Dubai grew from a creek-side trading port to a city of superlatives, where wind towers and wooden abras share space with record-breaking towers. Pearl divers once set the rhythm here; now chefs, artists, and engineers do. The result is a destination that feels both futuristic and deeply rooted in Arabian hospitality.

Spend your week tracing that story—from the alleys of Al Fahidi to the shimmering Dubai Marina, from starlit dunes to wave-lapped beaches. Along the way, you’ll eat Emirati classics, sip cardamom-laced coffee, admire modern architecture, and cruise past palaces of glass. This Dubai travel plan balances big-ticket sights with local finds.

Practical notes: dress modestly in historic districts and religious sites; the legal drinking age is 21 (no drinking in public), and weekends run Saturday–Sunday. Taxis and the driverless Metro are reliable, and a Nol card makes rides easy. If your dates overlap with Ramadan, expect quieter days and magical iftar evenings.

Dubai

Dubai is a collage of neighborhoods: creek-side Deira and Bur Dubai, artsy Alserkal Avenue, beachy JBR and Kite Beach, and the soaring Downtown core. You’ll wander souks that still bustle with gold and spices, then ride an elevator into the clouds for sunset over the Gulf.

• Top sights: Burj Khalifa, Museum of the Future, Dubai Creek & Souks, JBR Beach, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, Alserkal Avenue.
• Can’t-miss flavors: luqaimat with date syrup, machboos, fresh hammour at beach shacks, shawarma at 2 a.m., and modern Middle Eastern by award-winning chefs.
• Local tip: abra boats across the creek are still AED 1 per ride—bring coins or small bills.

Where to stay (pick by vibe and budget):

• Iconic: Burj Al Arab Jumeirah for over-the-top suites and sea views.
• Resort: Atlantis, The Palm with Aquaventure Waterpark access.
• Design + value Downtown: Rove Downtown Dubai or Rove Downtown for smart rooms steps from Burj Khalifa.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com Dubai or apartments on VRBO Dubai.

How to get to Dubai:

• Fly into DXB (most international) or DWC (select carriers). Search fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: London ~7h, New York ~12–14h, Singapore ~7h. Economy deals often range $500–$1,200 round-trip depending on season.
• From DXB to Downtown: 15–25 minutes by taxi (AED 50–80) or take the Red Line Metro to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall.

Day 1: Arrival, Dubai Mall, and the Burj Khalifa at Sunset

Afternoon: Land, check in, and stretch your legs at Dubai Mall’s indoor waterfalls and Souk Al Bahar footbridge. For coffee and a light bite, try The Sum of Us (Downtown) for house-roasted beans or % Arabica for a flat white with fountain views.

Evening: Time your ascent for golden hour at the world’s tallest tower. Book Burj Khalifa At The Top ticket with Optional Premium Access to watch day fade into neon.

Night: Catch the Dubai Fountain shows (every 30 minutes in the evening). Dinner nearby: Al Hallab in Dubai Mall for Lebanese grills, or Social House for global comfort with terrace seating. If you’ve got energy, a late stroll through the illuminated Downtown boulevard is a gentle way to beat jet lag.

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

Morning: Start in Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood—sand-colored courtyards, gypsum walls, and wind towers that cooled homes long before AC. Breakfast at Arabian Tea House for khameer bread, balaleet (sweet vermicelli with eggs), and mint tea in a leafy garden.

Afternoon: Cross the creek on an abra (AED 1) to Deira. Wander the Spice Souk’s saffron, za’atar, and frankincense lanes, then the glittering Gold Souk. Join a guided walk to fold in tastings and stories: Dubai Aladdin Tour: Souks, Creek, Old Dubai and Tastings.

Night: Dine at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant (Al Fahidi) for Emirati machboos and madrooba, or Al Ustad Special Kabab (since 1978) for juicy kababs and yogurt-marinated chicken. For a creekside drink (licensed venues are limited in this area), head to a hotel bar in Deira or return Downtown.

Day 3: Beach Morning and Premium Desert Safari

Morning: Coffee at Nightjar (Alserkal Avenue) for nitro cold brew and baked goods, then laze at Kite Beach with views of Burj Al Arab. Grab lunch at Bu Qtair near Umm Suqeim—choose your fresh catch, get it fried or grilled, and eat it with curry and paratha at plastic tables by the fishing harbor.

Afternoon & Evening (Desert Safari): Get picked up for an adrenaline-and-culture combo: dune bashing, sandboarding, camel rides, falcon photos, and a starry BBQ dinner at an upscale Bedouin-style camp. Book the Dubai Premium Red Dunes Safari, Camels & 5* BBQ at Al Khayma camp (expect ~6–7 hours round-trip).

Day 4: Dubai Marina, Yacht Cruise, JBR & Bluewaters

Morning: See the skyline from the sea on a shared yacht with guided commentary and photo ops. Choose a morning sailing with breakfast: Dubai Marina Yacht Tour with Optional Breakfast or BBQ.

Afternoon: Stroll JBR The Beach promenade for sea swims and street art. Lunch at 3Fils (Jumeirah Fishing Harbour) for wagyu sando and spicy tuna, or Orfali Bros Bistro (Wasl 51) for modern Middle Eastern hits like umami eclairs and Aleppo-inspired kebabs.

Evening: Go for a gravity-defying dinner: Dinner in the Sky Dubai suspends you 50 meters up with city views (book sunset). Prefer a classic? Book a pier-side table at Pierchic for seafood with Burj Al Arab on the horizon.

Day 5: Museum of the Future, Alserkal Avenue, Mall of the Emirates

Morning: Step 50 years ahead at the calligraphy-clad icon on Sheikh Zayed Road. Reserve Museum of the Future Tickets and budget 1.5–2 hours for immersive galleries and smart sustainability concepts.

Afternoon: Explore Alserkal Avenue’s warehouses turned galleries. For lunch, try Wild & The Moon for plant-based bowls or Nightjar’s brisket buns. Later, head to Mall of the Emirates—shop global brands or pop into Ski Dubai to watch penguins and skiers in the desert.

Evening: Dinner in Satwa at Ravi Restaurant for Pakistani curries and naans that locals swear by, or head to Reif Japanese Kushiyaki (Dar Wasl) for playful robata skewers and handrolls. Nightcap at one of the Marina’s rooftop lounges.

Day 6: Abu Dhabi Day Trip—Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan, Etihad Towers

Take a guided day trip to the UAE capital for dazzling architecture and courtly glamour. Book Dubai To Abu Dhabi: Grand Mosque, Royal Palace & Etihad Towers with hotel pickup; it typically runs 10–11 hours and includes Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the presidential palace Qasr Al Watan, and a skyline viewpoint.

Dress code for the mosque is strict: shoulders, arms, and legs fully covered; women require headscarves. Lunch suggestions in Abu Dhabi include Al Fanar (Emirati dishes) or homemade-style mezze at Al Ibrahimi. Return to Dubai by early evening; keep dinner light—perhaps shawarma at Automatic or a late gelato along JBR.

Day 7: Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis Fun, and a Farewell Cruise

Morning: Breakfast at Bageri Form (Nakheel Mall) for Nordic pastries, then ride to Atlantis, The Palm. Spend the morning at Aquaventure Waterpark’s slides and lazy rivers, or book a relaxed spa session if you’re more unwind-than-thrill.

Afternoon: Lunch at Seafire Steakhouse (Atlantis) or the laid-back Black Tap for burgers and over-the-top shakes. Catch last photos along the Palm Boardwalk with wide-angle skyline views.

Evening: Close your week on the water with a live-music dinner dhow along the skyscrapers of the Marina: Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise with Live Music & Open Bar. Alternatively, opt for a premium superyacht vibe with meals and DJ: Dubai Harbour Superyacht Experience with gourmet and Drinks.

Optional Add-Ons if You Have Extra Energy

• City overview in a day: Full Day Dubai City Tour with At the Top Burj Khalifa Ticket.
• Morning dunes if you prefer earlier adventures: Half-Day Desert Safari, Camels, Quad Bike & Refreshments.

Local eats and sips to bookmark:

• Breakfast/coffee: The Sum of Us (Downtown), Nightjar (Alserkal Avenue), Espresso Lab (City Walk).
• Casual icons: Ravi Restaurant (Satwa), Al Ustad Special Kabab (Bur Dubai), Bu Qtair (Umm Suqeim).
• Modern musts: 3Fils (Jumeirah Fishing Harbour), Orfali Bros Bistro (Wasl 51), Reif Japanese Kushiyaki (Dar Wasl).
• Emirati flavors: Al Khayma Heritage (Al Fahidi), Al Fanar (multiple locations).

Getting around: ride the clean, air‑conditioned Metro between major hubs (buy a Nol card), or taxis/Careem for door-to-door convenience. Plan 20–35 minutes Downtown↔Marina off-peak, and allow extra time during rush hour.

Ready to book flights or tweak dates? Compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com, then lock in your hotel on Hotels.com or VRBO.

After a week in Dubai, you’ll have traded souk stories for skyline sunsets, tasted both centuries-old recipes and boundary-pushing plates, and felt the hush of desert stars. This city is a constant work in progress—come once, and you’ll start planning the next chapter.