A Dubai holiday is a great thing, especially with kids. Most tourists fly by Dubai on a few nights stopover (see stopover itinerary) to or from somewhere else. If you’re prepared to scratch the surface though, there is enough to keep the family going for at least a couple of weeks. So here is your family friendly 2 week Dubai itinerary:
- Day 1 – arrive & settle into accommodation
- Day 2 – relax, swim, walk, dinner outside at Dubai Mall or Souk Al Bahar with fountains
- Day 3 – am JBR Beach or yacht cruise, La Perle (evening show)
- Day 4 – (weekend) Bubbalicious brunch (Saturday) or The Roast (Sunday)
- Day 5 – Flamingos at Ras Al Khor, At the Top Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall Aquarium, Global Village (evening)
- Day 6 – Abu Dhabi day trip: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan, Etihad Towers, Louvre Abu Dhabi
- Day 7 – Theme Park – Legoland or Legoland Water Park (young children), Motiongate or Aquaventure (older children)
- Day 8 – Museum of the Future (day), cultural dinner at Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (evening)
- Day 9 – Expo, pm Marina boat cruise
- Day 10 – (weekend) relaxation morning, brunch (afternoon or evening)
- Day 11 – Dubai Frame & Old Town, Glow Gardens (evening)
- Day 12 – Relaxation morning or pop into Souq Madinat (Burj al Arab views & photos), drive to Bedouin Oasis (overnight)
- Day 13 – Bedouin Oasis with sunrise quad biking, pm Ski Dubai
- Day 14 – Kidzania, pm Souq Madinat (dinner & Burj Al Arab views)
- Day 15 – depart
Notes On Itinerary
You can mix things around. The above itinerary was put together for my sister and nephews (7 yrs & 4 yrs). I have tried to ensure that a long day or late night is followed by something a bit lighter the next day. Also, some adult focused days are interspersed between kid-centric activities (brunch, Abu Dhabi tour). Some of the long days and later nights eventually caught up with our little visitors although they loved all of the (kid-centric) activities.
My nephew endorsed highlights were the Burj Khalifa, Bedouin Oasis, Legoland and Kidzania.
Getting Around
The metro is a quick and efficient possibility if you’re on the metro line or staying in close proximity to it. However, the Dubai Metro won’t solve all your transport needs whilst in town.
Taxis are readily available and relatively cheap in Dubai. Despite this, it’s still worth planning a bit with regard to getting around. Most of the activities in the above itinerary are reliant on easy accessibility but it’s still best to group activities into areas to keep costs down. Almost nothing is within walking distance in Dubai. Be warned that even if something looks close, a highway or lack of pedestrian access may prevent you from walking there.
Download the Careem App and set up an account for ordering local taxis (Hala Taxi – metered), private cars and day trips (Abu Dhabi one way AED340 or AED805 for up to 10 hours/360km). It’s possible to access car rental via this app. You can also use Careem to order quick groceries, takeaway or pharmacy delivery directly to your hotel/accommodation. Comes in very handy with the little ones for a quick meal, bottle of milk or late night medicine for that unplanned fever! Other services such as laundry and cleaning services are available via the app.
Children
If you’re after a day or even just a few hours off, babysitters and part time nannies are available at hourly rates (starting as low as AED30/hour) via services such as Yes Ma’am and Service Market. Be sure to prep your children and give the nanny specific instructions. It’s best if you’re available by WhatsApp or phone during this time just in case the nanny has questions or the children want you (especially if they’re not used to being left with someone else). Alternatively, you can take the nanny with you on day trips to help push prams, feed, entertain and coordinate the children (especially those last minute toilet trips!). Some places have special nanny rates for entry and meals.
Where To Stay
JBR – Jumeriah Beach Residences (JBR) is a great spot for visitors. The beach is great, there’s a plethora of accommodation options and shops and restaurants are all on your doorstep. The downside is that it’s a bit far from Downtown and the old town areas and can have peak hour traffic issues. JBR and the adjacent Dubai Marina are, however, a great option for families.
The Palm – The Palm is a great spot if you want to stay in one place, enjoying the beach, the hotel and the surrounds. However, with children and a jam packed itinerary, it’s a bit far from the majority of attractions and affordable dining options can be problematic if you’re based in a hotel or resort for an extended stay.
Downtown – Downtown Dubai is a grown up’s paradise, however, I wouldn’t recommend it for small children. Most hotels will have a pool but it’s a busy area with lots of roads and highrises. It’s more central to a lot of the activities and might be suitable for the bigger kids but there’s not much for the little ones.
JBR Beach
JBR has a great public beach with lots of facilities, dining and activity options. If the children are small and happy playing in the sand then let them be. If they’re a bit older and need more action, try the floating activity park, jet ski hire or banana boat rides. There are plenty of dining options on the beach and along the esplanade. Bathroom and change facilities are also located on the beach. Allow half a day.
Yacht Cruise
It’s easy and relatively affordable to hire a yacht or jump on a morning or afternoon cruise. Hire companies like Sky Marine Yachts, Dubai Yachts and Centaurus Yachts & Boat Rental operate out of Dubai Marina and offer private yachts or group sailings. On a private yacht you can pack your own food & drinks and enjoy a picnic on board while you’re anchored off JBR or off The Palm. Another great option is one of the Dhow Cruises (Tour Dubai, Captain Jack) where you can enjoy a tour, show and dinner. Allow from a couple of hours to half a day. Read more here…
Bubbalicious
Various brunches operate around Dubai but Bubbalicious is a firm family favourite (bookings recommended). Although the name suggests a casual morning meal, brunch in Dubai is a smart tending to dressy afternoon (or evening) occasion. Feed the kids from the kids stations then send them off to the activities (jumping castle, face painting, magic show, craft). Then kick back and settle in to your afternoon spread with unlimited drinks.
Have a back up easy meal ready for the children in the evening and then put them to bed while you kick back with an in room movie or kick on with more cocktails (either way, you’ll want the kids in bed!). Allow yourself the day. Take it easy in the morning, brunch for the afternoon and don’t plan too much for the rest of the evening. If Sunday is a better day, book The Roast at Bubbalicious.
Burj Khalifa
At The Top Burj Khalifa tickets can (and should) be booked online before the day. Check the weather first and try to choose a clear day. Combination tickets that get you into the nearby Dubai Mall Aquarium are a good option with small children. If the kids are older (teenagers), give the At The Top a miss and plan a meal at At.Mosphere instead (where you can have a much nicer experience without the tourist crowds). Note, however, that this option still gives you wonderful views but doesn’t give you the history and ‘story’ of the building. For At The Top and the Aquarium allow half a day. At.Mosphere allow 2 – 3 hours.
Global Village
This is a local favourite and only tourists in the know can be found here. It’s a great option for local and regional crafts and souvenirs as well as food and entertainment. It’s an evening outing though and small children will fatigue quickly as there is a lot of walking. Bring a pram or hire one if you don’t want to be stuck carrying them. Beware of the rides/theme park section and queue early for the stunt show tickets. Also watch out for vendors that will hand things to small children and then seek payment (particularly balloons). Either buy these early on or watch those friendly vendors carefully. Allow at least 4 hours (with dinner) . Open from 4pm – 11pm everyday, from early October- late April. Read more here…
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
This is a spectacular architectural, religious and cultural monument and is well worth the trip to Abu Dhabi alone. From Dubai it’s worth hiring a driver for the day, especially if you have small children, it will save the hassle of getting around. Public transport is available but not readily accessible or frequent between the cities. Once again, it’s worth booking tickets online beforehand and remember your mosque manners. Men should be covered at least below the elbows and below the knees while ladies will need full coverage to the wrist and ankle (no splits or see through fabric). Ladies will also need a headscarf (hair and neck), face can remain uncovered. Leave small children at home if you can (just because you’ll enjoy it more). Allow 2 – 3 hours. Read more here…
Louvre Abu Dhabi
This is an incredible museum and something really special in the UAE. It’s best to join a tour of the permanent collection if you can. Exhibitions are generally well worth the effort and sometimes there are special children’s exhibitions and activities. Check the website for updated information. Allow from 2 hours to half a day. Not open on Mondays.
Theme Parks
Legoland and Legoland water park are perfect for small children (up to 8 years or up to 12 years with younger siblings). The Legoland parks are about 45mins from Downtown Dubai and around 30mins from Dubai Marina/JBR. They’re worth the trip for small children as the rides are purpose built for the little ones (from about 90cm onwards). Parents can ride on most things or supervise from close by. It gives the little ones a taste of their own autonomous thrills (driving, small roller coaster, boat ride) at a young age. Most theme parks don’t cater for kids this young/small.
With older children (from about 10 years) who are looking for a bit more of a thrill, nearby Motiongate will be more appropriate. This is a movie themed park with rides such as Kung Fu Panda Academy, Hotel Transylvania, Ghostbusters, Dragon Gliders and John Wick. There are still some rides and attractions for the little ones at Smurf’s Village but check height restrictions first.
Water Parks
Aquaventure is a favourite in our family. After a couple of years of annual passes to Legoland Water Park we graduated to Aquaventure, the world’s largest waterpark, as the kids got a bit older. Park yourself on a sun lounge at the beach or float around the lazy river while you let the (older) kids loose to line up for the likes of the Leap of Faith, Wave Rider, Zoomerango and Poseidon’s Revenge. If you have small children, there’s still plenty here to keep them occupied with Splasher’s Island, Splasher’s Mountain, Splasher’s Cove and Splasher’s Lagoon all dedicated to the little ones.
Choose one! Or at least one per day. You’ll wear everyone out and won’t fit it all in if you try too many at once. Each of the theme parks is a full day activity.
Museum of the Future
A must see and do whilst in Dubai, the Museum of the Future is not only an iconic building but an incredible experience. Be transported to the year 2071 with interactive displays and activities to keep everyone enthralled. There’s a play area for children at the end of the displays (under 10). Take snacks or schedule tickets (book online) for between meal times. The food options at the museum aren’t great, however, there is a good Thai place nearby (Little Bangkok Thai). Allow half a day.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding
The SMCCU runs a variety of cultural programs. One of the best options is the cultural lunch (or dinner) where you can learn about the culture and traditions, have a chat with a local Emirati, ask all the questions that pop into your head and enjoy some Emirati food. Bookings are recommended. Allow 2 hours.
Expo 2020
Even though Expo 2020 has come to a close, the site and some of the larger pavilions live on at Expo City Dubai. An Attractions pass (AED120) gives you access to the three main pavilions (Terra, Alif & Sustainability) as well as the Women’s Pavilion. Al Wasl Plaza, the Surreal Water Feature and Expo City Farm are free to visit at any time. Keep any eye out for various events and workshops throughout the year as well as numerous dining options. Allow a full day, particularly if travelling to/from by metro.
Marina Cruise/Dhow Cruise
The dhows at Dubai Marina are very much tourist focused but dhows still operate as a viable transport option (mostly goods) between Dubai and regional ports. While you’ll have to visit the old town at Dubai Creek to see the real thing in action, the cruises that operate from Dubai Marina are a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours in the evening. Jump on the dhow and grab a seat enjoying the views of the Marina and JBR as the lights come on. Then feast on a meal of local delights and enjoy the belly dancing and tanoura entertainment that is included in the ticket.
Alternatively, hire a private boat, pack a picnic and enjoy the lights of the Marina, JBR and Bluewaters Island by night. Read more here…
Brunch
There are so many incredible brunches in Dubai that it’s hard to pick just one. My advice is to leave the kids behind and enjoy an adult brunch but there are also enough family brunches if you can’t bring yourself to leave them out.
Adult options:
- Mimi Kakushi
- Zuma
- Ce La Vie
- Pure Sky Lounge
- Blue Jade
- The Vintage Brunch
- Mott 32
- Sola Jazz Lounge
- Asia Asia
- Fi’lia
Family Friendly Brunches:
- The Big Easy, Els Club
- Giardino, Into The Jungle
- Sunday Family Brunch, Liv @ W Dubai
- Ranches Restaurant
- The Green Room, Els Club
Dubai Frame
The Dubai Frame. Never has the New World had such a pensive representation of the passing of time from the Old World. This 150m high architectural landmark, located in Zabeel Park, has been described as “the biggest picture frame on the planet”, framing (from the right vantage point) the view from old town to new (and vice versa). The two towers connected by an observation deck (95m wide) doesn’t just frame in the literal sense. It is also symbolic of bridging the Emirate’s rich past with its propitious future: looking back whilst looking forward. Allow a couple of hours, booking tickets online will save you queueing at the gate. Note that there’s not a lot to ‘do’ at the top except check out the views. Read more here…
Old Town
There are several areas to Dubai’s old town. Al Fahidi and the adjacent Al Seef districts celebrate the Dubai Creek’s beginnings as the famous coastal pearl diving base.
Apart from the expected shopping, dining and retail, there are some comfortable accommodation options, free parking, the Museum of Illusions, the Sheikh Mohammed Cultural Centre of Understanding (see above) and Bateaux Dubai. From near the Fabric Souq at the Bur Dubai station, catch an abra across the Creek to the Diera Old Souk (Spice Souk and Gold Souk) with the Guinness World Record’s largest gold ring (circa 54kg). The old town is a great outing to compare the city’s beginnings to the modern metropolis it is today. Read more here…
Dubai Garden Glow
Some things are hard to describe and the experience of Dubai’s Garden Glow is one of them. Set in a corner of Zabeel Park (not to be confused with the rest of Zabeel Park on the other side of Sheikh Zayed Road), it promises an afternoon of fun and adventure for the whole family. We arrive just after 5pm and check out the Dinosaur Park first followed by the new Magic exhibition, a series of rooms where nothing is as it seems. After a stop for dinner, it’s dark enough to continue on through the Glow Gardens, another magical experience. Read more here…
Souq Madinat
Souk Madinat at the Madinat Jumeriah complex is a great place to get up and close (as possible) with the Burj Al Arab, without the 7 star price tag attached. The Souk is a souvenir and restaurant based shopping complex where you can stop in and grab some great photos (from the balcony above The Meat Co.). If your budget and time stretches a little further, stop in at one of the Souk restaurants for a sundowner or a meal and linger with the views a little longer. If your budget and time stretch even further, try one of the excellent bars, restaurants or brunches at one of the three adjoining hotels (Mina A’Salam, Al Qasr or Al Naseem). For the piece de resistance, visit Pier Chic. Read more here…
Bedouin Oasis
With two weeks dedicated to the UAE, a night in nearby Ras Al Khaimah (one of the 7 Emirates), is worth it. Extending the idea of the desert safari, a night at the Bedouin Oasis allows you to really get in touch with the (modernised) idea of bedouin life in the desert. Forego the usual dune bashing for a more hands on quad biking experience. Sunset or sunrise are the best times to go if you can manage it but it’s a great experience either way.
The evening is taken up with a snack followed by belly dancing. Afterwards, a bedouin buffet is served outside and the tanoura dancer’s performance will make your head spin. After dinner, the fire dancer’s performance could really blow your mind (don’t try this at home!). Once the meal and the evening entertainment is complete, the music starts and you can have a fire and sit round to enjoy night in the desert. For me, it’s not long before the desert air takes its toll and I’m ready for bed. Awaking with the birds in the morning is all part of the experience. If you’re not quad biking before breakfast, get up early anyway and take a morning camel ride, walk the dunes or take a refreshing swim. Read more here…
Kidzania
Kids love Kidzania. This is a whole mini city dedicated to children where they can try out different ‘jobs’, get paid and use their salary and savings to buy activities (like crafts), experiences (driving a car) and treats (food and toys). The concept is simple but the execution and detail dedicated to the next generation here is exceptional. This is a full day activity located within the Dubai Mall. You’ll be done after the day but the kids won’t want to leave.
Good To Know
This is a packed itinerary. There’s more to do in Dubai but hopefully the highlights are covered here and it’s certainly enough to keep kids of all ages happy during an extended family holiday. The best time to visit Dubai is during the cooler months (October through April). It’s possible to visit during summer but certain attractions are closed (i.e. Global Village, Dubai Garden Glow, Miracle Gardens) and some attractions are simply too uncomfortable to undertake during this time.
Would I Return?
Yes. With or without the kids.