The United Arab Emirates packs centuries of Gulf history and a head-spinning modern skyline into a compact, easy-to-travel destination. Since unification in 1971, the country has grown from pearling towns and Bedouin trails into a design-forward hub, without losing its soul along Dubai Creek or Abu Dhabi’s palm-shaded courtyards.

Across seven days, you’ll experience record-breaking architecture like Burj Khalifa, heritage quarters in Al Fahidi, a red-sand desert safari, and Abu Dhabi’s cultural crown jewels: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Expect excellent coffee culture, Michelin-noted kitchens, and low-key local institutions where shawarma, mandi, and fresh hammour steal the show.

Practical notes: summers are very hot (40°C+/104°F+), so prioritize mornings and evenings outdoors. Dress modestly for mosques (arms/legs covered; women cover hair), and check Ramadan dates as some dining hours adjust. Ride-sharing and taxis are plentiful; intercity buses are clean, cheap, and frequent.

Dubai

Dubai is a city of superlatives—home to Burj Khalifa, soaring hotels, and The Museum of the Future—yet its heart still beats around the Creek where dhows unload spices and textiles. You’ll thread both worlds: sunrise by the Gulf, art at Alserkal Avenue, and abra rides between old souks.

• Top sights: Burj Khalifa & Dubai Fountain, Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, Al Shindagha Museum (Perfume House), Dubai Frame, Jumeirah Beach, Palm Jumeirah’s The View at The Palm, Dubai Marina.
• Eat & drink highlights: Al Ustad Special Kebab (old-school Persian plates since 1978), Arabian Tea House (garden Emirati breakfasts), Bu Qtair (legendary plastic-chair seafood fry), Orfali Bros Bistro (creative Middle Eastern), Ravi Restaurant (Pakistani comfort), Nightjar Coffee (roastery vibes).
• Where to stay: For resorts and beaches, base around Jumeirah or the Palm; for shopping and skyscrapers, Downtown; for heritage ambience, Al Fahidi/Creek. Browse stays on VRBO Dubai or compare hotels on Hotels.com Dubai.
• How to arrive: Search multi-airline fares into DXB on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com; if you’re flying from Europe, you can also compare with Omio flights (Europe). A taxi from DXB to Downtown runs ~20–30 minutes, ~$15–25.

Day 1: Arrival, Creekside Heritage, and Emirati Flavors

Afternoon: Land in Dubai and settle into your hotel. Head to the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood for shaded lanes, wind towers, and cultural centers. Pause at Arabian Tea House for mint lemonade and a tray of regag (crispy Emirati bread) and balaleet (sweet vermicelli with egg)—a gentle, atmospheric first taste of the city.

Evening: Walk to Al Shindagha Museum’s Perfume House for an interactive dive into regional aromas—oud, frankincense, and rose—and how fragrances shaped Gulf trade. Cross Dubai Creek by abra (traditional boat; about AED 1) at sunset and wander the Spice and Gold Souks. Dinner at Al Ustad Special Kebab: order the yogurt-marinated kebab khameeri with saffron rice and tangy mast-o-khiar; the walls are a time capsule of old Dubai.

Day 2: Downtown Icons and Fountain Nights

Morning: Breakfast at The Sum of Us (house-roasted coffee, shakshuka, and flaky pastries). Ride up Burj Khalifa’s "At The Top" observation (book prime hours). Explore Dubai Mall beyond shopping—Dubai Aquarium’s tunnel and the kinetic Waterfall sculptural wall are worth a spin.

Afternoon: Walk to the Museum of the Future for a near-future sandbox of design and sustainability. Then head to Zabeel Park’s Dubai Frame for city-wide views—old Dubai to the north, new Dubai to the south—perfect for orientation photos.

Evening: Catch the Dubai Fountain shows by Burj Lake (from sunset, every 30 minutes). Dinner at Orfali Bros Bistro in Jumeirah: try the OB croissant, shish barak a la gyoza, and "Come With Me to Aleppo"—playful, polished, and a favorite of local chefs. Nightcap at Atmosphere Lounge (if you booked) or understated mixology at Galaxy Bar in DIFC.

Day 3: Old Dubai in Depth, Art, and Street Eats

Morning: Coffee at Nightjar in Alserkal Avenue (try their nitro or Ethiopian pour-over). Explore galleries and concept spaces across Alserkal’s warehouses, then taxi to Deira for a guided walk of the Creek’s trading alleys and heritage houses.

Afternoon: Visit the Al Shindagha districts (House of Poetry if schedules align). Lunch at Al Bait Al Qadeem (courtyard dining; machboos, salona, and luqaimat for dessert). Browse textile souks in Bur Dubai and pick up pashmina blends or embroidered abayas.

Evening: Casual dinner at Ravi Restaurant in Satwa—karahi, dal fry, and hot naan on stainless trays—or seafood at Bu Qtair near Umm Suqeim Fishing Harbor (order the catch-of-the-day fried with spiced rub, plus curry and paratha). Walk Jumeirah Beach for sea breeze views of Burj Al Arab.

Day 4: Red-Dune Desert Safari (All-Day)

Book a Lahbab red-dune safari with morning pickup (most tours 7–8 hours, ~$60–100 per person). Expect 4x4 dune bashing, sandboarding, optional camel rides, and sunset photos in copper light. Evening typically unfolds at a Bedouin-style camp with BBQ dinner, Arabic coffee, dates, and cultural performances; vegetarian options are common—confirm in advance. Bring a light scarf, sun protection, and a sweater for cooler desert nights in winter.

Day 5: Palm Jumeirah Views and Marina Nights

Morning: Breakfast at %Arabica in City Walk or Espresso Lab in Dubai Design District for minimalist coffee perfection. Head to The View at The Palm (Level 52) for aerial panoramas of the frond-shaped island and skyline.

Afternoon: Lunch at Ibn AlBahr in Club Vista Mare (Lebanese seafood; grilled octopus, sayadieh, and a table by the water). Option 1: Spend the afternoon at Aquaventure Waterpark and the Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis. Option 2: Beach time at West Beach or Kite Beach with boardwalk bikes and juice stands.

Evening: Sunset stroll along Dubai Marina and JBR’s The Walk, lined with street art and kiosks. Consider a dhow dinner cruise through the marina canals for skyline reflections. Alternatively, dine at SushiSamba (Palm Tower) for Nikkei flavors and citywide views, or 101 Dining Lounge at One&Only The Palm for chic seaside plates.

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital, pairs a calm, leafy rhythm with monumental architecture and serious arts credentials. White marble domes meet mangrove wetlands; museum galleries float beneath a patterned "rain of light" dome at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

• Top sights: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan (Presidential Palace), Corniche Beach, Yas Island (Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World), Jubail Mangrove Park.
• Food stops: Meylas (home-style Emirati), Al Fanar (heritage Emirati décor and classics), Joud Coffee (all-day café), Hakkasan (modern Cantonese at Emirates Palace), Almayass (Lebanese-Armenian).
• Stay here: Beachfront resorts along the Corniche or Saadiyat for calm and culture; Yas Island for theme parks. Browse VRBO Abu Dhabi or compare hotels on Hotels.com Abu Dhabi.
• Getting there from Dubai: Morning transfer by taxi or car (~1.5–2 hours; ~$70–100 each way), or intercity bus E101/E100 (~AED 25–35; 90–120 minutes). If you’re flying into or out of AUH, compare fares on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com; Europe-based travelers can also check Omio flights (Europe).

Day 6: Transfer to Abu Dhabi, Grand Mosque, and Louvre Abu Dhabi

Morning: Depart Dubai around 8:00–9:00 a.m. to reach Abu Dhabi by late morning. Check in and head to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque—gleaming white domes, floral marble inlay, and one of the world’s largest hand-knotted carpets. Dress code is strict; on-site abayas are available if needed.

Afternoon: Lunch at Meylas (try the chicken machboos, chebab pancakes with date syrup, and gahwa). Continue to Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island; the Jean Nouvel-designed dome scatters patterned light over galleries that connect civilizations—from Mesopotamia to modern masters.

Evening: If schedules align, visit Qasr Al Watan (Presidential Palace) for its grand halls and ornate library; check for the evening "Palace in Motion" light show on select nights. Dinner at Hakkasan in Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental (roast duck, truffle dim sum, black pepper beef) or Almayass at The Galleria (soujouk, manti, and smoky baba ghanoush).

Day 7: Mangroves or Yas Island Thrills, then Departure

Morning: Choose your finale: kayak the Eastern Mangroves/Jubail Mangrove Park at high tide (quiet channels with herons and crabs), or go full-throttle at Yas Island—Ferrari World (Formula Rossa coaster) or Warner Bros. World (indoor, family-friendly). Coffee and light bites at Joud Coffee (eggs with labneh, pistachio croissant) before you pack.

Afternoon: Depart from Abu Dhabi International (AUH) or return to Dubai if your flight leaves there. Plan 30–45 minutes to AUH from Saadiyat or Corniche, or ~1.5–2 hours back to Dubai. For airfare checks and last-minute changes, use Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Food & Coffee Shortlist (Save These)

• Emirati and Gulf flavors: Arabian Tea House (Al Fahidi), Al Fanar (both cities), Meylas (Abu Dhabi).
• Street-food classics: Al Ustad Special Kebab (Deira), Ravi Restaurant (Satwa), Al Mallah (shawarma, mtabbal, fresh juices).
• Seafood by the water: Bu Qtair (Umm Suqeim), Ibn AlBahr (Palm/Jumeirah Club Vista Mare).
• Modern kitchens: Orfali Bros Bistro (Jumeirah), Hakkasan (Emirates Palace), SushiSamba (Palm Tower).
• Coffee: Nightjar (Alserkal Avenue), The Sum of Us (Trade Center), RAW Coffee Company (Al Quoz), Joud Coffee (Abu Dhabi).

Wherever you stay, lock in lodging early during peak months (Nov–Mar) via VRBO Dubai, Hotels.com Dubai, VRBO Abu Dhabi, and Hotels.com Abu Dhabi. For flights, compare prices and timing on Trip.com, Kiwi.com, and (from Europe) Omio flights.

In seven days you’ll have sampled the UAE’s contrasts—old souks and new skylines, sea breezes and desert silence, museum domes and mosque courtyards. It’s a balanced itinerary with enough marquee sights to thrill first-timers and enough local flavor to satisfy repeat visitors.