The city of skyscrapers, well-known for its high-end hospitality, glitzy skyline, and luxurious experiences, has ranked among the top 5 most visited destinations worldwide. From sky-touching iconic towers to authentic Arab cultural experiences, a perfectly planned one day Dubai city tour allows you to witness both its modern and traditional sides together.
Renowned worldwide for its luxurious hotels, Michelin-starred dining establishments, traditional souks, and top-tier shopping arenas, a Dubai City Tour will allow you to witness the perfect blend of contemporary lifestyle and ancient Arabian aura. This glittering emirate of the UAE is truly the most desirable destination for travelers and expatriates.
A one day Dubai city tour will allow you to see its iconic landmarks, extravagant malls, wonderful experiences, and a glimpse into the city’s authentic culture. If you’re planning a one-day excursion to this dazzling city, continue reading this blog to find the perfect itinerary for a fantastic trip.
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Morning: Explore Old Dubai

Start your one day Dubai city tour with Old Dubai if you wish to experience traditional Arabian architecture and culture and want to know about the city’s history. Exploring the authentic side of this futuristic city during the morning, when the weather remains pleasant and this area remains less crowded, offers a more comfortable excursion to visitors.
Additionally, you’ll be able to witness the routines of the locals as shopkeepers and vendors start, set up, and prepare for the day. Wandering around quiet narrow alley walks and souks guarantees a relaxed Old Dubai city tour.
Some prime attractions to explore in Old Dubai are:
- Al Fahidi Historical District
Formerly known as Al Bastakiya, this neighborhood is well-known for its winding streets and classic architecture, offering a glimpse into traditional Arab culture and a simpler era in New Dubai. This neighborhood houses the Dubai Museum and Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, showcasing the city’s history and development and the life of the former ruler of Dubai, respectively. Al Fahidi Fort is the most stunning architectural marvel to see here during the Dubai City one-day tour.
- Traditional Souks
Old Dubai city is home to thousands of retailers of gold, jewelry, and other valuable items. Gold Souk in Deira features over 300 shops that sell traditional gold jewelry and modern pieces at the current gold market rate. Old Textile Souk is another busy marketplace in Bur Dubai, a place where you find countless opinions for colorful clothing. Additionally, Deira’s Spice Souk, features stalls selling spices, dried fruits, and herbs can be explored. To find the best souvenir for your one day Dubai city tour, you can visit Naif Souk, a two-story market known for its gifts and souvenirs.
- Abra Rides Across the Creek
Complete the visit to the first destination in your full day Dubai city tour by taking a ride across the creek in the city’s oldest form of public transportation, Abra. It is very cheap and the cost of a one-way ticket is AED 1 and AED 2 per person for normal and air-conditioned Abras. Additionally, you can hire a private Abra for an hour at AED 120.
Midday: Explore Modern & Iconic Landmarks

The next destinations in your Dubai city tour will be modern and iconic landmarks across the city that have contributed greatly to building the popularity of this glamorous city worldwide.
Some stunning modern landmarks in the city are:
- Burj Khalifa
Visit Downtown Dubai to witness the charm of the centerpiece attraction of the city of skyscrapers, the Burj Khalifa, the tallest structure on the planet. Apart from its innovative design, several activities available here can be enjoyed to experience its luxurious appeal. From dining at AtMosphere Lounge located on its 122nd floor to enjoying city views on the 148th floor with the SKY observation deck, you can create a truly memorable experience on your one city tour in Dubai.
- Dubai Mall
Visit Dubai Mall, a place that houses over 1,200 stores and 200 fashion avenues to experience shopping like never before. Apart from this, the place features many entertainment options, including an underwater zoo, an Olympic-sized ice rink, cinemas, KidZania, Hysteria Haunted Attraction, and others.
- Dubai Fountain Show
This is another major attraction in Downtown Dubai and is reputed as the world’s tallest performing fountain. Located in Burj Lake it presents performances of live music, light, and water every day except Fridays. Souk Al Bahar is a perfect place to see the dazzling live sound and light shows.
Afternoon: Explore Dubai’s Beaches & Marinas

Include excursions to pristine white sand beaches and waterfront districts in your one day Dubai city tour that are great places to enjoy watersports, alluring views of the blue waters, and relaxing.
Some of the popular destinations are:
- Jumeirah Beach & Burj Al Arab: Jumeirah Beach is the most popular white sand beach in the city and is lined by premium hotels like Burj Al Arab, the only 7-star hotel ever. The beachfront provides stunning views of the skyline and blue waters and allows visitors to enjoy watersports and access luxurious amenities, like dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
- Palm Jumeirah & Atlantis the Palm: The largest man-made island is a must-visit destination in the Dubai Tour Packages This artificial island is well-known for its 5-star hotel, Atlantis the Palm, which allows visitors to access the world’s largest waterpark and Michelin-starred restaurants by celebrity chefs.
Evening: Desert Safari Adventure

Make your one day Dubai city tour more memorable with thrilling and unique desert safari adventure experiences, including dune bashing, camel grazing, enjoying scenic sunset views, etc. Additionally, immerse yourself in cultural experiences like belly dancing performances, henna painting, and BBQ dinners to enjoy traditional Arab hospitality. You can end your city tour by securing the stargazing opportunity with a night desert safari.
Night: Experience Dining at a Luxury Restaurant

Experience exceptional hospitality and enjoy high-end dining in a luxury restaurant before concluding your full day Dubai city tour. The unique culinary experiences provided by these restaurants are beyond just a meal. As a budget traveler, you can visit places like Al Mallah and Cake Cafe at the Ritz Carlton, which provides a taste of luxury while maintaining affordability.
Conclusion
For a perfect blend of modern experiences and cultural immersions, add these destinations to your travel itinerary for a one-day tour of the city of skyscrapers. You can get assistance from a reliable travel operator who provides tour and visa services in Dubai to create a carefully planned and efficient itinerary, as the operator will guarantee a perfect one-day tour for you.
Connect with Dubai Tour Visa, the top-ranked tour & travel agency in Dubai, with a reputation and expertise of years in offering excellent services to travelers. From exploring the traditional elements in Old Dubai to enjoying amazing experiences, we will help you with everything. Additionally, by efficiently handling visa services, we promise a more captivating journey to travelers to this heavenly destination.
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