Welcome to the United Arab Emirates, where centuries-old trade routes meet audacious modern design. In Dubai, traditional abras glide across the creek a few miles from the world’s tallest tower, while in Abu Dhabi, a dazzling white mosque and island museums make art and spirituality feel inseparable.

The UAE’s story arcs from pearling villages to petroleum wealth to a diversified, innovation-driven economy. That arc is visible in living neighborhoods like Al Fahidi Historical District, in architectural icons such as the Museum of the Future, and in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat cultural district—home to Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Food is half the fun: smoky kebabs at a 1970s grill in Bur Dubai, Emirati spiced rice and fish in a heritage setting, Levantine grills with sea views, and specialty coffee that rivals any global capital. Dress modestly for mosques, check attraction hours (Louvre Abu Dhabi is usually closed Monday), and note cultural norms during Ramadan. Fly into Dubai or Abu Dhabi—both are top aviation hubs—with abundant connections worldwide.

Dubai

Dubai is a city of superlatives and contrasts: gold traders bargain in Deira’s souks while surfers catch a sunrise swell near JBR. Start in Old Dubai to understand the creek that birthed the city; then move west for head-spinning panoramas over Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountain, and futuristic museums.

Top sights include Burj Khalifa’s At The Top observation decks, the Dubai Fountain show, Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, Museum of the Future, Alserkal Avenue’s galleries, and a sunset dhow cruise. Save an afternoon for a desert safari—dune bashing, camel rides, and a barbeque under the stars.

Getting there: Search global flights into DXB or DWC on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Typical times: London–Dubai ~7 hours, Singapore–Dubai ~7.5 hours, Mumbai–Dubai ~3 hours, New York–Dubai ~12–14 hours.

Where to stay: For Marina/Beach vibes (walkable dining, yacht views), Downtown (near Burj Khalifa), or Creekside heritage. Browse stays on VRBO Dubai or compare hotels on Hotels.com Dubai.

Day 1: Arrive, Dubai Marina Stroll, Sunset on the Water

Afternoon: Arrive in Dubai. Drop bags and shake off jet lag with an easy loop around Dubai Marina and JBR The Beach. Grab a specialty coffee at Nightjar’s kiosk near the Marina or % Arabica at The Beach—perfect people-watching fuel.

Evening: Take a 1.5–2-hour dhow dinner cruise from Dubai Marina for skyline views (expect ~$40–70). Prefer land? Book a window table at Asia Asia or Mama Zonia in Pier 7 for elevated marina panoramas; casual option: Cargo for pan-Asian plates and cocktails.

Night: Walk the canal boardwalk to Bluewaters Island for a photo of the illuminated skyline. The giant wheel remains closed; focus on the waterfront promenade and dessert at The London Project’s patisserie corner.

Day 2: Old Dubai, Souks, and Museum of the Future

Morning: Dive into Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood’s sikkas (lanes). Start at Arabian Tea House for Emirati breakfast (regag bread, balaleet sweet vermicelli) in a courtyard shaded by bougainvillea. Pop into the Coffee Museum and XVA Gallery, then ride a traditional abra across the creek (coins ready; ~AED 1) to Deira.

Afternoon: Wander the Spice and Gold Souks—saffron, frankincense, and glittering shop windows—then taxi or Metro to the Museum of the Future. Its torus-shaped façade is inscribed with Arabic calligraphy; inside, the exhibits imagine near-future sustainability and space tech (book timed tickets; ~AED 149).

Evening: Head Downtown. Early dinner at Al Ustad Special Kebab (since 1978; juicy koobideh, yogurt-marinated chicken) or modern Levantine at Orfali Bros (award-winning bistro in Wasl 51). Time a Burj Khalifa At The Top visit for golden-hour views (124/125 floors; from ~AED 169–259) and watch the Dubai Fountain shows every 30 minutes after sunset.

Day 3: Beach Morning and Desert Safari Night

Morning: Choose a seaside start at JBR or Kite Beach; rent a lounger and swim, or walk to açaí bowls and eggs at Common Grounds (JBR) or brunch classics at Bystro (Al Manara). Coffee nerds: Espresso Lab in Dubai Design District pulls meticulous single-origin shots.

Afternoon: Free time for the Dubai Frame (panoramic sky bridge connecting “Old” and “New” Dubai), or head to Alserkal Avenue for indie galleries, Mirzam chocolate tastings, and roastery cafés. Light lunch at Wild & The Moon (plant-forward) or Nightjar (sourdough sandos).

Evening: Desert safari pickup ~3:00 p.m. Expect 4x4 dune bashing, camel rides, sandboarding, and a grill dinner with dance performances (standard ~AED 150–350; upgrade for private tent or star-gazing). Back late evening; hydrate well.

Day 4: Transfer to Abu Dhabi, Grand Mosque, and Palace Views

Morning: Travel Dubai to Abu Dhabi. By intercity bus E100/E101 it’s ~1.5–2 hours, ~AED 25; private transfer/taxi ~1.5 hours. Depart after breakfast to maximize your day. No need to fly or train.

Afternoon: Check in, then visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Dress modestly (ankles, shoulders; women bring a scarf), and time your visit for late afternoon when marble glows gold. Continue to Qasr Al Watan (Presidential Palace) for intricate halls and gardens; stay for the evening “Palace in Motion” light show when available.

Evening: Dine Emirati-style at Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe (machboos, jesheed shark if available, and luqaimat drizzled with date syrup) or Lebanese grills at Byblos Sur Mer overlooking the marina. Nightcap with skyline views at Observation Deck at 300 (Etihad Towers).

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi moves at a calmer rhythm: monumental architecture set amid mangroves and islands. Saadiyat is evolving into a global cultural district, while Yas Island delivers theme-park adrenaline—from record-breaking coasters to a new next‑gen aquarium.

Highlights include Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan, the Corniche, Saadiyat’s beaches, and Yas Island’s Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. Food is excellent—think Levantine mezze, Iranian grills, and refined Japanese on Al Maryah Island.

Where to stay: Consider Saadiyat (beach + culture), Al Maryah (dining at The Galleria), or Yas Island (theme parks and nightlife). Browse VRBO Abu Dhabi or compare hotels on Hotels.com Abu Dhabi.

Day 5: Louvre Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Beach

Morning: Louvre Abu Dhabi pairs masterpieces (from ancient artifacts to modern art) with Jean Nouvel’s “rain of light” dome. Arrive at opening for quieter galleries; tickets ~AED 63. Coffee at the museum café overlooking tranquil waters.

Afternoon: Beach time on Saadiyat’s creamy sands. Book a day pass at Saadiyat Beach Club for a pool + beach setup, or use the public beach (note seasonal lifeguard hours). Late lunch at Aptitude Cafe near the museum or Raclette Brasserie on Mamsha Al Saadiyat.

Evening: Head to Al Maryah Island’s The Galleria for dinner: Zuma for contemporary Japanese (book ahead), 99 Sushi Bar for precision nigiri, or LPM Restaurant & Bar for Riviera classics. Stroll the waterfront promenade after.

Day 6: Yas Island Thrills

Morning: Choose your adventure: Ferrari World for high-speed coasters (Formula Rossa), Warner Bros. World for family-friendly themed lands, or SeaWorld Abu Dhabi for immersive marine realms (colossal wraparound habitats). Tickets often bundle; plan 4–6 hours.

Afternoon: Continue park time or detour to Yas Mall for lunch—check Al Fanar (Emirati), Din Tai Fung (dumplings), or P.F. Chang’s for crowd-pleasers. If you prefer culture, visit the Founder’s Memorial back in the city for a contemplative art-meets-history stop.

Evening: Sunset on Yas Bay Waterfront: dine at Asia Asia Yas Bay (pan-Asian with marina views) or Akiba Dori (Tokyo-style pizza and neon vibes). For drinks and music, Siddharta Lounge Yas Bay mixes lounge beats with skyline outlooks in licensed premises.

Day 7: Mangroves, Brunch, and Departure

Morning: Kayak through the Eastern Mangrove National Park with a local outfitter (2-hour guided paddle; calm waters, herons and fiddler crabs). It’s a serene contrast to yesterday’s adrenaline and a memorable farewell.

Afternoon: Brunch before you go: Third Place Café near the Corniche (community vibe; avocado toast, shakshuka) or Rain Café (single-origin brews and inventive pastries). Transfer to the airport for your afternoon departure.

Evening: If your flight is later, fit in the Corniche boardwalk for a last stroll and dates shopping at a supermarket or specialty shop—perfect edible souvenirs.

Practical Notes and Getting Around

Transport: In Dubai, use the Metro (Nol card) for Downtown/Marina and taxis for cross-town trips. Abu Dhabi relies on taxis and buses (Hafilat card). Intercity Dubai–Abu Dhabi buses E100/E101 run frequently; private cars save time if traveling as a group.

Ticketing: Book timed entries for Museum of the Future, Burj Khalifa, and theme parks in advance, especially peak season (Oct–April). For flights into or out of the UAE, compare on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. For stays, see VRBO Dubai, Hotels.com Dubai, VRBO Abu Dhabi, and Hotels.com Abu Dhabi.

Dining short list (Dubai): Al Ustad Special Kebab (old-school Persian), Arabian Tea House (Emirati), Bu Qtair (waterside fish fry), Orfali Bros (creative small plates), Nightjar/Espresso Lab (coffee), Asia Asia or Cargo (Marina views).

Dining short list (Abu Dhabi): Al Fanar (Emirati), Byblos Sur Mer (Lebanese), Zuma or 99 Sushi (Japanese), Al Mrzab (Emirati classics), Third Place Café and Rain Café (coffee/brunch).

In one week, you’ll experience the UAE’s past and future—wooden abras on the creek, shimmering mosques, a galaxy of art under a floating dome, and sand dunes that glow like embers at sunset. This itinerary balances must-see icons with local favorites and relaxed seaside hours, making space for unforgettable meals and meaningful moments.