5-Day Shoestring Budget Itinerary for Dubai

  1. Day 1: Dubai Mall & Burj Khalifa
    10 minutes (6 km) from Dubai International Airport

    Start your day by visiting the world’s largest mall, the Dubai Mall. In here, you could find over 1,300 shops, a huge aquarium, a dinosaur skeleton, and a huge ice rink. Don't forget to enjoy the view of Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower while sipping on coffee at the observation deck of Level 124th and 125th.

  2. Day 2: Dubai Spice Souk & Dubai Gold Souk
    25 minutes (17 km) from Dubai Mall

    Indian and Arabic spices, herbs, incenses, and oils are sold in the traditional Dubai Spice Souk. The nearby Dubai Gold Souk is home to a wide range of gold and jewelry shops, with good-humored merchants eager to sharpen their bargaining skills.

  3. Day 3: Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood & Dubai Museum
    20 minutes (11 km) from Dubai Gold Souk

    Head to the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood to explore Dubai’s cultural heritage. Walk-in peaceful alleyways and wind towers (an old form of air conditioning), and visit the Dubai Museum, housed in a 200-year-old fort, to learn about the lifestyle of ancient Emiratis.

  4. Day 4: Kite Beach & Jumeirah Mosque
    18 minutes (10 km) from Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood

    Relax on Kite Beach while enjoying the tranquil sea view and the world-famous Burj Al Arab. In the evening, visit the beautiful Jumeirah Mosque and learn about Islamic culture and religion.

  5. Day 5: Dubai Miracle Garden & Global Village
    30 minutes (22 km) from Kite Beach

    Finally, take a taxi to Dubai Miracle Garden to end the trip on a colorful note. With over 50 million flowers, this is the world’s largest flower garden. Follow this with a visit to the Global Village, and you can explore global cultures, shop for souvenirs, and eat traditional foods from all around the world.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Dubai Mall (2-3 hours, free entry)
  • Burj Khalifa (2-3 hours, AED 149/$41 for tickets)
  • Dubai Spice Souk (1 hour, free entry)
  • Dubai Gold Souk (1-2 hours, free entry)
  • Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood (2-3 hours, free entry)
  • Dubai Museum (1 hour, AED 3/$0.81 for entry)
  • Kite Beach (3-4 hours, free entry)
  • Jumeirah Mosque (1 hour, AED 25/$6.81 for entry)
  • Dubai Miracle Garden (2-3 hours, AED 55/$15 for entry)
  • Global Village (4 hours, AED 15/$4.08 for entry)

  • Total Estimated Costs: AED 247/$67 per person

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting Abu Dhabi for a day<, where you can explore the grandeur of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Dubai Miracle Garden, Dubai Mall, and the Burj Khalifa will be crowded during peak hours, try to visit them during off-hours. Dubai is an Islamic city<, and it is important to respect the local customs and cultures, dress appropriately, and avoid public displays of affection.

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