Dubai grew from a trading port at the mouth of Dubai Creek to a global city where wind towers share a skyline with the world’s tallest building. Pearl divers once sailed these waters; today, abra boats still cross the creek while glass towers mirror the desert sun.

Expect head-turning architecture, world-class shopping, and a culinary scene that runs from humble shawarma stands to chefs on global rankings. The city rewards curiosity: peek into Al Fahidi’s coral-stone lanes, then chase sunset across the dunes.

Practical notes: Taxis and the Metro make getting around simple; pick up a Nol card. Dress modestly for mosques and historic districts. November–April brings balmy weather; summer is hot but air-conditioned comforts abound.

Dubai

Welcome to a city of superlatives—home to the Burj Khalifa, vast malls with aquariums and ski slopes, and beaches that turn gold at dusk. But Dubai’s heart beats loudest in Old Dubai: spice sacks piled high, dhows creaking at their moorings, and fragrant cardamom coffee.

Top hits include Dubai Mall and the dancing fountains, the Museum of the Future’s calligraphed torus, Jumeirah Mosque tours, kite-flecked beaches, and the desert itself. Food lovers, take note: Dubai’s dining spans Pakistani institutions like Ravi to modern stars like Orfali Bros and 3 Fils.

• Where to stay: Downtown (close to Burj Khalifa and Metro), Dubai Marina/JBR (beach-and-nightlife), or Palm Jumeirah (resort feel). Browse stays on Hotels.com Dubai or VRBO Dubai.
• Editor’s picks: Iconic splurge: Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. Resort playground: Atlantis, The Palm. Smart-value, central: Rove Downtown Dubai.
• How to get here: Compare flights to DXB on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. DXB is 15–25 minutes by taxi to Downtown (traffic-dependent).

Day 1 — Arrival, Dubai Mall, and the Burj Khalifa

Afternoon: Land in Dubai and check in. If you’re near Downtown, stretch your legs through the Dubai Mall’s waterfalls and the Dubai Aquarium tunnel, then step outside to the Burj Lake promenade for skyline views.

Evening: Time your dinner with the Dubai Fountain shows (every 30 minutes after sunset). Good bites nearby: Time Out Market Dubai (local chef-led stalls, from Reif Kushiyaki to Al Fanar seafood), or Book a table at Din Tai Fung for juicy xiao long bao. Cap the night with panoramic views:

Burj Khalifa At The Top ticket with Optional Premium Access — glide to Levels 124/125 or upgrade to Level 148 for the world’s highest outdoor deck.

Day 2 — Old Dubai: Al Fahidi, Abra, and the Souks

Morning: Coffee at Arabian Tea House (try the saffron karak and regag bread) in the Al Fahidi Historical District. Wander coral-stone lanes, pop into the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding courtyard, then continue to Al Shindagha Museum to trace Dubai’s trading roots.

Afternoon: Ride a wooden abra (1 AED) across Dubai Creek to Deira. Browse the Spice Souk’s saffron and za’atar, then the Gold Souk’s glittering displays. Lunch ideas: Al Ustad Special Kebab (since 1978; juicy kebabs, yogurt-marinated) or Ravi Restaurant in Satwa (legendary Pakistani curries, chicken tikka).

Evening: Head to the Museum of the Future for an immersive, story-driven leap 50 years ahead—interactive, theatrical, and surprisingly moving.

Museum of the Future Tickets

Wrap with dinner along Al Seef’s heritage waterfront—Al Fanar (Emirati machboos, luqaimat), or Creekside cafe for skyline views.

Day 3 — Marina, JBR Beach, and a Yacht on the Gulf

Morning: Grab flat whites at Nightjar (Alserkal or City Walk) or The Sum of Us near Trade Centre. Make your way to Dubai Marina for a coastal perspective on the city during a guided yacht cruise.

Dubai Marina Luxury Yacht Tour with Optional Breakfast or BBQ — glide past Palm Jumeirah and the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab; choose a morning sailing with breakfast or a sunset cruise with BBQ.

Afternoon: Beach time at JBR or stroll the Marina Walk. Lunch options: The Maine Oyster Bar & Grill (lobster rolls, briny platters) or Catch22 (playful fusion bites, ocean views). Coffee pick-me-up at % Arabica (JBR).

Evening: Head to Jumeirah Fishing Harbour for dinner at 3 Fils (region-topping modern Asian; book ahead) or its sister Brix for dessert. Alternatively, a quintessential Dubai experience: sundowners at Jetty Lounge (barefoot chic, toes-in-sand by the palm-lined shore).

Day 4 — Jumeirah Mosque, Design District, and Premium Desert Safari

Morning: Join a guided tour at Jumeirah Mosque (respectful attire; tours typically late morning). Swing by Espresso Lab in Dubai Design District (D3) for serious single-origin pours, and explore galleries and public art.

Afternoon: Lunch on Wasl Road: Orfali Bros Bistro (playful, award-winning small plates—OB Burger and Shish Barak à la s’gui are cult-favorites) or Al Mallah (shawarma, fresh juices). Rest up—tonight’s an Arabian desert classic.

Evening: Get picked up for a red-dune escape featuring 4x4 dune bashing, camel encounters, and a lavish camp dinner beneath a galaxy of stars.

Dubai Premium Red Dunes Safari, Camels & 5* BBQ at Al Khayma Camp

Day 5 — Palm Jumeirah, Aquaventure, and Iconic Hotels

Morning: Ride the Palm Monorail to Atlantis. Spend the day at Aquaventure Waterpark—record-setting slides, a lazy river that actually moves, and a private beach. Non-riders can explore The Lost Chambers Aquarium’s dramatic tunnels.

Afternoon: Lunch at Wavehouse (family-friendly with games and wood-fired pizzas) or Seafire Steakhouse for prime cuts. Coffee at Jones the Grocer on Palm West Beach, then dip into the sea.

Evening: Stay for sunset cocktails and dinner along Palm West Beach: Koko Bay (Bali-chic, great seafood), February 30 (DJ-led vibe), or Surf Club (Mediterranean plates). If you’re splurging, book a table at Nobu inside Atlantis, The Palm.

Day 6 — Optional Day Trip to Abu Dhabi

Morning: It’s 1.5 hours by car to Abu Dhabi. Begin at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque—one of the world’s largest—with shimmering marble courtyards and hand-knotted carpets. Dress modestly; on-site abayas are usually available for visitors.

Afternoon: Continue to Qasr Al Watan (the Presidential Palace; opulent chambers and calligraphy galleries) and, if time allows, the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s floating-domes masterpiece. Lunch ideas: Al Fanar (Emirati classics) at Yas Mall or Lebanese Flower near the Corniche.

Evening: Return to Dubai. Casual dinner at Bu Qtair (no-frills fried fish and prawns by Umm Suqeim Fishing Harbour) or Kinoya (Wasl 51; ramen, robata, and izakaya-style small plates with a warm, convivial buzz).

Day 7 — Frames, Gardens, and a Sky-High Farewell

Morning: Late breakfast at Common Grounds (airy, Aussie-style plates) or Friends Avenue Cafe (eggs bennie, açai bowls). Then visit the Dubai Frame in Zabeel Park for “old vs. new” perspectives through glass floors and sweeping views.

Afternoon: If visiting Oct–Apr, wander Dubai Miracle Garden’s 150+ million blooms sculpted into arches and planes. Otherwise, shop at Mall of the Emirates (Ski Dubai glimpse) or browse boutiques at Souk Madinat Jumeirah’s canals.

Evening: Close with a relaxed marina-side dinner: Pier 7’s multi-restaurant tower (Asia Asia for pan-Asian glam; Atelier M for Mediterranean and a terrace). If you missed a cruise earlier, consider one last spin at sea:

Dubai Marina Luxury Yacht Tour with Optional Breakfast or BBQ pairs beautifully with twilight. Or enjoy a final gelato on The Walk at JBR before your afternoon departure.

Where to Sleep (quick picks)

• Icon status: Burj Al Arab Jumeirah — duplex suites, private beach, and a sail silhouette that defines the skyline.
• Resort thrills: Atlantis, The Palm — Aquaventure access, celebrity dining, and family-friendly fun.
• Value + location: Rove Downtown Dubai — bright, efficient rooms, a pool facing Burj Khalifa, and easy Metro access.
• Apartments & villas: Browse VRBO Dubai for Marina high-rises, Downtown city-view pads, and Palm villas.

Getting Around

• Flights: Compare routes to DXB on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Taxis are plentiful; the Metro Red Line links DXB to Downtown/Marina.
• Local tips: Buy a Nol card for Metro/trams/buses/abras. Friday prayers midday; some venues open later. Alcohol is served in licensed restaurants/hotels; carry ID.

In a week, you’ll have tasted both Dubais—the timeworn alleys of the creek and the glitter of the Gulf—plus the wild quiet of the desert. Expect to leave with sand in your shoes, spice on your tongue, and a camera roll full of skyline sunsets.