If you are looking for Dubai itinerary 4 days look no further. On our way back from our trip to India, we decided to have a short Dubai trip to have the best time. We had always wanted to visit this city of riches but didn’t know the visa requirements, places to visit, etc. If you’re looking for a quick getaway filled with luxury, adventure, and culture, Dubai is the ideal destination. In this travel guide, we’ll outline a Dubai itinerary 4 days to help you make the most of your time in Dubai. If you are from India and live in the West, you can plan it on the way to or from India and save a 16-hour flight journey. So, pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable trip.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Dubai:
A dazzling gem and heart of Dubai is the United Arab Emirates, which boasts marvels of architecture like the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, and the iconic Palm Jumeirah, a man-made island shaped like a palm tree. Additionally, Dubai offers thrilling desert safari tours, waterparks, beautiful beaches, theme parks, and museums.
The Dubai Explorer Passport:
If you have an Indian passport, Dubai issues a visa on arrival if you have one of these:
- B1/B2 visa or GC by the USA
- Residence visa issued by the UK or European Union.
If you don’t have either of these, you have to apply for a visa before traveling. If you book your flights through Emirates, you might be able to apply for this visa through their app, as it can save you a lot of time. You cal also apply e-visa here.
We have B1/B2 visas and we were issued a Dubai visa for 14 days with a single entry. You will need to go to the Marhaba counter before going to the immigration at Dubai International Airport. They charged us about $70 and asked for no other documents.
SIM & Currency in Dubai:
They also provide a free Dubai sim card with 1GB and a 10-minute talk time. You will also find currency exchange counters where you can get Dirhams for your Dollars/Rupees.
How to Get to Dubai:
Once we came out, there were taxi drivers lined up in 3-4 rows based on the model and occupancy. You can just pick the taxi you like and head out. We found that taxis are cheaper than Uber/Careem(local app like Uber) rides in Dubai.
Where to stay in Dubai?
We stayed in downtown Dubai at Hotel Indigo. It’s a 5-star hotel with a great view of the city. It is about a 10-minute walk to The Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa. They were kind enough to give us a late checkout on the last day of our stay, allowing us to enjoy the city for a whole day before our flight
Tip: Do check the travel desk in your hotels as they usually have contacts for various local tour package like Desert Safari Tours, Hot air balloon rides, etc. They also suggest the best places you can visit during your stay.
We wouldn’t have known about The Global Village if we hadn’t talked to them as it usually runs only for a few days. Then, we booked our Desert tour on Day 3 and planned the rest of the trip. We were looking forward to the hot air balloon ride but unfortunately, the travel agent informed us that it was being canceled due to the weather.
They also booked our Covid test before our travel. The nurse came to our room to take the samples the day before and emailed us the reports.
Food and Drink in Dubai:
We visited Dubai during the Ramadan month and we were told that eating or drinking anything is illegal during the day. You can eat/drink in restaurants or in closed areas. But we found that it isn’t that strict in Dubai as it is very accommodating to tourists and localities are very friendly and understanding. I read that they’d expect women to dress conservatively but I saw people in shorts and dresses. People were very open-minded in the city, especially the downtown.
Where to visit in Dubai for 4 days?
Here is Dubai itinerary 4 days from India:
Day 1:
Day Dubai Mall Dubai Aquarium:
On the first day, we reached the hotel around noon, and by the time we freshened up, it was about 3 PM. We decided to visit The Dubai Mall first as it was still hot and sunny outside. This is one of the most visited places in Dubai, with many attractions like the Aquarium, the world’s largest LED screen, and the water fountain. It takes at least 3 hours to just walk around the mall. You can feel the grandeur and richness in every corner of this mall.
Underwater Zoo Burj Khalifa:
The mall has access to the Burj Khalifa and the water fountain show that runs every evening after 6:30 PM. We stepped out after sunset, and the place was full of tourists waiting to witness the biggest Dubai fountain show in front of the Burj. After the show, we took a taxi back to the hotel. Every mall and hotel has a designated taxi pick-up spot and an Uber pick-up spot, so you won’t have to wait long to find a ride.
Day 2:
Because of jet lag, we woke up early and we decided to take a walk to Burj Khalifa again and explore the place a little. It was so great to have the place all to ourselves unlike the day before. We took some pictures there and picked up breakfast on our way back to our hotel.
Dubai Miracle Garden:
After getting ready, we decided to go to the Miracle Garden, which was highly recommended by our travel desk agent. It’s the most picturesque garden I’ve ever seen, looking straight out of a fairy tale. It’s a beautiful place for any photoshoot with the best attractions. We spent about 2 hours there, grabbed a bite, and went back to our hotel. The sun was so harsh that we had to return to the hotel to rest for a couple of hours.
On our way back we stopped at the Mall of Emirates, the second most famous mall in Dubai.
Sunset dune bashing:
From our hotel, we took a cab to The View at The Palm Jumeirah. Unfortunately, the cab driver misunderstood and dropped us at The Pointe – The Palm Jumeirah Fountain Walk. We quickly realized we weren’t at the place we wanted, but before taking another cab to The View, we walked around The Palm Jumeirah Fountain Walk and saw the Atlantis across the waters. It’s a good place to eat and hang out after sunset. We then rushed to The View observatory as we didn’t want to miss the must-see attraction: sunset from the top.
It wasn’t far from The Pointe to The View observatory. It took us about 5 minutes to get there. The access to The View at The Palm is located in The Nakheel Mall. We went straight to the observatory and got the tickets to watch the sunset. They charge more for premium timings (sunrise and sunset) but I’d say it’s worth it as there will be less crowd and you get the best pictures during this time.
Stroll around the Dubai Marina Walk and grab Dinner:
From The View, we went to the Marina, which is close by and is known for its nightlife. It has numerous restaurants, dinner cruises and pubs on either side of the man-made Marina.
Day in Dubai JBR Walk:
The other side of the waters is called Jumeirah Beach Residence, known for its beach. It is a well-known residential neighborhood full of high-rise apartments. We had dinner here in one of the outdoor restaurants and took a cab to The Global Village.
Dubai Around pm:
We were hoping to cover this place in about 2 hours and go back to our room but we were there almost until its closing time which was 2 pm! I have never seen anything like it. It’s a unique cultural entertainment destination with so many shops, food stalls, and fun things to do. Once you enter, you will see huge sets for different countries. Each set is designed to resemble their corresponding country has shops, food sold by the people of those countries, You get all the authentic things from almost all the countries.
We spent so much time here buying some unique decor, food, and many more from different countries. We saw a lot of local residents here too because this runs only for a few months and you find almost everything here. There’s also a floating market and it’s wonderfully decorated for Ramadan too
Day 3:
We decided to take it easy this morning as we were still tired from the night before and we have a Desert tour in the evening. So we visited the Dubai Museum and Al Fahidi Fort. Unfortunately, the Museum is temporarily closed but we could see the fort. Then we walked to the Al Fahidi Historical where the beautiful old Dubai is preserved so well. It’s so fascinating to see how much the city has evolved since the 1800s. The whole vibe of this place is just amazing. They have various restaurants and museums too in these old buildings. This is a must-visit place if you want the real feel of old Dubai.
On our way back we visited The Dubai Frame where you can see the skyline of both new and old Dubai. It took us about 30-40 min to visit this tourist attraction.
Awesome Things to Do in Dubai Day Itinerary:
Our tour guides for Desert Safari picked us up at the hotel at 3:40 pm in an SUV. There were 2 other Indian couples. We learned that they group tourists based on ethnicity if possible. He took us to the place where they rent ATVs for 30 min. We took a double ATV ride and it was a great experience. If you aren’t interested in this, you can do other things like camel rides here.
Experience desert city wonders of Dubai:
After this, our tour guide took us to the camping area. How? Driving through the sand dunes and it’s apparently called Dune Bashing. This was no less than a roller coaster ride. People take a trip to Dubai to experience it in the best ways. The sand, music, and an adventurous ride all during the spectacular sunset.
Once we reached the camp area, there was a big setup with a stage and tables. They were all ready to serve dinner. There were counters for hennas, camel rides, sheesha(Hookah), etc. There were a couple of dance shows. We were looking forward to the famous belly dancing but it was canceled because of the Ramadan month.
Day 4:
Last minute shopping in Dubai Outlet Mall:
On our last day, we decided to visit the Gould Souk. After all, it is the city of Gold. We were overwhelmed by the number of gold shops here. You get almost every design and the best things, you can bargain! The making charges are negotiable here and you get the purest gold here. On top of it, if you are a tourist, you can get a refund on the VAT you pay here, at the airport. So you don’t pay much tax if you are a tourist.
We reached the airport in the evening and we found out that they won’t let you check in until 3 hours before your flight’s departure. So we had to wait for an hour before we could go in but the flight back home was empty enough and we had a comfortable flight.
Final Thoughts On Visiting Dubai:
Overall we loved Dubai and would want to visit again. I’d suggest at least 4-5 days if you want to cover the main tourist attractions here. I hope this blog helped you plan your next vacation.
Frequently asked questions
How much do you need for 4 days in Dubai?
If you’re planning a 4-day trip to Dubai, Now, let’s talk about money. How much do you need for 4 days in this luxurious city? Well, it depends on your travel style and what activities you have planned. A rough estimate would be around $500-$1000 per person for accommodation, meals, transportation, and entertainment. Of course, this can vary greatly depending on where you stay, where you eat, and what experiences you want to have.
If you’re looking to splurge on luxury hotels and high-end dining experiences, then be prepared to shell out more. But if you’re willing to stay in budget accommodations and eat at local restaurants, you can get by with less. Just make sure to plan, set a budget, and stick to it. Remember that Dubai is a city of extravagance but also offers plenty of free or affordable activities like visiting the Dubai Fountain or exploring the historic Al Fahidi neighborhood. So pack your bags (and your wallet) and get ready for an unforgettable 4 days in Dubai!
Are 4 days enough for Dubai?
If you’re thinking about spending 4 days in Dubai? Well, let me tell you, it’s possible to have a whirlwind adventure in this dazzling city in just four days. With its tallest skyscraper, luxurious shopping malls, and beautiful beaches, palm islands there’s no shortage of things to see and do in Dubai.
In between all the sightseeing and shopping, don’t forget to spend some time relaxing on Jumeirah Beach or take a desert safari. And of course, no trip to Dubai would be complete without experiencing the vibrant nightlife scene at one of the city’s many bars and clubs.
So yes, 4 days is enough time to get a taste of everything that Dubai has to offer. Just make sure to plan and prioritize what you want to see and do during your stay. Trust me, you’ll be amazed at how much you can pack into just four days in this incredible city.
Hi!! I'm Gowthami
I am passionate about changing my builder-grade house into a home I love. I love DIY and sharing all my successes and failures in this process and I hope to inspire your next project. Thank you for hanging around!