Start your trip at the heart of Dubai; take an Abra ride (£0.50) across Dubai Creek, which is the backbone of the city's history. Visit the Dubai Museum (£1.40) and Al Bastakiya district, a preserved historical area that showcases traditional Arabian architecture. Further, the district has many iconic attractions like the Sheikh Mohamed Centre for Cultural Understanding (£10) that presents Emirati culture, fashion, and cuisine.
Start your day at the Dubai Mall (free); a giant mall that not only offers shopping but also entertainment like a Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo (£18), Dubai Ice Rink (£11), and KidZania (£14). Take a selfie outside of the Burj Khalifa (free), the world's tallest tower, and then experience the astounding observing deck on the 124 floor (£29) for panoramic views. End your day with the Dubai Fountains show (free); a spectacular water and light show that offers entertainment daily.
Starting at Palm Jumeirah, an iconic man-made island built in the shape of a palm tree, visit the Atlantis The Palm Hotel (free), a grand aquarium that is home to more than 65,000 aquatic animals (£24.50). Then, experience the Mall of The Emirates Ski (from £33), an indoor ski resort, before heading to Dubai Marina. Here, stroll along the Marina Walk (free), a picturesque waterfront that leads to many restaurants, and sail away on a Dhow Cruise (£18) to get a unique view of Dubai at night.
Spend your last day soaking up Dubai's sun at the Jumeirah Beach (free), one of the best beaches in Dubai, with smooth white sand and turquoise crystal-clear water. Then, visit the Dubai Miracle Garden (£10), the world's largest botanical garden, that features over 109 million flowers and is only open from mid-November to mid-May. End your trip with a delicious dinner at Al Dhiyafah Road (from £6), a street known as the city's foodie hub that offers various traditional and international dishes.
If you have more time, consider taking a desert safari tour that includes thrilling activities such as dune bashing, camel rides, henna painting, and traditional dance shows. If you have less time, skip the Dubai Miracle Garden. It's only open for a few months and can get crowded, which means a long queue. Visiting during the shoulder season, between May and September, will help you save money on flights and hotel rates. Avoid visiting Dubai during Ramadan as many attractions and restaurants will either be closed or have limited hours.