How To Spend 72 Hours in Dubai (World’s Tallest 360° Pool)

 

Dubai in 72 hours feels like living in a highlight reel of extremes: record-breaking architecture, manmade islands, sky-high pools, and deserts that somehow feel otherworldly at night. John and I squeezed five of Dubai’s top experiences into a long weekend and came away with a short list of must-dos, practical tips, and plenty of stories. If you have three days in Dubai, here is exactly how we did it and what you should know before you go.

Quick tips before you land

• Taxi over rideshare: taxis are often cheaper than Ubers in Dubai. We found fares much more economical than the app-based estimate.
• Book early: sunrise or limited slots sell out fast. I booked the Aura Sky Pool two weeks ahead and only got the early slot.
• Pack for extremes: swimwear for sky pools and indoor snow at malls, light layers for desert nights, and comfortable shoes for walking huge malls.
• Expect security and certification checks: for experiences like Deep Dive Dubai you will be asked about your dive experience and shown safety procedures.
• Look for discounts: we had a 10% discount code for many attractions. It can add up across big-ticket activities.

Our 72-hour plan

1. Sunrise at the Aura Sky Pool on Palm Jumeirah, then explore the Palm and nearby sights.
2. Deep Dive Dubai: the world’s deepest indoor pool, followed by a mall crawl (Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Mall) and the Burj Khalifa fountains at night.
3. Morning or afternoon desert safari with Platinum Heritage, then finish with Dinner in the Sky for a literal high point.

Aura Sky Pool at sunrise: the world’s tallest 360 degree infinity pool

We set an alarm for 5:30 a.m. and hailed a taxi to the Palm. The Aura Sky Pool perches high above the trunk of Palm Jumeirah and offers four distinct viewing sides, each with different pricing. We booked the City View for sunrise and paid around $100 per person. The morning session I attended runs 6:00 to 9:00 a.m., while afternoon sessions are four hours and the sunset sessions require you to be 21 or older.

Waking up that early was absolutely worth it. From the pool deck you can see Atlantis at the tip of the Palm, the marina, the Jumeirah skyline and even The World on the horizon. There is an 11 kilometer running track that circles the entire Palm; imagine doing laps with that backdrop. The views are cinematic, the atmosphere exclusive, and the whole place feels like royalty. One moment I'll never forget: it started to rain — rare in the desert — and watching clouds break over the Palm was surreal.

Practical Aura tips

• Book as early as possible; sunrise slots are limited.
• There are different view zones. If you want the sunrise over the city, pick City View.
• Morning sessions are shorter but quieter and cooler; sunset is more lively but 21+.
• Consider arriving via taxi to save money compared with rideshare apps.

Deep Dive Dubai: plunge into the world’s deepest pool

If you are after something truly unique, Deep Dive Dubai is unforgettable. This pool goes down 60 meters, approximately 200 feet, and is designed like an underwater city. There are sunken rooms, a submerged apartment, a car, a giant chess board, and hidden nooks that feel like an aquatic playground.

We went through a safety briefing and were fitted with gear. Because of certification limits I stayed around 12 meters while John pushed deeper to 30 meters and was down close to 40 minutes. The whole experience is tightly managed: there are cameras watching, safety stations, and professional instructors on hand. One quirky detail that stuck with me was the music playing underwater — it added to the surreal vibe of exploring a lost world beneath the surface.

What to expect

• Strict safety protocols and certification checks. If you are not certified for deep dives, you will be limited to shallower depths.
• Themed sections and underwater installations make this more of an exploration than a standard dive.
• Book well in advance. This attraction has limited slots and is often on bucket lists for divers and non divers alike.

Malls and city highlights: Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall and the fountains

Between extreme activities we explored Dubai’s mall culture. Mall of the Emirates is home to Ski Dubai, the indoor snowpark with lifts, slopes and real snow. It also features the world’s largest Cheesecake Factory if you are craving a comfort slice after all the adrenaline.

Dubai Mall is enormous — over 1,200 stores, an indoor ice rink, the Dubai Aquarium and the Apple Store with a view right over the dancing fountains. Speaking of the fountains, the Dubai Fountain is the largest choreographed water display in the world, set to music with the Burj Khalifa skyline as the backdrop. Watching that performance at night is dramatic and a perfect way to cap a busy day.

Desert safari with Platinum Heritage: vintage Land Rovers, falconry and Bedouin dinner

We decided to skip the typical dune bashing and opted for a more classic experience with Platinum Heritage. Their vintage Land Rovers take you across undulating sand dunes at a relaxed pace, and the trip includes falconry demonstrations, a camel encounter and an authentic Bedouin style dinner under the stars.

Food highlights: camel was on the menu for us. I had never tried camel meat before and also sampled camel milk. Camel milk is mild and lower in fat, and some people find it easier on digestion, but a small warning: too much can make you very... active. All jokes aside, the desert dinner is atmospheric with lanterns, traditional music and a clear view of the night sky.

Desert tips

• Bring a light jacket. Desert nights are much cooler than daytime.
• If you want more adventure, some operators offer dune bashing; Platinum Heritage focuses on cultural authenticity and a calmer ride.
• Try the camel milk, but sip slowly if you are sensitive to lactose alternatives.

Dinner in the Sky: dining 50 meters above Dubai

This was the finale I had been excited about for ages. Dinner in the Sky hoists you 50 meters, about 165 feet, into the air for 90 minutes of views, music and a multi course meal. You are strapped into a chair and lifted gently above the city. It is as much about the visual thrill as it is about the food and the shared experience. Expect sensory overload in the best way.

John summed it up perfectly: "This is fantastic!" The combination of great food, live music, and that unique vantage point over Dubai makes it a memory that lingers.

Money, work and how we afford travel

People sometimes ask how travel like this is funded. John saved and worked odd jobs to fund his pilot training and has been a pilot for many years. I took student loans, worked as a TV journalist for a decade, then transitioned to full time travel content. We both saved, worked overtime, and made financial choices so we could travel in our 30s without kids. It is a mix of planning, saving and choosing where to spend.

Final thoughts and a suggested packing list

Dubai is a playground for extremes. In 72 hours John and I hit a sunrise sky pool, dove into a submerged city, walked between malls and fountains, experienced the desert, and dined suspended above the skyline. It is fast paced, luxurious, and often surprising. A few last tips if you plan a similar weekend:

• Book experiences well in advance, especially sunrise sessions and specialized attractions like Deep Dive and Dinner in the Sky.
• Use taxis to save on short trips; they can be cheaper than app fares.
• Bring swimwear, a lightweight jacket for evenings, and comfortable shoes for walking malls and the Palm.
• Leave room in your schedule for unexpected moments like rain over the Palm or a magical fountain show.

Dubai rewards curiosity. Whether you want sky high luxury, underwater oddities, or a peaceful desert dinner under the stars, it has an experience waiting that will feel like stepping into another world. We left already planning where to go next.