Dubai began as a small fishing and pearling village around the Dubai Creek, then rocketed into global fame after oil discovery in the 1960s and an audacious pivot to trade, tourism, and innovation. Today it’s a city of superlatives—home to the world’s tallest building, man‑made islands, and some of the Gulf’s most compelling museums and design districts.

What dazzles most is the contrast: wind‑tower lanes in Al Fahidi shadowed by glass towers on Sheikh Zayed Road; fragrant spice souks a taxi ride from pristine beaches and serene desert dunes. Between early‑morning flat whites and late‑night shawarma, you’ll find a city that welcomes first‑timers and rewards repeat visits.

Practical notes: Dress modestly in historic neighborhoods and religious sites; during Ramadan, daytime eating in public is restricted and many venues adjust hours. Hydrate constantly, especially May–September. Taxis are plentiful, the Metro is clean and reliable, and card payments are standard almost everywhere.

Dubai

Dubai is a playground of architecture, culture, and coast: the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain, Al Fahidi Historic Neighborhood, Deira’s Gold and Spice Souks, the Museum of the Future, Dubai Marina, and the beaches of JBR and Palm Jumeirah. It’s also a serious food city—from old‑school kebab houses to Michelin‑lauded kitchens.

Top experiences this week include a premium desert safari under the stars, a luxury yacht cruise past the skyline, an Old Dubai day of abras and souks, and a guided Abu Dhabi excursion to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Qasr Al Watan.

Where to stay (handpicked):

• Iconic splurge: Burj Al Arab Jumeirah — the sail‑shaped landmark with duplex suites and private beach. Book via Hotels.com.
• Resort for families: Atlantis, The Palm — epic pools, aquarium access, and waterpark thrills. Book via Hotels.com.
• Design + value near Burj Khalifa: Rove Downtown — smart rooms, a pool, and great location. Book via Hotels.com or this Rove Downtown listing.
• Prefer an apartment? Browse verified stays on VRBO Dubai or hotels on Hotels.com Dubai.

Getting to Dubai (DXB): Search competitive fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: London 6h55m; Paris 6h45m; Singapore 7h; New York 12–14h; Sydney 13–14h (via). From DXB, the Metro to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall is ~25 minutes (around AED 6–10), taxis to Downtown are ~15–20 minutes (AED 45–70).

Day 1 — Arrival, Downtown Dubai, and Burj Khalifa

Morning: In transit. Hydrate on your flight and download an offline map. On arrival, clear immigration (DXB is efficient) and pick up a local SIM or eSIM at the terminal.

Afternoon: Check in and get your bearings at Dubai Mall—an air‑conditioned city within a city. For a casual late lunch, try Din Tai Fung (dim sum and xiao long bao), or Al Hallab for Lebanese grills with fountain views. Coffee options include % Arabica and Home Bakery for a sweet date‑pulling “chewy melt.”

Evening: Time your ascent for sunset with Burj Khalifa At The Top tickets (Level 124/125; premium access adds Level 148). Expect AED ~179–399 depending on level and time slot.

After, watch the Dubai Fountain shows (evenings every 30 minutes). Dinner nearby: CÉ LA VI (rooftop Asian plates and skyline views) or Time Out Market for curated local favorites under one roof. Nightcap at Level 43 Sky Lounge for highway‑ribbon panoramas.

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

Morning: Start in Al Fahidi Historic Neighborhood—lanes of coral‑stone houses and wind towers. Breakfast at Arabian Tea House (traditional Emirati breads, luqaimat, and mint‑lime juice) or XVA Café for light mezze in an artsy courtyard. Visit the Coffee Museum if you’re a bean nerd, then walk to the Creek.

Afternoon: Hop an abra (AED 1) to Deira. Wander the Spice Souk’s cardamom and saffron stalls, then the Gold Souk’s dazzling window displays. For lunch, Al Ustad Special Kebab (since 1978) plates juicy koobideh and yogurt dips; or head to Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant for slow‑cooked lamb and regag bread in a heritage house.

Evening: Stroll Al Seef, where wooden dhow silhouettes meet modern boutiques. Dinner picks: Al Fanar (Emirati classics like machboos and harees), or Logma (Khaleeji comfort foods and karak chai). For dessert, try the pistachio‑topped kunafa at Firas Sweets in Deira.

Day 3 — Beach Morning and Premium Desert Safari Night

Morning: Ease in at Kite Beach. Grab flat whites and poached eggs at The Sum of Us (nearby) or pancakes at Brunch & Cake Jumeirah. Rent a bike for the coastal path or simply swim with Burj Al Arab on the horizon.

Afternoon: Pool downtime. Light lunch at SALT (beach‑side wagyu sliders and lotus shakes) or Comptoir 102 (clean‑eating bowls in a chic concept store). Hydrate and pack a light scarf for the desert breeze.

Evening: Get collected for the Dubai Red Dunes ATV, Camels, Stargazing & 5* BBQ at Al Khayma Camp—a guest‑favorite evening with dune bashing, optional quad biking, sandboarding, and a lavish BBQ with performances. Expect AED ~250–450 depending on inclusions.

Day 4 — Full‑Day Abu Dhabi Highlights (Guided)

Join a curated capital excursion: Dubai To Abu Dhabi: Grand Mosque, Royal Palace & Etihad Tower. The day typically covers the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (dress modestly; women require hair covering), the palatial Qasr Al Watan, and Etihad Towers’ observation deck. It’s ~90 minutes each way; tours run ~9–10 hours and cost around AED 350–500 depending on options. Many include a stop along the Corniche; if meals aren’t included, ask your guide for a shawarma or mandi recommendation.

Day 5 — Dubai Marina, JBR Beach, and a Skyline Yacht Cruise

Morning: Walk Dubai Marina’s promenade as yachts glide by. Breakfast at Common Grounds JBR (excellent avocado toast and cold brew) or Baker & Spice for flaky pastries. If you want sand, JBR Beach is steps away with rentable loungers and clear water.

Afternoon: Head to Palm Jumeirah’s West Beach for calm swimming and skyline views. Casual lunch at Aprons & Hammers (seafood buckets) or The Lighthouse for Mediterranean plates. Optional: pop to “The View at The Palm” for a 240‑meter panorama of the frond‑shaped island.

Evening: See the city from the water on the Dubai Harbour Luxury Yacht Tour with BBQ options (AED ~180–350; day or sunset departures). You’ll cruise past the Marina skyline, Bluewaters, and Atlantis.

Post‑cruise dinner: Pier 7’s Asia Asia (pan‑Asian tasting menus with Marina views) or Cargo for a casual bite and good music.

Day 6 — Art, Design, and Modern Icons

Morning: Explore Alserkal Avenue, Dubai’s creative hub in Al Quoz. Grab specialty coffee at Nightjar and hop between contemporary galleries and concept stores. If you like plant‑forward plates, Wild & The Moon is a breezy stop.

Afternoon: Head to the Museum of the Future—its torus form inscribed with calligraphy is as striking inside as out. Lunch options nearby: Orfali Bros Bistro (inventive, award‑winning small plates; book ahead) or 3 Fils at Jumeirah Fishing Harbour (wood‑fired seafood, wagyu sando, and a cult chocolate cake).

Evening: Sunset at Souk Madinat Jumeirah’s canals with postcard views of Burj Al Arab. For dinner, choose Bu Qtair (legendary fry‑fish and prawns by the fishing harbour; rustic and delicious) or Zheng He’s for refined Chinese by the water. Drinks with vistas at The Penthouse (FIVE Palm) or return to Level 43 for city‑light theatrics.

Day 7 — Brunch, Last‑Minute Shopping, and Departure

Morning: Dubai does brunch beautifully. Consider The Maine Oyster Bar & Grill (JBR) for seafood platters and steaks, or LPM Restaurant & Bar for Mediterranean classics if you want something upscale and leisurely. Prefer local? Ravi Restaurant (Satwa) is a beloved, budget‑friendly Pakistani spot—order the chicken tikka and dal fry with fresh naan.

Afternoon: Last‑minute shopping at Dubai Mall (artisan finds at Souk Al Bahar) or City Walk for quirky gifts. Head to DXB about 3 hours pre‑flight; taxis from Downtown are ~AED 45–70, Metro is dependable if luggage is manageable.

Evening: Wheels up—ma’a salama! If you have a red‑eye, snack on a final karak chai or pistachio ice cream before boarding.

Local transport tips: The Metro’s Red Line connects DXB to Downtown, Marina, and Expo City; buy a Nol card and tap in/out. Taxis and ride‑hail are abundant; most trips inside central Dubai cost AED 25–60. For beaches, mornings are calmer; for outdoor sights, aim for early or after 4 pm in warmer months.

Alternate or add‑on activities (if you swap a day): If you skipped Day 3’s evening, you can still catch a top‑rated evening tour like the Dubai Premium Red Dunes Safari, Camels & 5* BBQ for golden‑hour dunes and camp ambiance.

Booking pointers: Lock in Burj Khalifa time slots a few days ahead, especially for sunset. Desert safaris and yacht tours often include hotel pick‑up; confirm your location. For flexible airfares, compare prices and routes on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com. For stays, compare neighborhoods and amenities on Hotels.com Dubai and VRBO Dubai.

In seven days you’ll trace Dubai’s arc from creekside alleys to cloud‑brushing towers and starry dunes. The mix of heritage, sea, and skyline—seasoned with excellent food—makes this city a powerful repeat‑visit contender.