Marhaba—welcome to the UAE, a federation founded in 1971 that sprinted from pearl-diving ports to a modern hub of architecture, art, and hospitality. In a single week, you can wander coral-stone lanes in Old Dubai, gaze from the Burj Khalifa, ride an abra across Dubai Creek, and pray or ponder inside Abu Dhabi’s radiant Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Beyond the headlines of record-breaking towers, the UAE rewards curiosity: Emirati breakfasts under bougainvillea, spice-scented souks, mangrove marshes alive with herons, and galleries that champion both regional and global voices. Museums like Louvre Abu Dhabi and cultural districts such as Al Fahidi tell stories far older than the skyscrapers.

Practical notes: Dress modestly for mosques (shoulders and knees covered; women bring a scarf), and remember that summer heat is extreme—plan midday indoors. Many nationalities receive visa on arrival; always confirm current entry rules. Alcohol is served in licensed venues; respect local customs, especially during Ramadan.

Dubai

Dubai is the UAE’s high-energy playground: a city of futuristic skylines, beach boardwalks, and historic neighborhoods threaded by Dubai Creek. You’ll pair big-ticket sights like Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain with quieter gems—wind-tower houses, coffee roasters, and family-run kebab spots that locals swear by.

• Top sights: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall & Fountain show, Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, Dubai Creek abras, Museum of the Future, Dubai Marina & JBR, The View at The Palm.
• Activities: Desert safari with dune bashing and stargazing, souk-hopping in Deira (Gold & Spice), paddleboard at Kite Beach, contemporary art at Alserkal Avenue.
• Where to stay: Downtown for walkability to Burj Khalifa; Dubai Marina/JBR for beach vibes; Al Fahidi/Creek for heritage; Palm Jumeirah for resort pools.
• Eats & drinks (local favorites): Arabian Tea House (Emirati breakfasts), Al Ustad Special Kebab (since 1978; Iranian grills), Bu Qtair (iconic fish fry by the harbor), Ravi Restaurant (Pakistani comfort), 3Fils (harbor-side modern Asian), Orfali Bros (creative small plates), Nightjar (specialty coffee).

Getting there: Fly into DXB. Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Taxis to Downtown run ~25–30 minutes (~AED 50–80); the Metro is inexpensive and efficient.

Hotels & rentals: Browse stays near your preferred neighborhood on VRBO Dubai or Hotels.com Dubai.

Day 1: Arrival, Downtown Dubai, Fountain Night

Morning: Fly into DXB. If you arrive earlier than hotel check-in, drop bags and freshen up.

Afternoon: Ease into the city at Dubai Mall—more than shopping, it’s a climate-controlled launchpad to landmarks. Stroll the airy Souk Al Bahar footbridge for Burj Khalifa views, and, if you’re keen, book “At the Top” for late-afternoon entry (expect from ~AED 179; prime sunset higher). Pop into % Arabica or The Espresso Lab kiosk for a jetlag-fighting flat white.

Evening: Time dinner with the Dubai Fountain shows (every 30 minutes at night). For views and mezze, Al Hallab in Dubai Mall is a reliable Lebanese pick; or sample curated bites at Time Out Market just across the bridge. Cap the night with a cocktail at At.mosphere Lounge (levels 122) or the panoramic rooftop at Address Sky View—both deliver A-grade skyline drama.

Day 2: Old Dubai, Al Fahidi, Creek Souks

Morning: Breakfast in a courtyard at Arabian Tea House—order balaleet (sweet saffron vermicelli with egg) and regag bread. Wander Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood’s wind towers, the Coffee Museum, and the Coins Museum. If timings align, join a cultural meal at the nearby SMCCU to learn Emirati etiquette and stories.

Afternoon: Ride a wooden abra (AED 1) across Dubai Creek to Deira. Thread through the Spice and Gold Souks—look for saffron, frankincense, and artful bangles—then pause for juice at a streetside stall. Lunch back in Bur Dubai at Al Ustad Special Kebab: smoky yogurt-marinated kebabs, tiled walls layered with decades of photos.

Evening: Walk Al Seef’s creekside promenade—heritage façades meet cafés—and consider the Museum of the Future for an evening timeslot (tickets ~AED 149; eye-catching torus exterior inscribed with Arabic calligraphy). For dinner, Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant plates camel sliders, machboos, and luqaimat (date syrup doughnuts) in a lantern-lit patio.

Day 3: Beach Morning and Desert Safari

Morning: Head to Kite Beach for a swim and boardwalk stroll; grab specialty coffee and a cardamom croissant at The Sum of Us or hit SALT’s walk-up window for a casual burger by the sea. If you prefer art, taxi to Alserkal Avenue for galleries and a pour-over at Nightjar.

Afternoon: Most desert safaris collect around 3 p.m. Expect dune bashing in 4x4s, sandboarding, and a sunset pause among rippling ochre dunes—bring sunglasses and a scarf.

Evening: At camp, enjoy Arabic coffee, dates, and a buffet with grilled meats, salads, and sweets; some camps offer falconry demos and stargazing. You’ll return to the city by ~9–10 p.m.—if you’ve energy, Mirzam Chocolate Makers in Alserkal stays open late for single-origin bars and hot chocolate.

Day 4: Dubai Marina, JBR, and The Palm

Morning: Walk Dubai Marina’s waterfront and over to JBR. Breakfast at Baker & Spice (market-driven plates) or Common Grounds (eggs your way, good cold brew). Swim or rent a lounger on JBR Beach.

Afternoon: Head to The Palm. Ride up to The View at The Palm (level 52) for a bird’s-eye look at the frond-shaped archipelago. Seafood lunch near Jumeirah Fishing Harbour: Bu Qtair for chili-laced fried fish and paratha, or 3Fils for modern sashimi, crispy eggplant, and a chocolate bar dessert locals love.

Evening: Dress up for dinner at Pier 7 in the Marina; Asia Asia’s pan-Asian tasting menu and terrace views are date-night favorites. For nightcaps with perspective, The Observatory (Dubai Marriott Harbour) frames the entire Marina and Palm in glass.

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, pairs grandeur with reflection: a city of white domes, palm-lined boulevards, and cultural beacons on Saadiyat Island. It’s also bliss for beach days and family fun, with mangroves to kayak and record-setting theme parks on Yas Island.

• Top sights: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan (Presidential Palace), Corniche, Saadiyat Beach, Yas Island (Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi).
• Activities: Mangrove kayaking, palace tours, heritage at Qasr Al Hosn, cycling the Corniche, sunset at Mamsha Al Saadiyat.
• Eats & coffee: Meylas (Emirati), Al Fanar (heritage Emirati plates), Lebanese Flower (mezze and grills), Nolu’s (Afghan-Californian), Antonia (Roman-style pizza), The Third Place Café and Espresso Lab (specialty coffee).

Getting there from Dubai: Morning intercity buses (E100/E101) take ~1.5–2 hours (~AED 25). A taxi or private transfer runs ~1.5 hours and ~AED 250–320. If you prefer open-jaw flights, arrive in Dubai and depart Abu Dhabi—compare one-way or multi-city tickets on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Hotels & rentals: For beaches and culture, Saadiyat and the Corniche are ideal; for theme parks, base on Yas Island. Browse VRBO Abu Dhabi and Hotels.com Abu Dhabi.

Day 5: Transfer to Abu Dhabi, Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi

Morning: Depart Dubai after breakfast; plan to reach Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque by late morning. Dress modestly (women: headscarf; long sleeves; ankle-length skirt/pants). Its 82 domes, inlaid marble, and reflective pools make it one of the world’s great modern mosques.

Afternoon: Lunch at Meylas (Emirati classics like machboos and chebab pancakes) or Al Fanar (heritage décor and hearty rice dishes). Continue to Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat—its filigreed “rain of light” dome shades galleries that bridge civilizations; allow 2–3 hours.

Evening: Stroll Mamsha Al Saadiyat’s boardwalk at sunset. For dinner, Nolu’s serves bright Afghan-Californian salads and kebabs; or try Antonia for square-cut pizza al taglio and gelato. Nightcap with sea breeze at Yas Bay’s Siddharta Lounge if you’d like a view.

Day 6: Mangroves, Qasr Al Watan, Corniche Night

Morning: Kayak Abu Dhabi’s Mangrove National Park—calm channels, fiddler crabs, and egrets reward an early start (tours are ~2 hours; go at high tide when possible). Coffee afterward at The Third Place Café near the Corniche.

Afternoon: Tour Qasr Al Watan, the working Presidential Palace’s public wing, to admire intricate chandeliers, the Great Hall’s geometry, and exhibits on governance. Pause for an espresso at Espresso Lab in Manarat Al Saadiyat.

Evening: Walk or rent bikes along the Corniche promenade as the city lights come on. Dinner at Lebanese Flower (casual, generous mezze and mixed grills) or Al Ibrahimi (Pakistani–North Indian curries and tandoor breads). If you prefer thrills, swap today for a Yas Island theme park: Ferrari World (coasters), Warner Bros. World (family fun), or SeaWorld Abu Dhabi (marine life)—each can fill a day.

Day 7: Qasr Al Hosn, Crafts, Departure

Morning: Explore Qasr Al Hosn, the city’s oldest fort turned museum, and the neighboring House of Artisans for traditional crafts like sadu weaving and khoos palm-frond work. Pick up thoughtful, locally made souvenirs.

Afternoon: Early lunch at Al Mrzab (Emirati machboos, harees, and fresh juices) or a quick plate of shawarma along the Corniche. Transfer to AUH for your afternoon flight; if you’re flying out of Dubai instead, allow ~1.5–2 hours by taxi or bus plus airport time.

Evening: Fly home with sand still in your shoes and a camera roll of domes, dunes, and glass towers.

Where to Stay (Quick Picks)

• Dubai – Downtown: Walk to Burj Khalifa and fountain shows; handy for first-timers. Search options on Hotels.com Dubai or consider apartments via VRBO Dubai.
• Dubai – Marina/JBR: Beach access and evening promenades; great for families and beach lovers.
• Abu Dhabi – Saadiyat: Softer, natural beaches and quick access to Louvre Abu Dhabi.
• Abu Dhabi – Yas Island: Best if theme parks top your list; easy dining and entertainment cluster.

Getting In, Around, and Between Cities

• Flights: Compare international fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Consider flying into Dubai (DXB) and out of Abu Dhabi (AUH) to minimize backtracking.
• Local transport (Dubai): Metro and tram cover most visitor routes; taxis are plentiful (card accepted). Typical Metro fares AED 3–8; airport taxis to Downtown ~AED 50–80.
• Dubai ⇄ Abu Dhabi: RTA buses E100/E101 ~1.5–2 hours (~AED 25). Taxis/private cars ~1.5 hours (~AED 250–320). Morning departures make same-day sightseeing smooth.

Seven days in the UAE lets you taste the country’s spectrum: incense-scented alleys, sky-piercing towers, silent deserts, and sea-swept promenades. With this Dubai and Abu Dhabi itinerary, you’ll balance big sights and small moments—and leave already plotting a return for winter festivals, more mezze, and another golden-hour dune.