Dubai in 3 days: tips and itinerary to make the most of your visit

Dubai is a city of contrasts. Walking through its streets you can go from sea level to the tallest skyscraper in the world, from the charm of the old and traditional to the most luxurious and extravagant modernity.

In this post I propose a tour so you don't miss anything. Enjoy a day in the old and historic Dubai, a day strolling through the most modern city in the world and a third day of adventure in the desert. Dubai is an experience!

On your first day in the city I recommend that you visit the old and traditional sites of the capital. This will give you a better appreciation of how impressive the transformation of Dubai has been in recent years.

For transport I recommend using a taxi or Uber service. Public transport is safe and efficient, but takes much longer.

Visit the Jumeirah Mosque

There are many mosques worth visiting in Dubai but the Jumeirah Mosque is the most important mosque in the city and the only one that non-Muslims are allowed to visit. The only time you can't go inside is when a religious service is taking place.

You must, however, wear knee-length and shoulder-length clothing. Women must also cover their hair. However, from the outside you can see the impressive architecture, with its sand-coloured domes.

• Price: Approximately €2.50.
• Opening hours: From Saturday to Thursday at 10am there is a guided tour which lasts about an hour and a half. You don't need to book, but do arrive at the mosque 15 minutes beforehand.

Enjoy the souks

There are four main souks in Dubai. Three of them are in the Deira district: the spice souk, the gold souk and the perfume souk. The fourth, the textile souk, is on the other side of the estuary in the Al Fahidi district.

• The gold souk is in Deira and you can find all kinds of jewellery in its aisles. Don't panic if it seems expensive, prices can be haggled over!
• Nearby is the Spice Souk, a must for gourmets. Or simply if you like to enjoy good food with interesting flavours. You can buy saffron, dates and, of course, any other spices.
• The perfume souk is located next to the spice souk, following Sikkat Al Khali Street. Here you will find essential oils, perfumes and incense sticks.
• The textile souk is on the other side of the estuary, on the Bur Dubai waterfront (57 Ali Bin Talib St.). You can cross it with an abra, the traditional boats. There, you can choose the fabrics of your choice and visit one of the local tailors to make your own suit or sari and take home a very special souvenir of Dubai.

Stroll through the historic Al Bastakiya neighbourhood

While you're nearby, I recommend a stroll through an old and restored neighbourhood, which is beautiful for a stroll. The traditional-looking, sand-coloured houses create a unique atmosphere. Here you can see the famous wind towers, built to keep the houses cool - quite a contrast to the modern city!

As a curiosity, come and see what remains of the old city wall. Can you guess what it was made of? Sand, coral and shells.

Don't leave yet, this neighbourhood is full of treasures to discover. And it's about time to take a break and grab a bite to eat at the best places in Dubai! Here are two options:

• Arabian Tea House Restaurant & Café: a classic, in and out of the neighbourhood. I recommend the halloumi and samosas.
• XVA Art Café: It's a hotel (very nice, by the way) that has an art gallery inside and a café in the central courtyard.

Cruise Dubai Creek

On the banks of the Dubai Creek is the origin of the city. This is where the first inhabitants, pearl and fish traders in the Persian Gulf, settled.

You can enjoy this ancient flavour and water views on foot, or if you prefer to be shown around, there are tours that visit the area. They last about three hours and cost around €40.

You can check out all the details of Dubai cruises. I'll also show you all the options you have for cruising these waters:

• You can use an Abra, the traditional boats of Dubai. They cost approximately 37 € per hour, regardless of how many people you share it with. You can book them here.
• You can also take a ferry and enjoy the views of the city from its windows: the old and the new.
• As it's getting late in the evening, I recommend this third option: book a Dubai cruise with dinner and a show on Dubai Creek. There are several options, but most cost around €46. The best way to end a historic day.

On the second day I recommend you discover the other side of Dubai, the one that comes to mind when you think of the city. The capital of the Emirates is the symbol of supermodernity, and no wonder. I propose an itinerary from the Dubai Frame to the world's largest shopping mall, the world's tallest building and the world's largest fountain.

Start the day with a good view: the Dubai Frame

Booking tickets for the Dubai Frame is a must. It is a building in the centre of Dubai in the form, effectively, of a large frame from which to look out over the city. It is built and oriented in such a way that you can see the evolution of Dubai, from the oldest and most traditional parts to the present, with its famous skyline.

It's a good idea to go in the morning because it's less crowded and you can enjoy the tour, which lasts about 2 hours.

• Opening hours: The Dubai Frame is open every day of the year between 9am and 9pm, although opening hours may vary in Ramadan.
• Price: Admission is approximately €12 and discounts are available for children.
• Where: The city's frame is built in a park, Zabeel Park. If you have time before the tour you can take a stroll around its vast expanse (it's the size of about 45 football pitches).

Tour the Dubai Mall

Dubai's malls are not just a place to shop. They are also centres for leisure activities and culture. The Dubai Mall is the most famous of these, and not surprisingly, as it is the largest shopping mall in the world. Inside you can choose how to spend your day:

• At the ice rink, the Dubai Ice Rink? You can learn to skate or just watch the activity on the rink. Reservations are required: The two-hour session costs about €22 approximately. Equipment hire is included in the price.
• One of the most popular attractions in the Dubai Mall is the aquarium. The Dubai Underwater Zoo is home to 300 species of animals, including rays and sharks. It's open from Sunday to Wednesday and you can book your ticket for Dubai Aquarium from €38.
• Inside this mall you can visit a diplodocus fossil, 7 metres high, 24 metres long. Yes, just like the ones in the movies. Or in museums, of course.
• If flying is your thing, don't miss the flight simulator. In this attraction you can sit in the pilot's seat of an A380 aircraft. You have to book and get your ticket in advance. The session lasts half an hour and costs approximately €85.
• If you're going with children, don't miss the haunted house or the children's theme park (KidZania). A real amusement park for the little ones. Remember to book in advance. Admission to KidZania costs around €50 per person.
• There is also an impressive indoor waterfall. You wouldn't expect it, inside a shopping centre. It is impressive to see the human figures in jumping position.

Of course, there are also shops: more than 1,200 shops from all over the world. You can visit Bloomigsdale or Galeries Lafayette Haussmann within minutes of each other. And of course you'll also find all kinds of restaurants.

Climb the Burj Khalifa

You've probably heard of the Burj Khalifa, because it's the tallest skyscraper in the world and one of the most famous landmarks in Dubai. It's very easy to find: it's 828 metres high and is built in the heart of Downtown Dubai. Don't think it will take you all day to go up, the skyscraper has high-speed lifts.

The observation decks on the 124th and 125th floors offer a 360º view. You can see everything: the city, the sea and the desert. It is very popular to go up at sunrise or sunset: at these times, the impression is even more intense. Or I'd even recommend going up to the Burj Khalifa at night . There is an even higher observation deck, on the 148th floor, with a café inside that is the highest in the world: The Lounge Burj Khalifa.

The tour also includes a screening on the history of the city and how the Burj Khalifa was built. Check out all the details about tickets to the Burj Khalifa, you have two options:

• Burj Khalifa tickets (124th and 125th floors), from AED 182.
• Burj Khalifa tickets (124th, 125th and 148th floors), from AED 517.

Enjoy the largest fountain in the world

Very close to the Burj Khalifa, there is a free water show. Starting at 6pm and every 30 minutes, the water jets reach a height of 150 metres at the Burj Lake.

It's amazing and if you get the chance, be sure to book a traditional boat ride in Dubai to watch the fountain show and experience the top of the line.

• Where: In front of the Burj Dubai, on the terrace of Dubai Mall.
• Hours: Every day from 6pm to 11pm, every 30 minutes.
• Price: If you book the fountain show on a traditional boat ride in Dubai it costs around €65.

End the day at the Dubai Marina

The Dubai Marina is a must-see neighbourhood to get a glimpse of the new Dubai. At night, too, the scenery of the sea and the illuminated city is an experience in itself.

The marina offers a breathtaking view of modern Dubai with its tall skyscrapers and luxury hotels. In addition, there is a wide range of other activities on offer:

• Dubai Marina Yacht Cruise from AED 106.
• Dubai dinner cruise, from AED 163.
• XLine zip line experience in Dubai Marina, from AED 499.

Find out all the details about the Dubai Marina in the following post.

On the third day I advise you not to miss a visit to the Arabian Desert that surrounds the city. Remember that it is forbidden to go on your own, and you will get much more out of it with an organised tour. I'll tell you everything you need to have the best adventure.

Desert adventure

If you spend three days in Dubai you can't miss an excursion to the Arabian desert that surrounds the city. To visit the Dubai desert you need to book an organised Dubai desert excursion or tour. Here are a few options:

• Desert tour with dune safari, camel ride and sandboarding, from AED 132.
• Desert tour with dune safari, camel ride, sandboarding, falcon experience and dinner, from AED 318
• Desert tour with quad biking and sandboarding, from AED 288.
• Desert tour with quad safari, Al Khayma camp and dinner in Dubai, from AED 315.

Taking an organised excursion to the Dubai desert is a unique experience, but it can be dangerous: it's not easy to drive in the sand or find your way around if you're not used to it. It is therefore forbidden to go into the desert on your own. It is better to have professional help and guidance.

There are several ways to get to the desert. Organised excursions include hotel pick-up in the city and transport. The means of transport is a 4x4 vehicle, so you can get a good idea of what to expect. Once in the desert, the adventure begins. Camel rides, quad biking in the sand... Adrenaline rush!

What to expect on a desert tour

There are numerous desert plans that include some or all of the following options:

• Camel rides- be warned, this is the most typical activity and you can sometimes encounter a queue. If you don't feel like spending your day in the desert waiting, you can go at the last minute.
• Falconry shows: Discover the art of trained birds in the desert.
• Drive a buggy through the Dubai desert or a quad bike through the Dubai desert on the sand.
• Tasting of typical local snacks, accompanied by tea or coffee. A treat for the senses
• Dinner: Barbecue in a camp in the middle of the desert.
• Fire and dance shows.
• And if you still have time left, sleeping in the Dubai desert, under the stars, is an experience you won't forget.

To help you get organised, I've put together this table so you can see all the information you need at a glance. Have a great trip!

At the end of this tour, you will have the full Dubai experience: from the beginnings of the city around Dubai Creek with its traditional buildings to the view from the world's tallest skyscraper in Downtown Dubai. And of course an unforgettable day in the desert. And of course, an unforgettable day in the desert - enjoy!