Prepare to be swept away on a whirlwind journey through the glitz and glamour of Dubai, as we unveil a meticulously crafted ‘Dubai Itinerary 5 Days’ that promises an unforgettable escape. From iconic skyscrapers piercing the sky to pristine beaches kissed by turquoise waves, Dubai is a symphony of modern marvels and timeless allure. Get ready to indulge in luxurious shopping, feast on culinary delights, and immerse yourself in cultural gems that breathe life into tradition. As we chart a course through this dazzling metropolis, each day is a chapter in an epic adventure that will leave you captivated and craving for more.
What I love most about Dubai is the colorful mix of cultures that come together to make this technologically-advanced country a treat to the eyes. Here I give you my personal view of where you should go and what you should do on a 5-day trip for your Dubai Family vacation. Besides, 5 days may not be enough to cover everything that Dubai has to offer, but I have tried to fit in all of the places that you should visit when you are on such a tour. Also, I’ve given some suggestions concerning places to visit, in case you have time and plan to stay longer.
Table of contents
Dubai Stay Options during your Dubai 5 Day Vacation
| Accommodation | Price | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel | AED 300-800 per night, depending on location and rating | Comfortable, convenient, secure, amenities | Expensive, impersonal, may charge extra fees |
| Apartment | AED 200-600 per night, depending on location and size | Spacious, private, homey, kitchen | May require deposit, cleaning fee, or minimum stay |
| Hostel | AED 50-150 per night, depending on location and quality | Cheap, social, fun, breakfast included | Shared facilities, noisy, less privacy, may have curfew |
First, when it comes to accommodation, there are many options to choose from. Whether you are looking for a place to stay as a couple or with kids, there are plenty of excellent choices. Moreover, hospitality in Dubai is top-class, so you have nothing to worry about. I have compiled a list of Dubai’s best places to stay and the closest attractions to each location.
The Palm
The Palm is an artificial island in the shape of a palm tree. Besides, it is a prominent location in Dubai and one of the best places to stay when traveling with family, especially kids. It is close to Atlantis Water Park and The Lost Chambers Aquarium. Further, the location is also surrounded by many beaches connected to resorts on the island. You can also go to many Dubai parks & resorts located close to this place, such as LEGOLAND and MOTIONGATE.
Here are the best Dubai family hotels I recommend on the Palm:
The Fairmont on the Palm: It is a quiet hotel with friendly and attentive staff, a kids’ pool, and a kids club
Atlantis on the Palm: This is one of the most iconic hotels in Dubai. The resort has more than 1500 rooms, aquariums, water parks, and more to explore.
Downtown Dubai
Downtown Dubai consists of many things you can experience with your family and kids. Furthermore, it’s within easy reach from the airport and close to the below attractions:
- The Burj Khalifa
- Dubai Aquarium
- Dubai Glow Garden
- Dubai Frame
- Dubai Mall
However, there are no beaches over here. Therefore, if you are looking for a sun-kissed vacation at the beach, Downtown is not the place for you.
Moreover, here are some places I suggest for staying in Downtown Dubai:
Conrad Dubai: This hotel offers excellent family-friendly rooms and helpful staff. One of the striking features of the hotel is its fantastic pool, known as the Urban Oasis.
The Palace Dubai: This hotel is in an excellent location close to the Dubai Mall. You can also watch the fountain show from the balcony of the hotel.
Jumeirah Beach
Jumeirah Beach is the best place to stay if you prefer a vacation at the seashore. Moreover, here you have easy access to the beach and popular attractions in the city. In addition, it is a place where you get luxury accommodation. Some of the popular attractions near this Beach include the following:
- The Lost Chambers Aquarium
- Atlantis Water Park
- LEGOLAND Dubai
Accommodation at Jumeirah Beach:
Movenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach: This hotel is kids-friendly, serving kids’ meals and even having activity clubs for kids.
Day 1 – Visit Atlantis The Lost Chambers & Desert Safari
The Palm Jumeirah is the biggest artificial island in the world and is where you find luxurious resorts at Atlantis The Palm. Atlantis, The Lost Chambers, is an aquarium that consists of 65000 sea animals. It also features the ancient ruins of the “lost city of Atlantis”. According to legends, this city has existed deep under the sea for thousands of years. It’s an interesting place to visit with young children.
Next up in the Dubai Family vacation is the desert safari. Here you’d be picked up by a four-drive, accompanied by a guide, and driven to the outskirts of the deserts. The desert safari tour is a fun and exciting adventure for children and adults. Be a part of thrilling dune bashing, camel riding, and henna tattooing on this exciting tour. Wrap it up with a barbecue dinner watching traditional Arabic entertainment, including fire, belly, and tanoura dancing.
Day 2 – Visit Ferrari World & Warner Bros. World
A visit to Dubai is incomplete without driving to the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. It’s a half an hour drive where you can take public transport or a round trip private transfer trip. Abu Dhabi is also a great place to spend time with family. Yas Island is an entertainment hub for children and adults and home to two of Abu Dhabi’s largest amusement parks – Ferrari World and Warner Bros. World. If you’re traveling with kids, these two amusement parks will be the trip’s highlight.
Ferrari World is an amusement park you must visit if you ever go to Abu Dhabi. It is a Ferrari-branded theme park and one of the world’s largest indoor theme parks. A trip to Ferrari World allows you to go on the world’s fastest roller coaster and experience 37 more adrenaline-pumping rides.
Warner Bros. World is another one of the world’s largest indoor theme parks, inclusive of 29 state-of-the-art rides. It also has unique live entertainment that keeps visitors enthralled. You can also interact with Warner Bros. characters including Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera, and DC Entertainment superheroes.
My kids had a ball of a time when we went to the studios, which was certainly the most exciting part of the tour.
Day 3 – Visit Bur Dubai & Dubai Marina
You can spend the third day exploring the magnificent souks of Dubai. These souks are filled with everything under the sun, from traditional perfumes to handwoven fabrics and carpets. A souk is a traditional Arabic market you must explore when in Dubai. Bur Dubai and Deira malls are my favorites as they provide an insight into the rich history and heritage of the UAE.
Later, after shopping, you can traverse Dubai Creek riding the abra. It is a traditional form of transport in Dubai and is extremely cheap, costing only 1 Dirham. ($0.27). Put an end to the day by savoring a decadent meal overlooking the luxury skyscrapers at one of the dining options in this area. The Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residences (JBR), and The Walk, JBR, are some of my favorites for night-time dining and entertainment. Further, you can even experience the Dhow Cruise by traversing around the Marina and indulging in a delicious dinner.
Day 4 – Visit Dubai Parks & Resorts
The city has a plethora of entertainment for children in theme parks and resorts. Besides, Dubai Parks & Resorts is one of the largest theme parks in the world and the first integrated resort destination in the Middle East. It consists of three world-class theme parks. It is home to a water park, a Polynesian-themed family resort, and a grand entrance plaza.
Here are my personal favorites in Dubai:
LEGOLAND Dubai
LEGOLAND Dubai is excellent for families with children aged between 2 and 12 years. It consists of 40 LEGO-themed rides and experiences. LEGOLAND also features landmarks around the UAE and the Middle East, including Dubai’s iconic skyline.
MOTIONGATE Dubai
MOTIONGATE Dubai is a Hollywood-inspired theme park that integrates three Hollywood studios – DreamWorks Animation, Sony Pictures Studios, and Lionsgate. Experience the unique feeling that brings alive 13 blockbuster films in Hollywood at the MOTIONGATE Dubai. MOTIONGATE also features 27 thrilling rides for an adrenaline-pumping experience.
Bollywood Parks Dubai
If you are a fan of Bollywood movies, this is the place to be. I admire this Bollywood-themed park that allowed me to immerse myself in Indian culture. Moreover, experience the enchanteur of India’s prolific film industry and the world’s tallest swing ride at Bollywood Parks Dubai.
Day 5 – Visit Downtown Dubai
You may have wondered why there is no mention of iconic landmarks in Dubai, such as the Burj Khalifa. Well, I have saved the best for the last, for you to have ample time to experience what Dubai offers. Explore the world’s biggest shopping mall, The Dubai Mall, which has everything for everyone. Further, there are plenty of options for dining and entertainment at this sprawling mall in the heart of Dubai. The mall forms a part of Downtown Dubai, where you get the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa.
Here are some of the things that you can experience at The Dubai Mall Complex on your Dubai trip with family:
Burj Al Khalifa: Witness the beauty of Dubai on the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa. The 360-view of the Dubai skyline is truly breathtaking.
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo: This is the world’s largest suspended aquarium, which consists of 33000 species of marine life in 10 million liters of seawater.
KidZania: This place is great for children between 4 and 16 years to learn real-life skills that can help their lives.
VR Park: This is the world’s largest and penultimate virtual reality attraction that will give you a unique experience that you have never experienced before.
Dubai Ice Rink: This state-of-the-art ice rink is perfect for displaying your skating skills.
Dubai Fountain: The Dubai Fountain is a phenomenal experience where you see water reaching a height of up to 500 feet. In addition, the show plays every evening from 5.30 pm until 10.30 pm. Approximately 15 minutes later, you can watch an extravagant light and sound show at the Burj Khalifa.
Conclusion
In brief, Dubai is a truly unique destination with mesmerizing attractions that will make you want to go there again. Make Dubai your next holiday destination to see and experience all these amazing attractions.
Finally, let us know about your experience in Dubai and your favorite things to do in this amazing destination. Subscribe to our newsletter to find out the latest updates in the world of travel.