Dubai’s story arcs from creekside trading post to global metropolis in just a few generations. Oil wealth sparked growth, but visionary planning—free zones, the world’s busiest international airport, and audacious architecture—turned sand into skyline. The city now balances tradition and tomorrow, with wooden abras gliding past wind towers while driverless metros glide to mirrored towers.

Expect record-breakers: the world’s tallest building, vast shopping malls, a garden blooming in the desert, and an indoor ski slope beside sunlit beaches. Yet the city’s soul lives in its spice-scented souks, Emirati home kitchens, and the desert that begins just beyond the last highway ramp.

Practical notes: Winter (Nov–Apr) is prime season; summers are hot. Dress modestly at mosques; alcohol is served in licensed venues. Taxis are plentiful; the Metro and Nol card make urban travel easy. Friday–Saturday is the weekend. Book headline attractions and desert tours in advance in high season.

Dubai

Dubai rewards curiosity. Start on the Creek among coral-stone houses, then leap into the future at the Museum of the Future and the gleaming Dubai Marina. Reserve one late afternoon for the red dunes—sunset over the desert is unforgettable—and at least one night for the Dubai Fountain show under Burj Khalifa.

• Top sights: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Fountain, Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, Dubai Creek abras, Museum of the Future, Jumeirah Mosque, Palm Jumeirah, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai Frame.
• Signature experiences: Desert safari with dune bashing and BBQ, dhow or yacht cruise off Dubai Marina, abra crossing to the Gold & Spice Souks, sunset on Palm West Beach.
• Standout dining: Orfali Bros Bistro (creative Middle Eastern), Al Ustad Special Kebab (Iranian grill), Al Khayma Heritage (Emirati), 3Fils (modern Asian), Bu Qtair (seafood shack), LPM or Zuma (DIFC staples).

Where to stay (hotel and apartment picks):

• Iconic: Burj Al Arab Jumeirah (palace-on-the-sea indulgence with private beach).
• Resort with waterpark access: Atlantis, The Palm (great for families and foodies).
• Value and location: Rove Downtown (walk to Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa; smart, budget-friendly).
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Dubai | VRBO: Dubai apartments

Getting to Dubai: Fly into DXB (Downtown, 15–25 minutes by taxi) or DWC (less central). Typical nonstops: London ~7 hours; New York ~12–13 hours; Singapore ~7 hours. Sample round-trip fares often range ~$450–$1,200 depending on season.

• Search flights (global): Trip.com flights | Kiwi.com flights | From/within Europe: Omio flights

Day 1: Arrival, Downtown Dubai, and Fountain Night

Afternoon: Land, check in, and shake off jet lag with a stroll through Dubai Mall’s cool corridors (aquarium views, artisan chocolates, and global bites). Grab a light snack at Al Hallab Bab El Bahr (classic Lebanese mezze with a view) or a karak tea at Project Chaiwala’s kiosk if you pass 25hours Hotel One Central.

Evening: Time your ascent for golden hour with Burj Khalifa At The Top ticket (124/125/148). Expect crowd-control windows; sunset primes the city lights below.

Night: Watch the Dubai Fountain shows every 30 minutes from dusk. Dinner options: Time Out Market Dubai (editor-curated stands like Reif for Japanese-inspired bites and MASTI’s modern Indian plates), Social House (global comfort fare with fountain views), or Logma (Khaleeji dishes—saffron chicken, luqaimat). For a late-night mocktail or drink, At.mosphere Lounge is steps away, sky-high.

Day 2: Old Dubai Souks and a Sunset Yacht Cruise

Morning: Wander Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood’s narrow lanes. Breakfast beneath bougainvillea at Arabian Tea House (traditional breads, regag, and mint-laced salads). Visit the Coffee Museum and peek into the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding courtyard to learn Emirati customs.

Afternoon: Take a wooden abra (1 AED coin fare) across the Creek to Deira. Barter gently at the Spice Souk (saffron, za’atar, rose buds) and Gold Souk. For lunch, try Al Ustad Special Kebab (since 1978; yogurt-marinated kebabs, homely vibe) or Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant (slow-cooked lamb ouzi, Emirati spices).

Evening: Head to Dubai Marina for a coastal skyline sail on the Dubai Marina Yacht Tour with Optional Breakfast or BBQ. It’s a shared-luxury experience that passes Bluewaters Island and the palm crescent.

Night: Post-cruise dinner along JBR: The MAINE Oyster Bar & Grill (New England–meets–Mediterranean seafood) or Operation: Falafel (casual, fresh shawarma and manakish). For views and lounge beats, Siddharta Lounge by Buddha-Bar is a Marina classic.

Day 3: Beach Morning and Red-Dune Desert Safari

Morning: Ease into the day at Kite Beach—boardwalk coffee at %Arabica or açaí bowls at Common Grounds, then a swim with Burj Al Arab shimmering to the south. If you like old-school seafood, pencil in Bu Qtair near the fishing harbor—order fried hammour or prawns with curry sauce and paratha.

Afternoon & Night (tour): Get collected from your hotel for the Dubai Red Dunes ATV, Camels, Stargazing & 5* BBQ Al Khayma Camp. Expect 4x4 dune bashing, optional quad biking, sandboarding, a camel ride, and a lavish BBQ with traditional dance. Return to the city after stargazing.

Day 4: Future and Arts—Museum of the Future, Alserkal Avenue, DIFC Dining

Morning: Explore the Museum of the Future’s immersive floors (time your ticket in advance; popular late morning entry). Pre- or post-visit, grab specialty coffee and a cruffin at The Sum of Us near Trade Centre.

Afternoon: Head to Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz, the city’s creative district. Pop into galleries (Carbon 12, Leila Heller rotate regional and global artists), browse concept stores, and refuel at Nightjar (house roastery, superb cold brew) or Project Chaiwala beside Cinema Akil for karak and samosas.

Evening: Dress up for DIFC, Dubai’s dining power district. Choices: Zuma (contemporary Japanese—order the miso-marinated black cod), LPM Restaurant & Bar (Niçoise cuisine, zesty prawns in olive oil), or Indochine (retro-chic Vietnamese). For a rooftop nightcap, Monkey Bar at 25hours Hotel offers jungle vibes and skyline views; alternative: CÉ LA VI atop Address Sky View for that infinity-pool silhouette.

Day 5: Palm Jumeirah Day—Views, Beach, and Atlantis Eats

Morning: Ride out to Palm Jumeirah. Start at The View at The Palm (Level 52) to admire the palm fronds and the Arabian Gulf. Then pick a spot on Palm West Beach for swimming and an easygoing brunch—Koko Bay (Bali-inspired, great bao and grilled seafood) or Jones the Grocer (beachfront eggs Benny and flat whites).

Afternoon: Families can spend hours at Aquaventure Waterpark and the Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis. Shoppers can browse Nakheel Mall; walkers might circle the Pointe boardwalk for photos of Atlantis The Palm across the water (check current access; some areas periodically undergo works).

Evening: Dine at Atlantis: Nobu (sublime rock shrimp tempura, sushi classics) or Seafire Steakhouse (prime cuts, in-house butchery). Prefer Emirati seafood? Try Ibn AlBahr at Club Vista Mare for grilled catch and mezze with your toes practically in the sand.

Day 6: Full-Day Abu Dhabi Highlights (Day Trip)

Join the Dubai To Abu Dhabi: Grand Mosque, Royal Palace & Etihad Towers for a guided, comfortable excursion (about 1.5 hours each way). Visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (dress modestly; women require hair-covering scarf), the palatial Qasr Al Watan, and the Etihad Towers observation deck for sweeping city-and-sea panoramas. Expect photo stops at the Corniche and Heritage Village; lunch breaks are typically included or at leisure per your guide’s plan.

Day 7: Frame the City, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: See old-and-new Dubai perfectly split at the Dubai Frame in Zabeel Park; the glass-floored sky bridge is pure photo fun. Breakfast at Nightjar (if you missed it) for scrambled eggs on sourdough and nitro cold brew, or Brunch & Cake by the Beach for gorgeous plates that taste as good as they look.

Afternoon: Lunch at Orfali Bros Bistro (Modern Middle Eastern—try the OB croquette, “Aubergine Carpaccio,” and a dessert from the pastry case; consistently ranked among MENA’s best). Souvenir dash: saffron, dates, and Emirati spice blends back at the Spice Souk or at modern waterfront Al Seef. Aim to be at DXB about 3 hours before an international flight; taxis from Downtown run ~15–25 minutes depending on traffic.

Evening: If you have a late departure, sneak in one last marvel: the Dubai Fountain show loop or a sunset stroll along City Walk’s café-lined boulevards. Pick up a box of luqaimat (sweet dumplings) to sweeten the journey home.

Practical Tips and Booking Pointers

• Book headliners early (Burj Khalifa prime sunset slots, desert safaris, Museum of the Future) during Dec–Mar weekends.
• Taxis are metered and affordable; ride-hailing apps are widely used. The Metro is clean, frequent, and great for Downtown–Marina runs.
• Dress codes: Beachwear is for beaches and pools; modest attire for mosques and souks. Ramadan brings quieter days and festive night markets.
• Flight searches: Trip.com | Kiwi.com | From/within Europe: Omio
• Hotels again at a glance: Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Atlantis, The Palm, Rove Downtown, or browse Hotels.com Dubai and VRBO Dubai.

Optional Swap: If you’d rather stay in town on Day 6, add the morning yacht tour and visit Jumeirah Mosque (one of the few in Dubai open to non‑Muslim visitors on guided tours), or book a premium sunset safari such as the Dubai Premium Red Dunes Safari, Camels & 5* BBQ if you skipped Day 3.

Across seven days you’ll taste Emirati hospitality, trace merchant routes on the Creek, marvel at futuristic design, and chase the sunset over glowing dunes. Dubai’s energy is contagious—equal parts tradition and ambition—and this plan ensures you catch its best angles.