The United Arab Emirates blends pearl-diving heritage with audacious modernity. In just a few decades, Dubai’s skyline rose from trading creek to superlatives: the world’s tallest tower, choreographed fountains, and islands shaped like a palm. Abu Dhabi, the capital, complements that spectacle with sunlit museums, a luminous grand mosque, and quiet mangroves.

January is an ideal month to visit: expect clear skies and comfortable 18–26°C temperatures, perfect for beach walks and desert evenings. Savor Emirati dishes like machboos and luqaimat, alongside a kaleidoscope of regional flavors from Iran, India, and the Levant—testament to the UAE’s port-city past.

Practical notes: weekends are Saturday–Sunday; dress modestly at religious sites; taxis and ride-hailing are reliable; tap water is desalinated and safe in major hotels. For flights, compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com; plan intercity travel by bus or car (no passenger rail yet).

Dubai

Dubai is a city of contrasts: wind-tower lanes in Al Fahidi open onto the shimmering Dubai Creek, while minutes away the Museum of the Future bends steel like calligraphy. Mornings begin with cardamom-scented coffee; evenings end above the clouds at 122 floors.

• Top sights: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Fountain, Museum of the Future, Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, Dubai Creek abra, Gold & Spice Souks, Jumeirah Mosque tours, Dubai Frame, The View at The Palm.
• Eat & drink: Emirati at Al Fanar; Iranian kebabs at Al Ustad; fresh fry-ups at Bu Qtair by the fishing harbor; award-winning modern Middle Eastern at Orfali Bros Bistro; Pakistani comfort food at Ravi.
• Insider corners: Alserkal Avenue’s galleries and roastery cafes; sunset at Kite Beach facing Burj Al Arab; abra crossings for 1 AED that feel timeless.

Where to stay: For Downtown (near Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall), beachside JBR/Marina, or the cultural creekside in Al Seef/Al Fahidi, browse stays on Hotels.com Dubai or apartment-style options on VRBO Dubai.

Getting in: Fly into DXB and compare prices/times on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights. Taxis from DXB to Downtown take ~15–20 minutes.

Day 1: Arrival, Downtown Dubai Lights

Afternoon: Arrive at DXB and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle wander through Dubai Mall’s airy galleries (more than shopping: an ice rink and a giant aquarium to gawk at from the public side).

Evening: Book “At the Top” for Burj Khalifa around sunset (aim ~4:30–5:30 pm in January; from ~179 AED for standard). Watch the desert fade rose-gold into the Gulf. Back at ground level, catch the Dubai Fountain shows every 30 minutes in the evening—music ranges from Arabic classics to Andrea Bocelli.

Dinner: Choose between Zuma (buzzy izakaya-style in DIFC; miso black cod and a view of the skyline), Al Ustad Special Kebab (since 1978; charry koobideh and yogurt dip; no-frills, all heart), or Orfali Bros Bistro (inventive Middle Eastern plates like umami éclairs; consistently acclaimed in MENA 50 Best). Nightcap: Level 43 Sky Lounge for an open-air 360° sweep down Sheikh Zayed Road.

Day 2: Old Dubai—Creek, Souks, and Heritage

Morning: Breakfast in the lanes of Arabian Tea House (khameer bread, hummus, mint lemonade) in Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood. Explore coral-stone houses, the Coffee Museum, and courtyard galleries that explain Dubai’s pearl-diving roots.

Afternoon: Ride a wooden abra across Dubai Creek (1 AED coin fare) to Deira. Wander the Gold Souk (spot the record-breaking ring) and fragrant Spice Souk. Visit Al Shindagha Museum by the creek to trace the city’s evolution through multimedia rooms.

Evening: Dinner at Al Fanar (machboos, regag, slow-cooked lamb thereed) or Ravi Restaurant (butter chicken, mutton Peshawari—cheap, cheerful, beloved by locals). For dessert, try luqaimat (sweet dumplings) from a stall along Al Seef.

Day 3: Future Meets Sea—Museum, Mosque, Beach

Morning: Coffee at RAW Coffee Company or Nightjar in Alserkal Avenue; peek into contemporary galleries. Head to the Museum of the Future (book timed entry; adult tickets ~149 AED) to wander speculative labs and a lush “Library of Life.”

Afternoon: Tour Jumeirah Mosque (guided visits most days; modest dress). Then unwind at Kite Beach—smooth walking track, kitesurfers, and food trucks slinging shawarma and soft-serve.

Evening: Seafood at Bu Qtair by the old fishing harbor: point to the day’s catch, choose spicy rub, eat alfresco with paratha. After, try CÉ LA VI at Address Sky View for a skyline drink facing the luminous Burj Khalifa.

Day 4: Palm Views and Desert Safari

Morning: Ride the monorail to The View at The Palm (Palm Tower) for a 240m high look at the palm-shaped archipelago. Brunch nearby at Reif Japanese Kushiyaki (Nakheel Mall) or coastal bites at Jones the Grocer on West Beach.

Afternoon: Get ready for a red-dune desert safari (typical pickup 2:30–3:00 pm). Expect dune-bashing in Lahbab, sandboarding, camel meet-and-greet, and a camp dinner with oud music and tanoura dance. Opt for a small-group or private 4x4 for a smoother ride.

Evening: Return to the city (~9:00 pm). Light supper at Project Chaiwala (karak and samosas) or a gelato stroll along JBR if you have extra energy.

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is sunlight on white stone, a slower tempo by the sea, and museums whose lattices cast geometric shadows. From Saadiyat’s cultural district to mangrove forests and palatial landmarks, the capital balances grandeur with calm.

• Top sights: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan (Presidential Palace), Qasr Al Hosn, Corniche, Yas Island (Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, Yas Waterworld), Eastern Mangroves.
• Eat & drink: Emirati at Al Mrzab; fresh seafood at Fishmarket (pier-to-plate ritual); Third Place Café for community vibes; stylish sundowners at Observation Deck at 300.
• Good to know: The mosque enforces dress codes (women: full-length, headscarf; men: long trousers). Book major attractions ahead on weekends.

Where to stay: For culture-forward Saadiyat Island, family-friendly Yas Island, or Corniche city views, compare on Hotels.com Abu Dhabi and apartment options on VRBO Abu Dhabi.

Getting there from Dubai (Day 5 morning): Bus E101/E102 from Ibn Battuta or Al Ghubaiba to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station takes ~1.5–2 hours (about 25 AED). A taxi/ride-hail is ~90 minutes, ~250–300 AED depending on traffic.

Day 5: Transfer, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan

Morning: Depart Dubai after breakfast for Abu Dhabi (assume 9:00 am bus). Check in and freshen up.

Afternoon: Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: gleaming domes, floral marble inlays, reflective pools, and the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet. Continue to Qasr Al Watan, the Presidential Palace—its Great Hall’s starburst patterns are breathtaking and the library quietly inspiring.

Evening: Dinner on the Corniche at Fishmarket (choose your catch, weigh, and cook to order with citrusy sauces) or heritage-rich Al Mrzab (harees, jesheed, madhrooba). Cap the night at Observation Deck at 300 in Etihad Towers for a high-altitude tea or mocktail.

Day 6: Louvre Abu Dhabi and Yas Island Thrills

Morning: Coffee at Espresso Lab on Mamsha Saadiyat, then head to Louvre Abu Dhabi. Jean Nouvel’s dome scatters “rain of light” over galleries that pair Mesopotamian artifacts with modern masters—walk the sea-facing promenades between sections.

Afternoon: Choose your Yas adventure: Ferrari World (Formula Rossa, the planet’s fastest coaster), Warner Bros. World (indoor, family-friendly), or Yas Waterworld (slides and a lazy river). Non-riders can shop at Yas Mall.

Evening: Dine along Yas Bay: Asia Asia (pan-Asian plates with marina views), Akiba Dori (Tokyo-style street pizza and neon glow), or Siddharta Lounge by Buddha-Bar (chic terrace). If you prefer quiet, stroll the Corniche for sea breeze and skyline silhouettes.

Day 7: Mangroves or Old Fort, Departure

Morning: Pick one: kayak through the Eastern Mangroves (calm channels, herons, and glassy water; 1.5–2 hours) or explore Qasr Al Hosn, the city’s oldest fort, plus the adjacent Cultural Foundation’s rotating exhibits.

Afternoon: Early lunch at Third Place Café (eggs shakshuka, date cake) or % Arabica at The Galleria before heading to AUH for your flight. For flights out of either AUH or DXB, compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Evening: Flight day—if you’re lingering, pick up dates stuffed with pistachios and orange peel, a delicious souvenir that actually gets eaten.

Sample Daily Coffee, Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Picks

• Dubai Coffee: Nightjar (Alserkal), The Sum of Us (DIFC), % Arabica (Dubai Mall).
• Dubai Meals: Breakfast at Arabian Tea House; lunch at Logma (Khaleeji dishes); dinner at Bu Qtair, Orfali Bros, or Al Ustad.
• Abu Dhabi Coffee: Espresso Lab (Saadiyat), Blacksmith Coffee (Al Zeina), Third Place Café (Corniche).
• Abu Dhabi Meals: Lunch at Nolu’s (Californian-Afghan bowls) on Al Maryah; dinner at Fishmarket, Al Mrzab, or Asia Asia (Yas Bay).

Getting Around and Ballpark Costs

• Dubai Metro: Handy for DXB ↔ Downtown/Marina; taxis fill the gaps. Abra rides on the creek are 1 AED.
• Dubai → Abu Dhabi: Intercity bus 1.5–2 hours (~25 AED); taxi ~90 minutes (250–300 AED). No passenger rail as of early 2025.
• Major tickets: Burj Khalifa from ~179 AED; Museum of the Future ~149 AED; Louvre Abu Dhabi ~63 AED (standard adult); mosque entry is free but consider a guided tour time.

For accommodations throughout, compare neighborhoods and deals here: Hotels.com Dubai, VRBO Dubai, Hotels.com Abu Dhabi, and VRBO Abu Dhabi. For flights into and out of the UAE, check Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

This 7-day Dubai and Abu Dhabi itinerary balances headline sights with neighborhood flavors, from abra crossings to museum domes and starlit dunes. You’ll leave with sand in your shoes, skyline silhouettes in your photos, and a list of restaurants you’ll be craving long after the flight home.