Dubai city tour: the main sights in one day
Our Dubai city tour takes you through old and new Dubai in a single day: the Dubai Frame, the Al Bastakiya quarter, an abra ride across the Creek, the Gold and Spice Souqs, the Museum of the Future, the Blue Mosque, Burj Al Arab, Atlantis, The Palm and the Dubai Mall. It runs daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, about nine hours, for up to 6 people, with pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Dubai, Sharjah or Ajman.
The Dubai city tour route, stop by stop
The tour follows this order. Some stops you walk through and some are photo stops from the road, so here is exactly which is which.
| Stop |
What you do |
| Hotel pickup |
An air-conditioned vehicle collects you in Dubai, Sharjah or Ajman |
| Dubai Frame |
Photo stop, where old and new Dubai meet |
| Al Bastakiya Quarter |
A walk through the wind towers, art and heritage of old Dubai |
| Abra ride |
A traditional boat across Dubai Creek |
| Gold Souq and Spice Souq |
A walk through both markets |
| Museum of the Future |
Photo stop from outside |
| Oasis Mall |
A lunch stop, with food and drink paid for on site |
| The Blue Mosque |
A visit, with free entry included. A dress code applies. |
| Burj Al Arab |
Photo stop from outside |
| Atlantis, The Palm |
A monorail ride across Palm Jumeirah to the resort |
| Zabeel Saray Hotel |
Photo stop from outside |
| Dubai Mall |
A walk past the aquarium and the waterfall, on to the fountain show area |
| Drop-off |
Back at your hotel |
What to wear, especially for the mosque
The Blue Mosque is a real place of worship, so the dress code is part of the day. Women should have their body covered, with long sleeves and a headscarf. Men should avoid shorts and sleeveless shirts. Abayas are provided at the mosque if you need one.
Wear comfortable closed shoes, because this is a full day of walking, and bring sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen.
What is and is not included
- Included: hotel pickup and drop-off, the abra ride, the monorail ride to Atlantis, the Blue Mosque visit, and the stops on the route above.
- Paid on the day: food and drink, including lunch at Oasis Mall, and any shopping or other personal expenses.
- Photo stops from outside: the Dubai Frame, the Museum of the Future, Burj Al Arab and Zabeel Saray.
- Shared or private: it is a shared group tour by default, and can be arranged as a private tour for an extra cost.
The tour is not suitable for people with restricted mobility, who may need extra assistance.
Is the Dubai city tour worth it?
It is the quickest way to see the main sights without organising your own transport, and it combines old Dubai (Bastakiya, the souqs and the abra) with the modern city (the Museum of the Future, Atlantis and the Dubai Mall) in one day. If you would rather pick one area and spend longer there, choose individual stops instead.
Combining the city tour with other plans
The city tour ends at 5:30 PM, so it pairs with an evening dhow cruise, which boards at 8:00 PM. It overlaps both the morning and evening desert safari, so plan those for a different day. The city tour is also part of several of our holidays, including Dubai in 4 Days, The Full Dubai and The First Trip.
Only Tourism is authorised, regulated and licensed by Dubai’s Department of Economy & Tourism, licence number 690148. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour.
Dubai city tour: frequently asked questions
How long is the Dubai city tour?
About nine hours, daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with hotel pickup and drop-off.
Can we go inside the attractions?
The Dubai Frame, Museum of the Future, Burj Al Arab and Zabeel Saray are photo stops from the outside. The Blue Mosque, the souqs, the abra ride and the Dubai Mall are visited on foot.
Are we allowed to enter the mosque?
Yes. Entry is free and included in the tour, and you need to respect the dress code.
What dress code should I follow for the mosque?
Women should have their body covered with long sleeves and a headscarf. Men should avoid shorts and sleeveless shirts. Abayas are provided at the mosque if needed.
Is lunch included?
The tour stops at Oasis Mall for lunch, where you can choose from a mix of brands and local favourites. Food and drink are paid for on site.
Is it a private or shared tour?
It is a shared group tour by default, for up to 6 people, and it can be arranged as a private tour for an extra cost.
Where does the tour pick up?
From your hotel or home in Dubai, Sharjah or Ajman.
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