How to Spend 2 Days in Dubai: An Insider’s Itinerary
How to Spend 2 Days in Dubai: An Insider’s Itinerary
words: Sophie Alexander-Osman
photography: Sophie Alexander-Osman
published: September 11, 2025
If you only have two days in Dubai, planning your time carefully is essential to make the most of your short stay. The city is packed with towering modern landmarks, historic neighbourhoods, traditional souks, world-class dining, and desert adventures, meaning it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by choice. This insider’s itinerary is designed to highlight the experiences and attractions that can realistically fit into 48 hours, combining the city’s most iconic sights with local favourites that give a true sense of Dubai’s character.
From breathtaking views of the Burj Khalifa and strolling through Palm Jumeirah to wandering the markets of Madinat Jumeirah and enjoying a desert safari, every hour is planned to maximise your time without feeling rushed. Whether it’s your first visit or a quick stopover, this guide provides practical tips, restaurant and hotel recommendations, and the best ways to get around the city, helping you experience both the modern and traditional sides of Dubai in just two days.
DAY 1
Morning:
Tom & Serg
Start your first day at Tom & Serg, a well-established café in Al Quoz, just off Sheikh Zayed Road. Known for setting the tone for Dubai’s independent café scene, it offers a strong breakfast menu ranging from eggs and pancakes to lighter, health-conscious options. Guest favourites include the Breakfast Bap Bun and Baghdad Scrambled, both highly recommended. The coffee is considered some of the best in the city, and the industrial-style interiors give it a relaxed, urban feel. It’s popular with both residents and visitors, so arriving early helps if you want to reserve the best table.
Madinat Jumeirah
From there, head to Madinat Jumeirah, a large complex designed to resemble a traditional Arabian marketplace. The souk area has dozens of small shops selling souvenirs, textiles, jewellery, and local crafts, as well as a good choice of cafés. One of the highlights is taking an abra ride through the network of man-made canals. This short boat trip gives you excellent views of the Burj Al Arab, one of Dubai’s most famous landmarks, and a different perspective of the resort itself. It’s a good place to walk around, shop for gifts, and take photos in a setting that feels distinctively Dubai.
Lunch:
Shimmers
For lunch, make the short walk from Madinat Jumeirah to Shimmers, a beachfront restaurant on the sand with panoramic views of the Burj Al Arab. The menu focuses on Mediterranean dishes, from fresh seafood to mezze platters, perfect for a long, relaxed lunch. Dining with your feet in the sand while looking out at the sea is one of its main draws. As it’s a popular spot for both lunch and dinner, booking online ahead of time is recommended to secure a good view.
Afternoon & Evening:
Platinum Heritage
In the late afternoon, leave the city for a desert safari with Platinum Heritage, one of Dubai’s most highly regarded operators. You’ll travel in open-top vintage Land Rovers, offering panoramic views of the dunes and a chance to spot native desert wildlife such as gazelles and Arabian oryx. The experience includes camel rides, a falconry display, and a visit to a traditional Bedouin-style camp. Here, you’ll enjoy a buffet dinner of local dishes while watching cultural performances, and the evening finishes with stargazing under the clear desert sky. Pick-up from your hotel is usually around 3–4pm, and tours return around 11pm, making it a full but unforgettable day. Booking online in advance is highly recommended, especially during peak travel seasons.
DAY 2
Morning:
Jones the Grocer, Palm West Beach
Begin your second day at Jones the Grocer on Palm West Beach. This branch of the popular Australian café chain has a prime position on the beachfront with outdoor seating facing the sea and views across to Dubai Marina. It’s a relaxed setting for breakfast, with a menu that ranges from classic eggs to smoothie bowls. Palm West Beach itself is a pleasant area for a morning stroll, with a clean promenade and several beach clubs and restaurants along the shoreline.
The View at The Palm
After breakfast, head to The View at The Palm, located in The Palm Tower. The observation deck sits 240 metres above the island and offers a complete 360-degree view. From here, you can see the distinctive palm-shaped layout of Palm Jumeirah, the Arabian Gulf, and the city skyline stretching towards Downtown Dubai. It’s one of the best ways to appreciate the scale of the Palm. Tickets should be booked in advance online to avoid queues, especially on weekends.
Afternoon:
Kite Beach
In the afternoon, make your way to Kite Beach, a lively stretch of coastline popular with both locals and visitors. The beach is wide and clean, ideal for sunbathing, swimming, or simply walking along the promenade. There are plenty of food trucks, juice bars, and cafés nearby, and you’ll often see people playing volleyball or trying out water sports. It’s a relaxed, social place to spend a few hours, and the sunset views from here are particularly good.
Evening:
Downtown Dubai & Burj Khalifa
End your itinerary in Downtown Dubai, the city’s busiest entertainment district. The Dubai Fountain show takes place every 30 minutes in the evenings on the Burj Lake, with water jets choreographed to music and lights. Just above it, the Burj Khalifa — the tallest building in the world — lights up with evening displays. The Dubai Mall is also right next to the fountains, offering shopping, attractions, and indoor activities. For dinner, there are plenty of restaurants with direct views of the fountains and Burj Khalifa, ranging from casual dining to high-end options, making this a fitting final stop for a short stay.
WHERE TO STAY
Renaissance Business Bay Hotel
The Renaissance Business Bay Hotel is a strong choice if you want a modern, design-focused property close to the heart of the city. The hotel overlooks the Dubai Water Canal and is within a short drive of Downtown Dubai, making it convenient for visiting the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and the surrounding attractions. Rooms are spacious with floor-to-ceiling windows, and many offer skyline or canal views. The hotel has several dining options, including The Podium, Asia Asia, Lock, Stock & Barrel and The Banc. There’s also a poolside bar for drinks and light bites, plus a spa and outdoor pool. Compared to many luxury hotels in Downtown, it is slightly more affordable while still providing five-star service and facilities, making it a good balance of comfort and value.
Anantara The Palm
For those who prefer a resort-style experience, Anantara The Palm on Palm Jumeirah offers a beachfront and lagoon-focused stay. The property is known for its lagoon-access rooms, where you can step directly into the pool from your terrace, and overwater villas, which provide a Maldivian-style feel. Dining options include Mekong, The Beach House, Crescendo and Bushman’s Restaurant & Bar. The resort also has a private beach, several swimming pools, a spa with overwater treatment rooms, and plenty of activities for couples and families. While it is slightly further from Downtown attractions, it is ideal for those who prioritise relaxation in a beachfront setting.
TOP TIPS
The easiest and most affordable way to get around Dubai is by using yellow Hala Taxis, which you can book through the Careem app or pick up directly outside DXB airport, with larger taxis available for groups and luggage. Uber, usually in white Lexus cars, is also available but costs more. The local currency is the UAE Dirham (AED), with an exchange rate of roughly 5 AED to £1, though cash is rarely needed as card and contactless payments are widely accepted. Tipping is not required, but small amounts are appreciated in restaurants and for service staff.
The weather in Dubai is generally hot and sunny for most of the year, with the best months to visit being October to April, when daytime temperatures are comfortable, around 24–30°C, and evenings are cooler. UK citizens are given a free visa on arrival at Dubai International Airport, though travellers should check entry requirements for their nationality before travelling. English is widely spoken across the city, making it easy to get by without Arabic. Dubai is considered one of the safest cities in the world, with very low crime rates. The main caution for visitors is traffic, which can be heavy during peak hours from 3–8pm, particularly along Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road.
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