Dubai began as a small fishing and pearl-diving village along the Creek and transformed in the late 20th century into a global city of superlatives—home to the world’s tallest tower, immense malls, and striking man-made islands. Yet behind the gloss, you’ll find wind-towered houses, spice-scented souks, and Emirati flavors that whisper of the Gulf’s maritime past.

For couples, Dubai is tailor-made: golden-hour yacht sails, candle-lit dinners by the water, dune sunsets, and late-night fountain shows. The city rewards curiosity—duck into Al Fahidi’s alleyways, ride an abra across the Creek, and snack your way through Al Seef’s cafés before slipping into a rooftop for skyline views.

Practical notes: Winter (Nov–Mar) brings the best weather and seasonal attractions like Miracle Garden and Global Village; summer is hot but value-friendly. Dress modestly in heritage areas, check Ramadan dates for dining hours, and use the Metro/taxis with a Nol card for easy transport. Cuisine highlights include Emirati dishes (luqaimat, machboos), Gulf seafood, South Asian comfort food, and inventive modern Middle Eastern.

Dubai

Dubai blends record-breaking architecture with heritage neighborhoods and beach life. It’s a compact base for 10 days that still allows a culture-forward day trip to Abu Dhabi if you wish.

• Top sights: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall & Fountain, Old Dubai (Al Fahidi, Al Seef, Gold & Spice Souks), Dubai Marina & JBR, Palm Jumeirah, Miracle Garden (seasonal), Alserkal Avenue.
• Romance factor: Sunset viewpoints, dhow-lit Creek evenings, beachfront strolls on Palm West Beach, and starry desert dinners.
• Where to stay (mid-range to stylish): Downtown/Business Bay for skyline and Fountain access; Dubai Marina/JBR for beach walks; Al Seef/Creekside for heritage charm with modern comforts.

Stay here: Browse well-located apartments or hotels and filter by budget and neighborhood: VRBO Dubai stays | Hotels.com Dubai hotels

Getting there from India: Nonstop flights from Delhi/Mumbai/Bengaluru to Dubai or Sharjah take ~3–4 hours. Typical round-trip fares range ~USD 180–350 depending on season and airline. Compare and book: Trip.com flights | Kiwi.com flights.

Day 1: Arrival, Creekside Stroll, and a Soft Landing

Afternoon: Land in Dubai and transfer to your hotel. If you’re staying Downtown, drop bags and freshen up; if you’re near the Creek, wander Al Seef’s wooden boardwalks and wind-tower facades for an instant time-travel effect.

Evening: Glide on a traditional abra on Dubai Creek (a few dirhams per crossing) at dusk. For dinner, try Arabian Tea House (Al Fahidi) for an Emirati mixed grill and minty lemonades, or Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe for machboos and shrimp biryani in a heritage setting. Nightcap with skyline views at Level 43 Sky Lounge.

Day 2: Old Dubai—Al Fahidi, Souks, and Creek Flavors

Morning: Coffee and cardamom buns at The Sum of Us (Trade Centre) or espresso at % Arabica (various). Explore Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood’s sikkas and courtyard houses; peek into the Coffee Museum and XVA Gallery.

Afternoon: Ride an abra to Deira. Lose yourself in the Spice Souk’s saffron and oud, then the Gold Souk’s brilliant shop windows. Lunch at Al Ustad Special Kebab (since 1978; Iranian kebabs and warm hospitality) or Ravi Restaurant (Pakistani staples; great value).

Evening: Return to Al Seef for a romantic walk as the lamps glow. Dine along the promenade—try Doors Freestyle Grill for flame-kissed meats and mocktails—or head to Time Out Market Dubai (Souk Al Bahar) to sample multiple local vendors before catching the Dubai Fountain shows outside.

Day 3: Downtown Icons—Dubai Mall, Aquarium, and Burj Khalifa Sunset

Morning: Enter Dubai Mall before the crowds; if you like, visit Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo or window-shop the Fashion Avenue. Coffee at % Arabica by the Fountain or Arabica beans from Arabica Roastery inside.

Afternoon: Snack on falafel and fatteh at Operation: Falafel or shawarma at Al Mallah (satellite branch) for a quick, tasty lunch. Rest at your hotel/pool.

Evening: Rise to the world’s highest views at golden hour. Prebook: Burj Khalifa At The Top ticket with Optional Premium Access for seamless entry and unforgettable sunset photos.

Afterward, watch the Dubai Fountain dance from the waterfront. Dinner at Katana (robata with fountain views) or head to 3 Fils at Jumeirah Fishing Harbour for creative Asian-leaning plates and a cozy, date-night vibe.

Day 4: Beach Day—JBR, Bluewaters Walk, and a Yacht at Sunset

Morning: Grab flat whites and avo toast at Tom & Serg (Al Quoz). Continue to JBR’s The Beach for sun and sand; stroll the beachfront boutiques and art installations.

Afternoon: Wander over the pedestrian bridge to Bluewaters for harbor views and cafés. Late lunch at Ibn AlBahr (Lebanese seafood; try grilled catch of the day) or Catch22 (casual).

Evening: Sail the coast past Dubai Marina’s skyline on a shared yacht—romantic without hiring a private vessel: Dubai Marina Luxury Yacht Tour with Optional Breakfast or BBQ.

Post-cruise, head up to Observatory Bar & Grill (Dubai Marriott Harbour) for night views, or enjoy dinner creekside at Bastion (Jumeirah Beach Hotel) with classic steakhouse comfort.

Day 5: Heritage Desert Safari—Wildlife, Falconry, and Dinner under the Stars

Leave your day open for a culture-rich desert evening that balances romance and tradition: Dubai: Heritage Desert Safari in Vintage Land Rover with Dinner. Spot Arabian wildlife in the conservation reserve, learn about Bedouin life, enjoy falconry and Arabic coffee, then dine at a lantern-lit camp.

It’s an atmospheric, slower-paced alternative to adrenaline dune-bashing—ideal for couples seeking a romantic desert night.

Day 6: Palm Jumeirah—Views, Beach Time, and Waterfront Dining

Morning: Head to The View at The Palm (Nakheel Mall) for sweeping panoramas of the frond-shaped island. Breakfast after at Bounty Beets (healthy plates, photogenic garden feel) or Common Grounds (Nakheel Mall).

Afternoon: Unwind at Palm West Beach, where you can rent loungers or dip into beachside cafés. Late lunch at Surf Club or Koko Bay for Bali-meets-Dubai coastal vibes.

Evening: Dress up for dinner at 101 Dining Lounge & Bar (One&Only The Palm) over the water, or opt for the warm-lit terrace at Fish Beach Taverna (Aegean seafood). For a splurge-with-a-twist, consider Dinner in the Sky (suspended dining; prebook and check wind conditions).

Day 7: Miracle Garden Blooms and Global Village Flavor (Seasonal)

Morning: Visit the seasonal flower wonderland (Oct–Apr): Dubai: Skip-The-Line Ticket to Dubai Miracle Garden. It’s whimsical and wildly photogenic, perfect for couples’ portraits amid 150+ million blooms.

Afternoon: Cool off with iced coffees at Nightjar or Encounter Coffee. If you love aquatics, Aquaventure at Atlantis (full-day) is an option—else keep it relaxed.

Evening: Head to Global Village (seasonal) for pavilions, street eats, and live shows. Dinner “around the world”—try Emirati chebab, Turkish kunefe, and Indian chaat at the kiosks.

Day 8: Art, Design, and Modern Middle Eastern Cuisine

Morning: Wander Jameel Arts Centre (contemporary shows on the Creek) and its sculpture park. Coffee at The Grey (sleek, minimalist) nearby.

Afternoon: Continue to Alserkal Avenue—Dubai’s creative quarter. Pop into Leila Heller, Carbon 12, and The Third Line; break for specialty coffee at Nightjar or a halloumi wrap at Wild & The Moon.

Evening: Book Orfali Bros Bistro (MENA 50 Best; inventive dishes like umami eclair) or REIF Japanese Kushiyaki (yakitori, ramen, sandos) for a chef-driven date night without breaking the bank.

Day 9: Optional Day Trip to Abu Dhabi—Mosque, Palace, and the Corniche

Abu Dhabi is ~1.5 hours away by car (taxis roughly AED 300–350 each way) or ~1h45m by intercity bus (E100/E101; around AED 25–35). Start at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (dress modestly), then visit Qasr Al Watan (presidential palace) for ornate halls and exhibitions. If time allows, add Louvre Abu Dhabi for art and Jean Nouvel’s latticed dome, then stroll the Corniche at sunset. Back in Dubai, keep dinner light with shawarma at Al Mallah or mezze at Al Nafoorah.

Day 10: Souk Madinat, Last Looks, and Departure

Morning: Brunch at The Lime Tree Café (homemade bakes) or Brix by 3 Fils for a sweet send-off. Wander Souk Madinat Jumeirah’s waterways and artisan stalls for last-minute gifts.

Afternoon: Swing by Mall of the Emirates for any final shopping (Ski Dubai is a quirky photo op), then transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight home.

Practical Planning & Getting Around

• Flights: Compare fares and times from Indian gateways on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Nonstops are ~3–4 hours; plan afternoon arrival and departure per this itinerary.
• Local transport: Use the Metro for Downtown/Marina, taxis for cross-town trips, and abras on the Creek. A Nol card keeps fares easy; ride-hailing is widely available.
• Budget 52/100 tips: Mix splurge moments (Burj Khalifa sunset, one waterfront dinner) with value icons (Ravi Restaurant, shawarma at Al Mallah), free sights (Fountain shows, public beaches), and seasonal deals.

Included Viator Experiences (Romance-Focused)

• Burj Khalifa At The Top ticket with Optional Premium Access
• Dubai Marina Luxury Yacht Tour with Optional Breakfast or BBQ
• Dubai: Skip-The-Line Ticket to Dubai Miracle Garden (seasonal)
• Dubai: Heritage Desert Safari in Vintage Land Rover with Dinner

With 10 days, you’ll savor both the glitter and the soul of Dubai: sunrise coffees along the Creek, sunset skylines from Burj Khalifa, a yacht breeze on the Marina, and a starlit desert dinner. It’s a romance-ready rhythm—unhurried, sensory, and full of small discoveries between the big icons.