How to See the Best of Dubai in 96 hours

Dubai in 96 hours

As the city is a transitional place, a kind of halfway point to the rest of the world, many visitors don't get the chance to see most of the city. However, travellers who have a stopover at a Dubai airport are often able to gain a 96 hour transit visa provided they meet the requirements. 

So here's our ExpatWoman guide to seeing the best parts of the emirate in just four days. 

> Day One: Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residence, The Walk & Desert Safari
> Day Two: Atlantis the Palm, Burj al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel & Madinat Souk
> Day Three: Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa & Dubai Fountains
> Day Four: Bur Dubai & Deira

Day One

Dubai Marina

Jumeirah Beach Residence & The Walk

Desert Safari

A desert safari is a must for anyone who hasn't experienced such an activity before. You should make a prior booking before the day. The door-to-door pick up service means you can forget about having to navigate your way out to the wilderness and let one of the local drivers take the wheel. 

You'll begin the evening with a hair-raising sand dune ride through the desert in a 4x4. You'll see sights such as Big Red - the well-known largest sand dune here. Of course once you're up on that sandy plataeu you feel like you're on top of the world. 

As well as toe-curling sand duning, the desert safari has a whole host of other activities to offer when you arrive at the desert camp. You will have the chance to get a henna tattoo, dress up in traditional Arabian dress and even hold a falcon! Outside the camp you will have the opportunity to sandboard, ride around on a quadbike and have a camel ride. 

Part of the package is a buffet - and while you're seated comfortably eating, you will be treated to an evening of entertaining acts which include impressive belly dancing. 

! See also our EW review of the Desert Safari here.

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Day Two

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Atlantis The Palm

Atlantis is the majestic resort situated on the Palm, a man-made island that has captured the world's imagination with its magnificent scale and ingenuity. Visiting here is a perfect way to start your day in awe. From the moment you arrive, you will be immersed in the luxury of 5 star hotels. You may decide to fly by the hotel, stopping at the edge of the Palm to capture beautiful photos of its grandeur. However, inside its awe inspiring facade, the rest offers a multitude of experiences from relaxation to thrills for couples and families alike. 

You can visit the unique marine habitats inside The Lost Chambers, or spend the entire day at the Aquaventure water park that lies adjacent to the hotel. Of course we must warn you, spending dirhams to enter into the thrilling Aquaventure waterpark will take up most of your day. But then again, you're not just getting a splash in the park. You can capture some amazing views from the beach, ride through a water tank filled with many different marine species or catch a bite to eat at the variety of cafes and lunch spots in the park. 

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You might also be interested in:

• Visit one of these top 10 Dubai parks
• Need to get away from the city? Here's 10 top trips from Dubai
• Get up, close and personal with the desert's nature when camping

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Inside Atlantis itself you'll find an array of restaurants, a spa and lots of shops to visit! It's no surprise there's something new to do every day; on top of The Lost Chambers and Aquaventure, you've also got Nasimi Beach, scuba diving, Dolphin Bay and Sea Lion Point to explore! And don't forget to ride in style on the Palm's own monorail! 

Elsewhere on the Palm you'll find some of the city's top hotels and resorts, perhaps you'll want to visit one of these during your time there. 
 

Burj al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel & Madinat Souk

It is one of the most iconic buildings in the world. Known not only for its fantastic architecture, but also for the opulence and luxury it provides. The hotel itself stands on an artificial island just off Jumeirah beach, and is connected to the mainland by it's private beach. It's no surprise then, that the Burj al Arab is labelled as the most luxurious hotel in the world. One night here will leave you short of approximately AED 6000. 
 

Opposite the Burj al Arab, there is Jumeirah Beach Hotel - a wave shaped building that provides astonishing views for customers in their 5 star restaurants and rooftop bars. In this area there's also the Souk Madinat that offers plenty of experiences from shopping, to theatre to bars and restaurants. The souk is definitely a place to go for an evening meal! And next to the souk you have Mina al Salam. Of course both provide spectacular views of the Burj al Arab itself, day and night. 

Day Three

Mall of the Emirates

The Mall of the Emirates is a 223,000 square metre centre that offers a full range of shopping, leisure and entertainment. The mall features over 450 international brands, which include department, fashion, lifestyle, sports, electronics and home furnishing stores. It also has the largest Carrefour in the city, 60 outlets that are unique to the centre, and over 70 coffee shops and restaurants. And of course in true Dubai style, it's ever-expanding.

The key attractions here include Ski Dubai - the world's largest indoor ski slope, with penquins, chalets and activities too! - Magic Planet, Multiplex Cinema, Kempinski Hotel and the DUCTAC Community Theatre. 

It's easy to get to MOE via the metro, too! With a walk-way conveniently connecting the mall to the Dubai Metro station. 

Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa & Downtown Dubai

Getting the metro from MOE to Dubai Mall is extremely easy, and very cheap in comparison to other metro systems around the world. Like the Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall has a lengthy walk-way that connects it to the Dubai Metro. Be prepared however - this particular walk-way is a little longer than MOE's. 

Once you arrive at Dubai Mall, get ready to be lost in a world of fashion, home furnishings, restaurants, cafes and plenty of activities to see and do! Make sure you pick up a map from an information board because you'll need it! The mall is separated into different sections and floors, dedicated to different things such as kids clothing, home furnishings and fashion. 

And while you're busy spending a fortune in the fabulous shops that the Dubai Mall houses, make some time to see the Dubai Ice Rink or Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo - which holds the largest indoor aquarium and tank in the world. Plus, it's home to King Croc! There's also KidZania, Reel Cinemas, SEGA Republic, At The Top Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Fountains. 

Going to At The Top Burj Khalifa is a must-do that should be on everyone's list - but beware, we urge you to book in advance as it is AED 125, otherwise it will cost AED 300 on the day. Currently the tallest building in the world, taking a trip to the viewing platform of the Burj Khalifa is mind-blowing, and offers some spectacular -almost- 360° views of the city of Dubai. At the base of the Burj Khalifa, you'll find the Dubai Fountains - starting from 6pm, a different song and sequence is played every half an hour until 10pm on weekdays, and 11pm on weekends. There are also two shows during the afternoon, 1pm and 1.30pm for those unable to visit in the evening. 

SEE ALSO: What's currently happening in Dubai?

Alternatively, if you don't want to go to At The Top, you can visit the luxurious dining and lounge experiences spread throughout the skyscraper. Plus, you can always opt for afternoon tea - with an insane view! 

Of course, both the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall offer enough restaurants and dining facilities to last a decade, however the hidden gem Souk Al Bahar is equally as luxurious and perhaps caters for a broader range of people. From seafood to Italian, BBQ to steak, there's something for everyone in the number of restaurants found in the souq. Plus, the souq offers an alternate view to the Dubai Fountains. 

! Top tip: If you wish to spend time watching the Dubai Fountains, you should take that little bit of extra time to walk around the water, either through the souq or down towards the base of the Burj Khalifa. You won't have as many heads and phones-in-hands blocking your view. 

Day Four

Bur Dubai & Deira

Head North/East in the city and you'll come across the Bur Dubai and Deira areas. These are considered as the older areas of Dubai, with close links and evidence of the cultural and traditional norms of the emirate. Down here there's plenty to do to get a feel of 'real' Dubai... For example, there are plenty of souks and markets to visit, especially the Spice and Gold Souks. You can also visit the Sheik Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding or the Dubai Museum to gain an understanding and feel of how this great city was built and where it came from. 

We highly recommend a ride on the water taxis a.k.a abras, or a dhow cruise around the creek itself. You'll get fantastic views of the entire skyline from here, as well as Dubai Creek. 

On the Deira side of the water, you'll find Deira City Centre which is filled with shops and restaurants. The creek area is also filled with restaurants and activities such as yachting or golfing. Plus, it's a great place to have a drink, some good food and smoke shisha while being able to view the entire skyline of Downtown Dubai. 

It's a great area to explore on your final day in the emirate, as it's close to Dubai International Airport and surrounding hotels.