Dubai Full-Day Tour from Abu Dhabi: Marina, Souks & Creek

Modern towers and ancient souks in one morning and afternoon

A full-day sightseeing tour departing from Abu Dhabi hotels that covers Dubai's landmarks (Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach, Dubai Mall, the Museum of the Future, Dubai Frame, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Dubai Creek, and the Gold and Spice Souks) with a professional guide, air-conditioned transport, and hotel pickup and drop-off included. The tour runs nine hours, with pickups starting at 8:00 AM depending on your hotel location. You choose between an English-language guide or bilingual English and German.

Options for this experience

2 options

From AED 324 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

Tour with an English-speaking guide 08:00 Dubai city tour from Abu Dhabi, with the guide speaking English and German on Sundays and Wednesdays and English only on other days. Pickup is included.

Bilingual guide, speaking English and German 08:00 Dubai city tour from Abu Dhabi with a bilingual guide who speaks English and German. Includes pickup.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Dubai full-day sightseeing tour

• Photo stop at Dubai Marina
• Photo stop at Atlantis Hotel
• Photo stop at Jumeirah Beach and Burj Al Arab
• Visit Dubai Mall
• Drive past Museum of the Future
• Drive past Dubai Frame
• Drive past Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
• Abra boat ride on Dubai Creek
• Visit Gold Souq
• Visit Spice Souq

Stops and time spent at each 9 stops

1. Dubai Marina 30m
2. Burj Al-Arab Jumeirah 15m
3. Dubai Mall 1h
4. Museum of the Future passing by
5. Dubai Frame passing by
6. Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood passing by
7. Dubai Creek Entry included 10m
8. Dubai Gold Souk 30m
9. Dubai Spice Souk 30m

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Abu Dhabi.
• transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• professional guide in English or bilingual English and German (depending on the option you choose).
• photo stops at Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach and Burj Al Arab, and the Atlantis Hotel.
• a visit to Dubai Mall with the Fountain Show.
• drive-bys of the Museum of the Future, Dubai Frame, and Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
• a traditional Abra boat ride across Dubai Creek.
• and time to explore the Gold Souq and Spice Souq.

Times

• Every day 08:00

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Before you book

Group Up to 30

Live guide English and German

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included.

Book up to 3h before

Ages Adult (13 and older) · Child (under 13)

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Infant seats available

Operated by Emirates Tours and Safaris

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

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The experience

The day starts with hotel pickup between 8:00 and 9:00 AM from your Abu Dhabi accommodation, then heads toward Dubai's waterfront. You'll stop at Dubai Marina to photograph the skyline, pass the Atlantis Hotel, and pause at Jumeirah Beach with the Burj Al Arab as your backdrop: the sail-shaped hotel that defines the city's luxury coastline. The drive takes you past the Museum of the Future and Dubai Frame, two landmarks that frame how the city sees itself.

At Dubai Mall, you step into one of the world's largest shopping centers and watch the Dubai Mall Fountain Show: the choreographed water display that runs throughout the day. The mall itself holds the Dubai Aquarium and dozens of dining options if you want to spend time there, though the tour moves on to the older Dubai. You'll cross Dubai Creek on a traditional Abra boat, a wooden dhow that carries you through the waterway where the city's trading history still lives. The creek's edges hold the Gold Souq and Spice Souq, two markets that operate as they have for decades: one glittering with jewelry and precious metals, the other thick with the smell of cardamom, saffron, and cumin. Walking through the Spice Souq means navigating stalls piled with dried herbs and spices sold by weight, a sensory contrast to the air-conditioned mall you left behind.

A professional guide leads the entire tour and handles the logistics: transport by air-conditioned vehicle, timing at each stop, and the route itself. You select your guide language at checkout: English only, or bilingual English and German on Sunday and Wednesday departures. The tour wraps with drop-off back at your Abu Dhabi hotel.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 13).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is the Abra boat ride on this tour?

The Abra is a traditional wooden dhow that ferries passengers across Dubai Creek, the historic waterway that separates the old souks on either side. The ride itself is the journey. You're on the water for the crossing, seeing the creek's edges and the buildings that line it, then you step off to explore the Gold and Spice Souks on foot.

Do I have time to shop or eat at Dubai Mall, or is it just a quick stop?

Dubai Mall is a full visit, not a photo stop. You go inside to see the Fountain Show and explore the mall itself, which includes restaurants, cafes, and shops. How long you spend there is up to you, but the tour's schedule accounts for time at this stop.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to pay for separately?

Hotel pickup and drop-off from Abu Dhabi, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, and a professional guide are all included. Food, drinks, and lunch are not included, so you'll want to budget for meals. The mall and souks both have options. Gratuities for the guide are also separate.

Can I visit the Burj Khalifa on this tour?

The Burj Khalifa is a photo stop only. You'll see it and photograph it from outside, but the tour does not include entry to the observation deck At The Top. The tour focuses on Dubai Marina, the souks, and Dubai Creek instead.

How early do I need to be ready for pickup?

Pickups start at 8:00 AM and run until 9:00 AM depending on your hotel's location in Abu Dhabi. The operator will confirm your exact pickup time before the tour, so you'll know the precise hour to be ready.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not in great physical shape?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You'll be walking through the souks and on the Abra boat, but the pace is set by the group and the guide, and there's no climbing or strenuous activity required.