I made this for families who want the Dubai classics without rushing: the Burj Khalifa, the desert, a waterpark day and Global Village. You stay in Downtown, so the first evening is all within walking distance.
Burj Khalifa and the Dubai FountainDesert safari with a BBQ dinnerA full day at AquaventureBest in Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Today's prices
Ideas from around the world ·
Hotels, 3 nightsShown for your dates when you make it yours
Prices are checked when you open the plan, a month ahead. They are never saved in it.
Day 1 Arrive, Burj Khalifa and the fountains
13:00Land at Dubai International Airport, transfer to DowntownKuwait to Dubai is under 2 hours. Taxis from the airport rank are metered and reliable; ask for a large taxi for 5 or more.Dubai International Airport · about 30 min · 60 to 250 AED per car
14:00Check in at your Downtown hotelRest in the cool before the evening; the afternoon is the hottest part of the day.Downtown Dubai · about 1 hr 45 min · FreeArrive by transfer
16:00Burj Khalifa At the TopLevels 124 and 125, with an outdoor terrace. The entrance is on the lower ground floor of Dubai Mall.Downtown Dubai · about 1 hr 30 min · Approx 180 to 250 AED per adult, less for childrenWalk through Dubai Mall, 10 min
17:45Dubai Mall and the Dubai Aquarium windowThe giant aquarium tank on the ground floor is free to see from the mall. Kids can feed fish on the paid tunnel tour.Downtown Dubai · about 45 min · free to look; Aquarium tunnel approx 175 AEDWalk, 8 min
18:30Dubai Fountain showStand on the waterfront promenade outside the mall. Each show lasts a few minutes, so stay for two.Downtown Dubai · about 30 min · FreeWalk, 5 min
19:15Dinner at Logma, Dubai MallA modern Emirati cafe the whole family will like, with a few vegetarian dishes like halloumi and salads.Downtown Dubai · about 1 hr · 60 to 110 AED · Order: Chicken machboos, then luqaimat with date syrupWalk, 8 min
Tip: Dubai Mall is huge. Agree a meeting point by the aquarium in case anyone gets separated.
Day 2 Dubai Frame, Old Dubai and the desert
09:00Dubai FrameRide up 150 metres and walk the glass floor bridge between old and new Dubai.Zabeel Park · about 1 hr · Approx 50 AED adults, 20 AED children
10:30Al Fahidi Historical NeighbourhoodShady lanes of old wind tower houses, small museums and courtyard cafes. Cooler in the morning.Bur Dubai · about 1 hr · FreeTaxi, 10 min
11:30Abra across the creek to the Spice and Gold SouksThe wooden abra ride is a 5 minute adventure kids love. Taste dates and saffron, then look at the gold windows.Deira · about 1 hr 15 min · 1 AED per person for the abraWalk to Bur Dubai abra station 8 min, abra 5 min
13:00Lunch at Arabian Tea HouseA white courtyard cafe under trees in the old town. Good vegetarian options such as halloumi, falafel and salads.Al Fahidi · about 1 hr · 60 to 110 AED · Order: Emirati platter with chicken machboos, then luqaimatAbra back and walk, 15 min
14:30Rest at the hotelRest before the safari pickup; it is a late night.Downtown Dubai · about 1 hr · FreeTaxi, 20 min
15:30Desert safari with BBQ dinnerChoose a licensed operator with a family camp. Dune driving is optional; ask the driver to go gently if anyone gets carsick. Camel ride, henna and a halal BBQ with vegetarian dishes.Lahbab desert · about 6 hrs · Approx 150 to 300 AED per adult shared, less for childrenHotel pickup by 4x4, 45 to 60 min
Tip: Pack a light jacket for the desert camp; evenings from December to February get cool.
Day 3 Waterpark day and Global Village
10:00Aquaventure WaterparkSlides for every age, a long lazy river and a kids splash zone. Lockers and towels are available inside.Palm Jumeirah · about 3 hrs · Approx 320 AED per person
13:00Lunch inside AquaventureThe food outlets inside the park mean you do not have to leave. Vegetarian choices like pizza and wraps.Palm Jumeirah · about 1 hr · 50 to 90 AED · Order: Shawarma, burgers or pizzaWalk, 5 min
14:30Rest at the hotelShower and sleep off the sun.Downtown Dubai · about 2 hrs · FreeTaxi, 30 min
17:00Global VillagePavilions from over 90 countries, rides, shows and fireworks on many nights.Dubailand · about 3 hrs · Approx 25 to 30 AED per personTaxi, 30 min
19:00Dinner at the Global Village food stallsHundreds of stalls from around the world. The Indian and Pakistani stalls have plenty of vegetarian food.Dubailand · about 1 hr 15 min · 30 to 70 AED · Order: Turkish kebab, Indian chaat, then luqaimat and karak teaWalk, 5 min
Tip: Use sunscreen at the waterpark and reapply after lunch; the sun on the Palm is strong even in winter.
Day 4 Burj Al Arab beach, Museum of the Future and home
09:00Jumeirah Public Beach and the Burj Al Arab viewA free family beach with the Burj Al Arab behind you. Keep it to an hour before the sand gets hot.Umm Suqeim · about 1 hr · Free
10:30Museum of the FutureHands on floors about space, nature and the future body. Children's floor at the bottom.Sheikh Zayed Road · about 2 hrs · Approx 149 AED per person, under 3 freeTaxi, 20 min
13:00Lunch at Ravi RestaurantA no frills Pakistani institution loved across Dubai. Good vegetarian options like daal and mixed vegetables.Satwa · about 1 hr · 25 to 50 AED · Order: Chicken karahi, daal and fresh naanTaxi, 10 min
14:15Collect your bags at the hotelAsk the hotel to hold your bags at checkout.Downtown Dubai · about 1 hr · FreeTaxi, 15 min
15:30Transfer to Dubai International AirportBe at the airport 3 hours before your flight. Dubai airport is busy, and you may need to walk far to your gate.Dubai International Airport · about 30 min · 60 to 250 AED per carTaxi or private van, 20 to 30 min
Tip: Buy dates and Arabic sweets at the airport or at Dubai Mall; they are packed for travel.
Where to stay
Dubai, Downtown Dubai · nights 1 to 4Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the fountain on your doorstep, and central for taxis everywhere else.
Address Downtown luxury · about 1,400 to 2,600 AED a night Fountain and Burj Khalifa views, with a direct link into Dubai Mall.
JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai mid · about 600 to 1,000 AED a night Big rooms, many halal restaurants inside, 10 minutes by taxi to Dubai Mall.
Rove Downtown budget · about 350 to 600 AED a night Simple, bright and good value, with a pool and a short walk to Dubai Mall.
Hotel prices are typical. Make it yours to see today's prices for your dates.
What to eat
Chicken machboosat Arabian Tea House, Al Fahidi Classic Emirati spiced rice in a pretty old town courtyard.
Luqaimatat Logma, Dubai Mall Warm sweet dumplings with date syrup that kids love.
Chicken shawarmaat Al Mallah, Al Dhiyafah Road, Satwa A Dubai favourite for decades; falafel for vegetarians.
Chicken karahi and daalat Ravi Restaurant, Satwa Hearty Pakistani food at small prices, with many vegetarian dishes.
Masala dosa and South Indian thaliat Saravanaa Bhavan, Karama Fully vegetarian and very family friendly.
Kebabsat Al Ustad Special Kabab, Bur Dubai An Iranian kebab house loved by Dubai families for generations.
Dubai evenings are made for families: fountain shows, malls open until midnight, Global Village in winter, and dinner at any hour.
Why it is planned this way
I booked Burj Khalifa at 16:00, not sunset, to save money and avoid the busiest slot.
Every afternoon has a hotel rest between 14:30 and 16:30, the hottest hours.
Global Village is only open in the cooler months, so I added Ski Dubai as the summer swap.
Every food stop is halal and has vegetarian dishes for anyone who needs them.