High-rise towers of Dubai Marina curving around the marina water and moored boats on a sunny day

5 Days

Dubai Family Fun

Burj Khalifa • Dubai Marina • desert safari • Abu Dhabi day trip.

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The holiday

What to expect

A short, lively holiday that packs in the Dubai everyone at home will ask about: the view from the Burj Khalifa, an evening dhow cruise along Dubai Marina, the old souks by the Creek and an afternoon of dune bashing and camel rides in the desert. A day in Abu Dhabi adds the white marble of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the BAPS Hindu Mandir.

It works well for families with children of any age, and for grandparents too, since most sightseeing is by air-conditioned vehicle. Free time is built in for theme parks or the malls, and we can add Aquaventure, IMG Worlds of Adventure or a Ferrari World visit on Yas Island. Vegetarian and Indian food is everywhere in Dubai, including at the desert camp.

Dubai

Itinerary

Day by day

A suggested plan. Days can be added, dropped or swapped around your dates and interests.

Day
1
Arrive in Dubai, Marina dhow cruise
Land in Dubai and transfer to your hotel. In the evening, board a dhow for a dinner cruise past the lit-up towers of Dubai Marina.
Day
2
Dubai city tour and the Burj Khalifa
See the Jumeirah Mosque, the Burj Al Arab and the Museum of the Future, then cross Dubai Creek by abra to the Gold and Spice Souks. Go up to At the Top on levels 124 and 125 of the Burj Khalifa in the late afternoon, and stay for the Dubai Fountain show below.
Day
3
Free morning, desert safari in the afternoon
Spend the morning at the pool, a theme park or the Dubai Mall. In the afternoon, head into the desert by 4x4 for dune bashing, camel rides and sandboarding, then watch the sunset and enjoy a barbecue dinner with vegetarian options and a tanoura dance show.
Day
4
Day trip to Abu Dhabi
Drive about an hour and a half to Abu Dhabi for the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, where long, loose clothing is required and women cover their hair. Visit the BAPS Hindu Mandir at Abu Mureikhah, and stop on Yas Island for photographs at Ferrari World before returning to Dubai.
Day
5
Depart from Dubai
A free morning for last-minute shopping before your transfer to Dubai International Airport.