48 Hours in Dubai – My Perfect Itinerary

We start the day at our hotel. To get around in Dubai, you can either book a ride via Careem (a ride-hailing app similar to Uber, tailored for the UAE) or simply step outside—taxis are usually waiting right in front of the hotel entrance.

Dubai Miracle Garden – A Floral Wonderland

Our first stop is the Miracle Garden. Tickets can easily be booked online for 85-100 AED (approximately $23-27 USD). I highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance to skip the lines—just scan your code at the ticket machine and step right in.

I was absolutely blown away by this place! It felt surreal and magical, almost like stepping into a fairy tale. Who would have thought it was possible to create sculptures and statues out of flowers? My personal highlight was the Boeing aircraft, standing majestically in the middle of a vast field, completely covered in flowers.

Throughout the garden, you’ll find food trucks and refreshment stands—perfect for grabbing a quick snack or drink before heading to our next destination.

Next, we take a taxi or Careem to the famous Dubai Mall, located in the heart of the city. The mall is surrounded by the stunning Dubai Fountain and, of course, the Burj Khalifa.

Dubai Mall is not just about shopping—you can dine, explore, or simply soak in the atmosphere. And here’s my little secret: inside the mall, there’s a Lebanese restaurant called Al Hallab. When it gets dark, ask for a table outside at the front desk. Trust me, the experience is unforgettable! Not only is the food incredible (especially the hummus!), but you’ll also get to watch the fountain show and admire the Burj Khalifa’s changing colors while enjoying your dinner.

After dinner, step outside for a closer view of the fountains—it’s a moment you won’t forget!

Desert Safari – A Must-Do Experience in Dubai

For the second day, I booked a desert tour via Viator (Link: https://www.viator.com/tours/Dubai/Dubai-Red-Dunes-Desert-Safari-Sandsurf-Camel-and-Quad-Bike-Option/d828-91421P10?pid=P00235608&mcid=42383&medium=link&medium_version=selector&campaign=dubaideserttour ). My driver picked me up at 8 AM, and we left the city behind, heading into the vast desert.

As soon as we arrived, camels were already waiting for us. After a 20-minute camel ride, the adventure continued with quad biking. Riding a quad through the sand dunes for the first time was an absolute thrill!

Next up on our Dubai itinerary was dune bashing—racing over the sand dunes in a 4×4. It was a wild ride, and I must admit, I felt a little nauseous afterward, but it was totally worth it.

Have you ever sandboarded before? Neither had I—until this tour. Feeling the warmth of the sun and sand beneath my feet while gliding down the dunes was another unforgettable moment.

The entire tour lasted 3-4 hours and cost me around $70 USD. After returning to the city and grabbing a quick lunch, it was time to continue exploring.

Next, we head to Al Seef Market, located in Old Dubai. While the buildings here are slightly older than those in the city center, it didn’t quite feel like a true old town to me. However, it’s still a lovely place to take a walk, enjoy traditional food and tea, and soak in the atmosphere.

One thing you must try here is Knafeh (or Kunafa) with pistachio ice cream. Oh my… it was so delicious! Please, do yourself a favor and try it when you visit Dubai.

After picking up a few souvenirs for my family, it was time to move on.

Here’s something I learned about getting around in Dubai:

• If you want a quick and cheap ride from point A to B, Careem is the way to go.


• However, if you want to hire a private driver to take you around the city, a taxi is the better choice.

For my last day, I wanted someone to drive me around, stopping wherever I wanted. I found a taxi driver and paid $100 USD for 4 hours. This wasn’t exactly cheap, but I’ve heard from others that some drivers offer similar tours for $40 USD—so maybe I need to work on my negotiation skills!

With my private driver, I visited:

 – Palm Jumeirah, home to the famous Atlantis Hotel

 – Jumeirah Beach, a great place to relax

 – Burj Al Arab, Dubai’s iconic 7-star hotel (you can only enter if you’re a guest)

 – Museum of the Future, an architectural masterpiece

If you visit the Museum of the Future, the first floor is free, and there’s plenty to see. The second floor requires a paid ticket, but I’ve heard mixed reviews about whether it’s worth it.

Dubai has so much to offer, and while two days aren’t enough to see everything, this itinerary covers the city’s most famous sights of best things to do in Dubai. I hope you found this blog post helpful, and maybe you’ll even use some of my tips on your trip. Have fun discovering Dubai in 48hrs (or hopefully more)  and enjoy my little secrets!

If you want see my the full video of my Dubai experience, click here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFcCTJluTEA/?igsh=ZDBybjNmamU5MDZ3

Michelle