore and Enjoy Old Dubai; Visit the old town of Deira, The Perfume Souk, Dubai Museum, and Dubai Frame.

Your first day of exploring Dubai must start from Deira, the oldest and most traditional district in Dubai. You will fall in love while discovering this part of the city. The three main souks attract the majority of the tourists for their brightness and traditional looks. The Gold Souk is the most famous, where you will find the most unique and unseen jewelry designs that might not be wearable in routine life. The Perfume Souk is a Bazar located on Sikkat Al Khalil Street that will attract you through the fragrance already spread in the air. You can always purchase perfumes and souvenirs for your family and friends. Walking a little more will lead you to the Spice Souk, where you can discover various spices found in the east. It would be best if you hire a tour guide when you visit the Dubai Museum; otherwise, a walk-through will also add to your knowledge of the history of Dubai. 

From Deira, you must cross the river to reach Bur Dubai in a traditional boat called ‘abra.’ You will be welcomed by the House of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, converted into a history museum. Here you must visit Old Souk to purchase souvenirs, grab some snacks from the cafes in Meena Bazaar, and enjoy a walk along with the replicated traditional houses in Al Seef Market. 

Dubai Museum, located in Bur Dubai, will apprise you of the tribal history and the boom of the 1960s.  

If you want to explore a little of modern Dubai on the same day, take some great pictures, and enjoy evening views, Dubai Frame is the right choice. Away from the old Dubai, reach the top of a 150-meter tall golden structure to relish a great panoramic view of ancient and modern Dubai while standing on a glass floor. 

Day 2 in Dubai (Sightseeing and Fun in Dubai)

Visit the downtown Dubai(Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall) and Lamer Water Front.

Start the 2nd day with a healthy breakfast at your hotel or the Barefoot Lounge near the Grand Jumeirah. Begin with visiting the Etihad Museum, where you will learn about the Declaration of Union and the creation of the UAE in 1971. Besides the history, the building itself is worth witnessing. From here, take a 10-minute walk to the Jumeirah Mosque, which is the only one of its kind where non-muslims can also enter. The guide will introduce you to the traditions and pillars of Islam. 

Let this be a day for your health, and walk another 5 – 10 minutes to reach the refreshing La Mer waterfront. Enjoy the blue sea with your loved ones from a terrace, restaurant, or a café. Sitting along the beach adorned by tall palm trees is a treat.

Dubai Mall is known for attracting the most visitors for shopping globally. More than 1200 shops consisting of almost all the world recognized luxury brands are present inside the mall. Indoor Ice Rink, cinemas, arcade games for kids and adults, underwater zoo, and aquarium are some of the major highlights of Dubai Mall that you must enjoy. In the evening, move out of the mall to enjoy the Fountain Show. The show restarts after every 30 minutes between 6 – 11 pm, so there is less chance of missing it. 

Followed by a short fountain show, you must go for the most exciting part of Day-2, time to go up the Burj Al Khalifa. Being the tallest building globally, it has a lot to offer. Reach the 124th floor to see Dubai from the top of the world, relax at the Burj Club, enjoy the world’s most wished aquarium and mall, or sit in a restaurant and have your dream dish. You can also enjoy a ride in the fastest elevator in the world. 

Day 2 in Dubai (Exploring the Unmissable Dubai)

Visit Dubai Miracle Garden, Palm Jumeirah, and the Atlantis, Jumeirah Beach Cruises.

On the third day, start with visiting the Dubai Marina. You can enjoy a free walk along the harbor, watch the yachts harbored on the deck, admire the skyscrapers along the beach, and reach the Dubai Marina Mall. Next, you can reserve a luxury yacht and sail in the sea to enjoy even more. If you can spend a few additional dollars, take an expensive cruise for 2-3 hours and see Dubai from a different perspective, followed by a pass near the Atlantis Hotel. At Dubai Marina, adventure lovers consider the urban zip line the best activity to do.

From Dubai Marina, take the metro and head straight to the Mall of Emirates. The indoor ski slope is one of the wonders of this mall. A continuous temperature of -4 degrees is maintained for an authentic feel. Need not bring your equipment because you can get everything on rent. You can also find stores within your budget and restaurants with your favorite tastes inside the Mall of Emirate. When with kids, head to the mall’s top floor and let the kids enjoy bundles of arcade games and a mini funfair.

When on tour, theme parks remain a focus of the kids, and in Dubai, the Global Village is the best cultural and theme park. Stroll through pavilions representing cultures and colors of most countries of the world. Global Village remains open in the evening from November to April. And do not miss the La Perle show, which features world-class artists and performers; you must book your tickets well in advance.

On the 3rd day, if you need to enjoy yourself more, you must save a few hours by taking a 4WD desert Safari. After you book the excursion, you will be picked from your hotel and driven to beautiful dunes, the natural face of old Dubai. You will have a fun ride most uniquely, followed by a camel ride at the campsite and a traditional meal if you have opted for it. 

BEST TIPS TO REMEMBER WHEN PLANNING TO VISIT DUBAI

If you desire to avoid lengthy lines to purchase tickets for some of the most wanting places, get the Dubai Explorer Pass. The pass is valid for 30 days from the day of activation. You can select the number of sites you intend to visit through the access before purchasing it. You do not need to specify which activities out of the 50 available options you need to buy passes for; only the number has to be mentioned. 

Buy Ship-the-Line tickets to save your time and money. You can find these tickets for every top attraction in Dubai. 

Always search for the best hotels close to your destinations well in advance and book them white they offer deals. You will find a lot of equally luxurious budget options. 

Choose your month of travel wisely because the weather, international holidays, and universal festivals implicate accommodation and travel prices.