Dubai rose from a modest pearling port on the Arabian Gulf to a global city in just a few decades. Today its skyline is a roll call of superlatives—Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower; palm-shaped islands visible from space; and vast shopping and dining districts that hum late into the night.

Beyond the headliners, Dubai rewards curiosity. Drift through spice-scented lanes in Old Dubai, sip Arabic coffee in a wind-tower courtyard, and watch abras (water taxis) cross the Creek. Then pivot to red sand dunes at sunset, yacht-lined marinas, art warehouses in Alserkal Avenue, and innovative museums that spotlight the future as much as the past.

Practical notes: Winter (Nov–Apr) is the most comfortable season; summer heat is intense. The weekend is Saturday–Sunday; dress modestly at mosques and heritage areas. Taxis and the Metro are reliable; buy a Nol transit card. The currency is AED (dirham), tipping is ~10% in restaurants, and Ramadan etiquette applies (daytime dining is now widely accommodated, but be respectful).

Dubai

Dubai is a city of contrasts—wind-tower houses beside mirrored skyscrapers; desert silence minutes from beach cafés; shawarma counters as beloved as Michelin-rated kitchens. Neighborhoods you’ll bounce between include Downtown (Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall), Dubai Marina and JBR (beach life and yacht vibes), Palm Jumeirah (resorts and skyline views), Al Fahidi and Deira (heritage quarters and souks), and Al Quoz (galleries and indie coffee).

• Top sights: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Fountain, Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, Gold & Spice Souks, Museum of the Future, Dubai Frame, Palm Jumeirah boardwalk, JBR Beach, Alserkal Avenue.
• Dining to know: Emirati staples like machboos and luqaimat; outstanding Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Japanese spots; and Dubai’s weekend brunch culture.
• Fun facts: Dubai runs one of the world’s longest driverless metro lines, and its traditional abras still ferry locals across Dubai Creek for a few dirhams.

Where to stay (curated picks + search tools):

• Search all stays: VRBO Dubai apartments & villas | Hotels.com Dubai hotels
• Icon on the Gulf: Burj Al Arab Jumeirah — an architectural legend with overwater terraces and destination dining.
• Resort playground: Atlantis, The Palm — beaches, Aquaventure Waterpark, and family-friendly thrills.
• Smart downtown base: Rove Downtown Dubai — design-forward, great value, steps from Dubai Mall and the Metro.

How to get there: Fly into DXB (Dubai International) or DWC (Al Maktoum). Compare fares on Trip.com flights, Kiwi.com, or, if you’re flying to/from Europe, Omio flights. Taxis from DXB to Downtown run ~15–25 minutes depending on traffic; the Red Line Metro serves Terminals 1/3.

Day 1: Arrival, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Fountain

Afternoon: Land in Dubai and check in. Shake off jet lag with a stroll through Dubai Mall’s airy atriums and art installations; it’s more than shopping—think waterfall walls and an indoor aquarium you can admire even without a ticket. Coffee break at The Sum of Us (roastery and bakery; try the halloumi avo toast).

Evening: Time your ascent for golden hour atop the world’s tallest tower.

Burj Khalifa At The Top ticket with Optional Premium Access

After sunset, watch the Dubai Fountain shows from the Dubai Mall promenade or Souk Al Bahar bridge. Dinner at Time Out Market Dubai (curated local favorites under one roof): grab a wagyu katsu sando from Reif Japanese Kushiyaki, Emirati machboos at Al Fanar, or shawarma from Project Chaiwala, then a BRIX dessert.

Day 2: Old Dubai, Creek Crossings, Gold & Spice Souks

Morning: Breakfast in a jasmine-scented courtyard at Arabian Tea House (Emirati breakfast platter and fresh khameer bread). Wander Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood’s wind-tower lanes and stop at Al Shindagha Museum’s Perfume House to trace Gulf fragrance traditions.

Afternoon: Join a passionate local for a deep dive into Old Dubai’s tastes and tales—perfect if it’s your first time.

Dubai Aladdin Tour: Souks, Creek, Old Dubai and Tastings

Ride an abra across the Creek (a few dirhams), then browse the Spice and Gold Souks—look for saffron, za’atar, frankincense, and the elaborate bridal jewelry displays.

Evening: Dinner at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant (slow-cooked lamb shank and regag bread) or Bait Al Wakeel right on the water for grilled hammour. Cap the night with pistachio gelato along the Al Seef waterfront.

Day 3: Beach Morning, Mall of the Emirates, Red-Dune Safari

Morning: Start at JBR Beach—swim, people-watch, or stroll the boardwalk. Breakfast at Common Grounds (JBR) for specialty coffee and burrata eggs. If you’re feeling active, rent a bike and cruise the marina promenade.

Afternoon: Head to Mall of the Emirates; window-shop the high-fashion wings or peek at Ski Dubai’s snowy slope through the viewing windows. Quick lunch at Operation Falafel (crispy falafel and saj wraps) or Din Tai Fung (MOE; xiao long bao are excellent).

Evening: Your quintessential Dubai experience: a red-dune safari with sunset, camels, and a 5-star BBQ.

Dubai Premium Red Dunes Safari, Camels & 5* BBQ at Al Khayma Camp

Expect dune bashing, sandboarding, a short camel ride, and a lavish dinner with oud music under desert stars. Wear closed-toe shoes; bring a light jacket November–March.

Day 4: Palm Jumeirah Views, Dubai Marina Yachts, Seaside Eats

Morning: Breakfast at Ella’s Eatery on Palm Jumeirah (shoreline views, great family platters). For a thrilling city overview, float 300 meters up for photo-ready panoramas of the Palm’s fronds and the Dubai Marina skyline.

Dubai: Exhilarating 10-Minute Balloon Ride Over Palm Jumeirah

Afternoon: Head to Dubai Harbour or the Marina for a shared luxury yacht cruise past Bluewaters, JBR, and Atlantis. Choose a daytime slot for turquoise water or sunset for molten skies.

Dubai Harbor: Luxury Yacht Tour with BBQ Options

Evening: Dinner at The Maine Oyster Bar & Grill (JBR)—crab cakes, truffled fries, and oysters on ice—or Pier 7’s Asia Asia for candlelit, spice-route flavors with marina views. Nightcap: gelato on The Beach promenade.

Day 5: Museum of the Future, Alserkal Avenue Art, Dinner in the Sky

Morning: Book a morning slot at the Museum of the Future to step through immersive galleries that imagine healthcare, sustainability, and space travel in 2071. Coffee at The Sum of Us (nearby) or % Arabica Downtown for a Kyoto-roast flat white.

Afternoon: Explore Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz—warehouse galleries, indie fashion, and pop-up installations. Refuel at Nightjar Coffee Roasters (cold brew on tap, skillet eggs) or Boston Lane (Aussie-style café plates) before browsing concept spaces like The Flip Side (vinyl) and Concrete (for rotating shows).

Evening: Buckle into a sky table and dine 50 meters above the city—equal parts thrill ride and brag-worthy feast.

Dinner in the Sky Dubai: Aerial Dining with City Views

Prefer to stay grounded? Book a table at Orfali Bros Bistro (modern Levantine with a playful twist; try the OB croquette and shish barak a la sgyoza) and end with kunafa at Feras Sweets.

Day 6: Full-Day Abu Dhabi Icons (Easy Guided Trip)

Make a rewarding day trip to the UAE capital (about 90 minutes each way by road). This premium tour covers marquee sights without the logistics headache, including entry and a knowledgeable guide.

Dubai To Abu Dhabi: Grand Mosque, Royal Palace & Etihad Tower

Expect the luminous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (dress modestly; borrow abayas/kanduras if needed), Qasr Al Watan’s palace craftsmanship, and skyline views from Etihad Towers. Back in Dubai, unwind with a late mezze spread at Al Nafoorah (Madinat Jumeirah)—grilled kebabs, silky hummus, and hot-from-the-oven manakish.

Day 7: Flowers, Indoor Flight Thrills, Souk Madinat Farewell (Departure)

Morning: If visiting November–April, wander the fantastical floral sculptures at Miracle Garden (150+ million blooms)—it’s as photogenic as it sounds.

Dubai: Skip-The-Line Ticket to Dubai Miracle Garden

Out of season? Swap in The Green Planet biodome (tropical indoor rainforest) or a calm beach walk at Kite Beach with coffee from % Arabica.

Afternoon: Squeeze in one last adrenaline hit at iFly—vertical wind tunnels let you “skydive” without a plane, a great family-friendly finale.

Indoor Skydiving Experience at iFly Dubai

Evening: Depending on your flight time (assume afternoon departure), enjoy an early lunch at Mall of the Emirates—Din Tai Fung’s chili-calamansi wontons or Eataly’s fresh pasta—then head to Souk Madinat Jumeirah for last-minute souvenirs and lagoon views of the Burj Al Arab. Depart for the airport with extra time for security and duty-free shopping.

Optional swaps and extras: Prefer a heritage-focused desert evening? Try the vintage Land Rover experience with a classic Emirati dinner: Dubai: Heritage Desert Safari in Vintage Land Rover with Dinner.

Wherever you base yourself, this 7-day Dubai travel guide balances star attractions with local favorites—Arabic coffee at dawn, dhow lights at dusk, and crimson dunes under desert constellations. From Old Dubai’s souks to Palm Jumeirah’s skyline, you’ll leave with a reel of moments and a taste for one more abra ride.