Dubai is a city that rewrote what a skyline can be. In just a few decades, pearl-diving creeks gave way to supertall towers, man‑made islands, and Michelin-noted kitchens, all stitched together by spotless metros and sunlit highways. Yet beyond the glitz, you’ll find coral-stone wind towers in Al Fahidi, wooden abras plying the Creek, and the warm rituals of Arabic coffee and dates.

Come for engineering wonders like the Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah; stay for the desert’s rose-gold sunsets, heritage souks, and beach-to-brunch lifestyle. Families love waterparks and aquariums; culture seekers drift through museums and art districts; food travelers hop from Emirati flavors to Levantine grills and Japanese-Peruvian hits in a single evening.

Practical notes: winter (Nov–Mar) is mild; summers are very hot—plan indoor afternoons. Dress modestly in heritage areas and religious sites. The Metro is efficient; taxis and ride-hailing are plentiful. During Ramadan, be mindful of fasting hours and cultural etiquette. Tipping 10% is appreciated but not mandatory.

Dubai

Dubai is the United Arab Emirates’ most high-profile city, where innovation meets tradition. You’ll watch fountains dance at the foot of the world’s tallest building, then haggle for saffron across the Creek. From sunrise swims at JBR Beach to late-night views in DIFC, the city moves to a rhythm of possibility.

• Top sights: Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain, Dubai Mall, Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, Dubai Creek abras, Gold & Spice Souks, Museum of the Future, Jumeirah Mosque, Palm Jumeirah (Palm West Beach, The View at The Palm), Alserkal Avenue, Dubai Frame.
• Food & drink highlights: Emirati feasts, Levantine grills, South Asian street-food legends, Michelin-lauded tasting menus, and belt-loosening Saturday brunches.
• Getting around: Dubai Metro for main corridors; taxis for door-to-door convenience; abras for atmospheric Creek crossings.

Where to stay (handpicked and current):

• Iconic: Burj Al Arab Jumeirah (butler service and overwater terrace; best for a “once-in-a-lifetime” stay). Book via Hotels.com.
• Resort vibe: Atlantis, The Palm (Aquaventure access and celebrity dining; superb for families). Book via Hotels.com.
• Value in the heart of it: Rove Downtown (steps from Dubai Mall; bright, social, design-forward). Book via Hotels.com or Hotels.com.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com Dubai or apartment-style with VRBO Dubai.

Getting to Dubai (DXB): Compare flights on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop durations: London–DXB ~7 hours; Singapore–DXB ~7 hours; New York–DXB ~12–14 hours. From DXB, taxis to Downtown take ~20–30 minutes (approx AED 50–80); the Red Line Metro from Terminals 1/3 to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station takes ~35–45 minutes (fares from ~AED 6–9 with a Nol card).

Day 1: Arrival, Dubai Mall, and Sunset at the Burj Khalifa

Afternoon: Land, check into your hotel, and shake off jet lag with an easy wander through Dubai Mall—more than shops, it’s an indoor city with the Dubai Aquarium viewing panel, art installations, and a waterfall. Grab a quick pick‑me‑up at % Arabica or The Espresso Lab inside the mall.

Evening: Time your ascent for golden hour at the world’s tallest building. Book Burj Khalifa At The Top tickets (124/125 floors; optional 148 for lounge access) to watch the city glow, then step outside for the Dubai Fountain shows every evening.

Dinner: For views and variety, try Time Out Market Dubai (Souk Al Bahar) with stalls like Vietnamese Foodies and Reif Kushiyaki’s skewers. Prefer a sit‑down? Al Hallab serves excellent Lebanese grills and mezze with fountain views; or book CÉ LA VI for pan‑Asian plates and skyline drama.

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

Morning: Begin in Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood’s wind‑tower lanes. Breakfast in the shaded courtyard at Arabian Tea House—order regag bread with cheese and honey, balaleet (sweet vermicelli with egg), and mint lemonade. Visit the Coffee Museum and pop into art studios.

Afternoon: Ride a wooden abra (AED 1) across the Creek to Deira. Wander the Spice Souk (look for saffron, za’atar, dried limes) and the Gold Souk’s window-bending displays. If you prefer a guided deep‑dive with tastings and history, join the Dubai Aladdin Tour: Souks, Creek, Old Dubai and Tastings for stories you won’t find on signboards.

Evening: Dine creekside at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant (traditional mandi, lamb ouzi, luqaimat) or Al Bait Al Qadeem (heritage villa, Emirati and Khaleeji dishes). If you’re still exploring, stroll Al Seef’s wooden promenades for gelato and dhow views.

Local lunch gems: Al Ustad Special Kebab (since 1978; melt‑in‑your‑mouth kebabs) or Ravi Restaurant in Satwa (Pakistani curries, naan straight from the tandoor).

Day 3: Jumeirah Coastline and Palm Jumeirah

Morning: Join the Jumeirah Mosque tour (modest dress; women offered abayas if needed) for context on local culture. Coffee at The Sum of Us or Nightjar’s cold brew if you’re heading to Al Quoz first.

Afternoon: Make for Palm Jumeirah. Ride the monorail to The Palm Tower’s “The View at The Palm” for a perfect aerial of the fronds. Beach time at Palm West Beach—calm water, showers, shaded promenades.

Evening: Seafood lovers: Ibn Al Bahr (Lebanese fisherman's fare; pick your catch) or 101 Dining Lounge at One&Only The Palm for Mediterranean plates over the water. Sushi fans can book Nobu at Atlantis. For a more casual classic, Bu Qtair by the fishing harbor serves spiced fried fish and prawns on plastic tables—pure Dubai soul.

Lunch options: 3 Fils (harborfront; wagyu tataki, dragon rolls), or Jones the Grocer at Palm West Beach for salads and burgers with toes‑in‑the‑sand vibes.

Day 4: Beach Morning, Desert Evening

Morning: Easy start at JBR Beach; rent loungers or just stroll The Walk for street art and juice bars. Breakfast at Common Grounds (sourdough toasts, acai bowls) or Eggspectation (benedicts, crepes) overlooking the water.

Afternoon + Night: Head into the dunes for falconry, Bedouin culture, and a conservation‑minded desert camp. The Dubai: Heritage Desert Safari in Vintage Land Rover with Dinner pairs wildlife drives in 1950s Land Rovers with cultural demonstrations and a multi‑course dinner under the stars.

Tip: Pack a light layer; desert nights can be breezy in winter. Many camps include transfers (45–60 minutes each way).

Day 5: Future, Frames, and DIFC Dining

Morning: Explore the Museum of the Future’s immersive floors (time‑slot tickets recommended) to experience speculative tech through storytelling and design. Coffee at The Espresso Lab in the nearby financial district or at The Sum of Us on Trade Centre Street.

Afternoon: Head to Zabeel Park for the Dubai Frame—an architectural “portal” with glass floors and views of old vs. new Dubai. Art lovers detour to Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz for galleries, indie cinemas, and Nightjar’s pastries.

Evening: Dress up for DIFC. Options include Zuma (Japanese izakaya style and a legendary miso black cod), LPM Restaurant & Bar (Niçoise classics; art‑filled room), or GAIA (elegant Greek). For a nightcap, Galaxy Bar (dim-lit, award‑winning cocktails) or Clap’s rooftop beats and views.

Lunch ideas: Wild & The Moon (plant-forward bowls) or Orfali Bros Bistro (inventive Middle Eastern plates; book ahead).

Day 6: Marina Skyscrapers and the Sea

Morning: See the skyline from the water on a shared yacht experience. The Dubai Marina Luxury Yacht Tour includes commentary as you pass Marina towers, the Burj Al Arab, and the Palm crescent; choose a breakfast or BBQ time slot.

Afternoon: Linger at JBR or Bluewaters Island for promenades and seaside cafés (note: the Ain Dubai observation wheel is currently not operating, but the boardwalk views are lovely). If you prefer splashy fun, swap in a day at Aquaventure Waterpark on the Palm.

Evening: Dinner at Alici (Amalfi seafood, crudo, lemony pastas) or Mythos (casual Greek, fantastic souvlaki) in JLT. For relaxed vibes, The Selfish Bull on Bluewaters serves steaks and seafood with waterfront tables.

Breakfast/lunch options: Jones the Grocer (Marina branch) for eggs and specialty coffee; or Baker’s Kitchen for German‑leaning breads, pretzels, and wholesome plates.

Day 7: Souk Madinat, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Check out and store luggage. Brunch & Cake (Jumeirah) does photogenic plates that taste as good as they look—think Spanish lattes, truffle-scrambled eggs, and towering cakes. Then browse Souk Madinat Jumeirah’s lantern‑lit arcades for souvenirs.

Afternoon: Take a final abra on Madinat’s canals with postcard views of the Burj Al Arab. Lunch at Pai Thai (Thai classics reached by boat) or Al Nafoorah (refined Lebanese, outstanding mixed grill). Aim for DXB 3 hours before an international flight—taxis from Jumeirah take ~25–35 minutes depending on traffic.

Evening: If your flight is later, unwind with a spa hour near your hotel or a last coffee at Common Grounds Downtown before heading to the airport.

Optional Add‑On: Abu Dhabi Day Trip (Culture Heavyweight)

If you have extra time, consider a guided day trip to Abu Dhabi for the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque’s marble inlay and Qasr Al Watan’s palace halls, plus the Etihad Towers Observation Deck. A convenient option is Dubai To Abu Dhabi: Grand Mosque, Royal Palace & Etihad Tower (hotel pickup available).

Booking & Logistics Quick Links

• Flights: Trip.com | Kiwi.com
• Hotels: Hotels.com Dubai | Apartments: VRBO Dubai
• Flagship stays: Burj Al Arab Jumeirah | Atlantis, The Palm | Rove Downtown

Dubai rewards curiosity: one moment you’re on a yacht tracing the Marina; the next, you’re drinking saffron tea in a shaded courtyard older than the skyscrapers surrounding it. Across seven days, you’ll touch the city’s extremes—steel and sand, spice and surf—and fly home with a memory card full of sunsets and the taste of cardamom lingering on your tongue.