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I think Dubai is the #1 best place in the world for a long layover. If you’re traveling from the west to the east — perhaps on your way to Asia or Australia, I highly recommend booking an extended layover here. I just visited the UAE myself before a massive trip to India and spent 3 days in Dubai (plus 1 in Abu Dhabi), and loved seeing the highlights of the city during this time. This guide is going to cover where to stay, what to do & see, where to eat, and all key essential information / history you need to plan your trip. Let’s dive in.
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Know Before You Go: United Arab Emirates Edition
Here are a few simple facts about traveling to the United Arab Emirates to help you prepare for your upcoming visit!
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Language
The official language of the UAE is Arabic, but English is spoken everywhere — in hotels, restaurants, taxis, malls, and tour companies. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are some of the most international cities I’ve ever visited (91% of the population is non-non-Emitrati), so you’ll hear dozens of languages being spoken during your visit (open your ears… it’s so cool!).
Currency
The local currency in the UAE is AED (United Arab Emirates Dirham). Credit cards are widely accepted, and Dubai in particular is very cashless.
Pro-tip: You do not need to exchange large amounts of money at the airport — ATMs are easy to find in malls and hotels if needed. However, you will want cash for tipping guides and visiting the traditional souks in Old Dubai… more on this below.
Weather (Best Time Of Year To Visit The UAE)
The UAE has a desert climate, which means extremely hot summers and very mild, pleasant winters.
The best time to visit is November through March. During these months, temperatures are typically in the 70s–80s°F during the day, making it perfect for walking around, desert safaris, and beach days.
Summer (June–September) is intensely hot, with temperatures often exceeding 100°F. Outdoor exploring is limited during this time, so I’d avoid visiting then.
Wi-Fi / Phone Service
Wi-Fi in the UAE is fast and reliable. Hotels, malls, beach clubs, and even many public spaces offer free Wi-Fi. Additionally, if you have an international phone plan, it should switch on when you land no problem for data and phone calls. My favorite phone carrier for travel is T-Mobile’s Magenta Plan!
Transportation
It is very easy to get around the UAE, especially in Dubai. Taxis are safe, regulated, and reasonably priced, although you can also use Uber here!
The Dubai Metro has to be the #1 best public transportation experience I’ve ever had. Not only is it extremely clean and affordable, it’s SO safe. I traveled to Dubai solo and LOVED using the Metro. There were cars just for women and children — that men literally got fined for using. I wish all cities had this.
Pro-tip: Since Dubai is so spread out, this hop-on, hop-off city bus tour would be a fantastic way to sightsee the city without having to rent a car! It covers all of the highlights covered in the 3 days in Dubai itinerary below.
Water
Tap water in the UAE is safe for brushing your teeth and generally safe to drink, as it is desalinated. However, most residents and visitors prefer bottled water for drinking. Stay hydrated here!
Why Visit Dubai?
Not only is Dubai located pretty much in the center of the east & west, making 3 days in Dubai the perfect long-layover, it is one of the most fascinating cities in the world. I literally felt like I was in year 3000 when I visited — the skyscrapers are so futuristic, yet rise up from a literal desert. Plus, there’s the history of Old Dubai, some of the most pristine beach areas in the world, and the city is incredibly safe.
It’s actually been voted the safest city in the world for solo female travelers numerous times. Everyone should spend at least a few days here in their lifetime!
A Quick History Of Dubai
Dubai began as a small fishing village along the Arabian Gulf before transforming into a global city in just a few decades. It’s grown from 3 to 3,000 square kilometers since 1971 — and continues to expand. There are SO many cranes here… the city will probably look vastly different in another 50 years.
The discovery of oil in the 1960s accelerated development, diversifying the economy beyond oil into tourism, aviation, finance, and real estate. Today, there is no oil left in Dubai, but foreigners continue to make the city rich.
In 1971, seven of the United Arab Emirates came together to form the independent country that we know today. Other Gulf States left and became their own countries around this time — Bahrain, Qatar, etc.
Today, centuries-old traditions — from Abras boats on Dubai Creek to bustling souks exist alongside futuristic icons like the Burj Khalifa, showing how heritage and innovation seamlessly coexist in Dubai.
Where To Stay In Dubai
Dubai is very spread out, and there are several main areas you can stay in. I read probably 10+ blog posts before visiting myself and after conducting several hours of research — I decided to stay in the Dubai Marina, and am recommending you do too!
While staying in Downtown Dubai is more convenient for access to the main tourists sites, like the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa, this area is easily accessible from the marina. Plus, the marina is the perfect place to grab dinner + drinks each night, and is also walkable to the beach. Here are three hotels I recommend for the marina, depending on your budget:
Budget ($): Rove Dubai Marina
Rove Dubai Marina is a stylish, budget-friendly hotel just steps from the Marina promenade and close to JBR Beach. The rooms are modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows, super comfortable beds, and fast free WiFi. There’s also a large outdoor pool, 24-hour gym, self-service laundry, and an on-site restaurant. This is where I stayed and I highly recommend it!
You can often find rooms here starting around $100–150 per night, depending on the season.
Mid-Range ($$): JA Ocean View Hotel
JA Ocean View Hotel sits directly along The Walk at JBR, offering spacious rooms — all with private balconies overlooking the Arabian Gulf. The hotel features an infinity pool, multiple on-site restaurants, a spa, and easy access to both Dubai Marina and the beach.
Nightly rates for rooms here typically range from $200–350, depending on the time of year.
Luxury ($$$): Address Beach Resort
Address Beach Resort is one of the most iconic luxury stays in Dubai Marina, home to one of the world’s highest outdoor infinity pools with panoramic skyline and sea views. The rooms are sleek and ultra-modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows and spa-style bathrooms. Guests have direct beach access, multiple fine-dining restaurants, a full-service spa, and five-star service.
Expect room rates to start around $500+ per night, especially during peak season (November–March).
Pro-tip: When asking “is Dubai expensive?”, I would say yes and no — this is not a super affordable city. It’s definitely not the norm to stay in hostels or eat cheap street food, but there are more budget-friendly accommodation options and you can shop at supermarkets if needed. Plus, the malls are free to walk through… as long as you don’t buy anything!
The Perfect 3 Days In Dubai Itinerary
Day 1: Old Dubai, Dubai Mall, & Museum Of The Future
Morning In Old Dubai
I began my first full day in Dubai on this guided tour of Old Dubai and the Souks. While Dubai is famous for its glamorous hotels, futuristic skyline, and out-of-this-world museums, I think you would be seriously missing out if you didn’t also visit Old Dubai!
While Dubai is a largely international city, this is the part of the city where the Emirati culture lies. I recommend the above guided tour — which will bring you through the Al Fahidi and Deira Historical Districts for a glimpse of what Dubai looked like before the skyscrapers (just 50 years ago!). We had free time to wander the narrow alleys, see a falcon (considered royalty in the UAE), visit a traditional house and try Arabic coffee, and browse local goods. I had to buy some Dubai chocolate, obviously!
Next, cross the Dubai Creek on traditional Abras (also part of the tour I recommend). Abras are traditional wooden boats and are the oldest form of transportation in the city. In case you were curious… the newest is a flying taxi to the airport. Yes, really.
On the other side of the creek, you’ll want to walk around and haggle your way through the Gold and Spice Souks. These markets are full of incredible jewelry, local goods, teas, perfumes. and spices to bring home with you.
Afternoon In The Dubai Mall
From Old Dubai, make your way back downtown for a few hours at the Dubai Mall. Believe it or not, the malls in Dubai are some of the city’s top attractions. There is a LOT to do within them, and the sheer size of them are worth experiencing.
Pro-tip: Hungry for lunch? If you didn’t eat in Old Dubai, there is a HUGE food court in the Dubai Mall where you can grab a bite to eat. They have everything from subs to sushi.
The Dubai Mall is the largest mall in the world. It has over 1,200 shops inside and is 1.1 million square kilometers in size (12 million square feet).
My favorite area of the Dubai Mall was Chinatown. After a few hours of walking around all the shops, I really enjoyed strolling through this “neighborhood” within the mall. Go to the tea room! It was the perfect place to relax for a bit — you can even enjoy an authentic tea ceremony.
The Dubai Mall also has an ice skating rink and also an entire aquarium inside. Be sure to stroll by the giant tank — and wave to the scuba divers inside! Also don’t miss the indoor waterfall.
Evening At The Museum Of The Future
In the late afternoon / early evening, hop on the metro one stop to the Museum of the Future. You’ll want to get off at Emirates Towers station and walk just 5-10 minutes through a long tunnel into the museum. You should plan to spend about 2 hours here!
The Museum of the Future is an immersive museum set in year 2071 that provides an inside look at the technological advancements Dubai is currently working on (like that flying airport taxi I mentioned above). Picture: Talking robots, DNA mutations, environmental engineering inventions, etc.
This is BY FAR one of the (if not THE) coolest museums I’ve ever been to. I think it would be great for all ages and is a must!
Pro-tip: This is a popular place — you MUST book tickets online and in advance to visit. Usually tickets need to be purchased a few weeks ahead of your visit, but you can also try your luck with same-day tickets that may be released… if there’s extra. That’s what I did to be able to visit at ~5:30pm during my first of 3 days in Dubai.
Assuming you are staying in the Dubai Marina, I recommend heading back to the area and grabbing a later dinner at Bistro Des Arts — a classic Parisian bistro on the Marina Promenade overlooking the water, with great wine and views! Try the shrimp!
Day 2: Dubai Desert Safari, Kite Beach, & Burj Khalifa
Morning On A Desert Safari
Similar to the guided walking tour I recommended above, a Dubai Desert Safari is another MUST DO excursion during your 3 days in Dubai. There are usually two, 4-5 hour long tour options offered each day — one in the morning through the early afternoon, and another from like 2pm through the evening.
The latter includes a dinner buffet and fire show in the desert, but also you will be out there during PEAK humidity. I opted for the morning tour to avoid blazing in the sun (which you kinda will regardless, you are in a desert after all).
This desert safari is the top-rated company in Dubai! The half-day option includes hotel pick up in Dubai, the hour(ish) drive out to the desert, and a series of fun activities, including:
- ATVing
- Camel ride
- Dune bashing
- Sandboarding
- Photo-ops
This was definitely a highlight from my time in the UAE and is one of the most memorable experiences you can have during your long layover in Dubai! It was also wild to see how the city just ends…it gives you an idea of what this area looked like before all the construction began in the early 1970s.
Afternoon At Kite Beach
Dubai has an incredible beach scene. Similar to visiting the desert, soaking up the sun at one of Dubai’s beaches is a must do. The most popular ones are JBR Beach or Kite Beach. I opted for Kite Beach because I also wanted to try SALT for lunch!
SALT is a local chain with a few locations around the city. It’s a fast casual restaurant, meaning you order at a food truck / counter and can bring your food to a picnic table to eat. SALT has been voted one of the top 50 restaurants in the world. Try their açaí bowl and smoothies, along with the smash burger and fries for lunch. They’re also well-known for their matcha if that’s your thing!
After lunch, walk or bike down the boardwalk and check out all the excitement — there’s outdoor gyms, volleyball tournaments, little beach shops, ice cream stands, and so much more.
I made my way to the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab next — which is located further down the beach. This is the world’s only 7 star hotel! You don’t have to be a millionaire to visit though. There are two other ways:
- Book an architecture tour that will guide you through the property’s luxurious lobby, restaurants, etc
- Or, make a reservation at the sky deck bar for drinks or high tea. Just note the minimum spend up here is 250 AED or $70ish USD.
I opted to just take photos from the outside! Unless you are a guest, you can’t pass the gates without a tour or reservation.
Evening At The Top Of the Burj + Fountains
Once you’ve refreshed from the desert and the beach (this was a 2+ shower day for me), head over to the Burj Khalifa, which is located inside the Dubai Mall. Similar to the museums in Dubai, you’ll need to book a ticket to visit the Top of the Burj online and in-advance. It’s up to you whether you want to visit during the daytime or at night. Sunset usually sells out, so I opted for nighttime to see the skyline come to life.
The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world. It’s 828 meters, or 2,717 feet high with 163 floors. You’re able to visit some of the top-most tours, and even step outside onto the outdoor observation decks!
There are different tickets available, but I recommend visiting the top floor and paying to skip the line. Even with a reserved ticket, you will still have to wait in a 1-2 hour queue to get into the elevators. It is absolutely worth the splurge to spend a bit more on a premium pass — which will allow you to go up sooner, and enjoy Arabic coffee and treats at the top.
Once you make your way back down in the elevators, head outside to watch the Dubai Fountain Show. It’s as famous as the Bellagio fountain show in Vegas, and happens daily every 30 minutes after sunset (usually from 6-11pm).
There are plenty of restaurants within the mall for dinner, or I recommend heading back to the Marina again!
Day 3: The Palm, Mall Of Emirates, & Dubai Marina
Morning At The Palm
Begin your morning at The Palm for breakfast and a stroll through one of the world’s most iconic, man-made islands. I ate at Brunch & Cake — a yummy restaurant I first discovered a few years ago in Barcelona, Spain.
The Palm in Dubai usually refers to Palm Jumeirah, a man-made island shaped like a palm tree built off the coast of the city. It’s home to luxury hotels, beachfront villas, and landmarks like Atlantis The Palm, making it one of Dubai’s most iconic attractions.
Afternoon In The Mall Of Emirates
Enjoy your final afternoon in Dubai at the Mall Of the Emirates, located off the Mall of the Emirates Metro Station, connected through a walkway. Similar to the Dubai Mall, this mall is also huge and is also iconic for being home to Ski Dubai — an indoor ski resort home to the world’s only indoor black diamond.
Evening In Dubai Marina
And that brings us to the end of another travel guide! I hope these recommendations inspire you to book 3 days in Dubai (or longer if you want to visit Abu Dhabi too!) on an upcoming long layover.
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