Dubai grew from a pearl-diving port on Dubai Creek into a global city of glass, gold, and grand ideas. You’ll wander lanes where wind towers once cooled courtyard homes, then ride the world’s tallest elevator up the Burj Khalifa for sunset. That contrast—heritage beside hyper-modernity—is Dubai’s magic.

Expect year-round sunshine, smart infrastructure, and a food scene that ranges from Emirati home cooking to Michelin-lauded kitchens. October–April is prime season; summers are hot but manageable with early outings, pool time, and indoor attractions (hello, air-con paradise). Many nationalities receive visa-on-arrival; carry modest attire for mosques and heritage quarters.

Cashless payments are common, taxis and the Metro make getting around easy (grab a Nol card), and ride-hailing via Careem is reliable. The UAE weekend is Saturday–Sunday. During Ramadan, venues adjust hours; it’s a special time to visit if you’re mindful of local customs.

Dubai

Dubai’s headline sights stack up: the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall with its aquarium and nightly fountain show, the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, Dubai Marina’s yacht-lined canal, and the man-made marvel that is Palm Jumeirah. Sprinkle in desert dunes, art warehouses in Alserkal Avenue, and breezy beachfront cafés at JBR, and you’ve got a week that hums.

Getting there is straightforward. Search competitive fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. Nonstop times: London ~7 hours, New York ~12–14 hours, Singapore ~7 hours, Sydney ~14 hours. From DXB to Downtown, taxis take ~20 minutes (about 50–70 AED) or ride the Metro Red Line in ~25–30 minutes.

Where to stay? For views and value, Rove’s clean-lined rooms are ideal. Atlantis thrills families with Aquaventure on your doorstep. For a once-in-a-lifetime stay, the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab is hospitality theater. Compare broadly on Hotels.com (Dubai) or browse apartments on VRBO (Dubai).

• Specific picks: Rove Downtown Dubai (smart, central, great price), Atlantis, The Palm (Aquaventure access, dining galore), Burj Al Arab Jumeirah (iconic suites, private beach).

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

Afternoon: Land, check in, and shake off jet lag with a gentle stroll through the Dubai Mall’s vast atriums. Sip a cappuccino at The Espresso Lab (Dubai Mall) and look in on the Dubai Aquarium’s colossal tank from the mall concourse.

Evening: Time dinner with the dancing Dubai Fountain. Try Al Hallab for Lebanese mezze with Burj views, or Logma for Emirati Khaleeji staples like chicken machboos and saffron-laced lugaimat. Then go sky-high with timed-entry tickets for the city’s most famous view:

Burj Khalifa At The Top ticket with Optional Premium Access — sunset slots are gold. Expect seamless lifts, an open-air deck, and telescopes to spot the Palm and the glittering Sheikh Zayed Road.

Day 2: Old Dubai, Al Fahidi, and Creekside Evenings

Morning: Start at the Arabian Tea House in Al Fahidi for balaleet (sweet-salty vermicelli with egg) and mint lemonade. Join a small-group walk that threads through wind-tower houses, textile souks, and food tastings before an abra ride across the Creek:

Dubai Aladdin Tour: Souks, Creek, Old Dubai and Tastings — a storyteller-guide opens doors to spice, textile, and gold souks, plus Emirati snacks and coffee rituals.

Afternoon: Visit Al Shindagha Museum’s Perfume House for a sensorial slice of Gulf history. Lunch at Al Ustad Special Kebab (since 1978) for smoky kebabs and yogurt-dressed salads, or Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant for Emirati harees and regag bread.

Evening: Meander along Al Seef’s creekside promenade, where restored coral-stone buildings meet modern cafés. Dinner at Orfali Bros Bistro (Wasl 51) for creative Levantine plates from a chef-brother trio; book early. Nightcap with skyline views at CÉ LA VI atop Address Sky View.

Day 3: Beach Morning at JBR, Dubai Marina, and Harbor Eats

Morning: Head to JBR’s The Beach. Grab breakfast at Common Grounds (JBR) — Aussie-style coffee, green bowls, and excellent pastries — then swim or rent loungers.

Afternoon: Walk the Dubai Marina promenade past bobbing superyachts. For a casual seafood lunch, try the old-school favorite Bu Qtair at Jumeirah Fishing Harbour: order the catch-of-the-day, fried, with curry sauce and paratha. Coffee and chocolate tasting at Mirzam (Alserkal Avenue) if you’d like an art detour.

Evening: Dinner at 3Fils near the fishing harbor — much-loved for sushi, wagyu sando, and clever desserts. For drinks, choose Pure Sky Lounge (Hilton JBR) for coastal sunsets or Bla Bla’s open-air terrace for a livelier scene.

Day 4: Contemporary Culture in Alserkal Avenue + Red Dunes Desert

Morning: Explore Alserkal Avenue’s warehouses: Leila Heller Gallery, Ishara Art Foundation, and indie boutiques. Espresso at Nightjar Coffee, famous for nitro brews and playful all-day plates.

Afternoon: A light lunch at Wild & The Moon (plant-forward bowls and cold-pressed juices). Relax poolside back at your hotel — you’ll want energy for the dunes.

Evening: Get your adrenaline fix with quad biking, sandboarding, camel rides, and a starry-camp dinner:

Dubai Red Dunes ATV, Camels, Stargazing & 5* BBQ (Al Khayma Camp) — Lehbab’s crimson dunes glow at sunset, followed by tanoora dances, Arabic coffee, and a generous BBQ spread.

Day 5: Palm Jumeirah and Aquaventure Day

Morning: Make for Palm Jumeirah’s Atlantis complex. Power up with breakfast at Jones the Grocer (Palm West Beach) — flaky croissants, shakshuka, and ocean air.

Afternoon: All-day thrills on record-setting slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools. Families love the Splashers kids’ zones; thrill-seekers tackle the Leap of Faith.

Aquaventure World: Waterpark Day Pass (options include The Lost Chambers) — add the aquarium for ethereal jellyfish tunnels and “ruins” of a lost city.

Evening: Dinner by the water at Ibn AlBahr (Club Vista Mare) for charcoal-grilled prawns and Muhammara, or The Tap House (Palm West Beach) for gastropub comfort with toes-in-sand vibe.

Day 6: Design, DIFC Dining, and Night Arts

Morning: Begin at Dubai Design District (d3) for cafés, concept stores, and waterfront walks. Coffee at The Espresso Lab (d3 flagship) to sample single-origin pour-overs.

Afternoon: Glide to DIFC’s Gate Village, an art-and-dining hub. Lunch at Zuma (signature miso cod, soft-shell crab) or BB Social Dining (bao, bowls, bites with regional riffs). If you prefer futurism, swap in the Museum of the Future for mind-bending, multi-sensory galleries.

Evening: Book a romantic table at Pierchic (Al Qasr’s pier) — seabreeze, candles, and the Burj Al Arab off your shoulder. For a cultural night, check Dubai Opera’s calendar; otherwise, Mercury Lounge (Four Seasons) brings polished cocktails and creek-to-skyline views.

Day 7: Brunch, Last Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: Dubai does brunch beautifully. Try Brunch & Cake (Jumeirah) for photogenic plates that deliver on flavor — think pistachio French toast or eggs Benedict with a twist.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping in the Gold & Spice Souks (nab saffron, za’atar, and rosebuds) or at Souk Madinat Jumeirah for artisan gifts. Lunch at Ravi Restaurant (Satwa), a beloved, budget-friendly Pakistani spot famed for chicken tikka, daal, and paratha.

Evening: Depending on your flight, take a final abra glide at sunset on Dubai Creek. Head to DXB with time to spare; the Metro Red Line reaches Terminals 1 and 3, or a taxi/ride-hail is about 20–30 minutes from most central areas.

Practical Tips

• Transport: Buy a Nol card for Metro/trams/buses; taxis are plentiful and metered. Careem is the go-to ride-hailing app.
• Dress & customs: Shoulders/knees covered in mosques and heritage sites. During Ramadan, public eating/drinking is fine in designated areas; many restaurants remain open.
• Seasonality: Global Village and Miracle Garden are typically Oct–Apr. Book popular restaurants and sunset attractions in advance.

In a week, you’ll trace Dubai’s arc from coral-stone alleys to cloud-brushing decks, from spiced Creekside grills to refined tasting menus. Take the memories—and a little desert sand in your shoes—home with you.