Dubai rose from pearl-diving waterside settlements into a global city where minarets and megastructures share the skyline. The city’s story flows along Dubai Creek—from the wind towers of Al Fahidi to abras ferrying commuters—and crests in futuristic icons like the Museum of the Future and the world’s tallest tower.

Beyond the headlines, Dubai is a city of neighborhoods: the café-lined alleys of Alserkal Avenue, the beach scene at JBR, the glittering promenades of Downtown, and the food-crazy lanes of Satwa. Expect warm hospitality, fragrant Emirati dishes, and a mix of cultures you can taste at every table.

Practical notes: The UAE weekend is Saturday–Sunday. Dress modestly in historic areas and religious sites, and plan for heat (Nov–Mar is peak season; summers are very hot). Many nationalities receive a visa on arrival—always check current rules before you fly. Taxis and the Metro are reliable; a Nol card makes fare payments easy.

Dubai

Welcome to the United Arab Emirates’ most dynamic city—a place where dhow builders and Michelin-starred chefs ply their crafts a few miles apart. In a week, you’ll sip Arabic coffee in a courtyard shaded by wind towers, watch the Dubai Fountain dance beneath Burj Khalifa, and carve tracks through copper-red dunes at sunset.

• Top sights: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Fountain, Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, Dubai Creek abras, Jumeirah Mosque, Museum of the Future, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah “The View.”
• Best bites: Emirati classics at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant; shawarma at Al Mallah (Satwa); fresh fried fish at Bu Qtair (Umm Suqeim); modern Dubai at Orfali Bros Bistro and 3 Fils.
• Fun facts: Dubai’s earliest settlements date to the 1800s; oil was discovered in 1966, but today tourism, trade, and aviation drive the economy. The Dubai Metro’s Red Line tracks much of your sightseeing corridor.

Where to stay

• Burj Al Arab Jumeirah — an icon on its own island with palatial suites and private beach access.
• Atlantis, The Palm — destination resort with Aquaventure waterpark and celebrity-chef dining.
• Rove Downtown Dubai — smart, design-forward value steps from Dubai Mall and the Burj.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com Dubai | Apartments & villas: VRBO Dubai

Getting there & around

• Flights: Compare fares to DXB with Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstops: 6–8 hrs from Europe, 3–4 hrs from India, 14–16 hrs from US West Coast (often 1 stop).
• Airport to city: Metro Red Line from DXB T1/T3 to Downtown (~20–30 min), or taxi (~20–30 min; ~50–80 AED depending on traffic).
• Local transport: Nol card works on Metro, tram, buses, and abras. Taxis are plentiful; apps like Careem are widely used.

Day 1 — Downtown Dubai Icons: Arrival, Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa Sunset

Morning: In transit. If you land early, drop bags and stretch your legs with an easy walk by Burj Lake to get your bearings.

Afternoon: Arrive and check in near Downtown. Refuel at % Arabica (Dubai Mall) for single-origin espresso, then wander the Dubai Mall’s Dubai Aquarium tunnel windows and Souk Al Bahar bridge for Burj views. Keep your evening flexible for golden hour.

Evening: Time your ascent for sunset with Burj Khalifa At The Top tickets (124/125 or 148)—the city glows from above as the desert fades to violet.

After the show, watch Dubai Fountain performances (every 30 minutes from evening). Dinner at Souk Al Bahar: try Time Out Market Dubai for variety, or book CÉ LA VI at Address Sky View for a sky-high terrace and modern Asian plates.

Day 2 — Old Dubai: Al Fahidi, Creek Abras, Spice & Gold Souks

Morning: Start in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood. Explore the Coffee Museum and the courtyard art spaces, then join a cultural meal or walking talk at Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU; book ahead). Breakfast at Arabian Tea House—khameer bread, labneh, and minty tea beneath bougainvillea.

Afternoon: Walk to Dubai Creek and hop an abra (traditional boat) from Bur Dubai to Deira (1 AED, 5 minutes). Browse the Spice Souk’s saffron and rosebuds, then the Gold Souk’s dazzling corridors. Lunch at Al Ustad Special Kebab (since 1978) for juicy kebabs and yogurt-marinated meats, or Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant in Al Seef for machboos and luqaimat.

Evening: Sunset on the Creek promenade, then head to Satwa for Al Mallah—shawarma carved to order and fresh manakish with za’atar. If you fancy a nightcap, the rooftop at folly (Madinat Jumeirah) offers breezy canal views and inventive small plates.

Day 3 — Palm Jumeirah, JBR Beach & a Dubai Marina Yacht

Morning: Beach time. Choose Kite Beach for a laid-back shoreline and running track, or JBR Beach for loungers and cafés. Breakfast at Biker’s Café (Jumeirah) for Emirati regag crepes, or Common Grounds (JBR) for cold brew and wholesome bowls.

Afternoon: Monorail to The Palm’s Nakheel Mall and ascend The View at The Palm for a 240-meter panorama of the frond-shaped island. Late lunch at 3 Fils (Jumeirah Fishing Harbour; book ahead) for wagyu & tuna, or Reif Kushiyaki (Dar Wasl) for inventive Japanese-leaning comfort food.

Evening: Sail past skyline greats on the Dubai Marina Yacht Tour (shared) with optional breakfast or BBQ—excellent value and photos galore of the Palm and Atlantis.

Post-cruise dinner on The Walk at JBR—pick Aprons & Hammers Beach House for hands-on seafood or Sukoon for Middle Eastern mezze and shisha by the sea.

Day 4 — Future & Arts: Museum of the Future, DIFC Dining, Alserkal Avenue

Morning: Visit the Museum of the Future (book timed tickets in advance). The torus-shaped building’s Arabic calligraphy glints in the sun; inside, immersive exhibits imagine sustainability, space, and wellness 50 years ahead. Coffee at The Sum of Us (near Trade Center) for house-roasted beans and flaky viennoiserie.

Afternoon: Wander DIFC’s Gate Village galleries. Lunch picks: LPM Restaurant & Bar for Riviera classics (the warm prawns are a staple), Zuma for power-lunch sushi & robata, or BB Social Dining for playful Middle East–meets–Asia plates. Then head to Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz to browse contemporary art spaces; grab a cold brew at Nightjar or karak at Project Chaiwala.

Evening: Dubai Opera often hosts ballet, classical, and touring productions—check schedules. For dinner, Orfali Bros Bistro (Wasl 51) blends Syrian roots with Dubai flair; finish with their famous “AKSER.” If you prefer waterfront, Jetty Lounge at One&Only Royal Mirage offers sundowners with the surf as soundtrack.

Day 5 — Ski Slopes, Jumeirah Mosque & Red-Dunes Desert Safari

Morning: Pick your thrill: hit Ski Dubai (Mall of the Emirates) for indoor slopes and penguin encounters, or decompress at a beach club. Breakfast at Tom&Serg (Al Quoz)—a Dubai café pioneer known for sourdough, shakshuka, and bright salads.

Afternoon: Take the guided Jumeirah Mosque visit (non-Muslim visitors welcome; modest dress required; check times) to learn about Islamic culture. Light lunch at Bu Qtair (Umm Suqeim): choose your fish by the kilo, fried and dusted with spices, with curry and paratha on the side.

Evening: Head out on a premium red-dunes safari with camel rides and a 5-star BBQ at Al Khayma camp: Dubai Premium Red Dunes Safari, Camels & BBQ.

Expect 4x4 dune bashing, sandboarding, and stargazing; return to the city after dinner and live performances.

Day 6 — Full-Day Abu Dhabi from Dubai (Day Trip)

Take a curated, comfortable day tour to the UAE capital with From Dubai: Abu Dhabi Premium Full-Day Sightseeing Tour, covering Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque’s marble domes, Qasr Al Watan’s palatial halls, and skyline viewpoints.

Dress modestly for the mosque (ankles/wrists covered; women cover hair). Expect a 10–12 hour day with hotel pickup. Back in Dubai, keep dinner easy: Ravi Restaurant (Satwa) for Pakistani curry and tandoori roti, or Sikka Café (City Walk) for Emirati-meets-Indian-Persian comfort food.

Day 7 — Morning Markets, Flamingos & Farewell

Morning: If visiting in the cooler months (roughly Nov–Apr), stroll Dubai Miracle Garden’s floral sculptures early. Otherwise, head to Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary to spot flamingos from shaded hides. Brunch at Bystro (Al Safa) for ricotta pancakes and avocado toast, or Lana Lusa (Wasl 51) for Portuguese pastel de nata warm from the oven.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping at City Walk or Souk Madinat Jumeirah’s waterways and wind towers. Pack up and transfer to the airport; aim to arrive 3 hours before international flights. If you need a shower pre-flight, many hotels can arrange late checkout or spa access.

Evening: Wheels up. If you have a late departure, a relaxed farewell dinner at Al Nafoorah (Emirati & Lebanese classics) or Logma (Khaleeji comfort food) sends you off with flavors you’ll crave later.

Practical Eating & Coffee Shortlist

• Emirati & Gulf: Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant (Old Dubai), Al Fanar (Emirati classics), Logma (Khaleeji).
• Seafood: Bu Qtair (no-frills, incredibly fresh), Aprons & Hammers (fun, family-friendly).
• Modern Dubai: Orfali Bros Bistro, 3 Fils, Reif Kushiyaki.
• Old-school favorites: Al Ustad Special Kebab, Al Mallah.
• Cafés: The Sum of Us, Tom&Serg, Nightjar, % Arabica.

Optional Add-Ons

Have extra energy? Consider a helicopter ride above the Palm for bucket-list photos, a dhow dinner cruise on Dubai Creek for a gentle evening, or a guided foodie walk through Old Dubai’s backstreets. Note: Ain Dubai (the giant wheel) remains closed; Bluewaters Island still makes for a pleasant dining stroll.

Booking Essentials at a Glance

• Flights: Trip.com | Kiwi.com
• Hotels: Rove Downtown Dubai, Atlantis, The Palm, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, or browse Hotels.com Dubai and VRBO Dubai.
• Featured experiences: Burj Khalifa At The Top, Dubai Marina yacht, premium desert safari, Abu Dhabi day trip (see days above for direct booking links).

Another way to see the skyline: Swap the shared yacht for the Dubai Harbour Superyacht Experience if you want an elevated onboard service and live DJ vibes.

Enjoy your 7-day Dubai journey—from the hush of desert dunes to the choreography of fountains and the crackle of spice markets. This itinerary balances headline sights with neighborhood gems so every day feels distinct—and delicious.