In just half a century, Dubai vaulted from a pearl-diving port to a skyline where steel and sand meet. You’ll trace that arc in this 5-day itinerary: wind towers and wooden abras in Old Dubai; sky-high views from Burj Khalifa; and a red-dune safari that feels like a chapter from the Arabian Nights.

Food is a joy here. Emirati slow-cooked lamb and luqaimat sit comfortably beside Levantine grills, Indian biryanis, Iranian kebabs, and inventive Asian small plates. Come hungry; leave inspired and a little sun-kissed.

Practical notes: Dubai is safe and easy to navigate via Metro and taxis. Dress modestly in historic quarters and mosques; summer heat is intense, so plan midday breaks. Ramadan shifts yearly—expect quieter days and festive nights. Tipping 10–15% is appreciated.

Dubai

Dubai dazzles because it embraces contrasts: abra boats glide past wind-tower houses while record-breaking towers pierce the horizon. Spend a morning sipping saffron tea in a shaded courtyard, then an evening cruising a neon marina or carving down desert dunes.

Top sights include Burj Khalifa and its dancing fountains, the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, the Gold and Spice Souks, Jumeirah’s beaches, and The Palm’s curve of sand and restaurants. Coffee fans will find specialty cafés on nearly every corner; night owls will love waterfront lounges at Marina and Madinat Jumeirah.

Where to stay

• Search furnished apartments and villas on VRBO Dubai or browse hotels on Hotels.com Dubai.
• Rove Downtown (smart, central, great value; steps from Burj Khalifa): Rove Downtown Dubai or Rove Downtown.
• Atlantis, The Palm (resort fun with Aquaventure and The Lost Chambers): Atlantis, The Palm.
• Iconic splurge with sail-shaped silhouette: Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Getting in

• Fly into DXB (most convenient) or DWC. Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com Flights. Typical nonstop times: London ~7 hours ($450–$900); NYC ~12–14 hours ($750–$1,300); Singapore ~7 hours ($350–$700).
• From DXB to Downtown: Dubai Metro Red Line (30–40 minutes, ~$2–$3) or taxi (~20 minutes, ~$12–$20).

Day 1: Arrival, Downtown Dubai, and Fountain Nights

Afternoon: Land, check in, and decompress by wandering the air-conditioned arcades of Dubai Mall. Don’t miss the Dubai Aquarium tunnel (great for a quick wow) and the Waterfall with the human diver sculptures.

Evening: Time your visit to Burj Khalifa for sunset when the city melts from gold to glitter. Book “At The Top” tickets here: Burj Khalifa At The Top ticket with Optional Premium Access.

Catch the Dubai Fountain shows every 30 minutes after sunset from the Souk Al Bahar bridge. Dinner ideas: Al Hallab (Lebanese grills and mezze with fountain views), Logma (Khaleeji/Emirati classics—try the chicken machboos), or Time Out Market’s curated local vendors for a low-stress first night.

Day 2: Old Dubai, Creek Crossings, and Souk Secrets

Morning: Start in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood where sand-colored lanes and wind towers whisper the pre-oil story. Coffee or mint-lime juice at Arabian Tea House’s shaded courtyard pairs nicely with a stroll through the Coffee Museum and art courtyards.

Afternoon: Join a guided deep dive through Old Dubai’s textures—museums, creek life, tastings, and bargaining tips in the souks: Dubai Aladdin Tour: Souks, Creek, Old Dubai and Tastings.

Ride a wooden abra across the creek (about $0.25) to the Spice and Gold Souks in Deira. For lunch, try Al Ustad Special Kebab (family-run since the 1970s; juicy kebabs with saffron rice) or Al Bait Al Qadeem near the souks for Emirati stews and fresh khubz.

Evening: Sunset along Al Seef’s restored waterfront, then dinner at Bait Al Wakeel on the creek for grilled hammour and floating dhow views, or Arabian Tea House’s Al Seef branch for a lighter Emirati spread. Nightcap: saffron ice cream at Saffron Ice Cream near the Textile Souk.

Day 3: The Palm Jumeirah, Aquaventure, and Burj Al Arab Views

Morning: Head to The Palm early for slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools at Aquaventure—fun for couples and families alike. Book ahead: Aquaventure World: Waterpark Day Pass (with options for Aquarium).

Expect 3–5 hours if you’re sampling the marquee rides; lockers and towel rentals are available. Casual lunch inside the park (Shawafel for wraps; Barracudas food court) keeps things easy.

Afternoon: Dry off and ascend The View at The Palm (Palm Tower) for a palm-frond panorama, then stroll Palm West Beach’s promenade for sand, sea, and music. Coffee at Surf Club’s beach bar or a gelato from Koko Bay sets the tone.

Evening: Head to Madinat Jumeirah for abra-lit canals and close-up Burj Al Arab photos. Dinner picks: 3Fils at Jumeirah Fishing Harbour for wood-fired Asian plates (wagyu sando, sea bream carpaccio) or Bu Qtair for no-frills fried fish with curry—both beloved by locals.

Day 4: Marina Mornings, Beach Time, and a Red-Dune Desert Safari

Morning: Start with specialty coffee at The Sum of Us (near Trade Centre) or Nightjar in Alserkal Avenue if you’re keen on a quick arts detour. Then make for JBR Beach—rent loungers, swim, or walk the Marina promenade. For an elevated brunch-with-a-view, Observatory Bar & Grill (Dubai Marina) does excellent eggs benedict and skyline vistas.

Afternoon: Keep it light—poke bowls at Poke & Co Marina or Vietnamese Foodies (JLT) for fragrant pho and green papaya salad. Rest up; the desert calls.

Evening: Get picked up for a premium red-dune safari with camel time and a 5-star BBQ under desert stars: Dubai Premium Red Dunes Safari, Camels & 5* BBQ at Al Khayma Camp.

Expect 6–7 hours door-to-door with 4WD dune bashing, sandboarding, optional quad biking, and live tanoura performances. Wear closed shoes; bring a light layer for breezy nights.

Day 5: Jumeirah Morning, Culture Touch-Ups, and Departure

Morning: Ease into the day with a beach walk at Kite Beach—watch kitesurfers arc across the water and snag breakfast at Lebanese Bakery (manakish straight from the oven) or Common Grounds (excellent flat whites and avocado toast). If time allows, swing by the Jumeirah Mosque (outside photos and cultural briefings on select tours) or pop into the Museum of the Future for a 90-minute glimpse of tomorrow’s tech and sustainability (reserve in advance; midmorning slots are easiest).

Afternoon (Departure): Early lunch near your hotel—Zaroob for Levantine street food (try chicken shawarma and fresh saj) or Ravi Restaurant in Satwa for Karachi-style curries—and head to the airport. DXB security is efficient, but aim to arrive 3 hours before an international flight.

Extra bites and sips to bookmark

• Al Ijaza Cafeteria (Jumeirah): vintage Dubai drive-up sandwiches and fruit cocktails.
• Din Tai Fung (Mall of the Emirates or Dubai Mall): precision xiao long bao for a cool-down lunch.
• BOCA (DIFC): sustainable Mediterranean plates; good for a stylish night out.
• Project Chaiwala (Cinema Akil, Alserkal): karak chai, samosas, indie-cinema vibes.

Practical getting-around tips

• Metro Red Line links Airport–Downtown–Marina; buy a Nol card (Silver suits most visitors).
• Taxis and ride-hailing are plentiful; intra-city rides usually $6–$20 depending on distance.
• Friday–Sunday is the busy weekend; book desert safaris and Burj slots a few days ahead.

Optional swaps

• Yacht time: join a guided Marina cruise with breakfast or a sunset BBQ for skyline photos.
• Art and design: add Alserkal Avenue galleries and the Jameel Arts Centre on the creek.

Viator activity price guidance (subject to date/availability): Burj Khalifa At The Top ~$45–$135; Old Dubai walking/tasting tour ~$40–$70; Premium red-dune safari with dinner ~$70–$120; Aquaventure ~$90–$120.

With souks under your feet and glass spires above, this 5-day Dubai itinerary balances culture, cuisine, beach time, and desert adventure. You’ll leave with sand in your shoes, a phone full of skyline sunsets, and a shortlist of reasons to return.